All posts by ARP Trish

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Post Race

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
FOOD CITY 500
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPTS
APRIL 24, 2017

JIMMIE JOHNSON TAKES CHEVY TO VICTORY LANE IN THUNDER VALLEY
Seven-Time Champion Earns Second Career Victory at Bristol Motor Speedway

BRISTOL, Tenn. – (April 24, 2017) – Jimmie Johnson led 81 laps in his No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS en route to his second career victory at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) in the Food City 500, the eighth race of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 2017 campaign. Torrential rains on Sunday postponed the 500-lap contest to Monday afternoon.
Johnson started in the 11th position and contended near the front all day. Flawlessly executed pit stops and persistency allowed the seven-time series champion to take the top spot with 20 laps remaining and earn his second consecutive win this season. The win marks Johnson’s 82nd career victory, leaving him only one win away from tying Cale Yarborough for sixth on the all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins list. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Post Race →

Gary Scelzi Motorsports

Giovanni Scelzi Caps Peter Murphy Classic With Podium Finish for Roth Motorsports

Giovanni Scelzi Caps Peter Murphy Classic With Podium Finish for Roth Motorsports

Inside Line Promotions – TULARE, Calif. (April 24, 2017) – Giovanni Scelzi earned a pair of strong results last weekend during the Peter Murphy Classic at Thunderbowl Raceway, where he guided his Roth Motorsports entry to a sixth-place finish on Friday with the Sprint Car Challenge Tour and a third-place result on Saturday with the King of the West-NARC Fujitsu Sprint Car Series.

“They were both good nights,” he said. “That’s an intimidating place. To unload with such a fast car on Friday was a big confidence boost.”

Scelzi qualified fifth quickest in his group and ninth overall out of more than 50 drivers to kick off Friday’s competition. He quickly maneuvered from fifth place into the lead during a heat race, but the rear end broke with two laps remaining.

That sent Scelzi into the B Main, which he won after starting third to transfer into the 13th starting position in the main event.

“We got rolling in the feature,” he said. “The track was really, really slick. I was really surprised it didn’t take rubber because it was really slick from the first lap. I got caught midpack running for eighth and ninth. It took too long to get through the field. I thought we had the car speed to run for a win, but it took too long to get up there.”

Scelzi climbed into the top five following a late-race restart, but he slid into the wall in turns one and two and another competitor took advantage. Scelzi closed with a sixth-place result. Here is a link to watch the feature: https://youtu.be/7qrCXibYaeQ.

The event concluded on Saturday, when Scelzi made his 410ci winged sprint car debut at Thunderbowl Raceway during only his second career 410 race.

“It was a huge speed change from the night before,” he said. “It was kind of a surprise going quick time. I tried to be as smooth as I could. It was nice drawing an early pill because the track slowed down.”

Scelzi set quick time out of nearly 40 drivers during qualifying. He then advanced from fourth to second place in a heat race to make the pole shuffle, where a zero inversion gave him the No. 1 position.

“I chose the bottom line and got the jump over Bud Kaeding,” he said. “We led both laps and won so that gave us the pole for the main event.

“The non-wing race before us took rubber and they reworked the track for our A Main. On the initial start I hit some grease and spun my tires and Bud got in front of me. On the next restart I wheelied down the frontstretch and fell back to third. The first 10 or 15 laps I ran around in third. Carson Macedo drove by me and I fell to fourth. I really couldn’t get going. On the last corner of the race I drove by Buddy Kofoid for third.”

Scelzi capped the event by placing third, which marked his fourth top five of the season. He has scored a top-five result during both career 410 races. Here is a link to watch the main event: https://youtu.be/umxEHfz2rtE.

“It’s been a good start to the year with the 410 deal,” he said. “I’m learning more. I need to calm down and not force the issue. I was trying to go so hard and it hurt me. I want to thank Dennis and Teresa Roth as well as the rest of the team for their hard work and the great opportunity.”

