MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TOYOTA OWNERS 400
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES
APRIL 30, 2017

JAMIE MCMURRAY LEADS THE WAY FOR TEAM CHEVY AT RICHMOND
Chevrolet’s Kyle Larson continues to lead the point standings after nine races in 2017

RICHMOND, Va. (April 30, 2017) – Chip Ganassi Racing’s strong season continued this afternoon at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) as Jamie McMurray and the No. 1 GearWrench Chevrolet SS team led the way for Team Chevy in the ninth round of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) season with a sixth-place finish. The run marks the fifth top 10 finish for McMurray thus far this season, and he currently ranks seventh in the point standings. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond Race Notes →

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
ZMAX DRAGWAY AT CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA
POST-RACE DRIVER QUOTES
SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 2017

CHRIS MCGAHA, HARLOW SAMMONS RACING, HARLOW SAMMONS OF ODESSA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 4 qualifier, earned first Pro Stock win of season and fifth of career):

Q: HOW DOES THIS RANK AMONG YOUR VICTORIES?
CHRIS MCGAHA: “All of them are special in their own way. The first one at Sonoma was pretty sweet. Waited too long, and got another one right behind it. Each one has their own story. This one I always felt like it should have been my first. In ’14 we had a dominant car, won our quads nearly every time we went up there. Eventually shook and blew the motor up. That motor never really recovered until this week. That’s the same motor then as it is now.”
Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Z-Max Dragway–Post Race →

Dixon, Kanaan Head Honda Effort in Phoenix
• Scott Dixon finishes fifth, Tony Kanaan sixth in first short-oval race of 2017
• Opening lap crash eliminates five Honda drivers
• Separate incidents end the race for Ryan Hunter-Reay, Alexander Rossi and Takuma Sato

AVONDALE, Ariz. (April 29, 2017) – Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan led the way for Honda Saturday night at Phoenix International Raceway, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively, in a Verizon IndyCar Series race that saw five Honda drivers eliminated in an opening-lap crash, and three more fall by the wayside prior to the checkers. Continue reading Dixon, Kanaan Head Honda Effort in Phoenix →

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
DESERT DIAMOND WEST VALLEY PHOENIX GRAND PRIX
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER POST RACE QUOTES
APRIL 29, 2017

SIMON PAGENAUD, NO. 1 MENARDS TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET – RACE WINNER
DID YOU EVER THINK YOU WOULD HEAR TH WORDS YOU’VE WON AT AN OVAL? WHERE DOES THIS ONE RANK ON THE CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT LIST?
“Those were the longest 50 laps of my life. I have a button on the steering wheel to check the lap count, ever lap I was pressing the button. It was the most stressful end of the race I’ve ever lived, but the car was just phenomenal. It was an incredible day for the Menards car, Chevy, incredible job with the aero package for these kinds of tracks and on the engine as well. Since the beginning of the season we worked so closely it’s been fun, I have to say. Obviously, thanks to Verizon as well for all the support that they give us. I’ve got to tell you, this is just incredible. For me, this is my best win because it’s so strategic to win on an oval. You have to really study what the others are doing, how your car is responding adjust it during the race to be good at the end and today was just exactly a perfect day. I couldn’t be any happier.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Phoenix–Post Race →

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
DESERT DIAMOND WEST VALLEY PHOENIX GRAND PRIX
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
RACE WINNER QUICK QUOTE
APRIL 29, 2017

SIMON PAGENAUD, NO. 1 MENARDS TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET – RACE WINNER
DID YOU EVER THINK YOU WOULD HEAR TH WORDS YOU’VE WON AT AN OVAL? WHERE DOES THIS ONE RANK ON THE CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT LIST?
“Those were the longest 50 laps of my life. I have a button on the steering wheel to check the lap count, ever lap I was pressing the button. It was the most stressful end of the race I’ve ever lived, but the car was just phenomenal. It was an incredible day for the Menards car, Chevy, incredible job with the aero package for these kinds of tracks and on the engine as well. Since the beginning of the season we worked so closely it’s been fun, I have to say. Obviously, thanks to Verizon as well for all the support that they give us. I’ve got to tell you, this is just incredible. For me, this is my best win because it’s so strategic to win on an oval. You have to really study what the others are doing, how your car is responding adjust it during the race to be good at the end and today was just exactly a perfect day. I couldn’t be any happier.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Phoenix–Simon Pagenaud Winner →

