Category Archives: Uncategorized

TRIFECTA: SCELZI DOMINATES PETALUMA FOR THIRD STRAIGHT NARC WIN

(5/21/2022 – Alex Nieten) Petaluma, CA… It’s been quite the eight-day stretch for Dominic Scelzi.  Last weekend, the reigning NARC Fujitsu General Sprint Car champion swept the NARC portion of the Peter Murphy Classic, becoming the first driver the win the finale twice in the process.

And Saturday night at Petaluma Speedway’s Salute to First Responders, Scelzi led all 30 circuits en route to his third straight series victory. With his third consecutive triumph, he became the first person to accomplish the feat since Kyle Hirst in 2016. The win was the 18th of his career, and Petaluma Speedway became the 10th different track he’s won at in NARC competition.

As if that list of milestones wasn’t enough, Scelzi again extended his point lead as his title defense continues.

After the checkered flew, Scelzi continued to heap praise on his crew for his success.

“What can I saw about these guys?” Scelzi said of his crew. “That’s three in a row. Jimmy (Carr) has this thing on kill mode. This is not my cup of tea when we’ve got to get up on the gas like this, and we were really good tonight.”

After winning the Sunnyvalley Bacon Trophy Dash, Scelzi earned the pole for the Fujitsu General Feature, lining up next to second-starting Willie Croft. With the way the Petaluma adobe clay surface was hooked up, Scelzi made potentially the winning move on the opening lap by rocketing by Croft out of turn two to take the initial lead.

“I knew the start was going to be key,” Scelzi said. “This place is known for getting wetter and wetter as the night goes and it did that tonight.”

Scelzi quickly opened a big lead in the early going in his Red Rose Transportation/Whipple Superchargers No. 41 as Croft settled into second and Chase Johnson faced a challenge from Justin Sanders for third.

The leaders entered traffic before 10 laps were complete, and just as things were tightening as they navigated slower cars, the race’s first caution flew.

Tim Kaeding, who was running inside the top-10, had trouble with a slower car and contact between the them sent Kaeding into Ryan Robinson, ending TK’s night and hampering Robinson’s.

On the ensuing restart Scelzi again jumped out to a strong advantage. Croft and Johnson continued to pursue as heavy traffic again became a factor with just 10 circuits remaining. However, another caution for John Clark and Billy Aton colliding in turn two with nine laps to go temporarily eliminated the threat of traffic.

As the laps dwindled after the next restart, lap traffic presented Croft with one final opportunity. Scelzi struggled to get by Geoffrey Strole, swinging wide out of turn four and scraping momentum. Croft dove to his inside down the front stretch, but Scelzi hammered the top in turns one and two, clearing Croft and Strole and ultimately cruising to victory.

“I feel like Andy Forsberg right now,” Scelzi said with a laugh after the race. “It was juiced up and bouncy and all over the place.”

Croft held on to bring his Holey Smokes BBQ/Amerikote Powdercoating No. 29 home in the runner-up spot, his first podium of the year and third top-10 as he continues to chase his first series title.

“First off I’d like to thank my crew, Billy and my son, Cole,” Croft said. “Some of my guys couldn’t make it this weekend, so luckily Billy jumped in the truck and really helped us out… Things just didn’t quite go my way. I thought they were in traffic there then I just ran out of laps. The track was technical. It had slick and wet. It had moisture and a curb. It was pretty entertaining.”

The third-place spot was filled by the hometown hero, Chase Johnson in his Price-Simms/Toyota No. 24. It was his first NARC podium since July of 2019. Johnson was proud to have made some strides with his family-owned machine in front of his home fans.

“It was a good night tonight,” Johnson said. “Sure would’ve liked to be two spots better, but third with how our year’s been going so far with the 24 car is a good improvement. We’ve been struggling getting a handle on it, but we kind of got a little bit more of a handle on it now.”

Completing the top-10 was Justin Sanders, Mitchell Faccinto, Shane Golobic, Bud Kaeding, Joel Myers Jr., Landon Brooks (first series top-10), and Ryan Robinson.

FUJITSU GENERAL USA FEATURE (30 laps): 1. Dominic Scelzi 41 2. Willie Croft 29 3. Chase Johnson 24 4. Justin Sanders 2X 5. Mitchell Faccinto 21 6. Shane Golobic 17W 7. Bud Kaeding 69 8. Joel Myers Jr. 83V 9. Landon Brooks 5V 10. Ryan Robinson 56 11. Max Mittry 2XM 12. John Clark 12J 13. Billy Aton 26 14. Geoffrey Strole 09S 15. Tim Kaeding 42X 16. Angelique Bell 551 17. Adam Kaeding 3M

HOOSIER TIRE LAP LEADERS: Scelzi 1-30

SWIFT METAL FINISHING HARDCHARGER: Shane Golobic 12th to 6th

ARP FAST QUALIFIER (17 Cars): Tim Kaeding 12.433

BROWN AND MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS HEAT ONE (8 laps): Johnson, Croft, Kaeding, Mittry, Clark, Bell

KIMO’s TROPICAL CAR WASH HEAT TWO (8 laps): B. Kaeding, Sanders, Scelzi, Myers Jr. Strole, A. Kaeding

DIRT.TRAVEL CLUB HEAT THREE (8 laps): Faccinto, Golobic, Robinson, Aton, Brooks

SUNNYVALLEY “POWERED BY BACON” TROPHY DASH (6 laps): Scelzi, Croft, Johnson, Kaeding, Sanders, Faccinto

ROYAL JET: Miley Scores Home State Victory at Port Royal

It’s the Pittsburgh, PA driver’s first career World of Outlaws triumph

PORT ROYAL, PA– May 21, 2022 – In 2020, a World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models victory slipped through Jared Miley’s clutches at Thunder Mountain Speedway. 

Almost two years later, “The Jet” got his redemption, taking the lead from 2011 Series Champion Rick Eckert to score his first World of Outlaws win Saturday night at Port Royal Speedway.

Miley rose from his fifth starting position under the bright lights of the “Speed Palace,” working the bottom of the racetrack. He picked off cars one by one until he climbed to second place.  

He pulled alongside “Scrub” for the lead as the Feature’s only caution slowed the field. That’s when “The Jet” lived up to his nickname, thundering under Eckert in Turns 1 and 2 to take a lead he wouldn’t relinquish.

The Pittsburgh, PA, driver thought that caution may have kept him from reaching the $10,000 prize as he tried to anticipate Eckert’s next move on the restart.

“I was a little bit worried,” Miley said. “I kind of just got beside him, and I was worried he would move down on me and take my line away and get me messed up. Luckily, he couldn’t stay down there because he tried to move down, but he couldn’t.”

Miley needed 21 laps to take the lead but wasn’t sure of his car’s strength. He stated that everything came together at the right time. 

“The car was good, and I didn’t really expect to be that good,” Miley said. “We’ve been gaining on some stuff, and [Saturday], everything just came together. 

“Once I got [to second] and saw Rick leading, I knew I could get him, and I did and just tried to maintain a smooth line and just keep the car under me.”

Gregg Satterlee finished second, one spot short in his quest for a second National touring win this season at Port Royal. 

After redrawing eighth before the Feature, the Indiana, PA driver felt luck wasn’t on his side.  

“I’m not sure that more laps would’ve made a difference,” Satterlee said. “The redraw probably didn’t help us too much starting eighth, and I’m not sure if that caution helped me or hurt me. But all in all, we went forward and finally finished a race for the first time this weekend.” 

Max Blair, the top Rookie of the race, rounded out the all-Pennsylvania podium. He moved up multiple positions in the final 10 laps to cross the line third. The Centerville, PA driver wished the track was slicker than at the start. 

“We had a really good car once it got slippery, even in the Heat Races,” Blair said. “I wish we were starting the race right now on this racetrack, but that wasn’t the case, and we came home with a podium, so I’ll take it.”

The third is Blair’s second podium of the weekend and the fifth of the season in Series competition. He also cut the deficit in the battle for the championship to 100 points behind Dennis Erb Jr., who finished ninth.

Eckert faded to fourth at the checkered flag after leading the first 20 laps of the Feature. “Scrub” stated he knew he had an uphill climb once he caught the tail of the field. 

“I knew we were in trouble once we got into traffic,” Eckert said. “I couldn’t turn down in the corner to try and pass them lap cars. So, my only option was to go around them on the outside. 

“Then we had that caution, and I was like, oh, that might help us some. My crew had told me they were coming on the top, so I moved up there, and I wasn’t very good and let Miley by. Then I moved back down and thought I could hold my own, but when I got close to cars, I just couldn’t turn left off the corner.”

Colton Flinner, who has three wins at Port Royal in 2022, rounded out the top five. The Allison Park, PA driver, felt he needed a better start to the night to put him in a position to win.

“I needed to qualify better,” Flinner said. “I put myself in a hole and had to dig myself out of it. I’m happy with a solid top five with the World of Outlaws, and hopefully, we can keep this momentum up.”

Jared Miley’s win Saturday at Port Royal is a memory he’ll cherish for the rest of his career. It also fixed his heartbreak from 2020, with $10,000 in his bank account.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models return to the Buckeye State May 27-28 for a Memorial Day spectacular at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, OH.

Burton Qualifies Ninth for Sunday’s All-Star Open at Texas


May 21, 2022


Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft Quick Lane/DEX Imaging Mustang are set to start ninth in Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Open at Texas Motor Speedway.

Burton took that spot with a lap at 184.780 miles per hour in one-lap qualifying on Saturday afternoon.

The Motorcraft/DEX Imaging Mustang was faster in qualifying than in practice, where Burton was 11th on the speed chart with a best speed of 182.229 mph, which he posted on the fifth of his 20 laps run in the session. 

He was third best in speeds on a 10-consecutive-lap run with a speed of 181.614 mph, which came on his second through his 11th lap.

Sunday’s Open race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 4:30 p.m. (5:30 Eastern). The race will consist of two 20-lap segments followed by a 10-lap run.
 
The winners of each segment, plus the winner of the fan vote, will advance to the All-Star Race, which is set to start just after 7 p.m. (8 p.m. Eastern).
 
That race will consist of three 25-lap segments followed by a 50-lap finale, with the winner earning $1 million.
 
FOX Sports 1 will carry the coverage.
 

chevy racing–nascar–texas–all-star–qualifying results

NASCAR CUP SERIES

TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE

TEAM CHEVY POST-QUALIFYING NOTES

MAY 21, 2022

TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE QUALIFYING RESULTS:

POS.   DRIVER

3rd     WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1 

4th      KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1

6th      ROSS CHASTASIN, NO. 1 WORLDWIDE EXPRESS CAMARO ZL1 

10th    AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 16 ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD CAMARO ZL1 

13th    CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 

20th    ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1

TOP-FIVE UNOFFICIAL NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE QUALIFYING RESULTS: 

POS.  DRIVER

1st      Kyle Busch (Toyota)

2nd     Ryan Blaney (Ford)

3rd     William Byron (Chevrolet)

4th      Kyle Larson (Chevrolet)

5th      Kurt Busch (Toyota)

TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL NASCAR ALL-STAR OPEN QUALIFYING RESULTS:

POS.   DRIVER

1st     TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 GUARANTEED RATE CAMARO ZL1 

2nd    DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 FREEWAY INSURANCE CAMARO ZL1 

3rd     RICKY STENHOUSE JR., NO. 47 KROGER/WISE CAMARO ZL1 

4th     ERIK JONES, NO. 43 FOCUSFACTOR CAMARO ZL1 

6th     JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL1 

7th     AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BASS PRO SHOPS/TRACKER OFF ROAD CAMARO ZL1 

8th     COREY LAJOIE, NO. 7 BUILT.COM CAMARO ZL1 

11th   LANDON CASSILL, NO. 77 SHELTON ENERGY SOLUTIONS CAMARO ZL1 

12th   TY DILLON, NO. 42 FERRIS CAMARO ZL1 

TOP-FIVE UNOFFICIAL NASCAR ALL-STAR OPEN QUALIFYING RESULTS: 

POS.  DRIVER

1st     Tyler Reddick (Chevrolet)

2nd    Daniel Suarez (Chevrolet)

3rd     Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Chevrolet)

4th     Erik Jones (Chevrolet)

5th     Chris Buescher (Ford)

·       Nine Chevrolet Camaro ZL1’s will take on the NASCAR All-Star Open for the chance to race their way into the 125-lap NASCAR All-Star Race. 

·       The starting lineup for the NASCAR All-Star Open was determined by a single-car, single-lap qualifying run. Chevrolet swept the top-four starting spots of the NASCAR All-Star Open, with Tyler Reddick to lead the field to the green from the pole position. 

·       Joining Reddick in the top-five of the NASCAR All-Star Open starting lineup includes: Daniel Suarez (2nd), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (3rd) and Erik Jones (4th). 

·       The starting lineup for the NASCAR All-Star Race was determined by a unique format introduced to the event. Qualifying was split up into two rounds, with round one utilizing a single-car, single-lap qualifying format with the top-eight fastest cars moving to the round two. 

·       Round two featured a three-round, elimination-style bracket, with pit crews playing a vital role in the battle for the pole. During each elimination round, pit crews performed a four-tire stop, with the driver then racing back to the start/finish line and the fastest advancing on until the polesitter is crowned. 

·       In Round One, William Byron topped the leaderboard of the 20-car NASCAR All-Star field. Also advancing to Round Two for the bowtie brigade included defending All-Star winner, Kyle Larson, and All-Star rookie, Ross Chastain. 

·       The Hendrick Motorsports pit crews for the No. 24 Camaro ZL1 and No. 5 Camaro ZL1 were fastest in their first stops to moved forward to the next round. Falling just short on the second stops for both teams in their respective stops, both cars were eliminated from the bracket. 

·       William Byron will lead Chevrolet in the NASCAR All-Star Race lineup from the third starting spot in his No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1. Kyle Larson, No, 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1, will join his Hendrick Motorsports’ teammate on the outside of row two. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Worldwide Express Camaro ZL1, will start sixth. 

·       FS1 will air tomorrow’s NASCAR Cup Series All-Star action, starting with the All-Star Open at 4:30 p.m. ET, followed by the 125-lap All-Star Race at 8 p.m. ET. Live coverage of both events can also be found on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

chevy racing–nascar–texas–all-star race–ross chastain

NASCAR CUP SERIES

TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE

TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT

MAY 21, 2022

ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 Worldwide Express Camaro ZL1, met with the media in advance of this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway. Press Conference Transcript:

ROSS, LAST YEAR YOU RACED YOUR WAY INTO THE ALL-STAR RACE THROUGH THE ALL-STAR OPEN. THIS YEAR, YOU ARE LOCKED IN WITH TWO WINS ALREADY THIS SEASON. HOW’S THAT FEEL?

“It feels great. It’s a lot of FOMO when you are not in it, so you just feel like you’re in the Cup Series you need to be in it with teams like I drive for. Yeah, last year was a lot of pressure and I thought it would be easier, but it’s been no different. I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself, and we put a lot of pressure on us as a team to keep performing the way we’ve been this year.”

THE QUESTION PROBABLY EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW, HOW ARE YOU FEELING AND TELL US ABOUT YESTERDAY AFTER THE TRUCK RACE?

“I feel good. Odd deal. Looking back and trying to figure out what went wrong and why that happened with our AMR staff and our medical staff that travels with us. They know me, they see me every week. Even whenever I don’t see them, they are walking through the garage and watching us. They see us after crashes when we go to the care center, so as soon as we walked in Kevin’s like yeah man you are dehydrated. We were talking and then last night I got to thinking about my week and I think I just got lazy. I just didn’t hydrate enough. I was fine in the truck; I mean it was hot. It was a hot race, and I went to get out and I went to step out of the truck on the floorboard and my left calf locked up, like it cramped, and then my left hamstring and then my hips both did when I was on the door of the truck. There was somebody from the medical team was there right then and nobody else was even around me. He asked if I was ok, and I told him no. He helped get me out of the truck, like I was already sitting on the door. He got me out and I laid down and felt ok. Then I got up and was like alright I probably need to go on in there if it’s going to cramp that bad. I’ve never had cramping like that and when that amount of pain comes in it creates lightheadedness and all of that. It’s not fun, so I’m not going to let it happen again. With the IV’s last night and what they recommended for water intake today, will probably get some more before the race tomorrow. I’m just staying in contact with the medical team to let them kind of guide me on what they recommend.”