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing–Food City 500

Austin Dillon and the New Era Caps Chevrolet Team Bring Home a Solid, 13th-Place Finish at the Last Great Colosseum

“Our New Era Caps Chevrolet was probably better than where we ended up finishing. We couldn’t do a whole lot on the track today, mainly because we struggled on the bottom. We lost some track position in the middle of the race, but once we got it back we ran smart and minimized any mistakes. Overall, it was a decent day for our team at Bristol. It wasn’t the finish we wanted, but we needed a solid day and that’s what we ended up with here.”

– Austin Dillon
Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Food City 500 →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Jimmie Johnson

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
FOOD CITY 500
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
APRIL 24, 2017

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS – RACE WINNER
IT TOOK SEVEN YEARS FOR YOU TO GET A SECOND WIN AT BRISTOL. YOU WERE THE GUY ON THAT FINAL RUN THAT FOUND THE BOTTOM FIRST AND BEST
“Yeah, it was kind of interesting because when the No. 42 (Kyle Larson) was there, it just created an environment to run the top and I wasn’t as good on the top. The No. 42, not being up there and that first couple of cars; the bottom was really where it was at for the short run. This Lowe’s Chevrolet was flying!

“I’m so happy to give everybody at A.O. Smith a good ride on the quarter panel this weekend. We wouldn’t be here without a ton of support from Valvoline, Gatorade, the fans, Lowe’s, and Chevrolet. This track has been difficult over the years and we really hit on something Saturday afternoon in that last practice session around the bottom and honestly, it’s what I’ve been looking for here for 16 years and we finally figured it out. So, I’m very, very happy.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Jimmie Johnson →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Post Race

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
FOOD CITY 500
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER RACE NOTES & QUOTES
APRIL 24, 2017

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS – Race Winner
IT TOOK SEVEN YEARS FOR YOU TO GET A SECOND WIN AT BRISTOL. YOU WERE THE GUY ON THAT FINAL RUN THAT FOUND THE BOTTOM FIRST AND BEST
“Yeah, it was kind of interesting because when the No. 42 (Kyle Larson) was there, it just created an environment to run the top and I wasn’t as good on the top. The No. 42, not being up there and that first couple of cars; the bottom was really where it was at for the short run. This Lowe’s Chevrolet was flying! Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Post Race →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Dale Earnhardt Jr

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
FOOD CITY 500
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
APRIL 24, 2017

DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CHEVROLET – Involved in an incident on lap 218

THEY ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS WHAT DAMAGE WAS DONE BEFORE THE INCIDENT AND WHAT DAMAGE WAS DONE AFTER YOU HIT THE WALL, BUT DID YOU HAVE ANY IDEA AT ALL THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM?
“We came out of the pits and there’s some oil in the pit stall I noticed when I was getting lined-up for double file, is smoking. I don’t know why. But it’s got oil all over the engine compartment. So, in the corner, it just went straight in the wall. I don’t know what’s broke, but I think that’s the end of the day.”

ACCORDING TO NASCAR RULES, YOU HAVE TO DO TO THE MEDICAL CENTER. DO YOU FEEL OKAY?
“I feel good. We’ll get in here and find out.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Dale Earnhardt Jr →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Chris Buescher

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
FOOD CITY 500
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
APRIL 24, 2017

CHRIS BUESCHER, NO. 37 BUSH’S BAKED BEANS CHEVROLET SS – Involved in a multi-car accident on lap 56

YOU STARTED FROM THE REAR IN A BACK-UP CAR, BUT NOW YOUR DAY IS DONE. WHAT DID YOU SEE FROM WITHIN THE CAR?
“I guess I didn’t realize there was a wreck before that. I know everybody was slowing up and the caution was out. I tried to get on the brakes and it just wheel-hopped. It’s just a pretty big shame for our Bush’s Baked Beans Chevrolet. Like you said, we started last in our back-up and were rolling through there pretty good. We were fighting to be in the spot for the Lucky Dog there, and we were right there at it. And Ty (Dillon) was right there. We had found something after (Kyle) Larson passed me on the high side and kind of found something doing the same thing. And we were just starting to pick up a little bit of momentum there. I hate it. I hate it for this team and how hard they’ve worked this whole weekend and on a Monday for our race to be cut that short. I feel like a large part of that’s on me. We’ve got to do better than that on my side. And we’ll go to Richmond and see if we can have a good day.”