Hagan Leads Mopar in Qualifying at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, Turk Qualifies for Factory Stock Showdown

Matt Hagan qualifies Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T fourth in Funny Car to lead Mopar-backed Nitro teams
Four Mopar-powered Don Schumacher Racing Funny Cars qualify in top 10
Six Dodge Charger R/T Funny Cars qualify for 16-car field
Mopar Top Fuel drivers Tony Schumacher and Leah Pritchett will begin day from No. 6 and No. 9 spots, respectively
Pritchett pilots Dodge Challenger to win over Papa John’s founder and CEO, John Schnatter, in second Charity Challenge race of 2017
Geoff Turk qualifies 2015 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak for Factory Stock Showdown
Super Stock driver Jerry Hatch’s 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Six Pack wins Best Appearing Car
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon simulators unveiled on Manufacturers Midway and covered by FS1
April 29, 2017 (Concord, N.C.) – Mopar HEMI® power claimed four of the top 10 spots in Funny Car qualifying for the Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, while Mopar-powered Top Fuel machines will start sixth and ninth on the unique four-wide eliminations ladder. Only three rounds are required to crown the event champion in the classes that make up the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Continue reading Hagan Leads Mopar in Qualifying at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, Turk Qualifies for Factory Stock Showdown →

Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin nails
down fourth low qualifier award of his career
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) — Perhaps no one was happier to suffer through the heat and humidity that settled on zMax Dragway Saturday than two-time Pro Mod world champion Troy Coughlin, whose Friday night pass of 5.770 at 254.95 mph remained unchallenged in the final two rounds of qualifying for the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.

“I was sweating it out, literally,” Coughlin said with a laugh. “In reality, it got too hot today for anyone to really challenge that 5.77. The day kind of turned into a test-n-tune for tomorrow’s elimination action because all indications are that we’ll see very similar conditions. Either way we’ll be ready. Continue reading Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin nails down fourth low qualifier award of his career →

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
ZMAX DRAGWAY AT CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA
QUALIFYING RESULTS AND DRIVER QUOTES
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017

Chevrolet Drivers Dominate Funny Car, Pro Stock Qualifications
· Courtney Force claims third consecutive No. 1 Funny Car qualifier honor
· John Force Racing sweeps top three Funny Car qualifying spots
· Robert Hight sets Funny Car racetrack speed record in qualifying No. 2
· Jeg Coughlin Jr. records second Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier honor in a row

CONCORD, N.C. (April 29, 2017) – In her 125th National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Funny Car event, Courtney Force took an assertive step toward recording her ninth career victory and first at zMAX Dragway. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Z-Max Dragway–Qualifying Quotes →

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
ZMAX DRAGWAY AT CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA
QUALIFYING RESULTS AND DRIVER QUOTES
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017

Chevrolet Drivers Dominate Funny Car, Pro Stock Qualifications
· Courtney Force claims third consecutive No. 1 Funny Car qualifier honor
· John Force Racing sweeps top three Funny Car qualifying spots
· Robert Hight sets Funny Car racetrack speed record in qualifying No. 2
· Jeg Coughlin Jr. records second Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier honor in a row

CONCORD, N.C. (April 29, 2017) – In her 125th National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Funny Car event, Courtney Force took an assertive step toward recording her ninth career victory and first at zMAX Dragway. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Z-Max Dragway–Qualifying →

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
DESERT DIAMOND WWEST VALLEY PHOENIX GRAND PRIX
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
POST QUALIFYING RECAP
APRIL 28, 2017

Helio Castroneves Puts Chevy on the Pole at Phoenix

PHOENIX – Helio Castroneves has cornered the market on the fastest way around Phoenix International Raceway. For the second consecutive year, Castroneves has captured the Verizon P1 Award in record-setting fashion. The three-time Indianapolis 500 winner blistered the 1.022-mile oval with a total two-lap time of 37.7538 seconds at an average speed of 194.905 mph.

