OSBORN, MO (April 5, 2024) – Twice a winner with the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota last year, Karter Sarff has stepped up his game early in 2024, taking his first trip of the season to Victory Lane Friday night at US 36 Raceway. Sarff, 21, of Mason City, IL, was relentless with the speed and pressure on the leaders through the first half of the main event, eventually breaking through with a successful slide job on Cannon McIntosh with 10-to-go and driving away with his third career Series victory. In 2023, it took he and his family-owned operation several appearances with the Series before he finally broke through for a win during the World of Outlaws Ironman 55 weekend in August. Now, only three races into the new season, Sarff is already up on the board. “It feels super good to win one in the third race of the year,” Sarff said. “Hopefully, it leads to even more this year. Last year, we won two of them, so this year we’re hoping we can win even more than two.” Notably, Sarff utilizes a Toyota Racing Development (TRD) engine under the hood of his No. 21K. Coming into Friday, the TRD program was sitting at a grand total of 499 national Midget series Feature wins with their engines – the first coming in 2006 on pavement with multi-time national champion Dave Steele – and Sarff has now delivered the milestone 500th to the program with the win. After turning the quickest lap in his Qualifying group, winning his Heat Race and claiming high-points honors, Sarff took the green flag for the Feature from outside Row 2 and immediately put the pressure on early leader McIntosh, hounding the Keith Kunz Motorsports #71K nearly non-stop over the first half of the 30-lap race. Inside and outside, Sarff tried several routes to make the pass but was unable to do so. That was until Lap 17 – five laps after a restart – when Sarff finally got close enough to execute his first slide job maneuver in Turn 3, which McIntosh immediately denied with a crossover move out of Turn 4. “[McIntosh] was running the bottom in (Turns) 1 and 2, so I couldn’t slide him there, which was the best spot to do it,” Sarff said. “So was sliding him there in 3 and 4, and it just got so tight off of 4 that he was able to run down the hill back across me every time.” But Sarff gathered his wheels back in and wound the car up on the top lane again in preparation to throw another slider two laps later, which was successful. With a burst of speed off Turn 2, Sarff drove deep into Turn 3 on the bottom and slid ahead of McIntosh by several car-lengths to take over the lead. “We struggled a little on the bottom – it was a little boggy – so right through the middle and the top, the thing would just carry so much speed,” Sarff said. “It was just an amazing racecar.” Despite Sarff’s repeated challenges, the move was much to McIntosh’s surprise. “I felt like after the restart, I was really good,” McIntosh said. “I changed my line up, just started doing something different, and I felt like it was a lot better and I was carrying good speed. I was honestly surprised when I saw Karter poke his nose to the inside because I felt so good. “At that point, I was trying to just play defense, and once he got by, I really didn’t have anything for him.” Now with the lead, Sarff began to drive away from the field, turning laps multiple tenths quicker on average than those behind him as he cruised to a first Feature win of the year. Behind him, Chase McDermand was making his presence felt as well, capitalizing on the lower-lane momentum around the 3/8-mile high-banks to get by McIntosh for second on Lap 26. “I was trying to figure out [McIntosh’s] weakness and where I could gain on him a little bit,” McDermand said. “Just making different lines, trying to make speed down the straightaway. “I was able to get him in (Turns) 3 and 4, which was kind of where I was thinking. I feel like we were close to the same pace in 1 and 2, but I just chose a different line there in 3 and 4 and was able to get a really good run off the corner. He kinda slipped-up there off of 4 and didn’t quite have the run down the straightaway that I had.” McDermand held on for second while McIntosh settled for third with 19 total laps led. Still, McIntosh built on his points lead slightly, now tallying in 16 points ahead of runner-up Zach Daum. UP NEXT The Xtreme Outlaw Midgets complete the trip through Missouri with a visit to Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex on Saturday, April 6. Tickets are on sale in advance at XtremeOutlawSeries.com and will also available at the gate. If you can’t be there, stream every lap live on DIRTVision. ABBREVIATED RESULTS (view full results) Feature (30 Laps): 1. 21K-Karter Sarff[4]; 2. 40-Chase McDermand[5]; 3. 71K-Cannon McIntosh[2]; 4. 25K-Taylor Reimer[8]; 5. 67-Ryan Timms[10]; 6. 7U-Zach Daum[1]; 7. 97-Kale Drake[3]; 8. 19AZ-Hayden Reinbold[9]; 9. 14S-Tyler Smith[11]; 10. 19M-Ethan Mitchell[6]; 11. 67K-Ashton Torgerson[7]; 12. 1K-Brayton Lynch[14]; 13. 5U-Peter Smith[17]; 14. 55-Trevor Cline[22]; 15. 88A-Austin Torgerson[13]; 16. 98-Luke Drotschie[16]; 17. 66-Jayden Clay[21]; 18. 938-Bradley Fezard[20]; 19. 89-Todd McVay[19]; 20. 92-Josh Most[18]; 21. 44-Branigan Roark[15]; 22. 13-Elijah Gile[12]; 23. 56-Tyler Edwards[23]

Sheldon Haudenschild’s misfortune is Gravel’s good luck as he earns his 90th World of Outlaws win.OSBORN, MO (April 5, 2024) – A little luck never hurts, especially in Sprint Car Racing.Sheldon Haudenschild appeared poised for a third straight US 36 Raceway victory on Friday night. He’d taken the lead early and sliced through plenty of traffic as he led the opening 20 circuits. But an incident with a lapped car left him spun between Turns 1 and 2 and ended his hopes of a three-peat at the 3/8-mile.The biggest beneficiary to Haudenschild’s troubles? David Gravel. The Watertown, CT native had clawed his way from fourth to second in the Big Game Motorsports #2. When Haudenschild spun, the gift of the lead fell into Gravel’s lap.After inheriting the top spot, Gravel never looked back on his way to his second World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car win of 2024. Last year Gravel’s visit to US 36 resulted in a DNF. This year it resulted in redemption.“I was just kind of searching around racing with those guys, and we were able to get to third and then get to second,” Gravel said. “And then Sheldon got into the lapped car there, but I felt like we were right there and could pace him well. I liked my chances. I wish we got to race it out. But the guys gave me a really good car.”The triumph marked Gravel’s 90th with The Greatest Show on Dirt, making him only the 10th driver to reach 90. US 36 Raceway became the 46th different track he’s won at in World of Outlaws competition. Gravel’s car owner – Tod Quiring – is up to 96 Series victories as he gets closer to making Big Game Motorsports only the sixth team in Series history with triple digit wins.An all-NOS Energy Drink front row consisting of Tyler Courtney and Sheldon Haudenschild led the field to green for the 35-lap finale. “Sunshine” jumped ahead on the initial start, but a crash on the front straightaway before the lap was complete caused a complete restart.The opening lap not being finished before the red flag was Gravel’s first piece of good fortune in the Feature. He had slipped all the way to seventh from the second row on the first lap, but the wreck gave him a second chance at a strong start – a chance he took advantage of.“That first start was really bad, and I fell back to seventh,” Gravel explained. “Luckily, there was a red right before everybody crossed the start finish line or I definitely wouldn’t have won this race here tonight. Luckily, we were able to get a redo there.”On the full restart Haudenschild got the advantage on the outside and led the first lap. As they clicked off the early laps Haudenschild committed to the cushion while Courtney stayed low. Courtney closed on Haudenschild and nearly took the top spot out of Turn 4 on Lap 7, but Haudenschild moved low to protect and began to pad his lead.Behind the lead duo Gravel found some grip in the center of Turns 1 and 2 and used it to drive around James McFadden for third on Lap 9. Only six laps later Gravel drove around Courtney to climb into the runner-up spot. Behind Gravel a charging Donny Schatz followed Gravel’s path to the front as Schatz moved into third on Lap 17 after starting seventh.Only six laps after Gravel took second was when Haudenschild came together with the lapped car of Chris Windom in Turns 1 and 2. The resulting spin dropped him from contention and left nose damage on the NOS Energy Drink 17.The incident handed the lead right over to Gravel who planned to take full advantage.Gravel drove away early on the following restart. A handful of cautions interrupted Gravel’s progress toward the checkered flag, but he still mastered each restart as he left Schatz no openings to make a move.Schatz closed a couple times as the two navigated traffic, but he could never near Gravel enough to truly challenge. Gravel took off on one last restart with four laps to go and held on to win by just north of one second.Gravel has collected three straight podiums as he continues to build momentum in search of his first World of Outlaws title. The win allowed him to slightly extend his point lead to 22 markers ahead of Schatz. He’s locked in and ready for that title and the results show.“It’s been a good year,” Gravel said. “We stubbed our toe one night, but other than that I feel like we’ve been on our game. Donny has been running strong, too, so I know it’s going to be a battle all year long.”Schatz brought the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15 home second for his fourth podium in the last six races as the 10-time champion continues to get hot early. Schatz felt that a late wreck that took the leaders out of lapped traffic and caused an open red hurt his chances of winning.“My guys did a great job,” Schatz said. “I felt like we were coming there in traffic, and that momentum kind of went away on the open red. We had to make an adjustment. That’s what you have to do. You have to go for it. We went for it, and it helped me in one corner and hurt me in the other.”Michael “Buddy” Kofoid completed the top three at US 36. The result marked the Roth Motorsports driver’s best result of the season. Kofoid has now pieced together five consecutive top 10 finishes including top fives in the last two. The Penngrove, CA driver credited a pivotal restart for helping him secure the podium.“I knew we were restarting sixth and I finally had the outside,” Kofoid said. “I was thinking if I could snooker a couple guys there we should be good because I could carry so much speed into (Turn) 1 and almost slide through the center and if somebody was on the outside or inside, kind of shoot the gap and do that most of the race.”James McFadden and Tyler Courtney completed the top five.A huge 24th to sixth run gave Chase Randall the night’s KSE Hard Charger aboard the TKS Motorsports #2KS.Buddy Kofoid earned Simpson Quick Time honors.NOS Energy Drink Heats One, Three, and Four belonged to Buddy Kofoid, Tyler Courtney, and Rico Abreu. Milton Hershey School Heat Two went to Sheldon Haudenschild.Anthony Macri won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars debut at Arrowhead Speedway on Saturday, April 6 for the $20,000-to-win Jason Johnson Classic. For tickets, CLICK HERE.If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.FEATURE RESULTS:NOS Energy Drink Feature (35 Laps): 1. 2-David Gravel[3]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz[7]; 3. 83-Michael Kofoid[5]; 4. 83SR-James McFadden[4]; 5. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[1]; 6. 2KS-Chase Randall[24]; 7. 41-Carson Macedo[6]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart[12]; 9. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[25]; 10. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[11]; 11. 8-Cory Eliason[19]; 12. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[2]; 13. 39M-Anthony Macri[21]; 14. 55-Chris Windom[13]; 15. 17B-Bill Balog[22]; 16. 41S-Dominic Scelzi[23]; 17. 23-Garet Williamson[14]; 18. 88-Austin McCarl[10]; 19. 18T-Tanner Holmes[18]; 20. 45X-Jace Park[20]; 21. 70-Kraig Kinser[26]; 22. 7S-Landon Crawley[17]; 23. 5T-Ryan Timms[9]; 24. 24-Rico Abreu[8]; 25. 1A-Jacob Allen[15]; 26. 26-Zeb Wise[16]For full results, CLICK HERE.

