Team will dig into its bag of tricks to work forward in Six Hours of Fuji OYAMA, Japan (Sept. 10, 2022) – Corvette Racing will start fifth among GTE Pro runners Sunday morning in Japan as it tries for a second straight victory in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Nick Tandy set a lap of 1:37.127 (105.074 mph) in the No. 64 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R that he will share with Tommy Milner in the Six Hours of Fuji. Only 0.756 seconds separates all of the GTE Pro entries, an interesting prospect for another thrilling race in the category.

Tandy and Milner won in their last time out at the Six Hours of Monza, which was the first victory for Corvette Racing as a full-time FIA WEC entrant. With Fuji being a much more technical circuit that Monza – another new track for the Corvette program – the bulk of the three practice sessions were spent developing and fine-tuning chassis and aero setups, plus evaluating different tire compounds with an eye toward the race. Both Milner and Tandy were happy with the long-run prospects of the Corvette after the final practice leading into qualifying. Fuji is the Corvette program’s 32nd venue during its nearly 25-year run of racetracks around the world with Bahrain still to go in the WEC’s season finale. The Six Hours of Fuji for the FIA World Endurance Championship is scheduled for 11 a.m. JST Sunday /10 p.m. ET Saturday from Fuji Speedway in Japan. The race will air live on MotorTrend from 9:30-11 p.m. ET on Saturday and the final hour and post-race from 3-4:30 a.m ET on Sunday. Live streaming coverage of the race an on-board feed from the No. 64 Corvette will be available on the MotorTrend Plus app. Radio Le Mans’ RS1 channel will stream play-by-play and race commentary from 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday through 4:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.

NICK TANDY, NO. 64 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – QUALIFIED FIFTH IN GTE PRO: “Since Free Practice One, we’ve been at a pace deficit that has been similar throughout all the sessions. We’ve been improving the car, but it seems like something fundamentally with the circuit, how the car is working on the tires and other factors aren’t suiting us on single-lap performance. Looking at qualifying, things were better again from Free Practice Three, which was better from Free Practice Two. But of course, everyone else also is going faster. It’s kind of frustrating because we are improving and the Corvette is better to drive, but we are lacking a little bit of single-lap pace. “Of course this a new track to us and the one where Tommy and I have the least amount of experience on the WEC calendar. There’s something else kind of happening where our car and the tire combination isn’t working with the track surface. We can look again and come up with a few ideas for the race.“Typically we are better in race pace in this WEC season than we’ve been in qualifying. We haven’t had a pole outside of Le Mans, but we manage to run at the front once the race gets going. There is still a long race to come. The thing with WEC is that you do have to double-stint tires, and up to two hours on a set of tires here is going to be a challenge for every team. Let’s see what happens.”

Allen and Golobic Lock-In for Saturday’s $25,000/Win Finale at Silver Dollar

CHICO, CA – September 9, 2022 – The second night of the 68th Gold Cup Race of Champions saw the return of a familiar face to Victory Lane at Silver Dollar Speedway.

Completing a California sweep of the split-field preliminary programs, Lemoore’s Carson Macedo stood on top at the Chico, CA 1/4-mile for the third time in his career. He’s won all three of his Gold Cup prelims with a different team – Tarlton Racing in 2014, Kyle Larson Racing in 2019, and Jason Johnson Racing in 2022.

To secure Friday’s Feature win – unofficially his 12th with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series in 2022 – Macedo was forced to fight off a resurgent Jacob Allen, who presented a career-best Silver Dollar Speedway effort.

Macedo led the opening 15 laps from the pole position, but seventh-starting Jacob Allen quickly found himself in contention aboard the Shark Racing, Pells Tire Service, Low-E Insulation #1A. The Hanover, PA native, who had amassed a stunning average finish of 24th through his first 12 starts in Chico, drove by Macedo on the low-line and led laps 16-18.

The Jason Johnson Racing, Albaugh #41 rebounded on the ensuing restart, however, and ripped command of the lead back from Allen as he throttled the tricky cushion. From there, the 26-year-old star easily ran off into lap traffic and won Friday’s preliminary by 2.117-seconds.

“I didn’t expect that honestly,” Macedo said of Allen driving by him. “He was so good on the bottom, I was taken aback for a minute. These big mufflers are so quiet that you kind of hear things and don’t know where they’re coming from really. I had to get back into the seat and rip the top really hard. I’m glad it paid off and I’m excited knowing that we can improve tomorrow and make this thing better.”

An added element in the moment is that Macedo earned his first-career World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series win right here at Silver Dollar Speedway almost eight years to the day. It also marks the first-ever win for Jason Johnson Racing at the Chico, CA 1/4-mile.

“This place is special to me and always will be,” Macedo added. “I got my first World of Outlaws win here and now I gave Jason Johnson Racing their first win here. I know how much Philip has wanted to win here, so I’m excited I can finally give them that. Hopefully we can be up here when it counts tomorrow.”

Finishing a career-best second-place after leading three laps past halfway was Jacob Allen. The Shark Racing pilot continued his remarkable turnaround by nearly winning at a track that has haunted him ever since he became a full-time World of Outlaws competitor in 2014. He’s now gone from a 24.0 average finisher to a lock-in driver at the Gold Cup Race of Champions.

“Man, I’ve ran second to Carson like two or three times lately,” Allen added. “We just need to get a little bit better and I need to capitalize some more. Our decision-making has been awesome, though, and I think that is showing in our results. It’s not easy going against the best in the world every night, but we’re doing it.”

Closing out the podium in his first-ever appearance at Silver Dollar Speedway was Lebanon, IN native Spencer Bayston. The 23-year-old leading contender for Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year ended up third aboard the CJB Motorsports, True Timber, Signing Day Sports #5.

“I knew my first time here would be tough and technical, but wow it was in a big way,” Bayston noted on the track. “I didn’t feel too good around the bottom, but it was so touchy up top, I biked so many times. I’m happy with our first outing here. This year is all about learning and experiencing these tracks. Excited to see what we can do tomorrow.”

Shane Golobic, of Fremont, CA, finished fourth-from-eighth to secure high point honors and lock-in for tomorrow’s $25,000-to-win Gold Cup finale. The usual pilot of the NOS Energy Drink #17W, Golobic hopped in the Kevin Kozlowski-owned, Paul Silva-wrenched #57W and nearly completed a perfect night in Chico.

Rounding out the top-10 on Friday was non-wing ace Ryan Bernal in the fifth spot, Lincoln, CA’s Blake Carrick in sixth, David Gravel in seventh-from-22nd with the KSE Hard Charger Award, Max Mittry in eighth during his World of Outlaws debut, Australian Kerry Madsen in ninth, and Hanford, CA’s DJ Netto in tenth.

NOS Energy Drink Feature Results (30 Laps) – 1. 41-Carson Macedo [1][$10,000]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [7][$6,000]; 3. 5-Spencer Bayston [4][$3,500]; 4. 57W-Shane Golobic [8][$2,800]; 5. 22-Ryan Bernal [10][$2,500]; 6. 38B-Blake Carrick [3][$2,300]; 7. 2-David Gravel [22][$2,200]; 8. 2XM-Max Mittry [2][$2,100]; 9. 83JR-Kerry Madsen [9][$2,050]; 10. 88N-DJ Netto [17][$2,000]; 11. 15-Donny Schatz [13][$1,600]; 12. 24-Chase Johnson [11][$1,400]; 13. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [6][$1,200]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [16][$1,100]; 15. 7S-Robbie Price [5][$1,050]; 16. 88-Austin McCarl [12][$1,000]; 17. 42X-Tim Kaeding [14][$1,000]; 18. 5B-Colby Copeland [15][$1,000]; 19. 45-Jake Morgan [19][$1,000]; 20. 2S-Jayce Steinberg [24][$1,000]; 21. 19T-Tucker LaCaze [20][$1,000]; 22. 21M-Michael Ing [23][$1,000]; 23. 51-Shane Hopkins [18][$1,000]; 24. 21S-Jesse Schlotfeldt [21][$1,000]. Lap Leaders: Carson Macedo 1-15, 19-30; Jacob Allen 16-18. KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-David Gravel[+15]

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 9, 2022) – Progressive American Flat Track announced today the expansion of the final two race weekends of the season to conclude the 2022 campaign in epic double-doubleheader fashion.

The inaugural Drag Specialties Cedar Lake Short Track will feature a unique twist on the doubleheader format, fitting two full points- and purse-paying Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle Main Events into a single evening on Saturday, September 24 at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin.

Following the conclusion of Opening Ceremonies, Mission SuperTwins will kick off the Main Event program with Round 15 of the premier-class championship. Later that evening, the Mission SuperTwins competitors will return to the track, joined by the participating Mission Production Twins Challenge entrants, to cap off the day’s activities with Round 16.

Flag-to-flag coverage of both Mission SuperTwins Main Events will feature in the one-hour FS1 broadcast of the Cedar Lake Short Track scheduled to premiere on Sunday, October 2, at 10:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. PT.

The Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale presented by Daytona Dodge at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida, will then conclude the 2022 season with a conventional two-day doubleheader, featuring Round 17 on Friday, October 14, and Round 18 on Saturday, October 15. The weekend will also represent the final two-thirds of the Progressive Triple Crown, which will pay the Mission SuperTwins rider who collects the most combined points across the Progressive Laconia Short Track and twin finale a $25,000 prize.

The additions to the year-end slate further raise the stakes for what was already destined to be a thrilling conclusion to a historic season. With four Mission SuperTwins title fighters representing two different manufacturers separated by just 29 points and 100 points still up for grabs, this year’s championship battle remains far too close to predict.

Visit https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3901/ to reserve your tickets for the Drag Specialties Cedar Lake Short Track.

Visit https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3697/ to reserve your tickets for the Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale presented by Daytona Dodge. Tickets for Friday, October 14 on sale soon.

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com. To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.

The Xtreme Outlaw Sprint Car Series will make its debut at Devil’s Bowl Speedway for a doubleheader season finale, Oct. 28-29

MESQUITE, TX (Sept. 9, 2022) – The inaugural championship for the Xtreme Outlaw Sprint Car Series presented by Low-E Insulation will conclude where the World of Outlaws began – Devil’s Bowl Speedway.

The Texas Non-Wing Nationals will be a two-day event at the historic Texas track, Friday-Saturday, Oct. 28-29, paying $5,000-to-win on Friday, and $10,000-to-win on Saturday, along with rewarding $20,000 to the first Xtreme Outlaw Sprint Car champion.

It’ll also mark the Series’ first trip to Texas.

“I’m excited we’re able to bring such a historic moment for this new series to a historic track like Devil’s Bowl Speedway,” said Casey Shuman, Xtreme Outlaw Series director. “We’ve had a great debut year with exceptional races at each event. The Texas Non-Wing Nationals is a great opportunity to give fans an epic championship finale.”

The Xtreme Outlaws Sprint Cars debuted at Volusia Speedway Park in February with CJ Leary and Thomas Meseraull picking up the first two victories. Since then, there have been five different winners in six events, with a doubleheader in Illinois up next – Friday, Sept. 9, at Jacksonville Speedway, and Saturday, Sept. 10, at Spoon River Speedway.

A doubleheader at Atomic Speedway, Oct. 7-8, will set the stage for the championship finale at Devil’s Bowl. Currently, Shane Cockrum holds the top stop, but Alex Bright and Matt Westfall are still less than 70 points back.

The World of Outlaws ran its inaugural race at Devil’s Bowl in 1978 with Non-wing Sprint Cars, bringing the event back to its original “Outlaw” roots.

“This will be a special event for the track and Sprint Car fans with the Xtreme Outlaw Sprint Cars bringing Outlaw Non-wing racing back to the speedway,” said Lanny Ross Edwards, Devil’s Bowl Speedway promoter. “On top of that, we’re thrilled to host the Series’ historic championship finale.”

Friday night’s Feature will be 25 laps and Saturday’s Feature will be 30 laps around the half-mile track, with the championship celebration to follow. Also, the Xtreme Outlaw Sprint Cars will welcome the ASCS Elite Non-Wing Sprint Cars to the field.

Brad Sweet and Ryan Timms Lock-In for Saturday’s Finale at Silver Dollar

CHICO, CA – September 8, 2022 – The Gold Cup Race of Champions is back, and back in a big way.

On Thursday, Silver Dollar Speedway kicked off the 68th edition of the iconic event with new promoters bringing back old traditions and injecting a much-needed boost as they return to Crown Jewel status with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

The first of two preliminary programs delivered all you could ask for in a thrilling 30-lap Feature. Three different drivers combined to offer five official lead changes throughout a breathtaking race on the choppy, tricky, and treacherous Chico, CA 1/4-mile.

Ultimately, Kyle Larson – the “L” in SLC Promotions at Silver Dollar – chalked up the win in his one and only night at Gold Cup this week. He won’t be back for Saturday’s finale with NASCAR obligations taking precedent, but he had the time for Thursday’s opener and made the most of it; returning to Victory Lane at the same place where his first-career World of Outlaws win came in 2011.

Leading the final six laps, the 30-year-old dubbed “Yung Money” for his stunning ability to shine on the biggest stages as a teenager was forced to fight off the new kid on the block, who is quite frankly now deserving of that title himself. At 16 years old, Ryan Timms, of Oklahoma City, OK, has become arguably the hottest topic in Sprint Car Racing this year.  He nearly won his second-ever World of Outlaws race in August, and he almost beat Kyle Larson on Thursday at his own game.

The duo exchanged the lead several times through the middle stages, but it was the final restart on Lap 24 that decided it all. Timms had survived an attack before, but this time Larson chucked the Kevin Kozlwoski-owned #57 through turns one and two to clear the Randy Timms-owned #5T and drove off to a 1.983-second margin of victory.

“I knew my only opportunity was going to come if Ryan didn’t get a great launch on the restart,” Larson admitted. “I knew that I would have to slide across quicker that second time, and thankfully it stuck. This place was awesome tonight, it was treacherous. It made sliders really sketchy and you’d be off the throttle sliding across super fast. It felt great when I hit it right, but it was tricky every single corner.”

“He is really, really good,” Larson added on Timms. “I know most of these young kids nowadays can rip a cushion like that. I saw him on the front row of the lineup and figured he would be a tough guy to beat tonight. It was crazy coming through the pack. I think if he hit those restarts a little better it was his to win.”

A second-place finish gives Ryan Timms already two runner-up finishes in World of Outlaws competition through three weeks against The Greatest Show on Dirt. He’s locked in for Saturday’s $25,000-to-win finale of the Gold Cup Race of Champions, where a victory would make him the youngest winner in the Series’ storied 45-year history.

“I really thought when he slid me and I got around him that it was my break,” Timms said on the initial restart he beat Larson. “It seemed like it was just better to be in second than first in some way tonight, so you could attack differently. It stings, but losing to him isn’t the worst thing in the world. It’s a lot better than I expected, really.”

Closing out the podium after a ferocious drive from 11th to third was James McFadden in the Roth Motorsports #83. The Australian will find himself on the front row of a Gold Cup Heat Race on Saturday with hopes of a win locking him into the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash.

“Even by yourself you had your hands full tonight, “McFadden said on the track. “It was so treacherous up there. I wish we didn’t get those restarts because I felt like I was way better all bunched up in traffic. We sucked early and dug ourselves a hole, but these guys worked really hard and got this Roth #83 back where it belongs.”

Brad Sweet, who finished fourth and collected 386 points on the night, is the unofficial high point man with brother-in-law Kyle Larson (395) not returned for Saturday. “The Big Cat” will have a chance at the pole position on Saturday as he continues to pursue his first-career title at the Gold Cup.

Kalib Henry, in his sixth-ever World of Outlaws Feature, led a lap while mixing it up with Timms and Larson after he started on the pole position. The Citrus Heights, CA native ended up in fifth-place to put his #17M in a good position ahead of Saturday’s finale.