INAUDIBLE

“I do. I swear I said it last night, I don’t know what’s in those bags, but it makes you feel like a superhero. It’s awesome. It’s all kinds of vitamins and minerals and potassium and everything that we need that I should have been taking in naturally and more just natural throughout the week that I got lazy on. It’s straight into you and halfway through the first bag I was like I’m ready. Like I’m ready to go. I’ve had probably four of five times throughout my career went and gotten IV’s and it’s worth it to go ahead and stay and get the second bag. Really try to prepare now for two more days on track. I want to be at 100 percent. I feel good though.”

THE ALL-STAR RACE IS ONE OF THOSE EVENTS WHERE IT REALLY DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU DON’T WIN, BUT THAT’S ALL THAT MATTERS IS IF YOU WIN. IT’S A MILLION BUCKS. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR TRACKHOUSE IF YOU WERE TO PULL THIS OFF FOR THE WHOLE ORGANIZATION AND FOR YOU?

“I mean, it’s money. Just call it what it is, right! That’s the whole reward of it. Winning in the Cup Series is just, that is what it is. Being competitive and competing is really my motivation. I want to come to the track every week and compete. That’s my whole life goal right now is just competing. If we aren’t doing that then that’s what we are going to work towards and that’s what we are going to try to win the day. So, whatever that is today’s practice and qualifying. We were just kind of going through it before I walked over here, lie there’s the lights and there’s a buzzer and is there like a laser system or is it just by the eye test if you jump early. Trying to understand all of that is cool. I’ve always watched All-Star qualifying; I mean used to they came off of Turn 4 at a hundred something miles an hour and tried to slowdown and do a pit stop. We’re not doing that, but it’s still this is a bucket list item that I’m getting just to qualify for. Go through a qualifying event where it’s not normal, right? We are going to do one lap and hope we are top eight and then we really get to do the cool stuff, involve our pit crew and go fight for the pole.”

YOU GUYS HAVE HAD A TON OF MOMENTUM. YOU’VE LED IN THE LAST FOUR RACES, UP UNTIL THE SPIN AT DARLINGTON YOU WERE RUNNING UP AT THE FRONT. KIND OF EXPLAIN THAT, LIKE WHAT HAS THIS YEAR BEEN LIKE FOR YOU PERSONALLY AND THEN BEING PART OF SUCH A STRONG TEAM THAT’S PROBABLY BEEN THE BIGGEST STORY THIS YEAR?

“I don’t know if I can explain it because I can’t even believe it sometimes. Everything we are working on is to keep being better, keep being fast and keep competing in the Cup Series like I said. When I lay down or I watch film back from this year, I’m honest when I say I can’t believe that I’m watching the No. 1 and No. 99 compete the way we are. It’s just not supposed to happen this way. I know Justin (Marks) doesn’t like me saying it, but I don’t view myself as a competing, winning Cup Series driver. I prepare to be one. I believe that I’m the best driver. I think that if you don’t think that you shouldn’t be in the Cup Series. Every driver strapping in today for practice should think that they are the best driver. Nobody is better in their car then them. They are the best. I believe that, but man I watch us lead laps, I watch us pick up spots on pit road, control restarts, push on restarts in the front two rows, that is so hard to do. I’ve watched it for 10 years of my career from 2011 until this year really competing. There’s a lot of losing that came along with that. I’m very conditioned to losing. Although I don’t want to sound like I’m complacent with it, I got to a spot in my career several years ago where I just realize what my potential was. Now, Trackhouse, Chevrolet, and Phil Surgen have given me this whole new lease on my career and given me this opportunity to compete. We’ve been preparing for this for years, but to actually go do it is just hard for me to believe, honestly.”

I KNOW HOW CLOSELY THIS ORGANIZATION WORKS TOGETHER, BOTH TEAMS. WITH YOU ALREADY BEING IN, IS THERE A LOT OF FOCUS GOING INTO THE OPEN ON REALLY TRYING TO WORK HARD TO GET DANIEL (SUAREZ) AS WELL RACING HIS WAY IN AND NOT HAVING TO HOPEFULLY DEPEND ON THE FAN VOTE IF NOT? ARE Y’ALL WORKING TOGETHER ON IT, EXCHANGING INFORMATION AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS TO REALLY TRY TO GET THAT TEAM IN AS WELL?

“Yes, and it’s no different than any other week. The 1 and 99 teams work out of the same hauler on the brain side of it. They work in the same office at Trackhouse headquarters in Concord. I mean, we fly together. We live life together. Especially the crew chiefs, engineers and mechanics and pit crews, that’s a given. The cool part about this event is that the Open cars go first, it’s just like an A and B practice for a normal weekend. So, it’s just like we are split up in A and B. He’s going to practice in A and then we’re going to practice and unfortunately or fortunate for me we will learn from him whenever he practices. We will be able to make adjustments going into our practice right after the Open cars for the All-Star cars. Then, we will give him our feedback as they go into qualifying, and we will give them our feedback for them going into their Open race. It’s no different. It’s pretty incredible how much I’ve learned from Daniel. We’re similar in age and we’re similar in a lot of things, but he’s been in Cup longer than me. He’s been mentored by a lot of people that have been in the sport a long time. I am too, but not at this level. Like I was just talking about, and I catch flack for it, because I just don’t view myself in a lot of ways and he does. He knows that and he knows his potential. I’m trying to learn from him and I’m sure there’s things he is learning from me, I think. It’s wild to look back at our careers and see where the different walks of life we’ve came from and literally the different languages we grew up speaking to now both being teammates here. He’s just an awesome guy and we’ll learn from each other throughout these practices and the Open race and hopefully both go compete in the All-Star race.”

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED TO LOOK AT ANY OF YOUR IN-CAR HYDRATION SYSTEMS OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU DO TO KEEP HYDRATED BEYOND WHAT YOU DO BEFORE YOU GET IN THE RACECAR?

“I’m looking at all of that. I think I got lazy thinking it was just a Truck race. I don’t wear a cool shirt over there. I don’t do a lot of things I do in the Cup car, and I don’t think I need to change a whole lot. I think the week leading up, probably eat some more watermelon, probably just eat more watermelon in general. I mean, really, I know we joke about the watermelon but if I would have eaten a little more of it probably wouldn’t have had the problems I had. In the car, there’s not a whole lot Niece (Motorsports) could have done. I think it was on me.”

ONE OF THE COLLATERAL THINGS WHEN YOU GET SUCCESS IS THAT YOUR FAN BASE EXPANDS AND POPULARITY GOES UP. HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT THIS YEAR AND ARE THERE SOME TANGIBLE THINGS THAT SAYS OK I’VE HIT A CERTAIN LEVEL HERE?

“Yeah, I’m probably scaring some of them off with shirtless pictures from the care center hooked up to an IV. I probably should have thought twice about that, but I’m sitting in there waiting on the second bag to get done and just thought I should tell people I’m ok. They gave me my phone and saw a lot of stuff online of what people thought happened and I just wanted to clear it up. I mean, yeah, the most tangible way to measure it is just the business of our racing. The business side of Trackhouse and Ross Chastain has never been better. For both cars, we are bringing on new partners. You guys hear us talking about it. You guys hear us welcoming new people to the family and to the house. I think that’s the best way, so go down the list of people we are announcing, and we’ve got more coming down the pipeline. It’s checking all the boxes. Then yeah, social media numbers are up. That comes with it’s fair share of negativity and that’s ok. Everybody’s got an opinion and social media gives them that platform to share that. I’ve learned how to deal with that better and there was a time where one bad tweet would just make me delete Twitter off my phone and wait three days and then re-download it. Now it’s like I don’t mind, and I don’t have to block people and mute them. Don’t get me wrong, I have a few people muted from year’s past. It’s big business racing. I was up in some suites yesterday with the Worldwide Express folks. This is their first race on my car, and they also sponsored my Truck and Dean Thompson. Just looking out, I don’t get up in the suites a whole lot anymore. Used to I was a fan of the grandstands and I was always up there, but looking out you realize how big of a deal this place is and this track. With the big screen and the billboards and everything being color coordinated across the whole footprint of this racetrack and all the advertising that goes on, let alone on TV. I mean we’ve got sponsors on the foam safer barrier blocks in the wall. That’s big business racing and I’m proud our stuff is growing and going good.”

RCR NXS Post Race Report: Texas

Sheldon Creed and the No. 2 Whelen/NLEOMF Chevrolet Team Show Speed at Texas Motor Speedway
26th21st15th
“We had a really fast Whelen Chevrolet today at Texas Motor Speedway, and that’s a good thing because I think that we’re getting somewhere with our cars. I felt like we had a ton of speed early in the race. We were a little free on entry and tight in the center during Stage 1. We made an air pressure adjustment that freed me up through the center. I was going around the No. 10 car and honestly got free out of nowhere. I hadn’t gotten free in that spot in Turn 4 all day. I got free, caught it and then I was just in the spray and there’s no grip in that. It stinks because our teammates ran well and at that point in the race I thought we were better than they were. I felt really good about our Whelen Chevrolet today so it’s a shame we had problems. That’s kind of the way our year has gone.”
-Sheldon Creed
Austin Hill and the No. 21 Global Industrial Chevrolet Team Earn Top-5 Finish at Texas Motor Speedway
PostRace_AH_Global.png
5th3rd9th
“Today was a step in the right direction for our Global Industrial Chevrolet Camaro. We had been struggling the last few weeks just trying to find front turn and I think we made a big improvement here at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend. It was tough at the end of the race because we stayed out when everybody else pitted. I saw the No. 48 car behind us pitting and we were kind of on the same tire strategy. I saw him peel off and my crew chief Andy Street told me to stay out. I think what hurt us were all the cautions and the heat cycles on the tires. When we went back green on that final restart, I got in line third and I was doing all I could do just to stay where I was. The No. 1 car was pressuring me really hard and I started building really tight. We just had a lot of laps on the tires at the end of the race and I just settled into a top five. I’ll take it. It was a solid effort by everyone at RCR.” 
-Austin Hill

NARC NEWSLINE – MAY 21, 2022

NARC NEWSLINE – MAY 21, 2022, By Jim Allen … Let’s be honest, chasing championship points is by far the hardest thing to do in motorsports. It takes mettle, perseverance and a never-ending personal sacrifice by not only the driver and car owner, but for everybody involved with the team.  Some view it as fun, like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Others have done it long enough that it has become a J – O – B.  Either way, you need a team that loves demanding work and long hours because it will consume a lifetime.

The man who did it the best in the Northern Auto Racing Club’s history books was Brent Kaeding.  His impressive resume’ featured 13 NARC championships13 more King of California titles and his induction into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.  In one word, that’s called a “DYNASTY.”  He dominated like Tiger Woods did in his heyday.  It was all about fighting and clawing for top five finishes, and always being in position to take advantage of luck if it happened to come his way.  And when a top five just wasn’t possible, just finishing anywhere but last was the mission.  BK, Billy Albini, and the Hogs set the standard for sprint car racing in California, the same way Michael Jordan did in basketball.

So where is all this leading?  After MJ came LeBron. Each generation has its own stars and heroes, and we might be in the preliminary stages of witnessing the making of another dynasty.  True, the NARC Fujitsu General Sprint Car Series has only four races under its belt this season, but it’s hard to ignore that Dominic Scelzi, Jimmy Carr, and his crew are up to something good.  A pair of feature wins at the Peter Murphy Classic, a runner-up at the season opener and a third-place outing at the Tarter Memorial is worthy of that attention.  Championship hangover?  Forget about it!  The Scelzi Motorsports #41 team is out having fun, which produces momentum and that becomes almost unbeatable.

Scelzi’s efforts last weekend at the Peter Murphy Classic were like a sprint car version of Groundhog Day.  (For you millennials who don’t know what Groundhog Day is, it was a movie in 1993, where everyday repeated itself, but only got better. Goggle it.)  He became the first driver to deposit a pair of $11,000 paydays from the PMC!  His win on Saturday came after starting 12th and doing the proverbial fighting and clawing to the front.  When Corey Day and Justin Sanders got together and crashed during a heated battle for the lead, Scelzi was in position to take advantage of luck when it happened to come his way.  Sound familiar?

As a final parting note, Dominic Scelzi‘s pit crew needs a nickname.  Any ideas?

THE FASTEST FOUR DAYS IN MOTORSPORTS: Many of us circled this blast of NARC Memorial Day weekend races on the schedule immediately after it was announced.  Well, it’s finally here, meaning it’s time to head North for a Thursday, May 26th outing at Southern Oregon Speedway.  This will be followed by a Friday show at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, OR and a two-day Timber Cup finale at Grays Harbor Raceway on May 28-29th.  And since it is the Pacific Northwest, we always had a rain date in our pocket (Monday, May 30th if needed.)  The weather in the PNW is always sketchy, but we knew that in advance. For added incentive, there is a $40,000 bonus on the line for any driver who can win all four races. Three out of four races still earn a $5000 kicker, so NARC teams are focusing in on the possibilities.

I know I have covered most of this before, but here are some of the Fastest Four Days in Motorsports basics:  Camping is available at all three tracks.  Race car haulers can stay in the pit area overnight. … Tickets for all three facilities are available online and presales are looking good right now.  … There is an Elma Raceway Hall of Fame barbecue at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 29th at Grays Harbor Raceway.  It will be held in the Borden Building (AKA … the Dog Barn).  Drivers eat free and donations are accepted. … At 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, all the NARC teams will convoy to Elma High School to stage for the Elma’s Salute to the Red, White & Blue parade. The parade will start at 1:00 p.m. and will go on a leisurely jaunt through downtown, before race teams get herded right back into the pit area. …  Among the teams committed to make the trip are DJ Netto (Netto 88N), Mitchell Faccinto (Tarlton 21), Billy Aton (Aton 26), Joel Myers Jr. (Vertullo 82V), Bud Kaeding (BK Racing 69), Dominic Scelzi (Scelzi 41), Willie Croft (Croft 29), Tim Kaeding (Bates-Hamilton 42X), Shane Golobic (Wood 17W), Justin Sanders (Mittry 2X); Max Mittry (Mittry 2XM), Colby Copeland (Antaya 16A), Logan Forler (Forler 2L), Tanner Holmes (Holmes 18T), Nick Parker (Parker 15), Garen Linder (22), and others!

NARC NOTES:  Kalib Henry posted his first career NARC top five finish in the McCollough RV 17 at the Peter Murphy finale. It wasn’t like he started up front and just held on. He began his adventure in 17th and earned the Swift Metal Finishing Hardcharger award, finishing fifth … Another driver who continues to impress is Landon Brooks.  In his four NARC races aboard the Vanlare 5V sprint car, he has been in the dash on three of those nights. …  There was a noticeable change in 410 car counts at the PMC. Thirty-one cars competed on Saturday night. Only 24 in 2021. … Craig Stidham still has “it.”  He earned the Swift Metal Finishing Hardcharger award on night one of the PMC.  He started 19thand finished fifth. It was his first top five finish since 2017.  It was worth $450. …

… Tim Kaeding and the Bates-Hamilton Racing Team took a beating at the PMC.  The team crashed both nights and TK was visibly hurt after his second night spill.  Friday’s night tumble happened with only two-laps remaining in the Thunderbowl feature.  Saturday’s spill was on the other end of the spectrum when he crashed on his second qualifying lap. TK was already second fast time on his first qualifying lap.  After sitting in the back of the ambulance for a couple minutes, he actually raced in his heat race, but it was very painful. To quote him directly, “my back is killing me.”  By design, TK started the main and pulled in after one lap. It serves as a reminder that this is a dangerous sport. … Tanner Holmes and Joel Myers Jr. also took ugly spills at the Thunderbowl.  The 18T team accessed the damage and loaded up and headed back home to Oregon to regroup for the Fastest Four Days in Motorsports. If you haven’t checked out Tanner’s social media efforts, go look. Fun and informative. …The Dave Vertullo team burned the midnight oil and rebuilt to race on Saturday. …

… The fine people at Karsyn Construction in Fresno made things interesting.  With Saturday’s show already paying $11,000 to the winner, Karsyn offered up the possibility of doubling it. The offer on the table was to give the top two finishers in the pole shuffle the option to start at the back of the pack.  If one of them pulled off the win, it would be a $22,000 payday.  Justin Sanders said it wasn’t worth the risk based on his current starting spot in Paul Silva-wrenched #57. … Kerry Madsen message was about the same.  He stated that the Roth Motorsports Toyota R&D team is looking to score wins and it’s slightly easier to do it when starting up front. … If you haven’t been to Pete’s Pub at Hanford in the pit area before the races, you are missing out. Fans get a chance to enjoy food and beer, hang at the drivers meeting, listen to interviews, and rub elbows with their favorite drivers.  More racing facilities are rolling out the Happy Hour events for fans.  We need more of that. …

… What was more fun to watch?  Max Mittry during the pole shuffle, or his dad Demo Mittry animated body language as he jumped up and down and flayed his arms while rooting for his son on from the infield.  Demo wins this one in a landslide. Speaking of the Pole Shuffle, here is how it went:  Max Mittry outran Landon Brooks in the first round and moved on to oust DJ Netto in the second.  The veteran Kerry Madsenfinally stopped the 16-year-old streak and used that momentum to outrun another 16-year-old Corey Day.  Justin Sanders held his own in the Works Limited 57 to win the Pole Shuffle over Madsen … Max Mittry ended the night in sixth – his best career NARC finish.  It came in only his fourth start in a 410-sprint car. The future is looking bright.

