All posts by ARP Trish

Jegs Racing

Five-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. says Pro Stock could hit season records in Sonoma

Five-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. says Pro Stock could hit season records in Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif. (July 25) — If weather conditions are agreeable when the NHRA tour arrives at Sonoma Raceway this weekend for the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals, five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. says the record book could have a couple of new entries.

“It really comes down to what Mother Nature deals the Pro Stock cars,” Coughlin said. “We typically get very high pressure there barometer-wise. On those cool days, the track is tight and the air is crisp and clean. If we get that this time it’s likely we see the modern-day national record fall for Pro Stock, with the new 10,500 rpm and fuel-injection rules coming into play. I’m looking forward to this happening, and maybe we can give it a poke.” Continue reading Five-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. says Pro Stock could hit season records in Sonoma →

Erica Enders

Reigning champ Erica Enders on a season-long high as Sonoma race approaches

Reigning champ Erica Enders on a season-long high as Sonoma race approaches
SONOMA, Calif. (July 25) — Fresh off her most encouraging outing of the year, back-to-back and reigning Pro Stock champion Erica Enders is anxious to get to Northern California for this weekend’s Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway.

Enders qualified a season-best second on the Denver elimination ladder and logged an elimination round-win before parts failure cost her just enough time to lose her second-round race against Allen Johnson. Nevertheless, the huge uptick in performance has the entire Elite/Mopar Dodge Dart race team feeling better about themselves. Continue reading Reigning champ Erica Enders on a season-long high as Sonoma race approaches →

Gary Scelzi Motorsports

Giovanni Scelzi Caps Peter Murphy Classic with 11th-Place Finish

Giovanni Scelzi Caps Peter Murphy Classic with 11th-Place Finish

Inside Line Promotions – TULARE, Calif. (July 25, 2016) – Giovanni Scelzi is pleased with his results following his King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series debut last weekend at Thunderbowl Raceway during the Peter Murphy Classic.

Scelzi, who was driving his family owned 360ci sprint car during the marquee 410ci sprint car event, recorded a pair of top-15 finishes and he was the highest finishing driver competing with a 360ci engine. Continue reading Giovanni Scelzi Caps Peter Murphy Classic with 11th-Place Finish →

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing Announces Competition Changes to Strengthen its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series Programs

Richard Childress Racing Announces Competition Changes to Strengthen its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series Programs
Danny Stockman to take over No. 27 Sprint Cup Series Crew Chief role, Gil Martin to assume
No. 2 XFINITY Series interim Crew Chief position

Welcome, N.C. (July 25, 2016) – Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has made a change in crew chiefs for its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series programs, effective immediately. Continue reading Richard Childress Racing Announces Competition Changes to Strengthen its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series Programs →

Jegs Racing

Untimely exit for Jeg Coughlin Jr. at Mopar Mile-High Nationals

Untimely exit for Jeg Coughlin Jr.
at Mopar Mile-High Nationals
DENVER (July 24) — What happens on Friday and Saturday definitely affects what happens on Sunday in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and it may have contributed to an early ouster for five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals on Sunday at Bandimere Speedway.

Coughlin qualified No. 8 for the 16-car field, but he could have been much higher with his Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar/JEGS.com Dodge Dart. The best weather conditions came Friday and Saturday night after rain delays pushed qualifying later into the evening, but Coughlin and his team couldn’t take advantage and get a quicker elapsed time and higher qualifying spot, so on Sunday he had to face a tough opponent in No. 9 qualifier Vincent Nobile, and it cost him. Continue reading Untimely exit for Jeg Coughlin Jr. at Mopar Mile-High Nationals →

Roush Yates

ROUSH YATES ENGINES POWERS SECOND CONSECUTIVE RACE WIN WITH FORD SHELBY GT350R-C!

ROUSH YATES ENGINES POWERS SECOND CONSECUTIVE RACE WIN WITH FORD SHELBY GT350R-C!

LAKEVILLE, Conn., July 25, 2016 – It’s the third win of the year for the No. 15 Ford Shelby GT350R-C with co-drivers Billy Johnson and Scott Maxwell as they scored their second consecutive victory at Lime Rock Park on Saturday.