WHAT HAPPENED FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE?
“We started at the back and we were making really good head way with our Bush’s Baked Beans Chevy. And was really happy with the balance of it and it was looking to be a good start to a race. I am honestly not really sure what happened. Came off (Turn) four there and fighting for the lucky dog and trying to get in that spot. Everybody starts checking up and I locked the brakes up and just couldn’t get slowed down in time. I think I ended up tearing the radiator out of the car and pretty much it just ends our day now.”

I KNOW YOU WERE NOT OUT THERE LONG BUT IS THE BOTTOM STILL THE PREFERRED GROOVE?
“Yeah, definitely right now. The top was just starting to come in to an extent to be able to be something useable for passing. We were able to get by a couple there at the end doing just that. Just a shame we don’t get to use it more now.”

Chevrolet Racing

CHEVY FAST FACTS FOOD CITY 500 BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

CHEVY FAST FACTS
FOOD CITY 500
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
April 24, 2017

A total of 17 Team Chevy drivers will start the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The 500-lap/266.5-mile contest around the half mile venue is scheduled to begin at 1p.m., ET. Live coverage will be available on FOX, PRN Radio, Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and NASCAR.com.

CHEVROLET DRIVERS STARTING IN THE TOP-10:
Kyle Larson, No. 42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet SS, will lead the field to green as the pole sitter
Chase Elliott, No. 24 Mountain Dew/Little Caesars Chevrolet SS, will start second making it an all Chevrolet front-row
Jamie McMurray, No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevrolet SS, will start eighth

TEAM CHEVY IN MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES (MENCS) COMPETITION:
· Chevrolet has won 39 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships

· Team Chevy drivers have scored 768 wins and 690 poles in MENCS competition

CHEVROLET ON THE TRACK—BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
· Chevrolet drivers have won 44 of 112 races at Bristol Motor Speedway. Victories by current Team Chevy drivers are:

o Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS, has made one trip to Winner’s Circle at BMS (’10)

o Dale Earnhardt, Jr., No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS, has one victory at Bristol Motor Speedway (’04)

o Kasey Kahne, No. 5 Great Clips Chevrolet SS, has recorded one victory at BMS (’13)

· A Chevrolet driver has won one of the last three races at Bristol Motor Speedway

· A Chevrolet driver has sat on the pole at Bristol Motor Speedway 37 times

· Team Chevy drivers have scored 201 top-five and 414 top-10 finishes at Bristol Motor Speedway

· A Chevrolet has led laps 22,773 (41.8% of possible 54,477laps) at Bristol Motor Speedway

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Texas Post Race

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS
BAYTOWN, TEXAS
POST-RACE DRIVER QUOTES
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2017

BO BUTNER, BUTNER AUTO SALES, JIM BUTNER AUTO CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 2 qualifier, earned first Pro Stock win):

Q: YOU’D BEEN IN THE FINAL SEVEN TIMES AND COME UP SHORT. WHAT WAS SPECIAL ABOUT TODAY?
BO BUTNER: “I can’t tell you what’s so special because I’ve had the best car all year long. I have the best crew, the best of everything. It just went our way today.”
Q: HOW DOES YOUR APPROACH DIFFER FROM A PRO STOCK CAR TO A SUPER STOCK OR STOCK ELIMINATOR? Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Texas Post Race →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Barber Post Race

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA’
BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
POST RACE RECAP
APRIL 23, 2017

Josef Newgarden Puts Chevrolet in Victory Lane at Barber

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – It did not take Josef Newgarden long to get comfortable in his new surroundings at Team Penske in the No. 2 Fitzgerald Glider Kits Chevrolet. In just his third race for the “Captain” (Roger Penske), Newgarden took the lead with 14 laps remaining in the 90-lap Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, and went on to record his second win at the 2.38-mile road course and his fourth Verizon IndyCar Series (VICS) career victory. Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Barber Post Race →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Texas

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS
ROYAL PURPLE RACEWAY AT BAYTOWN, TEXAS
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2017

Chevrolet Claims Fifth Pro Stock Victory with Another First-Time Winner

• Bo Butner earns maiden win after seven Pro Stock runner-up finishes
• No. 1 Pro Stock qualifier Jeg Coughlin Jr. reaches final, sets track record
• Robert Hight advances to Funny Car final, establishes new track speed mark
• No. 1 Funny Car qualifier Courtney Force resets track elapsed time record

BAYTOWN, Texas (April 23, 2017) – Bo finally knows what victory in National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock competition feels like.

