All posts by ARP Trish

F4

DAS DOMINATES ROAD ATLANTA, WINS ALL THREE F4 U.S. RACES

DAS DOMINATES ROAD ATLANTA, WINS ALL THREE F4 U.S. RACES

Das wins fifth consecutive race and sixth overall in inaugural F4 U.S. season

BRASELTON, Georgia (September 18, 2016) – Cameron Das of Brooklandville, Maryland, was unbeatable during the penultimate race weekend of the Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda, sweeping victories in all three races held at Road Atlanta Saturday and Sunday.

Das, who joined Konrad Czaczyk of Loxahatchee, Florida, as the second F4 U.S. driver to win three races in one weekend, seized fast-lap times in both practices, qualifying and all three races and claimed pole position for each of the rounds.

Sunday’s victory marked the fifth consecutive race Das has found the top of the podium and gave him his sixth victory of the season in just 12 races. Continue reading DAS DOMINATES ROAD ATLANTA, WINS ALL THREE F4 U.S. RACES →

Mopar Racing

Mopar Funny Car Driver Johnson Jr. Launches into Countdown with Final Round

Mopar Funny Car Driver Johnson Jr. Launches into Countdown with Final Round

· Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T driver Tommy Johnson Jr. wheels his way to final round at first race of Countdown to the Championship
· Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) driver Johnson makes third final of season after qualifying No. 1 at NHRA Carolina Nationals
· Johnson moves up from No. 7 to No. 4 in the Funny Car championship points
· DSR Mopar Dodge Charger Funny Car campaigner Ron Capps reaches semifinals, retains points lead heading into second race of Countdown
· St. Louis and NHRA Midwest Nationals next on NHRA tour, second race of 2016 Countdown to the Championship

Concord, North Carolina (September 18, 2016) – The Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T piloted by Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) driver Tommy Johnson Jr. dominated the Funny Car field when it mattered most during qualifying at the NHRA Carolina Nationals and produced a start from the pole for the Avon, Indiana-based competitor. On Sunday, at the first race of six in the 2016 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, Johnson was again on a sweet ride as the monstrous HEMI® under the hood took him all the way to the final round. Continue reading Mopar Funny Car Driver Johnson Jr. Launches into Countdown with Final Round →

John Force Racing

JOHN FORCE WINS CAROLINA NATIONALS MOVES TO THIRD IN POINTS

JOHN FORCE WINS CAROLINA NATIONALS MOVES TO THIRD IN POINTS

CHARLOTTE, NC — John Force made the most the first Countdown race of 2016 picking up his 146th career win and moving from the No. 8 to No. 3 position in the Mello Yello point standings. Force outran Dave Richards, Tim Wilkerson, Ron Capps and then Tommy Johnson Jr to pick up his first win at the Carolina NHRA Nationals. From the winner’s circle stage Force dedicated the victory to his sponsors and announced he would be sending the Wally trophy to Advance Auto Parts who were emblazoned across the side of his Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car along with primary sponsor PEAK Antifreeze & Coolant.

Going into the final round John Force was 7-1 against Tommy Johnson Jr. and Force’s Advance Auto Parts PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car was looking for its third win of the season. The last final round match-up between these two racers was last season’s New England Nationals where Force also took the win. Continue reading JOHN FORCE WINS CAROLINA NATIONALS MOVES TO THIRD IN POINTS →

Chevrolet Racing, NHRA

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Zmax Dragway

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA CAROLINA NATIONALS
ZMAX DRAGWAY AT CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA
SEPT. 18, 2016

Chevrolet Drivers Record Two Wins in First Round of the Countdown

• John Force adds to record with 146th career Funny Car victory
• No. 1 seed Jason Line earns eighth Pro Stock win of the season
• KB Racing teammate Greg Anderson, No. 1 qualifier, is the runner-up
• Three-time Top Fuel race winner Brittany Force reaches quarterfinals

CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 18, 2016) – John Force says that “being old is all in your head.”

