Both GTP entries lead multiple times for multiple laps on changeable race course

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 28, 2024) – The pole-sitting No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R, with Jack Aitken behind the wheel, led at the 12-hour mark of the 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona. Both Cadillac Grand Touring Prototype entries paced the field multiple times for multiple laps on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway course as Cadillac Racing pursues its fifth victory in the North American endurance classic since 2017. Sebastien Bourdais, driving the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R that was running second to the sister No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R, reported hitting debris in Turn 5 that shredded the left-front tire 8 hours, 42 minutes into the race. The car went off course and continued, with Bourdais bringing the hybrid to pit lane.

Scott Dixon relieved Bourdais and, running a lap down, came back into the pits for fuel and tires. A pit lane speed violation that required a drive-thru temporarily dropped the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R three laps down. “The tire went down right away and I was fortunate not to hit the tire (barrier) because I didn’t think I was going to stop it,” Bourdais said. “If I would have hit the tires it would have been really bad, but now we’re probably a lap down but it could have been a lot worse.” Alex Palou, the defending IndyCar champion took over the seat from Dixon and was running one lap down in sixth place at the halfway mark. Through the initial six hours, the Cadillac racecars combined to lead a majority of the race laps. Reigning GTP champion Pipo Derani, who earned the pole with a track-record lap during the 15-minute qualifying session January 21, recorded the quickest lap of the race (1 minute, 35.863 seconds) on Lap 2.

Flag-to-flag streaming coverage is available on Peacock. USA Network’s coverage resumes at 6 a.m. until noon ET. NBC will telecast the race conclusion from noon-2 p.m.

No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.RSebastien Bourdais: “It’s a very slippery track on the fairly old pavement with lots of yellow and white lines that do not have abrasive in it, so you better get the wheels straight when you hit those because you’re in for a ride with those.”   Alex Palou (on driving at night): “You always have to adapt, with different cars, different track conditions, and especially if the night suddenly comes. The most difficult part was not seeing a lot of references, but honestly, it’s cool. I think that’s the challenge of motorsport, and you always need to adapt. You always need to push yourself.”  No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.RPipo Derani: “I feel great. I did a long stint and everything went OK. I was double stinting my tires to stretch the longevity. Now Jack (Aitken) is in the car and the car is very good at the moment. All in all, it is going according to plan.”

Timms builds huge lead and survives late restart to collect $10,000 Volusia payday (Trent Gower Photo)

BARBERVILLE, FL (January 27, 2023) – Last year Ryan Timms impressed by winning night one of the Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout in his Volusia Speedway Park debut. But the teenage phenom wanted more in 2024.

The 2023 prelim win was nice. But Timms’ focus was firmly fixed on the $10,000-to-win finale this time around. And the Oklahoma City, OK gasser pieced together an excellent drive win and bank the $10K on Saturday night.

Timms started the 30-lap Feature fifth and took over the lead on the 18th lap. He then built a huge lead and held on for the victory on a green-white-checkered restart to seal the deal.

“I’m just so stoked to be able to park this thing in Victory Lane and be up here on the podium in first place,” Timms said. “After the Heat Race and Qualifying and the first few laps of the main, I knew we had a fast car. I’m just so excited to be up here.”

Austin McCarl and Justin Peck led the field to green. It was Friday’s winner – McCarl – taking the early lap to pace the opening lap. But Peck ripped around him to take over the top spot on the second circuit.

Behind the lead duo both Timms and Sam Hafertepe Jr. were on the move. Timms leaped from fifth to third by the fourth lap. Hafertepe Jr. managed to roar from eighth to second in the same amount of laps. Timms and Hafertepe were both aided by heartbreak for McCarl on the fourth lap as “The Big Unit” spun while running second in Turn 4.

On the restart Peck pulled ahead while Hafertepe and Timms pursued. While Peck maintained a steady advantage, Timms went to work on finding a way by Hafertepe. The teenager worked the bottom of “The World’s Fastest Half Mile” while Hafertepe committed to the top. On Lap 11 Timms managed to slip ahead of Hafertepe for the runner-up spot.

When Timms first grabbed second, Peck pulled ahead and added a few more tenths to his lead. But Timms quickly got in the groove and began to chase him down. On Lap 18 Timms rolled the bottom to perfection to drive ahead of Peck for the top spot.

Timms then began to work through traffic flawlessly. Only two laps after wrestling the lead from Peck, Timms was over a second ahead. The gap ballooned to over two seconds two laps later. The phenom moved wherever he needed to navigate traffic as he distanced himself from the field. When he took the white flag, he was more than four seconds ahead of Peck.

But as he was in Turns 3 and 4 heading toward the checkered flag, the caution lights flashed for a car slowing on the back straightaway. The yellow erased Timms’ lead and set up a green-white-checkered dash to the finish.

When the green flag brought the action back to life, Peck stayed close to Timms’ tail tank. But ultimately he couldn’t build enough momentum to challenge on the final lap. Timms held him off to claim the finale and $10,000.

“I was pretty frustrated,” Timms said of the late caution. “But I knew the slider line wasn’t necessarily faster in (Turns) 3 and 4, but I knew it was fast enough where I could hold off second for two or three laps. I knew the main deal was not missing the bottom. It was getting kind of thin in the middle of (Turns) 1 and 2 where it was easy to miss.”

Peck held onto the runner-up spot after leading 16 laps. The Monrovia, IN native felt that missing a small amount of comfort in the car and troubles navigating traffic cost him a better shot at challenging for the win.

“Once I caught traffic I was a bit snug,” Peck said. “Ultimately, Ryan just ran a better race there in traffic. It seemed like every time a lapped car in front of me would go to the top so I’d go to the bottom, and the lapped car in front of them would hold me up on that same corner. I just didn’t pick my spots right, I guess. Like I said, he must’ve done a better job at that than me.”

Rounding out the top three was Hafertepe Jr. aboard the Hills Racing #15H. The Sunnyvale, TX native showed speed all week, driving onto the podium from row four each of the three nights. Like Peck, Hafertepe combatted handling troubles in traffic.

“We were just really tight behind guys,” Hafertepe Jr. said. “And when Timms got by us after that restart there, it really kind of botched us up. And then we got up to Peck a couple of times and just lapped traffic was really, really treacherous for us. It being in dirty air was really bad. We tightened the car up too much. Didn’t really anticipate the track doing what it did.”

Austin McCarl rebounded from his early spin to finish fourth. Danny Dietrich drove from 14th to fifth to earn the Hard Charger.

Heat Races were claimed by Austin McCarl, Justin Peck, Cameron Martin, and Sam Hafertepe Jr.

UP NEXT: Volusia Speedway Park comes back to life when the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals (Feb. 5-17) begin. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action live on DIRTVision.

RESULTS:

Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout (30 Laps): 1. 5T-Ryan Timms[5]; 2. 20-Justin Peck[4]; 3. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[8]; 4. 88-Austin McCarl[1]; 5. 48-Danny Dietrich[14]; 6. 4-Cameron Martin[3]; 7. 28F-Davie Franek[10]; 8. 24-Danny Martin Jr[12]; 9. 6-Tyler Clem[7]; 10. 47-Eric Riggins Jr[9]; 11. 44-Chris Martin[13]; 12. 15-Ryan Turner[2]; 13. 7S-Landon Crawley[6]; 14. 17JR-Ricky Stenhouse Jr[20]; 15. 9-Liam Martin[17]; 16. 97-Ryan Harrison[18]; 17. 0-Glenn Styres[15]; 18. 13-Elijah Gile[26]; 19. 23-Lance Moss[24]; 20. 3-Dennis Misuraca[25]; 21. 23R-Ryan Roberts[16]; 22. 24D-Danny Sams III[19]; 23. 2C-Wayne Johnson[21]; 24. G6-Brandon Grubaugh[22]; 25. 24T-Christopher Thram[11]; 26. 10-Terry Gray[23]