James “Bo” Butner secured his first Wally by defeating No. 1 qualifier and fellow Chevrolet driver Jeg Coughlin Jr. in the final of the NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Texas →

Allen Johnson Racing

Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson Finds Gremlins, Encouraged After SpringNationals

Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson Finds Gremlins, Encouraged After SpringNationals

HOUSTON, Tex. (April 23, 2017) – Allen Johnson and the Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart Pro Stock team may have not turned on the win light in the first round of eliminations, but perhaps they found something a little more important: the gremlin that has been plaguing their performance so far this season.

Johnson came into raceday as the No. 13 seed with his fastest pass during qualifying being a 6.645, 207.94. That granted him a first-round matchup against Bo Butner.

In the first round, Johnson bettered his best pass of the weekend by an outstanding eight-thousandths of a second. He crossed the finish line at Royal Purple Raceway with a 6.567, 211.16 but Butner’s 6.523, 213.33 advanced to the second round.

Despite being a first-round runner-up, Johnson left the 30th annual NHRA SpringNationals extremely optimistic and encouraged.

“We traded out everything electrical and fuel-related in the car,” Johnson said. “The win light might’ve not turned on in our lane but I feel really positive about the performance of my Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart in the first round. I think we found our gremlin!”

John Force Racing

PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil driver John Force: Progress being made at JFR

PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil driver John Force:
Progress being made at JFR

Photo credit: Gary Nastase / Auto Imagery
BAYTOWN, Texas (April 23) – The NHRA SpringNationals didn’t go as PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Funny Car driver John Force expected, but the 16-time Funny Car champion knows progress is being made in the John Force Racing camp.

In Funny Car, Force qualified No. 3 and raced to the second round, while No. 4 qualifier Robert Hight made it to the final round after beating No. 1 qualifier Courtney Force in semifinals. Continue reading PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil driver John Force: Progress being made at JFR →

NHRA

NHRA–Texas Results

Top Fuel — Leah Pritchett, 3.781 seconds, 321.96 mph def. Steve Torrence, 3.787 seconds, 322.11 mph.

Funny Car — Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.004, 284.33 def. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, Foul – Centerline.

Pro Stock — Bo Butner, Chevy Camaro, 6.550, 212.26 def. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.562, 212.03.

Pro Modified — Steve Matusek, Chevy Camaro, 8.985, 124.96 ARP Car def. Shane Molinari, Pontiac Firebird, Foul – Red Light.

Top Fuel Harley — Jay Turner, Triple J, 6.219, 222.47 def. Bob Malloy, Buell, 6.312, 209.88.

Top Alcohol Dragster — Joey Severance, 5.203, 275.39 def. Mia Tedesco, 5.445, 264.70.

Top Alcohol Funny Car — Doug Gordon, Chevy Camaro, 5.428, 272.12 def. Jay Payne, Camaro, 11.171, 66.34.

Super Stock — Norvell Bowers, Pontiac Firebird, 10.587, 124.18 def. Kevin Helms, Dodge Challenger, 9.383, 130.15.

Stock Eliminator — Kevin Helms, Dodge Challenger, 10.096, 121.74 def. Austin Ford, Ford Mustang, 9.632, 131.56.

Super Comp — Alan Savage, Dragster, 8.888, 182.01 def. Britt Cummings, Dragster, 8.876, 166.23.

Super Gas — Steve Collier, Chevy Vega, 9.900, 167.66 def. Roger Warren, Chevy Corvette, 9.899, 162.00.

Super Street — Chris Vang, Chevy Chevelle, 10.834, 137.72 def. Val Harmon, Chevy Nova, Foul – Red Light.

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com — Keith Raftery, Chevy Camaro, 6.479, 195.68 def. Vince Hoda, Camaro, 6.851, 198.93.

Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com — J.R. Baxter, Dragster, 6.130, 227.31 def. William Kruse, Dragster, Foul – Red Light.