HOOSIER TIRES:  While social media is mostly ablaze with negative opinions and comments on tire availability, teams in California are coping with the current situation. However, you wouldn’t know that if you read the comments of a super-opinionated few.

Are all those in the racing community aware that the supply chain is a little sporadic? Absolutely! Are racing sanctioning bodies, promoters, and Hoosier Tires fighting through the situation? Absolutely! Are all parties actively working on solving this issue? Absolutely!  (Today’s word is ABSOLUTELY!)

Most active sprint car teams have always played to their comfort level with a large pile of tires at their disposal. The main difference in today’s world is that most rigs are not hauling around their usual stockpile of 15+ tires – which makes some uncomfortable.  However, tire hoarding by just a few teams will only make things worse.  If you need an example, just flashback to the toilet paper scenario in 2020.  It should be publicized that nobody in California has been sidelined because of a lack of tires. Compliments go out to Hoosier Tire West, who are stepping up and paying gigantic freight bills to express ship tires to the Golden State.  It doesn’t make much financial sense to do that, but they are doing the right thing to help the racers.  Trust me, they want this issue resolved immediately also.  If everybody cooperates and works together, we can make it through the 2022 campaign without cancelling any events. Once again, everybody is working on it and the only thing that will fix it is time to fill the pipeline. Please don’t trash sponsors on social media.  It only makes things worse.

As of right now, the NARC tire rule spelled out in the rulebook is still in place. The HTW tire burn off period is in full effect until June 1st. After that, only the H-tire package are allowed. Peter Murphy is adamant that Super Dirt Cup be competed on a level playing field. That means theH-tire package will be the only tire run at the three-day show in late June.  Can any of this be changed in the future if something happens?Absolutely, but it will be addressed on a race-by-race basis.

FROM THIS WEEK’S FYI DEPARTMENT:  We are missing Sean Watts on this year’s NARC tour.  Sean sold his 410 motor to Chase Johnson and needs a motor and sponsorship-backing to return. He still has a 360 so race fans will see him at select events. … The Keller Motorsports team was looking forward to competing in about 20 410 events this season. Unfortunately, early season problem at the Outlaw shows sidelined both of their powerplants.  They hope to get them back in August with JJ Ringo behind the wheel. … Colby Copeland’s victory at the April 2nd Stockton season opener was his third NARC win of his career.  Corey Day also scored his third career victory of his short NARC career at the Tarter Memorial at Chico. As a follow-up that race, with his impressive flag-to-flag run, Day took home half of the$3500 in lap money up for grabs.  Here is the breakdown:  Corey Day ($1750); Justin Sanders ($760); Landon Brooks ($570); Dominic Scelzi ($220); Blake Carrick ($140); and Sean Becker ($60).  We thank the Tarter Family, their foundation, and all the sponsors who supported this magnificent event. … Speaking of lap sponsorships, all the laps are sold for the June 11th Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial race.  However, we are still looking for additional race sponsors.  If you would like to get involved, please contact Karen Bradway Tuccelli on Facebook. … Tickets for the June 23-25th Super Dirt Cup are available through the track website.  What are you waiting for?  This event pays a staggering $50,000 to Saturday nights winner.

Coming to you live from Auburn, CA.  See ya!

MATTER OF TIME: Kyle Larson Gets Redemption in Dominating World of Outlaws Performance at Attica

Larson Earns 2nd World of Outlaws Win after Back-to-Back Runner-Up Results

ATTICA, OH – May 20, 2022 – After losing close ones at Bristol and Bridgeport, Kyle Larson was bound and determined to return to World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series victory lane, and he did just that on Friday night.

The Elk Grove, CA native laid down arguably the most dominating performance of the 2022 season, never once relinquishing control of the lead through 40 laps at Ohio’s Attica Raceway Park. Larson was forced to survive five restarts, but handled each situation better than the last and fended off every challenge Carson Macedo could throw his way.

Yung Money’s wing dance was an inevitable one of sorts. Since his first Series win of the year at Tulare (CA) Thunderbowl in March, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion had settled for a pair of tough-to-swallow second-place finishes. There was Bristol (TN) Motor Speedway when he lost out on $25,000 by mere inches to Spencer Bayston, and then Bridgeport (NJ) Motorsports Park when he faltered on a late-race restart to Sheldon Haudenschild.

On this night, though, there was no doubting the multi-faceted superstar. His wire-to-wire victory makes him the seventh multi-time winner of 2022 and brings him to 26 career wins with The Greatest Show on Dirt in only 118 starts at 29-years-old.

“I definitely let one slip away the other night, so it feels great to rebound like this,” Larson admitted. “The Outlaws are always tough to beat, we still had to earn that one. Paul Silva has had this #57 on point every single time I’ve been in this year, and it’s a lot of fun to drive. It’s awesome to get a win in front of a packed crowd like this at Attica. These Ohio fans are amazing and I love racing in front of them.”

The win marked Larson’s fourth career triumph at the Attica Raceway Park 1/3-mile and his first since he topped the 2020 Brad Doty Classic. He’s expected to return to the BDC on Tuesday, July 12 for a chance at the season sweep with $15,000 on the line.

Larson’s biggest challenger throughout the 40-lap affair was Carson Macedo, who previously drove for his now-defunct Kyle Larson Racing #2 team. The Lemoore, CA native lined up on the inside and outside of Larson’s #57 on restarts, offering several sliders to his former boss but never quite had the speed to clear him.

“I knew Carson was really good tonight and I could see him below me on the restarts into [turn] one,” Larson thought. “He’s obviously an aggressive driver and great at these restarts, so I was a bit nervous at times. I felt like as long as I could get a good launch then I preferred that over traffic and dealing with the dust. It was just that one lap on restarts that I knew mattered most.”

Macedo ultimately finished 1.415-seconds behind Larson and re-claimed the runner-up spot in the current championship standings. His seventh podium is arguably the most meaningful of the season for the Jason Johnson Racing, Albaugh #41.

It was up to the 25-year-old Macedo and young gun crew guys Clyde Knipp and Nate Repetz to control things with crew chief Philip Dietz and co-owner Brooke Dietz at home with their newborn baby, Jase.

“My guys did an incredible job tonight,” Macedo praised. “Clyde and Nate stepped up huge with Phil taking care of Brooke and their little boy, Jase. He was watching DIRTVision and we were talking about things on the phone. It was an interesting dynamic, but it worked tonight. The restarts were tough and Kyle is so good at them. He times each of them differently, so you can never exactly nail down what he’s doing. I could stay with him for a lap or two, but then I would just lose momentum and slide back.”

Rounding out the podium was James McFadden with his first top-three finish in more than two months aboard the Roth Motorsports #83. It was a rollercoaster ride for the Alice Springs, NT, Australia native in the 40-lapper.

“It felt like we went from ninth to fifth down to eighth up to sixth, and then third,” McFadden joked. “It’s been a rough couple of weeks, so it’s good to get back on the podium in this Roth car. The cautions kind of hurt us, but near the end they helped us too. Justin [Adams], Rob [Beattie], and Gary [Woodman] have been working hard. We need to get a win for Dennis and Teresa, I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity.”

Closing out the top-five at Attica was Sheldon Haudenschild in fourth aboard the Stenhouse Jr. / Marshall Racing, NOS Energy Drink #17, and Brad Sweet in fifth aboard the Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #49.

Finishing out the top-10 was Jacob Allen with a 19th-to-sixth bid, Donny Schatz with a 14th-to-seventh run, Logan Schuchart in eighth after starting pole position, Greg Wilson with the KSE Hard Charger Award for going 23rd-to-ninth, and then Brent Marks in 10th-from-19th.

NOS NOTEBOOK (ATTICA RACEWAY PARK, 5/20/22)

Kyle Larson’s 26th career World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series victory moved him back into sole possession of 25th on the All-Time Wins List. His next triumph will tie him with Paul McMahan and Tim Shaffer for 23rd all-time.

Friday’s stop in Attica, OH marked the first of 10 appearances by the Series in Ohio this season, most of any state. The Greatest Show on Dirt returns to the Attica 1/3-mile on Tuesday, July 12 for the $15,000-to-win Brad Doty Classic.

David Gravel topped 41 cars in My Place Hotels Qualifying to score his third Slick Woody’s QuickTime Award of the season and the 92nd of his World of Outlaws career.

Picking up NOS Energy Drink Heat Race wins were Carson Macedo (66th career), Brad Sweet (204th career), David Gravel (191st career), and Sheldon Haudenschild (72nd career). Ohioan DJ Foos won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown via a last-lap pass on Alex Bowman. Logan Schuchart earned his Series-best third pole position with another DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash win.

UP NEXT (Sat) – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series takes a two-hour drive to eastern Ohio for a Saturday stop at Sharon Speedway. Fans can BUY TICKETS HERE, or watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.

NOS Energy Drink Feature Results (40 Laps) – 1. 57-Kyle Larson [2][$10,000]; 2. 41-Carson Macedo [4][$6,000]; 3. 83-James McFadden [8][$3,500]; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [6][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$2,500]; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen [19][$2,300]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [14][$2,200]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1][$2,100]; 9. 97-Greg Wilson [23][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [17][$2,000]; 11. O9-Craig Mintz [18][$1,600]; 12. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [20][$1,400]; 13. 5-Spencer Bayston [5][$1,200]; 14. 3J-Trey Jacobs [16][$1,100]; 15. 24-Rico Abreu [12][$1,050]; 16. 18-Cole Macedo [9][$1,000]; 17. 55-Alex Bowman [22][$1,000]; 18. 2-David Gravel [7][$1,000]; 19. 49X-Ian Madsen [11][$1,000]; 20. 16-DJ Foos [21][$1,000]; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser [24][$1,000]; 22. 6-Bill Rose [26][$]; 23. 11-Buddy Kofoid [10][$1,000]; 24. 9-Kasey Kahne [25][$]; 25. 23-Chris Andrews [13][$1,000]; 26. 33W-Caleb Griffith [15][$1,000]. Lap Leaders:Kyle Larson 1-40. KSE Hard Charger Award: 97-Greg Wilson[+14]

NEW Championship Standings (After 21/78 Races): 1. Brad Sweet (2,904); 2. Carson Macedo (-38); 3. David Gravel (-46); 4. Sheldon Haudenschild (-56); 5. Logan Schuchart (-92); 6. Donny Schatz (-130); 7. Spencer Bayston (-142); 8. James McFadden (-146); 9. Jacob Allen (-218); 10. Brock Zearfoss (-342).

DENNIS STRIKES BACK: Erb Wins Connor Bobik Memorial at Marion Center

The Carpentersville, IL Driver Led all 40 Laps En Route to 11th Career World of Outlaws TriumphMARION CENTER, PA – May 20, 2022 – Dennis Erb Jr. proved one thing to the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model field Friday at Marion Center Raceway. The road to a World of Outlaws Championship goes through Carpentersville, IL, in 2022. One night after finishing second to kick off a three-race Pennsylvania swing, the current Series points leader struck back with a vengeance, dominating the Connor Bobik Memorial.  Erb wasted no time grabbing the lead, powering off the cushion in Turn 2 past 2011 Series champion Rick Eckert.  He held off Shane Clanton on numerous restarts en route to the $10,000 victory—his second World of Outlaws triumph of the season and fifth win of 2022.  The veteran driver knew getting ahead of Eckert at the start was a key to victory. “You definitely needed to get out front,” Erb said. “We had a good start. We were able to roll up through the middle and just carry speed like we needed to. After that, it was kind of just hitting our marks and keeping it upfront.” The importance of Erb hitting his marks wasn’t only key on green flag runs but also restarts. The Illinois campaigner had to defend his lead from Clanton several times. “Once we got rolling there, I was rolling pretty good,” Erb said. “You get in a little rhythm and stuff, and you don’t want to see any of those cautions come out. But we fired off real good, and everything went good after that.” Erb’s win extends his points lead—112 points ahead of Max Blair, who finished ninth.  Clanton held on for second, giving him back-to-back top-fives in his return to World of Outlaws competition. 

The Zebulon, GA driver worked the outside late in the race, trying to find a way past Erb.   “I was trying to move around because I can’t drive through him, so I was trying to hunt,” Clanton said. “My guy was telling me after a caution after five or six laps, I’d pull away, so I’d give myself those three or four laps, and then I’d try to move around and go a different place than he was.  “It was working there in [Turns 1 and 2], but I couldn’t get [Turns 3 and 4] down, but overall, a good night. The Capital Race Car was good all night, so hopefully, we can build on that and carry it on to [Saturday] at Port Royal.” Four-time Series champion Josh Richards finished third, his third consecutive podium. He thundered through the field on the inside lane in the first 20 laps, driving to third from his 12th starting spot.  “Kid Rocket” felt a caution after halfway halted his momentum.  “I didn’t want to see that caution,” Richards said. “I was able to get a good rhythm and sneak up on some of those guys, and once the caution came out, I think the track changed a little bit, and that advantage went away. “I’m just thankful to get up through there and have a good enough car. I feel like we’re making some strides, and hopefully, we can put something together and keep this consistency up.” Gordy Gundaker crossed the line fourth—a turnaround from Thursday’s race at Bloomsburg, where he finished 13th.  The St. Charles, MO driver stated he was starting to reel Richards in at the end but didn’t have enough momentum to get by.  “I was catching Josh [Richards] at the end in [Turns 1 and 2]; he was just better in [Turns 3 and 4],” Gundaker said. “Overall, a great night, especially after [Thursday] getting tore up, so a top-five is just what we needed going into Port Royal.” From Mahaffey, PA, Jon Lee rounded out the top five in only his third race of the season. It’s his best career finish in World of Outlaws competition—a spot he never thought he’d be in. “I never dreamt that we would’ve run as good as we did [Friday],” Lee said. “We were trying to save tires, and I definitely think we were on a softer tire than the other guys, but the car was definitely good.” Dennis Erb Jr.’s consistency continues to shine no matter where the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models visit. While there’s a long way to go until Charlotte, if he keeps this pace up, it’ll be a long, uphill climb for his opponents the rest of the season.  UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models head to Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, PA on Saturday, May 21.  If you can’t make it to the tracks, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision AppCASE Construction Equipment Feature (40 Laps): 1. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[2]; 2. 25-Shane Clanton[3]; 3. 1-Josh Richards[12]; 4. 11-Gordy Gundaker[8]; 5. 5L-Jonathan Lee[10]; 6. B1-Brent Larson[5]; 7. 81E-Tanner English[23]; 8. 0E-Rick Eckert[1]; 9. 111V-Max Blair[4]; 10. 1*-Chub Frank[14]; 11. 10-Jared Miley[13]; 12. 99B-Boom Briggs[18]; 13. W3-John Weaver[24]; 14. X3-Wyatt Scott[7]; 15. F1-Coleby Frye[15]; 16. 4S-Ryan Montgomery[17]; 17. 45-Kyle Hammer[9]; 18. 21-Matt Lux[22]; 19. 1C-Alex Ferree[19]; 20. 19R-Ryan Gustin[11]; 21. 48-Colton Flinner[20]; 22. 44-Danny Snyder[21]; 23. 22-Gregg Satterlee[6]; 24. 7-Drake Troutman[16] FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER: Tanner English [+16].
The World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Case Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Fox Factory (Hard Charger Award), MSD, My Place Hotels, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award), Swift Springs, and Wrisco–Wieland Metal Services (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including Dirt Car Lift, Capital Race Cars, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, FIREBULL, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, Rocket Chassis, and Sea Foam.