WAYNESVILLE, Ga. (January 27, 2024) – Ricky Thornton Jr. picked up his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season on Saturday night at Golden Isles Speedway on the final night of the General Tire Super Bowl of Racing. Thornton earned $25,000 for his 29th career series win. Thornton won by 0.425 seconds over Chris Madden, who finished second with Jonathan Davenport rounding out the Big River Podium in third. Brandon Overton came home in fourth followed by Devin Moran. Thornton grabbed the early lead in the 60-lap feature with Mike Marlar tucking in behind him. Those two ran first and second and as they raced through heavy traffic. Marlar made a move for the lead as he drove to the outside of Thornton in turn four on lap 37. The two made contact as they exited turn four side-by-side and Davenport would sneak by both of them to take the lead on lap 37. Davenport, who started fifth, then held the lead until lap 48 when Thornton regained the top spot. It appeared Thornton’s time back in front again would be short-lived however as both Madden and Davenport challenged for the position. One circuit later, a slowing Tim McCreadie exiting turn four would bring out the first caution of the race before the lap was officially scored, putting Thornton out front again. The race would go green for three more laps when tenth running Tyler Erb slowed with a flat tire bringing out the second and final caution of the race.  The final restart with eight laps remaining saw Thornton maintain his grip on the bottom to hold off Madden for the win. In Lucas Oil Victory Lane, Thornton voiced his displeasure with a couple of his fellow competitors. “When I got passed, I didn’t think I was going to get back to the front. I am not quite sure why the 49 and the 157 kept racing there. Mikey drove across my right front in three and is mad at me, and with JD I tried to cross him, and I probably shouldn’t have tried to stuff it in there. Everyone is already counting us out after one night, maybe the rest of the week will be elbows up.” Madden, who climbed from the sixth spot was in position to take the lead in the race when the caution flew. “I saw Timmy [McCreadie] up there slowing down, but he was still rolling and still going so I felt like we shouldn’t have had the caution thrown yet, but it is what it is. At that time, we were just getting what we could get, but they [Thornton and Davenport] had slipped up and I had a chance to go for the lead. I just want to thank Lucas Oil for getting this race in tonight with the weather upon us and they rushed us on through here.” Davenport came home in third and gave his opinion on what happened between the front runners. “The 20RT and the car running second, the 157 they got together, and I passed them both I thought clean and then we come down the back straightaway and the 20RT jacked me up and about spun me out getting into three. I then ran the rest of the race there and kind of protected the bottom and then obviously he [Thornton] got a big run on me and took the left side of the car off and knocked us up the track and Madden got by us that time.” The winner’s Todd and Vickie Burns, SSI Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Hoker Trucking, Coltman Farms Racing, Dyno One Inc., West Side Tractor Sales, Bilstein Shocks, and Sunoco Race Fuels. Completing the top ten were Mike Marlar, Ryan Gustin, Hudson O’Neal, Brandon Sheppard, and Ross Robinson. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary General Tire Super Bowl of Racing | Night 3Saturday, January 27, 2024Golden Isles Speedway – Waynesville, GA Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Garrett Smith | 15.146 seconds (overall)Fast Time Group B: Hudson O’Neal | 15.328 seconds Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 10-Garrett Smith[1]; 2. 7-Ross Robinson[2]; 3. 58-Garrett Alberson[4]; 4. 97-Cody Overton[5]; 5. 17M-Dale McDowell[3]; 6. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[7]; 7. 99B-Boom Briggs[6]; 8. 93-Cory Lawler[8]; 9. (DNS) 388-Jackson Hise Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 157-Mike Marlar[1]; 2. B5-Brandon Sheppard[3]; 3. 18D-Daulton Wilson[4]; 4. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[5]; 5. 75-Daniel Adam[6]; 6. 17SS-Brenden Smith[7]; 7. 81J-Jack Riggs[8]; 8. (DNS) 96V-Tanner English Earnhardt Technologies Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 2. 76-Brandon Overton[4]; 3. 39-Tim McCreadie[3]; 4. 111-Max Blair[2]; 5. 81-Jason Riggs[7]; 6. 19M-Spencer Hughes[5]; 7. 214-Haiden Cowan[6]; 8. 4G-Bob Gardner[8] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[2]; 2. 1-Hudson O’Neal[1]; 3. 1T-Tyler Erb[6]; 4. 40B-Kyle Bronson[3]; 5. 66C-Matt Cosner[5]; 6. 14JR-Trey Mills[4]; 7. 16-Tyler Bruening[7]; 8. 3-Brennon Willard[8] Lucas Oil Heat Race #5 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 20-Jimmy Owens[1]; 2. 6-Clay Harris[2]; 3. 79-Donald McIntosh[3]; 4. 7T-Drake Troutman[4]; 5. 3S-Brian Shirley[7]; 6. 111R-Steven Roberts[8]; 7. 25-Tony Jackson Jr[6]; 8. 28B-Carson Brown[5] Lucas Oil Heat Race #6 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 44-Chris Madden[2]; 2. 99-Devin Moran[1]; 3. 19R-Ryan Gustin[4]; 4. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[5]; 5. 5-Mark Whitener[6]; 6. 14X-Wil Herrington[3]; 7. 174-Ethan Dotson[8]; 8. 8-Dillon McCowan[7] Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 97-Cody Overton[1]; 2. 111-Max Blair[3]; 3. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[2]; 4. 17M-Dale McDowell[4]; 5. 75-Daniel Adam[5]; 6. 214-Haiden Cowan[12]; 7. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[7]; 8. 81-Jason Riggs[6]; 9. 19M-Spencer Hughes[9]; 10. 93-Cory Lawler[13]; 11. 81J-Jack Riggs[11]; 12. 4G-Bob Gardner[15]; 13. 99B-Boom Briggs[10]; 14. (DNS) 17SS-Brenden Smith; 15. (DNS) 96V-Tanner English; 16. (DNS) 388-Jackson Hise UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 40B-Kyle Bronson[1]; 2. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[3]; 3. 3S-Brian Shirley[5]; 4. 7T-Drake Troutman[2]; 5. 16-Tyler Bruening[10]; 6. 174-Ethan Dotson[12]; 7. 66C-Matt Cosner[4]; 8. 5-Mark Whitener[6]; 9. 25-Tony Jackson Jr[11]; 10. 14JR-Trey Mills[7]; 11. 8-Dillon McCowan[15]; 12. 3-Brennon Willard[13]; 13. 14X-Wil Herrington[9]; 14. (DNS) 111R-Steven Roberts; 15. (DNS) 28B-Carson Brown General Tire Super Bowl of Racing | Night 3 Feature Finish (60 Laps):

Race Statistics  Entrants: 49Victory Fuel Pole Sitter: Garrett SmithLap Leaders: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 1-37); Jonathan Davenport (Laps 38-48); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 49-60)Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Feature Winner: n/aBrandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton Jr.Margin of Victory: 0.425 seconds Dave Warren Powersports Cautions: Tim McCreadie (Lap 49); Tyler Erb (Lap 52)Series Provisionals: Earl Pearson, Jr.; Spencer HughesFast Time Provisional: n/aSeries Emergency Provisionals: Boom Briggs; Drake Troutman; Daniel Adam, Brian ShirleyTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Chris Madden, Jonathan DavenportPenske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Chris Madden, Jonathan Davenport, Brandon Overton, Devin MoranTodd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race: Ryan Gustin (Advanced 11 Positions) Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Ryan GustinDeatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Garrett AlbersonMD3 Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (49 Laps) Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Hudson O’Neal O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/a Coltman Farms Fastest Lap of the Race: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Lap 4 – 16.024 seconds) Slicker Graphics Slickest Move of the Race: Jonathan DavenportGorsuch Performance Max Air Cool Move of the Race: Devin MoranMiller Welders Hard Luck Award: Tyler ErbOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Anthony Burroughs (Ricky Thornton, Jr.) ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Garrett Smith (15.442 seconds)Time of Race: 24 minutes 40 seconds  Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:

Both GTP entries lead multiple laps through six hours of the Rolex 24 At Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 27, 2024) – Cadillac Racing’s Grand Touring Prototype entries, which started on the front row for the 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona, continued the strong pace they displayed in test sessions and led a majority of the laps in the initial six hours of the North American endurance classic. The No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series,R, which bolted to the pole with a track-record lap at the hands of reigning GTP champion Pipo Derani, led early on and recorded the fastest lap of the race (1 minute, 35.863 seconds) on Lap 2. Jack Aitken and Tom Blomqvist also led laps in the first quarter of the race that saw ambient temperature reach 79 degrees Fahrenheit at the 1:41 p.m. ET start. Sebastien Bourdais, who drove the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R to second in the 15-minute qualifying session Jan. 21, led during his two-plus-hour stint. Scott Dixon and Alex Palou also took turns at the front of the 10-car GTP field. Renger van der Zande will be in the car in the early evening.

USA Network’s coverage continues until midnight and then from 6 a.m.-noon ET Sunday. NBC has the race conclusion airing from noon-2 p.m. Flag-to-flag streaming coverage is also available on Peacock. Leading the field and looking ahead to 2025

The 2025 Cadillac CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing, which were unveiled earlier in the week, made their public debut at Daytona International Speedway and are available for spectator viewing this weekend in the Cadillac display. The 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is serving as the Official Safety Car for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Cadillac is showcasing its Detroit “OnePride” spirit with a Detroit Lions sticker on the rear bumper of the Safety Car. The Lions face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in the NFC Championship game. The CT5-V Blackwing features a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 that generates 668 horsepower and 659 lb.-ft. of torque with a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic gearbox. “Cadillac sedans continue to drive positive brand momentum, year-over-year,” said John Roth, vice president, global Cadillac. “Last year, our sedans experienced their best sales since 2018 and CT5 is Cadillac’s best-selling vehicle, globally. As V-Series celebrates a record year, the importance of this option for those customers who value performance and power cannot be overstated.” The V-Series, marking its 20th anniversary, “is the ultimate expression of Cadillac design, performance, and technology.” The 2025 Cadillac CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing will be produced at GM’s Lansing Grand River Assembly facility in Michigan, with production to begin in summer 2024. Learn more at cadillac.com.No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.RSebastien Bourdais: “We knew we were going to have a fight, and we do. I think the car shows that it’s got plenty of pace, which I’ve never been in doubt of that. But as far as when it comes down to interacting with the other cars, we really have out-brake ourselves to get by, because we’re barely keeping up in the straights. It’s good we’re leading, and we can definitely put on a fight, but it’s the hard way. It is what it is. We knew we had the strong package as far as optimizing the performance level we have at our disposal, but it won’t be easy if it comes down to a drag race in the last 30 minutes.” Scott Dixon: “I think the Cadillacs have been going really good throughout the race. That was tricky for me. We had to do two-and-a-half stints on the same set of tires, so that was definitely an eye-opener, and to actually hold on to the pace of the lead was showing the car is in good shape. We’ll see where that goes. I think as we build up on double-stinting tires, or even more than that, should help us on the back end of the race. Pretty crazy out there. Lots of interesting traffic, and just trying to keep the car on track and out of trouble.”  Alex Palou: “The car felt very good going through traffic. Patience is No. 1 in the car. It’s just a dream to share this 01 Cadillac with teammates like this that I can learn every session and every single lap. Pretty happy and I’ll be back during the nighttime.” No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.RJack Aitken: “I think we have very good racecars. I’m not going to sit here and say we’re not looking good. Obviously, we were good in qualifying already and the race is proving to be a similar situation with the field that we look to be good on pace. But the Porsches especially and the BMWs are not far behind. And even when we get behind the Acuras it’s not easy to pass. We’ll see how conditions change overnight when it gets cold again. We haven’t had those conditions since the Roar. Pipo Derani: “With a clear track in front of us, we started fast — did a 1:35 on Lap 2 — and led a lot of laps. The car felt good and was fast, and we were just trying to take care of the tires on track conditions that are not the same as they have been the past week (79 degrees Fahrenheit at race start). A couple of yellows disrupted the flow, but you expect that and we stuck to our plan. I handed the car off to Jack (Aitken) and we’ll see how things evolve as we enter the early evening.”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 27, 2024) – The new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R was firmly in contention in the GT Daytona (GTD) PRO class after the first quarter of the Rolex 24 At Daytona – the opening race of this year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Earl Bamber in the No. 4 Oshkosh/Mobil 1 Corvette ran third to pace the Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports’ two-car effort. The trio of Bamber, Tommy Milner and Nicky Catsburg climbed their way from sixth in class – and 21st of all GTD category cars – at the start to eighth among all GTD runners. The No. 3 Z06 GT3.R with Daniel Juncadella at the wheel ran fourth in class after six hours. His Corvette – which he shares with Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims – led in class early in the race before the sun went down and track conditions cooled. In GTD, new Corvette customer team AWA was battling back from slow starts from the beginning. Thomas Merrill sat 19th of 23 GTD cars but was in striking distance of the top-15 in the No. 17 Corvette Z06 GT3.R. Matt Bell was at the wheel of the No. 13 Corvette, which lost a handful of laps early but ran trouble-free following a first-hour trip to the garage. The next Corvette Racing report will come at the race’s halfway mark.

Photo: Richard Prince

Photo: Richard Prince

Photo: Richard Prince

Photo: Richard Prince

CORVETTE RACING MEDIA INFORMATION Corvette Racing media information is updated and available ahead of the Roar Before the 24 as well as next week’s Rolex 24 At Daytona for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Materials include Corvette Racing event advance and quotes, Corvette Racing stats and figures, Corvette Z06 GT3.R racecar comparisons, Corvette Racing Fast Facts, driver biographies and Corvette Racing photography, among other items.

