CHEVROLET AT SEATTLE
What:
29th Protect The Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals
When:
Friday, Aug. 5-Sunday, Aug. 7
Where:
Pacific Raceways, Kent, Washington
TV:
FOX Sports 1: Qualifying – 10 p.m. ET Friday (taped highlights)
FOX Sports 1: Qualifying – Noon ET Sunday (taped highlights)
FOX: Eliminations and finals – 4 p.m. ET Sunday (live) Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Seattle
CORVETTE DPs AT ROAD AMERICA: Wide-Open Race for Prototype Championship Leaders
Corvette Daytona Prototype teams, Chevrolet in good points positions heading to Elkhart Lake
· Action Express Racing with back-to-back, 1-2 finishes at Watkins Glen, Canada
· Curran, Cameron most recent IMSA winners, defending Road America winners
· Chevrolet holds nine-point lead in Prototype Engine Manufacturer Championship
DETROIT (Aug. 3, 2016) – With three races left in the 2016 season, Corvette Daytona Prototype teams are positioning themselves for the final push toward Prototype titles in IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The Continental Tire Road Race Showcase from Wisconsin’s Road America can go a long way toward settling three tight Prototype championships. Continue reading CORVETTE DPs AT ROAD AMERICA: Wide-Open Race for Prototype Championship Leaders
Panch, Wood Brothers Ruled Watkins Glen, Northern Tour in ‘65
August 6, 2016
NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. always had a great vision for the sport of stock car racing, and a big part of that master plan was to take the sport from its Southern roots and spread it across America.
One of his tools was the old “Northern Tour.”
From the mid-1950s through the early 1970s, when the series now known as Sprint Cup left Daytona International Speedway after the Firecracker 400 on the Fourth of July, a caravan of racers headed north. Continue reading Panch, Wood Brothers Ruled Watkins Glen, Northern Tour in ‘65
TEAM SUMMIT RACING LOOKS FOR WIN ON THE
LAST LEG OF THE WESTERN SWING
Mooresville, NC (August 3, 2016)—Team Summit Racing makes its final stop on the Western Swing, the Protect The Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle. Both Greg Anderson and Jason Line have won at Pacific Raceways three times in their careers.
Anderson scored his 85th career win at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, tying him with NHRA legend Bob Glidden as the second winningest Pro Stock racer in history. Continue reading TEAM SUMMIT RACING LOOKS FOR WIN ON THE LAST LEG OF THE WESTERN SWING
Pro Stock champ Erica Enders confident Elite team can perform under pressure
SEATTLE (Aug. 3) — Two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders learned a lot about her Elite Motorsports team after winning back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015. When under pressure, Enders and her team didn’t flinch; instead, they performed at their best. Continue reading Pro Stock champ Erica Enders confident Elite team can perform under pressure
Chevrolet Setting Sights on History at Final Stop of Western Swing
John Force aims to complete three-race Funny Car sweep in new Chevrolet Camaro SS
DETROIT (Aug. 3, 2016) – The sellout crowd July 31 at Sonoma Raceway cheered wildly when John Force raced to victory in the Funny Car final. As he passed the main grandstand a few minutes later in celebration, spectators rose to their feet again in a display of support for the 16-time National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) champion in his next race. Continue reading John Force aims to complete three-race Funny Car sweep in new Chevrolet Camaro SS
JOHN FORCE EYES SECOND WESTERN SWING SWEEP
SEATTLE, WA (August 3, 2016) — Only one Funny Car driver in the history of the NHRA has swept the Western Swing. In 1994 three-time Funny Car champion John Force won Denver, Sonoma and Seattle, ironically this weekend Force now a 16-time Funny Car champion could wrap up his second sweep of the swing exactly 22 years to the day with a win at the 29th annual ProtectTheHarvest.com NHRA Northwest Nationals. In 1994 Force won Denver on July 24th, Sonoma on July 31 and then Seattle on August 7th. Force has secured the first two victories needed a feat he also accomplished in 2003 when he won Denver and Seattle and raced to a semi-final finish in Sonoma where he was defeated by Gary Scelzi and his then crew chief Mike Neff. Continue reading JOHN FORCE EYES SECOND WESTERN SWING SWEEP
Western Swing a Marathon Not a Sprint for Allen Johnson
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (August 2, 2016) – Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson makes his way to the upper part of the Pacific Northwest this weekend for the 29th annual Protect the Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals.
Johnson has been in the finals three times at Pacific Raceways and took home the win in 2006 against Tom Martino. One decade later, he’s anticipating a good weekend ahead regardless of his trying second round loss last weekend in Sonoma.
“I always look forward to racing in Seattle,” Johnson said. “It’s one of our favorite places to go and we always seem to do pretty good up there. Our goal is to keep our momentum from our Denver win and maintain lane choice every round on Sunday. If we could’ve kept lane choice on Sunday in Sonoma, we would’ve had a better outcome.”