Rounding out the top-10 on Thursday was Sheldon Haudenschild in sixth from 16th, Andy Forsberg in the seventh spot, Sean Becker with a KSE Hard Charger runs from 24th to eighth, Mitchell Faccinto with another ninth-place effort, and Tanner Carrick in the 10th position.

NOS Energy Drink Feature Results (30 Laps) – 1. 57-Kyle Larson [8][$10,000]; 2. 5T-Ryan Timms [2][$6,000]; 3. 83-James McFadden [11][$3,500]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$2,800]; 5. 17M-Kalib Henry [1][$2,500]; 6. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [16][$2,300]; 7. 92-Andy Forsberg [3][$2,200]; 8. 83V-Sean Becker [24][$2,100]; 9. 21-Mitchell Faccinto [14][$2,050]; 10. 83T-Tanner Carrick [9][$2,000]; 11. 29-Willie Croft [19][$1,600]; 12. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [13][$1,400]; 13. 14-Corey Day [17][$1,200]; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$1,100]; 15. 53-Jessie Attard [21][$1,050]; 16. 2K-Kaleb Montgomery [18][$1,000]; 17. 33-Dylan Bloomfield [6][$1,000]; 18. 12J-John Clark [22][$1,000]; 19. 20G-Noah Gass [15][$1,000]; 20. 5V-Landon Brooks [10][$1,000]; 21. 55D-Dawson Hammes [23][$1,000]; 22. 18T-Tanner Holmes [4][$1,000]; 23. 19-Colby Thornhill [20][$1,000]; 24. 2X-Justin Sanders [12][$1,000]. Lap Leaders: Ryan Timms 1-8, 10-13, 18-24; Kalib Henry 9; Kyle Larson 14-17, 25-30. KSE Hard Charger Award: 83V-Sean Becker[+16]

ROSSBURG, OH– September 9, 2022 – Two drivers took their first step toward conquering “The World” Thursday night at Eldora Speedway. 

After 107 cars entered night one of the 52nd World 100, Jonathan Davenport and Hudson O’Neal stood tall earning $12,000 preliminary Feature victories and gained valuable momentum toward Saturday’s main event. 

GROUP A Preliminary Feature- Jonathan Davenport

One night after finishing fourth in the Dirt Late Model Dream, Jonathan Davenport wasted no time returning to Eldora Speedway’s iconic Victory Lane. 

The Blairsville, GA driver stormed past Jimmy Owens on Lap 6 of Thursday’s Group A Feature to claim the $12,000 prize on night one of the 52nd World 100. 

The four-time World 100 winner said his team made changes throughout the day, helping his car return to its winning form. 

“I think we’re one adjustment away from being perfect,” Davenport said. “We changed quite a few things today. We just couldn’t get a good balance on it. 

“I wish the racetrack was like that last night. We might have been right back up here. It’s a phenomenal job, by my guys, Jason, Vinny, and Tyler. We all put our heads together and constantly changed on this thing. We changed things on the car, and it messed the balance up a bit, and I think we got it back there pretty good.”

Owens, a two-time World 100 winner, finished second after leading the race’s first five laps. 

The Newport, TN driver stated he was happy with his car but needed to make a few more adjustments to stay with Davenport.

“I was just discussing with my guys about how we can get a little more stable in the corners,” Owens said. “I felt like we were good, but the 49 has been phenomenal all year. Another great year for those guys. Hats off to them. 

“We got some work to do, and maybe we can make some improvements for the big race.”

Defending World 100 winner Brandon Overton finished third, while Chris Madden and Johnny Scott rounded out the top five. 

Group B Preliminary Feature- Hudson O’Neal

Hudson O’Neal had one goal in his World 100 preliminary Feature—get in clean air quick. 

The Martinsville, IN driver, accomplished that goal immediately, thundering around Shane Clanton in Turn 2 to take the lead. 

O’Neal dominated the Group B Feature at Eldora to earn the $12,000 triumph.

“I got a really good start there, and I knew I just needed to get the lead there and get to clean air as fast as I could,” O’Neal said. “The first [Feature] went caution-free, so I figured the second one would, too.

“The air plays such a big factor here. I swear it felt like I slowed down two seconds when I caught lap traffic.”

Clanton, from Zebulon, GA, crossed the line second after winning a Heat Race earlier in the night. 

The “Georgia Bulldog” stated he’s optimistic about the rest of the weekend.  

“Our car was good, we had a good starting spot, and I hope we can do it again tomorrow,” Clanton said. “This Capital Race Car is pretty good right now. Hopefully, we can just keep it up.”

Chris Ferguson rounded out the podium one night after making an early exit in the Dirt Late Model Dream. 

The Mount Holly, NC driver was forced to switch to a backup car and stated he was thrilled with how well the car ran.

“I just want to give a special thanks to my crew for all the hard work,” Ferguson said. “The car was really good. I could just kind of hang with Shane and Hudson but couldn’t get momentum going like we needed to. 

“I’m tickled to death; this is the first time I’ve raced this car here since 2018.”

Tim McCreadie finished fourth, and Garrett Smith rounded out the top five. 

UP NEXT: The DIRTcar Late Models return to Eldora Speedway on Friday, Sept. 9, for night two of the 52nd World 100, as drivers will battle in twin 25-lap split-field Features paying $12,000-to-win. 

TICKETS: https://bit.ly/3epLMIw

Follow live coverage and updates of everything at Eldora Speedway on all of DIRTcar’s social media channels and DIRTcar.com. 

A Feature 1 (25 Laps): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[3]; 2. 20-Jimmy Owens[2]; 3. 76-Brandon Overton[5]; 4. 44-Chris Madden[4]; 5. 1ST-Johnny Scott[1]; 6. 1-Brandon Sheppard[8]; 7. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[6]; 8. 157-Mike Marlar[7]; 9. 11H-Spencer Hughes[9]; 10. 8-Kyle Strickler[23]; 11. 1T-Tyler Erb[10]; 12. 19R-Ryan Gustin[16]; 13. 58-Garrett Alberson[14]; 14. 23-John Blankenship[12]; 15. 22S-Gregg Satterlee[15]; 16. 88-Trent Ivey[11]; 17. 42H-Tyler Carpenter[19]; 18. 83F-Jensen Ford[17]; 19. 25F-Jason Feger[20]; 20. 5-Mark Whitener[18]; 21. 31K-Kye Blight[13]; 22. 21K-Dakotah Knuckles[24]; 23. 99-Camaron Marlar[22]; 24. 10-Joseph Joiner[21]

A Feature 2 (25 Laps): 1. 71-Hudson O’Neal[2]; 2. 25-Shane Clanton[1]; 3. 22-Chris Ferguson[4]; 4. 39-Tim McCreadie[3]; 5. 10S-Garrett Smith[8]; 6. 9-Devin Moran[9]; 7. 7-Ricky Weiss[6]; 8. 32-Bobby Pierce[10]; 9. 9Z-Mason Zeigler[19]; 10. 19M-Wil Herrington[7]; 11. 11R-Josh Rice[15]; 12. 2S-Stormy Scott[11]; 13. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[18]; 14. 40B-Kyle Bronson[5]; 15. 18-Shannon Babb[14]; 16. 97-Michael Chilton[12]; 17. 17-Zack Dohm[13]; 18. 16-Tyler Bruening[23]; 19. 18C-Chase Junghans[17]; 20. 21-Billy Moyer Sr[21]; 21. 23H-Cory Hedgecock[16]; 22. 11K-Austin Kirkpatrick[24]; 23. C9-Steve Casebolt[22]; 24. 57-Zack Mitchell[20]

ROSSBURG, OH– September 8, 2022 – Late Model drivers across the country will see a significant change in 2023.

On Thursday afternoon at Eldora Speedway, Hoosier Racing Tire announced a new Dirt Late Model tire starting next season. The tire will be used in all Super Dirt Late Model racing, including the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series and DIRTcar Late Model divisions.

World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter was among the officials there at the announcement. He stated he thinks the change will be a positive one for Late Model racing going forward.

“It’s been in the works for quite a while now,” Carter said. “It’s a collaboration between all of the sanctioning bodies and Hoosier and the racetracks to try and consolidate the supply chain to help Late Model racing be sustainable for a long time.

“It should make it simpler for the teams, a lot less tires to carry, and should help the local racers, too. It’s a great step forward for Late Model racing.”

Current World of Outlaws CASE Late Models points leader Dennis Erb Jr. agreed with Carter on the consolidation.

“I think it’s a good idea to get them down to a few compounds and make it easier to go all different places and not have to worry about carrying a bunch of different tires and getting tires ready,” Erb said. “Hopefully, that will make things a little bit easier.”

Four-time defending DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion Bobby Pierce said it saves him time trying to figure out what tires he needs to run, but knows there will be some adjusting.

“It’s very nice to have everybody on the same exact rule,” Pierce said. “That way, you go race wherever you want and not have to worry about the tire rule. That’s always something we have to figure out.”

World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Rookie of the Year contender Gordy Gundaker is also on board with cutting down the number of compounds. He stated that it helps the drivers who aren’t used to running different tires in different regions.

“It’s going to be great for everybody,” Gundaker said. “Now you can go race anywhere in the country and have the right tires. That’s one of the biggest reasons why we didn’t really travel a lot over the past couple of years because once we leave the Midwest, you have to get 1300s, 1350s, and 1425s. It’s a wide range, and it’s tough for a guy like me to justify going for a weekend and buying all those tires.

“Them coming together and unifying the rule, I think, is great for all of us.”

World of Outlaws CASE Late Model drivers will get their first crack at the new tire when the Series opens its season in January at Volusia Speedway Park for the Sunshine Nationals (Jan. 18-21).

Richard Childress Racing at Kansas Speedway … In 94 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has one win with Kevin Harvick in 2013 along with five top-five and 26 top-10 finishes. The victory was Harvick’s first at Kansas and it came in dominating fashion with Harvick winning the pole and leading the most laps in the race. In 2021, Austin Dillon claimed a pair of 10th-place finishes at Kansas while Tyler Reddick scored a seventh-place finish in the spring event at the 1.5-mile speedway.  

Back in the Playoffs … Richard Childress Racing enters Kansas with three victories in NASCAR’s elite Cup Series during the 2022 season. The Welcome, N.C., based company has two entries in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs for the first time since 2017 (Austin Dillon and Ryan Newman). 

Xfinity Series Stats at Kansas … RCR has one NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at Kansas: Kevin Harvick in 2006. Harvick, who led twice for 18 laps, would go on to win the 2006 series title with RCR, the second of his career. The Welcome, N.C., based organization has three poles at Kansas by three different drivers: Austin Dillon (2013), Ty Dillon (2014) and Daniel Hemric (2018).

Introducing the Carolina Cowboys … Driven by the same passion for performance that guides his race team, Richard Childress’ latest endeavor brings Professional Bull Riding to the Carolinas. The Carolina Cowboys represent Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in the PBR Team Series, an elite new league featuring the world’s top bull riders in games that began in July 2022. The team is operated by Richard Childress Racing with 2018 Daytona 500 Champion Austin Dillon serving as General Manager.  

Don’t miss the Carolina Cowboys inaugural “Cowboy Days” Home Stand September 9-11 at Wake Forest’s Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Friends of RCR have the opportunity to save 15% on tickets by entering code RCR15. To purchase tickets, click here: https://www.ticketmaster.com/pbr-professional-bull-riders-tickets/artist/2859854?venueId=369555

Catch the Action … The NASCAR Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway will be televised live Saturday, September 10, beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET on USA Network. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. 

Follow Sunday’s Action at Kansas … The NASCAR Cup Series Kansas 400 at Kansas Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, September 11 beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET on USA Network. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. 

NASCAR CUP SERIES

KANSAS SPEEDWAY

HOLLYWOOD CASINO 400

TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT

SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 ADVENTHEALTH CAMARO ZL1, met with the media via teleconference in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series race weekend at Kansas Speedway. Press Conference Transcript:

TAKE US THROUGH YOUR THOUGHTS GOING INTO THE WEEKEND AT KANSAS SPEEDWAY AND THE SECOND RACE OF THE PLAYOFFS ROUND OF 16. 

“Yeah, Darlington (Raceway) was fine for our team.. it wasn’t a great finish, but we had speed. So as long as that keeps happening, we’ll be OK.”

YOU FINISHED TOP-10 AT KANSAS IN THE SPRING. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE THIS TIME TO JUST GAIN A FEW SPOTS THERE AND FIND YOURSELF IN VICTORY LANE? 

“The sport is evolving this year; really I’d say across the board more than I’ve ever seen, for sure. The race cars are just evolving. We got them basically on pallets over the off season. We started assembling them; we started testing them and we started racing them in February. We’ve been on this continuous learning curve that this sport always goes through, but it’s just steeper. We just started with cars that we’ve never raced before; we’ve never wrecked before and we’ve never pushed them to the limits before. So the teams are constantly evolving and finding what geometry and setups work better and keep pushing the limits. 

I think Kansas (Speedway) is going to feel similar; the track has only aged a few months and it’s going to be warmer, but it’s not going to be too different from the spring. I think just like then, when we were contending within the top-five, I think we’ll have that same speed again.”

TALK ABOUT JUST RACING, IN GENERAL, AT KANSAS SPEEDWAY WITH THIS CAR. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO WELL? 

“With the progressive banking, we continue to move up. I don’t know exactly what the weather is going to be like Sunday. There are some chances of some stuff we don’t like to talk about and some cooler air. But definitely practice on Saturday will be just using that top lane. We’ve seen that for quite a few years now. These cars like momentum. They like more racetrack to turn on, so they want the widest corner possible. If the guy in front of you is similar in speed and he’s running your line up top, it’s not great. But the great thing about Kansas (Speedway) is that you can make the bottom work if you’re better. And if you’re not, I feel like I’ll be patient and I just have to wait for the next opportunity. You’re not stuck in line, but you don’t want to give the guy behind you momentum and clean air. So it’s a mix of offense and defense.”

WINNING IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT IN THE PLAYOFFS.. IT’S YOU’RE GUARANTEED CHANCE INTO THE NEXT ROUND. TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF POINTS, ESPECIALLY WHERE WE ARE NOW IN THIS ROUND WHEN WE HAVE TWO RACES LEFT.

“Winning solves everything. Running good will give you the most points. 

So yeah, there’s ultimately 16 cars – including me – that will be the test of if we score enough points or not. If you win, you’re automatically locked in. It all just pays to run well. The difference for us – from last year to this year – has been eye-opening in the amount of points we can earn. It’s amazing.”

DO YOU FEEL LIKE KANSAS SPEEDWAY IS A PLACE THAT YOU CAN CAPITALIZE THIS WEEKEND? 

“Yeah, for sure. It’s pretty wild that our wins have not come on 1.5-mile tracks because I feel like those have been our strongest races. I don’t know how we’ll qualify.. we’re working on that. But the main thing is that we’re fast throughout the race for 400 miles.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ANNOUCEMENT TODAY WITH NORTH WILKESBORO HOSTING THE ALL-STAR RACE NEXT YEAR?

“I love it. I never thought I would see the day. I’ve driven by the track, but I’ve never stopped and never seen it. I’ve watched a lot of old videos over the years of races there and I’ve done some iRacing on it. 

I do think there is a reason why they left it, right? There’s a reason they stopped racing there. But I don’t know, we’ll go back and experience it. It’s going to be cool. Hopefully we’re locked-in.”

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT NORTH WILKESBORO OR HAVE YOU WATCHED OR LEARNED ABOUT IT? 

“I’d be making stuff up if I said I did. Like I said, I’ve iRaced and watched some old videos when I can’t sleep, but that’s about it.