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.RHOW HAVE YOU GUYS MANAGED FOR THE FIRST BIT THERE?“It was difficult to stay out of trouble. People were going a bit crazy there, especially between classes. I don’t really know what happened. Everybody was very, very aggressive right away, so we tried to stay out of that. Our pace is decent. I believe Ferrari has a little bit more than us, but we just need to be there. No mistakes, and we’ll end up in the front. We just need to focus on ourselves, our race, and that’s it.” ONE OF YOU CALLED IT CRAZY OUT THERE. IS THAT BECAUSE SOME DRIVERS AREN’T USING THEIR HEADS?“There’s definitely not very great communication between some drivers there. I had a few close calls, but you have to anticipate that. You can be aggressive tomorrow. That’s when it matters. To lose a position today because you could have stayed where you are doesn’t mean anything. So this is my goal for today and all the way until tomorrow. For sure I can blame many cars out there. Some weren’t at fault when they crashed. So I would say it’s crazy. We need to stay calm.”

ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.RWELCOME BACK TO GT RACING IN IMSA…“That was quite good. Honestly everyone was pretty well behaved. It was nice, close racing. It was good fun to have people directly ahead and behind for most of my two stints. Right now it’s about getting a feeling for where the Z06 GT3.R is fast and where we could be a little stronger compared to other manufacturers and using that to our advantage in the racing scenarios. It was all good fun. Tire degradation was noticeable on the second stint, and I’m guessing everyone has the same. It was good to be out there fighting people and enjoying racing.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.RTOMMY, TO START OFF, OBVIOUSLY VERY EARLY GOING HERE. WHAT WAS THE APPROACH TO THE BEGINNING OF THE RACE FOR YOU GUYS?“The car has been good. Starting the race here, it’s been hot. You’ve heard those (GTP) guys talk about it a little bit as well. It’s kind of the hottest it’s been all weekend. Understanding what the car is going to do in those conditions… obviously tires are a big part of the start this year. We’re managing the tires as best we can and seeing what we have balance-wise and making some adjustments throughout the race to improve it. But it’s a 24-hour race. Obviously, the first part of this race is just surviving, and there is a lot of surviving early on there with some accidents and people checking up and things like that. It’s a lot of racing, a lot of fun so far. I’m looking forward to getting into the nighttime here.” IMSA REPORTS THAT THIS IS THE BIGGEST ATTENDANCE FOR THE ROLEX 24. ANY INSIGHT INTO THAT?“Looking at the stands at the start of the race, I’ve never seen so many people packing the stands all the way into Turn One and as far as they came down to start-finish. It’s super exciting. In some ways it’s not surprising. IMSA has been on upswing the last couple of years and building on a lot of momentum over the years. Last year the new GTP class was a big draw. And we have 30-plus GT cars this year that are all super-competitive. The show is amazing. The start of the race was probably a lot of fun to watch. It was a lot of fun to watch from where I was sitting. It’s great to be a part of this race. It’s the biggest sports car race in the United States, and I’m glad to see that the fans are coming out to watch it.”

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.RWAS IT DIFFICULT OUT THERE IN TRAFFIC?“It’s the same as always here. That doesn’t change. But it’s tough to fight when others have more power than you. Out of the corners it’s tough to keep them behind. I feel like we have a pretty good Corvette. We struggled a bit on the (left side) double-stint. But it’s tough to fight. Unfortunately at Daytona you go straight a lot of the time. That’s difficult but we have had no issues so far. We’re very much in the game, so it’s all good.” WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE FOR YOUR NEXT RUN?“Double-stinting the tires is very hard on the rears. So we need to work a little bit on traction. But I believe everyone has that issue.”

ALEX LYNN, NO. 13 CORVETTE Z06 GT3.RWHAT IS THE GOAL FOR THE REST OF THE RACE?“It’s a shame we lost some time at the start, but the Z06 GT3.R is really fast and felt great when I was out there. Now we just need to help the team learn for the rest of the season and see what we can do to the end of this race.”

BATAVIA, Ohio (January 25, 2024) – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH), are pleased to announce they will renew their partnership with the series as the “Official Educational Partner” for 2024. The new agreement will also include implementing several scholarship programs over the course of the year. The University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH), located in Lima, Ohio, is known worldwide as a leader in the Automotive, Diesel, and High-Performance education industries. UNOH also offers world class degree programs in Business, Health, Marketing, Information Technology, Robotics, and many other fields of study. As the “Official Educational Partner” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, UNOH hopes to educate those who have a passion for racing and turn it into the career of their dreams. UNOH’s Drive for Excellence™ aligns with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series’ goal to bring racing entertainment to fans of all ages. UNOH’s state-of-the-art facilities and curriculum provides students with the opportunity to get a degree and be involved in the motorsports industry at the same time. “We are thrilled to renew our partnership with Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in 2024. This partnership goes beyond motorsports, shedding light on the exceptional degree programs offered at UNOH,” stated Dr. Jeffrey A. Jarvis, President of UNOH. “From diesel and automotive technology to HVAC and hybrid vehicle technology, our students have access to education in industries that are in high demand. We believe that this partnership with Lucas Oil will benefit our students through various work experiences in the Late Model Dirt Series and provide an avenue for the development of educational opportunities in industries that are fundamental to business operations today.”  The UNOH / Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Internship program has been a huge asset to both UNOH Students and series race teams. Recent success stories include former interns and UNOH Graduates Mason Bevard (Devan Moran) and DJ Williams (Ricky Thornton JR). Recognizing the impact of the intern program and the importance of attracting more talent to the sport, UNOH and Longhorn Chassis have partnered up to offer a $2,500 Scholarship to support a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt fan on their path to success! Applications will be accepted throughout the Lucas Oil GA-FL Speedweeks and the winner will be notified the week of March 4th, 2024. APPLY NOW: UNOH | Longhorn Chassis Scholarship. Another UNOH Scholarship program that will roll out after speedweeks, titled the “Buzz Through Education Scholarship Program” in association with Buzz Electric Bicycles, will award a $5,000 scholarship to one individual at the season finale DTWC at Eldora Speedway. The Grand Prize Scholarship Winner will be drawn from all the applicants throughout the year-long contest by registering online or the special QR code sign displayed on the vendor midway by the UNOH pit cart at series events. “Were thrilled to have UNOH continue their partnership with the series. The internship program has been well received with the race teams looking for additional crew help. UNOH will offer several scholarship programs this year in association with their partnership with the series so parents can offer their students a chance to learn and possibly find a career path that they didn’t have before. I’m looking forward to seeing new students learn at UNOH,” stated Wayne Castleberry, Sales and Marketing for Lucas Oil Motorsports. For the latest news, results, championship standings and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.lucasdirt.com.

WAYNESVILLE, Ga. (January 25, 2024) – The defending Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion, Hudson O’Neal started his title defense by winning the tour’s season opener. O’Neal led all but one lap to win the General Tire Super Bowl of Racing on Thursday night at Golden Isles Speedway. O’Neal yielded the lead for one lap to Jonathan Davenport on lap 22 but fought back to regain the point and go on to win the 40-lap race by 0.633 seconds. Davenport held on for second over Brandon Overton who won four of the previous six Super Bowl races at Golden Isles.  Overton came home in third followed by Ricky Thornton Jr. and Brandon Sheppard who rounded out the top five drivers. O’Neal started on the Victory Fuel Pole and grabbed the lead at the start of the race. Jimmy Owens, looking for his 81st career win with the series, ran in second for the first six laps until yielding the spot to Davenport. The race was a hotly contested battle for most of the 40 laps as several drivers were in contention to pick up the opening night win. O’Neal stumbled slightly in turn two, opening the door for Davenport to take the lead on lap 22, but O’Neal came right back to regain the point from the three-time champion. With cautions on lap 27 and lap 30, the field stayed bunched up behind O’Neal for the restarts, but when O’Neal stayed on the high-side to hold off Davenport and Overton at the end as the final 10 laps went caution-free. In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 25th time in his career, O’Neal has his sights set on a second consecutive Lucas Oil National Championship after scoring his first win at Golden Isles. O’Neal was asked about the lap that nearly led to his downfall. “The top was just blowing a lot of crumbs across it. If you didn’t get set enough you would lose the front end halfway through the corner. Jonathan got back by me and did the exact same thing and let me get back by him. Things just worked out in our favor, and I thought that one mistake I made it was going to be it, but fortunately he made a little bobble over there in two and got us back in it.” “The restarts actually calmed me down a little bit,” said the Martinsville, Indiana resident who earned an industry record $200,000 from the over one million dollar point fund the series offered in 2023. “I was nervous whenever we got to lapped traffic, because I didn’t know where to go. Whenever the cautions come out it actually gave me a little bit of a clean racetrack again for a few laps. My race car was awesome all night long.” Davenport, entered the event with 72 career LOLMDS wins, saw his one chance to take control of the race slip away on lap 23. “I just kind of slid for the lead there and I knew he (O’Neal) would be coming back the next corner. He made a mistake over there. I wish I was a little bit further behind because once he started coming left, I knew he was going to block the bottom, but I was already to his inside. I wish I was a couple of feet behind because I could have went to the outside and maybe got a run off of four on him. I just didn’t capitalize on his one mistake he made.” Overton rounded out the Big River Steel Podium with his third-place finish as the driver who has dominated at Golden Isles over the past few seasons was in the thick of things until the end. “Our car was actually good. These guys are good. It is what it is. They are the best in the business. It was a heck of a race for a while. This is just the first night. I am looking forward to tomorrow. I am sure we can do a couple of things to speed up the car a little bit.”  The winner’s Mark Richards Racing Rocket Chassis is powered by a Durham Racing Engine and sponsored by Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Performance Grading, Ace Metal Works, Stiles Marine and Maintenance, Wheeler Metals, Gunter’s Honey, O’Neal’s Salvage and Recycling, Professional Concrete Cutting and Drilling, Fox Shocks, and Sunoco Race Fuels. Completing the top ten were Jimmy Owens, Kyle Bronson, Devin Moran, Daulton Wilson, and Dennis Erb Jr. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary General Tire Super Bowl of Racing | Night 1Thursday, January 25, 2024Golden Isles Speedway – Waynesville, GA Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Hudson O’Neal | 15.166 seconds (overall)Fast Time Group B: Jonathan Davenport | 15.299 seconds Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 1-Hudson O’Neal[1]; 2. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[2]; 3. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[5]; 4. 39-Tim McCreadie[3]; 5. 157-Mike Marlar[4]; 6. 214-Haiden Cowan[6]; 7. 3-Brennon Willard[7]; 8. 111R-Steven Roberts[9]; 9. 93-Cory Lawler[8] Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 20-Jimmy Owens[1]; 2. 99-Devin Moran[3]; 3. 6-Clay Harris[2]; 4. 19M-Spencer Hughes[4]; 5. 3S-Brian Shirley[9]; 6. 99B-Boom Briggs[5]; 7. 8-Dillon McCowan[8]; 8. 17SS-Brenden Smith[7]; 9. 388-Jackson Hise[6] Earnhardt Technologies Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[3]; 2. 44-Chris Madden[1]; 3. 58-Garrett Alberson[2]; 4. 111-Max Blair[5]; 5. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[4]; 6. 81-Jason Riggs[7]; 7. 66C-Matt Cosner[6]; 8. 81J-Jack Riggs[8] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 2. B5-Brandon Sheppard[3]; 3. 79-Donald McIntosh[2]; 4. 5-Mark Whitener[7]; 5. 97-Cody Overton[4]; 6. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[8]; 7. 174-Ethan Dotson[5]; 8. 19R-Ryan Gustin[6]; 9. 28B-Carson Brown[9] Lucas Oil Heat Race #5 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 40B-Kyle Bronson[3]; 2. 17M-Dale McDowell[1]; 3. 7T-Drake Troutman[2]; 4. 96V-Tanner English[6]; 5. 25-Tony Jackson Jr[5]; 6. 14X-Wil Herrington[4]; 7. 99T-Dylan Thompson[7]; 8. (DNS) 42-Terry Casey Lucas Oil Heat Race #6 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 18D-Daulton Wilson[2]; 2. 10-Garrett Smith[1]; 3. 1T-Tyler Erb[4]; 4. 7-Ross Robinson[5]; 5. 14JR-Trey Mills[6]; 6. 4G-Bob Gardner[8]; 7. 75-Daniel Adam[7]; 8. 16-Tyler Bruening[3] Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 157-Mike Marlar[4]; 2. 39-Tim McCreadie[1]; 3. 111-Max Blair[3]; 4. 3S-Brian Shirley[5]; 5. 99B-Boom Briggs[8]; 6. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[6]; 7. 19M-Spencer Hughes[2]; 8. 214-Haiden Cowan[7]; 9. 8-Dillon McCowan[11]; 10. 111R-Steven Roberts[13]; 11. 66C-Matt Cosner[12]; 12. 81J-Jack Riggs[15]; 13. 17SS-Brenden Smith[14]; 14. 93-Cory Lawler[16]; 15. 388-Jackson Hise[17]; 16. 81-Jason Riggs[9]; 17. 3-Brennon Willard[10] UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 5-Mark Whitener[1]; 2. 7-Ross Robinson[3]; 3. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[7]; 4. 96V-Tanner English[2]; 5. 97-Cody Overton[4]; 6. 25-Tony Jackson Jr[5]; 7. 14X-Wil Herrington[8]; 8. 19R-Ryan Gustin[13]; 9. 174-Ethan Dotson[10]; 10. 14JR-Trey Mills[6]; 11. 4G-Bob Gardner[9]; 12. 28B-Carson Brown[14]; 13. 75-Daniel Adam[12]; 14. (DNS) 99T-Dylan Thompson; 15. (DNS) 42-Terry Casey; 16. (DNS) 16-Tyler Bruening General Tire Super Bowl of Racing | Night 1 Feature Finish (40 Laps):