Including Seattle, there are three races left in the regular season before the point standings are reset for the Countdown to the Championship and it’s of upmost importance to start the countdown as high in the points as you can be.
“Our mission for the next three races is to try to get closer to the front two or three cars before the Countdown starts,” he added.
Qualifying for the Protect the Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals begins on Friday August 5th with two qualifying sessions at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. (PT) Two more qualifying sessions will take place on Saturday August 6th at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. Eliminations will be at 11:00 am on Sunday morning starting with Top Fuel.
TWISTS AND TURNS: CHEVROLETS LOOKS TO GLEAN RESULTS AT ‘THE GLEN’
Bowtie Brigade Seeking Road Course Sweep
DETROIT – (August 2, 2016) – Next up on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule is the newly repaved, high speed, 2.45-mile, 7-turn, Watkins Glen International Raceway located in upstate New York. Part of the Finger Lakes region, this historic road course has played host to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars since the late 1950’s and continues to be one of the most challenging venues on the circuit. Continue reading TWISTS AND TURNS: CHEVROLETS LOOKS TO GLEAN RESULTS AT ‘THE GLEN’
Scelzi Earns Best Finish of the Season With Runner-Up Result at Wayne County
Inside Line Promotions – ORRVILLE, Ohio (Aug. 2, 2016) – Last weekend’s performance was exactly what Dominic Scelzi needed.
Scelzi and his Roth Motorsports backed team returned to a pair of tracks in Ohio for the second time and the results improved immensely. Continue reading Scelzi Earns Best Finish of the Season With Runner-Up Result at Wayne County
CORVETTE RACING AT ROAD AMERICA: Race to 200 Starts Now
Historic venue again welcomes GT Le Mans championship contenders
Corvette Racing captured win No. 100 two weeks ago
Gavin, Milner with three class wins in 2016
Garcia, Magnussen now up to third in GTLM Driver’s Championship
Chevrolet out front in GT Le Mans Manufacturer points
DETROIT (Aug. 3, 2016) – Less than two weeks after adding another chapter to its already impressive record book, Corvette Racing rolls into familiar territory in pursuit of strengthening its GT Le Mans (GTLM) championship lead and resume as sports car racing’s premier GT team. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT ROAD AMERICA: Race to 200 Starts Now
Richard Childress Racing at The Glen … In 65 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Watkins Glen International, RCR boasts two wins (Robby Gordon 2003 and Kevin Harvick 2006), eight top-five and 21 top-10 finishes. Dale Earnhardt won three poles (1990, ’92, ’96) at the high-speed, seven-turn, upstate New York facility.
RCR in the NSCS … In 2,691 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards,105 wins, 472 top-five finishes and 1,022 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 16.0. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Sprint 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.
The Collective RCR … RCR’s three full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank 11th (Dillon), 12th (Newman) and 23rd (Menard) in the driver championship point standings.
Catch the Action … The Watkins Glen 355 is scheduled to be televised live on USA beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.
Heading into the final race of the 2016 NHRA Western Swing, the 29th annual ProtectTheHarvest.com NHRA Northwest Nationals, John Force, driver of the PEAK Antifreeze & Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, answered a few questions about his chances of sweeping the swing for a second time and also how his season has turned around. Photos courtesy of Gary Nastase Photography for media use only.
You have had peaks and valleys in your long career, but how satisfying is this two race stretch? Where does it rank in your career? Continue reading John Force Racing–Wrapping Up the Western Swing
CHRIS BUESCHER WINS 1ST NASCAR SPRINT CUP RACE!
LONG POND, PENN., August 2, 2016 – Rookie, Chris Buescher won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race since starting full-time with Front Row Motorsports in 2016.
This was also Front Row Motorsports and team owner Bob Jenkins’ 2nd NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win with Roush Yates Engines. “What an incredible win for Chris Buescher and Front Row Motorsports,“ Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines, “Chris will never forget this moment.”
A heavy fog, with 28 laps left to go moved over Pocono Raceway impairing NASCAR officials and team spotter’s visibility of the “Tricky Triangle.” Shortly afterwards a red flag was waved and NASCAR made the decision to shorten the Pennsylvania 400 and race leader Buescher celebrated with his hardworking team in victory lane.
The Ford Fusions with Roush Yates Engines’ powered a 1-2 finish with No. 34 Chris Buescher of Front Row Motorsports and No. 2 Brad Keselowski of Team Penske. Ford Performance teams led a race total 72 laps out of 138 between; Buescher (12), Keselowski (8), Biffle (14) and Logano (38).
Since 2004
10 Championships • 273 Wins • 236 Poles
Giovanni Scelzi Drives to Top 10 While Learning New Conditions
Inside Line Promotions – WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Aug. 1, 2016) – Giovanni Scelzi earned his seventh top 10 during his ninth career sprint car race last Friday at Ocean Speedway.
Scelzi piloted his family owned car during his debut at the bullring, where he was introduced to a new track condition.