Austin Prock is provisional No. 1 qualifier in Funny Car. while John Force and daughter Brittany win semifinal rounds in #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge

CHANDLER, Ariz. (April 5, 2024) – It was a display of sheer Force in Friday’s NHRA qualifying for the Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park – as in an outstanding showing by all three John Force Racing drivers. Austin Prock (3.840 seconds/334.40 mph) captured the provisional No. 1 qualifier spot in Funny Car. “For sure it was cooking,” Prock said of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS. If Prock can hang on to the No. 1, it would be his second No. 1 qualifying effort in the season’s first three races. As for the main event, Sunday’s Arizona Nationals eliminations, Prock hopes to follow in the footsteps of the driver he is filling in for this season, three-time Funny Car champion Robert Hight, who won the last two editions of the Arizona Nationals in 2022 and 2023. “I can see the confidence in the team this weekend,” Prock said. “We have a really good notebook of runs here. They’ve won the last few times they came here and we’re off to another great start, but I think we were all a little bit nervous after Pomona (Prock lost in the first round of eliminations).” Prock said there is a feeling in the entire Force camp that this could be a very special weekend for the entire team. “It’s a hell of a start,” Prock said. “All three cars made really outstanding runs and John and Brittany moving into the #2Fast2Tasty final round tomorrow. That’s big for our organization. I was having this talk with one of our track prep guys and I said, ‘Hopefully that’s just a precursor of what’s to come this season from our camp.’” ***************************** Team owner John Force kicked off his bid to win a historic NHRA Funny Car record three separate and distinct events in the same race weekend in strong fashion Friday at Firebird Motorsports Park. In the semifinals of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, Force’s PEAK Antifreeze & Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car (3.901 seconds at 325.37 mph) easily defeated Ron Capps (8.909 seconds at 82.80 mph). “Capps is a great racer and we got away with it,” Force said. “Maybe this old guy still has some hope.” Force will face J.R. Todd in Saturday’s #2Fast2Tasty Challenge final round at approximately 4 pm ET. Todd defeated Matt Hagan in their Challenge semifinal matchup. Then, after Saturday’s first round of qualifying in which Force hopes to take the #2Fast2Tasty win. He will come back a few hours later in the second round of qualifying to resume his matchup with Hagan in the postponed final round of the Winternationals (Pomona, Calif.) as part of Saturday’s final qualifying run of the weekend. If Force can win both the #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge and the rescheduled Winternationals final on Saturday, he will go for the weekend trifecta in the eliminations of the weekend’s main event, the Arizona Nationals, on Sunday. He is in the No. 4 provisional qualifying spot heading into Saturday’s two qualifying rounds. “I got a little luck on my side,” Force said. “I’m just having fun. Jimmy Prock (Austin Prock’s crew chief) said to me ‘at least we can sleep tonight because you go to bed sick, just worried about failing.’ He struggled at Pomona then he comes out and runs low ET here today with Austin. So I did okay, we all did okay. And yes, I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”  ************************* Then there was Brittany Force, who won her Top Fuel semifinal battle in the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. The pilot of the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster (3.689 seconds/334.90 mph) advanced to Saturday’s finals of the Challenge, defeating Justin Ashley (3.902 seconds/313.58 mph). Force will meet Tony Schumacher in the #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge final round, tentatively scheduled for 3:25 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon. Schumacher defeated Billy Torrence in the other #2Fast2Tasty Challenge semifinal on Friday. Equally important, while she’s never won at Firebird, Brittany has three runner-up showings in regular national events there and hopes to break through into the Winner’s Circle in Sunday’s Arizona Nationals. “We’re coming off strong after Q1, at 3.689, an incredible run,” Brittany Force said. “It was exactly what we were targeting and it went straight down the track.” The run gave Brittany the No. 2 provisional qualifying spot heading into Saturday’s two additional rounds of qualifying. She’s hoping to replicate what she did two weeks ago at Pomona, when she was the No. 1 qualifier, advancing all the way to the semifinals on race day. “We’re off to a really great start and I feel like we’re carrying our momentum over from Pomona,” Force said. “It’s shaping up to be a good weekend and we have two more runs tomorrow. We’re hoping for consistency to keep us in the top half of the field before going into race day.” ************************* TV SCHEDULE: In addition to streaming on NHRA.TV, here’s this weekend’s broadcast schedule (all times ET):Friday, April 5 (9:30-11 p.m.), FS1: First round of qualifying (replayed Saturday morning at 3:30-5 a.m. on FS1 and again at 7-8:30 a.m. Saturday on FS2).Saturday, April 6 (10-10:30 p.m.), FS1: Winternationals final round (previously postponed from Pomona two weeks ago due to weather).Sunday, April 7: (10:30 a.m. to Noon), FS1: Highlights from Saturday’s qualifying.Sunday, April 7: Finals (6:30-9:30 p.m.), FS1. #2024ORCE

CONCORD, NC (April 5, 2024) – In a continued effort to put safety at the forefront, World Racing Group is expanding its safety efforts to the American Sprint Car Series with the addition of the ASCS Fire and Rescue Team.

Like the addition of a traveling safety team for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series at the beginning of the season, the ASCS National Tour will also have its own safety crew on scene at every event.

Those who’ve raced with the ASCS in previous years will find familiarity with the team leading the safety efforts, as it will be headed by Billy Hurt, whose team has been with the ASCS Warrior Region for several years.

“The ASCS Fire and Rescue Team is excited for the opportunity to be a part of the National Tour,” Hurt said. “The National teams will have peace of mind knowing we will be there to assist and protect them at all of their events. This is just one of the good things World Racing Group is bringing to Sprint Car racing, and we can’t wait to see what other things improve with this tour.”

Hurt, who has been involved in the safety and rescue of Sprint Car drivers for over 22 years, has been in the fire service since 1982, serving first as a volunteer, and has been a career firefighter and EMT for 26 years in Columbia, MO. Bringing his familiar crew on the road with him, they combine for over 70 years of fire service and training. His team is also an active part of the on-site safety/first responders during the Tulsa Shootout and Chili Bowl Nationals.

“The addition of the ASCS Fire and Rescue Team at all National events will be a tremendous asset for the American Sprint Car Series and World Racing Group going forward,” said Lonnie Wheatley, ASCS Series Director. “While ideally, we would hope to never have the need to put them into action, all teams competing at ASCS National events can rest assured that they are in the most capable hands if and when the Fire and Rescue Team’s extensive skills and experience are called upon. This is a significant step for the American Sprint Car Series in ensuring the safety of its competitors and an early indication of further positive developments for the Series.”

The National Tour of the American Sprint Car Series will begin its 2024 season at Super Bee Speedway in Chatham, LA, on Friday-Saturday, April 19-20. An updated lineup of events throughout the 2024 season is expected soon.

The 2024 season marks the 33rd season of competition for the American Sprint Car Series. Spearheaded by the American Sprint Car Series National Tour, the ASCS Nation includes regional tours encompassing Wing and Non-Wing competition.

Live coverage of the National Tour can be found exclusively at http://www.DIRTVision.com.

For other news, notes, and information on any of the tours under the ASCS banner, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com, follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@ascsracing).

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PASSION AND PROFESSIONALISM: Continuing the Legacy of Jason JohnsonJason Johnson Racing has established itself as one of the sport’s premier teams and continues to uphold Johnson’s standards.OSBORN, MO (April 4, 2024) – Jason Johnson was determined to carve out a path in Sprint Car Racing. Every step of the way in his career he displayed dedication to the sport. Eventually, he worked his way to the opportunity to start his own team. Powered by passion and founded on principles of professionalism, Jason Johnson Racing was born in 2010.The team continues to operate based on the foundation Johnson laid as they’ve become one of the sport’s powerhouses with Philip and Brooke Dietz in ownership and Carson Macedo driving. And this Saturday at Arrowhead Speedway, they’ll look to honor Johnson by topping the Jason Johnson Classic.With Johnson holding his team to a high standard, success came right away. The 2010 American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) championship belonged to Johnson. The JJR #41 took a total of 19 trips to Victory Lane during its debut season.For almost the entire time Johnson raced, his cousin – Philip Dietz – was right alongside him on the mechanical side. There were times early in Johnson’s career when Dietz slept on the floor to have the opportunity to join his cousin at the racetrack. Even though Dietz was with Kasey Kahne Racing when JJR came to life, he recalls how Johnson designed his team for success.“He set the bar pretty high years ago,” Dietz said. “In his early days, he worked for some pretty reputable teams, one being Steve Kinser Racing. How they ran their team and everything they did during that time; Jason took notes of it all.  When that opportunity came to start up his own team, he applied a lot of those same things. He was obviously very particular about the cleanliness of all the gear and having everything look nice and professional to represent our sponsors the best way possible. And on top of that, there was a lot of effort that went into performance and never being content with settling for anything other than being a contender.”The team philosophy led to continued success for Johnson throughout the team’s early years. He reeled off three consecutive ASCS championships from 2012 through 2014. And then Johnson decided to take the step to the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars in 2015. An injury at Placerville disrupted Johnson’s first season, but in March of 2016 he tasted redemption when he scored JJR’s first World of Outlaws win as a team at none other than Placerville. Later that year, Johnson summited Sprint Car Racing’s mountaintop with a thrilling Knoxville Nationals win and delivered five words that’ll echo forever, “Shit, I wanted to win!”Johnson went on to tally two more wins in 2016 and added another six over the next year and a half before his tragic passing in June of 2018. But that night would not signal the end of Jason Johnson Racing. His family wouldn’t allow it. They wanted to keep Johnson’s legacy going on the racetrack just how he would’ve preferred. His wife – Bobbi – continued to field the car as they hired Carson Macedo to finish out 2018. Right off the bat, Macedo took the #41 to Victory Lane at Knoxville Raceway in his 360 Nationals Preliminary Night.“I could see it right away in 2018 when I came and drove for Philip and Bobbi, who at the time was the owner of the team,” Macedo recalled. “It was clear cut. They were just professional. Phil was just on top of his game. You could tell their car was just sound every time in hit the racetrack. Phil’s attention to detail was extraordinary. It was just a mold I fit into so easily.”Throughout the entire existence of JJR, the team has prioritized representing their sponsors in the best way possible. Mesilla Valley Transportation has been a longtime supporter, and Royal Jones – company CEO – has found it incredibly easy to work with them and been impressed by their professionalism and dedication.“It was easy from the start when I first met Jason,” Jones said. “He walked in my office. I’d never met him. He gave me a proposal to sponsor him for the next year. I got to know him that way. He was just so sincere, so honest, and just down to earth and always trying to do the right thing. I couldn’t help but take a liking to him, so we sponsored him the next couple years in ASCS until he moved onto the Outlaws. “When he was going to go to the Outlaws, he brought me sheets of what he thought it was going to cost and how he was going to do things. It was like, ‘Wow, these are quite the proposals. You could be working for me getting me business.’ This guy had it all down to a science. He was just so amazing in how he looked at it. You could just tell he was going to be successful.”When 2018 came to a close, Macedo had already inked a deal to drive for Kyle Larson Racing with the World of Outlaws in 2019. That opened the door for JJR to bring David Gravel aboard for the next two years. Gravel pieced together a strong pair of seasons that saw him bag 19 Series wins including the 2019 Knoxville Nationals.“They’re a great family,” Gravel said. “I love Jason’s parents. They’re really good people. Phil’s a good guy. Bobbi is a hard-working person. They built something from really nothing. They didn’t have much, and they’ve kind of built a little empire over there and it’s still going today. I definitely had two great years of racing over there.”Gravel’s departure for Big Game Motorsports presented the opportunity for Macedo to rejoin the team, and it’s been a wildly successful reunion. The Lemoore, CA native collected 11 checkered flags in 2021 and repeated the feat in 2022. He added another seven wins in 2023 and put together his third consecutive third place finish in the standings. Overall, Jason Johnson Racing now sits at 60 World of Outlaws victories, and Macedo is responsible for half.The time with JJR continues to be a dream come true for Macedo who grew up with one goal in mind – becoming a World of Outlaws driver.“I’m with a team that has really good, faithful people behind it,” Macedo said. “Philip is a great guy. He’s a good person. He’s a loyal person. I see the same thing in all the sponsors and partners that are part of the team. It just makes me happy. It makes me thankful for what I have every day. I just couldn’t be more appreciative to be a part of JJR, a team that has a lot of history behind it because of what Jason started.”What Jason started continues to live on. Led by Dietz, the current version of JJR continues to carry the spirit of Johnson by upholding his standards and competing at the highest level. And they have no plans of slowing down as they chase Johnson’s goal of bringing a World of Outlaws title to his race team.“It’s very important to us to carry on the JJR legacy and represent the team no different than how Jason would want it done,” Dietz said. “Our goal in 2015, when we first signed up with the Outlaws, was to run top 10. We knew that it was going to be a challenging year, and we were faced with so many different things between the engines and wing package. “As time went on, we kept bumping our goals up more and more. I think the following year we were hoping to at least win three or five races, which we accomplished. Nowadays, if we don’t win at least five races a year we’re kind of disappointed. It’s pretty amazing that we hit 60 wins the other weekend. It’s very special to me to keep this team up front, keep it competitive. Hopefully, we can continue that on for many years and win many more races.”Macedo and the team continue their championship pursuit this weekend at Osborn, MO’s US 36 Raceway on April 5 before the Jason Johnson Classic at Colcord, OK’s Arrowhead Speedway on April 6. For tickets, CLICK HERE.If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