Race Statistics  Entrants: 51Victory Fuel Pole Sitter: Hudson O’NealLap Leaders: Hudson O’Neal (Laps 1-21); Jonathan Davenport (Lap 22); Hudson O’Neal (Laps 23-40)Wieland Feature Winner: Hudson O’NealArizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Feature Winner: n/aBrandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: n/aMargin of Victory: 0.633 seconds Dave Warren Powersports Cautions: Donald McIntosh (Lap 6); Daniel Adam (Lap 27); Tyler Erb (Lap 30)Series Provisionals: Max Blair; Earl Pearson, Jr.Fast Time Provisional: n/aSeries Emergency Provisionals: Boom Briggs; Tony Jackson, Jr., Daniel AdamTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Hudson O’Neal, Jonathan Davenport, Brandon OvertonPenske Shocks Top 5: Hudson O’Neal, Jonathan Davenport, Brandon Overton, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Brandon SheppardTodd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race: Ross Robinson (Advanced 8 Positions) Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Kyle BronsonDeatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Mark WhitenerMD3 Most Laps Led: Hudson O’Neal (39 Laps) Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Hudson O’NealMidwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Hudson O’Neal O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/a Coltman Farms Fastest Lap of the Race: Jonathan Davenport (Lap 34 – 15.570 seconds) Slicker Graphics Slickest Move of the Race: Hudson O’NealGorsuch Performance Max Air Cool Move of the Race: Kyle BronsonMiller Welders Hard Luck Award: Tyler BrueningOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Danny White (Hudson O’Neal) ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Jimmy Owens (15.469 seconds)Time of Race: 20 minutes 54 seconds  Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:

Night one of the Southern Sprint Car Shootout belongs to Hafertepe Jr. after driving from row three

BARBERVILLE, FL (January 25, 2023) – Sam Hafertepe Jr’s Feature nearly ended before it started on Thursday night. He lined up sixth for Volusia Speedway Park’s Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout opener. And in the opening corner he hopped the tire of a competitor.

Hafertepe Jr’s Hills Racing #15H darted across the track. Miraculously, he avoided further contact and regained control. Once in control, there was no stopping one of the best drivers to ever pilot a 360 Sprint Car.

The Sunnyvale, TX native charged to the front of the United Sprint Car Series (USCS) main event with a car that could move anywhere he chose. He went high and low on his route to a pass for the lead around Austin McCarl in traffic on Lap 20 and holding on for a thrilling victory.

“You definitely need lapped cars, especially with Austin. He’s a good race car driver,” Hafertepe Jr. said. “I showed him a nose down there and he moved down. Honestly, I kind of wanted him to move down because I felt like I could get some momentum on the top. We actually kind of reeled him in there for a few laps, and then the bottom dirtied the top up, and then we would just keep getting over the cushion. Once we moved back down and the lapped cars kind of picked him for me, I was able to get right in the middle of them there, and we got to the lead and then just protected from there.”

McCarl and Justin Peck led the field to green for the 25-lap finale. The initial start saw McCarl leap out to a quick advantage. Ryan Timms, who was attempting to sweep the night after setting QuickTime and winning his Heat, blasted from eighth to fourth in a lap and a half.

Timms appeared destined for a drive to the lead as two circuits later the 17-year-old rolled by Sterling Cling to takeover third. He quickly began to cut into the gap between himself and second-running Peck.

But behind Timms Hafertepe’s machine began to come to life in a hurry. He moved into the fifth spot on Lap 3. Two more laps led him to fourth. On Lap 10 he slipped by Timms to climb into a podium spot.

Shortly after taking over third, the race’s only caution flew when a car slowed on the back straightaway.

The restart looked similar to the initial start as McCarl powered way ahead of Peck. Hafertepe took advantage of Peck’s misstep on the restart to swipe the second spot heading into Turns 1 and 2.

After stepping into the runner-up position, Hafertepe had McCarl in the crosshairs as “The Big Unit’s” lead started to dwindle. Hafertepe worked the low line while McCarl remained committed to the top. On the 15th lap Hafertepe had trimmed the advantage under a tenth of a second. 

Hafertepe showed McCarl a nose causing him to move the Country Builders Racing #88 to the bottom to take Hafertepe’s line. But Hafertepe adjusted without issue as he veered to the top and continued the pursuit. McCarl was able to fend him off for a few more laps, but on the 20th circuit he moved back to the top to pass a lapped car and Hafertepe pounced. He slid in front of McCarl exiting Turn 4, and McCarl was unable to maintain enough momentum to counter with a crossover.

With the lead secured, Hafertepe began to drive away. He had to navigate a small swarm of lapped traffic but managed to get through unscathed on his way to a 1.5 second advantage as the took the checkered flag.

Hafertepe now has all the momentum courtesy of his victory, and his focus is squarely on the main goal. Thursday’s $2,500 prize was nice, but he’s ready to contend for $10,000 on Saturday.

“These first two nights are like test nights for us,” Hafertepe Jr. said. “I felt like we did a lot of good testing tonight, made a lot of good changes. I haven’t been used to making my own calls the last two years, and we hadn’t run as good. I know what I like, and it’s nothing against anybody that’s worked for me, but it’s just you know what kind of feel you want when I’ve done it for as long as I have. We’re just going back to the basics of what I know how to do and what works for me the best. We’ll see where this year takes us.”

Austin McCarl held on for the second spot. Leading the opening 19 laps and coming up short left the Altoona, IA native feeling a bit down, but the result was an encouraging one considering it was his first Volusia laps in eight years.

“That definitely stings,” McCarl admitted. “But at least if we’re going to get beat by somebody, it’s one of the best in a 360. We’re learn from it, and we’ll bring the Country Builders car back tomorrow.”

Rounding out the podium was Ryan Timms. The Oklahoman teenager came up a mere two spots short of sweeping the Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout opener. He showed he undoubtedly has the speed to challenge for the win in Saturday’s finale.

“I felt like we had one of the fastest cars here tonight if not the fastest,” Timms said. “Hopefully we can get a couple spots better comes Saturday.”

Justin Peck and Danny Sams completed the top five.

Heat Races were claimed by Justin Peck, Austin McCarl, Ryan Timms, and Christopher Thram.

An 18th to eighth drive netted Wayne Johnson the Hard Charger.

UP NEXT: Volusia Speedway Park welcomes the USCS Sprints again tomorrow for the second night of the Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout. Then Saturday will bring the $10,000-to-win finale. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R entry quickest in morning, afternoon test sessions

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 25, 2024) – The No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R topped the time sheet in the morning and afternoon test sessions Thursday in preparation for the 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona. Reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou bested the field-leading lap time set earlier in the session by teammate Renger van der Zande on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway course at 1 minute, 35.589 seconds as the ambient temperature pushed 80 degrees Fahrenheit with similar humidity.

