READING, Pa. (Sept. 13, 2023) – Brittany Force and her Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet dragster team aren’t letting their No. 5 points position put a damper on their shot at a second consecutive Top Fuel world championship as they kick off the NHRA Countdown to the Championship at this weekend’s Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. Force won her first championship starting the Countdown from the No. 6 position in 2017. In that same year, she picked up the victory at Maple Grove Raceway. The Monster Energy team will be looking for their third consecutive No. 1 qualifying position at the facility. Force was also No. 1 in 2015 and 2019, when she set the current NHRA Top Fuel elapsed time national record at 3.623 seconds. “After a day of testing in Indy following the U.S. Nationals, our Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team is ready to head to the first race of Countdown at Maple Grove Raceway. We figured out some of our issues and it was a very successful test session. Our goals haven’t changed heading into Reading and the Countdown; we want to make four solid runs to qualify in the top 5 and go some rounds on race day. We’re ready to start chasing down that No. 1 points spot. Going in No. 5 wasn’t our plan but we’re up for the challenge.” Force, who is one of only three women to win multiple Countdown to the Championship races, and the Monster Energy team are starting the Countdown on the hunt for their first win of the 2023 season. They earned their No. 5 starting spot with four No.1. qualifying positions, a runner-up finish at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kansas and four semifinal finishes. Competition at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway begins with qualifying Friday at 3 and 6 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations will be run Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Television coverage of the first of six NHRA Countdown to the Championship events begins with qualifying shows Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will be covered by FOX Broadcasting Network with shows Sunday at either 4:30 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. ET, check your local listings.

Season-long battles at tracks across the northeast have led to five new DIRTcar Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly champions.

Marc Johnson (DIRTcar Big Block Modified), Lance Willix II (DIRTcar 358 Modified), Andrew Buff (DIRTcar Sportman) Luke Horning (DIRTcar Pro Stock) and Daniel Joubert (DIRTcar 4-Cylinders) were declared the 2023 champions in their respective divisions. 

Johnson trailed leader Peter Britten by 10 points going into the final weekend of competition. The Guilderland, NY driver clinched his first Hoosier title with the Feature win on Sept. 1 at his home track Albany-Saratoga Speedway, giving him an eight-point advantage over Britten who was sidelined with a hand injury. 

“We’ve been consistent,” Johnson said. “We’ve got a lot of seconds, and a lot of top-fives.” 

The former full-time Series driver acknowledged the significance of his crew and their hard work helping him persevere through a challenging season. 

“My core guys stuck by me, and we plugged along,” Johnson said. “We were still consistent. I still know how to drive a race car. My guys still know how to work on cars. We were just spread a little thin this year.” 

Lance Willix II was the victor in the DIRTcar 358 Modified division, after winning a tight battle over runner-up Jordan McCreadie. It’s also the first Hoosier title for the Theresa, NY driver. 

“It means all the years of not running so good have finally paid off,” Willix II said. “This year I felt like we were more consistent, and it paid off. We were fast almost every night, and the end results show it.”

His Hoosier season saw success from the beginning, landing several victories early in the season. He finished with eight wins, 20 top-fives, and 24 top-10s in 31 starts. 

“We started the season off fast right out of the box, which is always good,” Willix II said. “We got wins at Can-Am, Airborne, and our home track Glen Ridge right off the bat. We had wins right there on opening night of each of them. We’re just trying to stay consistent. We had a few hiccups during the season of part failures, but we just tried to stay consistent and ended up getting the championship.” 

Willix II has now switched his focus to preparing his equipment for Super DIRT Week 51, Oct. 2-8, at Oswego Speedway. He’ll look to continue extending his impressive resume by battling for his first Salute to the Troops 150 title. 

Andrew Buff, of Latham, NY, edged out his younger brother Zach for the title in the DIRTcarSportsman. The 25-year-old delivered one of the most consistent seasons in the division, notching 34 top-five finishes in 42 starts. He also recorded nine wins. 

“Everybody in the northeast is involved in the (Hoosier title),” Buff said. “It’s basically who has the most consistent year…it’s awesome. The more racing you do, the better it helps. But it’s pretty cool to win it two times.” 

One of his favorite moments of the Hoosier season was when he and younger brother Zach scored wins on Sept. 2 at Fulton Speedway. The elder Buff won the makeup Feature, and the younger Buff took the checkers in the regularly scheduled Feature. 

“That was pretty cool that we were able to be on the front stretch down there together,” Buff said.

Transitioning towards the end of the year, Buff remains confident in his equipment and momentum going into the end of the year events like the Chevrolet Performance 75 at Super DIRT Week 51. 

“Knowing what a good race car we have together going into all the big races at the end of the year is definitely a confidence booster.” 

Over in the DIRTcar Pro Stock competition, “Cousin Luke” Horning took the title, defeating defending champion Chad Jeseo. Horning also saw a consistent season, finishing his Hoosier season with 10 wins and 17 top-five finishes in 25 starts. The Gloversville, NY driver was supported by a dominant run of six wins in a row at his home track Glen Ridge Motorsports Park. 

“Glen Ridge really helped me out a lot,” Horning said. “We’re really strong there. It’s been our home track for years. We have a lot of experience up there. We’re the all-time winner up there. We have six (wins) in a row right now, plus, we won three earlier in the season. So, we have a total of nine up there. That helped a lot with the Hoosier points. It’s a big deal. It’s a nice payout and a nice bonus.” 

Even though he came out on top, there were moments throughout the competition he wasn’t sure if he would. He said he felt the demands of the grind of the race season and how it affected his ability to compete up to his potential. But with a relentless attitude and a dash of luck at opportune moments, Horning was able to stay in the fight. 

“It seems like everything went well when we needed it to go well,” Horning said. “When we fell a little bit behind at Glen Ridge, the season turned around. We had someone buy us 10 tires. When things started to slow down a little bit, something came along to right the ship and get us in the right direction.” 

Securing the title has a significant meaning to Horning. It wasn’t just a race against local competitors. It was a race against the best DIRTcar Pro Stock drivers in the entire region.

“I really like (the Hoosier) title,” Horning said. “It’s the best of 16 races. You didn’t just beat your guys at Glen Ridge or (Albany-Saratoga). You beat the guys that run all the DIRT Series stuff and all their home tracks, even the places we don’t get to. It’s good to get your name out there a little more, too.” 

Along with finishing out DIRTcar Pro Stock Series action, Horning will also be preparing for another showing at Oswego Speedway for Super DIRT Week 51 to battle for his first DIRTcarPro Stock 50 title.

Daniel Joubert took the 4-Cylinders title, edging out runner-up Alex Riley by a mere three points. He finished with one win, nine top-fives, and 20 top-10’s in 20 starts.

To see Johnson, Willix, Buff and Horning compete in Super DIRT Week 51 at Oswego Speedway, CLICK HERE to get your tickets today. 

READING, Pa. (Sept. 13, 2023) – Robert Hight and the Cornwell Tools / AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS team are well positioned sitting No. 3 in the points standings as they head into the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, the first event in the six-race NHRA Countdown to the Championship. Hight and the Cornwell Tools Chevy return to Maple Grove Raceway as the defending Funny Car event champions. Hight had a commanding performance in 2022 with wire-to-wire success winning from the No.1 position. Hight also at Maple Grove in 2011 and qualified No. 1 in 2015 and 2017. The Cornwell Tools Camaro No. 3 points positioning comes off the strength of two wins at the Arizona Nationals and Charlotte Four-Wide events. He also has four No.1. qualifiers from the Route 66 Nationals, Thunder Valley Nationals, Heartland Nationals, and the most recent event, the U.S. Nationals where he also picked up a win in the All-Star Callout and had a semifinal finish. “I’m ready to get this Countdown going. This Cornwell Tools team is coming around at the right moment. We’ve found some consistency, the combination that Jimmy Prock is using, it’s responding to what he and Thomas Prock and Nathan Hildahl are doing,” Hight said. “It’s slight adjustments and it’s running well, the progress is showing and it’s perfect timing. Everything has reset and we’re sitting in a good spot to really take a swing at this fourth championship. I’m excited to get started.” Hight is looking to ride a No. 3 start to a fourth series championship that would put him in very select company. Only three Funny Car drivers have won as many as four championships – John Force, Don Prudhomme and Kenny Bernstein. Hight has won the opening event in the Countdown four times and twice has won the championship after doing so, both when the opening event was held in Charlotte in 2009, and 2017. Hight has won more Countdown races than any other Funny Car driver with 14 and he is the only driver in any category to have won the championship from a last-place start (No. 10 in 2009) and No. 1 (2019). He also won from No. 2 in 2017. Competition at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway begins with qualifying Friday at 3 and 6 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations will be run Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Television coverage of the first of six NHRA Countdown to the Championship events begins with qualifying shows Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will be covered by FOX Broadcasting Network with shows Sunday at either 4:30 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. ET, check your local listings.

JIANNA EVARISTO FOCUSED ON CONSISTENCY IN FIRST COUNTDOWN APPEARANCE

MIKE SALINAS AIMS TO BE HOT WHEN IT COUNTS IN THE COUNTDOWN

 Event: 

Pep Boys NHRA Nationals

            Maple Grove Raceway; Reading, Pennsylvania

Scrappers Racing Competitors:

            Mike Salinas, Top Fuel

            Jianna Evaristo, Pro Stock Motorcycle

READING, Penn. (Sept. 13, 2023) – This weekend’s Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway marks the kickoff to the 2023 NHRA Countdown to the Championship. For Scrappers Racing, it will be the fifth appearance in the post-season by Mike Salinas in the Top Fuel ranks. But for Jianna Evaristo, it will be her first quest at the Pro Stock Motorcycle championship in the post-season.

Evaristo has shown consistency during the 2023 season riding her Matt Smith Racing-powered Scrappers Racing Suzuki. The 26-year-old daughter of Top Fuel driver, Mike Salinas, has made two semi-final appearances this season including the season-opening race at Gainesville Raceway and then mid-season at Summit Raceway Park in Norwalk. While Evaristo is focused on her championship quest, maintaining that season-long consistency is the priority.