ROSSBURG, OH (April 4, 2024) – Legends will collide when the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series returns to Eldora Speedway for the #LetsRaceTwo doubleheader, May 3-4. The best Sprint Car drivers in the country will gather in Ohio for the Series’ first of two weekend stops at the iconic “Big E.” Both nights post $12,000 to win top prizes, along with key championship points for Series contenders. Of the top current championship contenders, five have picked up wins at Eldora in the last three years – Carson Macedo, David Gravel, Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart and Ohio’s Sheldon Haudenschild.The World of Outlaws will return to Eldora for the marquee Kings Royal weekend, July 19-20. EVENT INFO: Date – Friday-Saturday, May 3-4 Location – Rossburg, OH Track Record – 12.599 sec. by David Gravel on Sept. 23, 2020 Times (CT) – 1:30PM Ticket Sales Begin (Main Gate, Turn 4, Pit Gate) 2PM Spectator Gates Open 6PM Hot Laps/Qualifying -Racing to followTickets – Available at WorldofOutlaws.com. How to Watch – If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every lap live on DIRTVision.Last Race Video Recap (May 6, 2023 – #LetsRaceTwo) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6-Xt-Yq7LEPrevious World of Outlaws winners at Eldora – 2023 – Logan Schuchart on May 5, Rico Abreu on May 6, Carson Macedo on July 14, Donny Schatz on July 15, Rico Abreu on Sept. 22 2022 –David Gravel on July 13, Brent Marks on July 14, David Gravel on July 15 (Day), Brent Marks on July 15 (Night), Rico Abreu on Sept. 23 2021 – Brent Marks on May 8 (Day), Sheldon Haudenschild on May 8, Carson Macedo on July 14, Tyler Courtney on July 17 (Day), Kyle Larson on July 17, Carson Macedo on July 18, Logan Schuchart on Sept. 24 2019 – Donny Schatz on May 10, Donny Schatz on July 17, Brad Sweet on July 18, Donny Schatz on July 19, Brad Sweet on July 20, Logan Schuchart on Sept. 27 2018 – Donny Schatz on May 11, Donny Schatz on May 12, Shane Stewart on July 12, Donny Schatz on July 13, Donny Schatz on July 14, Brent Marks on Sept. 21, Christopher Bell on October 14 2017 – Logan Schuchart on May 12, Donny Schatz on May 13, Kerry Madsen on July 13, Christopher Bell on July 14, Donny Schatz on May 15, Tim Shaffer on Sept. 22 2016 – Kerry Madsen on May 6, Kerry Madsen on May 7, David Gravel on July 14, Daryn Pittman on July 15, Donny Schatz on July 16, Shane Stewart on Sept. 23 2015 – Donny Schatz on May 8, Donny Schatz on May 9, Shane Stewart on July 17, Shane Stewart on July 18, Greg Wilson on Sept. 25 2014 – Shane Stewart on May 2, David Gravel on May 3, Sammy Swindell on July 11, Kerry Madsen on July 12, Joey Saldana on Sept. 19 2013 – Kerry Madsen on May 3, Daryn Pittman on May 4, Kerry Madsen on July 12, Brad Sweet on July 13 2012 – Chad Kemenah on May 4, Sammy Swindell on May 5, Joey Saldana on July 13, Sammy Swindell on July 14 2011 – Joey Saldana on May 8, Tim Shaffer on July 15, Tyler Walker on July 16, Joey Saldana on Sept. 23 2010 – Joey Saldana on May 8, Paul McMahan on May 9, Joey Saldana on July 16, Steve Kinser on July 17, Jac Haudenschild on Sept. 24 2009 – Donny Schatz on May 9, Terry McCarl on July 17, Donny Schatz on July 18, Jason Sides on Sept. 25 2008 – Craig Dollansky on April 11, Donny Schatz on May 31, Joey Saldana on July 11, Daryn Pittman on July 13, Joey Saldana on Sept. 19 2007 – Jason Meyers on April 13, Paul McMahan on June 2, Steve Kinser on July 13, Donny Schatz on July 14, Joey Saldana on Sept. 21 2006 – Sammy Swindell on April 7, Sammy Swindell on April 8, Craig Dollansky on June 3, Craig Dollansky on July 14, Joey Saldana on July 15, Joey Saldana on Aug. 4 2005 – Sammy Swindell on April 8, Steve Kinser on April 9, Sammy Swindell on June 4, Steve Kinser on July 15, Steve Kinser on July 16, Jac Haudenschild on Aug. 5 2004 – Steve Kinser on April 9, Steve Kinser on April 10, Danny Lasoski on June 5, Dale Blaney on July 16, Jason Sides on July 17, Sammy Swindell on Aug. 6 2003 – Donny Schatz on April 18, Sammy Swindell on April 19, Steve Kinser on May 31, Steve Kinser on July 18, Steve Kinser on July 19, Jason Meyers on Aug. 8 2002 – Craig Dollansky on April 13, Steve Kinser on June 1, Daryn Pittman on July 19, Joey Saldana on July 20, Steve Kinser on Aug. 2 2001 – Stevie Smith on April 13, Mark Kinser on April 14, Andy Hillenburg on June 2, Andy Hillenburg on July 20, Mark Kinser on July 21, Steve Kinser on Aug. 3 2000 – Steve Kinser on April 22, Mark Kinser on June 3, Johnny Herrera on July 13, Sammy Swindell in July 14, Dale Blaney on July 15, Tim Shaffer on Aug. 4 1999 – Steve Kinser on April 2, Tim Shaffer on June 5, Mark Kinser on July 15, Greg Hodnett on July 16, Sammy Swindell on July 17, Stevie Smith on Aug. 6 1998 – Joey Saldana on April 10, Sammy Swindell on April 11, Sammy Swindell on June 13, Jac Haudenschild on July 17, Jac Haudenschild on July 18, Jac Haudenschild on Aug. 7 1997 – Sammy Swindell on April 4, Dave Blaney on June 14, Dave Blaney on July 18, Steve Kinser on July 19, Sammy Swindell on Aug. 8 1996 – Sammy Swindell on April 5, Steve Kinser on June 15, Mark Kinser on July 19, Johnny Herrera on July 20, Mark Kinser on Aug. 9 1995 – Dave Blaney on April 14, Jac Haudenschild on April 15, Steve Kinser on June 10, Dave Blaney on Aug. 11 1994 – Jeff Swindell on April 16, Kenny Jacobs on April 17, Kenny Jacobs on June 11, Dave Blaney on Aug. 12 1993 – Dave Blaney on Dave Blaney on April 17, April 18, Dave Blaney on June 11, Steve Kinser on June 12, Dave Blaney on Aug. 13 1992 – Sammy Swindell on April 12 1991 – Doug Wolfgang on April 20, Steve Kinser on June 7, Sammy Swindell on June 8 1990 – Steve Kinser on April 21, Steve Kinser on April 22, Rickey Hood on June 8, Steve Kinser on June 9 1989 – Lee Brewer on April 22, Jeff Swindell on April 23, Bobby Davis, Jr. on June 9, Doug Wolfgang on June 10, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 4, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 5 1988 – Sammy Swindell on April 9, Doug Wolfgang on April 10, Jac Haudenschild on Aug. 26, Steve Kinser on Aug. 27 1987 – Steve Kinser on April 12, Dave Blaney on Aug. 7, Steve Kinser on Aug. 8 1986 – Sammy Swindell on Aug. 7, Kenny Jacobs on Aug. 8, Bobby Allen on Aug. 9 1985 – Doug Wolfgang on April 13, Doug Wolfgang on April 14, Sammy Swindell on Aug. 8, Jac Haudenschild on Aug. 9, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 10 1984 – Sammy Swindell on April 7, Ron Shuman on April 8 1983 – Steve Kinser on May 21, Brad Doty on May 22 1982 – Danny Smith on May 8, Sammy Swindell on May 9, Doug Wolfgang on June 12, Jac Haudenschild on Aug. 4, Ronnie Daniels on Aug. 5, Rick Ferkel on Aug. 6, Sammy Swindell on Aug. 7, Steve Kinser on Oct. 17 1981 – Sammy Swindell on May 16, Sammy Swindell on Aug. 6, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 7, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 8, Sammy Swindell on Oct. 17, Steve Kinser on Oct. 18 1980 – Sammy Swindell on April 13, Steve Kinser on May 3, Steve Kinser on May 4, Steve Kinser on May 24, Steve Kinser on July 5, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 7, Sammy Swindell on Aug.8, Steve Kinser on Aug. 9, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 30, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 31, Steve Kinser on Oct. 19 1979 – Ron Shuman on April 15, Dub May on May 27, Steve Kinser on July 3, Sammy Swindell on July 14, Steve Kinser on Aug. 2, Steve Kinser on Aug. 3, Steve Kinser on Aug. 4, Doug Wolfgang on Sept. 1, Shane Carson on Oct. 21 1978 – Bobby Allen on April 16, Rick Ferkel on April 30, Steve Kinser on May 21, Rick Ferkel on July 3, Randy Ford on Aug. 3, Rick Ferkel on Aug. 4, Rick Ferkel on Aug. 5, Steve Kinser on Sept. 3, Shane Carson on Oct. 29

April 4, 2024

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are headed this weekend to Martinsville Speedway, a track that is special in many ways to the Wood family and others on the crew as well.

Some of the best seats overlooking the paper-clip-shaped half-mile oval are in the Glenn Wood Tower, named for the founder of the No. 21 team who made his Cup Series debut as a driver at Martinsville in 1953. The team, which has its roots in nearby Stuart, Va., has been a fixture at the speedway in the years since that May 17 race in which Wood drove a 1953 Lincoln to a 30th-place finish and earned $25 for his efforts.

Sunday’s Cook Out 400 will be the Woods’ 126th Cup start at Martinsville and it will be the fifth Cup race there for Burton, whose family is from nearby South Boston, Va.

Martinsville is also special to crew chief Jeremy Bullins, who grew up 40 miles south of the track in Walnut Cove, N.C., and attended many a race at Martinsville in his younger days.

“Martinsville is my favorite track on the circuit,” Bullins said. “I’d race there every week if it was up to me.

“I love how technical you have to be and how close together we will race for 400 laps.”

Bullins is looking to build on last fall’s race at Martinsville, where Burton scored the second of the two top-15 finishes he’s posted there.

“We got a top-15 with Harrison last fall and look forward to building on that and hopefully putting together a great run with our Motorcraft Ford,” Bullins said. “It’s a great weekend for the Wood Brothers family being so close to home, and it will be nice to have so many of them at the track with us this week.”

Practice for the Cook Out 400 is set for Saturday at 4:35 p.m. Eastern Time to be followed by qualifying at 5:20. FOX Sports 2 will provide the TV coverage.

Sunday’s 400-lap race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 3 p.m. with Stage breaks at Laps 80 and 180.

FOX Sports 1 will carry the broadcast.
 

Ridgeway, VirginiaApril 5-7, 2024

CLOCKING-IN AT MARTINSVILLEAll three NASCAR national series will convene this weekend at one of the most historic short-tracks in NASCAR history: Martinsville Speedway. Famously known as the “Paperclip”, the .526-mile Virginia venue is the only track on the series’ schedule to have hosted NASCAR’s premier series since its inception in 1949.  This weekend will mark the first of two tripleheader race weekends at Martinsville Speedway this season, with the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS), NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) returning to the Virginia short-track in November for the final playoff elimination race to set the 2024 Championship Four across all three series.

CHEVROLET IN THE CUP SERIES AT MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAYChevrolet is the winningest manufacturer in NCS’ history at Martinsville Speedway. The Bowtie brand will head into the weekend with 60 wins in the series’ 151-race history at the “Paperclip”. Buck Baker took Chevrolet to victory lane in the 1957 Virginia 500 to deliver the manufacturer its first NCS victory at Martinsville Speedway. Nearly 67 years later, the Bowtie brand has reeled off a series-leading 60 victories – most recently one year ago by Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson.

Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1Martinsville Speedway – April 16, 2023

The 2021 NCS Champion is one of five active Team Chevy drivers that have claimed a coveted grandfather clock in their racing careers, with Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports’ teammates William Byron (April 2022), Alex Bowman (Oct. 2021) and Chase Elliott (Nov. 2020) each earning a victory, as well as Kyle Busch with two triumphs (April 2016, Oct. 2017).

Justin Allgaier, No. 7 JR Motorsports Camaro SS Martinsville Speedway – Oct. 28, 2023

CHEVROLET IN THE XFINITY SERIESAT MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAYIn the NASCAR Xfinity Series, five drivers from three different Chevrolet teams claimed top-10 results at Richmond Raceway last weekend, with series’ rookie Jesse Love and the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Camaro SS team leading the charge with a fifth-place finish. Chevrolet’s drivers and teams will shift towards yet another short-track this weekend – contesting under the lights at Martinsville Speedway in Saturday’s Dude Wipes 250.

The Bowtie brand leads the series’ active manufacturers with seven NXS wins at the .526-mile Virginia venue. JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier is the series’ most recent winner at the track after claiming his first grandfather clock and a spot in the NXS Championship Four in the Oct. 2023 event. JR Motorsports is credited with Chevrolet’s last three NXS wins at Martinsville Speedway, with Josh Berry and Noah Gragson driving the organization to a season sweep at the track in 2021.

Kvapil Set for NXS DebutA notable entry for Saturday’s 250-lap event includes Carson Kvapil, who will be making his first career NXS start behind the wheel of the No. 88 JR Motorsports Camaro SS. Carrying the Chevy Truck Season livery for his series’ debut, the 20-year-old Mooresville, North Carolina, native has already made his mark in the short-track world. Kvapil is a two-time champion in the zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Division – both titles earned with JR Motorsports’ late model program. The young Team Chevy driver has previously competed twice at Martinsville Speedway in the Late Model division – earning back-to-back podium finishes (2022 – second; 2023 – third).

CHEVROLET IN THE TRUCK SERIES AT MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAYThe NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will return to competition to kick-off the tripleheader weekend with Friday’s Long John Silver’s 200. This weekend’s event will mark the first of two appearances by the NCTS at Martinsville Speedway this season, with the .526-mile Virginia venue returning as the site of the series’ final playoff elimination race for the first time since 2021. The NCTS has just one short-track race in the books thus far this season – an event that saw Team Chevy’s Christian Eckes pick up the win and lead the Bowtie brand to a podium sweep at Bristol Motor Speedway.

William Byron, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Silverado RSTMartinsville Speedway – April 7, 2022

In the series’ 46-race history at Martinsville Speedway, Chevrolet has recorded 17 victories. Mike Skinner piloted the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Silverado to the Bowtie brand’s first NCTS victory at the “Paperclip” in Sept. 1996, with the manufacturer going on to make it three-straight with wins by Rich Bickle (1997) and Jay Sauter (1998). Most recently, it was Team Chevy’s William Byron that took the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Silverado to the victory in the series’ April 2022 event, with the driver going on to return to victory lane in the NASCAR Cup Series two days later with Hendrick Motorsports. A victory in Friday’s 200-lap event would tie the series’ current win record by a manufacturer – currently held by Toyota with 18 victories.

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS’ ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONTINUES AT MARTINSVILLEAt the heart of Hendrick Motorsports’ 40th anniversary celebration lies Martinsville Speedway. On April 29, 1984, Hendrick Motorsports became a first-time winner in NASCAR’s top division when Geoff Bodine drove the organization’s No. 5 Chevrolet to victory lane at Martinsville Speedway. Now, 40 years later, Hendrick Motorsports will return to the site of its first win as the winningest organization in NASCAR Cup Series’ history.  From Hendrick Motorsports’ first NCS win at Martinsville Speedway in 1984, to its most recent NCS win at Circuit of The Americas two weeks ago – all of the organization’s victories in the NASCAR national ranks have been in partnership with Chevrolet. Hendrick Motorsports has been the flag-bearer team in Chevrolet’s racing efforts in NASCAR. The organization owns 304 of Chevrolet’s 855 all-time NCS wins (36%) and 14 of Chevrolet’s 33 NCS Driver Championships (42%) – making it the winningest manufacturer and team partnership in series’ history. Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports also hold titles as the winningest manufacturer and organization in series’ history at Martinsville Speedway. Leading its manufacturer competitors with 60 all-time NCS victories at Martinsville Speedway, 28 of those triumphs have come in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports – a series’ record of the most wins earned by one team at a single track. Nine different drivers have contributed to Hendrick Motorsports’ winning record at Martinsville Speedway, including all four drivers in the organization’s current lineup: Chase Elliott (one win – 2020), Alex Bowman (one win – 2021), William Byron (one win – 2022) and Kyle Larson (one win – 2023).

BOWTIE BULLETS:·       Chevrolet will pace the field in the tripleheader race weekend at Martinsville Speedway. The Silverado RST will lead the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in Friday’s Long John Silver’s 200; the Camaro SS will lead the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Saturday’s Dude Wipes 250; and the Camaro ZL1 will lead the NASCAR Cup Series in Sunday’s Cook Out 400.  ·       With 18 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has a winning percentage of 61% with 11 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – four wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – two wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – four wins). ·       Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Martinsville Speedway:      Kyle Busch – two wins (2016 & 2017)Kyle Larson – one win (2023)William Byron – one win (2022)Chase Elliott – one win (2020) ·       In 150 NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway, Chevrolet has recorded 60 victories and 56 pole wins – both of which are series-leading records.  ·       In the past eight points-paying races on tracks measuring less than one-mile, Larson has tallied finishes no worse than sixth in five of those events – most recently one week ago at Richmond Raceway with a third-place finish.  ·       Within the first three points-paying races of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series races season, each Chevrolet organization had already recorded at least one top-10 finish.  ·       With its 42 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 855 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

Manufacturer Points Standings Chevrolet: 258Toyota: 256 (-2)Ford: 230 (-28)

Manufacturer Points Standings Toyota: 224Chevrolet: 220 (-4)Ford: 180 (-44)

Manufacturer Points Standings Chevrolet: 193Toyota: 174 (-19)Ford: 162 (-31)

TUNE-IN:NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400Sunday, April 7, at 3 p.m. ET(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90) NASCAR Xfinity SeriesDUDE Wipes 250Saturday, April 6, at 7:30 pm. ET(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90) NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesLong John Silver’s 200Friday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m. ET(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

QUOTABLE QUOTES:ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 WORLDWIDE EXPRESS CAMARO ZL1Do you think your name will always be associated with Martinsville because of the hail melon move?“Absolutely. The goal now is to add a clock to our trophy case to offset it so it’s not just about the hail melon, but I am very proud of it.” How big is qualifying at Martinsville?“It’s big. I can attest that I went from the leader trying to lap me and pushing my back bumper to get by me, to lapping him later on when I had track position and he didn’t. It’s pretty cool how track position plays such a role there.” Where does the grandfather clock rank on your wish list?“It’s high. I have a tendency to be on time, so if I remember – I don’t even know if you have to wind those things or if they’re battery powered – maybe that will help me be a minute early to some things (laughs). It might help with my time management skills.” AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BASS PRO SHOPS CAMARO ZL1“Martinsville Speedway has been a good track for our No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet team over the years. It’s a fun little paperclip and I love having a “home” race because a lot of family and friends are able to come out and support us. It’s going to be important to be aggressive for 500 laps when the time calls for it. Hoping we can get a good starting position and have a clean day on pit road.” COREY LAJOIE, NO. 7 GAINBRIDGE CAMARO ZL1“Looking forward to rebounding at the paperclip. It’s always good going somewhere you’ve been to Victory Lane in the past. There is much more potential in this 7 team than what the past several weeks’ results have shown, so we’ll go execute like we know we’re capable of and get some points back.” KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 LUCAS OIL CAMARO ZL1The last three races at Martinsville have been tough for you. Why has it been so challenging? “I would say Martinsville Speedway has become increasingly challenging with traffic and having a good car that doesn’t burn the tires off. You need to be able to push and go forward and drive past your competitors, but you also can’t blow the tires off.” Since on track testing is so limited now, what are some tools that you can use to improve your performance without physically being on the track? “The only tools to use are your notes, film study, and past history of what you know for certain makes you good at a particular track. Going on the simulator is a tool, but as we have found for short tracks, it doesn’t seem to correlate all the way and can lead you in the wrong direction.” DANIEL HEMRIC, NO. 31 CIRKUL CAMARO ZL1“The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Martinsville, is being ‘busy’ inside the race car. You’re making multiple up-shifts and down-shifts per lap, at least with last year’s package. I’m curious to see how that evolves. I love this racetrack, and I love what it has to offer. If we get a little bit of warm weather, the racetrack really turns into a rubbered-up style of track, which allows you to move around, so if it gets to that point, the racing can be pretty good.” ZANE SMITH, NO. 71 FOCUSED HEALTH CAMARO ZL1After Richmond, what can you look forward to at Martinsville this weekend?“We had a lot of positives at Richmond Sunday night. We are making progress. I think that will continue in Martinsville this weekend. My team never gives up and it works hard to give me a fast Focused Health Chevy Camaro each week. Our job is to focus on getting better and continue learning every day.” CARSON HOCEVAR, NO. 77 DELAWARE LIFE CAMARO ZL1You’ve raced at Martinsville five times in the past, four in the NCTS and last fall in the Cup Series. What have you learned from these previous starts and how do you, as a team, work toward better finishes?“We had some back luck in my past races at Martinsville, so I feel hopeful about this weekend to put that behind me. I feel confident in myself, and the team feels confident in our program that we can just keep building our notebook.” Martinsville can get heated on the track. How do you channel your competitive drive without getting caught up in incidents? “I think we just try to stay patient and survive all 500 laps to have a competitive day. Staying on the lead lap always helps and putting our ourselves in a good spot higher up in the field helps even more to take us out of the equation if anything ends up happening.”  DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 FREEWAY INSURANCE CAMARO ZL1What are your thoughts on Martinsville?“We need a good finish Sunday. We have struggled the last three weeks getting those finishes. I feel like we have had good cars, but something has happened in those races that kept us from getting a better finish. We have qualified really well at Martinsville the last few races and it’s going to be important we do that again Saturday. On Sunday you have to run your own race, stay out of trouble and hope you have a shot at the end.”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics Manufacturers Championships:Total (1949-2023): 42First title for Chevrolet: 1958Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15) Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023 Drivers Championships:Total (1949-2021): 33First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021) Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021 Event Victories:Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)                2024 STATISTICS:                                                                                                    Wins: 4Poles: 2Laps Led: 591Top-five finishes: 13Top-10 finishes: 23Stage wins: 4·       Chase Elliott: 1 ·       Kyle Larson: 3  CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 855 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 745Laps led to date: 249,766Top-five finishes to date: 4,311Top-10 finishes to date: 8,884                                                                                                        Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:                    General Motors: 1,189           Chevrolet: 855           Pontiac: 154           Oldsmobile: 115           Buick: 65            Ford: 828                                                                      Ford: 728           Mercury: 96           Lincoln: 4            Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467           Dodge: 217           Plymouth: 191           Chrysler: 59            Toyota: 183