Unofficially, Maxwell and Johnson extended their lead in the GS standings to 13 points over Burkett and Miller, 193-180. After opening the year with a victory at Daytona, they have finished in the top four in all six events. Johnson now has 16 career Continental Tire Challenge victories to 9 for Maxwell.

Summit Racing

TEAM SUMMIT RACING REMAINS FIRST AND SECOND IN POINTS AFTER DENVER

TEAM SUMMIT RACING REMAINS FIRST AND SECOND IN POINTS AFTER DENVER

Denver, CO (July 25, 2016) – After winning 13 races in a row, Team Summit Racing Pro Stock drivers Jason Line and Greg Anderson were stopped in the semifinals of the Mopar NHRA Mile-High Nationals in Denver. Despite the loss, Line and Anderson remain first and second respectively in the Pro Stock points standings by very comfortable margins. Continue reading TEAM SUMMIT RACING REMAINS FIRST AND SECOND IN POINTS AFTER DENVER →

Mopar Racing, NHRA

Dodge Dart Pro Stock Driver Johnson Takes HEMI® Power to Seventh Mopar Mile-High Nationals Win

Dodge Dart Pro Stock Driver Johnson Takes HEMI® Power to Seventh Mopar Mile-High Nationals Win

· Mopar-powered Allen Johnson earns his seventh Bandimere Speedway victory at 37th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals
· Johnson’s win comes in 10th consecutive Denver final round, 11th overall
· Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher wins first title of season in Mopar-powered U.S. Army dragster
· Matt Hagan and Tommy Johnson Jr. display strong runs in Dodge Charger R/T Funny Cars
· Honorary Starter Jeff Teuton recipient of Mopar President’s Award
· Grand Marshal J.R. Martinez attends first NHRA event

Morrison, Colorado (July 24, 2016) – The 37th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals saw a familiar face in the winner’s circle when Allen Johnson, driver of the HEMI®-powered J&J Racing Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart, earned the seventh Bandimere Speedway win of his career in his 10th consecutive final round on “The Mountain.” Johnson, whose last victory came at the season-closer in Pomona last year, pocketed the 27th Pro Stock Wally trophy of his career in front of packed stands and with thunderous applause from the ever-supportive spectators at the celebrated facility nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Continue reading Dodge Dart Pro Stock Driver Johnson Takes HEMI® Power to Seventh Mopar Mile-High Nationals Win →

Wood Brothers

No Breaks For Blaney In Long Day At Indy

No Breaks For Blaney In Long Day At Indy

July 24, 2016

Throughout the 2016 Sprint Cup season, Ryan Blaney and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team have been able to get some lucky breaks when they needed them.

On Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Blaney and his blue Quick Lane Ford Fusion were able to race among the top 15 for most of the Combat Wounded Coalition 400. Continue reading No Breaks For Blaney In Long Day At Indy →

John Force Racing

HISTORIC WIN FOR JOHN FORCE AT DENVER’S MILE HIGH NATIONALS

HISTORIC WIN FOR JOHN FORCE AT DENVER’S MILE HIGH NATIONALS

DENVER, CO — John Force, the winningest driver in NHRA history, continued to add to his legendary body of work winning for the 7th time at the Mopar Mile High NHRA Nationals in ten final round appearances and for the unprecedented 144th time. This is the 29th season Force has won at least one Funny Car national event, an accomplishment unequaled in all of motorsports. The 16-time Funny Car champion had to defeat his youngest daughter and NHRA superstar in her own right, Courtney Force, in the final round to get the win. Continue reading HISTORIC WIN FOR JOHN FORCE AT DENVER’S MILE HIGH NATIONALS →

NHRA

NHRA Bandimere

Top Fuel — Tony Schumacher, 3.802 seconds, 324.28 mph def. Antron Brown, 5.199 seconds, 144.75 mph.

Funny Car — John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.965, 319.45 def. Courtney Force, Camaro, 3.963, 314.75.

Pro Stock — Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.982, 197.39 def. Vincent Nobile, Chevy Camaro, 7.037, 196.82.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.134, 188.33 def. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.148, 187.21.

Competition Eliminator — Lou Ficco Jr., Pontiac GXP, 7.664, 178.21 def. Clint Neff, Bantam Roadster, Foul – Red Light.