The 16-time National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Funny Car champion, who turned 67 in May, proved that again in the NHRA Carolina Nationals by winning the Funny Car final for his 146th career victory. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Zmax Dragway →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Chicagoland Driver Quotes

CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP
ROUND 1 OF 10
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 400
CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER RACE NOTES & QUOTES
SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Chase Elliott led Team Chevy with a third place finish in his No. 24 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet SS.
This was Elliott’s first Cup career race and first top 10 finish at Chicagoland Speedway
Elliott led 75 of the 267-lap race
Elliott was the highest finishing rookie

TEAM CHEVY FINISHING ORDER (TOP 12)
3rd – Chase Elliott, No. 24 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet SS
7th – Kasey Kahne, No. 5 Liftmaster Chevrolet SS
10th – Alex Bowman, No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet SS
11th – Jamie McMurray, No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet SS
12TH – Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS

POST-RACE CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS (Top 16):
Martin Truex Jr., (Toyota) – 2050
Brad Keselowski (Ford) – 2049
Kyle Busch (Toyota) – 2046
Denny Hamlin (Toyota) – 2045
Joey Logano (Ford) – 2043
Chase Elliott (Chevrolet) – 2039
Matt Kenseth (Toyota) – 2038
Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet) – 2037
Carl Edwards (Toyota) – 2032
Kurt Busch (Chevrolet) – 2031
Jamie McMurray (Chevrolet) – 2030
Tony Stewart (Chevrolet) – 2028
Austin Dillon (Chevrolet) – 2027
Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet) – 2027
Kyle Larson (Chevrolet) – 2026
Chris Buescher (Ford) – 2016

NEXT RACE: Round 2 of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup takes place at Loudon, New Hampshire on Sunday, Sept. 25.

POST RACE PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 24 NAPA AUTO PARTS CHEVROLET SS – FINISHED 3RD

THE MODERATOR: We will continue on with our post-race media availability. We are joined now by Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 24 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.

Chase, you did just about everything you could to get that win today. What was going through your mind when that final caution came out?

CHASE ELLIOTT: I expected it. We’ve all watched this stuff long enough; we know these races don’t go green that long typically. We know that we see late‑race cautions way more often than not. That’s a part of racing from short‑track racing all the way up to this stuff.

I’ve learned over the years, you just got to expect it from my seat, from the crew chief’s seat, from the pit crew’s perspective. You just got to be ready for it, embrace it when it happens, suck it up and try to figure out how to make it happen after it does.

THE MODERATOR: We’ll open the floor for questions for Chase.
Q. You’ve been close a couple times in races before. You seem like this is a little bit easier outcome to accept than what happened at Michigan. Is that true when it’s sort of a late caution and more random than a mistake?
CHASE ELLIOTT: No, there is no easy outcome. You know, it’s unfortunate. You hate to have it happen. As you get faced with these situations more than once, I think you learn. You learn from situation to situation.

But like I said, I felt like we did a good job as a team today trying to control the things that we could control. And you can’t control when a caution is going to come out. Granted, you can expect one a lot of the time, but you can’t control when it’s going to happen, and you certainly can’t control how many guys are going to stay out on tires and try to make something happen at the end of a race.

That’s just a part of life, part of racing.

THE MODERATOR: Chase, best of luck in New Hampshire next week.
CHASE ELLIOTT: Thank you

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Zmax Dragway

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA CAROLINA NATIONALS
ZMAX DRAGWAY AT CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA
POST-RACE DRIVER QUOTES
SEPT. 18, 2016

An interview with Funny Car winner John Force, Advance Auto/PEAK Antifreeze & Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS:

JOHN, WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING?

“I love it with all my heart. I love NHRA and all our sponsors. Chevrolet, PEAK Antifreeze, and Lucas Oil made it possible for me to stay in the game. I was almost out and I really owe them. I love this job. Being old is all in your head, trust me. We will give you a show in this Countdown. I may not win it, but I will be in the hunt.”

JOHN, YOU TALK ABOUT THE YOUNG GROUP OF GUYS YOU’VE ASSEMBLED, AND THEY REALLY DID THEIR JOB TODAY.

