Maiden Voyage for the Abel Motorsports Chevy a “dream come true”

(May 17, 2023) SPEEDWAY, In- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Rookie Indy 500 competitor RC Enerson, 26, from New Port Richey, FL, wheeled the #50 ABEL Motorsports Chevy/Dallara IndyCar to impressive results on Day One of official practice for the 107th Indy 500. 

Enerson spent the morning completing his rookie orientation program and earned quick approval from IndyCar to run in the afternoon practice session.

After resetting the car, the ABEL team brought the #50 back to pit lane for the afternoon practice, preparing for Indy 500 qualifying this Saturday. Enerson settled into the car quickly and began the search for single-car speed. “We got solid speed on our own, we got a little bit of data in traffic, and overall it was a pretty productive day. (In traffic) it’s a little tough in the dirty air. I’m still getting comfortable in the car after a year and a half away…it’s just gonna take some time. But a lot of progress for us today and we’ll get set for tomorrow.”

Team Manager John Brunner, a true Indy 500 veteran, was equally pleased.  

“I don’t know how our first day could have been a whole lot better.  I’m very happy with the car, and having RC get through (his Rookie refresher) quickly was a big boost.”   

Brunner has assembled an all-star squad of 500 veteran crewmembers to support ABEL Motorsports and Enerson in their quest to make this year’s 500 field. “That’s the reason you put these guys together. When you have challenges, nobody’s going to get too excited, and that’s why we have this group. We have the speed, we trust the Chevy power, and we know there’s more in the car.”

Team Principal Bill Abel liked how his team opened the week of 500 practice.  “It was a great first day.  RC got right down to it and checked all the boxes he needed to.  Couldn’t be more proud of the way the team has come together and the job everybody has done.   RC got to run in traffic a bit, without a tow he was good. I’m super happy with all of that.”

Enerson completed 29 laps Wednesday with a fast lap of 224.017 mph, good for 30th fastest lap of the day.

The goal Thursday will be to build on what Enerson and the team learned today and find sufficient single-car speed to solidly make the top 30 Saturday.  If Enerson and ABEL Motorsports can accomplish that, they’ll be firmly locked into the starting lineup for this year’s edition of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.

Next up, Day 2 of Practice for the 500, from Noon to 6pm ET.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA

2023 GERBER COLLISION AND GLASS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS

ROUTE 66 RACEWAY

JOLIET, ILLINOIS

MAY 19-21, 2023

TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE

DETROIT (May 17, 2023) – Making their return for the first time since 2019 to Route 66 Raceway near Chicago, the Chevrolet Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock drivers and teams look to take on the Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals this weekend.

Coming off of a four-series sweep in the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, North Carolina by the Bowtie brand, drivers and teams enter the fifth round of the season carrying strong momentum and keeping their eyes on the Windy City’s Winner’s Circle.

Last finishing runner-up at Route 66 Raceway, John Force Racing’s Robert Hight, driver of the Auto Club/Cornwell Tools Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, reflects on his last run at the Joliet, Illinois track with excitement, saying, “I’m excited to get back to Chicago. I love the facility. It’s close to our shop in Indiana so we have a lot of the crew guys’ families and our Force American Made shop guys come out. There’s an extra layer of excitement for me debuting the Cornwell Tools Chevy. It’s a beautiful car and I’m looking forward to showing it off. I honestly didn’t realize I was getting that close to 600 round wins. That’s really amazing and I’m really proud of that. Hopefully I get well beyond that 600, we’ll see.”

With his win in Top Fuel at zMAX Dragway, the most recent winner Austin Prock of John Force Racing, in his Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet dragster, heads to the track this weekend looking for redemption from his 2019 Round 1 elimination. “I’m looking forward to getting back in my Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist hotrod this weekend in Chicago. We are looking to pick up right where we left off in Charlotte,” Prock said. “The team did an outstanding job and I feel like we’re really hitting our strides. With our performance in Pomona, it allows us our first stab at the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and gives us a chance to make some extra cash and gain valuable points. It’s going to be a great weekend of racing being back at a beautiful facility and we’re hoping to pack the stands.”

Seeking his sixth career NHRA Pro Stock win, Sterling, Colorado’s Deric Kramer of KB Titan Racing last raced at Route 66 to the Winner’s Circle, defeating Elite Motorsports’ Erica Enders in the final. “I was already excited that Chicago was back on the schedule this season since I was the last person to win Pro Stock there in 2019 and now coming off our first win in four years a few weeks ago in Charlotte, I couldn’t ask for a better time to get to Chicago. The GetBioFuel.com Camaro tested right after Vegas and I think we found what’s been plaguing us for a few years now. Our performance has picked up and our consistency has too. Our team is excited to get to Chicago to defend our title.”

Defending his win in Charlotte and helping make the Chevrolet sweep complete, Factory Stock Showdown winner Len Lottig joins the rest of the COPO Camaro competitors in seeking the Route 66 Raceway Winner’s Circle. For the first time in series history since its inception in 2016, the Factory Stock Showdown field will compete in Joliet at Route 66 Raceway.

In addition to four rounds of elimination racing Sunday, the Route 66 NHRA Nationals welcome both the Pro Stock All-Star Call Out, as well as the #2Fast2Tasty Mission NHRA Challenge in the Top Fuel and Funny Car nitro ranks throughout the weekend.

Introduced last season, the Pep Boys NHRA All Star Callout takes the top-seeded driver in their respective class and allows for them to “call out” an opponent of choice to face off for the potential of winning big money and bragging rights. This year’s #2Fast2Tasty Mission NHRA Challenge sees semifinalists from the race weekend prior facing off during qualifying sessions, a race within a race, that has cash prizes and bragging rights also on the line.

The 2023 Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals action from Route 66 Raceway airs first with Friday qualifying Friday, May 19, at 7 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Saturday qualifying near Chicago airs Sunday, May 21 at 3 p.m. ET on FS1. Sunday’s Finals will also air on FS1, starting at 10 p.m. ET Sunday, May 21. Coverage streaming live throughout the weekend can be found through NHRA.tv, available via AppleTV, Android TV and Roku devices.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:

“I’m excited to be returning to Chicago with the Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team this weekend. Route 66 Raceway is going to be a challenging one with an added #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at a track we haven’t competed at in three years. A win this weekend would be huge for this team. We’ve held No. 1 qualifiers at this event and runnered-up so we’re ready to get to the racetrack and back with the Route 66 fans while hunting down our first win of the season.”

John Force, driver of the BlueDEF Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing:

“I’m really looking forward to racing back in Chicago. We’ve already had a busy week. This being PEAK and Old World Industries’ hometown race, they had a hand in getting this race back. Just like they’ve kept me around, they’re helping keep our sport around too. Hurvis, he’s almost as old as me, we have a lot in common. He’s proud of what he’s built, brought his family in and I’m the same. He’s keeping me out here racing, I owe a lot of this to him, to PEAK, BlueDEF and all the Old World companies, they trust me, have faith in me, and that means a lot to me. It’s going to be a fun weekend with all their employees out at the race. We’re going to do our best to get them in the winner’s circle.”

Len Lottig, driver of the ITI Trailer and Truck Bodies Chevrolet COPO Camaro in Factory Stock Showdown:

“We had a great weekend in Charlotte. Really from start to finish. Low qualifier and getting the win is what every racer hopes for, especially in a competitive class like Factory Stock Showdown. The whole team was on it, we had to hustle with the weather, it was impressive. I’m lucky to be surrounded by great people. We’ve got a great team and we’re having fun and we all just want it to continue. Our new crew members, Tomi Laine and Dave Yedney, have been a huge part of our success this season, both myself and Jesse (Alexandra). We have a great team around us. So, we’re looking forward to Chicago. First time for us being at Route 66 Raceway in Factory Stock, should be a good show.”

TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS

1,426: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time)

599: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 618.

371: Number of wins in Pro Stock since 1970; 252 won in the Chevrolet Camaro body

165: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time)

157: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967

77: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time)

76: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro body

45: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force

27: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.