OSBORN, MO (April 3, 2024) – The 2024 season for the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota rolls on with two brand-new stops in Missouri to kick off April. First will be a visit to US 36 Raceway on Friday, April 5, and then a trip to Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex on Saturday, April 6. The high-banked, 3/8-mile oval of US 36 Raceway has not hosted a national Midget series event since 2013 but welcomes the debut of the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets, featuring a 30-lap, $4,000-to-win, main event. The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will also be in attendance racing adjacent to the Midgets in the first of five nights the two series will pair in 2024. Then, it’s a trip to Sweet Springs, MO’s popular 1/5-mile bullring. A hotspot for local, regional and national Micro Sprint action, Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex has also been an annual host of national Midget racing with POWRi and USAC but welcomes the Xtreme Outlaws for the first time ever in a 30-lap, $4,000-to-win, main event alongside the WFO Micro Series. Tickets for both events are on sale in advance at the links below and will also be on sale at the gates on race day. If you can’t be at the tracks to watch in person, stream every lap live on DIRTVision. BUY US 36 TICKETS ($5 cheaper when purchased in advance)BUY SWEET SPRINGS TICKETS Here are the drivers to watch and storylines to follow this weekend: COMING IN HOT – Cannon McIntosh is once again back on top of the Series points standings and is coming into the weekend with momentum from a strong showing of three-straight podium finishes last weekend with the POWRi National Midget League. McIntosh, 21, of Bixby, OK, went back to Victory Lane with the Xtreme Outlaw Series on the second night of the season opener inside the Southern Illinois Center, placing him atop the championship points standings by three over Zach Daum. This past weekend, McIntosh was automatic in the POWRi season openers in Oklahoma, posting a runner-up on Thursday at Creek County Speedway and back-to-back third-place finishes at Port City Raceway on Friday-Saturday. Looking at past results, McIntosh has never competed in a Midget at US 36 but has been dominant at Sweet Springs over the past several seasons. In the 11 national Midget series Features he’s started at the 1/5-mile oval, he’s won five times – three more than the only other driver to win more than one national Midget race there, Buddy Kofoid (USAC 2020, USAC 2022). BREAKOUT – Ashton Torgerson’s first few starts on the national Midget circuit have made a bold statement to each of his competitors. The newest Keith Kunz Motorsports racer from Glendale, AZ, missed the transfer spot into the first Toyota Racing Feature of the season on Friday night of the season opener at the Southern Illinois Center but bounced back the next night, transferring to the Feature via a Heat win and then taking home a sixth-place finish in the main event. He then took the momentum from that strong run in Du Quoin and carried it right into last weekend’s POWRi events in Oklahoma, posting back-to-back fourth-place finishes Thursday-Friday before holding off Tanner Thorson, McIntosh, Daum and more en route to his first career national Midget series Feature win Saturday at Port City Raceway. He’s back in the Safety-Kleen, LynK/Toyota #67K on Friday at US 36, where he’s never raced, but tackles Sweet Springs on Saturday – a track he visited in 2021 in a Micro Sprint. IN SYNC – Trifecta Motorsports is off to a solid start for their second season on the Xtreme Outlaw Series trail and has several reasons to look forward to US 36 and Sweet Springs. Flagship car driver Zach Daum currently ranks second in championship points standings after posting back-to-back third-place finishes in Du Quoin. The inaugural Series champion from Pocahontas, IL, will be one of the few, if not the only driver in the field with prior laps in a Midget around US 36 Raceway, having placed third on two occasions (2011, 2012) and fourth in 2010. This Friday at US 36, he’ll double-dip with both the Midgets and with the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, also piloting the McGarry Motorsports No. 31 Sprint Car. Daum, team co-owner Steve Carbone and crew chief Bobby Milliser have collectively been working well together as of late, helping special guest driver and 2022 Chili Bowl Nationals winner Tanner Thorson get to Victory Lane last Friday night in the POWRi event at Port City Raceway – the team’s sixth career national Midget series win and first with the No. 5U car. REBOUND RUN – The Mounce/Stout Motorsports fleet of drivers will be back in action with the Series this weekend, looking for a rebound after an up-and-down first weekend out in Du Quoin. Tyler Edwards leads the charge for the Oklahoma-based team as they head for Missouri, sitting 17th in points – the highest of each of the four team cars. Edwards started off strong in the season opener three weekends ago, putting his No. 56E on the outside pole for the Feature, but ultimately fell back to a 15th-place finish after drawing a caution flag late in the race. A DNF cut his eighth-place starting efforts short the next night. California racer TJ Smith qualified for both Features in Du Quoin but took DNFs in both after getting involved in incidents each night, while fellow teammate Austin Torgerson qualified for only Friday’s Feature and finished 13th. New for this week, the fourth teammate joins them on track, as young Oklahoman Jayden Clay makes his debut with the Series after missing the season opener. FRONTRUNNERS – Keith Kunz Motorsports has three of the top five drivers in the championship points standings heading into Missouri, already on the path to defending the Series championship they clinched last year. Reigning champion Jade Avedisian will be away from the team for the weekend, tending to her Toyota GR Cup commitments in Sonoma, CA. However, KKM will still take six cars with them to US 36 and Sweet Springs with McIntosh, Ryan Timms, Taylor Reimer, Luke Drotschie, Ashton Torgerson and Kale Drake on driving duties. Timms, 17, of Oklahoma City, OK, currently sits fifth in Series points after finishes of 12th and second in Du Quoin. Last Thursday, Timms nearly won the POWRi season opener at Creek County, leading into the final laps before colliding with a lapped car that spun in front of him, ending his chances for victory. However, he bounced back with a runner-up finish to Tanner Thorson the next night at Port City before taking on the World of Outlaws on Saturday, capping his weekend with a 10th-place finish at 81 Speedway in his 410 Sprint Car. Gavin Miller, 17, of Allentown, PA, sits one spot ahead of Timms in the standings but will not be racing this weekend as he continues his recovery from an injury sustained in an incident during the KKM Challenge Micro Sprint event in California two weeks ago. In his place, 16-year-old Kale Drake will drive Miller’s No. 97 for both races as he makes his first appearance with the Series since 2022. THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE When and where Friday, April 5 at US 36 Raceway in Osborn, MO Saturday, April 6 at Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex in Sweet Springs, MO On the internet Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota Twitter – @Xtreme_Outlaw Instagram – @XtremeOutlaw Facebook – @XtremeOutlawSeries.WRG Live broadcast DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com. Annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month. Current championship points standings (view full standings)Cannon McIntosh: 439 points | Keith Kunz Motorsports #71KZach Daum: 436 points (-3) | Trifecta Motorsports #7UShane Cottle: 410 points (-29) | Cottle Racing #86Gavin Miller: 407 points (-32) | Keith Kunz Motorsports #97Ryan Timms: 400 points (-39) | Keith Kunz Motorsports #67Joe B. Miller: 389 points (-50) | Joe B. Miller Motorsports #51BThomas Meseraull: 387 points (-52) | Engler Racing #7xJade Avedisian: 380 points (-59) | Keith Kunz Motorsports #71Chase McDermand: 379 points (-60) | Chase McDermand Racing #40Karter Sarff: 363 points (-72) | Karter Sarff Motorsports #21 Toyota Feature winners (2 drivers) 1 win – Thomas Meseraull (Engler Racing), Cannon McIntosh (Keith Kunz Motorsports) Toyota Feature laps led (4 drivers) 35 laps – Joe B. Miller27 laps – Thomas Meseraull5 laps – Cannon McIntosh4 laps – Tyler Edwards Whitz RC Racing Products Quick Time Awards (1 driver) 2 awards – Ethan Mitchell Heat Race winners (11 drivers) 2 wins – Tyler Edwards1 win – Ryan Timms, Thomas Meseraull, Shane Cottle, Gavin Miller, TJ Smith, Chase McDermand, Cannon McIntosh, Jade Avedisian, Nick Hoffman, Ashton Torgerson High-points honors (2 drivers) 1 honor – Cannon McIntosh, Tyler Edwards Last Chance Showdown wins (6 drivers) 1 win – Taylor Reimer, Gunnar Setser, Austin Torgerson, Gavin Miller, Shane Cottle, Ethan Mitchell DIRTVision Hard Charger Awards (2 drivers) 1 award – Will Armitage, Ryan Timms Podium finishes (5 drivers) 2 podiums – Zach Daum 1 podium – Thomas Meseraull, Gavin Miller, Cannon McIntosh, Ryan Timms Top-10 finishes (16 drivers) 2 top-10s – Shane Cottle, Cannon McIntosh, Zach Daum, Chase McDermand 1 top-10 – Gavin Miller, Ryan Timms, Joe B. Miller, Thomas Meseraull, Jade Avedisian, Karter Sarff, Will Armitage, Taylor Reimer, Mitchell Davis, Trey Marcham, Ashton Torgerson, Rylan Gray 2023 Schedule & Winners – Race No. Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins) 1. Fri, March 15 / Southern Illinois Center / Du Quoin, IL / Thomas Meseraull (1) 2. Sat, March 16 / Southern Illinois Center / Du Quoin, IL / Cannon McIntosh (1)

DALLAS, TX (April 3, 2024) — NHRA professional driver Buddy Hull has been a fan of Funny Cars his whole life. The entrepreneur has raced just about every high horsepower vehicle on the planet, but his heart always came back to the front engine, short wheel-based land speed monsters. His passion for the category has manifested itself in a variety of ways most recently the announcement that Vertex Roofing and General Contractors, his primary business, will be an associate sponsor for the 2024 Funny Car Chaos event this weekend at Texas Motorplex, April 4-6. Currently, Hull is the driver of the Jim Dunn Racing nitro Funny Car on the NHRA Misson Foods Drag Racing Series.
 
“I have always been a Funny Car guy and I love the Funny Car Chaos series,” said Hull, who also raced Fuel Altereds and Top Fuel dragster throughout his career. “You see the history in these Funny Cars and the excitement level from the fans when these cars do massive burnouts shooting header flames to the sky. Funny Cars are just bad ass and I am glad I am in a position to support (event promoter) Chris (Graves) and the Funny Car Chaos at Texas Motorplex in my backyard.”

 
The 2024 season of Funny Car Chaos competition will mark the eighth consecutive year of this wildly popular heads-up Funny Car series. With seven points races and two exhibition events on the tour, 2024 will be filled with lots of opportunities to catch some flopper action. Fans can expect on average 30 Funny Cars of all kinds per show and guaranteed two days of grassroots family fun.
 
“The Funny Car Chaos and Nitro Chaos racers greatly appreciate the support of the 4th Annual Funny Car Chaos Classic from Buddy Hull and the team at Vertex Roofers and General Contractors,” said Graves. “Buddy has always been a big supporter of the CHAOS movement and currently has a car being built for Nitro Chaos competition. These are grassroots racers, he’s a grassroots racer, and we all share the same love for the sport of drag racing. If you are in the DFW area and need a roof estimate, call Vertex, I’ve got a Vertex roof on my house and so should you!” 

As always, the Spell Paving Services FCC season will kick off with the biggest funny car event in the world, the one and only Funny Car Chaos Classic at the historic Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas. This unrivaled event is set for April 4-6th and will see 50+ Funny Cars from coast to coast and will qualify a 32-car feature show. Also on tap at the Classic is the new addition of the DMP Awnings Nitro Chaos series that will run in conjunction with Funny Car Chaos. That along with hundreds of other racecars including Dirty South Gassers and more will deliver non-stop action on the strip in what will be one of the biggest events of the year in the Southwest.
 
“Getting our season started with Funny Car Chaos is a big deal for Texas Motorplex,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “My dad Billy raced Funny Cars his whole career, so this event is special for a variety of reasons. The show is amazing and having over 60 Funny Cars on the property makes this one of the biggest Funny Car events in the country.”

Funny Car Chaos racing continues just two weeks later as the series returns for a third annual visit to State Capitol Raceway in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the Laris Motorsports Insurance CHAOS Cajun Nationals April 19-20th. Cinco de Mayo weekend marks the return to West Texas and Penwell Knights Raceway in Odessa on May 3-4th, then its time to head to the Midwest. Eddyville Raceway Park is the next stop where again the Funny Car Chaos and Nitro Chaos series will run together at the same event, the 2nd Annual Twisted Shifterz CHAOS in the Cornfield on May 24-26th. The Twisted Shifterz and 360 Steel Summer Nationals at Cordova Dragway marks the next event on tour, Father’s Day weekend, June 14-15th. On Saturday, July 20th the Funny Car Chaos Summer Showdown will take place at Nebraska’s Kearney Raceway Park. This will be an exhibition, invitational, Chicago-style match race show. The next weekend, July 27-28th the FCC series returns to New Mexico’s Albuquerque Dragway and by now the points chase should be plenty hot with only one points event remaining. East Coast flopper fans can look forward to the return of CHAOS to Maryland International Raceway on August 23-24th for a non-points exhibition event showcasing dozens of East Coast funny car teams and more. The next weekend, the Funny Car Chaos Championship Finals will be held on August 30-31st at Mo-Kan Dragway just outside Joplin, Missouri where the 2024 FCC Champion will be crowned.
 