“We’re starting to turn the corner. In this life, they are running for president at my age, so this isn’t about getting old. It’s about NHRA drag racing. You (fans) are what makes me live, what makes me breathe.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Zmax Dragway →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Chicagoland

CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP
ROUND 1 OF 10
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 400
CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER RACE NOTES & QUOTES
SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 24 NAPA AUTO PARTS CHEVROLET SS – FINISHED 3RD
WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN THAT CAUTION CAME OUT WHEN IT LOOKED LIKE THE RACE WAS YOURS?
“Expect it nothing is yours until it’s over. I mean that is part of life man. You are not dumb, we have all watched this stuff long enough we know these races don’t go green that long. We see more cautions come out at the end of these races than we do not. That is just part of it, you’ve got to expect it and be able to embrace it and move forward. I feel like we did a good job controlling the things that we could control today. We had a fast NAPA Chevy. I appreciate everybody’s hard work this weekend, Hendrick (Motorsports) was strong that is good to see. Like I said, there are some things you just can’t control with the amount of guys that stay out and where you line up on a restart. We played the cards we were dealt and came up short.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Chicagoland →

Allen Johnson Racing

Early Exit Has Allen Johnson Looking Forward to St. Louis

Early Exit Has Allen Johnson Looking Forward to St. Louis

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 18, 2016) – Allen Johnson is putting the Ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals in his rear view mirror after a first round loss at zMAX Dragway.

Johnson qualified in the No. 6 spot and had lane choice over Jeg Coughlin. In the hottest day of the weekend, Johnson drove his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart to a 6.703-second pass at 207.98 mph. Unfortunately, his 6.70 pass wasn’t enough to hold off Coughlin’s 6.687, 206.76.

“Not the start we wanted but we were consistent all weekend,” Johnson said. “We hurt one of our motors yesterday and we just missed the setup today. You don’t want a first round loss in the Countdown but we’ve got plenty of races to make it up. We just are starting in a little bit of a hole but I know this Marathon Petroleum team will get out of it.”

The next event will be the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals next weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park.

Honda Racing

Contact Dents Honda, Michael Shank Racing Effort in Texas

Contact Dents Honda, Michael Shank Racing Effort in Texas
• Minor impact results in cut tire, unscheduled pit stop
• Tight Manufacturers’ Championship battles continue to season finale

WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Lone Star Le Mans
Circuit: Circuit of the Americas (3.40-mile road course) Austin, TX
Weather: Partly sunny, hot, 90 degrees F

AUSTIN, TX (September 17, 2016) – A strategic approach by Michael Shank Racing to a hot and humid IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race Saturday at the Circuit of the Americas was blunted by mid-race contact that prevented a potential podium finish for the Honda-powered effort.

Starting the two hour, 40-minute contest at the rear of the combined Prototype and Prototype Challenge field so that non-qualifying driver Ozz Negri could start the race, the MSR Ligier JSP2 Honda quickly worked through the PC class entries in the opening laps. Continue reading Contact Dents Honda, Michael Shank Racing Effort in Texas →

Global Rally Cross, Honda Racing

Olsbergs MSE, Honda Capture First Red Bull GRC Double-Podium Result

Olsbergs MSE, Honda Capture First Red Bull GRC Double-Podium Result

• Sebastian Eriksson and Joni Wiman Finish Second and Third
• First Double-Podium Result in Manufacturer’s Inaugural Year in Red Bull GRC
• Eriksson’s Fourth Podium Result, Highest Finish of the Season (Second Place)

SEATTLE, WA. (September 17, 2016) – For the first time in the manufacturer’s history, Honda Olsbergs MSE drivers Sebastian Eriksson and Joni Wiman captured a double-podium finish in Red Bull Global Rallycross competition on Saturday at Evergreen Speedway. With the result, Honda has now tallied five podium finishes in its inaugural season in Red Bull GRC.

After enduring the rain and mud-soaked conditions, Eriksson piloted his No. 93 Honda Red Bull OMSE Civic Coupe to a second-place finish, while his teammate, Wiman, finished third. Both drivers displayed superb car control through the difficult circumstances. Eriksson’s inside starting position on the middle of the front row and Wiman’s, on the inside of the third row, proved to be the edge the team needed to secure the second and third positions through the hole shot. Continue reading Olsbergs MSE, Honda Capture First Red Bull GRC Double-Podium Result →

Honda Racing

Rahal, Hunter-Reay Head Honda Qualifying at Sonoma

Rahal, Hunter-Reay Head Honda Qualifying at Sonoma
• Rahal to start fifth in best qualifying result of 2016
• Hunter-Reay posts fifth top-six qualifying run of the season
• Sonoma Raceway weekend wraps up 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season

Honda’s Graham Rahal and Ryan Hunter-Reay both advanced to the final round of Verizon IndyCar Series “knockout” qualifying Saturday at Sonoma Raceway, with Rahal recording his top qualifying performance of the season to start Sunday’s season-finale fifth.