24: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car

18: Number of Pro Stock championships

20: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA

16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force

7: Number of Funny Car driver championships

2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships

MOST RECENT WIN IN NHRA BY CHEVROLET

Charlotte 1 (Four-Wide)

• Austin Prock (Top Fuel)
• Robert Hight (Funny Car)
• Deric Kramer (Pro Stock)
• Len Lottig (Factory Stock Showdown)

2019 NHRA CHICAGO WINS BY CHEVROLET

Deric Kramer, Pro Stock

2019 NHRA CHICAGO NO. 1 QUALIFIERS BY CHEVROLET

Robert Hight, Funny Car

Greg Anderson, Pro Stock

MOST RECENT DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIPS IN NHRA BY CHEVROLET

2022: Brittany Force, Top Fuel

2022: Erica Enders, Pro Stock

2022: David Barton, Factory Stock Showdown

2019: Robert Hight, Funny Car

UPCOMING NHRA MILESTONES

950: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) is second all-time with 916 elimination round wins. He could reach 950 round wins with a decent run in the 18-race schedule.

600: Robert Hight has 599 Funny Car elimination wins to rank 13th on the all-time NHRA list; Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car) sits 12th with 615.

441: By qualifying for his next race, Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) will extend his NHRA record to 440 consecutive race day appearances. His first appearance came in 2002 at Pomona 2, and he holds the longest career qualifying streak in NHRA.

138: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) ranks third on the NHRA all-time list with 121 No. 1 qualifiers. He will tie Warren Johnson (Pro Stock, 138) for second to John Force (165) on the list.

263: By qualifying for his next race, Robert Hight will extend his NHRA record to 262 consecutive race day appearances. His first appearance came in 2010 at Pomona 2, and he currently sits seventh in career qualifying streaks in NHRA (Doug Kalitta is sixth at 272).

65: Robert Hight moved into the top 10 on the all-time NHRA victory list with his win in Pomona 1 with 63. Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock, retired) is next ninth on list with 65.

46: Erica Enders has 43 career Pro Stock victories (all with Chevrolet, first win coming at Chicago, 2012 and last win at Las Vegas 2, 2022). Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) is the all-time NHRA female leader with 46. 

18: Brittany Force (16 Top Fuel career wins) will move past Shirley Muldowney (18 wins) into third on the NHRA all-time victory list for females. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, 43) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle, 46) are ahead.

6: Erica Enders (Pro Stock) could tie Warren Johnson (6 Pro Stock championships) for second on the class list. The same holds for Greg Anderson. Bob Glidden is the leader with 10.

3: Brittany Force (Top Fuel, 2 championships) would tie Shirley Muldowney (Top Fuel) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) for second on the NHRA all-time championship list by females with another title in 2023. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, 5) is the leader.

Quick On the Tree

NMCA Announces First Three Events Of Its 2024 Schedule

Though the Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals series is just shifting this season into high gear, it’s never too soon to start prepping for the next round of action. With that in mind NMCA, the #1 muscle car motorsports show in the country, is pleased to announce the first three events of its 2024 season.

“NMCA is running wide-open this season with three exciting events that already crossed the finish line, but we aren’t ready to take our foot off the gas,” said Rollie Miller, General Manager & National Event Director of NMCA. “We’re always working ahead to create the events muscle car fans love, and we couldn’t wait to give our racers and fans a preview of what next season has in store.”

For the first time, the season kicks off farther north as NMCA joins the NMRA Ford Nationals series for an action-packed weekend in North Carolina, followed by another combined event as the two series square off with bragging rights on the line out west before revisiting a storied and scenic racetrack for the third race of the season. The first three events of the 2024 schedule are as follows:

April 11-14, 2024

16th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals

Rockingham Dragway, Rockingham, NC

May 2-5, 2024

19th Annual NMRA/NMCA Race for the Rings Shootout

World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, IL

May 30 – June 2, 2024

22nd Annual NMCA Muscle Car Mayhem

Beech Bend Raceway Park, Bowling Green, KY

Expect the complete NMCA schedule in the near future. Until then, mark your calendars and put in your vacation requests, because you don’t want to miss out on all the muscle car action next year.

Staged & Ready For Launch

NMRA Reveals First Three Events Of 2024 Schedule

As the Holley NMRA Ford Nationals races toward the midpoint of the 2023 season, it’s not too early to start planning for next year’s high-performance festivities. With that in mind NMRA, the #1 All-Ford motorsports show in the country, is pleased to announce the first half of its 2024 event season.

“For 25 years and counting, NMRA leads the way as the only national event series dedicated to Blue Oval muscle,” said Steve Wolcott, Co-Founder of NMRA. “While we’re celebrating our silver anniversary this year, there’s no time like the present to start planning another season of action-packed Ford events, so we wanted to give our racers and fans something to look forward to.”

The 2024 season kicks off a bit earlier next season and takes place at a new facility with a storied drag racing legacy that provides a facility large enough to encompass Ford drag racing, drifting, car show & midway in close proximity to each other for the ultimate fan experience! The series then moves to two familiar tracks where the NMRA joins its sister series, the NMCA Muscle Car Nationals for action-packed weekends guaranteed to thrill fans of Detroit muscle.

Here’s the schedule for the first three events of next season:

February 22-25, 2024

30th Annual NMRA Spring Break Shootout

Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, FL

April 11-14, 2024

16th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals

Rockingham Dragway, Rockingham, NC

May 2-5, 2024

19th Annual NMRA/NMCA Race for the Rings Shootout

World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, IL

Expect the complete NMRA schedule in the near future. Until then, mark your calendars and put in your vacation requests, because you don’t want to miss out on all the Ford action next year.

JOLIET, Ill. (May 17, 2023) – John Force and his BlueDEF PLATINUM / PEAK Performance Chevrolet Camaro SS will have a bit of different look entering the Gerber Glass & Collision NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Old World Industries (OWI), PEAK and BlueDEF’s parent company, the hood of Force’s Chevy Camaro will dawn the names of OWI employees. The John Force Racing and OWI partnership started in 2014 as an associate sponsorship before PEAK became the primary sponsor of 16-time world champion Force in 2015. “I’m proud of the partnership Old World Industries and John Force Racing has developed. John has truly made us a part of the John Force Racing family. It’s been a partnership built on trust and faith,” said Tom Hurvis, Founder and Chairman of Old World Industries. “John, he’s an ideal ambassador for this company, we share many of the same beliefs and have built our success with family in mind. We treat our partners and our employees with the same respect, bringing them into the folds as family.” Returning to Route 66 Raceway for the first time since 2019, Force will be looking to land the OWI employee hood in the winner’s circle for the fourth time in his career, he has wins in 2000, 2004, and 2006. When he last competed at the historic facility, Force qualified 11th but had a semifinal finish. He’s also been the No. 1 qualifier of the event a total of five times (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2012). “I’m really looking forward to racing back in Chicago. We’ve already had a busy week. This being PEAK and Old World Industries hometown race, they had a hand in getting this race back. Just like they’ve kept me around, they’re helping keep our sport around too,” Force said. “Hurvis, he’s almost as old as me, we have a lot in common. He’s proud of what he’s built, brought his family in and I’m the same. He’s keeping me out here racing, I owe a lot of this to him, to PEAK, BlueDEF and all the Old World companies, they trust me, have faith in me, and that means a lot to me. It’s going to be a fun weekend with all their employees out at the race. We’re going to do our best to get them in the winner’s circle.” In addition to his three wins, Force also was runner-up in 1999, 2001 and 2013 Route 66 Nationals and twice lost in the finals of the short-lived fall race (2001 and 2004). Force currently sits eighth in the NHRA Camping World points standings and is looking for his first win of the 2023 season. The Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway starts with qualifying Friday at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday eliminations are set to begin at 11:00 a.m. Television coverage will be aired on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Sunday eliminations are slated to begin on Sunday at 10:00 p.m. ET on FS1.

JOLIET, Ill. (May 17, 2023) – For the first time in Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown history, Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Cobra Jets and Dodge Challenger Drag Pakswill compete in heads up side-by-side racing at historic Route 66 Raceway at this weekend’s Gerber Glass & Collision NHRA Route 66 Nationals. 

Coming off a victory at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte at zMAX Dragway, Lenny Lottig and his ITI Trailer and Truck Bodies Chevrolet COPO Camaro are hoping their momentum will continue in Chicago as the NHRA brings back national event competition to the facility for the first time since 2019. 