“It was super hooked up,” he said. “That was probably the smallest place I’ve been to (in a sprint car) and it’s the most hooked up place I’ve been to. It was a new thing to learn.” Continue reading Giovanni Scelzi Drives to Top 10 While Learning New Conditions
After runner-up at last year’s Seattle race, Jeg Coughlin Jr. looking to take final step
SEATTLE (Aug. 1) — A highlight of Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s three-race debut with Elite Motorsports last season was the five-time Pro Stock champion’s runner-up finish at the NHRA stop in Seattle. At this year’s 29th annual ProtectTheHarvest.com NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, Coughlin is hoping to take his Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar/JEGS.com Dodge Dart one step farther and end the day in the winner’s circle.
“Our goal is to try and be a little more aggressive earlier in the weekend and give ourselves some real momentum going into Sunday, no matter where we end up qualified,” Coughlin said. “Quite honestly, we were never really quite there last weekend in Sonoma (Calif.), and in our postrace shakedown we have decided we are just going to try to prepare a little more aggressively and take our chances. Continue reading After runner-up at last year’s Seattle race, Jeg Coughlin Jr. looking to take final step
Blaney Finishes 11th In Fog-Shortened Race At Pocono
August 1, 2016
Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team came away from a crazy day at Pocono Raceway with an 11th-place finish that keeps them in the hunt for a berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, which begins after five more regular-season races. He is now tied with Trevor Bayne for 17th place in the points standings.
Blaney started 18th in the race which was pushed to Monday because of bad weather. He quickly moved into the top 15 and was in 14th place when a competition caution flag flew at Lap 15. Continue reading Blaney Finishes 11th In Fog-Shortened Race At Pocono
Austin Dillon Competes for the Win in Weather-Shortened Race at Pocono Raceway
“It’s frustrating. This was the first time in my NASCAR Sprint Cup career I could nearly taste Victory Lane. We had a super-fast American Ethanol Chevrolet. It was fun racing that (No.) 42 for the lead. He blocked me through the short shoot in three, and I got loose. I knew if I downshifted, it would’ve hurt my momentum more. It’s just frustrating. We have things we need to work on across all aspects, but we’re making good progress. The good thing is, we had a fast enough car to win today and I’m proud of that. It’s disappointing we didn’t have a better result. Either way, I’m proud of my guys for a fast car.”
– Austin Dillon
Paul Menard and the No. 27 Chevrolet Team Show Speed at Pocono Raceway
“This one stings a little. Danny (Stockman, crew chief) brought us a fast car right off the truck. On Friday, we spent practice in qualifying trim. That’s an area we know we need improvement on. Then we were able to go and get the third starting spot, our best of this year. So for today to end the way it did is definitely not what we wanted. Our Moen/Menards Chevy was fast in the opening laps. We had a transmission issue and had to go behind the wall for repairs. My guys worked really hard to get back out there. Once we got back on track, we were running lap times faster than the leader. I know we could’ve been there in the end.”
– Paul Menard
Fog-Shortened Race at Pocono Raceway Produces a 12th-Place Finish for Ryan Newman
“We definitely had a better car than where we finished. This Caterpillar Chevrolet ran strong the entire race. We had good track position most of the day but didn’t expect the fog to play such a factor in the outcome. We’re just trying to get a win and not worry about the points side of the Chase. We had a fast racecar all day long, and that’s a good start. We’re definitely seeing an upswing in this team’s overall performance.”
– Ryan Newman
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
PENNSYLVANIA 400
POCONO RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
AUGUST 1, 2016
REGAN SMITH LEADS TEAM CHEVY AT POCONO
Four Chevrolet SS Race Cars Finish in Top Six
LONG POND, PA – (August 1, 2016) – Regan Smith led the way for Team Chevy with a third place finish in his No. 7 APC Chevrolet SS at the conclusion of the weather-shortened Pennsylvania 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway. Smith and his Tommy Baldwin Racing team played the perfect pit strategy stretching fuel mileage and remaining on the race track while others came to pit road. The finish was the second top 10 in 11 races at Pocono for Smith. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Pocono–Post Race Quotes
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
PENNSYLVANIA 400
POCONO RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
AUGUST 1, 2016
REGAN SMITH, NO. 7 APC CHEVROLET SS – FINISHED 3RD
ON THE RACE:
“It’s been a strange weekend really weather wise. There were times yesterday I thought we were going to get to race and the track had like a pond underneath it apparently. I’m just proud of Tommy (Baldwin) and then the guys on the box for kind of realizing there was opportunity for a strategy play there. We have had a decent run today. We were a lot better than we were last time here. We have made a lot of gains with our race car and with our team. When you are a small team you’ve got to take those opportunities when you can. Fortunately, we were getting good enough fuel mileage to just keep trying to stretch it and have enough left for when the caution did come out. I don’t know that we could have predicted it would have been from fog. I think we were just trying to do what we could do to make sure we maintained as far up as we could and maybe lead a lap or something like that. That is what you’ve got to do sometimes.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Pocono–Post Race