“I’m definitely excited about my first season competing in the Countdown,” said Evaristo. “But much of that excitement comes from earning my way into the Countdown this season. We’ve experienced a few hiccups this season too which have hindered our capability to go rounds like we know we can, but we feel we have those issues handled so we shouldn’t see those problems moving forward. This weekend’s event at Maple Grove really should be good if the weather forecast holds true with cool temperatures and low humidity. There will be some fast passes for sure if that’s the case. My main focus for this weekend and the races through the Countdown is really not the championship. Of course, I’ll be aware of it, but I need to focus on what I need to do to maintain my consistency and do what I need to do each time I go down the track.”

For the Scrappers Racing Top Fuel team and Salinas, this year’s Countdown is hopefully coming at a time where the team has been showcasing speed each time they take to the track. Salinas started the season with a win at the season-opening race at Gainesville as well as claiming the All-Star Top Fuel victory. From there, the team has acquired two number one qualifier spots at Chicago and Seattle, but a second win as eluded the organization after earning five victories in 2022.

But speed is something the team has certainly found and that was not showcased more than in Brainerd a few weeks ago when Salinas posted the fastest speed in history at the facility and third overall in Top Fuel in NHRA history with a speed of 338.26 mph. Salinas and crew chief, Rob Flynn look to use that speed to capitalize within the Countdown and contend for this year’s championship.

“We know we have the speed in our car and we’ve shown that in recent weeks,” said Salinas. “There have been some things we’ve worked on to get all the pieces working together with the speed that we’ve found and sometimes that results in tire shake or other issues and that’s what we’ve been working to rectify before we get into the Countdown. As a team, we know we can contend for this championship and that will all kickoff this weekend in Maple Grove. Of course, cool temperatures that are predicted would definitely be beneficial, but it would also help our competitors. Striking at the right time is key in this sport and we know we’re poised to get hot when we need to – hopefully starting this weekend!”

The Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway will kick off on Friday afternoon with the first round of pro stock qualifying at 2:00 PM ET followed by the first round of nitro qualifying at 3:00 PM ET.

READING, Pa. (Sept. 13, 2023) – John Force and the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS team enter the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, the first race of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, sitting No. 9 in the points standings after the points reset and Force’s five championship bonus points were added. Sitting only 99 points back from the lead, Force’s No. 9 position is the lowest he’s ever begun the six-race playoffs, matching his start from 2018 when he eventually went on to finish fourth. Force is among only five Funny Car drivers who have qualified for every Countdown, teammate Robert Hight is among the group. Force enters the Countdown looking for his first win of the season after the regular season delivered a runner-up finish at the rain-delayed New England Nationals in New Hampshire and a No. 1 qualifying spot at the Northwest Nationals near Seattle. “It’s Countdown time, it’s exciting, everything resets. It’s like a fresh start. I know we’ve got some work to do, but it’s coming around. These last six races, we could make it. Daniel Hood, Tim Fabrisi, all these PEAK guys, I’ve got faith in them,” Force said. “Maple Grove Raceway has history, and its new owners have really put their heart into the facility. I’m excited to get back there, excited to get this Countdown started. I’m going for 17, that’s why I’m out here.” Force has had considerable success at Maple Grove Raceway winning seven times across three different decades (1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2001 and 2013). Most recently, Force and the PEAK Chevy finished runner-up in 2021 and 2019. The 16-time champion has earned eight No. 1 qualifying positions at the facility and picked up wins from the top spot in 1990, 1994,2001 and 2013. Competition at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway begins with qualifying Friday at 3 and 6 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations will be run Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Television coverage of the first of six NHRA Countdown to the Championship events begins with qualifying shows Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will be covered by FOX Broadcasting Network with shows Sunday at either 4:30 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. ET, check your local listings.

We’re pleased to announce that Mike Lewis will be the RMR team’s newest driver for the NHRA Reading, PA and Charlotte, NC nationals

Location: Reading, PA | Drivers: Fiona Crisp and Mike Lewis Friday: Q1 12:30pm, Q2 4:00pmSaturday: Q3 10:45am, E1 2:30pm, E2 5:45pmSunday: R3 12:00pm, Finals 2:50pm

September 13, 2023

In the two weeks they’ve been paired as driver and crew chief, Harrison Burton and Jeremy Bullins seem to be making progress getting speed from the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang only to see potential good finishes derailed by crashes. 

Bullins figures it’s just a matter of time before Lady Luck smiles on the No. 21 team and the finishes will better reflect their performance.

“It would be easy to be disappointed with our finishes the last two weeks, but the reality is we had two solid races going that both ended in getting caught up with other cars and crashing,” Bullins said. “Once we get that bad luck behind us, I feel like we are ready to string together some good finishes.”

He’s hoping the change will begin this weekend in the 500-lap Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Bristol Motor Speedway’s high-banked, concrete, .533-mile oval.

“Bristol has always been a favorite track for me, and I was lucky to be there with the 21 team when they won back in 2001,” he said. “This race will be wild as a Playoff cut-off race, but hopefully we can make some good set-up decisions and good strategy calls and get ourselves in contention this week.”

Practice for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race is set for Friday at 4:35 p.m. Eastern Time to be followed by qualifying at 5:20.

Saturday’s 500-lap race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 7:30 p.m. with Stage breaks at Laps 125 and 250.

USA Network will carry the live TV coverage all weekend.

DALLAS, TX (September 13, 2023) — After a successful launch during the 69th U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway Park in Indianapolis Drag Race Bracket Bonanza, the first dynamic bracket competition for drag racing fans, will be back in action this weekend during the Reading Nationals from Maple Grove Raceway. Fans will once again be able to fill out the complete competition brackets for Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle when qualifying concludes on Saturday evening. Brackets can be filled out until the first pair of Top Fuel dragsters fire up for the first round of eliminations at 10:30 a.m. ET.
 
“We had hundreds of drag racing fans fill out brackets for the U.S. Nationals from across the country and around the world. We had people playing in Europe and Australia showing how broad the interest and passion is for drag racing and the competition at the U.S. Nationals,” said Elon Werner, creator of Drag Race Bracket Bonanza. “It was great to see people talking about and sharing their brackets on social media before and during the race. Drag Race Bracket Bonanza brought another level of fan engagement to one of the most exciting and fan-friendly motorsports.”

       

 
Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Matt Hartford and Matt Smith all took home wins at the biggest drag race of the season and the fans playing Drag Race Bracket Bonanza were able to provide some interesting insight on the outcome of the race thanks to the data generation capabilities of the site. Once the brackets closed on Monday morning data showed that only two percent of the fans playing picked Brown, the No. 15 qualifier, to take the Top Fuel victory. Fans felt that Top Fuel point leader Justin Ashley was the favorite with 34 percent picking him to win his first U.S. Nationals title. Robert Hight was picked by 40.1 percent of the fans to win with eventual winner Capps garnering 19.2 percent of the fan picks. A whopping 75.3 percent of the players tabbed Gaige Herrera to get the win with eventual winner Matt Smith having a 5.2 percent chance. Finally, Erica Enders was the fans’ choice to win with 32.6 percent of the picks going her way and Hartford was a close second with 22.1 percent.

       

 
“I think what is going to be neat moving forward is seeing how fans’ confidence levels and personal feelings for drivers sways their picks,” said Werner. “Just like in all fantasy sports there are fans picking with their heads and fans picking with their hearts. We have seen more and more non-fans making picks with their own system. I love that people are excited about picking their brackets and earning some bragging rights. We had winners from all over the country and I hope we see the same diversity in winners following the Reading Nationals.”
 
The fan winners included overall winner Bob C. from Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Top Fuel winner DeMarcus R. from Dallas, Texas; Funny Car winner Jerry C. from Austin, Indiana; Pro Stock winner David G. from Kaufman, Texas and Pro Stock Motorcycle winner Brian H. from Williamstown, New Jersey. Each winner received their one-of-a-kind Drag Race Bracket Bonanza plaque signed by the U.S. Nationals winner in their respective category. The overall winner’s plaque was signed by all four winners as well as NHRA legend Don Prudhomme who was being celebrated by Funny Car winner Ron Capps. They also each received a sampling of beef jerky from Beef Jerky Unlimited and the overall winner received an autographed copy of Bob Wilber’s new book The Lost Manuscript, available for pre-sale now on Amazon.

DRBB Top Fuel U.S. Nationals winner Demarcus R. hold his Antron Brown signed plaque

 
Drag Race Bracket Bonanza will continue through the final six playoff races with event winners being recognized at each race and, at the end of the season, an overall countdown winner and runner-up will receive Drag Race Bracket Bonanza championship belts. For additional information fans can visit www.dragracebracketbonanza.com. Fans can follow Drag Race Bracket Bonanza social media for stats, updates, and info on Twitter/X at @dragracebb or Instagram and Facebook, @DragRaceBracketBonanza.
 
About Drag Race Bracket Bonanza
Drag Race Bracket Bonanza is the first dynamic bracket competition for drag racing fans. During the remaining 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series events fans will be able to fill out brackets for all four professional categories at the conclusion of professional qualifying. Developed and owned by Werner Communications, Drag Race Bracket Bonanza is the first fan-centric offering from the Dallas-based public relations and media services company.
 
About Werner Communications
Founded in 2022 by Elon Werner, Werner Communications is a full-service public relations and media services company focusing primarily on motorsports. A familiar face in the motorsports world and 30-year veteran of sports media relations, Werner oversees a host of clients on speedways across the country, including Maynard Ashley Racing, Josh Hart Racing, Caruso Family Racing, Buddy Hull Racing, Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown, the Texas Motorplex, and TMS Titanium. In 2014 Werner received the Jim Chapman Award, considered by many in the industry as the highest honor in racing public relations, for excellence in motorsports public relations. In 2023 he was recognized by National Dragster as one of 25 NHRA Movers, Shakers and Deal Makers.