HOW ARE YOU LOOKING AT WHAT CAME OUT OF DARLINGTON? WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED.. ALL THE PLAYOFF CONTENDERS THAT HAD ISSUES AND YOUR RACE?

“Yeah, it’s crazy. We prepare all year and then a lot of us did have issues. I expected it.. Obviously I don’t expect for the No. 1 car to have issues. But it was said in our pre-race meeting, teams are going to take themselves out… let’s just not do that. Not that the No. 99 or us had the race and the finish that we wanted, but we survived and we didn’t hurt ourselves, so far. Time will tell if the points lost ultimately account for anything. But the only reason that we’ll look back on Darlington (Raceway) and say it cost us anything is if we have more issues. As long as we just have clean races, we’ll be fine. We have plenty of speed.”

HOW DO YOU LOOK AT KANSAS, ITSELF, THEN?

“I can’t wait.. the hotter the better. I hope the wet stuff and cooler weather doesn’t come in until Monday and it stays nice and warm. Just being able to move around on the track. Even though everybody wants the top, if you’re car is better, you can move down the hill and pass. Restarts, you have a lot of options. We don’t have to spray anything on the track to make it good. We don’t have to do anything.. we can just go race and in today’s world, that’s nice to just be able to naturally race on a racetrack.”

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT THE DEAL WITH THE PIN HOLES AND THE DEBRIS THAT GOT CAUGHT UP IN THERE LAST WEEKEND?

“I don’t know.. that would be a question for somebody on the team way smarter than me. I don’t think so, but I don’t want to say for sure. I don’t think we could have done anything to prevent that.”

THE TIRES ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE WITH THE NEW CONSTRUCTION THEY DEBUTED IN POCONO OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. DO YOU HAVE ANY SENSE IF THAT WILL CHANGE THINGS VERY MUCH FOR THIS WEEKEND?

“Well, first of all, I’m thankful that they have. I’m glad that it’s been awhile since we’ve been blowing left-rear tires like we were at the beginning of the year, so that’s good. There are still things that I do, we do, to hopefully guard ourselves as much as we can against blowing left rear tires. I know there’s going to be less stagger. So like Michigan (International Speedway), the cars are going to be tighter if you just go back with the same setup. You would have less stagger in the tires than you would in the spring. So that will be something to work through and hopefully the GM/Chevrolet group have that balance figured out for us.”

DO YOU HAVE A TARGETED POINTS CUSHION THAT YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE GOING INTO BRISTOL? 

“I want to go get 60-points this weekend (laughs). There’s nothing comfortable about racing in the Cup Series and I like it that way.” 

YOU’RE EIGHTH IN THE PLAYOFF STANDINGS HEADING INTO KANSAS.. KIND OF MID-PACK. HOW DO YOU DEFINE WHERE YOU’RE AT? OBVIOUSLY, NOT ENOUGH AND YOU’D LIKE TO WIN TO ADVANCE ON. BUT HOW DO YOU LOOK AT WHERE YOU’RE AT?

“Even with the issues at Darlington (Raceway), we cleared two more points above the cutline. Yeah, a lot of guys passed us, but we actually distanced ourselves, only by two, but we’re up to 15-points ahead. If we do that again for a few more weeks and we add two points to the cutline, then we’re fine and we move on. 

Ultimately, that’s what I’m looking for, right? Yeah, I want to go win, but I really just want good races. I don’t want to be in the news for the obvious reasons earlier in the year. But right now, for points-wise, if I’m not in the news, then that means that I’m just solidly scoring points and we’ll move. That’s all that’s on my plan right now.”

WHEN YOU WERE ENTERING THE PLAYOFFS, YOU SAID IT WAS SORT OF SURREAL. WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF HOW IT FELT TO BE A PLAYOFF DRIVER AT DARLINGTON WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED? 

“The whole week was really normal. I was almost scared that it was so normal that it was going to end up not being. And to an extent, that did happen. On Sunday, I had butterflies. I had nerves. It was a late race and I didn’t really leave for the track until like 2 p.m. I hung around with the family and just killed time. I think that’s going to bring in some nerves a bit, but it was weighing on me that my actions tonight could forever dictate the outcome of what we’ve worked to accomplish. Fortunately, we survived.. we put a few points on them and lived to fight through Kansas.”

NOW THAT YOU’VE BEEN THROUGH PLAYOFF RACE ONE, HOW DO YOU ENTER KANSAS? MAYBE MORE AGGRESSIVE, MAYBE MORE RELAXED, NO BUTTERFLIES.. WILL IT BE DIFFERENT YOU THINK?

“I don’t know. For me, I think that’s what’s so cool about all of this.. is that I’m experiencing it. I expect to feel similar at Kansas. They give out just as many points at Kansas as they did at Darlington. Running right up against the fence for 400 miles is no easy feat. I’m not expecting Kansas to be easy. I’m not expecting it to be calm. We can have issues; we can make mistakes. What was so great about Darlington – like throughout the second half of the race – was how calm we all stayed. We talked through the problem; we got it fixed, we cleaned up the pins and we finished the race. We got three of our four laps back. Half of a Southern 500 to make up three laps on the field, that’s the beginnings of a storybook ending if we get one more caution.”

Sep 8, 2022 | Featured, Julie Nataas, Race Results

This past weekend’s Dodge Power Broker’s NHRA U.S. Nationals was one of the biggest weekends yet for the Randy Meyer Racing team as Julie Nataas pulled a double-up as she took the top prize in the JEGS AllStars and the regular event. Teammate Hunter Green inked a quarterfinal finish at the event as well in his newly branded Bond-Coat scheme.

“Coming in to the weekend I was confident in me and my team that we could do really good at both the Jegs Allstars and U.S. Nationals as the car has been running good lately,” said Julie. “I think we all went through a lot of different emotions as the weekend went by. There were highs, lows and back to highs.”

Before the JEGS AllStars kicked off, the competitors had two rounds of qualifying to set the order for the elimination ladder. Julie came into the JEGS AllStars as the No. 3 qualifier with a 5.306-second pass at 273.66 mph and the defending AllStars champion from 2021.

In first round of the AllStars, the Randy Meyer-tuned dragster took on James Stevens. Knowing all the racers in the competition would bring their best tune-ups to the stage, Julie clocked in with a career best 5.151, 283.19 to defeat Stevens’ 5.356, 266.74; this run would also count towards her qualifying effort and landed her in the No. 1 spot. 

Second round, Julie used a 5.185, 279.90 to defeat Casey Grisel’s 5.358, 270.70 and advance to the final round of the Jegs AllStars for the second year in a row.

For the final round of the AllStars, Julie staged up against multi-time Top Alcohol Dragster champion Joey Severance. Julie started the race off strong with a starting line advantage over Joey Severance but then the race got real exciting. Severance lost traction and Julie started to shake but with a quick pedal job a parachute escaped slowing her down. But she reached the finish line first for the win with a 5.586, 239.57. However, at the finish line, Julie’s dragster bowed and almost the entire body of her OTG dragster blew off.

The team is still unsure of what caused the body to bend and break at the finish line, but we are glad Julie got the car stopped safely. With her old 2021 body in tow overnight, it was time for eliminations for the 68th U.S. Nationals for Julie Nataas and Hunter Green. Julie Nataas was No. 1 qualifier with her 5.151, 283.19 and Hunter was qualified No. 6 with a stout 5.302, 269.35.

“It was both a disappointing and awesome moment when we blew the body off the car and won the Jegs Allstars all at once. I couldn’t believe what had just happened and my mind went straight to the U.S. Nationals race the next day: ‘Are we going to be able to race? Can we find a new body? Do we have a wing? Is anything else broke? Can someone drive up an old body from the shop?’ 

Thank you to Megan and her husband Adam for helping out and making sure my old body from last year was delivered on time for first round! Without their help I would be able to double up in Indy. 

I’m usually not sick to my stomach before a round on race day, but I was after the Jegs Allstars. I wanted to throw up before every single round on Sunday and Monday of the U.S. Nationals. Not because I was scared of being in the race car, but I was nervous to mess it up for my crew that worked so hard to get my car back together for race day. It’s also the U.S. Nationals; it’s huge” Julie claimed.

First round, Julie continued her domination from the day before with a win over Steve Collier as she clocked in at the top end with a 5.204, 279.44 to his troubled 15.929, 69.02. Hunter ran a career best 5.285, 270.75 to defeat Mick Steele’s 5.376, 267.06.

Second round, Julie crossed the finish line with the win with a 5.192, 280.14 to defeat Tom Fox Jr.’s perfect reaction time and 5.395, 266.79. Hunter Green bettered his career best 5.250, 270.48 against Shawn Cowie but red lit at the launch and gave the win to Cowie.

In the semifinals, Julie faced up against Joey Severance for the second time in the same weekend. She continued her domination with a solid 5.240, 278.75 to turn on the win light against Severance’s tire-shaking 16.780, 40.34. This win would advance her to her 13th career national event final round and her fourth of the season.

In the finals, Julie remained consistent with a 5.237, 277.15 to take out heavy hitter Mike Coughlin’s 5.342, 241.28; this win inked her second national event win of the season and her fourth of her career. This was the first time a No. 1 qualifier won the Top Alcohol Dragster category at the U.S. Nationals since Ashley Force-Hood in 2004.

“It was a huge reliefs and an unbelievable moment for me when I saw the win light in my lane in the final. It felt like I could breathe again. I’m proud of everything this team has accomplished this weekend. Thank you to OTG, Right Trailers, Lucas Oil and NGK for making weekends like this happened,” said Julie.

CHEVROLET RACING IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES

GRAND PRIX OF MONTEREY

WEATHERTECH RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE

SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

ONE TO GO – THREE TEAM CHEVY DRIVERS TO VIE FOR NTT INDYCAR SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP

Point leader Will Power and teammates Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin are among five drivers mathematically eligible to win the Astor Cup

DETROIT (Sept. 8, 2022) – As the 2022 NTT INDYCAR Series (NICS) season roars to a close at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (WTLS) on Sunday, three Team Chevy drivers are among the five that are mathematically eligible to win the INDYCAR Championship and take home the Astor Cup.

Will Power, No.12 Verizon 5G Team Penske Chevrolet, heads to the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey season finale as the points leader with 523 points. Power led the standings twice earlier in the season and retook the top spot after Race 13 (Indianapolis road course-July 30). He has one win, four poles and 11 top-five finishes (the latter two are most in INDYCAR this year).

Teammate Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet, is tied for second, 20 points down to Power, and holds the tiebreaker with five wins (most in INDYCAR this year). He also has one pole and seven top-five finishes.

Sitting fifth is Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 XPEL Team Penske Chevrolet, fresh off his convincing win at Portland and the announcement of a contract extension. He is 41 points behind Power and has recorded three wins, three poles and eight top-five finishes.

Scott Dixon (Honda) is tied with Newgarden, and Marcus Ericsson (Honda) is fourth in the standings.

A total of 54 points is available Sunday: 50 points for the race win, one point each for pole position and leading one lap, plus two points for leading the most laps in the 95-lap race around the 2.238-mile, 11-turn road course.

“To have five drivers vying for the championship, three of which are Chevy-powered, going into the final race of the INDYCAR season is remarkable,” said Rob Buckner, Chevrolet program manager for the NTT INDYCAR Series. “With 11 wins in 16 races, I am extremely proud of the effort put forth by our teams, the Chevrolet engineers and Ilmor, our engine partner. We had our challenges from time to time, but everyone pulled together and moved forward. And here we are … poised for a final run for the title times three.

“We feel well-prepared for Sunday’s race at Laguna Seca to support not only our title-contending teams, but all of our Bowtie teams as they engage in the final 95-lap battle of the season. Good luck to Will, Josef and Scott as they all drive to cap off their season off by winning the Astor Cup.”

TIDBITS:

·      Points leader Power has one previous podium at WTLS (second in 2019).

·      Newgarden was crowned the 2019 NTCS champion at WTLS without winning the race (eighth in 2019).

The Grand Prix of Monterey will commence with practice on Friday, Sept. 9, at 2:30 p.m. local (5:30 p.m. ET). On Saturday, practice will start at 10:15 a.m. local (1:15 p.m. ET); Firestone Fast Six qualifying will start at 2:05 p.m. local (5:05 p.m. ET). The morning warmup on Sunday is at 9 a.m. local (noon ET). All practice and qualifying will be live on Peacock, INDYCAR Radio and XM Channel 160. The 95-lap race will take the green flag at 12:30 p.m. local (3:30 p.m. ET) live on NBC.

BY THE NUMBERS: Chevrolet in INDYCAR

· 1: Chevrolet’s position in the INDYCAR Engine Manufacturer standings after 16 races

· 2: Consecutive front-row starts in the Indianapolis 500 for Rinus Veekay of Ed Carpenter Racing

· 4: Consecutive victories by Chevrolet to open the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin won the pole and race at St. Petersburg. Penske teammate Josef Newgarden won at Texas and Long Beach, and Pato O’Ward was victorious at Barber Motorsport Park for Arrow McLaren SP

· 5: Wins by Chevrolet-powered entries in CART/Champ Car World Series at Laguna Seca in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Four came via Team Penske including Paul Tracy’s victory in 1993

· 6: Different Chevrolet drivers to win races dating to the start of 2020. Scott McLaughlin was the most recent at St. Petersburg

· 6: Number of Manufacturer Championships in the NTT INDYCAR Series since 2012

· 6: Number of Team Chevy Driver/Entrant championships since 2012

· 14: Consecutive seasons with at least one win by Will Power, including past 11 with Chevrolet. He won at Belle Isle in 2022

· 26: Wins by Will Power since 2012. All have come with Chevrolet, giving him the most of any driver with same manufacturer

· 42: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver

· 106: Chevrolet victories in NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012

· 116: Earned poles by Chevrolet since 2012

· 181: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE Hollywood Casino 400 Kansas Speedway Kansas City, Kansas September 11, 2022

NCS PLAYOFFS ROUND OF 16: RACE #2 AT KANSAS SPEEDWAY

One last trek to the Midwest lies ahead for all three NASCAR national touring series, with the 1.5-mile tri-oval of Kansas Speedway set to host a tripleheader race weekend. While it will be the first time that the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) will take on the Kansas venue this season; it will be a return trip for the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), but this time with playoff implications on the line for both series. With the playoffs in full swing for NASCAR’s premier series, Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 will mark the second of three races in the NCS Playoffs Round of 16 and the next opportunity for playoff drivers to clinch their spot in the next round with a victory.  Kansas Speedway has held a spot on the NCS post-season schedule since the debut of the playoffs to the series in 2004. While the series saw the track during the Round of 8 in 2021; this season marks the first time that Kansas has hosted the second race of the playoffs. Last season’s Kansas playoff race – race two of the Round of 8 – Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrickcars.com Camaro ZL1 posted a dominating performance to go two-for-two in wins during the round. Larson became the third driver to record the win in the NCS playoff race at Kansas Speedway and go on to win the championship title that season.  In 33 NCS races held at Kansas Speedway, Chevrolet has made the trip to victory lane 13 times to lead all manufacturers. Of those triumphs include the series’ inaugural race at the track in 2001, where Jeff Gordon powered the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to victory lane. The NASCAR Hall of Famer went on to become a repeat winner the following season; and to-date, Gordon is one of only four drivers to record back-to-back wins at the track.  A look at where the Team Chevy NCS playoff drivers stand heading into race two of three in the Round of 16, including season numbers and career stats at Kansas Speedway:

William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 – 2nd in Playoff Standings2022 Season To-Date: Victories: 2Top-Fives: 4; Top-10s: 6; Laps Led: 662; Average Finish: 17.7; Stage Wins: 4 At Kansas Speedway (9 starts):Top-Fives: 1; Top-10s: 5; Laps Led 117; Average Finish: 16.1 Of Note:– The 2022 season marks Byron’s fourth consecutive appearance in the NCS playoffs. – Bryon’s career-best finish in the NCS playoffs came in 2021, finishing the season 10th in the final standings.- Following a stage win and a top-10 finish at Darlington, Byron moved from 5th in the playoff standings to 2nd.. just six-points out of the lead. Tyler Reddick, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Camaro ZL1 – 5th in Playoff Standings2022 Season To-Date: Victories: 2Top-Fives: 9; Top-10s: 12; Laps Led: 331; Average Finish: 16.1; Stage Wins: 2 At Kansas Speedway (6 starts): Top-10s: 2; Average Running Position: 14.262; Average Finish: 17.667 Of Note:  – The 2022 season marks Reddick’s second consecutive appearance in the NCS playoffs, with his first coming in 2021. – Reddick earned a playoff berth following his first career NCS win at Road America; going on to win his second of the season at the Indianapolis Road Course.- Following his ninth top-five of the season, Reddick jumped from eighth to fifth in the playoff standings.

Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 – 7th in Playoff Standings2022 Season To-Date: Victories: 2 Pole Wins: 3; Top-Fives: 10 (tied for series-leading); Top-10s: 13; Laps Led: 307; Average Finish: 14.3; Stage Wins: 3 At Kansas Speedway (15 starts): Victories: 1; top-fives: 5; top-10s: 7; Average Finish: 14.6 Of Note:– In 2021, Larson scored his first career NCS Regular Season Championship, going on to win his first career NCS Driver Championship. – The 2022 season marks Larson’s sixth appearance in the NCS playoffs, with 2021 bringing Larson his first trip to the Championship 4. – During the playoff era (2004-present); Larson leads the series in ‘multiple playoff race wins in a single season’ with five in 2021 (Bristol, Charlotte ROVAL, Texas, Kansas, Phoenix).Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Camaro ZL1 – 8th in Playoff Standings2022 Season To-Date: Victories: 2Top-Fives: 10 (tied for series-leading); Top-10s: 14; Laps Led: 584;  Average Finish: 14.8; Stage Wins: 5 At Kansas Speedway (7 starts)Top-10s: 1; Average Finish: 22.429 Of Note:– The 2022 season marks Chastain’s first career appearance in the NCS playoffs. – Chastain secured a playoff berth with his first career NCS win at COTA in March; also marking Trackhouse Racing’s first win in the organization’s second season in the series.

Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 – 9th in Playoff Standings2022 NASCAR Cup Series Regular-Season Champion2022 Season To-Date: Victories: 4 (series-leading)Top-Fives: 10; Top-10s: 17; Laps Led: 719; Average Finish: 11.5 (all are series-leading)Stage Wins: 5 At Kansas Speedway (13 starts): Victories: 1; Top-Fives: 6; Top-10s: 8; Average Finish: 11.231 Of Note:– For the first time in his NCS career, Elliott was crowned the 2022 NCS Regular Season Champion. – The 2022 season marks Elliott’s seventh consecutive appearance in the NCS playoffs. – Elliott has advanced to the Championship 4 the past two seasons, winning his first career NCS Driver Championship in 2020. – Six of his 17 career NCS wins have come in the playoffs.Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1 – 10th in Playoff Standings2022 Season To-Date: Victories: 1Top-Fives: 3 Top-10s: 11; Laps Led: 29 Average Finish: 15.5; Stage Wins: 1 At Kansas Speedway (14 starts):Top-Fives: 2; Top-10s: 6; Average Finish; 16.929 Of Note:– The 2022 season marks Bowman’s fifth consecutive appearance in the NCS playoffs. – Bowman has raced his way into the Round of 12 in each of his NCS playoff appearances; making it to the Round of Eight in the 2020 season to score a career-best sixth in the final standings.- With his 11th top-10 finish of the season, Bowman moved from below the cutline, up to the 10th position in the playoff standings.

Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Camaro ZL1 – 12th in Playoff Standings2022 Season To-Date: Victories: 1Top-Fives: 6; Top-10s: 10; Laps Led: 238; Average Finish: 16.6; Stage Wins: 2 At Kansas Speedway (11 starts):Top-10s: 1; Average Finish: 22.273 Of Note:– The 2022 season marks Suarez’s first career appearance in the NCS playoffs. – Suarez earned his playoff berth following his first career NCS win at Sonoma Raceway. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Camaro ZL1 – 14th in Playoff Standings2022 Season To-Date: Victories: 1Top-Fives: 4; Top-10s: 8; Laps Led: 18; Average Finish: 16.7 At Kansas Speedway (18 starts):Top-10s: 5; Average Finish: 16.333 Of Note:– The 2022 season marks Dillon’s fifth appearance in the NCS playoffs. – Dillon’s career-best finish in the NCS playoffs is 11th, accomplishing that feat in 2017 and 2020.

Chevrolet All-Time NASCAR Cup SeriesChampionships: Manufacturer Championships:1st Chevy Title: 1958Most Recent Title: 2021Highest Number of Consecutive Titles: 13 (2003-2015) Driver Championships:1st Chevy title: Buck Baker (1957)Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021)Highest Number of Consecutive Titles: 7 (2005-2011)

ERIK JONES BECOMES NINTH VICTORIOUS TEAM CHEVY DRIVER OF 2022

Erik Jones and the No. 43 Petty GMS Camaro ZL1 stole the headlines of the NASCAR Cup Series playoff opener, taking the crown jewel win in Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. The win – Jones’ first since taking the seat in the iconic No. 43 – is the first time that a non-playoff driver has won the opening race of the playoffs since NASCAR started the playoff format in 2004. The win was even more special for the Chevrolet team, Petty GMS, as it marks the first win for the organization since the team merged and entered NASCAR’s premier series at the beginning of the 2022 season.  The 26-year-old Michigan native is now the ninth Chevrolet driver – from the fourth different Chevrolet team – to score a NCS win this season, extending the Camaro ZL1’s win total to a manufacturer-leading 16 victories in 2022. Now with a double-digit lead in wins over its manufacturer competitors with only nine races remaining; Chevrolet has already clinched the most NCS wins recorded in a single season among all manufacturers.

THREE IN A ROW IN WEEKEND SWEEPS

For the past three consecutive race weekends, the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series has seen an all-Chevrolet victory lane in each race to sweep the race weekend. All three bowtie sweeps have been performed on drastically different racetrack configurations, including: road course (Kyle Larson’s NXS and NCS wins at Watkins Glen International); superspeedway (at Daytona: Austin Dillon – NCS; Jeremy Clements – NXS); and an intermediate oval (at Darlington: Erik Jones – NCS; Noah Gragson – NXS).  With the pair of trips to victory lane at Darlington; Chevrolet has now swept the wins when the NCS and NXS are in competition on the same weekend for the 10th time, the most of all manufacturers. Of that series-leading feat, two of those race weekends included a NCWTS win, making it a sweep across the board of all three NASCAR national series.

A RECORD WIN FOR JR MOTORSPORTS

In a three-way battle of the bowties in the closing laps of the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the “Lady in Black”; Noah Gragson made a last-lap pass on both the race leader Sheldon Creed and second-place Kyle Larson to take the checkered flag for a career-best fourth time this season. Gragson’s victory was not only JR Motorsports’ fourth consecutive win at Darlington Raceway, but the organization’s 10th NXS win of 2022.. breaking the team’s record for the most wins recorded in a single season, all behind the wheel of a Chevrolet-powered machine. The victory – Chevrolet’s third consecutive NXS win – brought the manufacturer’s series-leading win count to 17 in 24 races this season.. 14 of which have been recorded in the past 16 races.  Saturday’s Kansas Lottery 300 marks the first of two remaining opportunities for Chevrolet drivers to secure their place in the 2022 NXS playoffs and their chance to take part in the championship title hunt. Five of the seven NXS drivers that have clinched their playoff berth by virtue of a win comes from the bowtie camp, including series points leader AJ Allmendinger, who’s also looking to go back-to-back in NXS regular-season championship titles.

NCWTS: ONE LAST CHANCE TO ADVANCE

The stakes are high for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoff drivers, as Friday night’s Kansas Lottery 200 is the Round of 10 elimination race, cutting the playoff field from 10 to eight drivers. Thanks to his win in the series’ playoff opener at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; Chevrolet playoff contender Grant Enfinger and the No. 23 GMS Racing Silverado RST team has already secured their spot in the Round of Eight. Also representing the bowtie brand in the NCWTS playoff battle, Niece Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar is heading into the pressure-packed event below the cutline, but only three points out of the top-eight in the points standings.

BOWTIE BULLETS

·       Victories by active Chevrolet drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway include:    Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 (2021)    Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 (2018) ·       In addition to its 13 manufacturer-leading NASCAR Cup Series wins at Kansas Speedway, Chevrolet has also recorded 11 pole wins – the most of all manufacturers – as well as 65 top-fives and 141 top-10s. ·       Career Chevrolet drivers, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, are among five drivers tied for the most NASCAR Cup Series wins (3) at Kansas Speedway. Of those wins for Gordon includes the inaugural NCS race at the 1.5-mile Kansas venue (2001). ·       Erik Jones’ win at Darlington Raceway made him the ninth Chevrolet driver, from the fourth different Chevrolet team, to score a NASCAR Cup Series win in 2022. The victory also marked the first for Chevrolet team, Petty GMS, since the organization merged and entered NASCAR’s premier series at the beginning of the season. ·       With the pair of trips to victory lane at Darlington Raceway; Chevrolet has now swept the wins when the NCS and NXS are in competition on the same weekend for a manufacturer-leading 10th time, including the past three weekends.  ·       In 27 NASCAR Cup Series points-paying racing, Chevrolet continue to lead all manufacturers in NCS race wins (16), top-fives (65), top-10s (117), laps led (3,130) and stage wins (22). With a double-digit lead in wins over its manufacturer competitors with only nine races remaining; Chevrolet has already clinched the most NCS wins recorded in a single season among all manufacturers. ·       Seven Team Chevy drivers have combined 22 NASCAR Cup Series stage wins:        Tyler Reddick 2 – Fontana x2       Alex Bowman 1 – Las Vegas       Ross Chastain 4 – Las Vegas, Darlington, Charlotte, Pocono, Richmond       William Byron 4 – Phoenix, Atlanta, Talladega, Darlington       Daniel Suarez 2 – COTA, Charlotte       Chase Elliott 3 – Martinsville x2, Charlotte, Atlanta x2        Kyle Larson 3 – Bristol, Sonoma, Pocono ·       Reigning NASCAR Cup Series and NASAR Xfinity Series Manufacturer Champions, Chevrolet, continues to lead in the manufacturer points standings in both series. The bowtie brand leads the NCS manufacturer points standings by 87-points, with the manufacturer’s lead in the NXS standings expanding to 109-points.  ·       With its 40 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 830 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title of winningest brand in NASCAR.

FOR THE FANS

·       Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Kansas Speedway.  ·       Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles including: 2023 Bolt EUV 2LZ, 2022 Colorado ZR2, 2023 Corvette 3LT, 2023 Tahoe Z71, 2022 Silverado 1500 ZR2, 2022 Trailblazer ACTIV.·       At the Chevrolet Display, fans can also view Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Camaro ZL1 show car. Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display: Friday, September 9·       Grant Enfinger & Jack Wood: 4 p.m. ·       Derek Kraus & Colby Howard: 4:15 p.m. ·       Matt DiBenedetto & Tate Fogleman: 4:30 p.m.  Saturday, September 10 ·       Stefan Parsons: 10:45 a.m. ·       Rajah Caruth & Nick Sanchez: 11 ·       Josh Berry: 11:45 a.m. ·       Daniel Dye: 1:30 p.m.  Sunday, September 11·       Ross Chastain: 11:05 a.m. ·       Ty Dillon: 11:30 a.m.  Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:  Friday, September 9: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, September 10: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday, September 11: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Tune In: USA Network will broadcast the NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 11. Live coverage can also be found on the NBCSports Gold App, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.  USA Network will broadcast the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sport Clips Kansas Lottery 300 at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 10. Live coverage can also be found on the NBCSports Gold App, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. FS1 will broadcast the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kansas Lottery 200 at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, September 9. Live coverage can also be found on the NBCSports Gold App, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