VERTEX ROOFING AND GENERAL CONTRACTORS JOINS FUNNY CAR CHAOS AS ASSOCIATE SPONSOR AT TEXAS MOTORPLEX

DALLAS, TX (April 3, 2024) — NHRA professional driver Buddy Hull has been a fan of Funny Cars his whole life. The entrepreneur has raced just about every high horsepower vehicle on the planet, but his heart always came back to the front engine, short wheel-based land speed monsters. His passion for the category has manifested itself in a variety of ways most recently the announcement that Vertex Roofing and General Contractors, his primary business, will be an associate sponsor for the 2024 Funny Car Chaos event this weekend at Texas Motorplex, April 4-6. Currently, Hull is the driver of the Jim Dunn Racing nitro Funny Car on the NHRA Misson Foods Drag Racing Series.
 
“I have always been a Funny Car guy and I love the Funny Car Chaos series,” said Hull, who also raced Fuel Altereds and Top Fuel dragster throughout his career. “You see the history in these Funny Cars and the excitement level from the fans when these cars do massive burnouts shooting header flames to the sky. Funny Cars are just bad ass and I am glad I am in a position to support (event promoter) Chris (Graves) and the Funny Car Chaos at Texas Motorplex in my backyard.”

 
The 2024 season of Funny Car Chaos competition will mark the eighth consecutive year of this wildly popular heads-up Funny Car series. With seven points races and two exhibition events on the tour, 2024 will be filled with lots of opportunities to catch some flopper action. Fans can expect on average 30 Funny Cars of all kinds per show and guaranteed two days of grassroots family fun.
 
“The Funny Car Chaos and Nitro Chaos racers greatly appreciate the support of the 4th Annual Funny Car Chaos Classic from Buddy Hull and the team at Vertex Roofers and General Contractors,” said Graves. “Buddy has always been a big supporter of the CHAOS movement and currently has a car being built for Nitro Chaos competition. These are grassroots racers, he’s a grassroots racer, and we all share the same love for the sport of drag racing. If you are in the DFW area and need a roof estimate, call Vertex, I’ve got a Vertex roof on my house and so should you!” 

As always, the Spell Paving Services FCC season will kick off with the biggest funny car event in the world, the one and only Funny Car Chaos Classic at the historic Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas. This unrivaled event is set for April 4-6th and will see 50+ Funny Cars from coast to coast and will qualify a 32-car feature show. Also on tap at the Classic is the new addition of the DMP Awnings Nitro Chaos series that will run in conjunction with Funny Car Chaos. That along with hundreds of other racecars including Dirty South Gassers and more will deliver non-stop action on the strip in what will be one of the biggest events of the year in the Southwest.
 
“Getting our season started with Funny Car Chaos is a big deal for Texas Motorplex,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “My dad Billy raced Funny Cars his whole career, so this event is special for a variety of reasons. The show is amazing and having over 60 Funny Cars on the property makes this one of the biggest Funny Car events in the country.”

Funny Car Chaos racing continues just two weeks later as the series returns for a third annual visit to State Capitol Raceway in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the Laris Motorsports Insurance CHAOS Cajun Nationals April 19-20th. Cinco de Mayo weekend marks the return to West Texas and Penwell Knights Raceway in Odessa on May 3-4th, then its time to head to the Midwest. Eddyville Raceway Park is the next stop where again the Funny Car Chaos and Nitro Chaos series will run together at the same event, the 2nd Annual Twisted Shifterz CHAOS in the Cornfield on May 24-26th. The Twisted Shifterz and 360 Steel Summer Nationals at Cordova Dragway marks the next event on tour, Father’s Day weekend, June 14-15th. On Saturday, July 20th the Funny Car Chaos Summer Showdown will take place at Nebraska’s Kearney Raceway Park. This will be an exhibition, invitational, Chicago-style match race show. The next weekend, July 27-28th the FCC series returns to New Mexico’s Albuquerque Dragway and by now the points chase should be plenty hot with only one points event remaining. East Coast flopper fans can look forward to the return of CHAOS to Maryland International Raceway on August 23-24th for a non-points exhibition event showcasing dozens of East Coast funny car teams and more. The next weekend, the Funny Car Chaos Championship Finals will be held on August 30-31st at Mo-Kan Dragway just outside Joplin, Missouri where the 2024 FCC Champion will be crowned.
 

DALLAS, TX (April 3, 2024) — NHRA professional driver Buddy Hull has been a fan of Funny Cars his whole life. The entrepreneur has raced just about every high horsepower vehicle on the planet, but his heart always came back to the front engine, short wheel-based land speed monsters. His passion for the category has manifested itself in a variety of ways most recently the announcement that Vertex Roofing and General Contractors, his primary business, will be an associate sponsor for the 2024 Funny Car Chaos event this weekend at Texas Motorplex, April 4-6. Currently, Hull is the driver of the Jim Dunn Racing nitro Funny Car on the NHRA Misson Foods Drag Racing Series.
 
“I have always been a Funny Car guy and I love the Funny Car Chaos series,” said Hull, who also raced Fuel Altereds and Top Fuel dragster throughout his career. “You see the history in these Funny Cars and the excitement level from the fans when these cars do massive burnouts shooting header flames to the sky. Funny Cars are just bad ass and I am glad I am in a position to support (event promoter) Chris (Graves) and the Funny Car Chaos at Texas Motorplex in my backyard.”

 
The 2024 season of Funny Car Chaos competition will mark the eighth consecutive year of this wildly popular heads-up Funny Car series. With seven points races and two exhibition events on the tour, 2024 will be filled with lots of opportunities to catch some flopper action. Fans can expect on average 30 Funny Cars of all kinds per show and guaranteed two days of grassroots family fun.
 
“The Funny Car Chaos and Nitro Chaos racers greatly appreciate the support of the 4th Annual Funny Car Chaos Classic from Buddy Hull and the team at Vertex Roofers and General Contractors,” said Graves. “Buddy has always been a big supporter of the CHAOS movement and currently has a car being built for Nitro Chaos competition. These are grassroots racers, he’s a grassroots racer, and we all share the same love for the sport of drag racing. If you are in the DFW area and need a roof estimate, call Vertex, I’ve got a Vertex roof on my house and so should you!” 

As always, the Spell Paving Services FCC season will kick off with the biggest funny car event in the world, the one and only Funny Car Chaos Classic at the historic Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas. This unrivaled event is set for April 4-6th and will see 50+ Funny Cars from coast to coast and will qualify a 32-car feature show. Also on tap at the Classic is the new addition of the DMP Awnings Nitro Chaos series that will run in conjunction with Funny Car Chaos. That along with hundreds of other racecars including Dirty South Gassers and more will deliver non-stop action on the strip in what will be one of the biggest events of the year in the Southwest.
 
“Getting our season started with Funny Car Chaos is a big deal for Texas Motorplex,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “My dad Billy raced Funny Cars his whole career, so this event is special for a variety of reasons. The show is amazing and having over 60 Funny Cars on the property makes this one of the biggest Funny Car events in the country.”

Funny Car Chaos racing continues just two weeks later as the series returns for a third annual visit to State Capitol Raceway in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the Laris Motorsports Insurance CHAOS Cajun Nationals April 19-20th. Cinco de Mayo weekend marks the return to West Texas and Penwell Knights Raceway in Odessa on May 3-4th, then its time to head to the Midwest. Eddyville Raceway Park is the next stop where again the Funny Car Chaos and Nitro Chaos series will run together at the same event, the 2nd Annual Twisted Shifterz CHAOS in the Cornfield on May 24-26th. The Twisted Shifterz and 360 Steel Summer Nationals at Cordova Dragway marks the next event on tour, Father’s Day weekend, June 14-15th. On Saturday, July 20th the Funny Car Chaos Summer Showdown will take place at Nebraska’s Kearney Raceway Park. This will be an exhibition, invitational, Chicago-style match race show. The next weekend, July 27-28th the FCC series returns to New Mexico’s Albuquerque Dragway and by now the points chase should be plenty hot with only one points event remaining. East Coast flopper fans can look forward to the return of CHAOS to Maryland International Raceway on August 23-24th for a non-points exhibition event showcasing dozens of East Coast funny car teams and more. The next weekend, the Funny Car Chaos Championship Finals will be held on August 30-31st at Mo-Kan Dragway just outside Joplin, Missouri where the 2024 FCC Champion will be crowned.
 

OCALA, FL (April 3, 2024) — After two races Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will be heading to Firebird Motorsports Park this weekend looking to launch their performance to the next level during NHRA Arizona Nationals in the NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series. For Hart, a two-time Top Fuel national event winner, the Arizona Nationals will be the next chance to take the positive runs from the NHRA Gatornationals and NHRA Winternationals and turn on more win lights in pursuit of their first win in 2024. The championship caliber Top Fuel team is led by Crew Chief Ron Douglas and an experienced crew.

“We haven’t reached our full potential recently,” said Hart. “We made some serious parts changes towards the end of the season to get on the same level with our competition and that is still taking some time to work everything out. These Top Fuel dragsters are incredible machines from the standpoint of tuning and driving. Every change affects another element, so this is an ongoing process. This weekend I am looking forward to seeing more improvement.”
Last year as the season wrapped up Hart and his R+L Carriers team won some critical first and second round match-up that had championship implications in the class. The improved performance also moved Hart into the Top Ten and gave the team confidence heading into the off-season. During the pre-season PRO Superstar Shootout held in Bradenton, Florida, Hart was in the mix to race for the $250,000 top prize and as the season began in Gainesville Hart raced to the quarterfinals at his home track.
“We made a lot of passes in Bradenton leading up to and during the PRO Superstar Shootout which was a big deal for us,” said Hart. “We still need more passes, but I felt good in Gainesville at the Gatornationals. Two weeks ago, at the Winternationals Mother Nature didn’t do us any favors and only having three scheduled qualifiers and losing one of those didn’t do anyone any favors. We missed our tune-up on Sunday morning when the conditions changed for everyone. This weekend in Phoenix the conditions should be awesome for some quick and fast passes.”
This will be Hart’s third time racing at Firebird Motorsports Park since his debut in the desert in 2022. Hart started his career at Firebird with a No. 8 qualifying effort and raced to the semifinal round. Last year he was ousted in the first round after qualifying No. 12.
 
“We definitely want to go rounds at Firebird this weekend,” said Hart. “That is everyone’s goal, but we have a race car that can turn on win lights we just need to get over a couple issues with the tune-up. I think we can come off the trailer with a good run Friday and then make two good runs on Saturday. That will set us up for success on race day.”
 
Prior to the race United with Love of Huntington County food bank announced the final amount of donations for the Race to Fill the Food Pantry initiative. Brittanie and Josh Hart pledged $10,000 in matching funds during the month of March to support their hometown food bank. United with Love reported that goal was met before the end of the month and in the last week and additional $5,721 dollars was donated bringing the grand total to $15,721 plus the Hart’s $10,000 donation.
 
“Brittanie and Josh Hart, thank you so much for all of the ways you support your hometown,” said Erin Didion, Executive Director, United with Love of Huntington County. “You are both so inspiring in so many ways and Huntington is proud to call you both our own. To all who supported, shared, and prayed for our food pantry and this challenge, we are so grateful and thankful for you.”
 
Hart and the R+L Carriers team will be making one qualifying run on Friday, April 5 and two qualifying runs on Saturday, April 6 at Firebird Motorsports Park. The top 16 quickest Top Fuel dragsters in the field will advance in competition to race day on Sunday, April 7. The first round of eliminations will begin on Sunday at 11 a.m. PST. Fans can watch the finals on FS1. For tickets or more information on the NHRA Arizona Nationals visit nhra.com.

FOUNTAIN CITY, WI (April 3, 2024) – The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series’ first trip back to Wisconsin will see a massive three-day event at Mississippi Thunder Speedway, May 2-4.

For the third straight year, The Most Powerful Late Models on The Planet will duel for three nights during the Dairyland Showdown with a $248,000 total Feature purse – tied for the second largest purse this year.

The first two nights will showcase $7,000-to-win Features, while Saturday’s finale will pay $35,000 to the winner.

In eight Series races at the 3/8-mile track, there have been six different winners. Currently, four-time Series champion, and reigning Dairyland Showdown champion, Brandon Sheppard is the only repeat winner at the track.