READING, Pa. (September 13, 2023) – The Elite Motorsports Pro Stock team is red-hot and ready for action as they enter the first race of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s version of the playoffs, at this week’s Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. The competition in Pro Stock has been outstanding this year as six different drivers claimed victories in the 12 events contested through the regular season.  All eight of the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock pilots are in contention for the championship. Points reset coming into the Countdown which means it’s anybody’s game now and the largest professional team in drag racing is hitting their stride at the right time. Now is the time to amp up the momentum and make every run count. The Elite Motorsports team plans to eagerly and earnestly vie for every possible point as they power through the final stretch of the season with renewed vigor.  All eyes are on reigning and five-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders, who is looking for a repeat triumph after winning this event in Reading, Pa. last year. At the midpoint of the season, she was 15th in the points standings, but she and her powerful Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / SCAG Power Equipment Camaro catapulted to third by the time they completed the regular season two weeks ago in Indianapolis. Now, with only 32 points separating her from the lead, Enders is ready to do what she does best – embrace the pressure and race to victory.  With two wins and one No. 1 qualifier to his credit this season, Troy Coughlin Jr. enters the Countdown from the fourth spot, only 41 points behind the first. There’s nowhere Coughlin would rather be than behind the wheel of his JEGS / White Castle Camaro, tearing up the track. Coughlin has proven his on-track aptitude time and time again, across multiple categories, and he plans to make some big moves this weekend.  Aaron Stanfield knows what it takes to win and he is poised to pursue his first victory of the season in his Janac Bros / Melling Engine Parts / J3 Energy Camaro. He was recently crowned the overall Pro Stock winner of the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty challenge, a specialty event that provided semifinalists a rematch at the next event. That winning momentum will serve him well as he enters the Countdown from the No. 6 spot. Rounding out the Elite Motorsports drivers currently in the Top Ten is Cristian Cuadra, who is ranked tenth in the Countdown standings. He’s been diligently testing in his Corral Boots Mustang to find additional power. His natural ability on the tree gives him a competitive advantage against whoever may be in the lane beside him, even (or perhaps especially) if it’s his brother or father. Bo Butner claimed the Pro Stock world championship in 2017 and he would like nothing more than to land his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro in the winners circle this weekend. While he is currently ranked 11th in the standings, Butner knows how to compete strategically thanks to years of experience competing in sportsman categories. Coming off of the first final round of his career at the prestigious U.S. Nationals two weeks ago, Fernando Cuadra Jr. is voracious in his resolve to elevate his position in the Countdown and finish the season on a high note. The talented driver wants to be the first Mexican-born driver to achieve a victory in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series and with a new combination including the Camaro formerly piloted by multi-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., he knows it’s coming soon.  Pro Stock Rookie Jerry Tucker has experienced a stellar season, one that most rookie drivers would love to have. He’s qualified at every event and has defeated some of the best drivers in the category. As he enters the Countdown from the No. 13 position, Tucker knows that now is the time to amp things up in his Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer Camaro. Elite Motorsports driver and patriarch of the Cuadra family, Fernando Cuadra Sr., has experienced a few bumps in his Pro Stock journey this season but that hasn’t stopped him from enjoying every minute of it. Getting to compete alongside his sons makes it all worth it. That said, he’s been looking for the right combination in his Corral Boots Mustang and the team feels they are on the right path. In the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, David Cuadra will once again be competing in the Top Sportsman category. With stellar reaction times and a powerful machine underneath him, D. Cuadra has made a big statement among the sportsman ranks and he’s aiming to finish the season on a high note.  NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying for the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals will feature two rounds at 2 and 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 15, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 17.  ***

Driver Quotes

Erica Enders”We have reached the point in our season where everything matters. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to this year’s countdown. We have battled our way from 15th in points to third in just a matter of a couple months. There is no doubt that the competition is tough and we are surrounded by some guys gunning for their first championship. This is where experience and heart will come into play and I wouldn’t want to go to battle with anyone else. We are Elite for a reason and we are ready!”

Aaron Stanfield“After winning our second Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty challenge in our Janac Bros. / Melling Engine Parts / JC3 Energy Camaro, we know that we can land this machine in the winners circle. We are starting the Countdown just 60 points out from the lead, so now is the time to make some big moves.”

Troy Coughlin Jr.“Team Yellow is ready for the journey one race and one lap at a time with our goal to win a National Championship. My personal goal is to stay in the moment and get up on the wheel! At Team Elite, we love this time of year! It’s what we work for!”

Bo Butner“It’s awesome to go back to Maple Grove Raceway this weekend; we’ve had some great times there – including last year when we won Super Gas after we got the trophy at Indy. We won’t have the chance to go back-to-back this time in the Sportsman class, because we’re putting all our efforts into Pro Stock this weekend to start the Countdown on the best foot possible. We’re excited, and this is the time of year to really get excited because anything can happen.”

Fernando Cuadra Sr.“The Cuadra Boys are ready for the Countdown! I’m so proud of all that my sons have accomplished this season. We have adjusted the airflow on our cars and keep testing to make them better and better. We are excited to return to Reading!”

Fernando Cuadra Jr.“After racing to a runner-up finish at the Big Go, I’m unbelievably excited to get back behind the wheel of this Camaro. I told my teammates that I finally felt like I could sleep again, after experiencing such a great weekend. I’ve got renewed confidence and a stronger vision for what I can accomplish in the Countdown. This Corral Boots Camaro is a mean machine and my crew is the best. As long as I stay focused on doing my job behind the wheel, I think you can expect big things from us over the next six races.”

Cristian Cuadra“We are continuing to fine-tune our car and I think we are finding some things that will take our performance to new levels. Finishing the regular season in the Top Ten was a really big deal for our team. Now that we know that we can accomplish big things, we want to turn up the heat in the Countdown to the Championship.”

Jerry Tucker“This is what it’s all about. We are entering the final stretch of the season and I could not be more proud of this team. When I started this adventure, I thought I knew what I was in for, but I had no idea. I’ve learned a ton and I want more than anything to finish strong for this Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer crew. Team Elite is ready to bring the heat!”

Photos

The Elite Motorsports fleet will be competing in multiple categories at the U.S. Nationals. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Erica Enders is starting out the Countdown to the Championship from the No. 3 position. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Troy Coughlin Jr. is starting out the Countdown to the Championship from the No. 4 position.. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Aaron Stanfield is starting out the Countdown to the Championship from the No. 6 position.. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Cristian Cuadra is starting out the Countdown to the Championship from the No. 10 position.. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Bo Butner is starting out the Countdown to the Championship from the No. 11 position.. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Fernando Cuadra Jr. is starting out the Countdown to the Championship from the No. 12 position.. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Jerry Tucker is starting out the Countdown to the Championship from the No. 13 position.. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Fernando Cuadra Sr. is starting out the Countdown to the Championship from the No. 16 position.. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

David Cuadra will compete in Top Sportsman this week. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Pre-Race Notes

Elite Motorsports: Pre-race notesPep Boys NHRA NationalsMaple Grove RacewayReading, Pa. (Sept. 15-17) The Elite Motorsports team, the largest team in professional drag racing, has expanded for 2023 and will field a total of eight entries for this weekend’s Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pa.  At this event, the Elite Pro Stock team will feature eight Pro Stock drivers including reigning and five-time world champion Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield, Troy Coughlin Jr., Bo Butner, Fernando Cuadra Sr. and his sons, Fernando Jr. and Cristian, as well as newcomer Jerry Tucker.  During her professional career, Enders has accumulated 45 wins in 76 final rounds and has a round-win record of 455-250 for a .645 win percentage. Enders also has a win in Super Gas (2004 Houston) bringing her career total to 46 national event victories. Enders won two events this season in Bristol and Topeka. She defeated Deric Kramer in the Bristol final and more recently, topped Greg Anderson in Topeka. She currently has a 16-10 record in elimination rounds this season. The Reading event marks the start of the Countdown to the Championship and all eight Elite Pro Stock drivers are eligible to win the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock title. Enders is ranked No. 3 and is just 32 points behind leader Dallas Glenn and 7 points behind No. 2 Matt Hartford.  Enders has won at least one Pro Stock event at 17 different NHRA venues including Maple Grove Raceway. She is the defending event champion, having defeated teammate Troy Coughlin Jr. in the finals last year. Enders was also a Reading finalist in 2021, giving her a round-win record of 7-1 over the last two seasons. Enders currently holds both the elapsed time and speed records for the NHRA Pro Stock class with bests of 6.450-seconds and 215.55 mph. The elapsed time record was set at the 2022 Gatornationals. If Enders wins one more event this season, she will surpass three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Angelle Sampey as the sport’s winningest female driver. Sampey currently has 46 wins while Enders has 45 professional wins and one sportsman win, tying her with Sampey. Troy Coughlin Jr., the driver of the JEGS / White Castle Chevrolet Camaro, heads to Reading as the No. 4 ranked driver in the championship points standings after posting wins at the season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals and the Dodge Power Brokers Mile-High Nationals in Denver to go with a runner-up at the Four-Wide event in Las Vegas. Coughlin has a 16-10 record in elimination rounds this season. He is just 41 points out of first place. Earlier this season at the NHRA Arizona Nationals near Phoenix, Coughlin became the first winner of the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge. He defeated Greg Anderson in the final with an elapsed time of 6.57, compared to Anderson’s 6.60, to capture the inaugural event victory. In addition to his four career Pro Stock victories, the multi-faceted Coughlin has additional wins in Top Alcohol Dragster, Super Comp and Super Gas. He captured back-to-back Top Alcohol Dragster titles in Reading in 2018 and 2019. Coughlin’s father, Troy Sr., is a 15-time national event winner in Pro Stock, Pro Mod and Super Gas. Including his uncles, John, Mike, and Jeg Jr., the Coughlin family has combined to win 133 national event titles. Coughlin’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.515-seconds and 212.29 mph, set earlier this year at the season opener in Gainesville. Aaron Stanfield has also returned to the Elite team for another season behind the wheel of the Janac Bros / Melling Engine Parts / JC3 Energy Camaro. Stanfield, the son of five-time Super Stock world champ Greg Stanfield, is coming off a season where he was the third-ranked driver in Pro Stock. So far this season, Stanfield has four semifinal and six quarterfinal finishes to his credit and he’s the No. 6 ranked driver in the class, 60 points out of the lead. Stanfield has also qualified a season-best of No. 2 at the race in Bristol.  Stanfield was recently named the overall season Pro Stock winner of the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty challenge, a specialty event that featured a rematch between the semifinalists from the previous event.  Stanfield won back-to-back titles in the FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown class in 2020 and 2021, and he is the current championship leader in that class, which will be contested at Maple Grove Raceway.  All told Stanfield has 22 career wins in Pro Stock, Factory Stock, Super Stock, and Top Dragster. Stanfield’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.457-seconds and 213.47 mph, both set in Gainesville 2022. Bo Butner is a two-time NHRA world champion in Pro Stock (2017) and Comp Eliminator (2006). He joined the Elite team last season as the driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro. Earlier this season in Phoenix, Butner drove to a runner-up finish in Pro Stock, reaching the final for the first time since the 2019 Richmond event. Butner defeated Erica Enders, Fernando Cuadra Jr. and Kyle Koretsky to reach his 26th career Pro Stock final. Two weeks ago, Butner won his 30th national event title when he claimed the Super Gas victory at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals. Butner also won the Super Gas title at Indy in 2022 and won again in Reading, so he enters this event as the defending champion.  Butner has 30 career national event victories including 11 in Pro Stock. He also has wins in Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Gas, and Super Street. Additionally, Butner has enjoyed success as a big-money bracket racer with a victory at the K&N Spring Fling Million in Las Vegas in 2021. Butner has won at least one national event title at 14 different venues including Maple Grove Raceway. He won the Super Gas title last year and also won in Pro Stock in 2017, defeating Greg Anderson in the final.  Butner’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.475-seconds and 214.28 mph, set in Dallas (2015) and Gainesville (2017), respectively. The Cuadra family includes Fernando Sr., and his sons Fernando Jr. and Cristian. The Cuadra family is backed by Corral Handcrafted Boots and will continue to race.  Fernando Sr. and Cristian will continue to race Ford Mustangs under the Elite banner while Fernando Jr. recently made the switch to a Chevy Camaro. Fernando Jr. is driving an Elite entry previously raced by five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. Fernando Sr. is a two-time national event runner-up with final-round appearances at the 2019 races in Reading and Pomona. Fernando Jr. enters Reading on a high note after racing to the final round of the prestigious U.S. Nationals two weeks ago. Cuadra Jr. is the sport’s No. 12 ranked Pro Stock driver and enters the Countdown 128 points behind the leader.  Cristian Cuadra was also the runner-up to Enders at the 2022 four-wide event in Las Vegas and he was a semifinalist earlier this year at the Bristol race. He comes into this weekend as the No. 10 ranked driver in Pro Stock, facing a 108-point deficit. Earlier this season in Phoenix, Cristian Cuadra became the first Mexican-born NHRA racer to qualify No. 1 in a pro category when he drove his Elite-powered Corral Handcrafted Boots Mustang to a 6.552 pass. C. Cuadra is one of just 11 non-U.S.-born drivers to qualify No. 1 in a professional NHRA class and the only one to accomplish the feat in Pro Stock. The third Cuadra brother, David, will be racing in the Right Trailers Top Sportsman class this weekend in his new Mustang. David has raced in both Pro Stock and Top Sportsman this season. He made his Pro Stock debut in Charlotte and also competed in Chicago, Bristol, Topeka, and Brainerd. The Cuadra family has career-best elapsed times of 6.515 (Fernando Jr.), 6.524 (Fernando Sr.), 6.527 (Cristian) and 6.578 (David). Their career-best speeds are 212.13 (Fernando Sr.), 211.43 (Cristian), 210.73 (Fernando Jr.) and 209.39 (David). New to the Elite Pro Stock team this year is Jerry Tucker, who enjoyed a memorable debut in Gainesville. Tucker qualified his Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer / Elite Motorsports Camaro in the No. 15 spot with a 6.573 and won the first round after teammate Enders encountered a mechanical issue. Tucker has a semifinal finish from Chicago and is No. 12 in the standings, just 138 points out of the lead. Tucker, of Lindsay, Okla., has spent the last 30 years racing everything from Sprint cars to Midgets and has also enjoyed success in drag racing. Tucker previously raced in the Top Sportsman class. Tucker is one of the leading contenders for the NHRA Rookie of the Year award. Collectively, the eight current team Elite drivers have combined to win 109 NHRA national event titles across all classes including 67 in the Pro Stock class.