Ryan Hunter-Reay, fourth-quickest in Friday’s practice sessions, will start sixth, with his Andretti Autosport teammate, Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi, qualifying eighth after advancing to the second round. The Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda of Mikhail Aleshin also made it to second-round qualifying and will start 11th.

Sunday’s 85-lap Indy car season finale starts at 6:30 p.m. EDT, with live network television coverage on the NBC Sports Network.

GRAHAM RAHAL (#15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda): “It was a really solid end to the day for the Steak ‘n Shake team. We have had to work very hard to get ourselves into a good [starting] spot. I don’t think any session was smooth for us, but to come out of qualifying as the top Honda is something that makes us very proud. We’re fifth, and have [just] four Penskes ahead of us. My guys have worked very hard; we’re the little team that can. Tomorrow, hopefully, we can get a victory. It would mean a lot to end the season strong. Obviously we’ve got championship contenders in front of us, and we’ve got to be smart about what we’re doing tomorrow. But we’re here to win. I’m not going to sit around and wait for someone else to do it. We just have to have a good, solid race.”

Uncategorized

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Sonoma Post Qualifying

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
GOPRO GRAND PRIX OF SONOMA
SONOMA RACEWAY, SONOMA, CALIFORNIA
TEAM CHEVY POST QUALIFYING RECAP
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

Simon Pagenaud Puts Chevy on the Pole at Sonoma; Championship Contender Will Power will start Fourth

· Top four qualifiers in Firestone Fast Six are drivers of the Chevrolet IndyCar Aero Kit with integrated 2.2 liter V6 twin turbocharged direct injected engine
· A total of 11 Team Chevy drivers will start the season finale on Sunday
· Team Penske Chevrolet teammates Simon Pagenaud and Will Power head into Sunday’s race for the Verizon IndyCar Series contending for the championship
· Chevrolet drivers currently occupy top-six positions in points Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Sonoma Post Qualifying →

Jegs Racing

Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin Sr. tips his cap after first-round loss in Charlotte

Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin Sr. tips his cap after first-round loss in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE (Sept. 17) — All JEGS.com Pro Mod driver Troy Coughlin Sr. could do was tip his cap after losing in the first round of the J&A Service Pro Mod Series race presented by the Real Pro Mod Association during the NHRA Carolinas Nationals on Saturday at zMax Dragway. His opponent, Mike Castellana, had a slightly better reaction time and pass to advance to the second round.

“We drew a tough race in the first round against Castellana,” Coughlin said. “He made a decent run in qualifying and had a great first round. What can you say? They got it done a little bit quicker.”

Castellana, the No. 10 qualifier, left first with a stellar .023-second reaction time and a pass of 5.861 seconds at 246.84 mph. That was .028-second quicker than his qualifying run.
Continue reading Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin Sr. tips his cap after first-round loss in Charlotte →

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing–Chicagoland

Paul Menard and the No. 2 Richmond/Menards Chevy Races Back to a Ninth-Place Finish at Chicagoland Speedway after
Early Tire Incident

“We had an unfortunate start to our day with the flat left rear tire only a few laps into the race. Justin (Alexander, crew chief) made great calls to get us back on the lead lap and back in contention midway through the race. Once we got back on the lead lap, the Richmond/Menards Chevy would fire off tight, then free up on our drive off. We took two right-side tires there at the end and I think we should’ve stayed out. We had to try something, but two tires didn’t work, and now we know. I’m proud of this team and all the hard work they’ve put into this XFINITY Series program. I’ve enjoyed being in the drivers seat.” Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Chicagoland →

Allen Johnson Racing

Marathon’s Allen Johnson Looking Forward to Hot Raceday Track Conditions for First Race of the Countdown

Marathon’s Allen Johnson Looking Forward to Hot Raceday Track Conditions for First Race of the Countdown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 17, 2016) – If there’s one word to describe Allen Johnson and his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing team’s 2016 season, it’d be consistency. Qualifying this weekend at the Ninth annual NHRA Carolina Nationals was no different as Johnson qualified in the top half in the No. 6 spot at zMAX Dragway.