Lenny Lottig, Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals winner, photo credit Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

Lottig’s victory at the second of 10 events on the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown schedule moved Lottig, who has been low qualifier at both events this season, from fourth to second in the points standings behind only Aaron Stanfield and his Janac Brothers Chevrolet COPO Camaro. 

“We had a great weekend in Charlotte. Really from start to finish. Low qualifier and getting the win is what every racer hopes for, especially in a competitive class like Factory Stock Showdown,” Lottig said. “The whole team was on it, we had to hustle with the weather, it was impressive. I’m lucky to be surrounded by great people. We’ve got a great team and we’re having fun and we all just want it to continue. Our new crew members, Tomi Laine and Dave Yedney, have been a huge part of our success this season, both myself and Jesse (Alexandra). We have a great team around us. So, we’re looking forward to Chicago. First time for us being at Route 66 Raceway in Factory Stock, should be a good show.”

Lenny Lottig, Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series Charlotte winner, photo credit Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

With the win, Lottig also picked up a bullseye on his back worth $1,000 for whoever can beat him in this weekend’s eliminations thanks to the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Bounty Program. The bounty will grow by $1,000 each race weekend until Lottig is defeated. 

“I said it before, I want to carry this bounty for a while. Really build it up so if someone gets it, there is a big pay day,” added Lottig.

Runner-up at Charlotte, Stanfield has been dominant in the class and holds the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown points lead thanks to his performance at zMAX and a victory at the season opening Gatornationals. He’ll be looking to tally another victory as he competes in both Factory Stock and Pro Stock competition this weekend.

Competition at the Gerber Glass & Collision NHRA Route 66 Nationals for Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown will begin with qualifying runs Friday at 3:45 p.m. and Saturday at 11:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Eliminations will begin with round one on Saturday at 6:50 p.m. and continue with round two on Sunday at 12:50 p.m. with semifinals at 2:05 p.m. and finals at 3:40 p.m. 

JOLIET, Ill. (May 17, 2023) – Debuting the Cornwell Tools / AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, Robert Hight enters the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway pursuing history. With a win in the first round of competition, Hight will become just the 13th pro driver to win 600 rounds of racing and join John Force, Ron Capps and Cruz Pedregon as only the fourth Funny Car driver to do so. Coming off a statement victory at the Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, Hight and his Cornwell Tools team have the momentum and confidence to pull-off not only a 600th round win but a victory at the Route 66 Nationals. “I’m excited to get back to Chicago. I love the facility. It’s close to our shop in Indiana so we have a lot of the crew guys’ families and our Force American Made shop guys come out. There’s an extra layer of excitement for me debuting the Cornwell Tools Chevy. It’s a beautiful car and I’m looking forward to showing it off,” Hight said. “I honestly didn’t realize I was getting that close to 600 round wins. That’s really amazing and I’m really proud of that. Hopefully I get well beyond that 600, we’ll see.” Hight, who holds both ends of the Route 66 Raceway track records at 3.851-seconds and 334.73 mph set in 2017, also has one win at the historic facility in 2018 and a collection of four No. 1 qualifiers (2005, 2010, 2017, 2019) and three runner-up finishes (2006, 2010, 2019). The Cornwell Tools / AAA team currently sits third in the overall championship standings after five events thanks to two victories. Besides the Charlotte Four-Wides, Hight raised the Wally at the NHRA Arizona Nationals.   The Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway starts with qualifying Friday at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday eliminations are set to begin at 11:00 a.m. Television coverage will be aired on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). The NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout will air Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET on FS1. Sunday eliminations are slated to begin on Sunday at 10:00 p.m. ET on FS1.

Inside Line Promotions – HANFORD, Calif. (May 17, 2023) – Dominic Scelzi earned his third straight triumph during the finale of the Peter Murphy Classic last Saturday at Kings Speedway.

The victory – his third of the season and second of the year with the NARC 410 Sprint Car Series – capped a stellar weekend that included top fives in both the 410 and 360 divisions on Friday.

“It’s huge,” said Scelzi, who celebrated in style with a shoey. “For me, Peter is a guy who has been very, very special in my racing career as well as a great friend. He’s done a lot for me. Winning as many times as we have now, it’s really special. Every year I circle that race on the calendar and I expect greatness out of myself. Jimmy (Carr) has given me a perfect race car three years in a row and we’ve been able to deliver. Three wins in a row at the same race, you don’t see that very often. I just hope we can continue this success year after year.”

The opening round featured Scelzi qualifying seventh quickest on Friday to kick off the NARC competition. He then won a heat race, placed fourth in the dash and gained a position to end third in the A Main.

Scelzi was efficient in the Kings of Thunder portion of the program as well, timing in fourth quickest and winning a heat race before picking up a spot in the feature to finish fourth.

“We were really, really good all weekend long,” he said. “The first night we made some changes to the car we don’t normally do because of the way we thought the track was going. We struggled a little in the 410 feature, but we had a good race car. In the 360 I felt as good as the leaders, but it was tough to pass. The top and the bottom were really even.”

The team improved in both divisions on Saturday as Scelzi set quick time in Sprint Car Challenge Series qualifying. He won a heat race from fourth and placed fifth in the dash. Scelzi was battling inside the top five throughout much of the main event before a flat tire sent him to the pits with a DNF.

“We just made some minor tweaks for Saturday,” he said. “We didn’t change a lot, but the track was a little slower. In the 360 feature we went fifth to second. I was running Corey Day down. The bleeder came out and caused the tire to go flat and explode with four laps to go.”

The highlight of the weekend was the NARC action as Scelzi qualified second quickest and maneuvered from fourth to second place in a heat race. He won the pole shuffle to garner the pole position for the main event.

“We were really good,” he said. “I ran the bottom and the top. I ran through the middle some as well. I got passed twice for the lead and was able to get them right back. At the end we pulled away for a five-second win. We’ve been really consistent and fast all year. We’re a top-three car and we’ve been knocking off a lot of wins lately so that’s been good.”

Scelzi’s victory was worth an $11,000 top prize and it was his fifth in the last six NARC A Mains during the Peter Murphy Classic.

Scelzi, who ranks second in the NARC championship standings, joins the series this Friday at Petaluma Speedway in Petaluma, Calif., during the Salute to the First Responders.

QUICK RESULTS –

May 12 – Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. (410 sprint car) – Qualifying: 7; Heat race: 1 (2); Dash: 4 (4); Feature: 3 (4).

May 12 – Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. (360 sprint car) – Qualifying: 4; Heat race: 1 (1); Feature: 4 (5).

May 13 – Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. (410 sprint car) – Qualifying: 2; Heat race: 2 (4); Pole shuffle: 1 (2); Feature: 1 (1).

May 13 – Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. (360 sprint car) – Qualifying: 1; Heat race: 1 (4); Dash: 5 (3); Feature: 19 (5).

SEASON STATS –

12 races, 3 wins, 9 top fives, 10 top 10s, 10 top 15s, 12 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Saturday at Petaluma Speedway in Petaluma, Calif., for the Salute to First Responders with the NARC 410 Sprint Car Series

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.GaryScelziMotorsports.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DominicScelzi41