Media Contacts:Jessica Hatcher – Imagination 9 jessica@imagination9.com Scott Woodruff – Elite Motorsportswoody@elitemotorsportsllc.com Courtney Enders – Elite Motorsportscourtneyenders@icloud.com

LINCOLN, IL (Sept. 12, 2023) – The DIRTcar Fall Nationals returns to Lincoln Speedway in Lincoln, IL, in two weeks’ time – Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 28-30 – where national and regional points champions will be celebrated in the final event of DIRTcar Racing’s 40th anniversary season.

COMPETITOR GUIDE, REGISTRATION

DIRTcar Late Models, UMP Modifieds, Pro Late Models, Pro Modifieds and Stock Cars are scheduled to compete in this three-day event, which begins with a practice session for all five divisions Thursday evening, Sept. 28. Friday night features a full racing program for the DIRTcar Late Models, UMP Modifieds, Pro Modifieds and Stock Cars.

The Crate-engine DIRTcar Pro Late Models will join the Super Late Models, UMP Modifieds and Pro Modifieds on the docket for Saturday night in the second full night of racing, which serves as the final points night for each of the four divisions.

After competing at Lincoln on Friday, the DIRTcar Stock Cars will head south to Charleston Speedway in Charleston, IL, on Saturday and join the DIRTcar Factory Stocks and Sport Compacts in the track’s annual DIRTcar Street Stock Fall Nationals event, where the divisions’ regional and national champions will be decided.

Late Model, Pro Late Model, UMP Modified and Pro Modified teams who pre-enter for the DIRTcar Fall Nationals by Sept. 27 will receive a discount on their entry fee. Application form is attached to the event guide but online registration is available at https://www.myracepass.com/series/2056/registrations/8428.

Tickets and pit passes will be available at the track upon arrival on race day. Pit pass, general admission and camping pricing can be found below.

Pits             Pits                        Pits (11 & under)        Grandstand     Kids (11 & under)

Thursday         $30                  $10*                            FREE                FREE**

Friday              $40                  $20*                            $25                  FREE**

Saturday         $40                  $20*                            $25                  FREE**

• 3-Day Pit Combo: $90
• 2-Day Pit Combo: $70
• 2-Day Grandstand Combo: $45

3-Day Camping with electricity – $75 (includes 30 amp electric)

3-Day Camping, no hookup – $50

For more camping info and to reserve a spot, contact: 217-764-3200

Hampton by Hilton and Comfort Inn & Suites of Lincoln, IL are the official host hotels of Lincoln Speedway. Call the Hampton by Hilton at (217) 732-6729 or Comfort Inn & Suites at (217) 735-5800. Mention Lincoln Speedway to receive the discounted rate.

Updates throughout the weekend can be found on the DIRTcar Racing social media channels; Facebook @DIRTcar, Twitter @DIRTcarRacing and Instagram @dirtcar_official.

ALAND ISLANDS, FINLAND (September 12, 2023) —   Ida Zetterström and team RFMotorsport doubled up at Santa Pod Raceway, taking home the event win at the final FIA Top Fuel race of the year and securing the 2023 European Championship title with a 120-point lead over runner-up Susanne Callin. The event win was Zetterström’s fourth of the season, three of them being FIA events. 

 
“We just doubled up in the Edelbrock Performance Top Fuel at Santa Pod Raceway by winning the European Finals with a 3.91 in the dark and taking home the European Championship title,” said Zetterström. “I am incredibly proud of my RFMotorsports team and the performance we have shown this year, losing only one round all year, earning numerous No. 1 qualifiers, running consistently, and taking home the European records for both speed and ET as well as the overall Championship. Thank you to all our partners for an incredible year and now we’re going celebrate this championship.” 

Ida Zetterström during Santa Pod Raceway final race of 2023 European race season

 
Zetterström and her team were consistently strong and showed their pace straight from the start by setting two new European records at the first event of the season with a 3.77 second ET record and a new European speed record of 321.01 mph. The finals were delayed Sunday night after bad weather found its way to the track in the afternoon and pushed the last rounds of racing up by several hours. Zetterström and her team were able to maintain their focus and take another win and the championship.
 

ENNIS, TX (September 12, 2023) — The Texas Motorplex today announced drag racing Hall of Famer Darrell Gwynn, three-time Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown and long-time NHRA volunteer Mickey Prestridge have been named Texas Motorplex Legends in advance of the 2023 NHRA Texas Fall Nationals at the Stampede of Speed. The trio has made significant history at Texas Motorplex both on and off the track since 1986 when the first NHRA super-track held its inaugural event.
 
“These three individuals highlight what it means to be a Texas Motorplex Legend. It isn’t always about winning the most races. Darrell, Antron and Mickey have made a positive impact on Texas Motorplex’s fans, sponsors and the history of the facility,” said Christie Meyer Johnson, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “Darrell was the first driver to make a pass down our all-concrete racetrack and helped put our facility on the map. Antron won his first professional race here and has continued a winning legacy. Mickey has been a supporter of DRAW and has had a universal presence at events for decades.”
 
Darrell Gwynn’s first pass down the Motorplex quarter mile not only propelled him to the No. 1 qualifying position at the inaugural event, it also set NHRA national records for both time and speed at 5.261 seconds, 278.55 miles per hour.  Although he eventually lost to “Big Daddy” Don Garlits in the final round, he also posted the quickest time during eliminations at 5.272 seconds.  The following year, he beat Eddie Hill in the final round while lowering the NHRA record from 5.171 seconds to 5.084.  In four career appearances at the Motorplex, before his career was cut tragically short by an accident, he never failed to reach the final round, losing to Hill in the 1988 final and to Gary Ormsby in 1989.
 
“Being a Texas Motorplex Legend is a great feeling because we had so many great memories of racing and winning there in the 1980s. It means the world to me,” said Darrell Gwynn. “The Gwynn family racing team history at the Texas Motorplex is quite a story. We went there in 1986 when it first opened, and we knew that place was going to be fast. We heard all about it being built, this all-concrete drag strip. We just could not wait to get on it. As soon as we got on that magic strip at the Texas Motorplex we started setting records.”

Darrel Gwynn Texas Motorplex Legend

 
Antron Brown is one of five drivers to have won at the Motorplex in two different pro categories but is the only one of the five to have done so in Pro Stock Motorcycle and Top Fuel.  The others, Mike Dunn, Don “the Snake” Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein and Ed “the Ace” McCulloch, won in Funny Car and Top Fuel.  Brown’s 1999 Pro Stock Motorcycle win came in the briefly contested spring event and was the first win of his professional career in his very first start on the all-concrete Texas track.   He beat No. 2 qualifier Matt Hines in the semifinals and No. 1 qualifier Angelle Sampey in the final.  He added Top Fuel wins in 2012 and again in 2016, winning the latter from the No. 1 qualifying position.  
 
“This is a huge honor and I want to thank Billy Meyer and his family,” said Brown. “The Texas Motorplex is a special place for me because I won my first Pro Stock Motorcycle race in Dallas and that really helped put me on the map. Every year I go back I think of all the history there and now to be named a Texas Motorplex Legend I am part of that history.”