The event will also be close to home for Series stars and Minnesota natives, Brent Larson (of Lake Elmo, MN) and Dustin Sorensen (Rochester, MN). Sorensen has three national level wins at the track with the USMTS Modifieds.

EVENT INFO:
Date – Thursday-Saturday, May 2-4
Location – Fountain City, WI
Track Record – 13.441 sec. by Dennis Erb Jr. on May 5, 2022

Times (CT) – 
3:00pm Pits Open
5:00pm Gates Open
6:30pm Hot Laps/Qualifying
-Racing to Follow

Tickets – Available at WorldofOutlaws.com.
How to Watch – If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every lap live on DIRTVision.

Last Race Video Recap (Sept. 1, 2023) –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCX1T0rAlk4&t=4s

Previous World of Outlaws Winners at Mississippi Thunder –
2023- Cade Dillard & Brandon Sheppard on May 4, Brandon Sheppard on Sept. 1
2022- Bobby Pierce on May 5, Jonathan Davenport on May 6, Mike Marlar on May 7
2021 – Brandon Sheppard on May 7, Chris Madden on May 8

LONG BEACH, CA (April 3, 2024) — When you look at an athlete like Funny Car driver Buddy Hull, you can tell he exudes discipline. Between running his Dallas-based company, Vertex Roofers and General Contracting, and competing full-time as a Funny Car driver for Jim Dunn Racing, it takes a lot of structure and consistency for him to hold everything together. And it’s that consistency that he has in his business life, that he is striving to perfect at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park on April 5-7.
 
“We’re looking for A to B runs. We want to come off the trailer and run a four-flat in Arizona and then on our second run just throw the kitchen sink at it, to see what the car does,” said Hull, who will be making his third Funny Car start this weekend. “We’ll use the data between those two runs to find a middle ground that will create a more consistent race car so on race day we can run between a 3.95 and a four-flat. If I do my job on the starting line, and we can run a 3.95 to a four-flat, and the other guy smokes the tires or shakes, we win a round. And we’re doing everything we can to see more win lights.”

 
One of the many traits that makes Hull such a successful business owner and race car driver is that he is realistic about his own limitations, but he does not let that hold him back. If anything, it drives him to work harder and become more creative in his approach.
 
“Some of these other teams run on a little bigger budget than we do, so we are incredibly parts conscious. We have yet to damage a single car part this season, which is an impressive feat,” said Hull. “But at the same time, we do want to run hard and run good. We’re aggressively aiming to have 3.90 race car consistently. I’m getting more and more comfortable with the car, and the car is getting faster, which is why we feel this race is the perfect weekend to focus on consistency above everything else.”
 
This weekend Hull will be racing a USD branded nitro Funny Car, with an image of an eagle swooping in on the side, continuing his trend of driving cars with interesting car bodies. Hull is proud that he is also continuing to represent a slew of local and corporate sponsors.
 
“I’m thrilled to be representing the good people of USD this weekend at their home race,” said Hull. “We’re looking forward to hosting a group of them from their Phoenix corporate headquarters. They’ve had a lengthy relationship with both Jim Dunn Racing and the Dunn family, and I consider myself blessed to be a part of that. I see parallels between USD’s business and my own, with their emphasis on customer service through providing auto parts to their loyal customer base. I’m hoping we’ll be able to make them proud this weekend.”
 
In addition to USD, INC, this weekend Hull will be partnering with local favorite Chompie’s to provide meals for the team and guests throughout the weekend. Recognized as Arizona’s New York Deli since 1979, Chompie’s has multiple locations in Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Glendale.
 
“Chompie’s is proudly continuing its sponsorship for the second consecutive year, supporting Funny Car driver Buddy Hull and his team with fresh made meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” said Frank Lara, Chompie’s Marketing Manager.
 
USD and Chompie’s will be joined by season-long supporters Vertex Roofers and General Contractors, Solid Start/True Brand Products, Lescure Mechanical Services, Crow Safety, Blaze Exhaust Probes, Koppl Pipeline Services, Mooneyes, Good Vibrations Motorsports, KGC Construction, Powerbuilt Tools and Wiley X.
 
“You often see all kinds of big names on the sides of these race cars,” said Hull. “And while that’s really cool, I think it’s also fun to represent some names that you don’t hear about as often. Those companies are doing just as good of work, but they don’t always have the chance to have this kind of promotional outlet. And Big Jim and I are proud to be that outlet.”
 
Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team will be making one qualifying run on Friday, April 5 and two qualifying runs on Saturday, April 6 at Firebird Motorsports Park. The top 16 quickest Funny Cars in the field will advance in competition to race day on Sunday, April 7. The first round of eliminations will begin on Sunday at 11 a.m. PST. Fans can watch the finals on FS1. For tickets or more information on the NHRA Arizona Nationals visit nhra.com.

NHRA legend could become first Funny Car driver in history to claim wins in three separate and distinct events on same weekend

CHANDLER, Ariz. (April 2, 2024) — This weekend’s NHRA national event at Firebird Motorsports Park has the potential of being a historic trifecta of sorts for John Force. The winningest driver in NHRA history with 16 Funny Car championships and 155 national event wins, Force will attempt to become the first Funny Car driver in NHRA history to win three separate and distinct events in the same weekend. First, Force will attempt to win the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge race-within-a-race specialty event. Four drivers each in Funny Car, Top Fuel and Pro Stock will square off with each other. The winners of the first round of the Challenge, which is also part of Friday’s lone Arizona Nationals qualifying session, will return for the Challenge’s final round during the first of two additional Nationals qualifying sessions on Saturday. Then, in Saturday’s second qualifying session, Force, in his trusty PEAK Antifreeze & Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, will complete the final round of the Winternationals, which was rained out in Pomona, Calif., nearly two weeks ago. Force will face four-time and defending Funny Car champ Matt Hagan. And then Force will try to make it 3-for-3 by winning Sunday’s Arizona Nationals. “Like anybody, I want to win it all, we want to make the money, and we want to earn the points,” Force said. “So I’m going after it with everything I’ve got.” All three events will be held at Firebird, which has reverted to its original name after spending the last several years known as Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. In addition, the Arizona Nationals mark the 39th year that Firebird will host an NHRA national event. Force has raced at Firebird every year since it opened in 1983 and was runner-up at the first national event held there in 1985. He has won the race a record eight times (1994 through 1997, 1999-2001 and 2005), has been No. 1 qualifier eight times as well, and is trying to win an NHRA tour event for the 35th season. Force’s last win was nearly two years ago (May 1, 2022 at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, N.C.). On Saturday, he will be racing in his 267th final round (has a current record of 155-111) when he faces Hagan for the rescheduled Winternationals Funny Car title. “We’re excited to race Hagan,” Force said. “He’s a great champion and he wants to win, just like I do. There’s basically three races to be won and you only get three qualifying attempts. “But (Hagan’s) got the same problems I’ve got. So there’s no excuses, we just do it. That’s the rules that we play by … but I’m ready for it. We’re just going to do the best we can. I’m fired up.” Force, who turns 75 on May 4, isn’t slowing down. He still is as motivated as ever for more race wins and he’d like to win at least one more championship in his illustrious career. “I want everything right to run for the title this year,” Force said. “I found some things that could be causing me some problems and I’m going to address it. … I need to get back to where I belong. I’m just trying to be a better driver, trying to do a better job for us and to do the job for the sponsors.” Force reached the final round in two events last year, but finished runner-up each time. That he made it to the finals of the Winternationals is rather inspiring, as in the first round of qualifying on Friday, March 22, he inadvertently crossed the center line and the run was disallowed. He came back the next day to qualify solidly into the show and then wound up reaching the final round before rain forced its postponement to this weekend in Arizona. “You don’t know if there’s another qualifying run the next day because they say it’s going to rain, and you’re thinking, ‘I might not be in the show,’” Force said of his Saturday predicament in Pomona. “I should have gotten to the other end. And I thought I got it to the other end, but I tapped the centerline or actually I went over. I didn’t see no cones go down. I wanted to believe I missed it. Because I don’t make excuses for myself, I learned a lot that weekend. … So that’s kind of where I’m at. I’m ready to go dancing.” ***************************** Brittany Force, meanwhile, will look to continue the consistency she had in the Winternationals. The younger Force was the No. 1 qualifier at Pomona, extending a personal streak that has seen her earn No. 1 at least once per season for the last 11 seasons. Brittany made it to the semifinals at Pomona before her dragster lost traction, giving the win to Justin Ashley. The younger Force will join her father in her respective class in the #2Fast2Tasty specialty event and potentially could win that race and the Arizona Nationals, as well. If that were to happen, John Force Racing would potentially come away with five wins in total for the weekend. Although she’s never won at Firebird, Force has three runner-up showings there in her Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster, and remains the track record holder for elapsed time (3.643 seconds) and speed (337.92 mph), both on Feb. 23, 2020. Force is also looking to end a 24-race victory drought (last win Oct. 30, 2022 in Las Vegas). Her showing at Pomona, makes Force optimistic heading into Phoenix. “After an improved race weekend in Pomona, this team is anxious to see what we can accomplish in Phoenix,” Force said. “Coming into this season we have taken everything we learned in the last few years and are using that for our new setup. I feel after a tough season last year we are finally in that upward climb. “We need to qualify in the top 5 and focus on clean, consistent runs every time we go down the track. I’ve been to three finals in the past at Firebird but have never landed in the Winner’s Circle. The goal is to get this Monster Energy team our first win of the season three races in.” ***************************** The third driver in the JFR camp, Funny Car driver Austin Prock, looks to bounce back from a disappointing first-round loss at Pomona. Prock won his first-ever race in a Funny Car in February in an exhibition event in Bradenton, Fla., and then finished runner-up in his first official NHRA national event in a Funny Car, the season-opening Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., nearly a month ago. He also was the No. 1 qualifier at both Florida races. Prock wasn’t able to continue his success at Pomona, but hopes to turn things around at Phoenix. The Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS he is driving this season has a legacy of success at Phoenix, including teammate Robert Hight having won the last two editions of the Arizona Nationals.  “Personally, I’ve never had much luck there,” Prock said of his previous attempts while driving a dragster at Firebird. “But the car that I’m driving this year has had a lot of success there, and last year was my brother Thomas’s first win as an assistant crew chief (to the father of Austin and Thomas, Jimmy Prock, who is Hight’s and now Austin’s crew chief). “I think we’ll pick up right where we left off in Gainesville (when Prock reached the finals before losing to J.R. Todd). I’m convinced the consistency we had in Gainesville and Bradenton is going to show in Phoenix. “Pomona was weird. Track prep wasn’t there. This is a high-horsepower, powerful car. And it’s hard to tame down when the track’s that far off. If we would have had one more shot at it in Pomona, we probably would have got the thing dialed into where it needs to be. But when you have to make that big of a swing, it takes a few runs and some time. So I’m looking forward to Phoenix, I think that things can be quick again. “Our team is definitely going to be strong this year. Last year, I don’t think anybody in the building was satisfied with the whole team’s performance overall. So we’re off to a good start in 2024 with one win, at least two runners-up and one of our cars has been low qualifier at all three events this year. So yeah, things are off to a good start. We definitely want to keep that train going.” Prock is attempting to become the 29th driver in NHRA history to win national events in both Top Fuel (has 4 career wins) and Funny Car. In addition, Prock and his father are trying to become the first father-son crew chief and driver to win on the circuit since Del Worsham and his dad Chuck won Funny Car at Houston on March 30, 2008. In addition, Austin’s 3.820 seconds qualifying time at the Gatornationals was the second quickest time posted since 2017, just shy of Hight’s 3.816 seconds run at Las Vegas on Oct. 29, 2023. ***************************** TV SCHEDULE: In addition to streaming on NHRA.TV, here’s this weekend’s broadcast schedule (all times ET): * Friday, April 5 (9:30-11 p.m.), FS1: First round of qualifying (replayed Saturday morning at 3:30-5 a.m. on FS1 and again at 7-8:30 a.m. Saturday on FS2). * Saturday, April 6 (10-10:30 p.m.), FS1: Winternationals final round (previously postponed from Pomona two weeks ago due to weather). * Sunday, April 7: (10:30 a.m. to Noon), FS1: Highlights from Saturday’s qualifying. * Sunday, April 7: Finals (6:30-9:30 p.m.), FS1.