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scelzi41

ENNIS, Texas – He only wanted to earn a trip to the NHRA U.S. Nationals. 
For Competition Eliminator racer Rick Brown, he’s not only in the driver’s seat for the $50,000 Rooftec NHRA Competition Eliminator Cash Clash, the special race-within-a-race at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, but he could also get paid handsomely ($30,000) if he drives away with the win over 15 other contestants participating in the Rooftec Comp Eliminator Bonus Fund.
Brown faces a monumental challenge starting on Thursday, as the NHRA’s Div. 4 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series heads to the Texas Motorplex for the double event, May 18 – 21, at one of the wonders of the drag racing world outside of Dallas, Texas. 
No driver has won a second Competition Eliminator race title in a season where all three NHRA D4 events have filled a 32-car field. This is why Brown has been sharpening up his index strategies for the upcoming race.
“I had my chance to win a second one,” Brown said. “I held the car. You have to make up your mind. Do you want to have more index for the rest of the year, or do you want to run a race and take the lead in the points even more? And I made a choice.”
Brown currently leads series sponsor Rodger Brogdon by one point, while Craig Bourgeois sits in third place, 21 points out of the lead. If he can hold the lead through the end of the NHRA FallNationals in October, also at the Texas Motorplex, Brown can win $100,000 if he emerges as the Rooftec Competition Eliminator Bonus champion. 
Brown knows it’s like a poker game when one has to know when to hold and fold. Competition Eliminator is a class of strategy that transcends reaction times and win lights. 
Brown scored his first win in the Rooftec Competition Eliminator Bonus fund by winning the final NHRA drag race held at Houston Raceway Park in April. He was only the No. 12 qualifier in a 32-car field. He stopped heavy-hitter Craig Bourgeois in the final round.
At 71 years old, Brown said he’s proud to be part of something big.
“I’ve always wanted to be part of an organization, and that being NHRA, any kind of a fund or a championship of any kind, you always want to do your best at what you can do at these events,” Brown said. “To be part of this Rooftec Comp Bonus Fund is the biggest thing that I’ve ever been a part of in my lifetime, other than going for the division championship, which I won twice, or winning national events. 
“The only thing I haven’t been able to do is to win the national championship, which would be a dream of most people’s lives. I’ve been in the Top 10 many times in almost every car I’ve driven since 1989. I really love doing this. I just can’t explain.”
As Brown understands, it’s self-explanatory if he wins big at the Texas Motorplex. 
Photos by Robert Grice

CURRENT ROOFTEC COMPETITION ELIMINATOR BONUS FUND POINTS

1. Rick Brown – 199
2. Rodger Brogdon – 198
3. Craig Bourgeois – 178
4. Monty Bogan – 177
5. Jeff Taylor – 156
6. Brad Brewer – 145
7. Cody Lane – 145
8. Taylor Chomiski – 134
9. Chase Williams – 134
10. Keith Hall – 123
11. Brooke Heckle – 112
12. Brad Plourd – 104
13. Sean Dodd – 104
14. Jim Kimbrough – 104
15. Adam Hickey – 101
16. Ashton Hudson – 90
17. Duane Robison – 90
18. Mike Depalma – 82
19. Greg Kamplain – 82
20. Keith Mawhee – 82

JOLIET, Ill. (May 17, 2023) – Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet dragster team enter the Gerber Glass & Collision NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance as the most recent winners in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Fuel class moving them into fourth in the championship points standings. Prock started the 2023 season with two quarterfinal finishes at the Gatornationals and Arizona Nationals before having a runner-up performance at the Winternationals. After a first quad exit at the Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, Prock and the Montana Brand / RMT team turned things around with a dominating victory at the Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway. The victory, the fourth in Prock’s career and first in the four-wide format, would be a double-up for John Force Racing with Robert Hight and his team led by Prock’s dad Jimmy as crew chief and brother Thomas as co-assistant crew chief, claiming victory in the Funny Car class. This weekend’s competition has added incentive for Prock and the Montana Brand team as they compete for the first time in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge during Saturday qualifying. Their runner-up finish at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California earned them a rematch against John Force Racing teammate Brittany Force, who they defeated in the semifinals. Performing in the race within a race not only earns drivers’ championship points at the end of the regular season but a chance at prize money as well. “I’m looking forward to getting back in my Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist hotrod this weekend in Chicago. We are looking to pick up right where we left off in Charlotte,” Prock said. “The team did an outstanding job and I feel like we’re really hitting our strides. With our performance in Pomona, it allows us our first stab at the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and gives us a chance to make some extra cash and gain valuable points. It’s going to be a great weekend of racing being back at a beautiful facility and we’re hoping to pack the stands.” Prock’s history at Route 66 Raceway is short with only one appearance in his rookie 2019 season where he lost in the first round. A win this week would make him the first John Force Racing Top Fuel competitor to have ever won in Joliet.  The Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway starts with qualifying Friday at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday eliminations are set to begin at 11:00 a.m. Television coverage will be aired on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). The NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout will air Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET on FS1. Sunday eliminations are slated to begin on Sunday at 10:00 p.m. ET on FS1.

MOORESVILLE, NC (May 16, 2023) — Camrie Caruso, 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year, will return to racing action this weekend at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals with her new look Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro. The 210-mph, six-second race car will also sport the branding of new associate partner CR Towing, a family-owned Joliet business that has been serving the greater Chicago area since 1927.

“We could not be more excited to introduce everyone at CR Towing to the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series,” said Caruso, who has steadily incorporated local businesses into her marketing program. “At every race we have been looking to partner with a local business to expose them to the NHRA fanbase and CR Towing was a perfect fit for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals. This is their first drag racing sponsorship, but they have done some things with dirt racing.”

CR Towing & Recovery was founded in 1927 and was one of the pioneers in the towing industry for Joliet, Illinois. Their wreckers were a common sight at accident scenes in the Joliet area. Not only did they service the community, but the Joliet Police Department, Will County Sheriff’s Department, and Illinois State Police as well. Their driver operators have over 125 combined years of experience in the towing industry. The family run business also offers full-service auto repair, and has even begun to venture into the used auto sales business under the name Supreme Auto Sales Inc.

CR Towing has had sponsorship relationships with Fairbury Speedway, Kankakee Speedway, and The Dirt Oval at Route 66 which is adjacent to Route 66 Raceway. They have been involved with a variety of drivers from grass roots rookies to multi championship winning drivers over the years. 

“Getting the chance to work with Camrie and her team as a unique opportunity that we thought would be a great idea for our company. We sponsor people we are comfortable with,” said Anthony Craven, General Manager CR Towing & Recovery. “We have done some sponsorship deals in dirt racing, but this is our first time doing something with the NHRA. We are excited to see drag racing back at the track in Joliet and we are looking forward to the opportunity to raise our profile with Chicago area racing fans and potential customers.”

The CR Towing branding will adorn the Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro and they will also be included in the team’s PA announcements and media events. Caruso will be joining fellow NHRA drivers at the Robert Quinn Fire Academy on Thursday afternoon for a pre-race media event before she competes in not just the NHRA national event but also the first ever NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout with seven other top Pro Stock drivers.

The first chance for fans to see the CR Towing logo on track will be Friday night during the first qualifying session. The team will get two more qualifying runs on Saturday before final eliminations get underway on Sunday at 11 a.m. The race will be broadcast nationally on Sunday night on FS1.

CHICAGO, IL (May 17, 2023) — Chris King has been working towards his 2023 debut at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals for almost two years. The full-time Chicago firefighter will be back on track in his Howards Cams/Competition Products Dodge Charger Funny Car this weekend for the first time since his last race in 2021. King will be competing in six NHRA national events this season, but he is most excited about getting the season started in front of his hometown friends and family at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet.

“Racing Funny Cars in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series is something I think about every day,” said King. “I love my job as a firefighter and running King Training Innovations LLC, a firefighter training company, but getting the chance to race at over 300 mph is a rush you can’t explain to a lot of people. I also get to meet so many fans and talk about several charities I am involved with too.”

King volunteers his time with public safety charities including Ignite the Spirit, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, The Ronnie Thames Foundation, and The Leary Firefighters Foundation. All these amazing groups dedicate resources and support to first responders and their families. King has seen firsthand the impact the job can have on men and women and their families.

“I have a personal connection to every charity I work with and that is one of the things I missed about not being at the racetrack, was the connection to something I loved,” said King. “When you are a member of the firefighter or first responder community it is a big family and racing is the same thing. I can’t wait to just be around the other drivers. They have all been welcoming and supportive in the past. This year we will be doing more races, so I hope to get to know some of these guys even better.“

The race weekend will get off to a hot start for King and a handful of NHRA drivers when they visit Robert Quinn Fire Academy on Thursday afternoon. The group will spend time with firefighter trainers and get hands-on experience. The drivers will get a firsthand experience at what King deals with on the job as well as what the NHRA Safety Safari experiences to some degree when they are called into action on the racetrack.

“I am excited to introduce my day-to-day job to some of my fellow competitors on Thursday,” said King. “We rely on the Safety Safari at the track and they are the best in the business. We are in our firesuits for just our run, but the Safety Safari people are suited up all day. We can’t thank them enough for what they do so being able to get just a taste of their experience. We are going to invite the media out as well so it will be a lot of fun.”