Antron Brown Texas Motorplex Legend

 
Mickey Prestridge has been a fixture at nearly every DRAW auction held during the Texas Fall Nationals and he and his wife Beth were named 2005 DRAW Person of the Year by the organization. His commitment to supporting and coordinating the audio efforts for a variety of events not just at the Texas Fall Nationals but across the country are legendary. His commitment to supporting teams, organizations like Racers for Christ, DRAW and the sanctioning body have improved the fan experience for decades.
 
“When Christie called, I was in Denver at the Mile High Nationals and I thought I was being overcome by the altitude,” said Prestridge. “I have loved being involved with the NHRA for so many years and this is a great honor. You look at the people who have been named Texas Motorplex Legends and I’m sitting here in high cotton right now. I don’t know why I’m here but I’m glad to be here. This is great and I want to thank Billy Meyer and Christie and Barry Johnson for this honor.”

Mickey Prestridge Texas Motorplex Legend, photo by Auto Imagery

 
The Texas Motorplex Legends will be recognized and presented with their one-of-a-kind Legend spurs at separate ceremonies throughout the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals, October 13-15. For tickets to the Stampede of Speed or the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals visit www.stampedeofspeed.com.

Tom Tarlton Classic puts $21,000 up for grabs at Kings, and Series makes highly anticipated return to PlacervilleHANFORD, CA (September 12, 2023) – One more weekend of California Dreamin’ awaits the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars in 2023.The Greatest Show on Dirt will carry a hotly contested points battle into a pair of “Golden State” facilities to wrap up this year’s west coast swing. First up is a Friday, Sept. 15 stop at Hanford, CA’s Kings Speedway for the Tom Tarlton Classic. As a nod to the longtime California car owner, the race will again award $21,00 to the winner. The next night takes the tour north where Placerville Speedway is waiting and ready to host the World of Outlaws for the first time in four years at the Federated Auto Parts 49er Gold Rush Classic.The World of Outlaws full-timers head into the weekend looking to rebound after being kept off the podium at Silver Dollar Speedway. And the Cali Clique aims to defend home turf at two more facilities.BUYS KINGS SPEEDWAY TICKETSBUY PLACERVILLE SPEEDWAY TICKETSLet’s look at the weekend’s top storylines:HOME IN HANFORD: Carson Macedo’s hometown of Lemoore, CA is a mere 10 miles down the road from Hanford, making Friday’s race as close to a home game as you can get for the World of Outlaws competitor. On top of the significance of racing where he’s from, the man that the race salutes – Tom Tarlton – played a major role in Macedo’s career.The father-son duo of Tom and Tommy Tarlton own the Fresno based Tarlton Motorsports, and Tom happens to be Macedo’s uncle while Tommy is his cousin. When Macedo was struggling early in his career, the two stuck behind him and helped him arrive at where he is today. The 27-year-old’s first World of Outlaws win came behind the wheel of the Tarlton #21 in 2014.Macedo has brought out his best talents each year for this event. The first wasn’t World of Outlaws sanctioned in 2020, but he was able to be in attendance and held off Kyle Larson for the triumph. The next year he went back-to-back. Last season his bid for a third straight $21,000 check fell a little short as he lost the lead late, so he’ll be hungry to climb back atop the podium this Friday.On a relevant note, it’ll be Carson’s brother – Cole – owning the honors of driving the Tarlton machine this weekend.SLIDIN’ INTO THE CENTRAL VALLEY: Friday’s race in Hanford is close to home for another team on the tour, too. Roth Motorsports brings a two-car stable to Kings Speedway, which is less than an hour south from their Fresno shop. James McFadden and Buddy Kofoid will pilot the pair of #83 machines with hopes of grabbing the trophy for Dennis and Teresa Roth.McFadden has competed five times at the Hanford oval, three times with the World of Outlaws and twice with the Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC), and been on the podium four times but is still chasing a win. Kofoid has never competed there with the World of Outlaws but has been in the top five with the Sprint Car Challenge Tour (SCCT) 360 Sprints.RETURN TO P-VILLE: Circumstances outside of Series and track control caused the cancelation of the Placerville Speedway date over the last three years, but the World of Outlaws are set to return to the bullring on Saturday for the first time since 2019.The night will mark the World of Outlaws’ 10th visit to the El Dorado County quarter mile since the first trip back in 1985. Through nine Placerville races to date, seven different drivers have gone to Victory Lane. The most recent five have yielded no repeat winners.Four years ago, when the World of Outlaws last rolled into Placerville, it was a California local claiming the checkered flag in the form of Shane Golobic. The Rocklin, CA driver is fresh off a sixth place showing at Gold Cup and will finally get the chance to defend his win this weekend.THE BIG CAT’S BACK: One driver especially looking forward to the return to Placerville is Brad Sweet. The four-time Series champion is originally from Grass Valley, CA and now calls the Placerville area home. Sweet has a hand in helping promote this Saturday’s race.Sweet has been stout recently at his home state bullring. In his last four Series starts at Placerville, he’s finished no worse than sixth and picked up a 2018 victory.“The Big Cat” rolls into the weekend with the points lead and looks to add more cushion to the 82-marker margin that separates him and David Gravel.OUTLAWS VS. CALI CLIQUE: The Cali Clique was clicking this past weekend in Chico, and the World of Outlaws hope to regain the upper hand on the rivalry with the “Golden State” gassers this weekend.At Kings, Logan Schuchart stands out as a prime candidate to score one for the World of Outlaws. He’s topped two of the last four Series visits including a wild charge from 19th in 2017. Donny Schatz and David Gravel are also former Hanford winners. The locals typically haven’t excelled at Kings, but Tim Kaeding did claim one for California in 2003.Over at Placerville, Donny Schatz (2015), David Gravel (2017), and Brad Sweet (2018) have won as World of Outlaws competitors and will be looking to do so again this Saturday.Corey Day leads the California locals fresh off topping Gold Cup for his first career World of Outlaws win. Now he heads to Kings, where he’s already won four times with NARC in his young career. The Clovis, CA native has bested NARC at Placerville as well.As previously stated, Shane Golobic is the most recent Series winner at Placerville. Since that 2019 triumph, the pilot of the NOS Energy Drink #17W has collected six Placerville wins in 360 Sprint Car competition.After bagging a pair of runner-ups at Gold Cup, Justin Sanders is hungrier than ever for that first World of Outlaws win. The Aromas, CA native owns a stout résumé at Placerville with 10 Sprint Car triumphs at the quarter mile since the beginning of 2021.If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action live on DIRTVision.THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCEWHEN AND WHEREFriday, September 15 at Kings Speedway in Hanford, CASaturday, September 16 at Placerville Speedway in Placerville, CAON THE INTERNETWorld of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Twitter – @WorldofOutlaws Instagram – @WoOSprint Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/monthCURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (57/72 Races):1. 49 – Brad Sweet (7686PTS) 2. 2 – David Gravel (-82PTS) 3. 41 – Carson Macedo (-106PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-322PTS) 5. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-356PTS) 6. 15 – Donny Schatz (-358PTS) 7. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-452PTS) 8. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-580PTS) 9. 3Z – Brock Zearfoss (-1040PTS) 10. 7S – Robbie Price (-1422PTS)NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (16 Drivers):10 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2)7 wins – Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49)6 wins – James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83), Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41), Logan Schuchart (Shark Racing #1S)5 wins – Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24)4 wins – Kyle Larson (Silva Motorsports #57)3 wins – Donny Schatz (Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15), Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17)1 win – Buddy Kofoid (CMS Racing #11), Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports #21), Anthony Macri (Macri Motorsports #39), Brian Brown (Brian Brown Racing #21), Gio Scelzi (KCP Racing #18), Spencer Bayston (CJB Motorsports #5), Corey Day (Jason Meyers Racing #14)FEATURE LAPS LED (20 Drivers):261 laps – Brad Sweet209 laps – James McFadden204 laps – Rico Abreu195 laps – Carson Macedo193 laps – David Gravel172 laps – Logan Schuchart118 laps – Kyle Larson108 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild102 laps – Donny Schatz93 laps – Buddy Kofoid57 laps – Gio Scelzi43 laps – Brent Marks40 laps – Spencer Bayston, Corey Day24 laps – Brian Brown11 laps – Anthony Macri10 laps – Cory Eliason4 laps – Cole Macedo3 laps – Brady Bacon, Danny Varin1 lap – Austin McCarlSIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (17 Drivers):13 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo10 QuickTimes – David Gravel5 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart4 QuickTimes – Rico Abreu3 QuickTimes – Sheldon Haudenschild2 QuickTimes – Anthony Macri, Bill Balog, Justin Peck, Gio Scelzi, Brad Sweet, Tanner Holmes1 QuickTime – Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Buddy Kofoid, James McFadden, Jacob Allen, Kyle LarsonHEAT RACE WINNERS (40 Drivers):28 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo23 Heat Wins – David Gravel15 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet14 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz12 Heat Wins – James McFadden, Buddy Kofoid, Logan Schuchart11 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild10 Heat Wins – Gio Scelzi9 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu7 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston5 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks, Justin Peck, Cory Eliason3 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, Brian Brown, Bill Balog, Parker Price-Miller2 Heat Wins – Brock Zearfoss, Noah Gass, Kerry Madsen, Robbie Price, Tim Kaeding, Sam Hafertepe Jr.1 Heat Win – Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Mark Dobmeier, Kasey Kahne, Austin McCarl, Lachlan McHugh, Ryan Timms, Tim Estenson, Kyle Larson, Shane Stewart, Lance Dewease, Cole Macedo, Chase Randall, Ian Madsen, Tanner Holmes, Dominic ScelziTOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (45 Drivers):38 Dashes – Carson Macedo36 Dashes – David Gravel34 Dashes – Brad Sweet27 Dashes – Logan Schuchart25 Dashes – Gio Scelzi22 Dashes – Donny Schatz21 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild20 Dashes – James McFadden18 Dashes – Rico Abreu, Spencer Bayston15 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid8 Dashes – Jacob Allen, Brent Marks, Cory Eliason, Brock Zearfoss5 Dashes – Anthony Macri, Justin Peck, Robbie Price, Kasey Kahne4 Dashes – Brian Brown3 Dashes – Danny Dietrich, Parker Price-Miller, Tyler Courtney, Kyle Larson, Corey Day2 Dashes – Garet Williamson, Austin McCarl, Bill Balog, Cole Macedo, Tanner Holmes, Justin Sanders1 Dash – Freddie Rahmer, Devon Borden, Aaron Reutzel, Brady Bacon, Chad Trout, Dylan Norris, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Shane Stewart, Danny Varin, Ian Madsen, Shane Golobic, Dominic ScelziMICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (33 Drivers):4 LCS Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Spencer Bayston, Robbie Price2 LCS Wins – Parker Price-Miller, Noah Gass, Logan Schuchart, Carson Macedo, Brock Zearfoss, Tim Estenson, James McFadden1 LCS Win – Gio Scelzi, Hunter Schuerenberg, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Timms, Ayrton Gennetten, Kraig Kinser, Freddie Rahmer, Henry Malcuit, Cole Macedo, Aaron Reutzel, Kerry Madsen, Sye Lynch, Cory Eliason, Donny Schatz, Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu, Jacob Allen, Daryn Pittman, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Jamie Veal, Kaleb Johnson, Lachlan McHugh, Tanner Holmes, Austen WheatleyKSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (35 Drivers):5 Hard Chargers – Sheldon Haudenschild, James McFadden3 Hard Chargers – Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, Logan Schuchart, Rico Abreu, Brock Zearfoss2 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz, Danny Dietrich, Justin Peck, David Gravel, Spencer Bayston, Corey Day, Robbie Price1 Hard Charger – Gio Scelzi, Blake Hahn, Buddy Kofoid, Joe B. Miller, Kyle Larson, Hunter Schuerenberg, Kyle Moody, Freddie Rahmer, Skylar Gee, Cole Duncan, Austin Pierce, Brenham Crouch, Tim Kaeding, Jacob Allen, Caden Englehart, Zeb Wise, Carson Macedo, Dale Blaney, Tasker Phillips, Brent Marks, Kaleb Johnson, Tanner HolmesPODIUM FINISHES (26 Drivers):26 Podiums – David Gravel24 Podiums – Brad Sweet16 Podiums – Carson Macedo13 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart, Rico Abreu10 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild8 Podiums – James McFadden, Buddy Kofoid6 Podiums – Kyle Larson5 Podiums – Brent Marks, Gio Scelzi4 Podiums – Spencer Bayston3 Podiums – Brian Brown, Jacob Allen, Corey Day1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Parker Price-Miller, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri, Garet Williamson, Dave Blaney, Tanner Holmes, Justin SandersTOP 10 FINISHES (60 Drivers):51 Top 10s – Brad Sweet48 Top 10s – Carson Macedo47 Top 10s – David Gravel40 Top 10s – Gio Scelzi39 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart36 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild35 Top 10s – Donny Schatz, Spencer Bayston32 Top 10s – James McFadden28 Top 10s – Rico Abreu23 Top 10s – Buddy Kofoid14 Top 10s – Jacob Allen11 Top 10s – Justin Peck, Brent Marks10 Top 10s – Kasey Kahne9 Top 10s – Cory Eliason8 Top 10s – Kyle Larson7 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney, Brock Zearfoss6 Top 10s – Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich5 Top 10s – Corey Day4 Top 10s – Tanner Holmes, Justin Sanders, Dominic Scelzi3 Top 10s – Anthony Macri, Bill Balog2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Blake Hahn, Brady Bacon, Parker Price-Miller, Robbie Price, Zeb Wise, Freddie Rahmer, Cole Macedo, Tim Kaeding, Chase Randall1 Top 10 – Devon Borden, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Joe B. Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg, Brandon Rahmer, Chad Trout, Lance Dewease, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Skylar Gee, Cole Duncan, Austin McCarl, Garet Williamson, Shane Stewart, Dave Blaney, Larry Wight, Dale Blaney, Noah Gass, Rusty Hickman, Kerry Madsen, Jason Solwold, Shane Golobic, Chase Johnson2023 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)1. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)2. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (2)3. Sat, Feb 11* / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / James McFadden (1)4. Sun, March 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1)5. Mon, March 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (3)6. Sat, March 18 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Rico Abreu (1)7. Fri, March 24 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Buddy Kofoid (1)8. Sat, March 25 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Brad Sweet (1)9. Fri, March 31 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / Brad Sweet (2)10. Sat, April 1 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / James McFadden (2)11. Fri, April 7 / U.S. 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)12. Sat, April 8 / 81 Speedway / Wichita, KS / Rico Abreu (2)13. Fri, April 14 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (3)14. Fri, April 28 / Tri-City Speedway / Granite City, IL / David Gravel (4)15. Sat, April 29 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Brady Bacon (1)16. Fri, May 5 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (1)17. Sat, May 6 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (3)18. Wed, May 10 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Anthony Macri (1)19. Fri, May 12 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brad Sweet (4)20. Fri, May 19 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Donny Schatz (1)21. Sat, May 20 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Donny Schatz (2)22. Fri, May 26 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Brad Sweet (5)23. Sat, May 27 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Carson Macedo (2)24. Mon, May 29 / Lawrenceburg Speedway / Lawrenceburg, IN / James McFadden (3)25. Fri, June 2 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / David Gravel (5)26. Sat, June 3 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Carson Macedo (3)27. Fri, June 9 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brian Brown (1)28. Sat, June 10 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (6)29. Fri, June 16 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Gio Scelzi (1)30. Sat, June 17 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)31. Wed, June 21 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Kyle Larson (1)32. Thurs, June 22 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / James McFadden (4)33. Fri, June 23 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Logan Schuchart (2)34. Sat, June 24 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (7)35. Fri, June 30 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Brad Sweet (6)36. Sat, July 1 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / David Gravel (8)37. Sat, July 8 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Carson Macedo (4)38. Tues, July 11 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Kyle Larson (2)39. Fri, July 14 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Carson Macedo (5)40. Sat, July 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Donny Schatz (3)41. Thurs, July 20 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA / David Gravel (9)42. Fri, July 21 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Logan Schuchart (3)43. Sat, July 22 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Rico Abreu (4)44. Sun, July 30 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (10)45. Fri, Aug 4 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Spencer Bayston (1)46. Sat, Aug 5 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Kyle Larson (3)47. Sat, Aug 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson (4)48. Thurs, Aug 17 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / James McFadden (5)49. Fri, Aug 18 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / James McFadden (6)50. Sat, Aug 19 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (6)51. Fri, Aug 25 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Logan Schuchart (4)52. Sat, Aug 26 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Logan Schuchart (5)53. Thurs, Aug 31 / Skagit Speedway / Burlington, WA / Sheldon Haudenschild (3)54. Fri, Sept 1 / Skagit Speedway / Burlington, WA / Rico Abreu (5)55. Sat, Sept 2 / Skagit Speedway / Burlington, WA / Brad Sweet (7)56. Mon, Sept 4 / Grays Harbor Raceway / Elma, WA / Logan Schuchart (6)57. Sat, Sept 9 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, CA / Corey Day (1)