QUOTABLE QUOTES

ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 ADVENT HEALTH CAMARO ZL1What is the key to have a long, successful run in the playoffs?“I don’t really know what it takes to have a long, successful run in the playoffs because I’ve never been in this position before. I’m just taking it week by week, just like I would do in the regular season.” How does it feel to be in the playoffs for your first time?“As a fan, I remember watching some of these guys growing up. Now, to be in the playoffs with them is really cool.” Can you describe Kansas and what you think of it?“Kansas is in a group of tracks that you run pretty high on, up near the wall, and early in my career, that was not normal or comfortable for me. I’ve put a lot of effort in, just like a lot of guys have. I truly enjoy running at the top there now and up against the wall. I didn’t grow up racing at tracks on the high groove. I grew up racing around the bottom groove. I go to Kansas now and confidently run the wall. I’m super happy I get to run the Xfinity car at Kansas. It was on my priority list to run the Xfinity race to get more track time and more reps.” If you were to win the pole at Kansas, would you put an engine in the pedal car that they give away to pole winner?“I think the chances of me doing that could be pretty high. Growing up, a lot of things that I had would have a motor in it.” AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 GET BIOETHANOL CAMARO ZL1How is Kansas unique compared to some of the other 1.5-mile tracks?“Kansas Speedway has done a really good job with their banking. There’s a line right up by the fence that has a little extra grip. There’s an angle up there that I don’t think many tracks have figured out yet, but Kansas got it right. You can run from top to bottom there. The bottom groove is the preferred groove at the beginning, but it becomes too tight to try and run around there in turns one and two sometimes depending on what the balance of your race car is. I’ve enjoyed that track a lot ever since they repaved it. I wish every track could do as good as a job as Kansas has with repaves.” Can this team win the trophy from where it starts in the NASCAR Playoffs?“Why not? I’m confident at the tracks in the playoffs. RCR has shown speed at every type of track with Tyler Reddick winning the road courses, and the No. 3 team winning the speedway. At Martinsville Speedway, I finished third but was probably the second-best car there, and we probably should have won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I was really close there. I’m happy to be in this spot and I think we’re the underdog. Some people are already putting us out, which is just fine with me because it takes pressure off and we’ll go have fun and try to upset some of these guys. We’re taking it as survive and advance mode from here on out.” Is there any problem flipping the switch for the NASCAR Playoffs?“If anything, I’ve learned with 15 winners that you need to stay aggressive. I talked to the guys about it the other day. Some of the strategy calls we made over the last couple of weeks we probably wouldn’t have done it if we were racing for points. We maximize more points by being aggressive on strategy and putting ourselves in better position. So, I don’t think a whole lot is going to change. We’ll monitor where everybody is running during the race and go from there. I believe we should stay on the same strategy path that we’ve been on.” How does your previous NASCAR Playoffs experience help you?“Just knowing how every position matters. Looking back at a couple of times when you’re outside looking in and it came down to a point or two points, knowing that you have to get it at all cost.” KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1Larson on why Kansas Speedway fits his driving style: “I think Kansas (Speedway) fits my driving style because it’s an intermediate track with multiple grooves so you can move around to find grip. Usually the fastest lane is right up next to the wall – and at times that is where I am most comfortable.” CLIFF DANIELS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1Daniels on if the win last year and runner-up result this year provides confidence at Kansas: “I don’t have a good feel at all. The reasons that I say that is at the end of the race (in May) – yes, we ran second and we were up front – we didn’t run as well as we needed to and we’re on a different tire (compound) this weekend. No one has been on this tire for a Cup weekend. We have things from May that we need to work on and now we’re going to add a new tire, so that’s a very tough equation to understand exactly what we’re going to need.” CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1Elliott on racing at Kansas: “Kansas (Speedway) is a place that typically has some groove options. It seems like the cooler it is, the more groove options we have. When it’s hotter, the outside lane tends to become more dominant. To me, that place feels like a shorter mile-and-a-half for some reason – it just feels a little tighter than some of the other ones. Momentum is going to be tough to beat and the track is aging too. They have some pretty hot summers and some pretty harsh winters, so that place is getting some age to it now. Typically as those tracks age, momentum starts to be king over time and that outside lane tends to give you that. I think as time goes the top will continue to be more and more dominant unless you just have that perfect weather situation where it’s cool and the short way around has enough grip to not break momentum. It’s going to be a fight for track position and how well you can get around the top.” ALAN GUSTAFSON, CREW CHIEF, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1Gustafson on the team’s mindset heading into the final two races of the Round of 16: “One of the great things about our team is when we have a bad race, we learn from it and move on. We don’t dwell on it. Chase is so good at being able to do that, putting the previous race in the rearview and focusing on the week ahead. That’s what you have to do – take things week by week. I think that’s key to being able to survive in these playoffs.” WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1Byron on what he expects during Sunday’s race at Kansas: “Honestly, Kansas (Speedway) might be the one track in the playoffs that I’m the most worried about. I feel like we know what to expect at a place like Talladega (Superspeedway) or the (Charlotte Motor Speedway) ROVAL and other tracks we have already raced at this year so we have notes. We raced at Kansas in May and had speed, led laps early and then had a flat tire that damaged the underneath of the car. We kept going but the car never handled the same. That means we don’t have our own notes on how we expect the Next Gen car to handle throughout the run, etc. The good thing is we can lean on our teammates some and use our past mile-and-a-half notes as well. The good news is I like racing at Kansas, and it’s a place that both Rudy (Fugle) and I seem to have taken to really well. Hopefully, we can do what we did at Darlington (Raceway) last week, put together a solid points day and be there at the end to possibly lock ourselves into the next round.” RUDY FUGLE, CREW CHIEF, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1Fugle on wanting to improve their mile-and-a-half track package: “We’re excited for the chance to continue to get better at mile-and-a -half tracks early on in the playoffs. We have Texas (Motor Speedway), Las Vegas (Motor Speedway) and Homestead (Miami Speedway) coming up even though Homestead is kind of its own animal. Having a solid race, stay in it all day long and try to get another building block to be competing for a win this weekend. And if we’re not, then to get to a point that we’re competing for the win at Texas. William (Byron) is great at Kansas (Speedway). We ran well there at the first race, led laps and had a flat left-rear tire land damaged the car. We should have won that race last year but we had a loose wheel late in the race. We came back to finish six after leading a bunch of laps. I love Kansas and I’m excited to get back there.” Fugle on why he thinks Byron is good at tracks like Kansas: “Any time you have a lot of throttle time, William is really good at those tracks. Places like Texas (Motor Speedway), Michigan (International Speedway), Kansas (Speedway), places like that. He’s really good at keeping momentum up, using the throttle and running high speed. I think he’s a very underrated guy who runs against the wall. People don’t really think about him with that, but I think he does an amazing job at it. That’s what we’ll be doing for a lot of the run in Kansas. He’s also good at just driving underneath the tire. Kansas is a track that still has a lot of grip, but in the right condition if you overheat the tires, you go from a lot of grip to not a lot of grip really quick. That’s why you see the races spread out there in my opinion.” TY DILLON, NO. 42 SUNSEEKERRESORTS.COM CAMARO ZL1Heading to Kansas Speedway this weekend, what is it about this track that excites you as a driver?“I’m excited to be returning to Kansas this week, this track is a fun place with a lot of different grooves, which allows the drivers to have a lot of options getting going on restarts and on long runs. We’re looking to have a strong finish there with our No. 42 Sunseeker Resorts Chevrolet.” ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1Bowman on heading to Kansas: “I really like that track. Kansas (Speedway) is one of the tracks that has widened out and has multiple lanes and ways to get around it. I feel like I have always gone there and been competitive and this weekend doesn’t feel any different from any other weekend I have headed there. I know our team will build a fast No 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 like they do every week and we will go there and race just as hard as we always do. Hopefully, it is enough to grab a win.” GREG IVES, CREW CHIEF, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1Ives on where they stand in the playoffs after Darlington Raceway: “I think we made a lot of progress with our 10th-place result at Darlington Raceway last Sunday. Moving from 15th to 10th is a nice jump, but the points are still so close, so we need to go to Kansas Speedway this Sunday and have another solid day. Alex (Bowman) really likes Kansas and coming off a top-10 finish, I think our team has a lot of wind in our sails right now. He (Bowman) has said it before, we always feel like underdogs, so there is a little bit of a fire lit under the No. 48 team right now and I think that’s exactly what this team needs as we navigate the playoffs.” DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 COMMSCOPE CAMARO ZL1What are your thoughts going into Kansas?“We are ready. We had a really fast car at Darlington Sunday. I made a mistake (speeding on pit road) and you can’t have that. We have some things to clean up, but if we are as fast at every playoff race as we were in Darlington then we are going to be fine.” How does it feel to be part of the playoffs?“It feels nice, but honestly it feels normal. I believe that I belong here. When you have a team like the one I have, I feel like it’s more like a must to be in this position. I think we’re in a great position. I have an amazing team behind me. Trackhouse Racing has done a tremendous job this year. We have to continue to evolve. It’s the most important part of the season, of course. We have to continue to do the same thing that we’ve been doing and continue to get better.” Can anyone win the championship in 2022?“Yeah, I think so. If it was last year, I would tell you ‘this guy is going to win it or this guy is going to win it’ because the gaps were so big. With this car, if you’re telling me who is going to win any race and you get it right, I’ll give you a thousand dollars (laughs). I don’t think you’re going to get it right. There is not one guy.. anyone can be good. I love that about this car. It’s unpredictable. Everyone has an opportunity.” GRANT ENFINGER, NO. 23 ALLEGIANT SILVERADO RST“It will be nice to be able to return to Kansas for a second time this season with our No. 23 team. I feel like we learned some stuff that helped us gain speed towards the end of the race in the spring, and also as a whole, we have really improved on our intermediate program, so I feel like we are bringing a better truck this time around. I want to say thank you to Allegiant for coming onboard this week, and I’m hoping that we give everyone a good run to be proud of on Friday night.” JACK WOOD, NO. 24 SEVWINS SILVERADO RST“Kansas is the only track on our schedule that we’re going to visit twice this year, so I think there’s definitely some expectations set by both of us driver, crew members, and everyone in the organization to head back to the track stronger than how we unloaded earlier in the year. I definitely have high hopes for this race, and we have implemented some different parts on our setup that we are excited to try out, so hopefully we will have a better showing this time around. I’m looking forward to having Sevwins back on my Chevy, it’s always great to bring some cool partners like them back to the racetrack. More importantly, I’m looking forward to getting back in our truck. I’ve been very blessed to have this opportunity to be a part of this team, and we have five more races this year to make the most of it. All of our guys on the No. 24 team have our heads down and will continue to be fighting hard in these races!”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics Manufacturers Championships:Total (1949-2021): 40First 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 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)                2022 STATISTICS:                                                                                                    Wins: 16Poles: 7Laps Led: 3,130Top-five finishes: 65Top-10 finishes: 117Stage wins: 22Tyler Reddick (Fontanax2)Alex Bowman (Las Vegas)Ross Chastain (Las Vegas), (Darlington), (Charlotte), (Pocono), (Richmond)William Byron (Phoenix), (Atlanta), (Talladega), (Darlington)Daniel Suarez (COTA), (Charlotte)Chase Elliott (Martinsvillex2), (Charlotte), (Atlantax2)Kyle Larson (Bristol Dirt), (Sonoma), (Pocono) CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 830 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 730Laps led to date: 244,466Top-five finishes to date: 4,203Top-10 finishes to date: 8,672                                                                                                          Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:                    General Motors: 1,164           Chevrolet: 830           Pontiac: 154           Oldsmobile: 115           Buick: 65            Ford: 817                                                                    Ford: 717           Mercury: 96           Lincoln: 4            Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467           Dodge: 217           Plymouth: 191           Chrysler: 59            Toyota: 167

-Stampede of Speed weekend opens with throwback race and music-

ENNIS, TX (September 8, 2022) — The opening weekend of the 2nd annual Stampede of Speed will rev up with the series-ending Funny Car Chaos Finals followed by a high energy After Party in the Pits featuring country stars Niko Moon and Kolby Cooper on Saturday, October 8. Featuring ten days of racing events, concerts and special events the Stampede of Speed has quickly established itself as the must-attend for motorsports and music fans across the country. The Saturday program will feature some of the best Nostalgia Funny Car racing in the country followed by two rising stars in the country music scene.

“Hosting the Funny Car Chaos Finals is a great way to start the Stampede of Speed. We always say Texas Motorplex is where speed was born and these Funny Cars are a throwback to the history of drag racing,” said Christie Meyer Johnson. “The variety of race cars that will be on the track will be highly entertaining. Just walking the pits and seeing these cool looking Funny Cars is amazing. They are fast, wild and unpredictable so they put on a great show.” 

Known as an adventurous artist, writer and musician Niko Moon wins over fans with an enduring optimism and a flair for challenging boundaries. His newest songs “Good Time” and “Drunk Over You” are quickly becoming favorites and will be featured on his fourth album set for release later this year. Kolby Cooper, a prolific songwriter has an uncanny ability to turn his and his friends’ life stories into relatable songs his rabidly zealous fanbase can’t get enough of, and his upcoming EP is no different, stacking the release with high-energy rockers, scorching break-up anthems and reflective love songs. Cooper has amassed over 113.5 million on demand streams to date.

“Wrapping up the race with a concert with Niko and Kolby will give the race fans a great treat,” said Johnson. “We are hoping some Niko and Kolby fans will come out early and check out the racing. We have put the schedule together to make it a seamless transition from racing to music so it will be a great event.”

Pre-race ceremonies will begin on Saturday at 1 p.m. and will lead into the first round of eliminations for the Funny Car Chaos Finals. The semifinals of Funny Car Chaos are scheduled for approximately 3 p.m. with additional classes of Outlaw Fuel Altered, Old School Back Half and Gassers running eliminations throughout the day. The final rounds for all classes including Funny Car Chaos will begin at 5:45 p.m. followed by the Jet Funny Car Finale and Winner’s Circle. The After Party in the Pits concerts are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. with a spectacular fireworks show to close out the evening.

Tickets for Funny Car Chaos and the After Party in the Pits can be purchased here and more information about all the events surrounding the Stampede of Speed can be found at www.stampedeofspeed.com.

 

September 8, 2022

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Menards/Masterforce team are headed to Kansas Speedway hoping to build on a steady performance when the Cup Series visited the Kansas track back in May. In that race, Burton qualified 26^th but moved into the top 15 midway through the second Stage and ran there for much of the remainder of the race before dropping to 21^st at the checkered flag.

Crew chief Brian Wilson said that gives him a dose of optimism headed into this weekend’s 22^nd running of the Hollywood Casino 400 on the 1.5-mile track.
 
“Any return trip to a track is welcomed when you’re a team that’s building a notebook,” Wilson said. “Kansas is especially welcomed by everyone on the Menard’s Ford since we raced in the top 15 for most of the first race there.
 
“During that race weekend there were multiple tire failures for other teams. This weekend Goodyear has brought a new tire combination. With the added durability there’s also a stagger change. 
 
“This change is the biggest source of conversation and concern as we study the notes from the first race.”
  
Wilson said he believes the Menards/Masterforce team can adapt to the changes.
 
“I’m confident that through our simulation work, previous notes on stagger changes as well as the simulator time provided by Ford that we’ll unload with all the necessary adjustments,” he said, adding that the team also will be focusing on Saturday’s qualifying session. “We know that a great starting position also comes with a great pit stall.
 
“All of that would give our pit crew a huge advantage. Our guys have been doing a tremendous job lately, and we want to help them capitalize on that.”
 
Practice for the Hollywood Casino 400 is set for Saturday at 11:05 a.m. (12:05 p.m. Eastern Time) to be immediately followed by qualifying.
 
Sunday’s 400-mile, 267-lap race is scheduled to start just after 2 p.m. (3 p.m. Eastern) with TV coverage on USA Network. Stage breaks are planned for Laps 80 and 165. 
 

Elite Pro Stock Teams Prepare For The Countdown To The Championship

Elite Motorsports Event Preview

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series EARLVILLE, Iowa (September 8, 2022) – It’s going to be a big weekend for the Patterson-Elite team as they travel to Earlville, Iowa for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Division 5 points meet at Tri State Raceway. This is the final meet of the season for Division 5 and the competition will be fierce.  In Super Stock, Todd Patterson is ready to race to the winners circle with his 2019 COPO Camaro FSS/D. His sons A.J. (2001 S10 Pickup GT/TD) and Aydan (2014 COPO FSS/F) will be competing against him in the very competitive category. All three of these skilled drivers are in the top ten in the Division 5 points standings right now and they hope to solidify their positions as the season comes to an end. In Stock, Ryan Montford is looking to go rounds in his 2013 COPO Camaro FS/C this weekend and will face a host of talented drag racers vying for the last divisional victory of the season.  Due to an unfavorable weather forecast, NHRA officials have revised the competition schedule and will conduct all qualifying sessions on Friday, September 9 followed by eliminations on Saturday, September 10.

DID YOU KNOW?While COPO Camaro is the name given to the special line of Chevrolet Camaros built specifically for racing, COPO actually stands for Central Office Production Order and it was originally Chevrolet’s special-order system used by dealers to build high-performance models in the 1960s.

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series The famed Countdown To The Championship in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series will kick off next week at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in Reading, Penn. Pro Stock, however, will not begin competition for the Countdown until the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, September 23-25 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, N.C. All Elite Motorsports Pro Stock drivers are entered into the Countdown with more than half of the team in the top ten. All points reset for the Countdown To The Championship so it’s really anyone’s game. Four-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders has been leading the points most of the season and she’s eager to continue that momentum into the Countdown. Her teammate Aaron Stanfield is right behind her, sitting second in the points. Having won 10 out of the 13 regular season Pro Stock events, Elite Motorsports has been performing well all season and each of its drivers have a true shot at the title as they enter playoff competition. ***

Photos

Aydan Patterson launches with a fantastic wheelstand. Photo credit: Auto ImageryTodd Patterson races to to the finish line in Brainerd, Minn. Photo credit: Auto Imagery

A.J. Patterson at the ready line. Photo credit: Alex OwensRyan Montford powers to the finish line in Topeka. Photo credit: Alex Owens

The Evans, GA driver joins Scott Bloomquist as the only other driver to win the event more than twice

ROSSBURG, OH – September 7, 2022 –Brandon Overton thought he was destined to finish second Wednesday night during the 28th Dirt Late Model Dream at Eldora Speedway after waiting more than two months to finish the postponed race.

As Lap 90 clicked off the scoreboard in “The Dream,” he was running out of time to catch Chris Madden. However, his fortune changed when a caution brought the field together on Lap 91.

The Evans, GA driver, seized his opportunity on the restart, charging past Madden and holding on to earn his third consecutive Dirt Late Model Dream—this one worth $128,000.

Overton stated that without the yellow, Madden would’ve won the race. However, he used a lesson from his past at Eldora to gain the upper hand on the restart.

“I shouldn’t have won that race,” Overton said. “I probably had a second-place car, but I got a couple of guardian angels riding on this thing with me.

“All I was thinking is, I forgot which one it was when I was leading, and I chose the bottom, and he blew around my ass on the top. So, when he chose the bottom, I was kind of grinning, and I didn’t want to jinx it, and I drove it down in there and knew I had him clear, so I just let ‘er rip.”