Super Stock — Jackie Alley, Chevy Camaro, 10.380, 130.00 def. Dan Fletcher, Camaro, Foul – Red Light.

Stock Eliminator — Ryan Montford, Chevcy Camaro, 9.887, 128.33 def. Norman Warling, Pontiac Catalina, 13.110, 99.96.

Super Comp — Kris Whitfield, Dragster, 9.472, 158.37 def. Gary Wamboldt, Dragster, 9.459, 159.97.

Super Gas — Kevin Moore, Chevrolet, 10.501, 146.51 def. Craig Maddox, Prowler, 10.470, 149.46.

Super Street — John Bianco, Chevy, 11.442, 137.74 def. Jason Schade, Rambler, 11.425, 122.11.

Top Dragster — Steve Johnson, Dragster, 6.471, 213.23 def. Larry Piper, Dragster, 6.694, 202.85.

Top Sportsmaan — John Baker, Chevy Cobalt, 7.205, 194.02 def. Nick Johanns, Chevy Camaro, 8.297, 165.27.

Chevrolet Racing

NASCAR–Indianapolis–Post Race

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
THE COMBAT WOUNDED COALITION 400 AT THE BRICKYARD
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
JULY 24, 2016

Jimmie Johnson Finishes in Third Place at Indianapolis
Six-Time Series Champion Clinches Spot in 2016 Chase

INDIANAPOLIS, July 24, 2016 – Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Red Vest Chevrolet SS, finished in third place to lead five Team Chevy drivers in the top 10 in the 23rd annual Crown Royal presents the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) on Sunday. Continue reading NASCAR–Indianapolis–Post Race →

Allen Johnson Racing

The King of the Mountain Allen Johnson Earns Seventh Mopar Mile-High Trophy on National Television

The King of the Mountain Allen Johnson Earns Seventh Mopar Mile-High Trophy on National Television

DENVER, Colo. (July 24, 2016) – When it seems all the cards are stacked against you, that is when some of the most incredible outcomes come to fruition. Coming from the bottom half of the field in the No. 10 spot, Johnson and his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing team pulled together and became the first non-KB Racing team to take home the Wally in the 2016 season. This win marks his 10th straight final and seventh win at this race located at Bandimere Speedway.

In the first round, Johnson had a matchup against Drew Skillman. Johnson and Skillman were identical on the tree with .032-second reaction times and Johnson was able to outpower Skillman to take the win. Johnson clocked in with a 7.000-second pass at 196.59 to Skillman’s 7.047, 197.74. Continue reading The King of the Mountain Allen Johnson Earns Seventh Mopar Mile-High Trophy on National Television →

Erica Enders

Pro Stock champ Erica Enders holds head high after performance gains in Denver

Pro Stock champ Erica Enders holds head high after performance gains in Denver
DENVER (July 24) — No one in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series hates losing more than two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders, but she can smile after the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals on Sunday at Bandimere Speedway knowing her Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge team made strides toward the top of the Pro Stock charts.

Enders lost in the second round after an unfortunate parts failure slowed her pass, but she knows her Dodge Dart is now a contender.

“We’re certainly pleased with our performance gains this weekend,” Enders said. “It shows that our hard work is paying off. Having said that, we still have a long way to go.”
Continue reading Pro Stock champ Erica Enders holds head high after performance gains in Denver →

Chevrolet Racing, NHRA

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Bandimere

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS
BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY AT MORRISON, COLORADO
JULY 24, 2016

New Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car Quickly Records First Victory

• 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force earns 144th career win
• No. 1 qualifier and track record-holder Courtney Force is event runner-up
• Vincent Nobile rise from No. 9 Pro Stock qualifier to second-place finish
• Ryan Montford wins Stock Eliminator category in Chevrolet COPO Camaro
Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Bandimere →

Chevrolet Racing, Uncategorized

Chevy Racing –NASCAR–Indianapolis–Post Race

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
THE COMBAT WOUNDED COALITION 400 AT THE BRICKYARD
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
JULY 24, 2016