Josh Hart Focused on Starting Countdown 
with Maple Grove Raceway Win

OCALA, FL (September 12, 2023) — Since the beginning of the season Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers team have been working towards winning their first NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Fuel world championship. After 15 regular season races crisscrossing the country Hart and his Ron Douglas tuned 11,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster will have six races starting this weekend at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway to make that dream a reality. For a team owner and driver who believes and has proven “Anything’s Possible” the NHRA Countdown is a perfect playoff for Hart and his R+L Carriers team.
 
“We didn’t have the success we wanted in the regular season but thanks to the NHRA Countdown we made up 361 points coming out of Indy when they reset the standings,” said Hart, who will enter the playoffs as the No. 10 seed. “There are six races left and we are 121 points out of first place. That is a very manageable deficit to overcome with some race wins. I feel good about our chances heading into Maple Grove Raceway.”

Josh Hart and R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster team eager to head to Maple Grove Raceway, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

 
In his rookie season Hart turned heads winning twice and racing to nearly half a dozen semifinals in a limited schedule. In 2022 Hart invested heavily into new equipment and spent the season racing the full schedule for the first time in his career with limited success. This year with a young team and the support of R+L Carriers and TechNet Hart has raced to a final round in Chicago as well as a handful of semifinal finishes. The results have not been what Hart wanted in the regular season, but the flashes of success have the multiple time Top Fuel and Top Alcohol Dragster winner focused on the positives.
 
“We have made good runs in qualifying and we have had some really strong race days,” said Hart. “We just need to have everything come together on the same weekend. When you look at the forecast for this weekend, we could see some great conditions and those play into our hands. I know my crew chief Ron Douglas can throw down with any of these other teams.”
 
Hart and the R+L Carriers team will be looking for their first round at Maple Grove in their third appearance at the track located an hour outside of Philadelphia. In 2021 Hart lost to Billy Torrence in the first round and Torrence went on to win the race and the following year Hart was ousted by Antron Brown who races to the semifinals before he was beaten by eventual winner Austin Prock.
 
“We have run into some tough matchups this season and lost some close races to the eventual winner of the race,” said Hart. “I am getting better behind the wheel and every pass down the track we get more data so I am focusing on the fact that we will be better in the Countdown than we were in the regular season. The playoffs are about momentum and I feel like if we get off to a good start this weekend we will be right in the mix.”
 
History could be on Hart’s side considering Robert Hight raced to the 2009 Funny Car championship from the No. 10 seed. That season Hight was winless in the regular season with just one final round appearance. He took the win at the first playoff race and jumped to third place in the points and a second consecutive playoff win moved him into first place. He held on to win his first championship and paved the way for the playoffs to be a wide-open competition.
 
“You look at what Robert did in 2009 and that definitely gives us hope,” said Hart. “I think we have a chance and that is all anyone can ask for. We need to make our own luck and just take every run as an opportunity to get better. We start with two runs on Friday at the Pep Boys Nationals we need to be one of the quickest race cars off the trailer. We are going to take it one round at a time and just keep working hard.”
 
Hart would also like to start the playoffs the same way he started the season with a win at a Pep Boys sponsored event. Prior to the Gatornationals Hart and his R+L Carriers team won the Pep Boys All-Star Callout race and its $80,000 top prize. This weekend’s event, the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, would be another great opportunity for Hart to stand in another Pep Boys’ winner’s circle.
 