In 2021 King raced in three NHRA national events qualifying for the Mile High Nationals in Denver, The Kansas Nationals in Topeka and the Midwest Nationals in St. Louis. This season King is adding Chicago to the mix along with Norwalk and the historic U.S. Nationals Labor Day weekend in Indianapolis. The new races will put King into contention for NHRA Rookie of the Year and show off one of the possible new stars of the sport to new audiences.

“Denver, St. Louis and Topeka are great tracks and we had sponsors and the time to race there in 2021,” said King. “Adding Norwalk and Chicago made sense since they are easy to get to and I have always dreamed of racing Funny Car at the U.S. Nationals. There is so much history at that race and you never know what could happen. We are building this team for the long haul and we want to make sure that when we attend an event we can put on a good show and be competitive.”  

For King who will reunite with crew chief Terry Totten to run the Howards Cams/Competition Products Dodge Charger Funny Car the racing will be something he is 100% focused on when he gets to the track. They don’t have a huge crew, so it is all hands on deck all the time. The team will also be joined by Jack and Jason Beckman. The former Funny car driver and his son, who designed the look of King’s Funny Car will be on hand at the Chicago race.

“I can’t wait for people to see the Funny Car Jason designed,” said King. “I saw some of his work and thought it would be cool to get some designs from him. My sponsors and I loved the design that is on the race car so we can’t wait to show it off. It will be a busy and fun weekend that we are really using as a jumping off point for our season.”

The Howards Cams/Competition Products Dodge Charger Funny Car and King will get their first chance to make a lap on Friday afternoon when qualifying for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals get underway. There will be two more qualifying sessions on Saturday with final eliminations for the 16 quickest Funny Cars commencing at 11 a.m. on Sunday. The race will be televised nationally on FS1 Sunday evening.

The Series will battle at Marion Center Raceway (May 19), Port Royal Speedway (May 20), Stateline Speedway (May 23)

MARION CENTER, PA – May 17, 2023 – For the first and only time in 2023, the World of Outlaws CASE Construction will travel to Pennsylvania and New York, kicking off a two-week trip through the Northeast.  

The swing starts with a return to Marion Center Raceway in Marion Center, PA, for the Connor Bobik Memorial on Friday, May 19. Drivers will battle in a 40-lap affair, paying $10,000-to-win.  

Then, the Series heads east for a trip to Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, PA (Saturday, May 20), for another 40-lap battle – this time with $15,000 on the line. 

A trip to New York finishes off the first half of the swing, as the Series visits Stateline Speedway in Busti, NY, for the first time since 2021 on Tuesday, May 23. The lone Empire State stop on the 2023 schedule will be another battle for $10,000. 

If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App. 

Here’s a look at what to keep an eye on at Marion Center, Port Royal, and Stateline: 

Pennsylvania Experience: A trip to Marion Center Raceway this weekend may be the recipe two Series champions need to return to Victory Lane.  

In the lone appearance at the Western Pennsylvania track, defending Series champion Dennis Erb Jr. scored the win, holding off 2015 Series champion Shane Clanton. 

On this same swing in 2022, Erb and Clanton earned top-10 finishes at Marion Center and Port Royal. They join Tanner English as the only drivers with two top 10s in that stretch. 

A win by any of the three drivers would be their first points-paying victory of the 2023 season. 

Prairie State Power: The World of Outlaws drivers hailing from Illinois are bringing momentum to the Keystone State.  

Series regulars won three of the four races contested in the Prairie State over the last week.  

Erb won at Spoon River Raceway, Bobby Pierce at Fairbury Speedway and Brandon Sheppard rounded out the trip with a win at Farmer City Raceway. 

All three hope that momentum leads to more success at Marion Center on Friday, a place both Sheppard and Pierce have yet to race at. 

However, Sheppard has succeeded at Port Royal and Stateline, winning at both facilities.  

Pierce had a top-10 finish at Port Royal in 2018 and scored a win in the Keystone State that season at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. 

Madden’s Port: While Series points leader Chris Madden didn’t race at Port Royal last season, the Gray Court, SC, has succeeded at the “Speed Palace.” 

When “Smokey” raced there with the Series in 2022, he dominated the weekend, sweeping both races.  

In 11 races at tracks 1/2-mile or larger in 2021, Madden enjoyed two wins at Port Royal, six top fives, and eight top 10s.  

He enters the weekend searching for his 34th career World of Outlaws win and hopes to extend his 18-point lead over Kyle Bronson at the top of the standings. 

A Slice of Variety: Out of the next three tracks the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models visit, Madden is the only driver to have multiple wins at one venue. 

While it’ll be the second appearance for the Series at Marion Center, six other drivers have won at Port Royal, including past Series champions Sheppard, Mike Marlar and Darrell Lanigan. 

Jared Miley scored his first World of Outlaws win the last time the Series visited the “Speed Palace” in 2022. 

There also yet to be a repeat winner at Stateline Speedway. Six drivers have scored World of Outlaws wins at the track, including Sheppard, Clanton, and Dave Hess – who won the most recent event in 2021. 

The Keystone Contingent: Several Pennsylvania natives will be vying for a home state and home region win during the upcoming swing. Among them are Dave Hess, Jared Miley, Greg Satterlee, original dirty dozen members Chub Frank and Rick Eckert – the 2011 Series champion.

“Chubzilla” comes into the weekend with momentum after winning a ULMS Feature at Stateline. The Bear Lake, PA driver’s last Series win came in 2009 at Atomic Speedway.

Eckert most recently won with the Series in 2021, when he made the trek to Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, IN. Both of “Scrub’s” top-five finishes with the Series last season came on 1/2-mile tracks.

WHEN AND WHERE  

Marion Center Raceway (1/4-mile) in Marion Center Raceway on May 19 
Port Royal Speedway (1/2-mile) in Port Royal, PA on May 20 
Stateline Speedway (1/3-mile) in Busti, NY on May 23 

ONLINE   
Marion Center Raceway: www.marioncenterraceway.com  
Port Royal Speedway: www.portroyalspeedway.com  
Stateline Speedway: www.newstatelinespeedway.com  

TRACK RECORD   

Marion Center Raceway:    
14.282 by Max Blair on 5/20/22 

Port Royal Speedway:    
17.470 by Jeff Rine on 5/13/17  

Stateline Speedway:    
14.900 by Chub Frank  

On the Internet   
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Series   
Twitter – Twitter.com/WoOLateModels – @WoOLateModels   
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOLateModels – @woolatemodels   
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsLateModelSeries   
YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws   
DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month   

Around the Turn: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models head to Sharon Speedway in Hartford, OH for the Battle at the Border May 25-27. The epic three-day event features three complete shows, culminating in a $25,000-to-win finale on Saturday, May 27. FOR TICKETS: CLICK HERE. 

FEATURE WINNERS: (5 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2
2. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-1
   Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1
   Cory Hedgecock, Loudon, TN-1
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1

HEAT RACE WINNERS (22 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-4
2. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-3
3. Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-2
   Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2
   Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-2
   Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL-2
   Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-2
4. Max Blair, Centerville, PA-1
   Ricky Thornton Jr, Martinsville, IN-1
   Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-1
   Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
   Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-1
   Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-1
   Jensen Ford, Johnson City, TN-1
   Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1
   Drake Troutman, Hyndman, PA-1
   Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA-1
   Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1
   Chris Ferguson, Mt. Holly, NC-1
   Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1
   Todd Cooney, Des Moines, IA-1

LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (11 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Mark Whitener, Middleburg, FL-2
   Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-2
2. Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-1
   Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, NC-1
   Tanner English, Benton, KY-1
   Mike Norris, Sarver, PA-1
   Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-1
   Ricky Thornton, Jr, Martinsville, IN-1
   Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL-1
   Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1
   Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, NM-1
   Carson Ferguston, Concord, NC-1
   Garrett Smith, Eatonton, GA-1
   Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, NM-1

PODIUM FINISHES (12 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Podiums

1. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-3
   Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-3
   Ricky Thornton Jr., Martinsville, IN-3
2. Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1
   Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-1
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
   Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1
   Cory Hedgecock, Loudon, TN-1
   Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
   Tanner English, Benton, KY-1
   Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1

FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER (6 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.

1. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1
   Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1
   Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1
   Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1
   Ricky Thornton Jr., Martinsville, IN-1
   Wil Herrington, Hawkinsville, GA-1

SIMPSON RACING PRODUCTS QUICK TIMES (5 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs

1. Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-3
2. Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-1
   Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1
   Drake Troutman, Hyndman, PA-1
   Jake Timm, Winona, MN-1

CASE FEATURE LAP LEADERS (12 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps Led

1. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-60
2. Tanner English, Benton, KY-41
3. Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-29
4. Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-28
5. Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-15
   Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-15
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-15
   Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-15
6. Cory Hedgecock, Loudon, TN-10
7. Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-6
   Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-6
8. Ricky Thornton Jr., Martinsville, IN-1

2023 World of Outlaws Late Model Schedule & Winners

1. Thursday, Jan. 19 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Devin Moran (1)
2. Friday, Jan. 20/ Volusia Speedway Park/ Barberville, FL/ Devin Moran (2)
3. Thursday, Feb. 16/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Bobby Pierce (1)
4. Saturday, Feb. 18/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Hudson O’Neal (1)
5. Thursday, April 20/ 411 Motor Speedway/ Seymour, TN/ Cory Hedgcock (1)
6. Friday, April 21/ Talladega Short Track/ Eastaboga, AL/ Tanner English, Kyle Bronson/Brandon Overton*
7. Saturday, April 22/ Talladega Short Track/ Eastaboga, AL/ Brandon Overton (1)
8. Thursday, May 4/Mississippi Thunder Speedway/Fountain City, WI/Brandon Sheppard, Cade Dillard*

JOLIET, Ill. (May 17, 2023) – Reigning world champion Brittany Force and the Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy Chevrolet dragster team are seeking their first victory of the season as they enter the Gerber Glass & Collision NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance. The sixth event on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series calendar marks the return of NHRA to Route 66 Raceway just outside of Chicago after a three-year hiatus following the COVID-19 pandemic. In seven appearances at Route 66 Raceway, Force has had one runner-up finish in 2014 and tallied two No. 1 qualifying positions in 2016 and 2017. At the most recent event at the facility in 2019 she qualified 15th and had a first-round loss.  This weekend’s competition has added incentive for Force and her Flav-R-Pac team as they compete for the first time in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge during Saturday qualifying. Thanks to a semi-final round appearance at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., Force earned a rematch against John Force Racing teammate Austin Prock. Performing in the race within a race not only earns drivers’ championship points at the end of the regular season but a chance at extra cash as well. “I’m excited to be returning to Chicago with the Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team this weekend. Route 66 Raceway is going to be a challenging one with an added #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at a track we haven’t competed at in three years. A win this weekend would be huge for this team,” Force said. “We’ve held No. 1 qualifiers at this event and runnered-up so we’re ready to get to the racetrack and back with the Route 66 fans while hunting down our first win of the season.” In addition to her Winternationals semifinal finish, Force’s 2023 season so far also includes a final quad appearance at the Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas resulting in semifinal points and the Flav-R-Pac team most recently had a quarterfinal finish at the Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte. Force enters the Route 66 Nationals sitting fifth in points thanks partially in part to the Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team’s qualifying performance. They have been fastest of qualifying in three of the first five events, including back-to-back at the Las Vegas and Charlotte Four-Wides. The Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway starts with qualifying Friday at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday eliminations are set to begin at 11:00 a.m. Television coverage will be aired on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). The NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout will air Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET on FS1. Sunday eliminations are slated to begin on Sunday at 10:00 p.m. ET on FS1.

News from Abel Motorsports

(May 16, 2023) SPEEDWAY, In- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: IndyCar’s newest team, ABEL Motorsports, based in Louisville, KY, had expected to put their newly updated Chevy/Dallara Indy 500 entry on track today for the first time.   But a damp, soggy day forced IndyCar officials to scrub all on-track activity Tuesday, postponing the start of Indy 500 practice until Wednesday May 17 at noon ET. That delay though could well prove beneficial to the ABEL team and driver RC Enerson.   Enerson needs to complete an on-track refresher session at the wheel of the red and white #50 car before being cleared to practice and qualify for the 107th Indy 500 this weekend.If Tuesday had run as scheduled, that wouldn’t have been possible and the team would have missed the first practice period.   Now, with the rainout, Enerson will get his refresher laps in Wednesday morning and should be good to go with the rest of the 34 500 entries starting at noon. “Today was one of those classic “sit and wait” days.   It’s not a day we like.  But I think it might be a blessing in disguise, because I’ll get to do my refresher in the morning and we should be good to go after that”, commented the 26-year-old Floridian.   Enerson attempted to qualify for the Indy 500 two years ago but feels this year’s effort at the wheel of the ABEL Motorsports entry is a much better opportunity. Team Manager John Brunner was disappointed with the rainout as well.   “We would have liked to have had our install lap today, but nobody got to run.   We didn’t lose any track time to anyone today.   I like what they’ve done with the schedule for tomorrow.  We’ll get the (ROP) refresher done in the morning and then we can run all day with everybody.   I like where we’re sitting.” Team Principal Bill Abel is just looking forward to seeing the red and white #50 car get on track.  “For us (the rain) allowed us to get a few additional things done on the car that we needed to do.  We went through tech (inspection) and we went back through tech again, which let us correct a couple of things we needed to fix.  It just slowed things down a bit for us, kind of a reset time for us that’s probably good.” Abel is also soaking in the atmosphere of the Indy 500 for the first time as a competitor.   “For me it’s so unbelievable.  It still doesn’t feel real to me.  It’s such a cool thing, such a cool place to be.  I can’t thank John Brunner, Neil Enerson, and RC enough for helping give us the chance to do this.” ABEL Motorsports will be in action tomorrow, Wednesday May 17th starting at 10am.  Official practice begins at Noon ET, with all sessions being streamed live on Peacock TV.

BATAVIA, Ohio (May 16, 2023) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series continues its May Midwest swing this weekend with a pair of events in the Hawkeye State. Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20 the elite drivers of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series return to 300 Raceway in Farley, Iowa and 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. A complete program for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is on the docket each night, which includes Dirt Draft Hot Laps, Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains, and a 50-lap A-Main. 300 Raceway, formerly known as Farley Speedway, is a 3/8-mile oval located just off US-20 at Exit 300 in Farley, Iowa.  The Simon’s Trucking You Call We Haul 50 boasts a $12,000 top prize for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. The Modifieds, Sport Modifieds, and Stock Cars are also on the racing card. The pit gate at 300 Raceway will open at 2:00PM CT, followed by general admission gates at 5:00PM CT. The on-track action will begin with Dirt Draft Hot Laps at 6:30PM CT. Tickets will be available at the gate on race day. For more information, please visit www.300raceway.com.  On Saturday, the action will shift to southeast Iowa’s 34 Raceway in West Burlington. A $15,000 top prize is on the line for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in the CRST, The Transportation Solution 50. Also in competition are Modifieds, Sport Modifieds, and Sport Compacts. At 34 Raceway the pit gate will open at 2:00PM CT with general admission gates opening at 4:00PM CT. Hot Laps are set to kick off at 6:15PM CT. To purchase tickets in advance, please visit https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/2697/tickets/1304748?rKey=1562. For more information about 34 Raceway, visit www.34raceway.com.  The Hawkeye State double header will continue the Sunoco Road to Wheatland – the first bonus round where the top fifteen drivers in the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship presented by ARP will be determined. Those 15 drivers will receive a cash bonus based on their position in the championship standings. The current series point leader following the Show-Me 100 on May 27 will receive a $2,500 bonus from the total $16,000 being paid out. Hudson O’Neal leads the current Big River Steel Chase for the Championship presented by ARP standing – holding a 50-point advantage over Brandon Overton and Ricky Thornton Jr. who are tied for second. Jonathan Davenport and Tim McCreadie round out the top five in championship standings.  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 Purses300 Raceway – May 19th1. $12,000, 2. $6,000, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,800, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,100, 15. $1,050, 16. $1,000, 17. $1,000, 18. $1,000, 19. $1,000, 20. $1,000, 21. $1,000, 22. $1,000, 23. $1,000, 24. $1,000 = Total $52,800 34 Raceway – May 20th1. $15,000, 2. $7,000, 3. $5,000, 4. $4,000, 5. $3,000, 6. $2,500, 7. $2,400, 8. $2,300, 9. $2,200, 10. $2,100, 11. $2,000, 12. $1,800, 13. $1,600, 14. $1,500, 15. $1,400, 16. $1,300, 17. $1,200, 18. $1,100, 19. $1,000, 20. $1,000, 21. $1,000, 22. $1,000, 23. $1,000, 24. $1,000, = Total $63,400 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rules:300 Raceway – May 19thLeft Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT3, (90) LM30sRight Rear – Hoosier (92) NLMT3, (92) LM30s, (92) NLMT4, (92) LM40 *Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains*For the A-Main, competitors may use 2 new tires.*Can cut and/or sipe any tire.*Flat tire must be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position. 34 Raceway – May 20thLeft Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) LM20Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NLMT3, (92) LM30s, (92) NLMT4, (92) LM40 *Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains*For the A-Main, competitors may use 2 new tires.*Can cut and/or sipe any tire.*Flat tire must be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position.