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S RED VEST CHEVROLET SS – FINISHED 3RD
IT WASN’T A FLAWLESS DAY FOR THE NO. 48 TEAM, BUT TO COME AWAY WITH A THIRD PLACE FINISH AND RECOVER FROM THAT SPEEDING PENALTY SAYS A LOT ABOUT THIS TEAM
“It says a lot. We’ve been working really hard to get our cars where they need to be. We’re still not happy, but we’re getting closer. I’m very proud of the effort today. Unfortunately a mistake on my part in that second segment, trying to get in the pits I got dinged for speeding and then rallied from like 24th back. So, I’m just very proud of this race team and everybody at Hendrick Motorsports and I’m very proud to run this red car and represent all the men and women who work in Lowe’s stores all around the country. We got third but I wish we would have gotten a win.” Continue reading Chevy Racing –NASCAR–Indianapolis–Post Race →

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing–Indianapolis

Paul Menard and the Richmond/Menards Team Notch a Podium Finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

“Our Richmond/Menards Chevy was a little loose on our qualifying run, so we started in the eighth spot. We ran in the second heat and were just a little too tight. We were faster at the start of the main race, on the splitter a little bit, but after a couple laps we came off and the car started to turn better. We were making some ground on the guys in front of us. The RCR XFINITY series program is making gains.”

– Paul Menard

Dillon finishes Consistent Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with 11th top-10 of the Season

“You’ve got to be happy with how consistent we were all afternoon in our No. 3 Rheem/Nidec/US Motors Chevrolet Camaro, but felt as if we could have finished a little bit better. Track position is so important here and I sort of put us behind the eight ball with a not-so-great qualifying effort. We gained some of that positioning back in the heat races, but it was difficult to pick up track position in the main race. Overall, I’m proud of our efforts getting back on the right track and look forward to racing next weekend at a track I had a chance to win at last time (Iowa Speedway).”

– Ty Dillon

Brandon Jones Earns Top-10 Finish in Indianapolis Debut

“I can’t be mad about a 10th-place finish at all, especially where we were on Friday. I didn’t feel like we were really good in practice. Crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. and all the guys on the Jeld-Wen/Menards team did a great job adjusting on it throughout the weekend and getting it ready for qualifying. Advancing to the second round and qualifying 11th surprised me a bit. It ended up putting us in a good position for both the heat race and the main event. The main event was up-and-down. With the green-flag stops we didn’t have much time to work on the handling, but they did a good job with the conditions we had and got us back inside the top 10.”

– Brandon Jones

Brendan Gaughan Finishes 16th at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

“At Indianapolis Motor Speedway momentum is everything. We managed to lead a lap during the green flag pit stops, but in the closing laps the South Point Chevrolet got held up and it cost us several spots. I made a mistake on the last pit stop and pinned my guys at the wall. I know better than that and it cost us the lucky dog position. Overall not the day we wanted. We will regroup, lick our wounds and move on to Iowa (Speedway).”

– Brendan Gaughan

Allen Johnson Racing

Qualifying Journey to Raceday Leaves Allen Johnson in Unfamiliar Territory on the Mountain

Qualifying Journey to Raceday Leaves Allen Johnson in Unfamiliar Territory on the Mountain

MORRISON, Colo. (July 23, 2016) – Allen Johnson drove his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart to the No. 10 spot after four rounds of qualifying at the 37th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals.

For Friday’s initial qualifying session, Johnson drove his Marathon Dart to the No. 4 spot with a 7.004-second pass at 197.22 mph. With a baseline to work off of and a two-hour rain delay, he came back with an improved 6.988, 197.25 at 10:00 p.m. at night in the cool track conditions.

In Saturday’s first session, Johnson experienced some trouble as he passed the 60-foot mark and ended up aborting the run; he clocked in with a 12.390, 72.14. For his final qualifying attempt on Bandimere Speedway, Johnson clocked in with a 7.886, 128.44 after his engine broke and smoked trailed behind him as he crossed the finish line.

Finishing qualifying in the No. 10 spot, Johnson will have a first round pairing against No. 7 Drew Skillman.

“This is the most trying Denver we’ve had in a long, long time if not ever,” Johnson said. “It seems that nothing has gone right since the first qualifying run but I still have confidence. I have confidence because it’s going to be Sunday in Denver.”