“Big Sexy” is now the second driver to win “The Dream” more than twice, joining eight-time winner Scott Bloomquist on that list.

He remained just as satisfied with his third “Dream” win as he was with his first once he learned of the statistic in Victory Lane.

“Like I said the first time I won, if I don’t ever win another one, I did more than I’d thought I’d do,” Overton said. “It’s a good start to the week; let’s keep it rolling.”

The race resumed on Lap 15 Wednesday after being postponed due to rain, with 14 laps completed in June. Madden led all 14 laps at the beginning of the event and had to wait 88 days to see the green flag again at “The House that Earl Built.”

He settled for second, again falling short of his first Eldora crown jewel triumph.

The Gray Court, SC driver, who also finished second in the Eldora Million, said he knew his lead was in jeopardy when the caution for Bobby Pierce and Devin Moran came out with nine laps left.

“We were fine as long as we didn’t have a caution,” Madden said. “I knew if we had a caution, we were in trouble. We were down a cylinder. We had a plug wire fall off with probably 25 (laps) to go, and we were just on seven cylinders putt-putting around.

“I knew if we had a restart, we were a dead duck. It didn’t matter which line I chose; I just couldn’t take off. I hate it. The best car didn’t win tonight.”

Tim McCreadie, from Watertown, NY, finished third, his sixth top five in “The Dream.” He said his experience at Eldora paid off, despite struggling with his tires during the Feature.

“Since we went to the tire rule for this track, it’s slowed me down a little,” McCreadie said. “We squeezed a top five out of it based off of experience and knowing where to be on the track. I had a real bad chatter issue with the right front I never had with the 20s.

“We need to go back to work. What worked here for three, four, 10, 15 races where we were a threat just isn’t the same. Hats off to Brandon and Chris and everybody in the top five.”

Eldora Million winner Jonathan Davenport finished fourth after restarting 20th.

The Blairsville, GA driver charged into the top five and stated if he got around Brandon Sheppard sooner, it might have changed the race’s outcome.

“I really needed to get by Sheppard,” Davenport said. “I needed to restart fourth; I needed to be on that second row. But I was a tick-tight, and when I got to fourth, I just ran too hard.

“I thought I could just rail the top and get by [McCreadie], and then when he slid me back, he was just dirtying the air up just enough to where I couldn’t make the turn down in the corner like I needed to.”

Sheppard, the 2019 Dirt Late Model Dream winner, rounded out the top five. The New Berlin, IL driver charged from 14th but said his tires were too hot when he tried to pass McCreadie.

“My car was really good and really maneuverable all the way through halfway,” Sheppard said. “I truthfully think I stayed up top just about 10 laps too long, and I got my tires overheated and sealed up a little bit.

“Once I got to McCreadie, I got my tires hot, and I was trying to move around, and I couldn’t at that point.”

Before the conclusion of “The Dream,” drivers who hadn’t won a race at Eldora had their chance to reach the iconic Victory Lane stage for the first time.

Ryan Gustin, Mike Marlar, and Daulton Wilson each scored $5,000 “Chasing the Dream” victories, giving them momentum for the 52nd World 100.

UP NEXT: The DIRTcar Late Models return to Eldora Speedway on Thursday, Sept. 8, for night one of the 52nd World 100.

The Evans, GA driver joins Scott Bloomquist as the only other driver to win the event more than twice

ROSSBURG, OH – September 7, 2022 –Brandon Overton thought he was destined to finish second Wednesday night during the 28th Dirt Late Model Dream at Eldora Speedway after waiting more than two months to finish the postponed race.

As Lap 90 clicked off the scoreboard in “The Dream,” he was running out of time to catch Chris Madden. However, his fortune changed when a caution brought the field together on Lap 91.

The Evans, GA driver, seized his opportunity on the restart, charging past Madden and holding on to earn his third consecutive Dirt Late Model Dream—this one worth $128,000.

Overton stated that without the yellow, Madden would’ve won the race. However, he used a lesson from his past at Eldora to gain the upper hand on the restart.

“I shouldn’t have won that race,” Overton said. “I probably had a second-place car, but I got a couple of guardian angels riding on this thing with me.

“All I was thinking is, I forgot which one it was when I was leading, and I chose the bottom, and he blew around my ass on the top. So, when he chose the bottom, I was kind of grinning, and I didn’t want to jinx it, and I drove it down in there and knew I had him clear, so I just let ‘er rip.”

“Big Sexy” is now the second driver to win “The Dream” more than twice, joining eight-time winner Scott Bloomquist on that list.

He remained just as satisfied with his third “Dream” win as he was with his first once he learned of the statistic in Victory Lane.

“Like I said the first time I won, if I don’t ever win another one, I did more than I’d thought I’d do,” Overton said. “It’s a good start to the week; let’s keep it rolling.”

The race resumed on Lap 15 Wednesday after being postponed due to rain, with 14 laps completed in June. Madden led all 14 laps at the beginning of the event and had to wait 88 days to see the green flag again at “The House that Earl Built.”

He settled for second, again falling short of his first Eldora crown jewel triumph.

The Gray Court, SC driver, who also finished second in the Eldora Million, said he knew his lead was in jeopardy when the caution for Bobby Pierce and Devin Moran came out with nine laps left.

“We were fine as long as we didn’t have a caution,” Madden said. “I knew if we had a caution, we were in trouble. We were down a cylinder. We had a plug wire fall off with probably 25 (laps) to go, and we were just on seven cylinders putt-putting around.

“I knew if we had a restart, we were a dead duck. It didn’t matter which line I chose; I just couldn’t take off. I hate it. The best car didn’t win tonight.”

Tim McCreadie, from Watertown, NY, finished third, his sixth top five in “The Dream.” He said his experience at Eldora paid off, despite struggling with his tires during the Feature.

“Since we went to the tire rule for this track, it’s slowed me down a little,” McCreadie said. “We squeezed a top five out of it based off of experience and knowing where to be on the track. I had a real bad chatter issue with the right front I never had with the 20s.

“We need to go back to work. What worked here for three, four, 10, 15 races where we were a threat just isn’t the same. Hats off to Brandon and Chris and everybody in the top five.”

Eldora Million winner Jonathan Davenport finished fourth after restarting 20th.

The Blairsville, GA driver charged into the top five and stated if he got around Brandon Sheppard sooner, it might have changed the race’s outcome.

“I really needed to get by Sheppard,” Davenport said. “I needed to restart fourth; I needed to be on that second row. But I was a tick-tight, and when I got to fourth, I just ran too hard.

“I thought I could just rail the top and get by [McCreadie], and then when he slid me back, he was just dirtying the air up just enough to where I couldn’t make the turn down in the corner like I needed to.”

Sheppard, the 2019 Dirt Late Model Dream winner, rounded out the top five. The New Berlin, IL driver charged from 14th but said his tires were too hot when he tried to pass McCreadie.

“My car was really good and really maneuverable all the way through halfway,” Sheppard said. “I truthfully think I stayed up top just about 10 laps too long, and I got my tires overheated and sealed up a little bit.

“Once I got to McCreadie, I got my tires hot, and I was trying to move around, and I couldn’t at that point.”

Before the conclusion of “The Dream,” drivers who hadn’t won a race at Eldora had their chance to reach the iconic Victory Lane stage for the first time.

Ryan Gustin, Mike Marlar, and Daulton Wilson each scored $5,000 “Chasing the Dream” victories, giving them momentum for the 52nd World 100.

UP NEXT: The DIRTcar Late Models return to Eldora Speedway on Thursday, Sept. 8, for night one of the 52nd World 100.

TICKETS: https://bit.ly/3epLMIw

Follow live coverage and updates of everything at Eldora Speedway on all of DIRTcar’s social media channels and DIRTcar.com.

Dream Feature Continued (100 Laps): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[2]; 2. 44-Chris Madden[1]; 3. 39-Tim McCreadie[5]; 4. 49-Jonathan Davenport[20]; 5. 1S-Brandon Sheppard[14]; 6. 17M-Dale McDowell[12]; 7. 8-Kyle Strickler[6]; 8. 11-Josh Rice[11]; 9. 3S-Brian Shirley[15]; 10. 40-Kyle Bronson[9]; 11. 1-Tyler Erb[16]; 12. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[18]; 13. 71-Hudson O’Neal[3]; 14. 9-Devin Moran[13]; 15. 32-Bobby Pierce[17]; 16. 93-Carson Ferguson[4]; 17. 17-Zack Dohm[7]; 18. 1ST-Johnny Scott[22]; 19. 22S-Gregg Satterlee[10]; 20. 18-Shannon Babb[19]; 21. 9Z-Mason Zeigler[23]; 22. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[24]; 23. 22-Chris Ferguson[8]; 24. 0-Scott Bloomquist[21]

Chasing the Dream Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 19R-Ryan Gustin[2]; 2. 58-Garrett Alberson[7]; 3. 2S-Stormy Scott[13]; 4. 11K-Austin Kirkpatrick[3]; 5. 22R-Will Roland[4]; 6. 23H-Cory Hedgecock[11]; 7. 995-Manny Falcon[1]; 8. 6-Victor Lee[10]; 9. 101T-Forrest Trent[15]; 10. 2X-John Henderson[8]; 11. 88-Trent Ivey[14]; 12. 86-Drew Smith[17]; 13. 29-Clint Keenan[12]; 14. 17C-Jeremy Creech[18]; 15. 39M-Brandon Moore[21]; 16. 54N-Chris Nash[19]; 17. 16-Steve Sabo[20]; 18. J8-Jadon Frame[9]; 19. 99-Camaron Marlar[5]; 20. 88R-Andrew Reaume[16]; 21. 2R-Tom Ramey[22]; 22. 1J-Jeremy Shaw[6]

Chasing the Dream Feature 2 (20 Laps): 1. 157-Mike Marlar[4]; 2. 18C-Chase Junghans[6]; 3. 10S-Garrett Smith[14]; 4. 10-Joseph Joiner[8]; 5. 25-Mike Benedum[1]; 6. 81JR-Jason Riggs[13]; 7. 6JR-Parker Martin[10]; 8. 4BG-Bob Gardner[11]; 9. 31K-Kye Blight[16]; 10. 51-Dean Carpenter[19]; 11. 83F-Jensen Ford[9]; 12. 17SS-Brenden Smith; 13. 4G-Kody Evans[3]; 14. 19M-Wil Herrington[5]; 15. 57-Zack Mitchell[7]; 16. 22F-Nicholas Fenner[22]; 17. C4-Freddie Carpenter[2]; 18. P0-Jeff Robertson[20]; 19. 5-Mark Whitener[12]; 20. P3-Josh Robertson[21]; 21. 71C-RJ Conley[15]; 22. 1C-Kenny Collins[17]; 23. M27-Mike Provenzano[18]

Chasing the Dream Feature 3 (20 Laps): 1. 18D-Daulton Wilson[2]; 2. 58W-Ashton Winger[4]; 3. 11G-Gordy Gundaker[12]; 4. 16T-Tyler Bruening[5]; 5. 111-Steven Roberts[8]; 6. 15-James Rice[6]; 7. 3-Jon Henry[10]; 8. 21K-Dakotah Knuckles[1]; 9. 28C-Tyler Carpenter[15]; 10. 130-Chase Osterhoff[16]; 11. 42-Carson Hocevar[19]; 12. 5N-Dustin Nobbe[3]; 13. 8A-Rob Anderzack[18]; 14. 145-Chase Frohnapfel[17]; 15. 3N-Austin Neely[11]; 16. 11J-Jon Kirby[20]; 17. 5*-Bryant Dickinson[21]; 18. 63R-Terry Rushlow[14]; 19. 22