Media resources Event guide: Race notes, driver bios, history and moreSay cheese: High-res driver headshotsRoar photos: On-track action Overall victories2020 (Renger van der Zande, Ryan Briscoe, Scott Dixon, Kamui Kobayashi)2019 (Renger van der Zande, Fernando Alonso; Jordan Taylor, Kamui Kobayashi)2018 (Christian Fittipaldi, Filipe Albuquerque, Joao Barbosa)2017 (Jeff Gordon, Jordan Taylor, Ricky Taylor, Max Angelelli) Morning session timesAfternoon session times

In the late morning session, Scott Dixon recorded the quickest lap time in the 10-car Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) field at 1:36.012. Cadillac Racing entries have stood atop the speed chart in six of the eight sessions during the Roar Before The 24 last weekend and today. Another session tonight and a final warmup Friday are on the schedule as Cadillac teams prepare for the twice-around-the-clock test Saturday and Sunday.The No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R, with Pipo Derani behind the wheel, earned the pole with a track-record lap time and Sebastien Bourdais drove the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R to second to complete the front row lockout. Jack Aitken and Tom Blomqvist join Derani, the reigning IMSA GTP champion, to drive the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R, which checked in with best lap times of 1:36.619 in the morning and 1:35.788 in the second practice.An intervierw with Alex Palou, drive of the No. 01 Cadillac Racing Cadillac V-Series.R How have things progressed in the GTP class, and how are they going for you and your team?“Yeah, it’s been a good day for us so far in the 01 car. I believe we were fastest this morning with Dixon in the car and (Sebastian Bourdais), and then this afternoon with Renger (van der Zande) and I. Pretty cool. A lot of learning. Every time you go out on track, it’s very different with conditions, traffic, and so on. So, yeah, just learning as much as possible from the traffic and also from the car, trying to get the most we can for the race. It’s going to be, obviously, a long race so we’re trying to maximize the performance from the car. Pit stop practice with a driver change is something I’m not really used to, so that’s been the biggest thing for me.” You’ve raced this race once before. What is it that makes you so comfortable in the car so quickly? Is it prior experience, a good fit?“It helps to have done the race before, obviously. It also helps they give me a lot of track team, honestly. I had full sessions last week, which normally the fourth or third driver doesn’t get it. I’ve been getting a lot of laps. I think it helps having the teammates that I have, that they don’t need so many laps in the car. It fits. The car feels really good. It’s really intuitive, so it’s been more the differences with INDYCAR and traffic and managing all that stuff. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters. We’re not going to have clean laps during the race, so it’s all about working on traffic and driver changes for me. It’s where I can gain the most.” Do you think it’s also because they have trust in you?“I hope so, yes. Not from the drivers, but yes, from the team. They know I log the tires all the time, or I leave the belts too tight, or there is always something going on when I’m in the car. We’re trying stuff. I just need to get used to all of the processes with the driver change. It’s been a lot better this week than we were last week.” The Cadillacs were fast in the cold last weekend. You guys qualified 1-2 and you’re quick again today in the heat. Are you confident you’re ready for whatever the race conditions that get throw at you?“Yeah, absolutely. We don’t really know what other teams or manufacturers are doing. We know what we are doing. The car feels really good, honestly. We’ve made a lot of progress from last week in what the drivers have said, (Scott) Dixon, and Renger (van der Zande). It’s a lot better than the test we had in December as well, so the team did amazing work. We’re confident, but then it’s a 24-hour race, so it’s all about keeping the car in one piece until the last two hours, then go for it. It’s going to be up to the drivers to take care of the 01 car.”

Jack Aitken, No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R: “Tricky conditions compared to the Roar last week just from it being warmer and ratcheting up the pace as well in terms of taking a bit more risk with the car and really dialing in on the settings we’ll have for the race. We have a couple more sessions to keep dialing in the car and everything is going to plan.” Exciting lineup of Cadillac vehicles on display Spectators can see the award-winning lineup of Cadillac vehicles, including the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing that is the Official Safety Car of the 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona, at the Cadillac display in the midway. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-midnight Saturday and 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.

Total funds paid out now tops $175,000 with new Big Gator championship points fund

CONCORD, NC (Jan. 25, 2024) – The 53rd edition of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationalswill include a purse upgrade for the UMP Modifieds as they take to Volusia Speedway Park to battle for the iconic Big Gator trophy, Feb. 5-10.

A new grand total of $176,300 is set to be distributed over the six-night stretch – an increase of over $27,000 from the 2023 purse. Following the new format implemented last year, each of the six UMP Modified Features contested nightly, Monday-Friday, will pay $1,000 to the winner and a minimum $125 to start.

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DRIVER REGISTRATION

The Gator Championship program on Saturday night features a purse of $20,450 for the 32 main event starters – awarding $5,000 to the winner. Each non-transfer will receive $100 tow money. Following the main event, the Big Gator trophy will be awarded to the DIRTcar Nationals points champion of the division, in addition to the newly announced points fund checks for the top-three points-earners – $1,000 to the champion, $750 for the runner-up and $500 for third place.

See the table below for a breakdown of each night’s UMP Modified payout.

Pos.	February 5th	February 6th	February 7th	February 8th	February 9th	February 10th
1	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000	$5,000
2	$600	$600	$600	$600	$600	$2,000
3	$400	$400	$400	$400	$400	$1,250
4	$350	$350	$350	$350	$350	$1,000
5	$300	$300	$300	$300	$300	$800
6	$275	$275	$275	$275	$275	$700
7	$250	$250	$250	$250	$250	$600
8	$225	$225	$225	$225	$225	$575
9	$200	$200	$200	$200	$200	$550
10	$200	$200	$200	$200	$200	$525
11	$175	$175	$175	$175	$175	$500
12	$140	$140	$140	$140	$140	$500
13	$130	$130	$130	$130	$130	$500
14	$125	$125	$125	$125	$125	$500
15	$125	$125	$125	$125	$125	$450
16	$125	$125	$125	$125	$125	$425
17	$125	$125	$125	$125	$125	$400
18	$125	$125	$125	$125	$125	$375
19	$125	$125	$125	$125	$125	$350
20	$125	$125	$125	$125	$125	$300
21						$300
22						$300
23						$300
24+						$250

FORMAT BREAKDOWN

Mon-Wed, Feb. 5-7 – The first three days of the six-day grind are all identical in format and put emphasis on drivers gaining as many points as possible over a series of Feature events. In years past, a complete program was conducted with Heats, Last Chance races and a single Feature. This year, only Qualifying and Features will take place on these nights.

Drivers will pill draw at sign-in each night of competition to set the Qualifying order and run three timed laps on the clock. No groups will be assigned; all drivers will qualify against each other. Each driver’s best lap will be taken to set the six Feature lineups, staggered from fastest to slowest.

Once the lineups are set, drivers will race their 20-lap Feature and earn points based on finishing position. Points collected Monday through Wednesday will give everyone a total to be used to set the Feature lineups for Thursday night’s events.

Thu, Feb. 8 – Similar in style to the former “All Features Night,” drivers will not Qualify and instead be lined up into one of six Features based on point totals from the three previous nights. The top-15 to top-20 (depending on weeklong car count) will make up Feature #1, the next 15 to 20 will follow in Feature #2, and so on. The top-10 starting spots will be inverted.

Fri, Feb. 9 – It’s time for the Gator Qualifiers. This night will start to solidify the field for the 30-lap, $5,000-to-win Gator Championship event on Saturday night.

Similar to the first three nights, Friday begins with a pill draw to set the Qualifying order. However, the field will be split in half, meaning drivers will only qualify and race against the cars in their half. Fastest lap times will again set six Feature lineups, staggered three in each group.

The top-three finishers in each Feature will be locked into Saturday’s Gator Championship. Everyone else will have to try again on Saturday to transfer into the main event. The top-two finishers will take part in a redraw on Saturday to set the first 12 spots in the Gator Championship.

Sat, Feb. 10 – Gator Championship night starts with four Heat Races for any driver not yet qualified for the Feature. The top-two finishers will transfer to the Feature. Everyone else will get one final shot in one of two Last Chance Showdown races – taking only the winners into the Feature. Four additional provisionals will make up the final four spots.

Thirty-two cars will start the 30-lap, $5,000-to-win Gator Championship Feature for DIRTcar Nationals immortality. The overall DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator champion will also be crowned on Saturday, based on the driver with the most points collected throughout the entire week.

Tickets are on sale now at DIRTcarNationals.com. If you can’t be there in person, watch every lap live on DIRTVision.

The Bakersfield, CA driver began the 2024 season with a top-10 performance in January’s Sunshine Nationals  

BARBERVILLE, FL – January 25, 2024 –

Ethan Dotson has had a command over Volusia Speedway Park the last two years, picking up almost every trophy he’s chased. It’s a stat he’ll try to maintain in 2024 with his new adventure as a World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model driver.

During his climb from DIRTcar UMP Modifieds to Late Models, Dotson, of Bakersfield, CA, has collected some of Volusia’s most prestigious trophies, such as the Emil & Dale Reutimann Memorial tractor in 2022 and three DIRTcar Nationals golden gator trophies last year.

He missed out on another during the World of Outlaws’ Sunshine Nationals season-opener in January. But his career-best finish of sixth with the Series has him eager to hunt for more gators during the 53rd Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals in the Coltman Farms Racing #174 Longhorn Chassis.

“The car was really good on Friday (during Sunshine Nationals),” Dotson said. “I got lucky there in the Heat Race, got the pole from the Redraw, and I was really good in the Feature. Rolled early (in the lead) and wasn’t aggressive enough around lap traffic and gave it away. Had a lot of speed, a good car, it was super cool to be up there racing at the front and hopefully that continues.”  

After conquering the Modified world in Longhorn Chassis’ house car, Coltman Farms Racing tabbed Dotson to join their Super Late Model program last year. Now, Dotson will try to garner the same success in the Late Model ranks as he gets to live out his dream of racing on a national tour with the World of Outlaws. 

“I can’t thank Dwayne, Tonya, Lucas, and my car owner Brett Coltman enough for letting me do this,” Dotson said. “Without all of them guys, I definitely would not be here. I’m super pumped to do this and always dreamed of racing with the World of Outlaws since I was a kid. It’s pretty cool to be here and have that opportunity.”

He’ll contend for the World of Outlaws MD3 Rookie of the Year honors against a stout field of rookie contenders. Like every race this season, he knows it’s a battle that won’t be easy. 

“Aw, man, it’s super tough,” Dotson said. “There’re so many good drivers and just like (Sunshine Nationals), you make one little mistake and you’re back to work around them. It says a lot about how good the drivers are.” 

2024 presents several new tracks for Dotson, so kicking off the season at Volusia, where he’s had success, is a benefit he hopes to capitalize on for a strong early start. 

“A lot of the tracks I’ve raced on with a (Super Late Model) I’ve never been to in anything,” Dotson said. “I get there, and I’m learning about everything on the spot. So, Volusia, I know what it does, where it qualifies fast, and that helps out a lot. These (World of Outlaws drivers) have been here a lot too, but I’ve been here a few times and I get around here pretty decent.” 

Don’t miss Dotson’s gator hunt with the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models during the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park, Feb. 15-17. The Series will race alongside the Super DIRTcar Series to make the week an extravaganza unlike any other. For tickets, CLICK HERE. 