Erb Holds Off Sheppard to Win Lucas Oil Truck Country 50 in Farley

FARLEY, IA (May 20, 2022) – Tyler Erb held off current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championship points leader Brandon Sheppard to win the Truck Country 50 on Friday Night at 300 Raceway in Iowa. Erb had to withstand two caution flags in the final ten laps to score his second Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win in the series last three races. Erb led all 50 laps for his 18th career series win. Sheppard finished in second followed by Ricky Thornton Jr., Hudson O’Neal, and Jimmy Owens (after starting 18th). Erb took the lead at the start of the race as O’Neal pressured him early on. Thornton moved by O’Neal on lap 13 to gain the second spot. Thornton tracked down Erb as he closed right behind the Texas racer. The race went green for the first 32 laps until Tyler Bruening slowed with a right rear flat. With the field bunched up, Erb still held the point with Thornton and Sheppard close behind. Sheppard picked up the second spot, overhauling Thornton on lap 36. Sheppard set his sights on Erb, who was maintaining a steady pace out front despite damage from his right-side spoiler support. Sheppard got within two cars lengths of Erb, using a lower line in turns three and four. A caution with eight laps to go halted Sheppard’s momentum. On the restart Erb pulled a few car lengths ahead of Sheppard, as Sheppard had to regain his line. Sheppard closed briefly on Erb, but another caution with two laps to go would set up a green-white-checkered finish. Erb was able to open just enough breathing room over Sheppard to score his second Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of 2022, moving to second in the championship point standings. “I was one of those that finished here last year. I got second. The track was a complete 180 from last year. I really like this place; you never know what you are going to get. It was a really good race; you could change around a lot. It was nerve-racking out there I could tell in three and four I was slowing down. All-in-all it was good night,” said the 25-year-old who was the 2019 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie-of-the Year.  Sheppard, who announced last month his intentions to chase the $150,000 to win Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championship will maintain the points lead heading to 34 Raceway on Saturday night. “The track was awesome tonight. They had a huge crowd and that was awesome. Congratulations to Tyler those guys do a really good job. We had a really fast race car again tonight. I guess we will second them to death for a while. I was really trying to keep my car as straight as possible and keep my tires underneath me and hopefully I would be there at the end. Once I got close to Tyler, he got on the same line I was running. I just followed him around there after that.”  Last year’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie-of-the-Year and defending Dirt Track World Championship winner, Thornton, rounded out the podium in third. “We were pretty good, it’s the same car we flipped the other night. We’ll take it, we have a little damage tonight. They have a really good track here, sometimes it’s a little different. The race tonight was definitely the right way to do it.”  The winner’s Eric and Kelly Brock/Best Performance Motorsports Rocket Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Bulk Material Lift, Lucas Oil Products, M&W Transport, Midwest Sheet Metal, Bazell Race Fuels, Sunoco, KBC Graphics, Roberts Bee Company, and First-Class Septic. Completing the top ten were Garrett Alberson, Spencer Hughes, Billy Moyer Jr., Earl Pearson Jr., and Ross Robinson.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt SeriesRace SummaryTruck Country 50Friday, May 20, 2022300 Raceway – Farley, IA Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Billy Moyer, Jr. / 15.136 seconds (overall)Fast Time Group B: Hudson O’Neal / 15.259 seconds Penske Race Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 2. 21-Billy Moyer Jr[1]; 3. 49-Jake Timm[4]; 4. 11-Spencer Hughes[3]; 5. 32S-Chris Simpson[5]; 6. 89-Ashton Winger[7]; 7. 29-Spencer Diercks[6]; 8. 22-Charlie McKenna[8] Summit Racing Equipment Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 71-Hudson O’Neal[1]; 2. 25-Chad Simpson[2]; 3. 32-Bobby Pierce[4]; 4. 7-Ross Robinson[3]; 5. 18D-Daulton Wilson[5]; 6. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[7]; 7. 40C-Joel Callahan[6]; 8. 44W-David Webster[8] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 2. 1S-Brandon Sheppard[4]; 3. 39-Tim McCreadie[3]; 4. 16-Tyler Bruening[2]; 5. 58-Garrett Alberson[6]; 6. 20-Jimmy Owens[5]; 7. 17-Tim Simpson[7] Lucas Oil Feature Finish (50 Laps):
Race StatisticsEntrants: 23Lap Leaders: Tyler Erb (Laps 1-50)Wrisco Feature Winner: Tyler ErbArizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Feature Winner: n/aBrandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: n/aMargin of Victory: 0.555 secondsStop-Tech Cautions: Tyler Bruening (Lap 32); Chad Simpson (Lap 42); Debris (Lap 48)Series Provisionals: n/aFast Time Provisional: n/aSeries Emergency Provisionals: n/aTrack Provisionals: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Tyler Erb, Brandon Sheppard, Ricky Thornton, JrPenske Shocks Top 5: Tyler Erb, Brandon Sheppard, Ricky Thornton, Jr, Hudson O’Neal, Jimmy OwensOptima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Jimmy Owens (Advanced 13 Positions)Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Brandon SheppardHot Rod Processing Most Laps Led: Tyler Erb (50 Laps)Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Tyler ErbO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Garrett AlbersonDirty Girl Racewear Fastest Lap of the Race: Tyler Erb (Lap 1 – 15.544 seconds)DirtonDirt.com Tough Break of the Race: Bobby PierceOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Randall Edwards (Tyler Erb)ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brandon Sheppard (14.793 seconds)Time of Race: 22 minutes 46 seconds

chevy racing–nascar–texas–all-star race–tyler reddick

NASCAR CUP SERIES TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT MAY 20, 2022
TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 Guaranteed Rate CAMARO ZL1, met with the media in advance of this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway. Press Conference Transcript:
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DEVELOPMENT, THE SIMULATION DEVELOPMENT, OF NASCAR, THE NEW CAR AND EVERYTHING YOU GUYS HAVE RAN SIMULATION ON THIS RACE I’M ASSUMING AS YOU DO EVERY RACE. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT WHEN WE COME BACK IN THE FALL TO HAVE THIS WEEKEND’S DATA, TO HAVE REAL TRACK DATA ON THE CARS? HOW DOES THAT ALL WORK JUST THE TAKING FROM ONE RACE TO THE OTHER AND THEN HOW IMPORTANT WILL IT BE TO GET GOOD DATA THIS WEEK KNOWING THAT IT’S A PLAYOFF RACE LATER ON THIS YEAR?“I think it’s more important than ever before. This car is so new. We’ve really only in a lot of aspects been able to gain information through tire tests and some of the wheel force data that we have been given so that we can go to the simulator and work on our cars. Seeing how that matches up and seeing how well we did at bringing cars this time around for this weekend is really important for any of the events that we go back to for a second time, but especially those that we return to in the playoffs.”
YOU’VE HAD UPS AND DOWNS THIS SEASON, BUT YOU’RE FAST. YOUR THOUGHTS ON YOUR SEASON SO FAR? THEN NEXT WEEKEND GOING INTO THE 600, IS THERE EVER A POINT IN THAT RACE WHERE YOU’RE LIKE OH MY GOD HOW MANY MORE LAPS DO I HAVE OR READY FOR IT TO JUST BE OVER?“Preparing for that race is really important. I guess more the second question you had there my memory’s not the greatest at times. I have been forgetting everything all day today. The second part of the question on like rough days or the way that last year’s race kind of played out where the track didn’t really move around a lot and you kind of just get stuck in behind whoever it was, like it was last year that was frustrating. You wanted it to just be over with, because you’re pretty much running 100 laps hoping for a good pit stop, (inaudible) under green. You would pretty much be done after the restart. I don’t think it will be when we go back with this car. It has shown that there’s going to be a lot of getting the car right mechanically speaking. Balance of the car is going to be really important at the bumpy, wore out Charlotte racetrack.”
WITH 600-MILES ON THIS CAR, WILL THAT BE LIKE ANOTHER TEST FOR THE NEW CAR? DO YOU LOOK AT IT LIKE THAT?“It certainly can. It’s more of can the drivers, can the teams endure it. I think the team side certainly, but us as drivers in the car when it’s not driving great it’s really difficult to manage at times, especially if you’re on the looser side of things. If at any point in that race you, over 600-miles it’s very reasonable that the car isn’t going to handle the way it should and you’re going to have to make adjustments on it. So, it’s going to be important to survive those rough patches of the race and hopefully not loose too much track position. Even more importantly, not making a mistake and crash. 600-miles is a lot of opportunities to do that, so it’ll be a very difficult race, but that car is up for that challenge. The car can handle it.”
THE FIRST PART OF THAT QUESTION WAS YOUR SELF EVALUATION OF YOUR PERFORMANCE SO FAR.“Oh, yeah. (laughing) We’ve ran good, but I can see why I didn’t want to talk about that one or forgot about it. It’s been a tough year, at times. We’ve certainly had the speed. We’ve been leading laps. We’ve been in the top-five a lot, but also at the same time we’ve finished outside the top-30 quite a lot too which is out of character for us as well. Not necessarily ideal, but the speed’s there. A lot of the right things are where they need to be. The pit crew’s executing on a high level and we’re making good adjustments to our car during the race to make it a little bit better as we go. The outright speed in our cars is there, just a lot of the details where they need to be. One of these days when we are able to put it all together, we’re going to be running the top-five like we have been on some of those days.”
YOU HAD THE TIRE ISSUE LAST WEEK AT KANSAS, IS THERE ANY CONCERN THIS WEEK WITH THE SAME TIRE, SIMILAR TRACK?“My tire issue was related to wall contact. It wasn’t really anyway related to being too aggressive with setup or air pressure. In a place like Kansas seeing the issues that we did, didn’t really surprise me because there’s just so many different lane choices that you have and with the progressive banking that that track has you have a lot of opportunities two or three places on the racetrack in each corner. Whether it’s the first seam, the second seam or crossing the front straightaway, going to the flat on the front straightaway there’s a lot of places where you can put a lot of force on that left rear tire in the beginning of a run on low air when you’re really having to be aggressive on restarts. To see that happen and play out that way wasn’t surprising, I guess. Being that we learned a lot about this tire, and we all think that we’re safe enough and not going to make those mistakes while we go out there and practice by ourselves, we’re not making those crazy, daring moves. I think once we got to racing, we had to get more aggressive battling restarts and I’m thinking that’s where that came from. Again, that all comes back to how aggressive you are with what you bring to the racetrack.”
I KNOW YOUR ROOTS ARE DIRT LATE MODELS, BUT YOU’RE A CALIFORNIA GUY. DID YOU EVER HAVE INTEREST IN THE INDY 500? DID YOU EVERY PURSUE ANY SORT OF OPEN WHEEL PATH AND IF SO WITH THIS WEEK DO YOU EVER WONDER WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN?“I don’t say I wonder what could have been, I wonder what it could still be. I’m young. I never really went that path. I grew up racing a lot of dirt and open wheel cars, but the Indy 500 is always a really exciting time it being around the same time the 600 is. Just how excited that whole city of Indy is and how big of an event it is for open wheel racing has always been really cool for me to follow. I’ve always followed it from the outside looking in. Just really have a huge amount of respect and admiration for the high level commitment that those drivers have every single lap, how physical those cars are to drive, the mental barriers they pretty much have to break past and just push through to wheel those cars that are no power steering, very physical, a lot of wear and tear on the driver. I had a lot of respect for them, and I still do. Yeah, I’m racing asphalt and racing NASCAR right now, but I love racing of all kinds and I would love to hopefully find myself in the seat of something like that if the opportunity ever presents itself. I definitely wouldn’t want to do it if I’m not competitive, so I know myself if I am going to go do it, I’d want to put a lot of work into it. It would be hard to do while racing in the Cup Series.”
YOU HAD A BIG SPONSOR THING WITH CHEDDAR’S YESTERDAY. HOW DID THAT GO?“Yeah! Oh my gosh, it was great. Cheddar’s put together and All-Star meet and greet at the location in Irving and Tony Dorsett joined us. As really cool as it was for all the staff and the fans that showed up for autographs, it was really cool for me too. I got to spend a number of hours with just a huge icon of the Cowboys, of football. To be a Heisman winner and be in the Hall of Fame, what he did for the size that he was too that for me was really cool. He’s not too much taller than me. He was out there going up against the big boys, knocking out yards, getting touchdowns and winning games. Getting to spend time with him and talk about what he did as a football player and what he’s doing now was a lot of fun. The craziest part to me is he was just his genuine excitement and curiosity about racing, what I do, what my life as a young kid growing up, how I got into it, just asking all these questions. He just has a huge interest in racing. It was really cool to be able to spend that time with him and kind of connect the two worlds a little bit and share stories and get to know each other was a lot of fun.”

chevy racing–nascar–texas–all-star race–william byron

NASCAR CUP SERIES

TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE

TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT

MAY 20, 2022

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1, met with the media in advance of this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway. Press Conference Transcript:

YOU HAD THE TIRE ISSUE LAST WEEK AT KANSAS. WAS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU LEARNED THIS WEEK ABOUT WHAT OCCURRED; AND IS THERE ANY CONCERN THIS WEEK WITH ANOTHER 1.5-MILE TRACK AND THE SAME LEFT SIDE TIRE? 

“Yeah, that’s a good point about the tire being the same. I leave it up to the engineers. There’s nothing that I could do different. That was definitely the cleanest run that we had; probably the fastest pace that we had, being in the lead and running up front. But I don’t know if any of that really contributed to it. I think it’s just one of those things that everyone seemed to go through last weekend at some point in time. 

Just fortunate that I could drive it back to pit road and not have any body damage, but we certainly had a lot of underbody damage that caused a loss of speed over the race. That was unfortunate. We didn’t do a great job keeping up with the track after we had our issues there with the left rear because it definitely took away a lot of downforce.”

NEXT WEEKEND IS THE COCA-COLA 600. IS THERE EVER A POINT IN THAT RACE WHERE YOU’RE LIKE ‘I WISH THIS RACE WAS OVER’ WHEN YOU’RE BEHIND THE WHEEL; AND HOW DO YOU HANDLE THAT AND STAY FOCUSED IN THE RACE? 

“Honestly, not last year. I felt like last year was a game of runs. Obviously the No. 5 (Kyle Larson) was great all night and I felt like we were inching up on him each run; inching up and then we did take the lead at one point in Stage Three. So at that point, I thought the race was going pretty fast because I felt like we were constantly just trying to get a little bit better as the race went on. As soon as we took the lead, it was like ‘alright, we’ve got control of the race’. So, you’re trying to think about all of those things. 

To answer your question, it goes by faster when you’re running well. If you’re not running well in that race, it’s definitely a really long race.”

THE CUP SERIES IS GOING TO GO TO GATEWAY. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CUP CARS BEING THERE AND IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN TAKE AWAY FROM WAY BACK WHEN?

“There’s really not a ton I can take from when I race there because they repaved the track. The engine package for us is obviously going to be a lot different than what I raced there in the trucks. I feel like for me, it’s going to be all kind of a clean slate. I look towards a Martinsville (Speedway) or a Phoenix (Raceway) to kind of understand how the track is going to drive in these Next Gen cars. Probably more so Phoenix, but with longer straightaways. So, it might be like Martinsville on corner entry, at least into turn one. 

I’m excited for it. I think our short track program has been really good this year. That’s not a short track, but it definitely kind of races like one.”

DO YOU ROLL IN HERE WITH KIND OF A DIFFERENT FEELING BECAUSE IT’S BIG MONEY AND NO POINTS ON THE LINE? DO YOU GUYS FEEL THE WAY FANS LOOK AT THIS RACE?

“Yeah, it definitely is a little weirder preparation for the week. It’s probably the least that I know about this race of any race every week. I feel like you get in a rhythm when you go to certain race tracks. You know how the stages are going to play out. You know how long the race is and you kind of plan all that in your head of what’s important. And then you’re also kind of worried about getting a good finish. I think at this race, you’re not as worried about getting a solid finish. You’re kind of just worried about winning it. That definitely brings a different preparation leading up to the week, just to think about what’s it going to take to win, instead of what’s it going to take to get myself in a position to win. You’re really just thinking about the qualifying format; you’re thinking about how do I maximize that to get on the pole.”

HAVING THE ALL-STAR RACE HERE AND HAVING A RACE HERE LATER THIS YEAR THAT IS PART OF THE PLAYOFFS – I KNOW A LOT CHANGES, BUT FROM A SIMULATION STANDPOINT AND FROM A DATA STANDPOINT, HOW MUCH WILL TEAMS AND MANUFACTURERS USE THIS WEEKEND AS PREPARATION FOR FUTURE RACES HERE? 