Gold Cup Returns to Glory with Split Prelims, New Format, More Money, Added Fun CHICO, CA – September 7, 2022 – The 68th Gold Cup Race of Champions presented by Riebes Auto Parts has finally arrived.Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA is set to host 60 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series competitors this weekend as the most famous Sprint Car event on the West Coast returns for another year. Marking the first running for SLC Promotions, they’ve brought back the split-field preliminary shows, they’ve changed up the format, they’ve added more money to the purse, and they’ve brought back the pre/post-race fun.The four-day event officially begins on Wednesday with a Sprint Car Challenge Tour 360 race and Tim Dugger concert, then The Greatest Show on Dirt headlines the slate from Thursday-Saturday. After the split-field races on Thursday and Friday, they’ll all come back on Saturday to battle for the famed Gold Cup and a $25,000 payday.BUY TICKETS HERELet’s look at what to watch for this weekend on DIRTVision.com:SPLIT-FIELD: For the first time since 2009, the Gold Cup Race of Champions returns to split-field tradition with half the field racing in Thursday’s preliminary and the other half in Friday’s preliminary. It’s a unique claim that only the Knoxville Nationals and Gold Cup can make on the current World of Outlaws schedule. Like Knoxville, Thursday & Friday victories will not count as official Series wins, but Saturday’s $25,000-to-win finale will count in the record books.Thursday’s list includes the likes of Kyle Larson, Brad Sweet, Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild, James McFadden, Corey Day, Ryan Timms, Justin Sanders, Mitchell Faccinto, Willie Croft, Tanner Carrick, Andy Forsberg, and more.Friday’s field features names such as Donny Schatz, David Gravel, Carson Macedo, Jacob Allen, Spencer Bayston, Dominic Scelzi, Tim Kaeding, Shane Golobic, Bud Kaeding, Kerry Madsen, Austin McCarl, DJ Netto, Colby Copeland, and more. TITLE DEFENSE: Last year, Logan Schuchart became the first Pennsylvania native to win the Gold Cup since “The Black Bandit” Stevie Smith did it in 1993. He’ll return to Silver Dollar Speedway this weekend trying to become the fifth driver in World of Outlaws history to win back-to-back Gold Cup titles – joining Kyle Larson (2011-12), Steve Kinser (2002-03), Jac Haudenschild (1998-99), and Andy Hillenburg (1994-95).A three-time World of Outlaws winner in 2022, Schuchart’s Shark Racing team has collected wins at Bristol (TN) Motor Speedway, Jackson (MN) Motorplex, and Skagit (WA) Speedway last week. If it can’t be the #1S, his #1A teammate could be a contender to follow him up as well. Jacob Allen is another three-time winner this year, enjoying a career-year and a career-best streak with nine consecutive top-10 finishes entering this week.KEEPING THE CUP: For a pair of California natives on the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series trail, the Gold Cup Race of Champions offers a chance to win the biggest race in their home state. Both Brad Sweet, of Grass Valley, CA, and Carson Macedo, of Lemoore, CA, are multi-time winners at Silver Dollar Speedway, yet neither have claimed the prestigious Gold Cup finale to this point. Sweet, who currently leads the standings in pursuit of a fourth straight World of Outlaws title, will have no thoughts of point-racing this week. The Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #49 has topped two Gold Cup prelims and finished on the podium of Saturday’s finale multiple times, but still chases that elusive title in the event he now promotes.Macedo, who leads the Series with an impressive 11 victories, returns to the site of his first-career World of Outlaws win this week. He’s conquered Silver Dollar in the Tarlton Racing #21, Kyle Larson Racing #2, and now hopes to add the Jason Johnson Racing #41 to that list this week.They’re trying to become the seventh Californian in the World of Outlaws era to win Gold Cup, a list headlined by Johnny Anderson (1980), Darrell Hanestad (1989), Jason Meyers (2010, 2013), Kyle Larson (2011-12), Jonathan Allard (2014), and Rico Abreu (2016, 2018).LOCAL LOVE: As usual, when the World of Outlaws roll into California the home-state heroes are ready to step up and showcase their talents to the world. That will be no different this weekend as the race they all grew up idolizing begins the return to glory. The names to watch are plentiful.The top-seven in NARC 410 points will all be in action including Dominic Scelzi, Willie Croft, Bud Kaeding, Mitchell Faccinto, Max Mittry, Shane Golobic, and Justin Sanders. There’s also Tanner Carrick, who led half of last year’s Feature before his tail tank come loose. Don’t forget about Core Day either, the 16-year-old sensation topped a NARC show at Silver Dollar earlier this year and already owns two World of Outlaws runner-up finishes.There are several others to look for including Tim Kaeding, Andy Forsberg, Kaleb Montgomery, Sean Becker, DJ Netto, Joel Myers Jr., Ryan Bernal, Chase Johnson, Blake Carrick, and more. MEN OF MANY HATS: The 2022 edition of Gold Cup is the first to be operated by new Silver Dollar Speedway promoters SLC Promotions – Brad Sweet, Kyle Larson, Colby Copeland. The three California friends, who grew up in the golden era of Gold Cup, are committed to bringing the West Coast staple back to national fame. They’ve split the field, they’ve added more money, they’ve brought back the party atmosphere, and so much more as they begin to fulfill that dream this week.Along with their managerial duties, each of the three promoters will be swapping out their radio for a helmet at some point this week. Larson and Sweet will compete in Thursday’s preliminary with Copeland running in Friday’s preliminary before the big dance on Saturday.THE FORMAT: With roughly 60 cars entered for this weekend’s Gold Cup, fans can expect 30-ish cars to qualify on both Thursday and Friday before Saturday’s finale. The prelim format includes Qualifying, four Heat Races, a Last Chance Showdown, and Feature. Racers will be battling for points every time they hit the track with each session progressively weighing more to incentivize the competition. It starts with Qualifying at 100 down by one-point, then Heats at 100 down by two-points, and then Features at 200 down by three-points.A Heat Race inversion will also be used with the top-24 overall qualifiers flip-flopped into Heats, placing QuickTime sixth and needing a top-five transfer to make his preliminary Feature. After prelims, the top-two point-getters from both Thursday and Friday will lock-in for Saturday’s $25,000-to-win finale. The next 40 in points will go to Heat Races on Saturday with winners earning a ticket to the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash alongside the locked-in drivers.THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCEWHEN AND WHERE Thursday-Saturday, September 8-10 at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CAON THE INTERNET World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Twitter – @WorldofOutlaws Instagram – @WoOSprint Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/monthCURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (59/75 Races): 1. 49-Brad Sweet (7,556 PTS); 2. 2-David Gravel (-72 PTS); 3. 41-Carson Macedo (-98 PTS); 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild (-206 PTS); 5. 15-Donny Schatz (-208 PTS); 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart (-310 PTS); 7. 83-James McFadden (-466 PTS); 8. 5-Spencer Bayston (-500 PTS); 9. 1A-Jacob Allen (-652 PTS); 10. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss (-820 PTS)NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (15 Drivers): 11 wins – Carson Macedo, Jason Johnson Racing #41 9 wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Stenhouse Jr. / Marshall Racing #17 6 wins – David Gravel, Big Game Motorsports #2 5 wins – Brent Marks, Murray-Marks Motorsports #19 4 wins – Kyle Larson, Kevin Kozlowski/Paul Silva #57 4 wins – Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne Racing #49 3 wins – Donny Schatz, Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #15 3 wins – Logan Schuchart, Shark Racing #1S 3 wins – Jacob Allen, Shark Racing #1A 2 wins – Spencer Bayston, CJB Motorsports #5 2 wins – Giovanni Scelzi, KCP Racing #18 1 win – Brock Zearfoss, Zearfoss Racing #3Z 1 win – Brian Brown, Brian Brown Racing #21 1 win – Buddy Kofoid, Crouch Motorsports #11 1 win – Lance Dewease, Don Kreitz Jr. Racing #69KFEATURE LAPS LED (30 Drivers): 272 laps – Brad Sweet 253 laps – Carson Macedo 189 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild 186 laps – David Gravel 119 laps – Kyle Larson 109 laps – Brent Marks 99 laps – Donny Schatz 94 laps – Jacob Allen 67 laps – Logan Schuchart 66 laps – Spencer Bayston 61 laps – Giovanni Scelzi 52 laps – Brian Brown 46 laps – Tyler Courtney 31 laps – Buddy Kofoid 30 laps – James McFadden 26 laps – Sam Hafertepe Jr. 23 laps – Kasey Kahne 22 laps – Brock Zearfoss 15 laps – Justin Peck 13 laps – Cory Eliason 12 laps – Rico Abreu 9 laps – Dominic Scelzi, Brady Bacon 8 laps – Anthony Macri, Riley Goodno 7 laps – Kerry Madsen 5 laps – Lance Dewease 1 lap – Corey Day, Aaron Reutzel, Austin McCarlQUICKTIME AWARDS (20 Drivers): 9 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo* 8 QuickTimes – Brad Sweet 6 QuickTimes – David Gravel 4 QuickTimes – Sheldon Haudenschild*, Jacob Allen 3 QuickTimes – Giovanni Scelzi* 2 QuickTimes – Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart, Spencer Bayston, James McFadden, Rico Abreu, Justin Peck 1 QuickTime – Aaron Reutzel, Cory Eliason, Sam Hafertepe Jr, Buddy Kofoid, Brent Marks, Kerry Madsen, Daryn Pittman, Anthony Macri * Denotes New Track RecordHEAT RACE WINNERS (48 Drivers): 20 Heat Wins – David Gravel, Carson Macedo 17 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen 16 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet 15 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart 12 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Donny Schatz, James McFadden 6 Heat Wins – Giovanni Scelzi 5 Heat Wins – Brock Zearfoss, Rico Abreu, Kerry Madsen, Brian Brown 4 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston, Kraig Kinser, Aaron Reutzel 3 Heat Wins – Kasey Kahne, Tyler Courtney, Cory Eliason, Kyle Larson, Hunter Schuerenberg 2 Heat Wins – Austin McCarl, Justin Peck, Brent Marks, Marcus Dumesny, Matt Juhl 1 Heat Win – Sam Hafertepe Jr, Dominic Scelzi, Corey Day, Anthony Macri, Justin Whittall, Ian Madsen, Parker Price-Miller, Buddy Kofoid, Mark Dobmeier, Mitchel Moles, Brooke Tatnell, Riley Goodno, Jack Croaker, Paige Polyak, Carson McCarl, Sye Lynch, Daryn Pittman, Danny Dietrich, Devon Borden, Larry Wight, Noah Gass, Tim Kaeding DIRTVISION FAST PASS DASH APPEARANCES (55 Drivers): 33 Dashes – Brad Sweet, David Gravel 32 Dashes – Carson Macedo 24 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart, Jacob Allen 22 Dashes – Donny Schatz, Spencer Bayston 20 Dashes – James McFadden 10 Dashes – Rico Abreu, Giovanni Scelzi 8 Dashes – Brock Zearfoss, Kraig Kinser 7 Dashes – Kyle Larson 6 Dashes – Cory Eliason, Kasey Kahne 5 Dashes – Aaron Reutzel, Brent Marks, Brian Brown, Kerry Madsen 4 Dashes – Tyler Courtney, Anthony Macri 3 Dashes – Robbie Price, Danny Dietrich, Justin Peck, Corey Day 2 Dashes – Dominic Scelzi, Hunter Schuerenberg 1 Dash – Sam Hafertepe Jr, Colby Copeland, Tanner Carrick, DJ Netto, Brady Bacon, Matt Campbell, Justin Whittall, Ian Madsen, Cole Duncan, Parker Price-Miller, Austin McCarl, Matt Juhl, Buddy Kofoid, Scotty Thiel, Robbie Price, Zeb Wise, Ayrton Gennetten, Daryn Pittman, Jeff Halligan, Lance Dewease, Devon Borden, Larry Wight, Danny Varin, Marcus Dumesny, Mark Dobmeier, Ryan Timms, Joel Myers Jr, Mitchell FaccintoMICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (34 Drivers): 4 LCS Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart, James McFadden 3 LCS Wins – Ayrton Gennetten, Spencer Bayston 2 LCS Wins – Brock Zearfoss, Noah Gass, Kerry Madsen, Rico Abreu, Anthony Macri, Jesse Schlotfeldt 1 LCS Win – Donny Schatz, Kraig Kinser, Mitchell Faccinto, Sam Hafertepe Jr, Brent Marks, DJ Foos, Christopher Bell, Austin Pierce, Jake Blackhurst, Robbie Price, Giovanni Scelzi, Scotty Thiel, Josh Schneiderman, Brian Brown, Lachlan McHugh, Justin Whittall, Chase Dietz, Brandon Rahmer, Jordan Thomas, Joe B. Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg, Brendan Mullen, Tanner HolmesKSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (28 Drivers): 10 Hard Chargers – Sheldon Haudenschild 6 Hard Chargers – Logan Schuchart 4 Hard Chargers – Noah Gass 3 Hard Chargers – David Gravel, Carson Macedo, Donny Schatz 2 Hard Chargers – James McFadden, Brock Zearfoss, Anthony Macri 1 Hard Charger – Spencer Bayston, Kraig Kinser, Jason Sides, Rico Abreu, Sam Hafertepe Jr, Tanner Thorson, Alan Krimes, Devon Borden, Greg Wilson, Travis Philo, Kyle Larson, Russell Borland, Aaron Reutzel, Scotty Thiel, Freddie Rahmer, Larry Wight, Tim Kaeding, Ryan Timms, Kevin Ingle, Tyler Thompson, Kerry MadsenPODIUM FINISHES (31 Drivers): 22 Podiums – Carson Macedo 21 Podiums – Brad Sweet 18 Podiums – David Gravel 14 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild 12 Podiums – Donny Schatz 11 Podiums – Logan Schuchart 9 Podiums – Kyle Larson 8 Podiums – James McFadden, Jacob Allen 7 Podiums – Brent Marks 5 Podiums – Spencer Bayston, Brian Brown 3 Podiums – Giovanni Scelzi, Rico Abreu 2 Podiums – Aaron Reutzel, Corey Day, Buddy Kofoid, Anthony Macri, Danny Dietrich 1 Podium – Brock Zearfoss, Kraig Kinser, Kasey Kahne, Cory Eliason, Sam Hafertepe Jr, Justin Peck, Parker Price-Miller, Riley Goodno, Tyler Courtney, Lance Dewease, Paulie Colagiovanni, Ryan TimmsTOP 10 FINISHES (59 Drivers): 49 Top 10s – David Gravel 48 Top 10s – Brad Sweet 45 Top 10s – Donny Schatz 44 Top 10s – Carson Macedo 42 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild 37 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart 32 Top 10s – James McFadden 31 Top 10s – Spencer Bayston 29 Top 10s – Jacob Allen 23 Top 10s – Giovanni Scelzi 16 Top 10s – Brock Zearfoss, Rico Abreu 14 Top 10s – Kyle Larson 11 Top 10s – Brent Marks, Anthony Macri 8 Top 10s – Cory Eliason, Brian Brown 7 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Tyler Courtney, Kerry Madsen 6 Top 10s – Justin Peck 5 Top 10s – Kasey Kahne, 4 Top 10s – Hunter Schuerenberg, Danny Dietrich, Corey Day 3 Top 10s – Kraig Kinser, Buddy Kofoid, Scotty Thiel, Lance Dewease, Dominic Scelzi, Trey Starks 2 Top 10s – Noah Gass, Robbie Price, Sam Hafertepe Jr, Larry Wight, Danny Varin, Ryan Timms 1 Top 10 – Shane Golobic, DJ Netto, Carson Short, Tanner Thorson, Greg Wilson, Cole Duncan, Cale Thomas, Cole Macedo, Mark Dobmeier, Parker Price-Miller, Riley Goodno, Ayrton Gennetten, Zeb Wise, Jeff Halligan, Devon Borden, Freddie Rahmer, Paulie Colagiovanni, Lachlan McHugh, Marcus Dumesny, Daryn Pittman, Joel Myers Jr, Mitchell Faccinto2022 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS: No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins) 1. Thur, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Donny Schatz (1) 2. Fri, Feb. 11 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Sheldon Haudenschild (1) 3. Sat, Feb. 12 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1) 4. Fri, March 4 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Sheldon Haudenschild (2) 5. Sat, March 5 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Carson Macedo (1) 6. Fri, March 11 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, CA / Giovanni Scelzi (1) 7. Sat, March 12 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, CA / Kyle Larson (1) 8. Fri, March 18 / Merced Speedway / Merced, CA / Carson Macedo (2) 9. Fri, March 25 / Bakersfield Speedway / Bakersfield, CA / Giovanni Scelzi (2) 10. Sat, March 26 / Perris Auto Speedway / Perris, CA / David Gravel (2) 11. Tues, March 29 / Vado Speedway Park / Vado, NM / Brad Sweet (1) 12. Sat, April 2 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / Brent Marks (1) 13. Sat, April 9 / Lake Ozark Speedway / Eldon, MO / Jacob Allen (1) 14. Fri, April 15 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Carson Macedo (3) 15. Sat, April 23 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Carson Macedo (4) 16. Fri, April 29 / Bristol Motor Speedway / Bristol, TN / Logan Schuchart (1) 17. Sat, April 30 / Bristol Motor Speedway / Bristol, TN / Spencer Bayston (1) 18. Wed, May 11 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Jacob Allen (2) 19. Sat, May 14 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brent Marks (2) 20. Tues, May 17 / Bridgeport Motorsports Park / Swedesboro, NJ / Sheldon Haudenschild (3) 21. Fri, May 20 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Kyle Larson (2) 22. Sat, May 28 / Atomic Speedway / Waverly, OH / Sheldon Haudenschild (4) 23. Mon, May 30 / Lawrenceburg Speedway / Lawrenceburg, IN / Sheldon Haudenschild (5) 24. Fri, June 3 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Carson Macedo (5) 25. Fri, June 10 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brent Marks (3) 26. Sat, June 11 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brian Brown (1) 27. Fri, June 17 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (6) 28. Sat, June 18 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (7) 29. Wed, June 22 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Spencer Bayston (2) 30. Thur, June 23 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Buddy Kofoid (1) 31. Fri, June 24 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Carson Macedo (6) 32. Sat, June 25 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Sheldon Haudenschild (8) 33. Fri, July 1 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Jacob Allen (3) 34. Sat, July 2 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Brock Zearfoss (1) 35. Sat, July 9 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Carson Macedo (7) 36. Tues, July 12 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Kyle Larson (3) 37. Wed, July 13 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / David Gravel (3) 38. Thur, July 14 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Brent Marks (4) 39. Sat, July 16 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / David Gravel (4) 40. Sat, July 16 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Brent Marks (5) 41. Wed, July 20 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA / Kyle Larson (4) 42. Fri, July 22 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Lance Dewease (1) 43. Sat, July 23 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brad Sweet (2) 44. Sat, July 30 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (5) 45. Sun, July 31 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / Donny Schatz (2) 46. Fri, Aug. 5 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Carson Macedo (8) 47. Sat, Aug. 6 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (3) 48. Wed, Aug. 10 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Logan Schuchart (NP) 49. Thur, Aug. 11 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Jacob Allen (NP) 50. Fri, Aug. 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Rico Abreu (NP) 51. Sat, Aug. 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Donny Schatz (3) 52. Sat, Aug. 20 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Logan Schuchart (2) 53. Sat. Aug. 20 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (9) 54. Fri, Aug. 26 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Brad Sweet (4) 55. Sat, Aug. 27 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Carson Macedo (10) 56. Thur, Sept. 1 / Skagit Speedway / Alger, WA / Logan Schuchart (3) 57. Fri, Sept. 2 / Skagit Speedway / Alger, WA / Sheldon Haudenschild (9) 58. Sat, Sept. 3 / Skagit Speedway / Alger, WA / David Gravel (6) 69. Mon, Sept. 5 / Grays Harbor Raceway / Elma, WA / Carson Macedo (11)

NASCAR CUP SERIES

KANSAS SPEEDWAY

HOLLYWOOD CASINO 400

TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1, met with the media via teleconference in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series race weekend at Kansas Speedway. Press Conference Transcript: 

BACK IN MAY AT KANSAS (SPEEDWAY), YOU HIT THE WALL A LOT AND STILL FINISHED SECOND. DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN DO THE SAME; OR WITH YOUR PLAYOFF POSITION, DO YOU HAVE TO PLAY IT ANY MORE CONSERVATIVE?