John Force Racing

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force looks to next race after early Houston exit

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force looks
to next race after early Houston exit

Photo Credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
BAYTOWN, Texas (April 23) – Brittany Force has her sights set on next weekend’s Four-Wide Nationals after an early exit in Sunday’s NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway, the fifth race on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Force, the No. 5 qualifier in the Top Fuel category, lost a close matchup against Troy Coughlin Jr. in the opening round. She ran an elapsed time of 3.871 at 274.55 mph. Despite a slightly slower reaction time, Force inched ahead at the 60-foot mark, and was marginally ahead much of the way.
Continue reading Monster Energy driver Brittany Force looks to next race after early Houston exit →

Honda Racing

Dixon Fights to Second at Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama

Dixon Fights to Second at Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
• Scott Dixon leads Honda effort at Barber Motorsports Park with second-place finish
• Sebastien Bourdais remains atop the drivers’ championship, Dixon now second
• Honda drivers claim nine of top 12 finishing positions

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 23, 2017) – Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon remained in the thick of the battle for the victory throughout Sunday’s Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, finishing second to Josef Newgarden after 90 hard-fought laps around scenic Barber Motorsports Park, the first road course event of the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule.

Starting fourth, Dixon gained one position on the opening lap and then entered a multi-car battle at the front of the field. When race leader Will Power pitted on Lap 77 with a deflating rear tire, the race came down to a two-driver duel, with Newgarden prevailing over Dixon by just over one second. Continue reading Dixon Fights to Second at Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama →

John Force Racing

Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force advances to semifinals of NHRA SpringNationals in Houston

Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force advances to semifinals of NHRA SpringNationals in Houston

BAYTOWN, Texas (April 23) – The goal for Courtney Force and the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS team in the NHRA SpringNationals this weekend at Royal Purple Raceway was to put the past three races behind them and win rounds.

Force – the No. 1 qualifier for the second consecutive Mello Yello Drag Racing Series race – made it to the semifinals, where – despite a solid third-round pass – she fell to teammate and No. 4 qualifier Robert Hight in a close race. Hight lost to Ron Capps in the finals. Continue reading Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force advances to semifinals of NHRA SpringNationals in Houston →

John Force Racing

Robert Hight takes AAA Texas Chevrolet to Houston final round

Robert Hight takes AAA Texas Chevrolet
to Houston final round

Photo credit: Ron Lewis Photography
BAYTOWN, Texas (April 23) – The way his AAA Texas Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car was running during the NHRA SpringNationals this weekend at Royal Purple Raceway, Robert Hight had his sights set on raising the Wally at the end of the race.

He fell one round victory short. Continue reading Robert Hight takes AAA Texas Chevrolet to Houston final round →

Jegs Racing

Jeg Coughlin Jr. says runner-up finish in Houston shows progress of Elite Motorsports

Jeg Coughlin Jr. says runner-up finish in
Houston shows progress of Elite Motorsports
HOUSTON (April 23) — While admitting he wanted this victory a little more than usual, Jeg Coughlin Jr. was still very satisfied with his runner-up finish Sunday at the 30th annual NHRA Spring Nationals at Royal Purple Raceway.

Racing in his 101st career final, Coughlin took on good friend Bo Butner for the trophy. When the lights flashed, both men left with identical .061-second reaction times with Butner managing to inch away at each incremental timer for a slight 6.550 to 6.562-second win. Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. says runner-up finish in Houston shows progress of Elite Motorsports →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Post Race

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA
POST RACE DRIVER QUOTES
APRIL 23, 2017

JOSEF NEWGARDEN, NO. 2 FITZGERALD GLIDER KITS TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET, RACE WINNER: “That was an awesome day. This is what we work for as an entire group. We always want to get one of these cars in victory lane. And, for (teammate) Will Power, I feel so bad for those boys on the 12 car – they were on it today and I feel like it would have been a great battle between Will, myself and Scott (Dixon). But it ended up just being Scott and myself. It’s a group effort here (at Team Penske) – all four of these guys work together. I’m thrilled for the (No.) 2 car guys but this is a team effort with all four cars. So whoever is in victory lane – we just want to get someone there with Team Penske.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Post Race →