“Yeah, it depends a lot on the weather when we come back in the fall – is it going to be 45 degrees? I think that alters your simulation quite a bit. I feel like you can get a baseline for travels and get a baseline for what the track content is and things like that. But really nothing really simulates the change in weather. I feel like that’s the biggest variable in a lot of this – figuring out if it’s going to be similar weather. Luckily, Sunday is kind of cooler and that might simulate more of what the fall is going to be like.”

YOU’RE RUNNING YOUR FIRST XFINITY SERIES RACES TOMORROW SINCE YOUR CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2017. HOW DID THAT ALL COME TOGETHER WITH YOUR HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS TEAMMATES AND WHY NOW AFTER FIVE YEARS? 

“That’s a good question. It really came together just through Mr. Hendrick, Jeff (Gordon) and Chad (Knaus), and everyone at HendrickCars.com. They wanted to do this is and it was something that they saw was a benefit to us. They asked us who wanted to race and I was really adamant that I wanted to do as many as possible. I can only do five, but I’m going to do three as far as I know. 

I think it’s good to get a feel for this place. I haven’t been here in awhile in a Xfinity car, like you said, and I feel like the Xfinity car is probably closer to the Cup car this year with the low downforce. So, maybe I can learn some things there; and ultimately just have some fun and try to go win a race. It’s going to be a scorcher, so hopefully I stay hydrated and don’t fall out of the seat.”

RCR Event Preview – Texas All-Star

Richard Childress Racing at the All-Star Race and Texas Motor Speedway … Richard Childress Racing has four wins in the NASCAR All-Star Race, three by Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990 and 1993) plus Kevin Harvick’s victory in 2007. Jeff Burton (2007) and Austin Dillon (2020) have wins at Texas Motor Speedway in events where points were awarded. The Welcome, N.C., organization has earned five NASCAR Xfinity Series wins with Kevin Harvick (2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012) and two NASCAR Truck Series wins with Jay Sauter (1999) and Ty Dillon (2013). 

All-Star Race Rules and Regulations:

The race will consist of four stages, with the first three 25 laps in length and the fourth and final being a 50-lap shootout for the $1 million prize. The new format has provided a major incentive to win any of the opening three stages or the pit stop competition during the break between Stages 2 and 3.

  • Stage 1 (25 laps): Stage 1 winner will start on the pole in the final stage as long as he finishes 15th or better in Stages 2 and 3.
  • Stage 2 (25 laps): Stage 2 winner starts second in final stage as long as he finishes 15th or better in Stage 3.
  • Special Stage Break (Pit Stop Competition): Each team must pit and perform a four-tire stop. The team with the shortest time on pit road (pit in/pit out) wins the pit crew award and the driver will start fourth in the final stage as long as he finishes 15th or better in Stage 3.
  • Stage 3 (25 laps): Stage 3 winner starts third in final stage.
  • Stage 4 (50 laps): Stage 1 winner starts first, Stage 2 winner second, Stage 3 winner third and pit stop competition winner fourth. If a “natural” caution occurs between laps 15-25 of the final stage, standard race procedures will be in effect. If no “natural” caution occurs during that time, NASCAR will call an “All Star” competition caution. Winner of the Stage 4 earns $1 million.

Introducing the Next Gen … NASCAR’s Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which officially debuted in 2022, is a collaboration of the brightest engineering minds in racing. With technology at the forefront, Richard Childress Racing has played a unique and critical role in helping to bring this new on-track identity to life, working closely with OEMs, other teams and NASCAR to build and test the initial prototype. 

Catch the Action … The Texas 250 at Texas Motor Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, May 21 beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1 and will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. 

Follow Sunday’s Action at Texas … The NASCAR All-Star Open preludes the NASCAR All-Star Race and will be televised live on FS1 Sunday, May 22 beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET, followed by the NASCAR All-Star Race at 8 p.m. ET on FS1. Both races will also be broadcast live on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. 

KEYSTONE VIPER: Blair Grabs Second World of Outlaws Win of 2022 at Bloomsburg

Centerville, PA driver holds off Dennis Erb Jr. for fifth career Series TriumphBLOOMSBURG, PA– MAY 19, 2022 – Max Blair had this weekend circled since joining the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series. Thursday night at Bloomsburg Fair Raceway was his first chance to bring his home state fans to their feet—and he delivered.  The Centerville, PA driver thundered past pole-sitter Jeff Rine on Lap 1, leading all 40 laps en route to his second World of Outlaws victory of the season—and third at Bloomsburg Fair Speedway.  Blair is the only driver to win a Super Late Model race at the track, a perfect three-for-three. He stated that experience played a role in his victory.   “Having some prior experience at this place was huge,” Blair said. “It races different than any place I’ve ever been.  “I felt like the first time I was here, it took a while to get the handle of it, so I think being here was a big deal. I don’t know how much I’ve really applied setup-wise, but driving-wise, it was an advantage.” However, his experience wasn’t the only factor leading Blair to the checkered flag. He had some luck on his side toward the end.  “We actually have a flat tire,” Blair said. “The right rear was going down on that last caution. I thought I could feel it lean over more and more, and it’s flat now. “So, we got a little lucky there, that’s for sure. But that was a heck of a start to the weekend.” While Blair took home his fifth career World of Outlaws triumph, the man he’s chasing in the points standings, Dennis Erb Jr., finished behind him in second.  Erb quickly powered into the top-five from his seventh starting spot, hoping to strike for his second World of Outlaws win of the season. He challenged Blair for a few laps before settling for second.  “I was trying to make sure we held everything together,” Erb said. “We started back there a little but was able to get up there quick and race up there, so I was just kind of holding on to make sure not to overdo it but also make a challenge or two. “We had a good car, and [Blair] was really just going to have to make a mistake. I was real good in [Turn 1 and 2], and he pushed up a couple of times, and you never know what’s going to happen, so we had to be right there.” With the win, Blair gained four points on Erb—cutting the deficit to 94. Four-time Series champion Josh Richards crossed the line third, his second straight podium finish after a third at Mississippi Thunder Speedway.  The Shinnston, WV driver survived damage to the right rear of his Rocket Chassis, which kept him from challenging the leaders.  “When [Jeff Rine] got into the wall I committed to the outside that particular lap,” Richards said. “So, when I saw him up in the wall, I had to kind of wall up and try to turn the car to keep from hitting him. When I did, the right rear got up into the fence and ripped the whole deck panel on the right rear spoiler off. “I didn’t know it was as bad as it was, but it was really loose after that. I was able to give it all I had and hang on.” “Dennis and Max did a great job out there. I couldn’t run with them with the spoiler like that but if it held together, I might have had something, but we’ll definitely take it.”  Tanner English finished fourth, and 2015 Series Champion Shane Clanton rounded out the top five.  Max Blair knew he had to strike once the World of Outlaws reached the Keystone State. He checked off the first of three nights in style at Bloomsburg and hopes to keep his momentum rolling throughout the weekend.  UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models stay in Pennsylvania for their debut at Marion Center Raceway in Marion Center, PA, for the Connor Bobik Memorial.  If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision AppCASE Construction Feature (40 Laps): 1. 111V-Max Blair[2]; 2. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[7]; 3. 1-Josh Richards[11]; 4. 81E-Tanner English[8]; 5. 25-Shane Clanton[13]; 6. B1-Brent Larson[23]; 7. 0E-Rick Eckert[15]; 8. 99B-Boom Briggs[10]; 9. 24-Dylan Yoder[14]; 10. 45-Kyle Hammer[17]; 11. 0G-Deshawn Gingerich[24]; 12. 19R-Ryan Gustin[3]; 13. 11-Gordy Gundaker[6]; 14. 22-Gregg Satterlee[4]; 15. 4S-Ryan Montgomery[9]; 16. 06-Mike Lupfer[16]; 17. 2S-Dan Stone[20]; 18. 32J-Shaun Jones[18]; 19. 2J-Jeff Rine[1]; 20. 1*-Chub Frank[5]; 21. F1-Coleby Frye[22]; 22. 2-Andrew Yoder[19]; 23. 12B-Andy Boozel[21]; 24. 119-Bryan Bernheisel[12] FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER: Brent Larson [+17}
The World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Case Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Fox Factory (Hard Charger Award), MSD, My Place Hotels, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award), Swift Springs, and Wrisco–Wieland Metal Services (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including Dirt Car Lift, Capital Race Cars, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, FIREBULL, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, Rocket Chassis, and Sea Foam
Centerville, PA driver holds off Dennis Erb Jr. for fifth career Series TriumphBLOOMSBURG, PA– MAY 19, 2022 – Max Blair had this weekend circled since joining the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series. Thursday night at Bloomsburg Fair Raceway was his first chance to bring his home state fans to their feet—and he delivered.  The Centerville, PA driver thundered past pole-sitter Jeff Rine on Lap 1, leading all 40 laps en route to his second World of Outlaws victory of the season—and third at Bloomsburg Fair Speedway.  Blair is the only driver to win a Super Late Model race at the track, a perfect three-for-three. He stated that experience played a role in his victory.   “Having some prior experience at this place was huge,” Blair said. “It races different than any place I’ve ever been.  “I felt like the first time I was here, it took a while to get the handle of it, so I think being here was a big deal. I don’t know how much I’ve really applied setup-wise, but driving-wise, it was an advantage.” However, his experience wasn’t the only factor leading Blair to the checkered flag. He had some luck on his side toward the end.  “We actually have a flat tire,” Blair said. “The right rear was going down on that last caution. I thought I could feel it lean over more and more, and it’s flat now. “So, we got a little lucky there, that’s for sure. But that was a heck of a start to the weekend.” While Blair took home his fifth career World of Outlaws triumph, the man he’s chasing in the points standings, Dennis Erb Jr., finished behind him in second.  Erb quickly powered into the top-five from his seventh starting spot, hoping to strike for his second World of Outlaws win of the season. He challenged Blair for a few laps before settling for second.  “I was trying to make sure we held everything together,” Erb said. “We started back there a little but was able to get up there quick and race up there, so I was just kind of holding on to make sure not to overdo it but also make a challenge or two. “We had a good car, and [Blair] was really just going to have to make a mistake. I was real good in [Turn 1 and 2], and he pushed up a couple of times, and you never know what’s going to happen, so we had to be right there.” With the win, Blair gained four points on Erb—cutting the deficit to 94. Four-time Series champion Josh Richards crossed the line third, his second straight podium finish after a third at Mississippi Thunder Speedway.  The Shinnston, WV driver survived damage to the right rear of his Rocket Chassis, which kept him from challenging the leaders.  “When [Jeff Rine] got into the wall I committed to the outside that particular lap,” Richards said. “So, when I saw him up in the wall, I had to kind of wall up and try to turn the car to keep from hitting him. When I did, the right rear got up into the fence and ripped the whole deck panel on the right rear spoiler off. “I didn’t know it was as bad as it was, but it was really loose after that. I was able to give it all I had and hang on.” “Dennis and Max did a great job out there. I couldn’t run with them with the spoiler like that but if it held together, I might have had something, but we’ll definitely take it.”  Tanner English finished fourth, and 2015 Series Champion Shane Clanton rounded out the top five.  Max Blair knew he had to strike once the World of Outlaws reached the Keystone State. He checked off the first of three nights in style at Bloomsburg and hopes to keep his momentum rolling throughout the weekend.  UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models stay in Pennsylvania for their debut at Marion Center Raceway in Marion Center, PA, for the Connor Bobik Memorial.  If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision AppCASE Construction Feature (40 Laps): 1. 111V-Max Blair[2]; 2. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[7]; 3. 1-Josh Richards[11]; 4. 81E-Tanner English[8]; 5. 25-Shane Clanton[13]; 6. B1-Brent Larson[23]; 7. 0E-Rick Eckert[15]; 8. 99B-Boom Briggs[10]; 9. 24-Dylan Yoder[14]; 10. 45-Kyle Hammer[17]; 11. 0G-Deshawn Gingerich[24]; 12. 19R-Ryan Gustin[3]; 13. 11-Gordy Gundaker[6]; 14. 22-Gregg Satterlee[4]; 15. 4S-Ryan Montgomery[9]; 16. 06-Mike Lupfer[16]; 17. 2S-Dan Stone[20]; 18. 32J-Shaun Jones[18]; 19. 2J-Jeff Rine[1]; 20. 1*-Chub Frank[5]; 21. F1-Coleby Frye[22]; 22. 2-Andrew Yoder[19]; 23. 12B-Andy Boozel[21]; 24. 119-Bryan Bernheisel[12] FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER: Brent Larson [+17}
The World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Case Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Fox Factory (Hard Charger Award), MSD, My Place Hotels, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award), Swift Springs, and Wrisco–Wieland Metal Services (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including Dirt Car Lift, Capital Race Cars, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, FIREBULL, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, Rocket Chassis, and Sea Foam