For Friday’s first session, Johnson clocked in with a 6.614-second pass at 208.55 mph placing him solidly in the No. 5 position. The importance of lane choice on raceday is crucial and Johnson was searching to find a tune-up in the humid track conditions on Friday in hopes of helping him on raceday. For the second session, Johnson clocked in with an improved 6.603, 209.01 but remained No. 5.

On Saturday, Johnson and his Adam Hornberger-tuned Dodge Dart ran a 6.610, 209.04 in the first session and then experienced engine trouble in the final session when Johnson lost power near the top end; this pass resulted in a 6.673-second pass at a slowed 194.35 mph.

“We’ve got the car working really good besides that last qualifying run,” Johnson said. “It’s running well but we’re not running the back half like we should. I think the tune-up is a little off there but overall, the car is running good on the hot racetrack and the Marathon Petroleum team is happy.”

Johnson closed out qualifying in the No. 6 spot and will have lane choice over No. 11 Jeg Coughlin tomorrow in the first round of eliminations. The weather forecast for raceday is a blistering 90-degrees and although most teams would be intimidated by the high temperatures, Johnson and his team welcome the heat.

“We’ve got the setup for the heat,” he added. “We came here last week and tested in 98-degree weather at zMAX so we know how to tune for it. This Marathon Petroleum Dart is going to run well tomorrow.”

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Sonoma Qualifying

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
GOPRO GRAND PRIX OF SONOMA
SONOMA RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING NOTES AND QUOTES
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

SIMON PAGENAUD, NO. 22 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET, POLE WINNER
HOW GRATIFYING WAS BEATING YOUR TEAMMATE HELIO CASTRONEVES WHO WAS ON A NEW SET OF STICKER REDS?
“It’s very gratifying, but the biggest thing is how good the car has been through the whole qualifying session. We talked about it this morning in practice and we have been working on making the car as good as it could before the reds. It was always about guessing, we don’t get to test the red firestone tires. Every time we put them on it’s a dream. It’s awesome. I’m so proud of the HP Chevrolet team. What a dream season, seven poles, I mean it’s unbelievable. I want to thank Verizon as well and the new LTE advanced network, which is super-fast. Obviously, I’m super excited. I knew we could do it, but this has not been my favorite track in the past. It doesn’t seem to be the case anywhere anymore.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Sonoma Qualifying →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Sonoma

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
GOPRO GRAND PRIX OF SONOMA
SONOMA RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING NOTES AND QUOTES
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

SIMON PAGENAUD, NO. 22 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET, won the pole for Sunday’s GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma, the 2016 Verizon IndyCar season finale, with a quick lap of one minute, 16.2565 seconds. Pagenaud entered the race weekend with a 43 point lead over teammate Will Power for the championship title, by earning the Verizon P1 award, his seventh of the season, he now heads into Sunday’s finale needing to finish fifth or better to claim his first career Verizon IndyCar Series championship. Pagenaud led a 1-2-3-4 Chevrolet Aero Kit with integrated 2.2 liter V6 engine qualifying sweep.

HOW GRATIFYING WAS BEATING YOUR TEAMMATE HELIO CASTRONEVES WHO WAS ON A NEW SET OF STICKER REDS?
“It’s very gratifying, but the biggest thing is how good the car has been through the whole qualifying session. We talked about it this morning in practice and we have been working on making the car as good as it could before the reds. It was always about guessing, we don’t get to test the red firestone tires. Every time we put them on it’s a dream. It’s awesome. I’m so proud of the HP Chevrolet team. What a dream season, seven poles, I mean it’s unbelievable. I want to thank Verizon as well and the new LTE advanced network, which is super-fast. Obviously, I’m super excited. I knew we could do it, but this has not been my favorite track in the past. It doesn’t seem to be the case anywhere anymore.”