NHRA

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Bandimere

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS
BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY AT MORRISON, COLORADO
SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016

Chevrolet drivers make historic runs at Mile-High NHRA Nationals
John Force, daughter Courtney reset track record in new Chevrolet Camaro SS

MORRISON, Colo. (July 23, 2016) – The new Chevrolet Camaro SS was a flash under the trackside lights at Bandimere Speedway during Funny Car qualifications for the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals.

All three John Force Racing drivers recorded unprecedented sub-4-second runs at the high-altitude racetrack, with John Force posting a milestone pass of 3.959 seconds in the 2016 Realtree PEAK Antifreeze Chevrolet Camaro SS during the first of four sessions. He entered the event with the track elapsed time record of 4.015 seconds set in July 2015.

His record didn’t stand for long as daughter Courtney Force, driving the Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS, cruised to finish line in 3.917 seconds (318.39 mph) in the second qualifying session to earn her first No. 1 qualifier position of the season and 10th of her career. Still, John Force was the No. 2 qualifier with a pass of 3.935 seconds in the second session, and Robert Hight (Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS) qualified fifth with a 3.975-second run in the third session.

“I think we are on the right track with this Camaro,” said John Force, a six-time winner at Bandimere Speedway who participated in extensive on-track testing last week. “The new Chevrolet has good aero. It makes us feel good.”

The 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion introduced the 2016 Funny Car body, which is based on the sixth-generation Camaro SS, at the NHRA Kansas Nationals in May. Hight was on track with the new car two weeks later, and Courtney Force made her debut in the 2016 model two weeks ago at Joliet, Illinois.

“We are running with the quickest cars in the category and we are getting quicker almost every race,” added Hight. “It is exciting to drive this Camaro and I know it is exciting for the fans.”

The qualifying results nearly matched the trio’s season best of Nos. 2 (Courtney Force), 3 (John Force), and 4 (Hight) at Phoenix.

“Obviously the conditions are excellent out here, but it’s a totally different set-up this weekend so I wasn’t sure what to expect being at high altitude in the thin air,” said Courtney Force, who was runner-up at Bandimere Speedway in her 2012 rookie season. “Everything changes; the crew chiefs, the car, the motor, everything. I’m really excited and proud of my team. Proud of my guys for giving me a fast race car.”

Chevrolet’s hold of the No. 1 Pro Stock qualifier spot was extended to 14 races as Alex Laughlin earned his first No. 1 qualifier position with a run of 6.926 seconds in the Gas Monkey Garage Chevrolet Camaro SS.

“I can’t believe it. I owe it all to Gray Motorsports and the rest of my Gas Monkey team,” the second-year Pro Stock driver said. “Words don’t even describe how proud I am of everyone. I’m probably going to be tired tomorrow because I won’t sleep tonight.”

Chevrolet drivers secured seven of the top 10 qualifying spots. Shane Gray, the No. 1 qualifier in the last NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event, qualified third at 6.937 seconds in the Valvoline/Nova Services Chevrolet Camaro SS. Pro Stock points leader Jason Line was the No. 4 qualifier in the Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS, followed by KB Racing teammates Bo Butner (Butner Auto Sales Chevrolet Camaro SS) and Greg Anderson (Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS).

Drew Skillman (Ray Skillman Auto Chevrolet Camaro SS) qualified seventh, while Vincent Nobile, driving the Mountain View Tire Chevrolet Camaro SS, was ninth.

The Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster driven by Brittany Force was the No. 3 qualifier with a pass of 3.813 seconds to extend her streak of qualifying in the top four to seven events.

Jegs Racing

Jeg Coughlin Jr. ready to battle on the mountain with his Dodge Dart

Jeg Coughlin Jr. ready to battle on the mountain with his Dodge Dart
DENVER (July 23) — All five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. needs is a fighting chance, and he has one at this weekend’s Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.

Coughlin qualified his Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar/JEGS.com Dodge Dart in the No. 8 spot, his best qualifying effort in the last four races, and with the potential of Elite Motorsports teammate Erica Enders, who qualified No. 2, Coughlin knows he has a chance to be even better on race day. Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. ready to battle on the mountain with his Dodge Dart →