“The conditions were really difficult today because it changed from last year,” said Castroneves. “Last year, we qualified in the afternoon, practiced at night. Now it was completely different. But the gusts of wind were horrendous. But again, in qualifying, my engineer did a phenomenal job. We calculated something in the car. It turned out to be a good one.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Phoenix Qualifying →

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TOYOTA OWNERS 400
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 28, 2017

KASEY KAHNE, NO. 5 AARP DRIVE TO END HUNGER CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Richmond International Raceway and discussed the opening practice session, his outlook for qualifying, his thoughts on teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s retirement and many other topics. Full Transcript:

ON THE FIRST PRACTICE SESSION AND WHAT HE IS FEELING IN ADVANCE OF QUALIFYING:
“I feel pretty good. I thought we took off pretty good at the start of practice. It’s a neat track, especially during the daytime. I always think it’s kind of one of my favorite tracks, I think a lot of the guys really enjoy racing here. The car was really nice taking off and then we made a couple of other five laps runs and went to qualifying trim and missed it a little the first lap. So, then we were on old tires from that point on, so we didn’t end up great on the board, but I feel like we have a strong car and hopefully a car that can qualify towards the front this afternoon.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond–Kasey Kahne →

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TOYOTA OWNERS 400
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING NOTES AND QUOTES
APRIL 28, 2017

PAIR OF CHEVY’S TO START IN THE TOP 12 AT RICHMOND

RICHMOND, Va. (April 28, 2017) – A pair of Team Chevy drivers will start in the Top 12 on Sunday in the 400-lap/300-mile Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race around the 0.75-mile Richmond International Raceway. Jamie McMurray, No. 1 GearWrench Chevrolet SS will lead the charge for the Bowtie Brand rolling off from the 10th starting spot. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond Qualifying →

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TOYOTA OWNERS 400
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 28, 2017

DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Richmond International Speedway and discussed the rest of the week since making his announcement to retire at the end of the 2017 season, all the outpouring of love and support from his fellow competitors and fans and many other topics. Full Transcript:

BIG WEEK FOR YOU. TAKE US THROUGH HOW EVERYTHING HAS GONE SINCE MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON TUESDAY:
“It’s been real positive which I’m thankful for. I was worried people were going to be upset and angry, like ‘what the hell’, so I was glad that they… so far, for the most part it’s been real positive. Obviously, the conversations I’ve had with folks in the media, the industry and the garage has been great. So, it’s been good, we also went to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Thursday, which was a really timely good thing to do because I was ready to get back to work and get back to my routine, if you will. That was fun to go there and sort of get the whole announcement and everything else off your mind for a little bit. But, yeah, it really went great. I thought the press conference was set up well and that all went as smooth as I guess I could have hoped. I felt like when I was up there giving my speech that I sounded like a monotone robot, but everybody seemed to be giving me positive reviews on that. Otherwise, it was really good. It’s been hard to admit that is what I want to do and that is the choice I was want to make, but otherwise the feedback has been great.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond-Dale Earnhardt Jr. →

NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES
NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
ZMAX DRAGWAY, CHARLOTTE, NC
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 28, 2017

TANNER GRAY, GRAY MOTORSPORTS VALVOLINE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS met with the media and discussed his first career win at Vegas, racing four-wide for the first time, and racing at his home track at zMax Dragway, and more. Full transcript:

TALK ABOUT YOUR EARLY SUCCESS THIS SEASON AND THE MOMENTUM THAT IT HAS BROUGHT

“The guys have given me a really good race car and that has made my job really easy. With my dad (Shane Gray), my grandpa (Johnny Gray), and Dave (Connolly) here it has made the learning curve not so steep. It’s definitely been going well.”

THIS IS YOUR FIRS TIME RUNNING THE FOUR-WIDES. ARE YOU TAKING THE SAME APPROACH THIS WEEKEND OR ARE YOU GOING TO MODIFY IT?