“It seems like forever ago that we won the Pep Boys All-Star Callout, but I would definitely like to stand in another one of their winner’s circles,” said Hart. “I am out here to compete with the best of the best and these next six races will be a great test for our team. We had some time after Indy to get prepared and now it is time to get after it. I got to talk with Big Daddy Don Garlits before this race and I am ready to go.”
 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (Sept. 12, 2023) – For the second consecutive year, Oklahoma will be home of the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota championship finale – one that’s already poised to be a barn burner.

Before the $25,000 championship check is handed out, drivers will contend at Port City Raceway, in Tulsa, OK, on Thursday, Oct. 12, and then run a doubleheader at I-44 Riverside Speedway, in Oklahoma City, OK, Friday-Saturday, Oct. 13-14.

With six races left – starting with Jacksonville Speedway on Sept. 15, Highland Speedway on Sept. 16, and Red Hill Raceway on Sept. 17 – Oklahoma’s Cannon McIntosh holds a narrow seven-point lead over Jade Avedisian. Gavin Miller and reigning Series champion Zach Daum are also still in the fight, 72 and 75 points back, respectively, from the lead.

Last year, Daum, McIntosh and Avedisian walked away as Oklahoma winners. Daum’s win at Port City and McIntosh’s win at I-44 were their first wins with the Series. Avedisian’s I-44 win was her second after becoming the first female driver to take the checkered flag in a national Midget event.

The weekend will also feature the POWRi Midgets and host the final three races of the Xtreme Outlaw-POWRi Challenge Series, paying out $2,500 to the winner. There’s another tight points battle in that hunt with Daum leading Avedisian by five points.

What you need to know:
DRC Sooner State 55 at Port City, Oct. 12
More Event Info

Track: 1/8 mile in Tusla, OK
Portcityraceway.net

Times (CT):
12 p.m. Pit Gates Open
5 p.m. Grandstand Gates Open
6 p.m. Hot Laps/Qualifying
-Racing to follow

Tickets: Available at the track

Last Race Video Recap (Oct. 13, 2022):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hcy6oiw5aw

Previous winner:
2022 – Zach Daum on Oct. 13

I-44 RIVERSIDE, Oct. 13-14
More Event Info

Track: 1/5 mile in Oklahoma City, OK
i44riversidespeedway.com

Times (CT):
3:30 p.m. Pit Gates Open
6 p.m. Hot Laps/Qualifying
-Racing to follow

Last Race Video Recap (Oct. 15, 2022):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlyzmp50UoQ

Previous Winners:
2022 – Cannon McIntosh on Oct. 14, Jade Avedisian on Oct. 15

PLAINVIEW, NY (September 12, 2023) – Throughout the NHRA regular season Justin Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota team were focused on consistency and excellence with the goal of entering the Countdown as the No. 1 seed. This weekend Ashley, who secured a category leading six regular season wins, will start the six race playoffs as the team to beat and with the largest lead in the Countdown era thanks to team’s success in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge specialty races. Ashley will have a 31-point cushion over the No. 2 seed going into the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals this weekend at Maple Grove Raceway.
 
“We accomplished everything we wanted to in the regular season but that is behind us now,” said Ashley, whose previous best playoff seed was No. 3 last year. “We wanted to go into the Countdown as the No. 1 seed and collect a large number of Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge championship points. We feel good about that but understand that at this point in time our focus is solely on being successful in Reading.”

Justin Ashley and Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

 
Ashley finished the final four races of the regular season with two wins and two semifinal finishes. The 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year won back-to-back in Sonoma and Topeka before racing to the final four in Brainerd and Indianapolis, losing to eventual winner Antron Brown at the biggest race of the year. Ashley’s seven final rounds and six wins in the regular season are both career best marks and have the fourth-year team owner and driver confident but cautious.
 
“If you choose to be overconfident this sport will humble you very quickly,” said Ashley. “Every Top Fuel team on the property can win the race. That’s why we believe the best approach revolves around constant improvement and being the best version of ourselves that we can be. Our Phillips Connect Toyota Racing team is incredible and works tirelessly to win both on and off the racetrack. As we head into the toughest six races of the season I am proud to be a small part of that group.”
 
Going into the Countdown Ashley will have a 31-point lead over the second-place team thanks to 21 points earned in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Steve Torrence was second best in the Saturday specialty race competition earning 11 points, so Ashley netted a 10-point advantage at the end of the regular season. The past few seasons have seen championships decided by three points in Funny Car last year and by three points in Top Fuel in 2019.
 
“I have to thank Mission Foods for sponsoring the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge,” said Ashley. “It created meaningful racing for the teams, fans and drivers. Every point is critical whether they come from round wins, qualifying points, or the Mission Foods Challenge. So, I cannot express the importance of adding another 21 points to our total. This championship battle will be tight and everything matters.”
 
Starting the playoffs at Maple Grove Raceway for the third season in a row has Ashley feeling good considering he has raced to the final round in both of his appearances at the quick and fast track nestled in the rolling hills of eastern Pennsylvania. Last year as the No. 2 qualifier Ashley defeated Jeff Chatterson, Doug Kalitta, and Mike Salinas before dropping a close race to Austin Prock. The year before that he started the race as the No. 6 qualifier and outran Doug Kalitta, Clay Millican and Steve Torrence before losing to Billy Torrence in the final.
 
“We have had a few good races at Maple Grove Raceway and it’s generally a very fast track,” said Ashley, who has two No. 1 qualifiers this season. “The key will be to get two good runs on Friday in qualifying and then we can start focusing on getting ready for race day with the remaining two qualifying runs. Mike Green and Tommy Delago work so well together and I consider myself very fortunate to work closely with them and our entire team. We will be ready for any kind of track conditions, including those that may present an opportunity to join the Phillips Connect 300 MPH to the 1/8 club.”
 
Throughout the season Ashley has been mindful of balancing his schedule between sponsor appearance, fan engagement and on-track excellence. His marketing partners including KATO Fastening Systems, Lucas Oil, Strutmasters.com, Toyota and Mac Tools have all highlighted his on-track success as well as his growing popularity amongst NHRA fans. Ashley spends time with Junior Dragster drivers on Fridays of each race and has been an active participant in numerous fanfest events. The championship contender knows that the balance is necessary to grow his Maynard Ashley Racing team’s success.
 
“I always felt that when you are busy at the track it means you’re doing something right,” said Ashley. “The key is to find balance. We have a great team and our partners all know what it takes to win. The best part of the day is running well and then coming back to a hospitality area full of guests and spending time with the people that make it all possible. Our partners are the reason we are in the position that we are today.”
 
The Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel team will be on track on Friday for two qualifying runs at 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. with two more qualifying runs on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Final eliminations will start on Sunday September 17 at 10:30 a.m. ET. The race will be televised nationally on FOX.
 

MOORESVILLE, NC (September 12, 2023) — Second year Pro Stock driver Camrie Caruso made major strides during the regular season setting up a serious run for her first NHRA Pro Stock world championship. The 25-year-old driver, racing the Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro with power from KB Titan Racing, is focused on starting the six race playoffs this weekend from Maple Grove Raceway with a strong start and a move up the point standings. Entering the Countdown as the No. 9 seed, less than 100 points behind the No. 1 seed has Caruso excited and eager to get on track for the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals.   “We made a lot of positive strides this year. We got our first win and won the Pro Stock Allstar Callout but we still have a big goal,” said Caruso. “We want to win the Pro Stock world championship. This Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro team is ready for the next six races. I am looking forward to getting back to Maple Grove Raceway for the second time and seeing if we can get another win this season.” Camrie Caruso and Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, photo by Innovation Creative Experts  Caruso captured her first win this year at the Arizona Nationals and then at the Gerber Collision & Glass Rt. 66 Nationals in Chicago she turned heads when she outdueled seven other Pro Stock competitors to take the first Pro Stock Allstar Callout title. Those two victories have the 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year feeling confident heading to the Countdown.   “We are less than 100 points out of first place,” said Caruso. “Earlier this season we lost in the first round at Gainesville and then won in Arizona and we moved from 12th to 2nd in the points. If we can come out of the gate strong in Reading, we can get right in the mix for the Pro Stock championship. I have a great team around me and our KB Titan Racing support is the best in the class.”   Last year in her first pass through the Countdown Caruso was battling to wrap up her rookie season as an independent team and the team owner and driver. The weight of the full season had the top ten regular season finisher, who raced to a final round at the Spring Nationals in Houston, battling for consistency over the last six races.   “We were spent at the end of last season and really didn’t have our best showing in the Countdown,” said Caruso, who is still looking for her first round win in the playoffs. “Our team never gave up, but we were just not at our best. This season it is like night and day. We have a whole operation supporting us and I don’t feel like I have to do everything. I feel good and after Indy we made some slight adjustments to get ready for this last six race push.”   The KB Titan Racing team that Caruso is a part of has been dominant this season with teammates Dallas Glenn, Matt Hartford, and Deric Kramer all collecting wins while Pro Stock legend Greg Anderson and Kyle Koretsky each having a final round to their credit as well. All the drivers work together throughout qualifying to make each other stronger and the data collection from having multiple cars make runs has paid dividends on race day.   “Being a part of KB Titan Racing has made a huge difference this season,” said Caruso. “All the crew chiefs work really well together, and I have never felt more comfortable in my race car thanks to feedback from Dallas, Greg, and Kyle. If I can’t get this championship, I will be pulling for one of these KB Titan Racing Camaros to get the big trophy.”   In addition to Caruso’s driving duties she has been active on the marketing front making sure her team is fully funded and her marketing partners get maximum return on and off the track. This season Caruso has continued to work with Powerbuilt Tools, Tequila Comisario, VP Racing Lubricants, Big Jeff Audio, and DENSO to host guests at the track and promote their brands through social media.   “We have a great group of marketing partners and we want to make sure we get them into as many winner’s circles as possible,” said Caruso. “That being said we can’t win every race, so we try and do all the little things from NHRA autograph sessions to special Q&A events throughout the season in the pits to pit tours during the races. All these things have to work together to make this team have success and I can’t thank all my sponsors enough for their support.”   The Tequila Comisario team will be on track on Friday for two qualifying runs at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. with two more qualifying runs on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Pro Stock final eliminations will start on Sunday, September 17 at 11:30 a.m. ET. The race will be televised nationally on FOX.   About Camrie Caruso Camrie Caruso is a third-generation driver with Caruso Family Racing. The 25-year-old Pro Stock rookie is following the career path of her father, former Pro Mod racer Marc Caruso and her grandfather, “Papa Joe” Caruso, who competed in Super Gas, Top Sportsman, and Pro Mod. Racing a Chevrolet Camaro with KB Titan Racing Caruso, the reigning Rookie of the Year, will be chasing her first world championship in 2023. She first got behind the wheel of a race car when she was eight years old competing in the NHRA Junior Dragster League. She has continued to move up through the NHRA competition classes for over a decade rising to Top Alcohol Dragster as well as Elite Top Dragster and Pro Outlaw 632 in the PDRA. Caruso has a Finance degree as well as a Marketing degree from SUNY Empire State College. In 2018 she was recognized by Drag Illustrated magazine as a 30 Under 30, drag racing personality. For more information on Camrie visit www.camriecaruso.com and follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