Sent on behalf of BigR Racing DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 25, 2024) – BigR Racing is excited to announce it has signed up-and-coming talent Jared Lowe to contest the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKERchampionship aboard a Honda CRF450R during the 2024 Progressive American Track season. Lowe enters his fourth professional season coming off his most impressive campaign yet and expects to continue the upward trend in ‘24. Last season, “the Jet” signaled his arrival as a serious contender in the extraordinary competitive class, notching up a host of personal bests, including his total number of top-ten finishes (five), championship points (80), top Main Event finish (seventh), and top qualifying performance (fourth). Lowe’s rise mirrors that of BigR Racing. The Kansas-based outfit burst onto the scene as a top-ten entity in 2022 and then increased its top-ten haul, up from three to four, in 2023. Along with the signing of Jared as the team’s lead pilot for the upcoming season, BigR Racing has also recruited Sam Lowe to serve as the squad’s Crew Chief. BigR Team Owner Ron Belt said, “The entire Lowe racing family brings good things to the series. And after watching Jared and Sam work together in 2023, I knew they would be a great fit with the team.” Lowe said, “I’m excited to be a part of BigR Racing this year. I’ve got some seat time on the bikes, and I already feel very comfortable. I’m ready to compete.” BigR Racing and the team is supported by several of the sport’s leading sponsors. Mike Vinson of Vinson Construction, Mission Foods, Roof Systems of Dallas, Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda, Scott Scherb of Scherb Racing, Ryan Sangals of SPC Racing, Motion Pro, L&R Racing, VP Racing Fuel, and LBP, along with many others.

BATAVIA, Ohio (January 25, 2024) – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will officially kick off their 20th season of racing at Golden Isles Speedway on Thursday January 25. This milestone season for the tour will bring exciting competition, new marketing partners, record purses, and points fund for drivers competing on the tour in 2024.  The Big River Steel Chase for the Championship – Presented by ARP will pay out over one million dollars in points fund again in 2024. Drivers will also compete for increased payouts at series events including twelve (12) events paying $50,000 to win or more, plus another nine (9) events that will pay $20,000 to win or more in 2024. The season will conclude with the Dirt Track World Championship at Eldora Speedway that will pay a whopping $100,000 to win. The record payouts and points fund would not be possible without great marketing partners. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series would like to THANK all the partners including both Official and Associate Sponsors of 2024:  Official Partners: Lucas Oil Products, MAVTV, FLOracing, Protect The harvest, General Tire, E3 Spark Plugs, Big River Steel, Sunoco Face Fuels, ARP, Arizona Sport Shirts, Summit Racing Equipment, UNOH, MyRacePass, Hoosier Tire, Wieland, Whelen, Holmatro, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Miller Welders, Rugged Radios, Buzz Electric Bikes, Dave Warren Powersports, Brandon Ford, Todd Steel Buildings, Allstar Performance, Nutrien Ag Solutions, ARMSLIST.com, DirtDraft, and ProThings Apparel. Associate Partners: Advanced Powder Coating, ATC Bolts, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bilstein Shocks, Black Diamond Chassis, Boyd Bilt Fabrication, Brodix, Capital Race Cars, Clements Racing Engines, Coltman Farms Racing, Cornett Racing Engines, Deatherage Opticians, DirtCar Lift, Earnhardt Technologies Group, Fast Shafts, FOX Shocks, Gorsuch Performance Solutions, Heartbeat Hot Sauce, Heath Lawson Photography, Keyser Manufacturing, Kryptonite Race Cars, Longhorn Chassis, MD3, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, Midwest Sheet Metal, MSD, MyRacePass, Outerwears, Penske Racing Shocks, Poskes Performance Parts, Pro Power Racing Engines, Rocket Chassis, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Race Products, Slicker Graphics, Strange Oval, Swift Springs, Thermo-Tec Automotive Products, Vic Hill Race Engines, Victory Fuel, Wilwood, Xceldyne, and 5150 Race Trailers. “With 2024 being the 20th season for the Lucas Oil Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, we want to thank ALL our partners that continue to support the series. The numerous categories and awards that each company sponsors is vital to the success and continued growth as the premier national touring series for dirt late models. We are extremely fortunate to have so many great companies and individuals that believe and support what the series is all about,” stated Wayne Castleberry, Corporate Sales, and Marketing for Lucas Oil Motorsports. The 2024 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season will launch with the Georgia-Florida Speedweeks from January 24 to February 10 with visits to Golden Isles Speedway, Ocala Speedway, All-Tech Raceway, and East Bay Raceway Park.

Huge GTD car count, first race for Z06 GT3.R adds to anticipation of this year’s event DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2024) – There is no discounting the challenges that Corvette Racing teams and drivers will face in this weekend’s Rolex 24 At Daytona. For many reasons, this year’s race looks to be one of the most thrilling and action-packed thanks to a full field of prototypes and GT cars – with Corvettes well-represented in the latter. Four of the new Corvette Z06 GT3.R racecars are set for the start of Thursday morning’s official track sessions and then the start of Saturday’s season-opener for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Two are fielded by Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports in GTD PRO with two additional Corvettes from AWA in the GTD class. Between the two categories, there are 36 GT cars set for the Rolex 24 in addition to 23 prototypes – 10 in GTP and 13 in LMP2. So for those looking for storylines, there is the challenge of debuting a new racecar, the depth and quality of the GTD classes and overall grid, plus all the dicing and fighting between classes for track position over the course of 24 hours. Never a group to back down, the collection of Corvette Racing factory drivers are embracing the challenge of what could be an epic Rolex 24 At Daytona this weekend… The Rolex 24 At Daytona is scheduled to go green at 1:40 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 27 with the race broadcast beginning on NBC. USA Network and Peacock also will air coverage throughout Saturday and Sunday.

CORVETTE RACING MEDIA INFORMATION Corvette Racing media information is updated and available ahead of the Roar Before the 24 as well as next week’s Rolex 24 At Daytona for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Materials include Corvette Racing event advance and quotes, Corvette Racing stats and figures, Corvette Z06 GT3.R racecar comparisons, Corvette Racing Fast Facts, driver biographies and Corvette Racing photography, among other items.

DANIEL JUNCADELLA, NO. 3 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “The race in this class will be really cool to see. Last year the GTD PRO class had at most races five cars. So with an unlucky incident for a couple of your competitors, you were on the podium. Now it’s hugely different with 13 cars, most of them that will be contention for the win. That will be very exciting for the fans but also us as drivers. We want to compete and want to beat the best. We don’t want to have it easy. It’s going to be very exciting with some of the new cars. We have the new Z06 GT3.R, of course, and there is a new Ford too. That’s exciting for any American fan to have both big brands fighting it out.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “When you look at just GTD PRO, the class is quite large compared to previous years. There are lots of very good cars, very good teams and drivers. Winning our class is a really big challenge. If you look at all the GT cars together, there are GTD driver lineups that are very good. You may have an amateur driver out there who may be off the pace, but the other guys are awfully quick. We will mostly likely spend the majority of 24 hours racing a GT car – whether it’s a GTD PRO class car or not. I know it’s frustrating for some guys, but for me I like the fact that there are 25 to 30 GT cars. There isn’t a winner for the overall GT category, but it’s bragging rights for the GTD guys if they can say that they won GT overall. It’s going to be a big fight for 24 hours; there’s no question about it. But I’m looking forward to it all and looking forward to racing some old friends very hard and some new faces pretty hard, too.”

EARL BAMBER, NO. 4 OSHKOSH / MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s the sheer competitiveness. I think, first of all, the big challenge for all of us is we are coming to a category of GTD PRO and GT that is highly competitive. You look up and down the pit lane, there’s Daytona 24-Hour winners, Le Mans winners, World Champions, there’s past IMSA champions… For Corvette to bring a new car here is a big, big challenge. But, I think, the Pratt Miller guys are up to that challenge. They’ve built a great car and a great platform, and I’m just excited to go out and finally race. After all of the testing, and all of the prep work, to finally see where everyone shapes up against each other is going to be cool.”

ALEX LYNN, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I find that in 24-hour racing, you’re constantly chasing perfection, especially within a brand like Corvette. If we’re very honest, winning is what we want. We haven’t come here for anything less. To arrive at that point, it takes so many factors to go right. It’s also about teamwork and every single team member doing their job to arrive on Sunday afternoon with a chance to fight for the win. If you do all the steps, you’ll more than likely have a chance. But arriving at that point is the hardest bit. You’re ticking off boxes as the week and the race goes along. “With the amount of talent in the cockpits and crews, it’s getting ramped up and up and up. Manufacturers are bringing brand new cars, ourselves included. The work rate and effort to prove the product and us as a team is getting harder and harder and harder. But to be honest, that’s what gets me out of bed in the morning to win races like this. I know every crew member is the same. You’re asking more of each and every crew member every day. Tomorrow and Friday is about the same things: keep building and sharpening that tool that we have in the car so we can arrive Sunday afternoon with a chance.”

NICO VARRONE, NO. 17 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “For me, it will be different because now we are in GTD instead of LMP3. Between GTD and GTD PRO, it’s the same regulations and we have 35 cars across the two GT classes. The racing will be very close with the draft and using of slipstreams along the banking. It will be a close battle for 24 hours, and there will be a lot of battles. The key will be staying on the lead lap for the first many hours because you can gain position during caution periods. The goal is to arrive with four hours to go in the best possible position. Those will be flat-out to the end of the race. We’ll work from there to see where we can end up.”

CHARLIE EASTWOOD, NO. 17 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s a huge number of GTD cars in this year’s race. It’s a tricky balance for us because the LMP2s aren’t so fast on the straights. In GTE or GTLM racing, we didn’t have ABS and now we do with these GT3 cars. Especially when it’s cold, we are braking later than the prototypes. It makes the traffic really challenging, and I think it’s the same case for them. They’re fighting really hard to pass us, but it’s all about timing all of that. Then when you throw in 35 GTD cars that we have to stay ahead of, it’s going to be a challenge coming into the last few hours.”