chevy racing–indycar–practice recap

CHEVROLET RACING IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES INDIANAPOLIS 500 INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY TEAM CHEVY THURSDAY PRACTICE RECAP MAY 19, 2022
CHEVROLET-POWERED TEAMS AND DRIVERS MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME AS WEATHER CLEARS FOR TODAY’S PRACTICE FOR THE 106TH INDIANAPOLIS 500ALL 33 CARS INCLUDING THE 16 CHEVROLET-POWERED CARS POSTED A TOTAL OF 3,114 LAPS AS WINDS BEGAN TO PICKUP, DRIVERS NAVIGATED THE FAMED 2.5-MILE INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY OVAL IN PREPARATION OF FAST FRIDAYBOOST LEVEL IS ADVANCED FROM 1.3 BAR TO 1.5 BAR FRIDAY FOR MORE HORSEPOWER AS THEY READY THEIR CARS FOR QUALIFYING ON SATURDAY INDIANAPOLIS (May 19, 2022) – After torrential rain shut-down all on-track activities on Wednesday, Team Chevy drivers were greeted with sunshine and a slight breeze as they took to the track at noon TODAY.. Today teams maximized the time in preparation of the boost increase tomorrow. Moving the boost from 1.3 bar to 1.5 bar will give drivers’ the extra horsepower needed to make a strong run for the pole of the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500.  The six-hour session was without contact incidents. Of great interest throughout the afternoon was the NO-TOW laps. NO-TOW laps are critical as they simulate the single-car four-lap runs drivers make in qualifying to grab the best possible starting position. The Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled to take the green flag Sunday, May 29th at 12:45 pm EDT. TEAM CHEVY QUOTESJOSEF NEWGARDEN, NO. 2 SHELL CHEVROLET, TEAM PENSKE: “Hey, everyone. So we’re day three here at Speedway you get lost track of time. It was a good day as a qualifying day for us. We were working on a lot of different things to see how we can be faster this weekend. Keep working on everything with Team Chevy that keeps me positive for qualifying. Our Shell Rewards car is really fast. We need tp have a good weekend, we got to be fast. We need to get it up front for some points and start the race well. Make sure you tune in and cheer us on.” SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN, NO. 3 PENNZOIL CHEVROLET, TEAM PENSKE: DALTON KELLETT, NO. 4 K-LINE INSULATORS CHEVROLET, AJ FOYT RACING:alright so we just missed the rain here’s we’ve got our full session and today was great because it’s, you know, with the week of practice you still need to get as much time on track as you can to get the car ready for the race. We really only did one trim run today. We wanted to kind of focus on our race car we started the day I think after the rain yesterday, we started the day a bit unsure of the rear end I think some of the rubber got washed away. And it was a bit a bit sketchy but we made some changes made it better and had a good race run at the end so everything’s looking good.” PATO O’WARD, NO. 5 McLAREN CHEVROLET, ARROW McLAREN SP:“A really solid day for us today. We did a lot of race running and gathered a lot of data. Tomorrow is going to consist of all qualifying running on Fast Friday. I’m really happy with the car, so I’m excited to see what speeds we can achieve tomorrow and during qualifying. Once we’ve got qualifying done, we’ll be back to working on the race car to see if we can make it go even better before next Sunday’s race.” JUAN PABLO MONTOYA, NO. 6 McLAREN CHEVROLET, ARROW McLAREN SP:“That was good! We tried a lot of things today. We made a lot of improvements in the car but there’s still a little way to go to be really good. I would definitely say it’s been a positive day. Tuesday was a bit more difficult as we thought we’d be stronger after the test, so we were a little bit disappointed, but now I feel like we have a decent race car. Now, we’ll focus on qualifying as we head into the weekend and see what it brings. The forecast doesn’t look great for Saturday, and it’s going to be windy, so that could make it difficult.” FELIX ROSENQVIST, NO. 7 VUSE McLAREN CHEVROLET, ARROW McLAREN RACING SP:“A pretty solid day for Arrow McLaren SP, we learned a lot. It was a bit up and down with how the car felt, on one run we were superstars, then the next we were scratching our heads a bit. This place is always tricky, so we just have to be calm, look at what we’ve learned as a team across the three cars, and nail it for race day.” JR HILDEBRAND, NO. 11 HOME FOR OUR TROOPS CHEVROLET, AJ FOYT RACING:“We got through a lot today, conditions were hot for most of the day cooled off towards the end. You know, I think the positives for sure, just all the cars, including stuff we’ll send in the Dragon Speed cars, you know, everybody’s contributing and, we’re all kind of dealing with the same stuff out there. So, I think as long as everybody’s converging, if we’ve all got the same problem, that at least gives us some confidence that we can address what we need to address. We ended up kind of figuring a few things out towards the end of the day. And going into tomorrow, the game plan definitely changes. You will still be working on the handling characteristics of the car, carrying over, we have some the expectation that some of the things that we’re working on today will still remain to be things that we’ll work on as we head towards qualifying but get the extra boost, you know, it’ll be eight or 10 miles an hour or something once we once we really trim out and get with it. So excited to see what the majority of Chevy has in it when we roll out tomorrow and always fun to start working on qualifying at Speedway.” WILL POWER, NO. 12 VERIZON CHEVROLET, TEAM PENSKE:“Yeah pretty, pretty good day. Just doing qualifying simulations obviously at the lower power level.Everything’s going to be more difficult tomorrow. When the boost gets turned up. Quite a bit more horsepower so we will be heading into the corner 10 mph faster. It’s going to be more windy and hotter. So definitely going to be tough, but I think we found a good place to start.” KYLE KIRKWOOD, NO. 14 ROKIT CHEVROLET, AJ FOYT RACING:“So it seems that everything’s going quite well at the moment. It seems like it’s a pretty even match right now between Honda and Chevy. Which looking I guess from the outside view, it seems like Chevy’s made a pretty big step. Not only this weekend but the entire year. And I’m curious to see what’s going to happen tomorrow. We think there’s kind of a confidence and a good aura around everyone that has Chevy power, and we’re expecting big things from them.” CONOR DALY, NO. 20 BITNILE CHEVROLET, ED CARPENTER RACING:“Track conditions seemed to make it quite difficult, but overall I don’t think it was a bad day for us! We really started to focus on getting ready for qualifying. We were doing a lot of single car running and no-tow speeds seemed to be quite good. That’s  what we’re focused on, qualifying is of maximum importance and I really want to qualify well this year. We focused a lot on that this afternoon, which is good.” RINUS VEEKAY, NO. 21 BITCOIN RACING TEAM WITH BITNILE CHEVROLET, ED CARPENTER RACING:“Today was a good day. It was dry! The car felt really good in qualifying trim, and then in race trim we felt very good too. Overall a solid day! We made improvements and I have a good feeling heading into Fast Friday!” SANTINO FERRUCCI, NO. 23 PALERMO’S CHEVROLET, DRYER & REINBOLD RACING:“It was a little bit of any up and down day for us,” said Ferrucci, whose team announced an additional partner Thursday with the famed Barrett-Jackson organization joining the No. 23 car. “We got some qualifying running early in the session and we got an idea for the direction for the car. The race car setup felt pretty good, and we are happy there. We’ll see what happens on ‘Fast Friday’ and it’s supposed to be windy. So, we’ll see how things go throughout the day.” SAGE KAREM, NO. 24 AES INDIANA CHEVROLET, DRYER & REINBOLD RACING:“Day 3 in the books at IMS and we did a mostly qualifying stuff throughout the day,” said Karam, who won the “Hard Charger Award” in the 2021 Indy 500 by passing 24 cars for a seventh-place finish. “We worked through many different trim levels, and I think we were pretty decent on the ‘no-tow’ speeds. The car felt pretty good. Santino also worked more on the race trim settings, and I worked on more qualifying trim. We plan to do a little more setups, but the forecast is pretty gusty with the winds. We’ll have to wait and see what the weather brings.” STEFAN WILSON, NO. 25 DRAGONSPEED/CUSICK CHEVROLET, DRAGONSPEED/CUSICK MOTORSPORTS:“ Trying day for the #25 crew, we worked through a lot of changes, some positive and some negative, and we have a lot of information now to come up with a strategy and plan for the next time we go on track for traffic running. Now we’ll switch our focus to Qualifying running and Fast Friday!” ED CARPENTER, NO. 33 ALZAMEND NEURO CHEVROLET, ED CARPENTER RACING:“We started out race running and we weren’t as good as the other day at the start, but we just didn’t kind of have the balance quite dialed in yet. We made good improvements in race running from where we were a couple days ago. Then we started prepping for qual sims to make sure we have a good balance in the configurations that we plan on running tomorrow once Chevrolet really turns loose all that horsepower! I’m looking forward to that.” CALLUM ILOTT, NO. 77 DYNAMIC EDGE CHEVROLET, JUNCOS HOLLINGER RACING: “It was a pretty long day. We hoped for quite a lot of single-car running and focused on our qualifying stuff. Toward the end of the day we did some pack-running. So we tried to get the best of both worlds. There are a few things to improve on and we’re slowly getting there and increasing the speed every run. We’re just chipping away. It does seem like a long week but it does close up pretty quickly, especially with the rain yesterday. Overall it was a good day. We’re getting there. I’m happy and looking forward to tomorrow. It’s going to be a bit windy and everything gets turned up a bit tomorrow. Hopefully we can do a good job in this Juncos Hollinger car.” Kyle KirkwoodEd CarpenterPress Conference
THE MODERATOR: Good afternoon, everyone. Wrapping up what is technically practice for the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 coming up a week from Sunday. We’ll be joined by Kyle Kirkwood and Jimmie Johnson momentarily, but leading us off, the driver of the No. 33 Alzamend Neuro, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet. Ed Carpenter, who was tenth quick, third quick on the no-tow right behind Will Power and his teammate Rinus VeeKay also first and second on the no-tow.So five and a half hours of green flag time, over 3,100 laps turned today. Did you get what you wanted to get done today?ED CARPENTER: Yeah, I think we did a little bit of everything, so yeah, we started the day off doing some race running with the change from where we were the other day, first day I guess it was.So it took us a little bit to kind of rebalance that change. In the end I think it was better, but we weren’t super happy in the first part of the day, then we wanted to shift gears and start getting some of our configurations and balances ready for tomorrow when we start going fast.It’s one of those weird ones like I kind of would have liked to have done what Ganassi did and just do race running all day long, but we also have gone into Fast Friday not in a great head space for qualifying before, and kind of gotten confused once the boost is turned up. We wanted to go into tomorrow feeling pretty good about our balance at different trim configurations.I think we accomplished all that, and then finished off race running again at the end of the day, and felt right nice.THE MODERATOR: Did you go out and do any qual sims at all? We saw some of that.ED CARPENTER: Yeah, I did two complete ones. Feel like we’re in a decent spot. But again, a lot of people haven’t shown their hand just yet. I don’t think Ganassi has really shown anything — there’s someone else, McLaren I don’t think did any Q sims either today. So there’s some big hitters that still are concealing what they can do.THE MODERATOR: Also joined by the driver of the No. 14 Rocket AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet, Kyle Kirkwood. Kyle, welcome. Tell us about your day today.KYLE KIRKWOOD: Yeah, it was pretty good. I think we just got done in the nick of time. It’s starting to downpour out there coming back over here. I’m happy with the way the day went. AJ Foyt Racing seems to be doing pretty decent the past couple days, so I’m happy with the performance so far.THE MODERATOR: 19th quick today for Kyle Kirkwood, the rookie again, driving the No. 14 for AJ Foyt.
Q. Ed, why the shift in philosophy? I know you’ve been 19 straight years here. Was it too good to balance or was it monkey see, monkey do?ED CARPENTER: No, it was our plan coming into the day. I think anytime you lose a whole day to rain you’ve got to modify the plan a little bit. I didn’t do — all we do on opening day was race running. Didn’t even think about any trimming.The car changes a fair amount of times when they give us all the qualifying power that we’ll have tomorrow, so I think it’s important to at least have an established kind of qualifying baseline balance going into that just so then the only thing we’re dealing with tomorrow is a whole lot more horsepower.Q. How does the car feel in qual sims? Do you feel like the cars are more even this year?ED CARPENTER: Who knows. We haven’t seen the boost up yet, so it’s hard to know what we’re going to have. These guys haven’t shown anything yet. Things will become more clear tomorrow night.
Q. Probably for Ed since he’s a team owner and the veteran up there.ED CARPENTER: Veteran at what? (Laughter.)Q. Driving at Indianapolis. Ed, how much of a track position race has this become, and how much does that beat what you did on qualifying setups today?ED CARPENTER: I mean, it can be. At the same time, I was at the front last year and stalled it on the first pit stop and went back and we found our way back to the front.A lot of it just depends on the day that you have. If we have a 90-degree type of weather day it makes the track position probably more important than a racetrack like we had last year that I don’t even know if it got to 70 degrees.It can be, but it’s a 500-mile race. A lot can happen. You can do a lot with strategy. There’s a lot of ways to find your way to the front.From experience, it definitely can set you up for an easier 500 miles if you can get the track position and keep it. There’s no doubt about that.
Q. How is the Chevrolet package playing out so far? Have you seen a big improvement on the road courses? How will that translate to Indy?ED CARPENTER: So far, so good. I think Chevrolet has been a great partner for us, and all the years I’ve been here with them, I never felt like we didn’t have a chance to win this race. It’s always been a good fight with Chevrolet and Honda.I think they’ve worked really hard this past off-season and came into this season prepared.Like I said earlier, I think it’s kind of a toss-up in race trim. It’s hard to really tell if anyone really has an advantage one way or the other, and by tomorrow night I think we’ll maybe have a little bit of an idea if one manufacturer has the upper hand for qualifying or not, but it seems tight.
Q. Kyle, you’re used to much shorter races in both of your careers, and obviously this one is a lot longer. How are you approaching the mental aspect, making sure that you’re ready?KYLE KIRKWOOD: Yeah, for me, like you said, it’s a really long two weeks. It feels like we’ve been here forever already, and it’s only been three days, and we missed one day. It’s just not trying to get ahead of yourself. I’m trying to take things as slow as possible.Usually you go into a race week and you get two practice sessions and then you’re straight into the race and you’ve got to attack right off the bat, and this year has been tracks that I haven’t been to and I’ve had to attack early on.This one I’ve had to take a massive step back and kind of just rethink the entire philosophy of the two weeks going into a weekend.Yeah, it’s quite a bit different, but I think everything is going pretty well at the moment. We’ve got a lot of race running in. We did a couple qually sims early on this afternoon. Yeah, I think it’s going well so far.

Q. How did the day yesterday change and affect the program in terms of what becomes more important for the rest of the week?ED CARPENTER: I mean, it just condenses the plan. We still have to get the same amount of work done. You can see that everyone kind of has a different approach to how they’re managing the work.I think like our team and Andretti probably had more philosophy today than what the Ganassi cars had, a little bit different philosophy. But it’s the same for everybody. It would be worse if you lost today and other people were on track, but the fact that nobody ran, I think it just condenses all the work we need to do.
KYLE KIRKWOOD: Yeah, I tend to agree with what you just said there. We’re just keeping it simple. We kind of planned for the weather to ruin one day, so we got through all our big test items the first day, which was really good.There is no hiccups there, so glad that happened. Today we got through the test items we needed to, so we’ve actually kind of made up for the lost time.
Q. Ed, you and both your teammates were pretty high up on a non-tow stint. Just wondering, is there a reason for that? What goes into being good at that?ED CARPENTER: Well, I mean, we all three did qualifying simulations, so not everyone did that today. It seems like we have some decent speed. But again, there’s a lot of good cars that didn’t do any qualifying simulations today.It doesn’t quite mean anything until tomorrow. That’s what I was talking about earlier. We just wanted to do it and get a good baseline and balance for the configurations we plan on running tomorrow with the boost.
Q. You and Connor have obviously been doing this a little longer than Rinus. What kind of advice have you had for him?ED CARPENTER: Rinus doesn’t need much advice anymore. He figured this place out quick. I think more so than anyplace we go, I think he got comfortable in the way he drives and the feel that he has.It really suits him well here. He pulls his weight for sure, and I’ll still give him some things, like going into Turn 1 today on a cool-down lap or Turn 3 and send it like four wide around the top, and I’m like, hey, dude, they’ve got warm-up lanes, let’s use them. No big deal.
So stuff like that. But the hard part he has figured out.Q. Changes in qualifying procedures this year, to get full you guys have to make three runs at it instead of two. I think probably back when you started, might have only had to do one. I can’t quite remember. But any thoughts on having to make like three runs just right there on the ragged edge of things to try and go for full? Do you enjoy being able to do that one more time or do you wish it was back at two?ED CARPENTER: Yeah, it’s a good question. I do love qualifying here, but I don’t know that I love doing two runs within 30 minutes. It’s kind of nice to do one and then recharge the batteries a little bit because it is stressful and draining even though it’s four laps.But it’s the same for everyone. It’ll be interesting for sure. The only times that I’ve had to kind of do multiple runs is usually when we’re having a bit of a struggle and you’ve got to go try to find some more time.Yeah, it’s going to be interesting. I’ve thought about it a lot trying to figure out exactly what it’s going to be like, but it’ll really, I guess, largely depend on, one, getting into the Fast 12, and then from there what the conditions are and what the balance of the car is will determine how stressful the second run is.
Q. Do you feel like the procedure that INDYCAR has put in place with — I think there’s a couple laps, I don’t know if you recall them, maybe a warm-up lap that —ED CARPENTER: The gladiator laps you’re talking about.
Q. Yeah, exactly. You feel like that will do enough to even things out for the guy that finished 12th on Saturday that’s able to get into the Fast Six a half hour or so ahead of the guys —ED CARPENTER: Yeah, I think that’s going to work out pretty well. I simulated that today, too, just to kind of see what it was going to be like. Yeah, I think that’ll be a good procedure.
Q. For the rookies, you now are going to have the boost go up and you’re going to go a lot faster going into Turn 1 tomorrow. What are the thoughts going into tomorrow knowing you’re going to probably be pushing 240 going into Turn 1?KYLE KIRKWOOD: For me it’s a little bit intimidating going from qually sim and pulling out the downforce out and feeling how light the car is there. It’s kind of like you don’t really want to turn the wheel because you’re just unsure what the car is going to do, and adding another 10 or 15 miles per hour to it is going to be less than comfortable, I would have to say.From the people that I’ve talked to they all say it’s not that big of a step. It actually feels better because you get the runs out of the corners and it’s not like you lose tons of grip due to the speed. I guess I’ll let you know after I go through Turn 1 the first time with more power.
KYLE KIRKWOOD: Yeah, the number one thing he said to me just trust instincts when you go out there. If something doesn’t feel right just stop, because there was a moment where we missed it on aero and ended up with a wrong rear wing and I went out and did one lap at 185. I was like something doesn’t feel right. I remember he said that. Came in and we realized we were two degrees off on the rear wing, so was one thing.Q. We had the rain yesterday that washed the entire track clean. How similar did the track today feel compared to Tuesday?
ED CARPENTER: Yeah, I agree. I thought it was different. I don’t know if I would say there was less grip, but I thought there was a bit of a balance shift, which happens around here, whether track temps, wind, whatever it may be. Just something you learn to not freak out about and adapt to.KYLE KIRKWOOD: Yeah, for me it was — I didn’t really notice much because we went with a completely different car, but talking to J.R. who was running the same car I switched to, he said, yeah, it seemed a bit freer to start off the morning.Q. We have a bit of drizzle coming on right now. Does that give you all any apprehension that some of the rubber laid down today might get washed off and it might be a bit more greener than you were hoping?ED CARPENTER: I don’t think so. For me I think back to the open test, the track came in really quick, and it had been sitting for a long, long time. Having 33 cars here, it’ll come back to life pretty quickly. It’s more just adapting to what the day brings.It’s going to be — I think the big topic tomorrow is going to be wind. Looks like the wind is going to be pretty strong, so I think that’ll be the dominant difference for tomorrow.