CAMRIE CARUSO EAGER TO TACKLE  SKIP BARBER FORMULA RACING SCHOOL  MOORESVILLE, NC (September 11, 2023) — Reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year Camrie Caruso is looking to take on a new challenge beyond racing her Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock racecar at over 210 mph. The third-generation drag racer will attend the Skip Barber One Day Formula Racing School at COTA outside of Austin, Texas, on September 25.   “I am super excited to get behind the wheel of this Formula Car and take on this new experience,” said Caruso, who notched her first Pro Stock national event win at the Arizona Nationals. “I am always looking to find ways to become a better driver, and I think getting this unique perspective will be very helpful. Skip Barber Racing School is top of the line, and I look forward to being put through the paces in a completely different racing style.”  Camrie Caruso will be trading in her Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro on September 25 for a Skip Barber One Day Formula Racing School. photo by Innovation Creative ExpertsThe One Day Formula Racing School is the perfect program for people who want to build their racing skills. This daylong experience allows the driver to experience a Skip Barber race prepared Mygale Formula 4 car on iconic racetracks throughout the US, including COTA, Laguna Seca, Sonoma, Sebring, VIR, Road Atlanta, and Lime Rock Park. Graduates include Sergio Perez, Michael Andretti, Joseph Newgarden, Colton Herta, Ross Chastain, Joey Lagano, Patrick Dempsey, and Ron Capps, to name a few. This school begins with an in-depth classroom session reviewing the racing line and vehicle dynamics. The program rapidly picks up the pace as students experience the thrill of these high horsepower, high grip race cars with lead follow laps on the racetrack.   “Skip Barber Racing School has been developing champion caliber drivers for over 45 years since 1975, and we look forward to working with Camrie as she becomes an SBRS graduate,” said Anthony DeMonte, Chief Executive Officer.    “I know this style of racing will be completely foreign to me when I get started, but after the classroom session and then time training on track, I hope to make some progress,” said Caruso, who has worked her way up the drag racing ranks since she was a young girl. I look forward to just taking in the whole experience and seeing how comfortable and challenging these cars are. My Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro is a handful to shift and drive straight in just over six seconds at 210 mph, so I am curious to see what it is like to experience new speeds on a road course.”

NHRA^® Team Report

NHRA Nationals – Reading

Pre-Race Report

It’s time to build off a strong showing at Indy for Cruz Pedregon and team to make this weekend’s race at Maple Grove Raceway, the first race of the NHRA Countdown, a solid one for the Snap-on^® “Makers and Fixers” Dodge^® SRT^® Hellcat^®. 

“The first three races of the Countdown are always critical, and we really feel like the potential to see what the Snap-on Funny Car can do is ahead of us,” Cruz says. “After winning three rounds and making it to the semis on race day last weekend, we feel like that was a real turning point for us. J.C. (John Collins), Ryan (Elliott), Lee (Beard), and I have a solid plan in place, and we’re looking forward to how fast that concrete track at Reading surrounded by all those trees can be.” 

Cruz has won twice at Maple Grove and been the runner-up twice. He’ll be looking for that positive energy from his successes there and the fans in the stands will bring. And for those “Makers & Fixers” who’ll be watching, he’ll once again honor them with the paint scheme that pays tribute to the value of their work as does the Makers and Fixers on Instagram. To submit your photos to be featured, visit makersandfixers.com.

Maker and Fixer Brandon Hoover is the Nitro Franchisee on the side of the Snap-on car this weekend. He’ll have Cruz along for the ride in his mobile store visiting automotive and heavy duty shop customers prior to the race. Brandon worked on and sold trailers before taking on his Snap-on franchise. He says he genuinely enjoys what he does, especially meeting all kinds of people in his work. In his spare time, you’ll likely find Brandon riding dirt bikes.

BATAVIA, Ohio (September 12, 2023) – The 19th running of the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals is set for this Thursday thru Saturday, September 14-16 at the famed Knoxville Raceway. It is the only annual late model event at the “Sprint Car Capital of the World,” bringing the nation’s elite dirt late model teams together on one of motorsports’ biggest stages. Over $290,000 in purse money will be paid out during three nights of racing on the historic black-dirt, half-mile oval at the Marion County Fairgrounds. The festivities on Thursday and Friday, September 14-15 will feature a complete program of: Dirt Draft Hot Laps, Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains, and a 25-lap, $7,000-to-win main event. Drivers will earn points in each of the two preliminary nights, with their best of the two nights determining the line-ups for Saturday night’s Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals finale. Saturday night’s program will include Dirt Draft Hot Laps, B-Mains, and the 75-lap, $50,000-to-win main event for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. The Malvern Bank Super Late Models will serve as a support division on Saturday, September 16. Numerous off-track activities will take place surrounding the three-day event. The Hall of Fame Auction will take place at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, behind turn two, on Saturday at 11:30 AM. There will be a Dirt Racing Outreach service in the Main Show Barn outside turn four at 1:45 PM, with an autograph session to follow at 3:00 PM, on Saturday. This half-mile speed-plant is located within the Marion County Fairgrounds, in the heart of Knoxville, Iowa, just a short drive from Des Moines. Three-day ticket packages and single-night tickets are available at www.knoxvilleraceway.com or by calling the ticket office at 641-842-5431. Ricky Thornton Jr. leads the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship – Presented by ARP standings. Hudson O’Neal is second followed by Jonathan Davenport and Brandon Overton. Completing the top eight are Tim McCreadie, Devin Moran, Daulton Wilson, and Tyler Erb. For the latest news, results, championship standings and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.lucasdirt.com.  Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Purses:Thursday, September 14:B-Main Purses: 1. Transfer + $100, 2. Transfer + $100, 3. Transfer + $100, 4. $200, 5. $200, 6. $200, 7. $200, 8. $200, 9. $200, 10. $200, 11. $200, 12. $200, 13. $200, 14. $200, 15. $200, 16. $200, 17. $200, 18. $200, 19. $200, 20. $200, 21. $200, 22. $200, 23. $200, 24. $200 = Total $4,500 A-Main Purse: 1. $7,000, 2. $4,000, 3. $3,000, 4. $2,000, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,000, 7. $900, 8. $800, 9. $700, 10. $600, 11. $580, 12. $560, 13. $540, 14. $520, 15. $500, 16. $490, 17. $480, 18. $470, 19. $460, 20. $450, 21. $440, 22. $430, 23. $410, 24. $400 = Total $28,230 Friday, September 15:B-Main Purses: 1. Transfer + $100, 2. Transfer + $100, 3. Transfer + $100, 4. $200, 5. $200, 6. $200, 7. $200, 8. $200, 9. $200, 10. $200, 11. $200, 12. $200, 13. $200, 14. $200, 15. $200, 16. $200, 17. $200, 18. $200, 19. $200, 20. $200, 21. $200, 22. $200, 23. $200, 24. $200 = Total $4,500 A-Main Purse: 1. $7,000, 2. $4,000, 3. $3,000, 4. $2,000, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,000, 7. $900, 8. $800, 9. $700, 10. $600, 11. $580, 12. $560, 13. $540, 14. $520, 15. $500, 16. $490, 17. $480, 18. $470, 19. $460, 20. $450, 21. $440, 22. $430, 23. $410, 24. $400 = Total $28,230 Saturday, September 16:B-Main Purses: 1. Transfer + $200, 2. Transfer + $200, 3. Transfer + $200, 4. $500, 5. $500, 6. $500, 7. $500, 8. $500, 9. $500, 10. $500, 11. $500, 12. $400, 13. $400, 14. $400, 15. $400, 16. $400, 17. $400, 18. $400, 19. $400, 20. $400, 21. $400, 22. $400, 23. $400, 24. $400 = Total $9,800 A-Main Purse: 1. $50,000, 2. $25,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $8,750, 5. $7,500, 6. $7,000, 7. $6,500, 8. $6,000, 9. $5,500, 10. $5,000, 11. $4,500, 12. $4,000, 13. $3,500, 14. $3,400, 15. $3,300, 16. $3,200, 17. $3,100, 18. $3,000, 19. $3,000, 20. $3,000, 21. $3,000, 22. $3,000, 23. $2,700, 24. $2,700, 25. $2,500, 26. $2,500, 27. $2,500, 28. $2,500, 29. $2,500, 30. $2,500, 31. $2,500, 32. $2,500 = Total $196,650 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule:Thursday-Friday, September 14-15:Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) NLMT3Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NLMT3, (92) NLMT4*Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials and Heat Races Saturday, September 16:Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) NLMT3Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NLMT3, (92) NLMT4 Previous Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Winners:2022 – Jonathan Davenport2021 – Mike Marlar2019 – Jimmy Owens2018 – Jimmy Owens2017 – Mike Marlar2016 – Mike Marlar2015 – Jared Landers2014 – Brian Birkhofer2013 – Darrell Lanigan2012 – Steve Francis2011 – Don O’Neal2010 – Billy Moyer2009 – Scott Bloomquist2008 – Tim McCreadie2007 – Brady Smith2006 – Brian Shirley2005 – Scott Bloomquist2004 – Brian Birkhofer

About Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt SeriesFounded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series showcases the talents of the top dirt late model drivers from across the country. In 2023, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction 56 events across 16 states, including some of the biggest marquee events in the industry, providing dirt slinging, sideways, door-to-door racing action lap after lap.  The series receives national exposure through a television package streamed live via MAVTV on FloRacing, with select broadcasts on MAVTV Motorsports Network.   The in your face excitement of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is second to none in motorsports. For more information, including the latest news, tour schedule, driver information, and more, visit the official website at: www.LucasDirt.com.