JACKSONVILLE, IL (April 2, 2024) – The first day of May will bring the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars back to Jacksonville Speedway for a Wednesday night special.It’ll be the Series’ first time back at the 1/4-mile track since 2021 and fifth visit there overall. For Illinois race fans, it’ll also be The Greatest Show on Dirt’s first stop in the “Prairie State.”In the four Series races at Jacksonville, there has yet to be a repeat winner. NASCAR star Christopher Bell won the first event in 2014, Joey Saldana won in 2016, Carson Macedo grabbed the win in 2019 and Brad Sweet won the last event in 2021.The event will see the biggest names in Sprint Car racing, such as David Gravel, 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz, Carson Macedo, Gio Scelzi, Logan Schuchart and more, continue their championship quest. Along with battling for the $12,000 top prize. EVENT INFO: Date – May 1, 2024 Location – Jacksonville, IL Track Record – 9.990 sec. by Sheldon Haudenschild on April 29, 2021 Times (CT) – Pits Open 3pm Grandstands Open 5pm Hot Laps/Qualifying 6:00pm Opening Ceremonies 6:50pm Racing to FollowTickets – Available at WorldofOutlaws.com How to Watch – If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every lap live on DIRTVision.Last Race Video Recap (April 29, 2021) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bI1EvY09JcPrevious World of Outlaws Winners at Jacksonville – 2021 – Brad Sweet on April 29 2019 – Carson Macedo on Sept. 25 2016 – Joey Saldana on May 4 2014 – Christopher Bell on May 7

Cruz Pedregon

NHRA^® Arizona Nationals – Phoenix

Pre-Race Report

News of note: 

·       Phoenix is the site of Cruz’s first national event win in an Alcohol Dragster in 1988.

·       Cruz and the team have qualified in the top half of the Funny Car standings during the first two events of the NHRA season.

Quotes and favorite memories of Phoenix – 

Cruz Pedregon, two-time Funny Car World Champion

Phoenix is a historic race for me, it’s the site of my first national event win…ever. It was in the fall of 1988. I remember, like it was yesterday going into the final. It was dusk in an Alcohol Dragster, and I was going up against Jay Payne, who I think was the number one qualifier. We were kind of the underdog. And I remember it was a very close race. I got the jump at the start and won on a hole shot. It was like winning a championship or winning the Super Bowl for me, it meant everything to me to notch that first win there in Arizona. 

Since then, Phoenix has been a good track for us. We’ve won in Funny Car there several times. We have a lot of family in southern Arizona, New Mexico, and southern Texas. So, lots of family and cousins come out and support us. 

It’s such a great fan base there, and it’s a good track. I’m glad they kept it going, revamped everything and they’re keeping the track there because it’s also a great market for Snap-on, our primary sponsor. Lots of interest there with the Snap-on franchisees and a lot of great support there for our hospitality program. 

The Snap-on Dodge is running well, we’re just trying to get dialed-in for the race day. We’ve qualified in the top half for the first two races of the year. We just have to get the consistency locked down. 

Name on the side of Cruz’s car – Snap-on Nitro Franchisee Rusty Houck

·       Rusty worked for Snap-on before getting into his franchise seven years ago. 

·       He’s retiring from the Army in July after 24 years as a Master Sergeant in the Army Reserves.

·       When he was called up, his son ran the Snap-on route for him. 

·       He’s stayed stateside most recently, training the soldiers who were going overseas. 

·       He spends his free time restoring old cars and still gets excited when his customers buy tools from him. 

·       He took Cruz to visit with auto care professionals in several smaller shops before the race as well as the Gila River Indian Reservation to check out some concrete companies he calls on in the area.

·       As Cruz’s primary sponsor, Snap-on is asking NHRA fans to follow Makers and Fixers on Instagram, like those Cruz visits with, where they can submit their own stories to makersandfixers.com.

·       As Cruz’s primary sponsor, Snap-on is asking NHRA fans to follow @Makersandfixers on IG where they spotlight nearly 2,000 global Makers and Fixers doing real work for the real world. From pit crews to gearheads in the stands, they want to hear your stories too.   

COLUMBIA, IL (April 2, 2024) — For the past six years Allan Middendorf has been chasing win lights, breaking Funny Car and Fuel Altered records, and building a brand around his cowboy and outlaw spirit. The passionate and driven Middendorf today announced he will be turning his attention to a new endeavor and is stepping away from professional drag racing. As a self-made entrepreneur out of Columbia, Illinois, Middendorf developed a passion for drag racing during his late 20’s and in 2018 he started Allan Middendorf Racing and began running the American Outlaw brand. He dedicated his racing career to following in the tire tracks of his successful businesses built around perfection, attention to detail and being true himself. He attributes his success on the track to his crew members, sponsors, and business relationships with companies like Snake Enterprises, Vinyl Images and Torco.

 
“Jake Sanders of Snake Enterprises was a huge part of my success,” said Middendorf. “Jake’s knowledge and experience is what made this team highly competitive. Without him, there is no way I could have achieved what I did. You add in the support we received from Vinyl Images and Torco and this dream I chased wouldn’t have been possible. We made a lot of history, and I can’t thank all our supporters enough.”
 
When the pressure was on, Allan Middendorf Racing and the American Outlaw team excelled because of the collective knowledge of the crew and their ability to work together efficiently.  On the Funny Car Chaos tour Middendorf won twice and scored four No. 1 qualifiers. He also tallied a Fuel Altered win and was the national speed record holder for Fuel Altered at 227.50 mph. In 2019 Middendorf came in second place in the Funny Car Chaos Championship series. He was also the Funny Car Chaos record holder for speed and elapsed time, breaking and resetting those records several times over, as well as winning the World Fuel Altered National Championship.
 
“I wouldn’t have been able to have the success we had at the track without the hard work and dedication of my crew chief to Jake Sanders and the crew of Tom McDonald, Jim Carey, Katie Buttera and Doni Snyder.,” said Middendorf. “They gave their all in every race no matter how long the days and nights were. I couldn’t have asked for a better crew. I’m truly appreciative of their hard work and dedication.”

 
Throughout his drag racing career Middendorf projected the American Outlaw persona and attitude as a driver and team owner. The American Outlaw name came to Middendorf when he was driving and thinking about a persona for his Funny Car Chaos operation. He knew he had a wild streak that drove him to do things his own way, at his own speed, and with his own goals in mind. His passion for the American flag runs deep and as a cowboy who loves all things America the name American Outlaw was the perfect match.
 
“I want to thank Natalie Torrence, who oversees my social media, for making the name American Outlaw and Allan Middendorf Racing what it is today. I am going to continue the American Outlaw name and branding into my next endeavor, and we are looking at opportunities to build the brand away from the race track as well. Natalie has been amazing with her great ideas and ability to tell our story on social media.”
 
Middendorf will be announcing his next racing challenge in the coming weeks, but he knows that the memories and relationships he built through drag racing will always be part of his legacy.

LONG BEACH, CA (April 2, 2024) — Continuing to highlight the diverse group of corporate supporters Jim Dunn Racing and Funny Car driver Buddy Hull will be racing a USD branded nitro Funny Car at this weekend’s NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park. With Hull behind the wheel as a rising star in the Funny Car ranks, the Jim Dunn entry will turn heads with the dynamic new-look design. Hull will be looking to make a move into the Funny Car Top Ten at the third race of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

 
“We have had a longstanding relationship with USD and this race is in their backyard,” said Jon Dunn, with Jim Dunn Racing. “We are thrilled NHRA is returning to Firebird Motorsports Park and having the support of USD on our Funny Car will make this a special weekend. Buddy has been doing a great job behind the wheel and the competition is very tough out here. We are looking forward to an exciting weekend.”
 
Hull, who will be making his third Funny Car start driving for legendary Jim Dunn Racing, knows the action off the track is almost as important as the results on the track. As a high-energy driver and ambassador for all the Jim Dunn Racing sponsors Hull loves the idea of representing new companies at every race.
 
“We have a very loyal group of sponsors that have supported Jim Dunn Racing for many years so as a new driver I want to make sure I am doing my job to talk about their goals and marketing objectives,” said Hull, who has also raced Top Fuel and Fuel Altereds. “Having USD on the side of this Funny Car with that eagle just swooping in is pretty cool and we want to keep moving this program in the right direction. I am getting more comfortable behind the wheel and the car is getting quicker. This will be an exciting weekend for the USD Funny Car for sure.”
 
USD has been servicing customers in the southwest for over 45 years. They are an authorized full line distributor of ACDelco (General Motors), Motorcraft (Ford) and Mopar (Chrysler) original equipment auto parts and accessories. They have four locations to efficiently service customers with inventories of more than 12 million dollars. The corporate headquarters and largest warehouse are in Phoenix, Arizona. There are branch warehouses in Albuquerque, Denver and El Paso service New Mexico, Colorado, and West Texas, as well as surrounding areas. The commitment to advanced technology and superior customer satisfaction has set them apart from the competition.
 
In addition to USD Jim Dunn Racing will also be partnering with local favorite Chompie’s to provide meals for the team and guests throughout the weekend. Recognized as Arizona’s New York Deli since 1979, Chompie’s has multiple locations in Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Glendale.
 
“Chompie’s is proudly continuing its sponsorship for the second consecutive year, supporting Funny Car driver Buddy Hull and his team with fresh made meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” said Frank Lara, Chompie’s Marketing Manager.
 
Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team will be making one qualifying run on Friday, April 5 and two qualifying runs on Saturday, April 6 at Firebird Motorsports Park. The top 16 quickest Funny Cars in the field will advance in competition to race day on Sunday, April 7. The first round of eliminations will begin on Sunday at 11 a.m. PST. Fans can watch the finals on FS1. For tickets or more information on the NHRA Arizona Nationals visit nhra.com.

♦ NMRA & NMCA Same Weekend♦ Pro Mods, Renegades & More♦ Heads-Up & Index Racing♦ Thrill Festival (Sat)♦ Insane Jet Cars♦ FMX Motocross Stunt Shows♦ World’s Largest BIGFOOT♦ Race for the Rings Shootouts♦ Giant Car Show♦ True Street & HEMI Racing♦ Huge Midway & More♦ Kids 12 & under FREE & FREE parkingVisit NMRAdigital.com or NMCAdigital.com for a complete schedule of events, including specific daily features. Buy your tickets online or at the gate. Event FeaturesDirectionsDaily ScheduleCar Show FlyerHost Hotel for NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals Doubletree by Hilton1000 Eastport Plaza DriveCollinsville, IL 62234618-301-5007Call to Book – ask for NMCA RatesFind Great Deals on Gear at the PowerMall Store!Special Thanks to our Sponsors

 
ANAHEIM, CA (March 29, 2024) —- A celebration of life for drag racing legend Fred Crow will be held Saturday, April 27 at 11 a.m. at Influence Church (8162 E. Kaiser Blvd, Anaheim, Calif., 92808). The event will be an opportunity for friends, family, and racing community supporters to share stories and memories of the joy and love Crow brought to the world both on and off the track.
 
“Fred was an important contributor to racing for many decades and he will be missed,” said Jon Dunn, of Jim Dunn Racing. “Fred, DeEtte, and I have been partners in Crow for over 25 years. Beyond our working relationship Crow has been a major supporter of our program and racing in general. Crow Safety Gear will continue to flourish as a leader in the safety gear industry. Everyone at Jim Dunn Racing extends our condolences to DeEtte and the Crow family.”
 
A 2006 NHRA Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Crow was a driving force behind Crow Safety Gear, a family run business specializing in quality racing safety gear. The Crow line of safety gear including junior and adult auto racing suits, gloves, shoes, neck collars, fire retardant underwear and arm restraints. Crow manufactures all their famous racing seat belts in the USA. 

Fred Crow in 1965 Winternationals winner’s circle, photo courtesy Crow Safety

On the track Crow won the 1965 NHRA Winternationals and was crew chief on Bob McFarland’s Funny Car that won the Big-4 Championship. Crow was a recognizable and fierce competitor at Lions, Bakersfield, Irwindale, Phoenix, Pomona, and Orange County throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s.