The World of Outlaws transition to the second quarter of the campaign in Ohio

ATTICA, OH (May 16, 2023) – For the first time this year, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are heading to a pair of northern Ohio ovals.

The always exciting Attica Raceway Park hosts The Greatest Show on Dirt on Friday, May 19. The following night, it’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive east to Hartford, OH’s Sharon Speedway – owned by 1995 World of Outlaws champion Dave Blaney. The World of Outlaws have made 21 appearances at Attica while Saturday at Sharon will be the 12th trip to the 3/8-mile track.

The weekend will mark the transition to the second quarter of the 2023 campaign. Temperatures will rise. And the action will heat up as drivers continue to jockey for positioning in the championship pursuit during a busy summer stretch.

BUY ATTICA TICKETS

BUY SHARON TICKETS

Let’s look at some of the weekend’s top storylines:

SWEET STRENGTH: Four-time and reigning champion Brad Sweet leads the championship charge into Ohio.

After a slight stumble out of the gate, the Grass Valley, CA native’s performance has been nearly impeccable with his Kasey Kahne Racing team. In the 14 starts since leaving Florida, Sweet has posted four wins, eight podiums, and a 3.9 average finish.

Sweet hopes to extend the advantage at a pair of tracks that he’s excelled at in recent years. While “The Big Cat” has never won at Attica, he hasn’t finished worse than fifth in his last four starts at the third mile. At Sharon, he’s the most recent winner – topping last September’s visit – and finished fifth in his one other Series start.

SUMMERTIME SCHATZ: Over the course of his career, Donny Schatz has consistently produced some of his best stretches during the summer. And while the seasonal change is still a month away on the calendar, early indicators are 2023 could continue the trend.

The 10-time champion has put together his best four-race stretch of the season over the past two weeks. At Eldora he picked up a pair of podiums including a season best second-place effort on the final night. Then, the Fargo, ND native followed that with another top three at Williams Grove.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Schatz is the winningest driver in Series history at Attica with four triumphs. He’s also only finished worse than eighth once in 15 starts. Schatz has competed in all 11 Series events at Sharon with a best finish of second on two occasions (2004 & 2022).

HAUD’S HOME: Any trip to Ohio is a welcome part of the schedule for Sheldon Haudenschild. The Wooster, OH native shaped his talents on state’s many ovals. 

Before he even joined the World of Outlaws tour in 2017, Haudenschild topped a pair of All-Star Circuit of Champions races at Attica. At Sharon, he claimed the prestigious Lou Blaney Memorial in 2015. He’s yet to win at either track in World of Outlaws competition but has been close with a 2020 podium at Attica and podiums in the last two Series events at Sharon.

The 29-year-old heads into his home territory fifth in points.

BUCKEYE STATE BAYSTON: Spencer Bayston may call Indiana home, but he’s gotten quite comfortable at the racetracks located one state east of the Hoosier state over his career.

The first World of Outlaws win of Bayston’s career came at Attica in 2021, and he’s shown speed there no matter the car he’s been in. The World of Outlaws victory was behind the wheel of the Sam McGhee Motorsports #11. The Lebanon, IN native picked up an Attica All-Star win in 2017 wheeling the Swindell Speedlab #39. He’s also been in the top 10 aboard the Premier Motorsports #70.

At Sharon, it’s been a similar story for Bayston. He picked up an All-Star win with McGhee, a podium with Swindell, and a seventh-place effort with his current team – CJB Motorsports – at last year’s World of Outlaws race. 

Bayston heads into Ohio hoping to add to his success in the state as he looks to climb from his current spot of seventh in points.

ATTICA-SHARON DOUBLE: Throughout their histories as tracks featured on the World of Outlaws tour, winning at both Attica and Sharon has been nearly impossible. Only Steve Kinser and Joey Saldana have pulled off the feat.

At Sharon, the only current full-time World of Outlaws driver with a victory is Brad Sweet, so a Friday win could add him to the list. The one other active driver with a Sharon triumph is Dave Blaney.

Over at Attica, Donny Schatz, David Gravel, and Spencer Bayston are the trio of current Series drivers that have visited Victory Lane. Other active drivers who’ve won at Attica are Kyle Larson and Dale Blaney.

Of course, a weekend sweep could be a shortcut to the feat for any driver yet to claim a checkered flag at either facility.

O-H! – I-O!: Ohio’s local competition may not have the same notoriety as other areas of the country, but their crop still features plenty of talent capable of contending with the World of Outlaws.

Gibsonburg, OH’s Craig Mintz already bested the All-Stars at Attica this season and would love to replicate that for his first World of Outlaws victory. Attica is home to Mintz’s one Series podium (2014).

Republic, OH native Cap Henry should be a threat at either track. A combined three of his eight career All-Star wins have occurred at Attica and Sharon. Attica is also home to one of his five career World of Outlaws top 10s.

Skylar Gee hails from Canada, but he spends plenty of time circling Ohio’s ovals. Gee is fresh off Attica-Fremont Championship Series win at Attica this past Friday.

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

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE

Friday, May 19 at Attica Raceway Park in Attica, OH

Saturday, May 20 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, OH

ON THE INTERNET

World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series
Twitter – @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – @WoOSprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries
YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (19/80 Races):

1. 49 – Brad Sweet (2664PTS) 2. 2 – David Gravel (-36PTS) 3. 41 – Carson Macedo (-46PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-126PTS) 5. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-184PTS) 6. 15 – Donny Schatz (-186PTS) 7. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-236PTS) 8. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-244PTS) 9. 3Z – Brock Zearfoss (-388PTS) 10. 1A – Jacob Allen (-420PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (10 Drivers):

4 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2), Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49)
3 wins – Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24)
2 wins – James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83)
1 win – Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41), Buddy Kofoid (CMS Racing #11), Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing #17), Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports #21), Logan Schuchart (Shark Racing #1S), Anthony Macri (Macri Motorsports #39)

FEATURE LAPS LED (14 Drivers): 

104 laps – Brad Sweet
92 laps – David Gravel
73 laps – Rico Abreu
63 laps – Carson Macedo
60 laps – James McFadden
46 laps – Buddy Kofoid
44 laps – Logan Schuchart
43 laps – Brent Marks
37 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
11 laps – Anthony Macri
10 laps – Cory Eliason
9 laps – Gio Scelzi
3 laps – Brady Bacon
1 lap – Donny Schatz

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (9 Drivers): 

5 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo
4 QuickTimes – David Gravel
3 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart
2 QuickTimes – Anthony Macri
1 QuickTime – Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Buddy Kofoid, Rico Abreu, Gio Scelzi

HEAT RACE WINNERS (21 Drivers): 

10 Heat Wins – David Gravel, Carson Macedo
6 Heat Wins – Buddy Kofoid
5 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet, Logan Schuchart
4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks, Sheldon Haudenschild
3 Heat Wins – Gio Scelzi, Donny Schatz, Anthony Macri
2 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston, Jacob Allen, Parker Price-Miller, Rico Abreu, Justin Peck
1 Heat Win – James McFadden, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Brock Zearfoss, Cory Eliason