CORVETTE RACING BY THE NUMBERS AT DAYTONA• 0.034: As in seconds – the winning margin of victory in Corvette Racing’s 1-2 finish at the 2016 Rolex 24. Up until last year’s LMP2 finish, it was the closest finish in race history• 1: Rolex 24 class win for AWA; the team won in LMP3 in 2023. Current team drivers Nico Varrone, Anthony Mantella and Thomas Merrill were part of that lineup• 2: Number of the overall winning Corvette C5-R in the 2001 Rolex 24. Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell, Chris Kneifel and Franck Freon completed 656 laps for 2335.36 miles in the winning effort• 4: Number of Corvette Z06 GT3.R entries for the 2024 Rolex 24 – two from Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports (GTD PRO) and two from AWA (GTD)• 4: Rolex 24 wins for Corvette Racing as an entrant: 2001 overall, 2015 GTLM (Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen/Ryan Briscoe), 2016 GTLM (Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler) and 2021 GTLM (Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg)• 9: Corvette/General Motors factory drivers piloting the Corvette Z06 GT3.R in this year’s race: Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims, Dani Juncadella, Tommy Milner, Nicky Catsburg, Earl Bamber (Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller) plus Charlie Eastwood, Nico Varrone and Alex Lynn (AWA). Bamber and Lynn also are Cadillac Racing factory drivers in FIA WEC• 14: IMSA Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001• 24: Drivers who have driven for Corvette Racing at Daytona – Justin Bell, Ryan Briscoe, Nicky Catsburg, Kelly Collins, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Marcel Fässler, Ron Fellows, Franck Freon, Antonio Garcia, Oliver Gavin, John Heinricy, Chris Kneifel, Robin Liddell, Jan Magnussen, Tommy Milner, Simon Pagenaud, John Paul Jr., Andy Pilgrim, Mike Rockenfeller, Scott Sharp, Alexander Sims, Marco Sorensen, Nick Tandy and Jordan Taylor• 27: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Fuji Speedway, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen• 32: Number of drivers for Corvette Racing since 1999• 71: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year• 127: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 115 in North America, nine at Le Mans and three in the FIA WEC• 284: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999• 99,600: Total number of racing laps completed by Corvette Racing entries since 1999. Barring any issues, the program will go over the 100,00-lap mark at the Rolex 24 of Daytona• 361,990.52: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing entries since 1999. To put that in perspective, Corvette Racing is more than halfway to the distance traveled by Apollo 13 – the longest manned spaceflight in history: 622,268 miles Corvette Racing at Daytona (wins in bold)1999No. 2 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/John Paul Jr. – 3rd in GTSNo. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Scott Sharp/John Heinricy – 12th in GTS  2000No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/Justin Bell – 2nd in GTSNo. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 10th in GTS 2001No. 2 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Chris Kneifel/Franck Freon – 1st in GTS (overall win)No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Dale Earnhardt/Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 2nd in GTS 2014No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 10th in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Robin Liddell – 5th in GTLM 2015No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 1st in GTLM (Magnussen fastest race lap)No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Simon Pagenaud – 3rd in GTLM (Gavin pole) 2016No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 2nd in GTLM (Garcia fastest race lap)No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 1st in GTLM (Winner by 0.034 second) 2017No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 4th in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 9th in GTLM 2018No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 3rd in GTLM (Magnussen pole)No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 4th in GTLM 2019No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 6th in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 8th in GTLM 2020 (Rolex 24 – January)No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 4th in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 7th in GTLM 2020 (WeatherTech 240 – July)No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 1st in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 5th in GTLM 2021No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 1st in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Alexander Sims – 2nd in GTLM 2022No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 6th in GTD PRONo. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Marco Sorensen – 10th in GTD PRO 2023No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTD PRO

BARBERVILLE, FL (Jan. 24, 2024) – Since winning the inaugural Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout finale last January, Tyler Clem has climbed backed behind the wheel of his #14 Sprint Car about only a dozen times.

Two of those races were during Volusia Speedway Park’s Battle in Barberville 360 Sprint Car event in December. And they’re two races he hopes give him enough of an advantage over the full-time national competitors he’ll be up against during the second annual Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout, Jan. 25-27.

“It’s tough. I don’t race much with those guys either,” Clem said. “They race every weekend. I’m lucky to race once or twice a month in this thing. They’re the best in the world for a reason, obviously. They’ve won Outlaw races. They’ve won big races like that. Obviously, the confidence that we got from winning the race [last January] and having the speed that we do here, obviously, it helps us. I think we’ll be fine when that time comes and do what we do this year.”

While his overall track time in a Sprint Car might not match drivers like Austin McCarl, Justin Peck or Ryan Timms, Clem – a Florida native from St. Petersburg – considers Volusia a home track. He has five wins at the half-mile, three coming last year – his Southern Sprint Car Shootout win, a Top Gun Sprint Car Series win and a 604 Late Model victory.

Home-field advantage played a part in Clem’s Sprint Car Shootout win last year, but he acknowledged a bit of luck did too. After drawing the pole for the 30-lap race, he launched ahead of the field at the start and never looked back.

Because of that, he benefited from clean air all race, never having to struggled with the aerodynamics of having to pass another car. However, that experience came during December’s Battle in Barberville. Clem finished third the first night and then second the next, having to race his way from sixth both nights.

“You’re at a half-mile here, so it is very aero dependent,” he said. “Once you get racing with guys, you’re not in clean air and the car handles different.

“You’re going to get the best guys in the world coming for [the Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout], kind of like there was this year. Definitely getting laps [during the Battle in Barberville] can build your notebook for that weekend.”

To Clem, his Southern Sprint Car Shootout victory ranks atop all other accomplishments. “The biggest win of his career,” he called it in Victory Lane. And now, with nearly 50 cars set to tackle the 2024 edition of the event, which features three days of racing and the biggest purse in United Sprint Car Series history – boasting a $10,000-to-win finale – he’s eager to put his notebook to work for another big night.

“Everybody is excited for that race,” he said. “It’s probably the biggest 360 race you’ll have around this area. I feel like the quality of cars that come here for this race in January are better than [what’s at East Bay]. You have like Ryan Timms and [Ricky Stenhouse Jr.] and all these guys are going to show up for that race, guys that run 410s. The quality of the field is going to be really good and we’ll just try to do what we did [in 2023].”

For tickets to the second annual Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout, CLICK HERE.

CONCORD, NC (Jan. 24, 2024) – After a strong ending to his first season on the national Midget scene, Hayden Reinbold is ready to take the next step in his career.

“We just want to try and win the championship,” Reinbold said. “I’m super excited to come back and I’m ready to battle for the championship.”

The 19-year-old driver from Chandler, AZ, will return to the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota in 2024 to chase the points title, riding a wave of confidence after breaking through for his first career Series victory in the season finale last October.

That win was more than just a new face in Victory Lane. It was concrete evidence of the progress he’d made behind the wheel throughout the season.

“Last year, I struggled to make Features,” Reinbold said. “I wasn’t even worried about the points; I was just trying to get races under my belt. Now that I have some good finishes and have been running pretty good as of late, I’m super excited to go back out. My confidence is a lot higher than it was a year ago.”

Read Also – ARIZONA SUN RISING: Hayden Reinbold’s I-44 Win Shines Light On 2023 Progress

He clinched a seventh-place finish in the 2023 championship standings on the back of one win, four top-fives and 12 top-10s. Each of those four top-fives came in the second half of the season, contributing to an average finish of 7.6 – a massive turnaround from his average finish through the first half of the season (14.6).

“This time last year we were struggling to make Features, let alone win a race or go top 10,” Reinbold said. “Now, we have a bunch of top 10s, top fives and even a win.”

Reinbold will also take his next step up outside the Midget world in 2024. Father and team co-owner, Andy Reinbold, will put Hayden at the controls of a Winged Sprint Car this season with plans to run a variety of events throughout the Midwest.

“My whole racing career was just Midgets. I never raced anything else,” Hayden said. “I’m super excited to get into another type of racecar. Winged cars look super fascinating to me.”

Though he’s breaking new ground with a potential career in Sprint Cars, he’s not letting that create any pressure. He’s just going to enjoy every lap he gets.

“I don’t feel any pressure or anything, I’m just super excited to go out and race Midgets more,” Reinbold said.

Reinbold and the Reinbold/Underwood Motorsports team begin their chase for the 2024 Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota championship at the season opener inside the Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin, IL – Friday-Saturday, March 15-16.

Tickets will be on sale at the gate on race day. If you can’t be in the building in person, watch every lap live on DIRTVision.

BATAVIA, Ohio (January 24, 2024) – Sunoco Race Fuels, the Official Fuel of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will reward drivers that maintain perfect attendance at all Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanctioned events through May 25th.  The Sunoco Road to Wheatland program has been a long-standing incentive that pays cash bonuses to the top 15 drivers in the series point standings at the Show-Me 100 at Lucas Oil Speedway in May. The series point leader will receive a $2,500 cash bonus at the Show-Me 100 with 2nd through 15th in series point standings receiving a cash award as well. Today, Sunoco Race Fuels has expanded the reach of its racing fuels line around the world to include all types of professional motor sports and other activities where premium race fuels like DXP 116 make the difference. With its unsurpassed innovations and years of experience, it’s easy to understand why more and more engine builders, racers, tracks, and sanctioning bodies choose Sunoco Race Fuels over all other racing gasoline combined. As the largest manufacturer of racing gasolines in the world, Sunoco has a 40-year track record of winning performances. To learn more about DXP 116 visit https://www.sunocoracefuels.com/fuels/fuel/dxp.” “We can’t thank Sunoco Race Fuels enough for their continued support of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the Road to Wheatland program. Following the series full time takes a lot of resources and a huge commitment from drivers and teams. Sunoco’s Road to Wheatland program rewards those drivers that make that commitment. We commend Sunoco for stepping up and giving generously to the racers that support the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series,” stated Wayne Castleberry, Sales and Marketing for Lucas Oil Motorsports. The 2024 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season will launch with the Georgia-Florida Speedweeks from January 24 to February 10 with visits to Golden Isles Speedway, Ocala Speedway, All-Tech Raceway, and East Bay Raceway Park. For the latest news, results, championship standings and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.lucasdirt.com.

Following front row sweep, Cadillac V-Series.R entries look strong for Rolex 24

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2024) – Following a fast start that netted a front row sweep for the 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona, reigning Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) champion Cadillac Racing will aim to also finish 1-2 this weekend. The No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R, with two-time IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship champion Pipo Derani behind the wheel, secured the pole for the twice-around-the-clock test with a track-record lap of 1 minute, 32.656 seconds on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway course.

The No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R, piloted by Sebastien Bourdais, was less than a tenth of a second behind and completed the front row lockout. Cadillac has four pole starts for the Rolex 24 and four victories – all since 2017. Derani’s track-record lap during the 15-minute qualifying session Jan. 21 was nearly 2 seconds quicker than the 2023 pole-winning lap time of 1:34.031 – the first race of the GTP era. “The change in the past year is massive. The development has been tremendous. The job that was done throughout the year was amazing,” said Derani, who scored his series debut victory in the 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Derani will share driving duties with Jack Aitken and Tom Blomqvist, who won the race the past two years. Bourdais will co-drive the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R with Renger van der Zande, Scott Dixon and Alex Palou.  The Rolex 24 At Daytona is also the first of five races in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.