“I don’t know yet. I will have a better answer after Q1 but as of right now I am going to go up there and make sure I get in.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Charlotte–Tanner Gray →

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TOYOTA OWNERS 400
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 28, 2017

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 CREDIT ONE BANK CHEVROLET SS met with media and discussed what it’s like to see his name in the news a lot, his views of the younger drivers coming up in the sport, grassroots racing, and more. Full Transcript:

HOW DO YOU AND YOUR TEAM PLAN TO EXTEND YOUR POINT LEAD HEADING INTO SUNDAY’S RACE?
“We had a good run here last year. I typically don’t run great here. I’m okay. I run typically right around tenth. Last year we were a lot better and we were able to finish second. Hopefully we’ve hit on a balance I like here and can show it again here this weekend. It’ll be different, though. That was a night race. This is going to be with the sun out and hot and slick. So, it’ll be harder on your tires. You have to take care of all that stuff, your brakes and everything. So, we’ll just wait and see. Richmond is a tough race track. It’s super slick. To me, it feels like one of the slickest places we go to once the tires wear out. So, I’ve got to do my best to take care of my race car.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond–Kyle Larson →

CHEVROLET AT CHARLOTTE

What:
NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
When:
Friday, April 28-Sunday, April 30
Where:
zMAX Dragway, Concord, North Carolina
TV:
FS1: Eliminations and finals – 5:30 p.m. ET Sunday
FS1: Qualifications – Midnight ET Saturday
FS1: Qualifications – 7 p.m. ET Friday (live)

Chevrolet Drivers Seek to Win Four Classes in the Four-Wide Nationals
Youngest winner in NHRA history Tanner Gray to make ‘home track’ debut in Pro Stock Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Charlotte Preview →

Chevrolet Seeks to Kick Up Dust at Desert Grand Prix

· Team Chevy drivers gear up for first oval of Verizon IndyCar Series season
ᴏ 1.022-mile Phoenix International Raceway is stiff challenge
· Helio Castroneves is among the handful of drivers with history at racetrack
ᴏ Team Penske driver, who won at PIR in 2002, holds track qualifying speed record
· 2016 race marked Indy car return to the racetrack after 10-year absence
ᴏ Simon Pagenaud and Will Power scored top-three finishes behind winning Chevrolet
· JR Hildebrand returns to No. 21 Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing

DETROIT (April 26, 2017) – Experience, which is a derivative of longevity, skill and teamwork have been complementary ingredients in Helio Castroneves’ successful career. History is an ally at Verizon IndyCar Series venues.

The veteran Team Penske driver will make his 331st Indy car start, which ranks third on the all-time list, Saturday night in the 250-lap Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix in the No. 3 REV Group Chevrolet. It is the fourth event – and first oval — of the Verizon IndyCar Series season. Continue reading Chevrolet Seeks to Kick Up Dust at Desert Grand Prix →

Four-Wide racing stirs memories of bygone
days for Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr.
CONCORD, N.C. (April 25) — When racing impresario Bruton Smith decided to make zMax Dragway a four-lane drag racing facility, only the old-timers knew what he was talking about. For most modern-day straight-liners, it seemed a crazy novelty, but one that was certainly intriguing, especially for the racers themselves.

Now, with the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals just a few days away, six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. took a few moments to reminisce on the unique format that pits four cars burning down the quarter-mile strip at one time.

“As a kid, before this track was built, I remember rummaging through my dad’s old racing scrapbooks that my mom put together through the years,” Coughlin said. “I came across some photos and stories about some four-wide racing they did up in northern Ohio at Dragway 42 and I had to ask him, ‘what the heck is that?’ Continue reading Four-Wide racing stirs memories of bygone days for Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. →

DALE EARNHARDT, JR, NO. 88 CHEVROLET SS AND TEAM OWNER RICK HENDRICK, met with the media at Hendrick Motorsports to discuss Dale, Jr.’s announcement that he would be retiring at the end of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Season. Full Transcript:

DALE EARNHARDT JR.: Good afternoon. I want to thank everybody for being here today especially on such short notice. It’s good to see a lot of familiar faces. We’re here today to confirm the news you received this morning that I’ve decided to make this season my last as a NASCAR Cup driver. The response just in the last six hours from teammates, colleagues and friends and fans has been incredibly overwhelming.

So, before I go any further, I just want to thank everybody for making me feel pretty incredible today. You’re wondering why I reached this decision, it’s really simple. I just wanted the opportunity to go out on my own terms. I wanted to honor my commitment to Rick, to my sponsors, to my team, and to the fans. I’ll admit, that having influence over my exit only became meaningful when it started to seem most unlikely. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Dale Earnhardt Jr Retirement Announcement →

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 →