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (30 Drivers):

14 Dashes – Carson Macedo, David Gravel, Brad Sweet
11 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
8 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
7 Dashes – Gio Scelzi, Rico Abreu, Donny Schatz
6 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid, Jacob Allen, Brent Marks
5 Dashes – Spencer Bayston
4 Dashes – Brock Zearfoss, Anthony Macri
3 Dashes – James McFadden, Justin Peck
2 Dashes – Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Cory Eliason, Parker Price-Miller, Robbie Price, Tyler Courtney
1 Dash – Kasey Kahne, Freddie Rahmer, Devon Borden, Garet Williamson, Aaron Reutzel, Brady Bacon, Chad Trout, Dylan Norris

MICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (15 Drivers): 

2 LCS Wins – Robbie Price, Sheldon Haudenschild
1 LCS Win – Brock Zearfoss, Parker Price-Miller, Gio Scelzi, Noah Gass, Hunter Schuerenberg, James McFadden, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Timms, Ayrton Gennetten, Spencer Bayston, Logan Schuchart, Kraig Kinser, Freddie Rahmer

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (16 Drivers):

2 Hard Chargers – Brock Zearfoss, James McFadden, Tyler Courtney
1 Hard Charger – Donny Schatz, Gio Scelzi, Robbie Price, David Gravel, Logan Schuchart, Justin Peck, Blake Hahn, Buddy Kofoid, Joe B. Miller, Kyle Larson, Hunter Schuerenberg, Kyle Moody, Freddie Rahmer

PODIUM FINISHES (19 Drivers): 

9 Podiums – Brad Sweet, David Gravel
5 Podiums – Carson Macedo
4 Podiums – Buddy Kofoid, Logan Schuchart, Rico Abreu
3 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild, Brent Marks, Donny Schatz
2 Podiums – Jacob Allen, James McFadden
1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Brian Brown, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Spencer Bayston, Parker Price-Miller, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri

TOP 10 FINISHES (35 Drivers):

17 Top 10s – Carson Macedo, Brad Sweet
16 Top 10s – David Gravel
14 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
11 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild, Gio Scelzi
10 Top 10s – Michael Kofoid, Spencer Bayston
9 Top 10s – Rico Abreu
8 Top 10s – Donny Schatz, Justin Peck
7 Top 10s – James McFadden
6 Top 10s – Jacob Allen, Brent Marks
5 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney
4 Top 10s – Kasey Kahne
3 Top 10s – Brian Brown, Cory Eliason, Danny Dietrich
2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Brock Zearfoss, Blake Hahn, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri
1 Top 10 – Robbie Price, Zeb Wise, Devon Borden, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Parker Price-Miller, Joe B. Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg, Kyle Larson, Brandon Rahmer, Chad Trout, Lance Dewease

2023 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)

CONCORD, NC (May 16, 2023) – The World of Outlaws are turning up the heat this season, collaborating with Jade City for a World of Outlaws-themed line of hot sauces.

Five different heat selections have been produced for everyone to choose from.

The five bold new flavors range from a gentle Jalapeño sauce – fittingly named “Last Chance Showdown” – all the way to the screaming heat of the 7 Pot Primo “Open Wheel of Doom!” Other flavors include a cayenne pepper and garlic, strawberry habanero, and a reaper, scorpion, ghost mash up that is sure to cause some hot sweats.

“Collaborating with Jade City on a line of World of Outlaws hot sauces is an exciting opportunity to not only bring this line to our fans but introduce hot sauce lovers to the World of Outlaws,” World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter said. “We can’t wait for everyone to try all five flavors while tailgating at the track or watching the races at home on DIRTVision.”

More than 80 races are scheduled this season for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars, spanning across tracks nationwide. You can find the full schedule HERE.

The new World of Outlaws hot sauce collection can be purchased here. Use promo code OUTLAW to get 15% off your purchase. Now through June 30, 2023.

NHRA^® Team Report

NHRA Route 66 Nationals – Chicago

Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and team are ready to get the Snap-on^® “Makers and Fixers” Dodge^® SRT^® Hellcat^® back to the Route 66 Raceway to see all the great fans. Cruz calls his car “wild child” and he’s ready to see what it can do.

“We’ve been the 1 or 2 qualifier a couple of times already this season, and the car is loving the combination we’ve worked as a team to develop,” says Cruz. “As good as the tuning on the car has been, it wants to run a little too fast, so we’re working on pulling it back and keeping it in the groove this weekend. We really like the racing surface and facility in Chicago, so we have our eye on winning it for the first time as a team.”

The Snap-on Funny Car continues to highlight “Makers & Fixers.” Check out the Makers and Fixers among us on Instagram and share your stories at makersandfixers.com. 

DALLAS, TX (May 16, 2023) — With two races under his belt in the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season Buddy Hull is looking to build on the positives. A solid qualifier at both Phoenix and Las Vegas races, Hull and his Renegade Fuel and Oils Top Fuel dragster team will be looking to make moves at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals this weekend. The track will be a new facility for the Top Fuel driver who also owns several companies in the Dallas area, but his 12,000-horsepower Top Fueler is tuned by crew chief Mike Guger who has considerable experience on the track located 25 minutes from downtown Chicago.

“Having Mike as our crew chief has been a game changer for our Renegade Fuel and Oils Top Fuel dragster,” said Hull. “His level of experience has been instrumental in our off-season preparation and improvements during the first two races. The guys on the team are so much more comfortable with the qualifying and race day routine. I think we will take another big step forward in Chicago.”

This season Hull has raced at the Arizona Nationals and the Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals and shown consistent performance improvements. Racing in his third season at this level on a limited schedule is a challenge for Hull but one he relishes. Traditionally, representing his company Vertex Roofing and General Contractors Hull will be racing this weekend with primary branding from Renegade Race Fuel and Oils. Hull’s team will also get support from Shorewood’s Tyson Motor in the form of a Dodge Ram Truck to tow the Renegade Fuel and Oils Top Fuel dragster from the pits to the starting line.

“I wouldn’t be able to be out here without the support of companies like Renegade Fuel and Oils,” said Hull. “They have been on my dragster all season, but they wanted to have the full Top Fueler for a race and Chicago was the perfect market for them. They supply a ton of products to NHRA tracks all over the country from traction compound to methanol. I am proud to be representing them this weekend.”

Since he took on twelve races during his rookie season in 2021 Hull has taken a strategic approach to building his Top Fuel operation. This season he will tackle eight NHRA national events with the goal of incrementally improving every race. He has new equipment and a trailer full of parts, which provides his crew chief Guger the confidence to be aggressive when the conditions are ripe for quick and fast runs. 

“I have been building this team with the plan to eventually go full-time but that isn’t going to happen overnight,” said Hull. “We have quality parts and we have back-ups for our back-ups which you need in this sport. Mike does a great job giving me a quick and safe race car. The key for us is to get aggressive when the conditions are perfect and to race the racetrack when conditions might be a little tricky. Our goal is to capitalize on every opportunity.”

Coming into the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals Hull will be racing at the Chicago area super-track for the first time. The stadium environment is not new to the Dallas area racer who has participated in the Texas Motorplex Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals the past two seasons.

“It will be cool to roll through the tower in Chicago and be in a wraparound stadium, but the Texas Motorplex has a similar vibe,” said Hull. “They have packed fans in the past two Texas Fall Nationals and I know they will pack them in in Chicago since it has been a few years since they had an NHRA national event. There is nothing better than making a killer pass in front of thousands of fans who jump out of their seats. We are going over 330 mph in under 3.7 seconds which is amazing. I love the competition and we are looking to put on a good show starting Friday night under the lights.”

The return of NHRA drag racing will begin on Friday, May 19, with one round of Top Fuel qualifying along with the rest of the professional classes. Saturday will include two rounds of qualifying, the return of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and a specialty Pro Stock All-Star Callout race. The quickest 16 race cars and motorcycles will race on Sunday, May 21 beginning at 11 a.m. with FS1 televising the race nationally later that evening.