Media resources Event guide: Race notes, driver bios, history and moreSay cheese: High-res driver headshotsRoar photos: On-track action Overall victories2020 (Renger van der Zande, Ryan Briscoe, Scott Dixon, Kamui Kobayashi)2019 (Renger van der Zande, Fernando Alonso; Jordan Taylor, Kamui Kobayashi)2018 (Christian Fittipaldi, Filipe Albuquerque, Joao Barbosa)2017 (Jeff Gordon, Jordan Taylor, Ricky Taylor, Max Angelelli)

NBC and its network will provide flag-to-flag coverage of the race (all times ET):Saturday – NBC 1:30-2:30 p.m.; USA 2:30-8 p.m.; Peacock 8-10 p.m.; USA 10 p.m.-12 a.m.Sunday – Peacock 12-6 a.m.; USA 6 a.m.-12 p.m.; NBC 12-2 p.m.Full race also streamed on Peacock app. Additionally, radio coverage is available at imsa.com, the IMSA app, XM 207, Sirius 211, SiriusXM Online 996, 107.9 FM local at track; 93.5 FM and 1150 AM in Daytona. Cadillac Racing Rolex 24 At Daytona poles2023 — Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R (Pipo Derani, Jack Aitken, Tom Blomqvist)2021 — Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R (Tristan Vautier, Sebastien Bourdais, Loic Duval)2018 — Spirit of Daytona Racing Cadillac DPi-V.r (Matt McMurry, Tristan Vautier, Eddie Cheever III)2017 — Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R (Joao Barbosa, Christian Fittipaldi, Filipe Albuquerque* No overall wins when starting from pole. Overall wins2020 (Renger van der Zande, Ryan Briscoe, Scott Dixon, Kamui Kobayashi)2019 (Renger van der Zande, Fernando Alonso; Jordan Taylor, Kamui Kobayashi)2018 (Christian Fittipaldi, Filipe Albuquerque, Joao Barbosa)2017 (Jeff Gordon, Jordan Taylor, Ricky Taylor, Max Angelelli)

Exciting lineup of Cadillac vehicles on display Spectators can see the award-winning lineup of Cadillac vehicles, including the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing that is the Official Safety Car of the 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona, at the Cadillac display in the midway. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-midnight Saturday and 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.Drivers preview the 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.RSebastien Bourdais: “I am really excited to get 2024 going. I think the traditional start of the season with Daytona is always a fun one. It gathers a ton of drivers that you might not see the rest of the season, so it is a bit of an international event and gathering with a great atmosphere. Everybody wants to leave with a watch on their wrist. We finished third last year, but we felt like we were in it to win it. I feel like Cadillac has given us a very good car and we have a good understanding of the system. We feel even more prepared and with the team that we can lean on, I think we have all the necessary ingredients to go for the win.”

Renger van der Zande: “We have been developing this car for a year now and lately we have found a lot of set-up options that work for us. Reliability is the most important thing and that is certainly what Chip Ganassi Racing and Cadillac Racing bring. Anything can happen at Daytona, but we feel prepared with a nice blend of drivers to win this race. It’s the biggest race of the season, the one you want to win and a big part of a championship. We’re there to win.”

Scott Dixon: “I always look forward to Daytona; it’s a great way to kick off the season. I feel like we had a really good shot last year and the car speed was really good. The team has done a good job in the offseason to make things a little bit smoother and better.”The key is always to stay out of trouble and make sure you finish the 24 hours first and then hopefully have a good shot at trying to get a win.”

Alex Palou: “I’m very excited to return to Daytona after competing with the team in the DPi era in 2022. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the new Hybrid and it will be a great way to start the year early with such a great team and with such great teammates. “I’ve had the privilege of racing with Scott, Sebastien and Renger and I’m sure with all the preparation and knowledge that the team has, we’ll be able to fight for a win and maybe bring home some new watches at the end of January.”No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R

Jack Aitken: “We’ve been talking about it over the winter and doing a (GTP championship) repeat is one of the hardest things you can do in sports. Coming in as the reigning champion for Pipo and the team is a high bar, but I don’t see any reason why we can’t do it again. I’ll bring extra motivation to get my first championship. It all starts with the Rolex 24. We’re starting in a good position to hopefully stay out of danger on the start heading into Turn 1. That’s always an issue. And we’ll go from there.”Tom Blomqvist: “It means a lot to me to win this race again and with a different team. I think that speaks volumes in itself from a personal side – to be able to jump across and fight for a victory. That’s hugely motivating and rewarding if we win. I play a different role this year, coming in to assist and I’ll put in all my effort to help the team win because I want to win.”

Pipo Derani: “There’s really nothing different to do than what you’ve already done and those things have worked because we’ve won races and championships. That also helps you calm down and focus on the important things. Come race day and come Sunday afternoon, you hope everything fell into place and you have the shot at victory in this event. With 59 cars this year, all of us will be in survival mode. At Daytona, it’s only in the last six hours when the puzzle of the race starts coming together, and you start to work out what piece you are, and the game of on-track chess begins.”

BATAVIA, Ohio (January 23, 2024) – The quest for the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship- presented by ARP begins at Golden Isles Speedway, Thursday January 25. The massive fund of over one million dollars will continue in 2024 with a slight twist to the format. The year-long format will continue to award teams cash prizes at four different intervals throughout the season. However, bonus points will not be awarded after each round. Drivers can still move up in points after each bonus round and be eligible for additional bonuses as the season winds down. The Big River Steel Big Four will now be determined at the 20th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals on September 21. From there, the four championship contenders will battle for the 20th Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Championship at the remaining seven races of the season. The modified title format is already driving up purses for the new season. Sept. 28’s Jackson 100 at Brownstown Speedway and Oct. 5’s Pittsburgher now pay $50,000-to-win, both up from $30,000-to-win in 2023, simply because those crucial events are now part of the seven-race chase for the title. “It’s seven points events to determine the Series Championship among those four drivers. With a unique set of race-tracks no one driver will have an advantage. Huge Thanks goes to Big River Steel, ARP, Sunoco Race Fuels, Summit, and UNOH for their support of this format and the bonus money they all are putting into the points fund. We look forward to another exciting battle for the Championship at Eldora Speedway again this year,” stated Wayne Castleberry, Sales and Marketing for Lucas Oil Motorsports.  The Four Bonus Rounds and Payouts Based on Point Standings after each round: Sunoco Road to Wheatland: May 25 at Lucas Oil Speedway; 32nd Annual Show-Me 100: 1. $2,500, 2. $1,500, 3. $1,500, 4. $1,500, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,000, 7. $1,000, 8. $1,000, 9. $1,000, 10. $1,000, 11. $500, 12. $500, 13. $500, 14. $500, 15. $500 = $16,000 Summit Racing Equipment Super Twelve: July 13 at Lucas Oil Speedway: 18th Annual Diamond Nationals: 1. $5,000, 2. $1,000, 3. $1,000, 4. $1,000, 5. $1,000, 6. $1,000, 7. $1,000, 8. $1,000, 9. $1,000, 10. $1,000, 11. $1,000, 12. $1,000 = $16,000 UNOH Great Eight: August 24 at Port Royal Speedway; The Rumble by the River: 1. $7,500, 2. $1,500, 3. $1,500, 4. $1,500, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,500, 7. $1,500, 8. $1,500 = $18,000 Big River Steel Big Four: September 21 at Knoxville Raceway; Late Model Knoxville Nationals: 1. $10,000, 2. $2,000, 3. $2,000, 4. $2,000 = $16,000 Big River Steel Big Four Championship Events:Date – Venue – Event – To WinSept. 27 – Brownstown Speedway – 3rd Annual CJ Rayburn Memorial – $10,000Sept. 28 – Brownstown Speedway – 45th Annual Jackson 100 – $50,000Oct. 1 – Atomic Speedway – The Night the Stars Come Out – $20,000Oct. 4 – Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway – 36th Annual Pittsburgher – $10,000Oct. 5 – Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway – 36th Annual Pittsburgher – $50,000Oct. 10 – East Bay Raceway Park – The Grand Finale (Prelim; Non-Points) – $5,000Oct. 11 – East Bay Raceway Park – The Grand Finale (Prelim; Non-Points) – $5,000Oct. 12 – East Bay Raceway Park – The Grand Finale – $50,000Oct. 18 – Eldora Speedway – 44th Annual Dirt Track World Championship (Prelim; Non-Points)Oct. 19 – Eldora Speedway – 44th Annual Dirt Track World Championship – $100,000 2024 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Point Fund:1. $200,0002. $150,0003. $125,0004. $100,0005. $75,0006. $60,0007. $50,0008. $45,0009. $40,00010. $35,00011. $30,00012. $25,000   Chase Bonuses: $66,000   Point Fund: $935,000   Total: $1,001,000 For the latest news, results, championship standings and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.lucasdirt.com.

MOORESVILLE, NC (January 23, 2024) — Aqua Prop, a leading provider of wet sand solutions, catering to the needs of the oil and natural gas industry, will be the primary sponsor for Pro Stock standout Camrie Caruso during the inaugural Scag Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout, February 8-10, at Bradenton Motorsports Park.  Caruso, a multi-time Pro Stock winner and 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year will be vying for the record-setting $125,000 Pro Stock winner-take-all purse to start the 2024 racing season.

 
“I am thrilled to get the season started with the Scag Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout and the Aqua Prop Chevrolet Camaro,” said Caruso, who won her first NHRA national event in 2023 at the Arizona Nationals. “When Brandon Foster reached out about his new company, Aqua Prop, we thought this was the perfect event to get involved with. We will have several of our existing marketing partners involved as well but getting the word out about Aqua Prop and supporting his customers and employees will be a big deal for us.”
 
In addition to Aqua Prop Caruso will be powered by two Florida-based powerhouse companies True Brand and Big Jeff Audio. Both companies were new to Caruso and her KB Titan Racing team last year and they are looking forward to being involved with a major event in their respective backyards. Aqua Prop offers cost-effective and efficient solutions that enhance the performance of proppants, contributing to the success of frac operations and will be prominently displayed on Caruso’s Camaro Pro Stock race car.
 
“We are excited to be involved with Camrie and the PRO Superstar Shootout,” said Brandon Foster, owner of Aqua Prop. “We have had a great relationship with Camrie and Caruso Family Racing going back to her rookie season. This will be a very popular event for fans all over the country and we wanted to get our name out there. Camrie has shown she can race with the best of the best and we are looking forward to seeing her in the winner’s circle to start the season.”
 
The Scag Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout will feature testing and one Pro Stock qualifying session at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, February 8. On Friday, February 9, Caruso and the Pro Stock field will get three qualifying runs to try and secure one of the 16 spots in the field. Raceday will begin with the first round of Pro Stock eliminations at noon followed by second round at 2:30 p.m., semifinals at 4:15 p.m. and the winner-take-all final round for $125,000 at 6:00 p.m.