“Well, I wasn’t trying to hit the wall back then (laughs), so yeah I would rather not hit the wall. 

I think in the playoffs, you have to be extra careful about everything, for sure in this first round. I think if you can get through each race somewhat safely, you should make it to the next round safely. I think being cautious and not super aggressive, unless you have to be, is the objective.

Like I said, I don’t ever plan on going to a track and running the wall and hitting the wall; but it happened more than a few times earlier this year. So just try and learn from the mistakes that I made to get me into the wall, and maybe the positions that I got put in that I overstepped the line and got into the wall. Just try to be more aware and not put our car in harm’s way.”

NASCAR SENT TO TEAMS SOME UPDATES TO TRY AND PREVENT FIRES AND PREVENT FIRES FROM SPREADING. HAS CLIFF (DANIELS, CREW CHIEF) SHARED THOSE AT ALL WITH YOU? WILL HE SHARE THOSE WITH YOU OR DO YOU NOT REALLY GET THAT DEEP INTO THE WEEDS?

“I flew out to California Monday morning. We had our debrief and stuff, talking about the race, but I haven’t talked to him (Cliff Daniels, crew chief) about the changes to the rule or just changes to the car. I don’t know what’s gone on. I’m sure he’ll fill me in later on this week. But I know even leading up to this, our team has been doing everything they can to be prepared if that situation does happen. Obviously nobody wants that to happen, so it’s good that NASCAR is being proactive in what they’re doing. Hopefully the problem gets resolved in the near future and teams don’t have to worry about freak fires and taking them out of the race, like what happened to (Kevin) Harvick and a few other guys this season.”

IN THE SPRING AT KANSAS, THERE WAS TALK ABOUT AERO AND WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE LEARNED. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED, SO FAR, SINCE THEN AND HOW MUCH MORE DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE CAR AND HOW FAR YOU CAN TAKE IT AT KANSAS IN PARTICULAR? 

“I don’t know.. There were a couple of times when Kurt (Busch) and I were racing that where he positioned his car had an effect on me. I had kind of known that up to that point, but it was very apparent that what I was feeling was a thing. Every single driver in the field has learned a lot about aero and the differences around cars compared to last season or other seasons in the past. I think each week that you go on; you put yourself in better spots because of it and not put yourself in bad situations that you have in the past. 

Going back to Kansas (Speedway) this week, all that stuff will be on my mind like it is every week, and hopefully me being better prepared will keep me away from making any mistakes like I did last time.”

WHEN YOU HEAR WHAT KEVIN HARVICK SAYS AS HE’S TALKING TO THE MEDIA; DO YOU EVALUATE WHAT HE SAYS AND REACT TO IT? DO YOU GUYS TALK WHEN HE’S TALKING ABOUT SAFETY IN YOUR PRIVATE MEETINGS; OR DOES EACH INDIVIDUAL DRIVER HAVE THEIR OWN VERSION OF WHAT THEY FEEL AND YOU KIND OF WORK INDEPENDENTLY? 

“I think all of the drivers are on the same page, and it’s honestly a topic every single week in our drivers chat that we have. They are in communication with NASCAR a lot. I would say most months, I think they have conversations with them. It’s just probably tough to make moves, decisions and changes as quickly as us drivers – who are in the cars and the ones that are at risk of getting injured – it’s hard for them to make changes quickly. But I think it’s an ongoing topic and discussion, and I think NASCAR is always working on figuring out ways to make the cars safer. With the Next Gen cars, make parts and pieces last longer, where they don’t cost teams as much money and take you out of races with freak accidents. 

Like I said, it’s an ongoing discussion. It just doesn’t happen as quickly as we would all love it to.”

DARLINGTON WAS A PRETTY FREAKY KIND OF RACE, WITH AN UNUSUAL WINNER AND THE POINTS CHANGING A LOT. DO YOU EXPECT KANSAS TO BE SOMEWHAT SANER OR MAYBE MORE OF THE SAME?

“I don’t know.. I feel like every week has been pretty wild and unpredictable. Darlington (Raceway) was maybe a little bit more than normal compared to other races this year, but I feel like every race this year, the majority of the field has had some sort of issue go on throughout the race. As much as I want to say Kansas (Speedway) will be different, I just don’t know. It could be even crazier. But I hope that we can have a smooth week; get some points and try and put ourselves into a better position as we go to Bristol (Motor Speedway).”

AT KANSAS IN THE SPRING, THE TOYOTA’S WERE REALLY STRONG. WHAT DID YOU SEE OUT OF THEM AND HOW MUCH DO THEY STILL HAVE THAT ADVANTAGE ON THOSE TYPES OF TRACKS?

“From what I remember, I feel like Kansas (Speedway) was one of the first races where they really stood out as being extremely good. And I would say nothing has changed since then, if not gotten even more in their direction on the intermediate-style tracks. They’ve been super good the majority of the season on that style of track and I don’t foresee this weekend being any different. I think all of the Toyota’s will be the ones to beat and it will be up to other teams to just execute as good as they can and win that way.

This year – after all the mess that I put myself in to almost win – we’ll just need to keep fighting all race long and we’ll have a shot to beat them. I’m sure they’ll get the pole, I’m sure they’ll be in the hunt all race long. It’ll be tough, but they can be beat, for sure.”

WHAT’S THEIR ADVANTAGE? IS THAT JUST THROUGH THE CORNERS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.. THEY’RE JUST GETTING THROUGH? AND IF SO, IS IT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CARRIED ON SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY 1.5-MILE TRACKS IN THE PLAYOFFS?

“I don’t know.. I’m not really sure. I think just their overall speed and grip. And as much as I feel like I hear them complain about dirty air being effected by that, I feel like they are twice as good as any of the other manufacturers in traffic. They are just able to put their cars in different situations that I feel like I can’t do as well. I don’t know where the advantage comes from, but me racing with them, I feel like it’s more of an aero advantage.”

WHEN I WAS WATCHING YOU COMING BACK SUNDAY NIGHT, IT LOOKED VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE SAW THE NO. 48 DO TIME AND TIME AGAIN. THEY ALWAYS FOUGHT AGAINST ADVERSITY AND THE FACT THAT CLIFF (DANIELS) WAS AN UNDERSTUDY OF CHAD KNAUS; HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK HE PICKED UP THE ‘NEVER GIVE UP’ ATTITUDE AND MAKING THAT HIS OWN PHILOSPHY WITH YOUR TEAM? 

“Cliff (Daniels) has had a very competitive upbringing through his childhood; through racing and sports. And then yes, I think him being with Chad Knaus on the leadership side of it and the crew chief role, I think all of those together has molded him into a great crew chief. I love having him on top of our pit box, especially for situations like we’ve been put in like this past Sunday, as well as what feels like many other times this year and even some races last year with how he keeps everyone calm. He’s very direct with the questions that he asks, the answers that he gives and the picture that he paints. 

I think it’s just the way he’s wired. He’s very good at keeping everyone calm and leading the team; to follow his lead to be focused and not too down or depressed and let your mind wander.”

HE REALLY SEEMS TO HAVE A WAY TO GET YOU BACK UP AND IN THE GAME. AS LONG AS I’VE KNOWN YOU, YOU’VE NEVER FALLEN OUT OF THE SEAT, BUT HE GIVES YOU THAT EXTRA 10 PERCENT YOU NEED TO GO OUT THERE AND KEEP FIGHTING. IS THAT ACCURATE?

“Yeah, definitely. I know sometimes, like when things aren’t going well for me, I might sound negative and mopey on the radio. But inside the helmet, inside the car; I’m just as driven as he is to get ourselves out of that situation. I never give up with or without words of encouragement from him. I don’t know if it gives me any more desire or that 10 percent; it just kind of refocuses me a little bit quicker and allows me to focus on trying to get the best finish that I can.”

WHERE IS YOUR FRUSTRATION LEVEL NOW WITH ANOTHER ENGINE FAILURE? DO YOU GUYS KIND OF HAVE AN IDEA IF IT’S THE SAME THING THAT KEEPS POPPING UP?

“Had I actually blown up, I would have been really frustrated with back-to-back weeks, but that wasn’t the case. We don’t honestly know exactly what happened or what the cause of it was, but it sounds like William (Byron) had a very similar issue that we had during the race. I think he just didn’t react as quickly as maybe I did and it kind of cured itself as he was on the track. 

I don’t know.. I’ve never had that happen to me ever in my career of racing anything, and I’ve probably raced more than anybody has in the field. I don’t know, it was weird, but I hope something like that doesn’t pop up ever again because it could have ended up really badly for us.”

I ASSUME THIS ISN’T SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE TALKED ABOUT WITHIN THE TEAM. EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS CAN’T KEEP HAPPENING, SO WHAT IS THE VIBE WITHIN THE TEAM AS YOU GUYS TRY TO GET THROUGH AND NOT HAVE THESE ISSUES?

“I think even when things are going great, you’re winning a lot of races and not blowing up engines; they’re always continuing to try and figure out how to make the engines faster and also even more reliable. That’s ongoing at the engine shop at HMS and they do an amazing job. They’re all working really hard and trying to figure out what’s been going on. I think it’s been different things each time for us. And each time out of it, they come up with something that better your odds of it not happening again.”

LAST TIME WE WERE AT KANSAS, YOU ENDED UP RACING KURT BUSCH FOR THE WIN. OBVIOUSLY IN MONTHS SINCE THEN, THINGS HAVE CHANGED WITH KURT. WITH THE MEMORY OF THAT IN MIND AND WITH WHAT’S GOING ON WITH KURT NOW, HOW MUCH DO YOU NOTICE KURT’S ABSENCE? 

“I haven’t seen Kurt (Busch) since before his accident at Pocono (Raceway). His accident, him himself and his wellbeing is on all of our minds every day. Any time I’m racing a stock car, he kind of pops into my mind with what could happen. I hope all the best for him and I hope that he can get healthy again soon and get back on the race track.  

But I hope all the best for him. He’s an extremely great competitor. I’ve been fortunate enough to be teammates with him for a couple of seasons, and he’s a great guy and a great person. Really more than anything, I think we all just want him feeling 100 percent, feeling better and be able to go about his day like normal.”

FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT, ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT ANY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE SAY WHAT COULD HAPPEN WHEN YOU GET INTO A SPRINT CAR? 

“Even before this year, injuries and safety is always on your mind no matter what car I’m in. I know every time I strap into anything, the risk of getting injured is up there, just because it is a dangerous sport. But when you’re in the car, you can’t really think about that. You just have to focus on going fast. When those situations start where you’re getting ready to crash, you’re just kind of praying that nothing happens and you can walk out of it. 

And then yeah, I think with these cars now with the hits feeling way bigger than ever before; I think when crashes do start to happen, you’re just even more nervous of something happening to you. I think your concern is even higher for your competitors, as well. We all don’t want to see anybody get hurt out there. Now it seems like this year and these cars and the hits being bigger, I feel like – at least in my mind – when I see somebody crash, I’m more concerned about them than I was before. Before you didn’t really see guys getting injured or complaining about their heads hurting and stuff like that. Hopefully they can come up with a fix.”

The Series will make its debut at Jacksonville Speedway, Sept. 9, and Spoon River Speedway, Sept. 10.

JACKSONVILLE, IL – Sept. 6, 2022 – The Xtreme Outlaw Sprint Car Series presented by Low-E Insulation is back in action this weekend with back-to-back races in Illinois – Friday, Sept. 9, at Jacksonville Speedway and Saturday, Sept. 10, at Spoon River Speedway.

While the Series hasn’t seen action since the inaugural St. Louis Firecracker Faceoff at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in late June, it has seen a list of five different winners in the first six races and presents drivers with a chance at a sixth or seventh different winner this weekend.

Among those five victors is current points leader Shane Cockrum, who prepares for the first Series races in his home state, maintaining a 47-point lead over Alex Bright. Matt Westfall sits third, 69 points out of first place, while Mario Clouser (-107) and Jake Swanson (-116) complete the top-five at the halfway point in the chase for the inaugural season championship.

Both races will be run in conjunction with the POWRi WAR Sprint Car League, bringing racers and championship chasers from both Series to both venues for an all-out Non-Wing Sprint Car brawl in the Land of Lincoln.

Tickets for this weekend’s races will be available at the gate on race day. If you can’t be there in person, stream all the action live on DIRTVision.com or on the official DIRTVision app.

Here are the drivers to watch and the storylines to follow this weekend:

FIGHTING ILLINI – Current points leader Shane Cockrum, of Benton, IL, has been a wealth of consistency so far this season, posting top-10 finishes in all but one Series race – one of only two drivers with that accolade thus far.

Though he hasn’t seen Victory Lane on tour yet, he’ll have his best chance Friday at Jacksonville. Cockrum won a POWRi National Midget League race there in 2013 and charged from 15th-to-5th in a 2016 POWRi WAR Sprint Car League event.

His last two Xtreme Outlaw starts ended with finishes of fifth and sixth, boosting him into the Series points lead.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT – Alex Bright’s first Xtreme Outlaw victory of the season came at a perfect time. The Collegeville, PA-driver bagged a victory in the opening night of the STL Firecracker Faceoff at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in June, two Series races after suffering a DNF at Lake Ozark Speedway in April.

He and the Hummer Motorsports team now turn their attention to Illinois, where they aim for their first Non-Wing Sprint Car wins together at Jacksonville and Spoon River. They’re coming off a big weekend in Pennsylvania, scoring back-to-back Feature wins with the USAC East Coast Sprint Cars, and aim to keep that momentum rolling as they head for the Midwest.

SUPER MARIO – Currently sitting fourth in Series points, Mario Clouser is one of three drivers in the top-five without a win thus far. However, signs do point to a potential trip to Victory Lane this weekend.

Clouser, of Chatham, IL, won the most recent 410 Non-Wing Sprint Car event at Spoon River, taking the checkers in June of last year en route to his first WAR Sprint Car League championship. He also won a POWRi Midget event at Jacksonville in 2012, showing he knows his way around both tracks.

In recent Xtreme competition, Clouser was contending for his first win in both nights at I-55, leading laps in both Features and bagging a runner-up finish to Jake Swanson in the Saturday night finale.

WAR LORDS – Current POWRi WAR Sprint Car League points leader Kory Schudy, of Battlefield, MO, has ruled over the Missouri-heavy schedule in 2022, winning a league-high three Features in the first 14 races.

He leads the WAR charge into Illinois for the first time this season with a 490-point lead on second-place Steven Russell, a native Illinoisan, and a 500-point gap on Anthony Nicholson.

Nicholson, of Bartlett, TN, won a WAR event at Spoon River in June 2019.

SIZE MATTERS – Already having competed on a 1/2-mile and two 1/3-mile ovals, the Xtreme Outlaw field now takes on the 1/4-mile of Jacksonville and 3/8-mile of Spoon River.

Wesley Smith, of Nixa, MO, currently sits sixth in Series points and already owns a WAR Feature win at the 1/4-mile Double X Speedway and 3/8-mile Central Missouri Speedway this year.