DID YOU THINK AT ALL ABOUT CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE ONE POINT YOU GOT AT ALL DURING QUALIFYING?
“No, that is the most enjoyable day. Especially when you do one lap qualifying because the tires here they get so beat up by the track. The tires are awesome, but it’s just there is so much power in the cars and the hairpins and you just murder the rear. So you only have one real lap to do it, so you’ve got to put it all together in that one lap. That is what I call the animal instincts and you don’t think you just go. This is the best moment when you can drive this way.”

John Force Racing

JOHN FORCE CONSISTENT AND CONFIDENT HEADING INTO SUNDAY

JOHN FORCE CONSISTENT AND CONFIDENT HEADING INTO SUNDAY

BRITTANY FORCE No. 2 IN TOP FUEL

CHARLOTTE, NC – John Force has the most consistent race car going into Sunday’s elimination rounds at the 9th annual Carolina NHRA Nationals that the 2-time 2016 winner has had all season. Force’s Advance Auto Parts PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car was one of the top three quickest Funny Cars every session of qualifying earning a total of eight qualifying bonus points. Force will go into race day as the No. 3 qualifier and will face Dave Richards in the first round.

Joining Force in the top half of the Funny Car field will be Robert Hight, No. 7 and Courtney Force, No. 8 qualifier. JFR could advance three Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Cars to the semifinals.

In Force’s final two qualifying runs the 145-time winner had the second quickest race car and picked up four qualifying bonus points. In the final session he blasted down the track with an impressive 3.914 second elapsed time. This was the first time this season that Force collected qualifying bonus points in every session and he was the only Mello Yello Series driver to achieve that feat this weekend at zMax Dragway. Continue reading JOHN FORCE CONSISTENT AND CONFIDENT HEADING INTO SUNDAY →

Mopar Racing

Dodge Charger Funny Car Pilot Johnson Jr. on Top at First Race of NHRA Countdown

Dodge Charger Funny Car Pilot Johnson Jr. on Top at First Race of NHRA Countdown

· Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) Mopar Dodge Charger R/T driver Tommy Johnson Jr. claims Funny Car pole at NHRA Carolina Nationals
· Mopar scores 12th No. 1 of season
· DSR’s Ron Capps leading points heading into raceday, pads lead with bonus qualifying marks in HEMI®-powered Funny Car
· Tony Schumacher, Leah Pritchett aiming to claim first Countdown victory in DSR Mopar-powered Top Fuel dragsters
· Dodge Dart Pro Stock cars dialed in for Sunday eliminations, HEMI-fueled Allen Johnson starting from top half
· David Collette powers to Super Stock class victory in 2011 V-10 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak
· Mopar History at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte

Concord, North Carolina (September 17, 2016) – Tommy Johnson Jr. stood strong at the conclusion of qualifying for the first race of NHRA’s 2016 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, and he wheeled his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T right to the top of the pack at the NHRA Carolina Nationals to score his first low qualifier award of the season and reel in the twelfth No. 1 of the season for Team Mopar. Johnson, who begins the six-race playoffs as the No. 7 seed, will be looking for his second victory of the season on Sunday at zMAX Dragway. Continue reading Dodge Charger Funny Car Pilot Johnson Jr. on Top at First Race of NHRA Countdown →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–CORVETTE RACING AT COTA: Championship Leads Intact Leaving Austin

CORVETTE RACING AT COTA: Championship Leads Intact Leaving Austin
Big points day for Chevrolet, Corvette Racing, Corvette DPs

Garcia, Magnussen advance to third place in GTLM
Gavin, Milner increase GTLM Driver’s Championship lead
Prototype win for Ricky, Jordan Taylor as Corvette DP scores podium sweep
Chevrolet adds to lead in pair of Manufacturer races

AUSTIN, Texas (Sept. 17, 2016) – Corvette Racing met its goal Saturday of a solid points haul to maximize its championship position heading into the final race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen in the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R placed third in a closely fought GT Le Mans (GTLM) class in the Lone Star Le Mans race at Circuit of The Americas. Continue reading Chevy Racing–CORVETTE RACING AT COTA: Championship Leads Intact Leaving Austin →