Q. Romain said this morning, I’m not quoting him directly, but he said something about when you have a moment out there, butt puckering and things like that; have you been guys experienced any of that as first timers here?  How does it feel?
KYLE KIRKWOOD: Yeah, I had a couple out there. There was one that I got loose right in the middle of 1. Did like one solid tank slap, and after that it took me a few laps to have the confidence to hold it flat again, and then multiple situations where you get a little bit high in someone’s aero wash and you just end up right in the middle of their wake and you can’t get out it. You just out of the throttle and you feel like the car is never going to turn.It’s like the onboard videos do not give it any justice because you start turning the wheel, and then all of a sudden us just don’t turn anymore. You get to about 25 degrees of steering input. After that you’re just past the slip angle. The car is just not going to turn anymore. It’s a very scary moment when you get past that moment and you’re just understeering looking at the wall and that’s coming at you at 220 miles per hour.Q. Does it take your breath away?KYLE KIRKWOOD: A little bit, yeah. It makes your heart drop for a moment but you get back on the horse and keep digging.Q. Ed, do you remember any in your first moments?ED CARPENTER: Yeah, I mean, it still happens. If you’re pushing and going hard here and pushing the limits of it, you’re always going to have that. I think having more experience and having different things happen, yeah.But for sure you learn quickly, like Kyle said earlier, to trust your instincts. This isn’t the type of place that you push through for very long until it comes race time. But yeah, too many to count.Q. Can you explain to us what butt puckering is to English dudes because that’s a new one.ED CARPENTER: It keeps you from shitting your pants.Q. Ed, just based on your experience here at the speedway, how much of a problem is the wind likely to be, and is it likely to reduce your run tomorrow or what kind of impact will it have?ED CARPENTER: No, we’ll run in it. I’ve always been of the mind that you need to run in whatever conditions you get because we don’t know what exactly we’ll have next Sunday, so you need to be prepared for it. I think the direction of the wind makes a big difference here, and gustiness can change things and make you feel different things than you feel on a calm day. It’s just something you have to be cognizant of and aware of as you’re preparing your car.Q. Ed, what do you think about Connor’s hot tub prank?ED CARPENTER: I thought whoever did it, it was a brilliant idea. Exactly parents that has kids, it’s not — first off, you get a cereal bowl of those things and they end up all over your house.Q. You know a lot about this.ED CARPENTER: I do, but it wasn’t me. He knows it wasn’t me.

Chevy racing–nascar–texas–all star race advance

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE

NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE

TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

FORT WORTH, TEXAS

MAY 22, 2022

TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY: NASCAR ALL-STAR EDITION

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) shifts its attention from points racing for the weekend as drivers and teams head to Texas Motor Speedway for the annual NASCAR All-Star Race, with all focus turned to the $1 million grand prize on the line. The annual, non-points paying race is returning to the 1.5-mile Texas oval for the second-consecutive year after becoming just the fourth venue to host event in 2021. 

Chevrolet looks to make it four-in-a-row for NASCAR All-Star victories in the Next Gen Camaro ZL1’s debut at Texas Motor Speedway. The string of wins in the coveted All-Star event started with Kyle Larson in 2019, who drove the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet to his first-career All-Star victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The 2020 event saw Chase Elliott capture his first-career All-Star win in the event’s first appearance at Bristol Motor Speedway. Larson went on to make it a third-consecutive trip to All-Star victory lane for Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway in 2021. This season will mark the 38th-running of the NASCAR All-Star Race, where Chevrolet has recorded a manufacturer-leading 20 trips to victory lane in the event. 

RACING TO THE BIG SHOW

The unique format of the NASCAR All-Star weekend highlights the talents of the sport; giving drivers, pit crews and road crews their chance to shine throughout the weekend to get their team to the ultimate cash prize. 

Teams that have already clinched a spot for the All-Star Race will see a shake-up in the qualifying format this year. Qualifying will be spit into two rounds, with the first consisting of a single-car, single-lap run, with the top-eight qualifiers advancing on. Round two will feature a three-round, elimination-style bracket, with pit crews playing a vital role in the battle for the pole. During each elimination round, pit crews will perform a four-tire stop, with the driver then racing back to the start/finish line under no pit road speed limits, with the fastest advancing on until the polesitter is crowned. 

Drivers can lock-in their spot in the All-Star Race as a points-paying winner in 2021 or 2022; full-time NCS drivers that are past All-Star Race winners; or full-time NCS drivers that are previous champions of the series. 20 drivers have met those requirements and have clinched an All-Star Race starting spot for 2022, six of which are Chevrolet drivers: AJ Allmendinger, Alex Bowman, William Byron, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott and defending-winner Kyle Larson. The 125-lap NASCAR All-Star Race will feature three, 25-lap Stages; and a 50-lap final stage that will ultimately crown the All-Star Race winner. 

Drivers who have not qualified for the All-Star Race will have the opportunity to race their way in by competing in the NASCAR Open. The 50-lap event consists of three stages – Stage One, Stage Two, Final Stage – where the winner of each advances to the All-Star Main Event. A fourth driver will be added to the All-Star Race by virtue of a Fan Vote. Nine Chevrolet drivers from six different teams have their eyes set on joining the elite All-Star Race field. 

CHASTAIN TO MAKE ALL-STAR DEBUT

It’s been a breakout season for Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain, where a season of “firsts” continues for the 30-year-old Florida native this weekend as he makes his NASCAR All-Star Race debut. Chastain is one of just three drivers that have clinched a spot into the All-Star Race as a result of their first-career NASCAR Cup Series victory recorded this season. Chastain, along with Chevrolet teammate William Byron, are the only two multiple race winners thus far this season, both standing at two wins each. 

MAKE IT A TRIPLEHEADER

Texas Motor Speedway will also be the host of points-paying action for the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), giving fans a tripleheader race weekend. 

On an eight-consecutive race run for the series, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series gets the race weekend underway Friday under the lights with the SpeedyCash.com 220. Chevrolet is coming off of three top-10 finishes at Kansas Speedway last weekend, led by GMS Racing’s Grant Enfinger, who has driven his No. 23 Silverado to back-to-back third-place finishes. Heading into the ninth race of the season for the series, two Silverado drivers sit inside the top-10 of the NCWTS points standing, including Niece Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar (7th) and Grant Enfinger (9th). 

Coming off the series’ second-off week of the 2022 season, the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) resumes action in the “Lone Star State” with the SRS Distribution 250 on Saturday afternoon. Chevrolet enters the Texas Motor Speedway race weekend looking for its fourth-consecutive victory, a winning streak that started with Noah Gragson at Talladega Superspeedway; followed by his JR Motorsports teammates’ wins at Dover Motor Speedway (Josh Berry) and Darlington Raceway (Justin Allgaier). 

The top of the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver and manufacturer points standings continues to see Chevrolet in command. NXS Series points leader, AJ Allmendinger, is leading the bowtie brand to an impressive four of the top-five and six of the top-10 in the standings. Looking for its sixth-consecutive NXS Manufacturer Championship title, Chevrolet continues to lead in the standings by 43-points over its manufacturer competitors. The Camaro SS has recorded a series-leading six wins thus far this season, performed by five different Chevrolet drivers. 

LEADING AT THE HALFWAY MARK

Leaving Kansas Speedway last weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series has officially hit the halfway mark in the 2022 Regular Season. With 13 points-paying races down, 13 remain for Chevrolet drivers to capture a win and a berth into the NCS Playoff field. Battling to defend its NCS Driver and Manufacturer Championship title, Chevrolet will enter into the second-half of the regular season on top of both standings. 

Taking over the points lead at Atlanta Motor Speedway – the fifth race of the season – 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Chase Elliott, continues to sit atop the NCS driver points standings. Five Chevrolet teammates accompany Elliott in the top-10, including: William Byron (4th); Ross Chastain (5th); Alex Bowman (8th); and Kyle Larson (9th). 

Chevrolet, the winningest brand in NASCAR, continues to hold strong onto the NCS manufacturer points lead, 35-points over second. Camaro ZL1 drivers have recorded seven wins, 36 top-five’s, 63 top-10’s, 12 stage wins and 1,884 laps led thus far this season, all of which tops its manufacturer competitors. With a strong first half of the season, Chevrolet looks to keep the momentum rolling en route to its 34th NCS Driver Championship and 41st NCS Manufacturer Championship. 

Chevrolet will be pacing all three NASCAR touring series to the green this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. The Camaro ZL1 will lead the NASCAR Cup Series for the All-Star Race and All-Star Open; the Camaro SS will lead the NASCAR Xfinity Series in the SRS Distribution 250; and the Silverado RST will lead the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in the SpeedyCash.com 220. 

BOWTIE BULLETS

·       Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 20 NASCAR All-Star Race victories, including the last three: 

Kyle Larson with Chip Ganassi Racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway (2019) 

Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 at Bristol Motor Speedway 2020)

Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 at Texas Motor Speedway (2021)

·       Hendrick Motorsports leads all NASCAR Cup Series teams with 10 All-Star wins among five different drivers: Jimmie Johnson (4), Jeff Gordon (3), Terry Labonte (1), Chase Elliott (1), and Kyle Larson (1). 

·       Kyle Larson swept the NASCAR Cup Series events at Texas Motor Speedway in 2021, capturing his second-career NASCAR All-Star win in June, later returning to take the first race of the NCS Playoffs Round of Eight at the 1.5-mile Texas venue in October. 

·       With 13 NASCAR Cup Series races complete in the 2022 season, Chevrolet continues to lead all manufacturers in NCS wins (7), top-five’s (36), top-10’s (63), laps led (1,884) and stage wins (12). Chevrolet’s NCS wins, top-five’s and laps led count for more than double its manufacturer competitors. 

·       William Byron leads all drivers with 569 laps led this season. That is a career-high most laps led by the Chevrolet driver after 13 events in a single season.

·       Ricky Stenhouse Jr. captured his third-consecutive top-10 finish, earning an eighth-place finish in his No. 47 JTG Daugherty Camaro ZL1 at Kansas Speedway after being forced to start at the rear due to an accident in practice. With now four top-10’s on the season, the feat now matches the most top-10’s he’s earned in a single season with the team, this year recorded in just 13 races. 

·       Ross Chastain captured his eighth top-10 finish of the season at Kansas Speedway to match his total number of top 10’s that he scored in all of 2021. Chastain has also recorded a series-leading seven top-five’s. 

·       Chevrolet drivers, Ross Chastain and William Byron, are the only two drivers that are multiple race winners in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022. Both have captured two wins each: (Chastain – COTA, Talladega), (Byron – Atlanta, Martinsville). 

·       Seven Team Chevy drivers have combined 12 NASCAR Cup Series stage wins: 

Tyler Reddick 2 – (Fontanax2)

Alex Bowman 1 – (Las Vegas)

Ross Chastain 2 – (Las Vegas), (Darlington)

William Byron 3 – (Phoenix), (Atlanta), (Talladega)

Daniel Suarez 1 – (COTA)

Chase Elliott 2 – (Martinsvillex2)

Kyle Larson 1 – (Bristol)

·       Chevrolet leads in the driver points standing in both the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Chase Elliott remains in the top position in the NCS standings with a 52-point advantage over second place; and AJ Allmendinger continues to lead the NXS standings by 25-points. Chevrolet remains atop both the NCS and NXS manufacturer points standings. 

·       With its 40 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships; 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships; and 821 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 Texas Motor Speedway. 

·       Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles including: Silverado 2500 High Country, Blazer RS, Colorado ZR2 Bison 4ZR, Traverse RS, Corvette Coupe 3LT, Silverado ZR2 and Silverado EV. 

·       At the Chevrolet Display, fans can also view Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 show car. 

Display to Feature the First-Ever Chevrolet Silverado EV

Making a special appearance in the Team Chevy Racing Display this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway will be the first-ever, all-electric Chevrolet Silverado. The Silverado EV is a reimagined full-size, electric pickup, leveraging the power of GM’s Ultium EV platform. It offers a revolutionary mix of performance, capability, technology and style. 

Key features include:

·       The Silverado EV was built from the ground up as an electric pickup, including Ultium-enabled engineering and design. 

·       Revolutionary performance and capability: 

   o  GM-estimated range of 400 miles

   o  Impressive horsepower and torque

   o  Four-wheel steer

   o  Up to 10 available power outlets that, when paired with an accessory power bar, provide up to 10.2kW of power

·       It’s packed with smart technology, including a 17-inch freeform infotainment screen; 11-inch diagonal driver information display; and ultifi-enabled capabilities. 

·       Athletic exterior design and purposeful interior, featuring aerodynamic design to maximize range; storage capacity and spaciousness; fixed-glass roof; and a midgate. 

TEAM CHEVY QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSIONS AT THE DISPLAY:

Friday, May 20

·       Derek Kraus and Colby Howard: 5:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. 

·       Jesse Little and Spencer Boyd: 5:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. 

·       Grant Enfinger and Jack Wood: 5:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. 

·       Kris Wright and Blaine Perkins: 5:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

Saturday, May 21

·       Jeremy Clements: 9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 

·       Brett Moffitt and Anthony Alfredo: 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. 

·       Sheldon Creed: 10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 

·       Josh Berry and Sam Mayer: 10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. 

Sunday, May 22

·       AJ Allmendinger: 1:55 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. 

·       Erik Jones: 2:10 p.m. – 2:25 p.m. 

·       Ross Chastain: 2:25 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

·       Friday, May 20: 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 

·       Saturday, May 21: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

·       Sunday, May 22: 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 

TUNE IN

To kick-off the tripleheader race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, FS1 will broadcast the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series SpeedyCash.com 220 on Friday, May 20, at 8:30 p.m. ET. Live coverage of the 147-lap event can also be found on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. 

FS1 will broadcast the NASCAR Xfinity Series SRS Distribution 250 on Saturday, May 21, at 1:30 p.m. ET. Live coverage can also be found on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. 

FS1 will air Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series All-Star action, starting with the All-Star Open at 4:30 p.m. ET, followed by the 125-lap All-Star Race at 8 p.m. ET. Live coverage of both events can also be found on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. 

QUOTABLE QUOTES

ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 WORLDWIDE EXPRESS CAMARO ZL1 

HOW EXCITED ARE YOU TO GET TO TEXAS? 

“I can’t wait to get to Texas. We have Worldwide Express on the car and Rob (Rose) is such a huge supporter of us and of racing which includes the Truck Series. It would be awesome to get them into victory lane. They got to experience it with us at Talladega earlier this year, but it would be great to do it again with them as the primary.”

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO ALREADY HAVE TWO WINS THIS SEASON AND BE LOCKED INTO THE ALL-STAR RACE? 

“It a great feeling to be locked in to the All-Star race. To think back several years ago at a road course I was asking Justin (Marks) questions when he was driving the No. 42 Xfinity car.

How do I brake, turn right into a blind corner, down shift twice and get off of that corner and it wasn’t an easy answer for him. It took years of going over it with him and now to have wins with him as the owner is so cool. I remember I paid his wife Erin for race seats. I went to their house and Justin was gone and I paid her cash for two seats because I didn’t have the NASCAR certified seats and Justin did.”

AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BASS PRO SHOPS / TRACKER OFF ROAD CAMARO ZL1 

DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO THE ALL-STAR RACE SINCE TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY IS THE TRACK YOU EARNED YOUR LAST WIN? 

“I do. I think it’s pretty cool to be able to run the All-Star race at Texas Motor Speedway. I’m really hoping that I can race my way in and have a chance at winning because Texas has always been a strong track for me. I think as the surface wears out, Texas could become a better race. It just needs to lose some more grip in order to make the racing more exciting.”

TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 GUARANTEED RATE CAMARO ZL1 

ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE ALL-STAR RACE THIS WEEKEND? 

“The All-Star Race is always a really fun and competitive way for our sport to do something a little bit different during the season. Our season is really long, and every weekend is so important so it’s fun to put a different spin on things this weekend. The fact that it’s a non-points-paying race doesn’t make any of the drivers want it any less. We’re competing for a lot of money and bragging rights, so wo wouldn’t want to win. Our team has had a really up and down few weeks and finishing 30th at Kansas isn’t a reflection of the results we deserve. Our pit crew is crazy good and my crew work so hard every single day at the shop to bring fast cars that can run upfront and compete for wins. I hope we get to showcase that this weekend, win some money and use that as even more momentum to get out there and win at Charlotte.”

DO YOU PREPARE ANY DIFFERENT FOR THIS WEEKEND KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE TO COMPETE IN THE OPEN TO GET IN? 

“There’s a fine line between being overly competitive and playing it safe and being overly competitive and ruining your day and someone else’s. Last year in the Open, we ran really hard but also made it a goal to stay out of trouble and we won Stage 2. If you wreck your car in the Open, then you’ve got nothing to compete for in the All-Star Race. Every driver in the Open will likely have that same mindset, you want to make it in and do everything you can, but you don’t want to take yourself out in the process. The stages are much shorter, and we’ve got a little bit of practice time to see how our car is running.”

YOU’RE CURRENTLY IN THE TOP FOUR IN THE NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE FAN VOTE. HOW DOES THAT FEEL? 

“When I found that out, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a really cool thing to know people are out there voting for you and that there have been enough votes to put me on the top of the list with other really talented drivers. I’ve got the best fans; I see them out there every single weekend supporting me. It’s special. I’d love to race my way in but to win the Fan Vote is something I’d be truly honored by.”

KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 

LARSON ON THE ALL-STAR FORMAT: 

“The format sounds exciting. It’s always interesting because it seems like the format is different each year. I’m sure (crew chief) Cliff (Daniels) and the team will study to see what strategy may work the best – but I’m sure that strategy is trying our best to win the first segment so we can start on the pole for the final one. Hopefully we can get another all-star win.”

CLIFF DANIELS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 

DANIELS ON LAST YEAR’S WINNING STRATEGY: 

“We studied on what we needed to do (to win), but our car was not what it needed to be for most of the race. At the end of every stage, we were doing huge changes to try to free it up because we were so tight in traffic. We started on the pole – I believe by random draw – and we were okay out front in the first stage but we couldn’t pass at all in the second stage. I got worried. Kyle got worried. But it all worked out okay because we were in good position (for the restart) going into the final stage – which is all you can ask for. No matter all the studying we did and could do, it didn’t change the fact we didn’t have a good car in traffic and needed to adjust on it and make it better.”

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 

ELLIOTT ON COMPETING IN THE ALL-STAR RACE: 

“I’m glad that NASCAR has started rotating this event some. I think that’s what this event was initially designed to do. To give fans in the different regions a special event and I think that’s really cool. It’s more like what other forms of sports do. I’m hoping that next year they switch it up and head somewhere else after being back in Texas for the second year. It’s not exactly one of my best tracks, but we did put in a pretty good effort last year and the pit crew was able to get the job done. Hopefully with this year’s format, it will be entertaining for the fans and we can put on a good show for them.”

ALAN GUSTAFSON, CREW CHIEF, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 

GUSTAFSON ON BUILDING A NOTEBOOK FOR THE PLAYOFF VISIT TO TEXAS: 

“Last year was good, we were able to win the pit crew competition. I was really happy for all the guys and the effort they put into the pit stops. I feel like they don’t often get the recognition they deserve for how good they are. The race was good for us last year. I felt like we had a shot to win. For us this week, going back to Texas is just about this new car. Being able to try some things and it’s a race that doesn’t pay any points, so we can be a bit more aggressive in trying some different setup configurations and trying to learn some stuff.”

AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 16 ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD CAMARO ZL1 

“I’m pumped to be in the All-Star race again! It’s a super cool opportunity to have. It will be my first time driving this Next Gen car on a mile-and-a-half racetrack, so it will be interesting to get a feel for these kinds of tracks. I’m also looking forward to having Andy’s Frozen Custard back with us at Texas with their newest flavor of custard featured on the car – the All-Star Jackhammer!”

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1 

BYRON ON HOW THE NASCAR XFINITY SERIES RACE SHOULD HELP HIM FOR SUNDAY’S ALL-STAR RACE: 

“Texas (Motor Speedway) is a track I found success at early on in my career in both trucks and Xfinity but I feel like I’ve struggled just a little bit to get the same results on the Cup side of things. That’s part of why I’m excited to get back in an Xfinity car this weekend and see how it races compared to when I was in one last a few years ago. I feel like those cars relate similarly to the Next Gen car and hopefully that will give us some extra notes that we can use not only for the All-Star Race on Sunday but also for when we go back to Texas in the fall.”

RUDY FUGLE, CREW CHIEF, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1 

FUGLE ON WHAT CHALLENGES TEAMS WILL FACE AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY: 

“I’m interested to see how the Next Gen car will race this weekend at Texas (Motor Speedway). In the past, we have ran high downforce packages for the All-Star Race but this year we will not only run lower downforce but the Next Gen car as well. Add in the fact that both ends of the track are so different from each other, it’s going to make it a challenge on your approach to setting the car up and changes you make throughout the weekend. With us using the same tire this weekend as we did last weekend in Kansas and at Las Vegas, I think that gives us a good starting place at least when it comes to what changes we can make with air pressure and the fine line on how the car reacts. That’s where practice is going to be the most help since the All-Star Race is broken up into mini races essentially and you don’t have a ton of chances to make big swings and recover by the end.”

JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL1

“I’m excited to put Kansas in the rearview mirror and go for million dollars this weekend in Texas. We will have to race our way in during the Open, which is going to be a short race. That will bring some excitement. I enjoy racing at Texas, so hopefully we can make the big show and put this No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camaro in the All-Star race.”

ERIK JONES, NO. 43 PETTY GMS CAMARO ZL1

JONES’ THOUGHTS ON RACING AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY AND HIS CHANCE FOR THIS WEEKEND’S ALL-STAR RACE: 

“I’m looking forward to the All-Star race. Texas has been a good place to me in general over the last four or five years. I hope to race our way in through the Open and if not, fallback hopefully on the fan vote. The goal obviously is to be in the All-Star race on Sunday night and be racing for that million. Looking forward to getting down there. I always have fun going to Texas and being in that area. I can’t wait to get there and have a chance on Sunday.”  

RICKY STENHOUSE JR., NO. 47 KROGER / VIVA CAMARO ZL1 

“This weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, I feel like it will be tricky. Both ends are completely different. Texas is kind of exaggerated with how flat Turns 1 & 2 are compared to 3 & 4. I ran some laps on the simulator this week. I think it is going to be a handful. You’re going to have to sacrifice some handling on one end to be good on the other end and just trying to pick which one of those is the fastest will be key. Also, qualifying is going to be very important. We’re looking forward to getting to Texas with a new purple and blue paint scheme on our No. 47 Kroger/VIVA Towels Camaro ZL1.”

ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 

BOWMAN ON HOW HIS SEASON HAS GONE SO FAR: 

“Greg and I have spent a lot of time working together to get more consistent and we have accomplished that. We are happy with the fact that we have eight top-10s but we both feel like we should have a few more wins. Our team has worked very hard to continue to get better and we feel like we are learning more about the Next Gen car, but we are always looking for more. Greg and I are ready to go to Texas this weekend and continue to get better and try to take home the $1 million check.”

GREG IVES, CREW CHIEF, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1

IVES ON HIS APPROACH TO THE RACE AT TEXAS: 

“Texas Motor Speedway is a tough track to get the car dialed in with both ends of the track different from each other in banking and shape. I think it’s a great place to have the All-Star Race in that respect, but it makes for a long day if you can’t get the car set up for the track. Alex (Bowman) has found success at the track, having a couple of top-fives and top-10s, so it should be a fun weekend. We are going to go out there and learn a lot at the unique track and continue to build on our success this year.”

DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 FREEWAY INSURANCE CAMARO ZL1 

WHY DO YOU LIKE THE ALL-STAR RACE?        

“It’s fun. We have some work to get into it this year, but we are confident we will be there. We have been fast lately and I’m sure we will win one of the stages.”

WHAT IS YOUR STRATEGY? 

“First thing we have to do is win the Open race or a stage. When we do that we’ll be in the All-Star Race and anything can happen. We have to get in it to win it. It’s been done before so we know it can happen. We will have as good a shot as anyone.”

GRANT ENFINGER, NO. 23 CHAMPION POWER EQUIPMENT SILVERADO RST

“Our No. 23 team has been doing great at the shop and on pit road. I think the race in Texas will be a great opportunity for our team to shine, especially after seeing what we have learned over the last couple weeks. In the past, this track has really suited my driving style, but we haven’t been able to pull off that win yet, so I’m hungry for one here. If we are able to unload quickly and stay ahead of the racetrack, I think we can contend all night with our Champion Power Equipment Chevy.”

JACK WOOD, NO. 24 SEVWINS SILVERADO RST

“I’m excited to race at Texas for the first time this weekend with my GMS Racing guys. I’ve never been there in any type of car before, but I’ve spoke with a lot of drivers and they agree that this track is one of their favorite places to race at. Last year here, the No. 24 Chevy ran up front all race and finished second with Chase Elliott, so I believe that there is a good opportunity for our team to back it up with another strong run. We are bringing really fast Silverado RSTs to the racetrack week in and week out, so if we are able to put a full race together, the good finishes will come naturally.”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:

Total (1949-2021): 40

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest 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): 33

First 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: 7

Poles: 2

Laps Led: 1,884

Top-five finishes: 36

Top-10 finishes: 63

Stage wins: 12

  • Tyler Reddick (Fontanax2)
  • Alex Bowman (Las Vegas)
  • Ross Chastain (Las Vegas), (Darlington)
  • William Byron (Phoenix), (Atlanta), (Talladega)
  • Daniel Suarez (COTA)
  • Chase Elliott (Martinsvillex2)
  • Kyle Larson (Bristol Dirt)

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 821 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 725

Laps led to date: 243,220

Top-five finishes to date: 4,174

Top-10 finishes to date: 8,618

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

           General Motors: 1,155

           Chevrolet: 821

           Pontiac: 154

           Oldsmobile: 115

           Buick: 65

           Ford: 814                                                         

           Ford: 714

           Mercury: 96

           Lincoln: 4

           Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

           Dodge: 217

           Plymouth: 191

           Chrysler: 59

         Toyota: 165

Silver Dollar’s Gold Cup Race of Champions Back to Three-Day Event

Paying $25,000-to-winSweet/Larson/Copeland Promotions Ushering in New Era at Chico, CA TrackCHICO, CA – May 19, 2022 – A marquee event for decades, new promoters at Silver Dollar Speedway are committed to bringing the Gold Cup Race of Champions back to national glory, and that begins this season with big changes coming.The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series portion of the historic 68th running will expand back to a three-day format from Thursday-Saturday, September 8-10. Drivers will be accumulating points across two prelim nights before battling for an updated purse of $25,000-to-win, $2,000-to-start in the Gold Cup finale.GOLD CUP TICKET PACKAGES (Sept. 7-10)Four-day ticket packages are now on sale at the link above and available for purchase by phone at (530) 966-4020. You can also make your camping reservations at the number listed.New for 2022, each day’s grandstand ticket or pit pass includes FREE admission to that evening’s special event: Concert by Curb Records singer/songwriter Tim Dugger (Wednesday night), Glow Party (Thursday night), Miss Gold Cup Bikini Contest (Friday night). The JP’s Paint & Auto Body fan appreciation BBQ, hosted by the Gold Cup BBQ Crew, is a Gold Cup tradition and takes place Saturday afternoon. Additional guests and activities will be announced later this summer. While The Greatest Show on Dirt takes center stage from Thursday-Saturday, the week officially begins on Wednesday, September 7 with the Sprint Car Challenge Tour and Hunt Magnetos Wingless Series. Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, two-time Gold Cup winner (2010-11), and SDS co-promoter, Kyle Larson, is set to compete in the SCCT 360 show.Three-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car champion and current Series points leader Brad Sweet, himself a co-promoter at Silver Dollar, plans to play both host and hero. The 75-time winner has earned multiple wins at the Chico, CA bullring, but still pursues that elusive Gold Cup finale in his Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #57.”It’ll be great to return to Northern California, and you bet I want to win Gold Cup,” Sweet said. “Both Kyle [Larson] and I grew up less than two hours from the track, so it has always been special to us. It’s why we, and our friend & fellow racer, Colby Copeland, invested to improve the fan experience, concession, kids zone, merchandise, track, and prize money.”Reigning Gold Cup champion Logan Schuchart will be back at the 1/4-mile this September with hopes of becoming the first back-to-back winner since Kyle Larson did it more than a decade ago in 2010-11. Former winners Rico Abreu and Donny Schatz will also be looking to add another Gold Cup to their legacy this fall.A legion of other superstars such as Carson MacedoSheldon HaudenschildDavid GravelJames McFaddenSpencer BaystonJacob AllenKasey Kahne, and more, will be chasing their first taste of Gold Cup success.The expanded Gold Cup Race of Champions marks the beginning of a two-week fall fling in California for the World of Outlaws. Following Silver Dollar, the Series will venture to Keller Auto Speedway for the Tom Tarlton Classic on Friday, September 16, and then Placerville Speedway for the 49er Gold Rush Classic on Saturday, September 17.For the latest on the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars, make sure to follow on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and at www.WorldofOutlaws.com.

chevy racing–indycar–indy 500 wednesday practice

CHEVROLET RACING IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES INDIANAPOLIS 500 INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY TEAM CHEVY WEDNESDAY PRACTICE RECAP MAY 18, 2022
RAIN WASHES WEDNESDAY ACTIVITIES AWAY AT IMSINDIANAPOLIS (May 18, 2022) – There will not be the amazing sound of the Chevrolet 2.2 liter twin turbocharged direct injected V6 engines today at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for day two of practice for 106th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
Instead, the noise is the sound of a constant rain that has forced cancellation of all activities for today.
Practice will resume tomorrow at noon with a number of drivers chatting with the attending media prior to going on-track.
Pole qualifying will be Sunday, May 22 starting 12:30 p.m. with the Firestone Fast Six estimated to begin at 4:00 pm.
The Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled to take the green flag Sunday, May 29th at 12:45 pm EDT. 

Motorcraft/DEX Team Aiming for All-Star Berth at Texas


May 18, 2022


Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft Quick Lane/DEX Imaging team are hoping to build on their recent speed on intermediate-length tracks as they compete in the NASCAR All-Star Race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.

The rookie Burton is not assured of a starting spot in the main event, so he’ll have to either race his way in through the preliminary NASCAR All-Star Open or be voted in by fans.

Crew chief Brian Wilson said he and the crew are looking forward to the challenge.

“Everyone on the No. 21 is excited for the All-Star weekend,” Wilson said. “The format is always fun and entertaining.
 
“All-Star qualifying should be wild to watch with the pit crews included in setting the field.”
 
Wilson said the All-Star activities at Texas will give the Motorcraft/DEX team a chance to use the knowledge gained on similar length tracks at Kansas and Darlington. And it will give the team an opportunity to add to their notes headed into the next points-paying race – the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
 
“Two weeks ago we had a solid 14th-place finish [at Darlington] and ran in the top 15 late in the race last week [at Kansas] as well,” Wilson said. “We’ll continue to build on our intermediate setups with confidence that we’ll contend for a transfer spot from the All-Star Open.”
 
And if that doesn’t work out, there’s a Plan B.
 
“I encourage all of the Ford fans to cast their votes for Harrison in the fan vote and tune in Sunday night,” Wilson said.
 
A practice session for Burton and the other Open drivers is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. (7 p.m. Eastern Time), followed by qualifying just after 6:30 (7:30 Eastern). Each driver will run one lap.
 
Then on Sunday, the NASCAR Open is scheduled to get the green flag just after 4:30 p.m. (5:30 Eastern). The race will consist of two 20-lap segments followed by a 10-lap run.
 
The winners of each segment, plus the winner of the fan vote, will advance to the All-Star Race, which is set to start just after 7 p.m. (8 p.m. Eastern).
 
That race will consist of three 25-lap segments followed by a 50-lap finale, with the winner earning $1 million.
 
FOX Sports 1 will carry the coverage both days.

randy Meyer racing weekend preview

 
NEXT RACEs:
May 20-21 Dallas, TX Regional – Julie Texas Motorplex Friday: Q1 12:00pm, Q2 ~5:00pmSaturday: E1 12:00pm, E2 ~3:00pm, Finals ~5:00pm 
May 20-22 Indy Regional – Matt Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Friday: Q1 ~6:00pmSaturday: Q2 12:00pm, Q3 3:00pm, E1 6:00pmSunday E2 11:00am, Finals ~3:00pm
This weekend will be a busy one for drag racing! There will be 5 different Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events going on across the US – and we will be at two of them. Matt will be competing in Indy while Julie is in Dallas, and Randy will be tuning both. Make sure to follow our socials to stay up to date: