BARBERVILLE, FL– December 22, 2021 – A true Late-Model-Palooza kicks off the 2022 season highlighted by the World of Outlaws Late Models and DIRTcar Pro Late Models. 

Six new full-time drivers will kick off their World of Outlaws title aspirations at Sunshine Nationals Jan. 20-22 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL, while several rising stars will try to make their mark amongst the veterans with the DIRTcar Pro Late Models.

World of Outlaws Late Models

The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet will battle in 40-lap Features on all three nights, each paying $10,000-to-win.  

It’s only the second time the Series has raced at Sunshine Nationals, as Kyle Strickler and Kyle Bronson scored victories in 2021. 

The 2022 event sees the return of four-time champion Josh Richards to the World of Outlaws after a four-year hiatus—as a teammate to Boom Briggs. The Shinnston, WV driver has more World of Outlaws wins than any other driver (78). 

He’ll be joined in his quest for five championships by fellow four-time and reigning Series champion Brandon Sheppard, who’s one win away from tying the “Rocket Man” in the win column.  

Richards isn’t the only driver trying to find Victory Lane at Sunshine Nationals, as five rookies start their World of Outlaws campaign at Volusia Speedway Park. 

Max Blair, Gordy Gundaker, Kyle Hammer, Tanner English, and Gary Dillon are all fighting to be the top Rookie in 2022—and all but Blair are searching for their first Series win. 

Those names, plus drivers like Ryan Gustin, Dale McDowell, and Devin Moran highlight a stout field of competitors hoping to take home the first checkered flag of the season. 

TO REGISTER: CLICK HERE

DIRTcar Pro Late Models

The Chevy Performance 604 Crate-engine-powered DIRTcar Pro Late Models are also on the card for the third annual Late Model Palooza. Drivers will compete all three days of the event, chasing the $10,000 grand prize as victor of the 30-lap finale on Saturday night.

Historically, the Sunshine Nationals Pro Late Model division has been the meeting ground for both present and future Super Late Model stars. The nation’s top rookie competitors and future Super Late Model prospects collide with the veterans of the 850hp Super ranks in a weeklong chase for the division championship, awarding a unique trophy to the high-points driver after Saturday night’s main event. 

National Super Late Model star Kyle Bronson, of Brandon, FL, swept the inaugural event in 2020, winning all three Pro Late Model Features for a weekend prize money total of $13,500. While fellow Super Late Model contenders Michael Page, Max Blair and Mark Whitener gave him a run, Bronson also defeated Crate standouts such as Dillon Brown, Cody Overton and former Crate graduate Ashton Winger to capture the event finale.

The competition clash continued in 2021 with the rise of Tennessee Crate racer Mack McCarter. The 28-year-old put on a passing clinic in January, driving 19th-to-second on Thursday and 20th-to-second on Saturday to clinch the division title by five points. Bronson was victorious in the Saturday finale for the second-straight year, defeating Super regulars through the field such as Cory Hedgecock, Jensen Ford and Mark Whitener.

2022 is poised to pit some of the best Crate and Super Late Model racers in the nation against each other once again at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile.

For Tickets: CLICK HERE.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Dec. 20, 2021 – After a six-month-long regular season, the DIRTcar national and regional champions have been decided, and it’s time to deliver the hardware.

Each champion and special award winner will be honored at the 36th annual DIRTcar Racing awards banquet on Saturday, Jan. 8 at the Springfield Crowne Plaza.

Late Model and UMP Modified drivers finishing inside the top-50 of national points plus any driver in the top-20 of all other divisions are eligible to receive their points fund check at the banquet. The top-10 of each division’s region are also eligible for recognition during the ceremony.

Congratulations to each of the 2021 DIRTcar national points champions.

Late Model – Bobby Pierce (Oakwood, IL)

For the fourth time in his 25-year-old career, Bobby Pierce is a DIRTcar Late Model national champion.

Love him or hate him, there’s no denying his prowess behind the wheel this season. Twenty DIRTcar Feature wins in 57 starts put him atop both categories in the national standings, tying runner-up Rusty Schlenk for wins and beating him by 90 points – the smallest margin of victory in each of his four titles, three of which he also defeated Schlenk.

Among his accomplishments this year comes a fourth DIRTcar Summer Nationals title, where he won a personal record 13 Features aboard the 29-race slate, defeating Hell Tour rookie Ashton Winger by 178 points en route to the $29,000 grand prize.

Related – A LONG, SMOOTH SUMMER: Pierce Feels Improved, Back on Top After Fourth Hell Tour Crown

View – 2022 DIRTcar Summer Nationals Schedule

Several highlights included a $20,000 payday in his first career victory with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series in Farmer City Raceway’s Illini 100, another $30,000 marquee event win against the Outlaws at Boone Speedway in Iowa, and three Summer Nationals victories in-a-row at Beaver Dam, Davenport and Route 66.

“I’ve just gotta give a huge thanks to my dad, mostly,” Pierce said, reflecting on his accomplishments in a September release. “Starting me off pretty young, going to all these racetracks right in the beginning of my racing career. He pushed me to be the best that I could be, and it goes a long way.

“It’s been a long journey, even though I’m pretty young. It’s been a long journey so far, and I’m excited to maybe go on and get another four championships.”

Pierce now joins Rodney Melvin (’01, ’03-’05) as the only four-time national champions of the DIRTcar Late Model division.

UMP Modified – Nick Hoffman (Mooresville, NC)

Since 2019, the UMP Modified world has been ruled by a man who continued his domination tour throughout the country in 2021. With 26 Feature wins in 49 starts, Nick Hoffman is now a three-time DIRTcar UMP Modified national champion.

Just when the dirt track world thought things couldn’t get better for Blue Deuce & Co. after their dominant 2020 season, Nick, father Darrell, road crew member Shawn O’Neill and all of Elite Chassis put together a car and campaign that won a fourth DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals title, 19 of their 20 Summit Modified starts, and several marquee races along the way.

Read Also – SUMMIT OF THE MOUNTAIN: Hoffman Reflects on Record-Breaking Season, Fourth Championship

View – 2022 Summit Modified Schedule

The accomplishments list doesn’t stop with those he earned in the Modified – Hoffman also made four consecutive Feature starts in June at Eldora Speedway’s Dirt Late Model Dreams, where he bagged two top-10s against the best drivers in the country. Then came his big break with Scott Bloomquist Racing at the end of July, where a phone call from team co-owner Cody Sommer put him in behind the wheel of the Hall-of-Famer’s Drydene #0 for several races to finish out the season.

Hoffman even expanded his reach further into the open-wheel world with success in the Dirt Midget ranks – a place DIRTcar fans could potentially see him more often in 2022 with the formation of the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series, coming to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 next summer.

Hoffman is now tied with Devin Gilpin for third-most national UMP Modified championships in DIRTcar history behind only Jimmy Owens (4) and Mike Harrison (7).

“It’s kinda weird looking back at it, as it was going on,” Hoffman said in an August release. “We didn’t really realize what we were doing. You just kinda look past it and are always racing for the next day.

“Now that we’ve had a couple weeks here, it’s just pretty wild to look back at it. I guess we took it for granted at the time. It’s going to be something that people talk about for years, I think.”

Pro Late Model – Jose Parga (New Berlin, IL)

For the second time in his career, Jose Parga is king of the DIRTcar Pro Late Models.

Parga first won the division’s national championship in 2015 by a slim margin of 18 points over Nick Bauman. This year, he flat-out dominated, winning seven of nine Feature starts at Lincoln Speedway to clinch the track championship, and the national title by 86 points over Billy Knippenberg.

Other highlights included seven wins in eight Feature starts at Farmer City Raceway and eight wins in 10 Feature starts at Macon Speedway. In total, Parga scored 20 Feature victories in 38 starts for a win percentage of just under 53 – no other driver had more than 10 wins in the division this year.

Pro Modified – Owen Steinkoenig (Highland, IL)

The first of four first-time DIRTcar national champions made a mark on his home track this year, winning 10 of the 13 Features he started at Highland Speedway to clinch his first track championship.

“I won one at [Belle-Clair Speedway] in 2019 – the last year they raced – and that was cool, but it wasn’t as cool as winning at Highland with everybody that we know and grew-up with being there every weekend,” Steinkoenig said.

Other Feature wins for the 19-year-old came at I-55, Lincoln, Farmer City and Charleston for a total of 15 in 28 DIRTcar Feature starts – a win percentage of just over 53.

With visions of becoming a UMP Modified national champion in his future, Steinkoenig said his new journey toward that goal begins in 2022, driving a new car he and his father put together this year.

“I’m looking forward to next year with what we’ll be doing,” Steinkoenig said. “Full-time UMP Modified, traveling and running some of the Summit Modified stuff.”

Steinkoenig thanks each of his sponsors and crew members Adam, Lance, Jimmy and Jacob for their continued support through the 2021 season.

UMP Sportsman – Wes McClara (Blanford, IN)

After finishing top-five in the national standings three out of the past four years, Wes McClara has finally sealed the deal on his first-ever DIRTcar UMP Sportsman national championship.

With 10 Feature wins in 34 recorded nights of racing in 2021, McClara also bagged the Lincoln Park Speedway track championship for the first time since 2017, defeating fellow national championship contenders Austin Phelps, Larry Raines and 2020 track champion Josh Litton.

McClara becomes the fifth different national champion of the division in the last five years.

“I never dreamed I’d be a national champion, to be honest,” he said. “A couple months in, I had led most of it, and then I thought, ‘man, I can do this if I just keep going.’ I just kept at it, and it feels pretty awesome to finally pull it off.”

Stock Car – Nick Macklin (Argenta, IL)

A veteran of dirt track racing for nearly 25 years, having raced everything from quarter-midgets to Modifieds, Nick Macklin has captured his first career DIRTcar national points championship with the Stock Cars.

In one of the closest points races of the season, Macklin bested rivals Terry Reed Jr. and Megan Erwin by under 60 points, winning 11 of his 36 recorded Features for a win percentage of just over 30. Both Reed and Erwin had 12 more recorded races, but Macklin’s diverse track list (Farmer City, Macon, Lincoln, Jacksonville) enabled him to collect wins against different local fields throughout the season.

“Somebody actually told us we were in third in points, and we didn’t even have our 20 nights in yet,” Macklin said. “That’s when I started paying attention to it, and then we started racing as much as we possibly could.

“We weren’t expecting it, but it actually ended in a lot of fun at the end of the year.”

Macklin becomes the eighth different driver to win the national Stock Car title in the past eight years.

Factory Stock – Trevor Isaak (Highland, IL)

Picking up right where he left off last year, Highland Speedway veteran Trevor Isaak sits atop the DIRTcar Factory Stock mountain once again in 2021.

Last year, Isaak and the #9x crew went on a tour of domination across the Midwest, winning 14 races and capturing their second national championship by 98 points. This time around, it nearly came right down to the wire, beating Sheldon Oberle by a narrow 11 points for the title. The two drivers matched in total wins with 13 apiece.

Nine of those 13 victories this year came at Highland, where he captured the track championship for the second-straight year. Now armed with his third Factory Stock national title, Isaak stands in a class of his own as the only three-time champion of the division.

“It’s been phenomenal, everything just kinda worked out,” Isaak said. “We only had one or two DNFs from parts and pieces breaking that just kinda happened. But overall, the consistency was there all season.”

Sport Compact – Joshua Hawkins (Imperial, MO)
The fourth and final first-time national champion honor goes to the 2021 Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 Sport Compact track champion, Joshua Hawkins.

Hawkins won 11 of the 15 Features he started at the Missouri oval this year, which propelled him to the win by 10 points over Dave Lauritson, who has now finished runner-up in each of the last four seasons.

Most remarkable may be Hawkins’ efficiency, winning 18 times in 23 races for a win percentage of just over 78. Every other driver inside the top-10 in national standings had more recorded races than he, yet none were able to match his win total. Additional victories at Tri-City, Highland and Spoon River completed his dominant year.

With only four cylinders under the hood, Hawkins said the key to racing up front as often as he does is proper maintenance.

“This Sport Compact class is so [dependent] on consistency and making sure you don’t have parts failures night-in and night-out,” Hawkins said. “That’s one thing I try and value my whole racing program on, making sure I go through the car every night and making sure I stay consistent to where I can run up front, and it proved itself this year.”

Tickets for award winners and drivers receiving points fund checks are available for purchase at the link below. Order form is due by Jan. 3.

TICKET ORDER FORM

Batavia, OH (December 20, 2021) – Ricky Thornton Jr added his name to the record books in 2021, ending the season as the Eibach Springs Rookie of the Year for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. Thornton, Jr. adds his name to a list of other Rookie’s that have gone on to win a host of championships, which is his next goal. “I’ve got to thank everyone, especially the whole Lucas Oil deal. It has been a dream come true to come out this year and be able to run this series, we look forward to going into next year. I have to thank Todd and Vickie Burns and everyone with the whole SSI Motorsports crew, we bust our butts all year to try to do the best we can; it definitely worked out. To come out and win rookie of the year was our goal starting out the year.” Thornton, Jr. had two series points race wins on the year, one being the $100,000-to-win series finale, the Dirt Track World Championship. In addition to his wins, he also had nine top-five appearances, and 20 top-ten finishes; however, these numbers don’t entirely reflect Thornton Jr’s season as he made a lot of noise on the track, showing a promising future for the 31-year-old. The 2021 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion, Tim McCreadie said about the newest Rookie of the Year, “Like I told several rookies years ago because I was one back when we all had flip phones, stick with it you’re going to get it. The problem is, you’ve already got it. Hopefully you don’t take over too soon but congrats on your year, I know how hard it is to jump in and do something like that.” The Eibach Springs Rookie of the Year’s Todd and Vickie Burns-owned SSI Motorsports Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Hoker Trucking, Sub-Surface of Indiana, Dyno One, Inc., West Side Tractor Sales, Excel Floor Covering, Certified Inspection Service Co, Inc., D&E Outside Services, Shelby Materials, Penske Racing Shocks, and VP Race Fuels.

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 2021, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction 59 events across 18 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 filmed, produced and edited by Lucas Oil Production Studios. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events will broadcast on four networks including CBS, NBC Sports, CBS Sports Network and the 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.

Batavia, OH (December 18, 2021) – Consistency was key for the 2021 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion; five wins, 27 top-five appearances, and 32 top-ten finishes landed Tim McCreadie on top when all was said and done. This consistency allowed Tim McCreadie and Paylor Motorsports to pocket an extra $94,000 in cash plus a multitude of hardware; bringing his year-end winning total to $385,305. The 47-year-old took the stage as a past Champion in the sport, but a first-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion. McCreadie reminisced, “I am not the youngest guy in the world anymore, but I hope I can keep digging away and ascending. I feel like the whole late model sport is going up, who would have thought that 15 years ago when I said ‘man, look at these late model cars’ and I thought it would be pretty neat to try that stuff (driving super late models). I have been very fortunate that I have been able to do a lot of things in my career.” Like many other dirt late model drivers, McCreadie began his racing career in go-karts; unlike others, his resume is quite extensive on both dirt and asphalt. McCreadie is not only competitive but has his name etched in the history books for Championships and Crown Jewel event wins across a wide array of classes and different series’. “I truly appreciate everything you guys (Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series staff) do; I don’t always show it, I don’t know how to show it sometimes. When you look around this room, you truly understand that this is a special event. I have sat at every table but this one and you don’t realize how awesome and truly rewarding it is until you get lucky enough to sit over there. Thank you and your whole staff for everything you guys do for us and thank you to Forrest (Lucas).” The 2021 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion’s Donald and Gena Bradsher – owned Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine, and sponsored by Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, Bilstein Shocks, New Point Lighting and Design, D&E Marine, Racing for Heroes, and The Aesthetic Haus. “Donald and Gena, I love you guys to death. I talked to you guys and you’re a North Carolina team, didn’t know if you wanted to mess with a New York driver. It hasn’t always been perfect, but it has been a positive vibe that you guys have given to all of us. I know I have tried to be better myself personally, because of how you feed onto us. I am truly fortunate to drive for you all and I hope I represent you well. This championship is the cherry on top but hopefully not the end of the dessert.” Hudson O’Neal (IN) finished second in the final Championship standings, followed by Jonathan Davenport (GA), Jimmy Owens (TN), and Tyler Erb (TX), rounding out the top five in series standings. Sixth through twelfth are: Kyle Bronson (FL), Ricky Thornton Jr (IA), Josh Richards (WV), Shane Clanton (GA), Earl Pearson Jr (FL), Mike Marlar (TN), and Stormy Scott (NM).

(12/18/2021 – Alex Nieten) Sebastopol, CA… In recent years the West Coast has become a proving ground for some of the most talented youth behind the wheel of a sprint car, and the trend will continue in 2022 with Joel Myers Jr. teaming with Dave and Debbie Vertullo for the NARC Fujitsu General Sprint Car campaign.

In just the past 15 years, drivers like Gio Scelzi, Carson Macedo and Kyle Larson all turned heads in their teenage years with impressive NARC seasons before establishing the national profiles they have today. Coincidentally, Larson got his start in sprint cars and his first series victory in the Vertullo No. 83V.

Now, the 15-year-old Myers Jr. has parlayed his early sprint car success and a recently developed friendship into a chance in the notorious yellow and black machine.

“This year we became friends with Dave (Vertullo),” Myers Jr. said of how the deal began to piece together. “We pitted next to each other, always talked and hung out. Later on this year Dave started talking about a couple things once their season ended. Then we were able to all sit down and have a little meeting and kind of finalize everything.”

On top of helping Larson kickstart his career, Vertullo Motorsports has also played a role in developing other potent drivers like Brad Sweet and Chuck Gurney. Though he’s young, Myers Jr. is aware of the history and looking forward to his own chapter in the car.

“I feel like it’s a very cool opportunity,” Myers Jr. said. “You know, it’s where Larson started out and kind of got his feet wet. Then you had (Brad) Sweet in it and Chuck Gurney. You’ve just had a lot of people in that car, and it’s very cool to be able to get the opportunity of something like that.”

After a wildly successful tenure in the karting ranks of California that included a nearly 60-race win streak, Myers Jr. stepped into his family-owned No. 46JR sprint car a couple years ago and then made a name for himself as one of the sport’s rising talents in 2021.

The Sebastopol native finished second in Placerville Speedway points this year, trailing only local legend, Andy Forsberg. In 15 starts at the tricky quarter mile, he tallied 12 top-10s including one against a loaded field at NARC’s Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial.

While the majority of Myers Jr.’s starts at Placerville were in a 360, he proved to be a worthy contender whenever they bolted in the 410 to compete with NARC at a variety of tracks. In just his second series start with the West Coast’s premier 410 series, Myers Jr. stood on the podium at night’s end with a third-place finish at Petaluma Speedway.

The young driver’s 2021 results are dotted with many other noteworthy performances. Driving the Mike Phulps’ No. 56, Myers Jr. led the July NARC race at Petaluma until contact with a slower car ended his hopes for a first win. He finished in the top-five at Keller Auto Speedway’s Anthony Simone Classic and capped the NARC season with a solid sixth-place result at Stockton. At Arizona Speedway’s year-ending Copper Classic, Myers Jr. earned a pair of top-10s against massive fields both nights.

“I feel like 2021 was a pretty good year,” Myers Jr. commented. “We got 90 races in and were overall pretty good, I felt.”

The ascending star points to getting acclimated quickly and confidently in the sprint car as the main reasoning behind his early speed.

“I feel like just being comfortable and having confidence,” Myers Jr. said of what’s helped him make the transition to sprint cars. “I was able to work with a couple crew chiefs along the way that were very helpful with my confidence. Confidence is probably one of the biggest things in sprint car racing now.”

Now, Myers Jr. will take over driving duties of the Vertullo machine aiming for an even stronger 2022. The teenager will have some big shoes to fill as NorCal mainstay Sean Becker wheeled the No. 83V to a fifth-place finish in 2021 NARC points with five top-fives, 13 top-10s and a memorable win in the Howard Kaeding Classic.

And speaking of winning, that’s one box Myers Jr. hopes his new partnership will click early on in 2022. Despite flirting with victory lane many times this past year, Myers Jr. is yet to snag his inaugural sprint car victory.

“I definitely would like to get my first win out of the way,” Myers Jr. said of his 2022 goals. “It’s been, I feel, a while coming. We’ve had some bad luck on parts or just some things fell not our way, so hopefully that comes this year, and it would be very cool to get one in the Vertullo car.”

Next season will offer plenty of opportunities for Myers Jr. to claim his first win. The NARC calendar alone features 27 races with a handful of dates at tracks both Myers Jr. and Vertullo have found plenty of success.

A few months remain for Myers Jr. and the Vertullo team to prepare for the driver’s rookie NARC campaign. Though he’s excited for the golden opportunity, Myers Jr. is wise beyond his years and will carry a pragmatic approach into 2022 as he looks to take more steps in his racing journey.

“I feel like we’re going to take it day by day and see how everything goes,” Myers Jr. said. “You could fast in one car and kind of struggle in another, but I feel like Dave works very well with anyone he brings in, and I feel like all of us will get along pretty good and we can all make the best out of it.”

Honda drivers claim both FIA Formula One and NTT INDYCAR SERIES championships in the same year for the first time
Acura sweeps IMSA Michelin Endurance Championship titles; Honda Ridgeline wins Baja 1000
Other significant 2021 victories include Indianapolis 500, the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Grand Prix of Monaco

TORRANCE, Calif. (December 18, 2021) – Honda is celebrating its most successful season of racing worldwide, highlighted by its drivers claiming both the FIA Formula One and NTT INDYCAR SERIES championships. This marks the first time Honda-powered drivers have won these titles in the same season – and the first time for any racing engine firm in nearly 40 years.
The titles won by Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen in Formula One and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou in INDYCAR competition are just two of the championships and major race victories recorded by Honda this year, including:
Honda’s 10th INDYCAR Manufacturers’ Championship, the fourth consecutive title for the company
Honda’s 14th Indianapolis 500 win, and a record-tying fourth Indy victory, for Meyer Shank Racing’s Helio Castroneves; with Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon claiming pole
Manufacturer, Driver and Team IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup championship for Acura, Wayne Taylor Racing and drivers Filipe Albuquerque, Ricky Taylor and Alexander Rossi
Eleven wins in Formula One competition, including the prestigious Grand Prix of Monaco for eventual champion Verstappen
Victory for the Honda Ridgeline Race Truck in November’s Baja 1000, with drivers Jeff Proctor, Rossi, Richard Glaszczak and Steve Hengeveld
Acura’s first overall Rolex 24 at Daytona victory with Wayne Taylor Racing
Ten INDYCAR wins in 2021, for a total of 262 victories in CART, IRL and INDYCAR competition

Videos celebrating this accomplishment have been posted to several Social Media channels, with links below.  Additional links to still photos from Hondanews.com and Acuranews.com also are attached.

            “It’s been an incredible season from start to finish,” said David Salters, president and technical director of Honda Performance Development, the North American motorsports arm for Honda Racing and Acura Motorsports.  “We began the season with an historic win for Acura at the Rolex 24 at Daytona; and we finished it with the FIA Formula One Drivers World Championship; plus the Indianapolis 500, INDYCAR titles and Baja 1000.  It’s a credit to our awesome teams, brilliant drivers, magnificent HPD associates and the inspiring women and men involved in Honda’s worldwide racing programs.  Thank you Honda, for supporting our challenging spirit and providing joy to millions of race fans worldwide.”
Racing is ingrained in the corporate culture of Honda, in a way unlike any other automotive manufacturer. A former racer himself, founder Soichiro Honda believed in competition at the highest levels as a means of improving his company, its people and products.
More than 55 years later, Honda continues to view racing as an ideal training ground for engineers and designers. The pressures of racing challenge them, forcing them to find new solutions to problems as they arise. They also demand that you be ready on time – for the new season, for qualifying, for the race. If you can’t respond quickly and correctly, you’ll be left behind.

2021 Season Celebration at Lucas Oil Stadium

Batavia, OH (December 16, 2021) – This past Friday night, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series celebrated a successful 2021 season, honoring drivers, teams, crew, series staff, marketing partners, promotors, specials guests, and more, at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN and on a live stream on MAVTV Plus and social media. Tim McCreadie, 2021 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion and Ricky Thornton Jr, Eibach Springs Rookie of the Year rightfully received the most acknowledgement during the championship awards banquet, but they were not the only ones receiving recognition. On behalf of everyone at the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil Products, and MAVTV Plus, we would like to thank everyone that contributed to a successful season and joined in the celebration either in person or by tuning in to watch. We look forward to an even more monumental season in 2022. Below is a list of awards, product certificates, cash, and other awards given out during the night: Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Year Winner: Longhorn ChassisWelder from Miller Welders, Summit Racing Equipment $250 Product Certificate  ARP Engine Builder of the Year: Clements Racing Engines$1,000 Check, ARP – Automotive Racing Products Product Certificate Brodix Cylinder Heads $200 Product Certificate, COOL IT-Thermo Tec 30% off Product Certificate, CP Carrillo Pistons Product Certificate, E3 Spark Plugs (1) Free Plugs Certificate, K&N Engineering $100 Gift Card, Summit Racing Equipment $250 Product Certificate ARP Engine Builder of the Year Runner Up: Cornett Racing Engines ARP – Automotive Racing Products Product Certificate, Brodix Cylinder Heads $150 Product Certificate, CP Carrillo Pistons Product Certificate, E3 Spark Plugs (1) Free Plugs Certificate, K&N Engineering $100 Gift Card, Summit Racing Equipment $100 PC Outerwears Crew Chief of the Year: Jason Durham$1,000 check from Outerwears Sunoco Race for Gas:1st Place Tyler Erb $3,000 check2nd Place Jimmy Owens $2,000 check3rd Place Josh Richards $1,000 check Arizona Sport Shirts / DirtonDirt.com Crown Jewel Cup:1st Place Hudson O’Neal $10,000 check2nd Place Tim McCreadie $5,000 check3rd Place Jimmy Owens $3,000 check4th Place Ricky Thornton, Jr. $2,000 check5th Place Tyler Erb $1,000 check Brandon Ford TV Challenge:1st Place Tim McCreadie $10,000 check2nd Place Hudson O’Neal $3,000 check3rd Place Jonathan Davenport $2,000 check Tim McCreadie:2021 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion $75,000 Check, Champions Ring, Swift Springs Product Certificate for a set of springs, Vahlco Wheels Four Wheels, and Thermo-Tec Product CertificateOther awards: Simpson Race Products Most Heat Race Wins $1,000 Check, Midwest Sheet Metal Point Leader Challenge $1,000 Check, Big River Steel Most Podium Finishes $1,000 Check, Penske Shocks Most Top 5’s $500 Check, Hot Rod Processing Most Laps Led $500 Check Philip Snellen:Champion Crew Chief of the Year Paylor Motorsports/Donald & Gena Bradsher:Car Owner of Year (Series Champion)  Hudson O’Neal:2nd Place $47,000 Check Jonathan Davenport:3rd Place $35,000 CheckOther awards: Wrisco Most Feature Wins $1,000 check, Allstar Most Fast Time Awards $500 check & product certificate, Dirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps $500 check Jimmy Owens:4th Place $30,000 CheckOther awards: LINE-X Most B-Main’s Winner $1,000 check Tyler Erb:5th Place $27,000 Check Kyle Bronson:6th Place $25,000 CheckOther awards: Product Certificate from Stop-Tech Brakes, Fast Shafts Tough Break $500 check Ricky Thornton, Jr:7th Place $22,500 CheckEibach Springs Rookie of the Year $10,000 Check, Rookie of the Year Ring, Earnhardt Technologies Group $500 Product Certificate, Fast Shafts Carbon Fiber Driveshaft, Keyser Manufacturing $500 Product Certificate, Performance Bodies Product Certificate, Schoenfeld Headers $300 Product Certificate, Thermo-Tec Cool-It Product Certificate, Slicker Graphics Free Wrap, Wrisco Aluminum Product Certificate for Ten (10) Sheets of Aluminum, Vahlco Wheels Certificate for Four Wheels Josh Richards:8th Place $20,000 CheckOther awards: Optima Batteries Hard Charger $500 check Shane Clanton:9th Place $17,500 Check Earl Pearson, Jr.:10th Place $16,500 Check Mike Marlar:11th Place $12,000 Check Stormy Scott: 12th Place $10,000 Check Mike Swims Award of Excellence: Dave Argabright

Fan Favorite Schedules 60+ Races with The Greatest Show on Dirt

CONCORD, NC – December 16, 2021 – Rico Abreu will face a new challenge in 2022 as he prepares for the largest campaign of his career with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

The St. Helena, CA native is slated to run 80% of the schedule next year including iconic events such as the Knoxville Nationals, Kings Royal, Historical Big One, National Open, High Bank Nationals, World Finals, and much more, all LIVE on DIRTVision.

“The biggest thing is the World of Outlaws are the best, it’s that simple,” Abreu noted. “It’s the best drivers in the world, they bring the most fans to the races, and they pay the best all throughout the field.”

An eight-time winner with The Greatest Show on Dirt, Abreu’s victories are spread between two Gold Cup titles (2016, 2018) at Silver Dollar Speedway, two Ironman 55 titles (2016-17) at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, two additional wins at Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway, and one win apiece at Stockton Dirt Track and Arizona Speedway.

At 29-years-old, the ever-popular superstar has amassed more than 200+ Feature starts with the Series and enters 2022 only four shy of hitting 100 top-10 finishes. He’s been a mainstay in Sprint Car / Midget racing for the past decade, but hasn’t had all the pieces of the puzzle to go completely full-time. He hinted that this is the next step in eventually getting there, though.

“I think this is my 11th season now and I haven’t ran a full-time World of Outlaws schedule yet because I feel like I’ve been working the past six years or so to put together a team that can accomplish that,” Abreu elaborated. “It’s important that everything is done properly and I’m working towards that direction, but we’re not entirely there.”Ricky Warner, one of the most successful crew chiefs in the history of Sprint Car racing, will join Rico Abreu Racing ahead of this loaded 2022 schedule.

From his early days with Tyler Walker to winning hundreds of races with Donny Schatz, “Tricky Ricky” is noted as arguably the greatest wrench-spinner of his era. Lessons from legends including Karl Kinser, Kenny Woodruff, and Daryl Saucier eventually paid off in the form of 10 World of Outlaws championships and 10 Knoxville Nationals titles for the Carlisle, PA native.

The other angle of Rico’s hopeful goal to become a full-time Outlaw is delivering the results to companies like Lucas Oil Products, Rowdy Energy, and Curb Records, who have backed him for years.

“You know I’ve brought on huge cooperations and they deserve not just the promotional and marketing side to their product, but they deserve the results too,” he mentioned. “I haven’t been in that position to commit to that, but this is building to there.”

The 2022 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season begins in less than two months at the 51st DIRTcar Nationals held at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL. The Greatest Show on Dirt will battle for three nights from Thursday, February 10 to Saturday, February 12 and TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE.

For fans unable to make it to the track next year, you can watch every event LIVE on DIRTVision.

sInaugural Season Begins at Volusia’s DIRTcar Nationals on February 14-15CONCORD, NC – December 15, 2021 – Commitments to the newly-formed Xtreme Outlaw Series continue to roll in ahead of the 2022 debut season.This time, Kent Schmidt of Owensville, IN has confirmed his KO Motorsports operation will bring not one, but two full-time entries on the road with the Xtreme Outlaw Sprint Car Series next year.His beautifully crafted Hutson John Deere machines will first hit the clay on Monday & Tuesday, February 14-15 when Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL welcomes traditional sprint cars for the first time ever at DIRTcar Nationals, which airs LIVE on DIRTVision. Fans can BUY TICKETS HERE.Chase Stockon and Jason McDougal will be behind the wheel of a pair of Velocity Chassis #5’s with veteran crew chief Davey Jones on the wrenches.”It’s a new and exciting Series that really caught our attention,” Schmidt said. “Especially with the World of Outlaws backing it, we knew we wanted to be a part of it. We’ll get to see some different tracks across the country, and I feel like our team and our sponsors will benefit tremendously from the exposure.”Fans of the non-wing ranks will immediately recognize both drivers, especially record-holding Chase Stockon of Fort Branch, IN.The 33-year-old gasser owns 14 USAC National Sprint Car victories and most notably started 324 consecutive Features from 2012 to 2021, an all-time record with the Series. He also claimed the 2020 Indiana Sprint Week title as if his resume wasn’t stout enough already.Across from the wily veteran, Stockon, is the young apprentice, McDougal. The 24-year-old native of Broken Arrow, OK has quickly turned heads in only a handful of seasons since relocating to Indianapolis to go full-time racing.On top of his many Micro/Midget accomplishments, “J-Mac” is a two-time USAC National Sprint Car winner with 35 top-10 finishes in a small sampling of 65 career starts with the Series.Schmidt’s operation will feature Stockon in the #5S and McDougal in the #5M with support from Hutson John Deere, Peterbilt, State Farm Insurance, Dewig Meats, FloTech, S&C Machine, and Superior Tank & Trailer, among other loyal sponsors.More details on the Xtreme Outlaw Series will be released in the coming weeks as schedules, formats, rules, purses, and more are announced.Stay updated on the Series at xtremeoutlawseries.com, @Xtreme_Outlaw on Twitter, or Xtreme Outlaw Series on Facebook.Photo – Josh James

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, KSE Racing Products (Hard Charger Award), MSD and Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award); manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, and Racing Electronics.The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings® Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, MSD, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award), and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Capital Race Cars, FireAde, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, and Rocket Chassis.DIRTcar Racing is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel), Chevy Performance Parts, iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, and NAPA Auto Parts (SDS). Contingency sponsors include: ARP (Automotive Racing Products), ASI Race Wear (SDS), Bassett, Bicknell Racing Products, Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux (SDS), Cometic Gasket (SDS), COMP Cams, Drydene, Fast Shafts, Fox Factory (SDS), Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Service, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Quarter Master, Schoenfeld Headers, Summit Racing Equipment, and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum) (SDS); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Beyea Headers, FireAde, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics and Velocita USA.

The Shinnston, WV driver will drive a car owned by Boom Briggs for the 2022 season

BARBERVILLE, FL – December 14, 2021 – A new – yet familiar – challenge awaits Josh Richards in 2022. 

The four-time World of Outlaws Late Models Series champion, of Shinnston, WV, returns full-time to the Series he dominated the stats sheets in for years. However, with less than 40 days until the 2022 season-opening race during the Sunshine Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park (Jan. 20-22), Richards acknowledged there’s still a lot of work ahead for he and his new Boom Briggs team to get back to his old stats.

That’s not diminishing the “Rocket Man’s” excitement to return to the Series that sent his career into liftoff, though.

“It feels good,” Richards said. “Obviously, I’ve spent most of my career on the Outlaws side and had success on the [Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series] side, and I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do next year, and Boom came along and offered me a ride.

“There’s still a lot of things in motion right now, and a lot of things are up in the air. But I’m excited about the opportunity.”

His return pits him against the team he helped built – also owned by his father Mark Richards – on the track and in the record books. Richards currently holds the most wins with 78, while Brandon Sheppard in the Rocket1 Racing car is a step behind him with 77 wins. The two drivers are also tied for the most Series titles (4). And while some have their eye on who will come out on top in 2022, Richards isn’t one of them.

“Everyone’s up looking at numbers and statistics and things, but that’s the least of my worries right now; we’re just trying to get to the track,” Richards said. “Boom and Steve Briggs both have been phenomenal, and we’ve been able to find a little sponsor help, but it’s all a work in progress. We have only one crew guy and one truck and trailer to run two teams.

“We don’t really have expectations. I know what I’m capable of, it’s just a matter of getting the team and equipment there, and it’s all going to be a work in progress. We’re starting from ground zero, but we’ve had a few guys, P&W Sales, Excess Storage, Mike Tucker, some guys that have come to help out, and it’s been great. We’re probably six months behind on preparation, but we’ll get there.”

There’s also nothing but respect between Richards and Sheppard, on and off the track.

“We don’t have any rivalry at all,” Richards said. “Brandon is phenomenal, and he’s super cool, and we get along really well. He’s racing for a team that I helped build for my whole career, so I feel like even with his success, I’ve been a part of that. He’s done a phenomenal job and settled in really well. That team is tough, and they can put up some big numbers.”

As “The Rocket Man’s” newly formed team prepares to compete against a stout 2022 field of Outlaw drivers, he stated he’s excited about the number of new tracks next season—something that’s different from the last few years of his career.  

“I’m always excited to go to new tracks,” Richards said. “That’s one thing the last couple years with the Lucas side, we’ve gone to some new places, but we’ve gone to the same places over and over again. As a racer, you always want to see new things and new places.”

World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars and World of Outlaws Late Models join to race April 28-30 at dirt-covered Bristol Motor Speedway

BRISTOL, TN – December 13, 2021 – The Greatest Show on Dirt and The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet are set to invade the dirt-covered Bristol Motor Speedway for a bash like no other, April 28-30. And tickets are on sale now for you to see this historic event.

GET TICKETS NOW AT BristolMotorSpeedway.com

For the first time in history, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars and World of Outlaws Late Models will come together to race on the same weekend at the “Last Great Colosseum” for three nights of can’t miss action.

It’s the second consecutive year both series will venture to the iconic Tennessee track after the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars returned for the first time in 20 years and the World of Outlaws Late Models made their debut this year. However, in 2022, it’ll be the first time the two premier dirt racing series make for a mega weekend, bringing together a plethora of superstars like three-time and defending Sprint Car champion Brad Sweet, four-time and defending Late Model champion Brandon Sheppard, 10-time Sprint Car champion Donny Schatz and many more.

“Bringing the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and the World of Outlaws Late Models together at Bristol Motor Speedway will be a phenomenal event,” World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter said. “The best drivers in the world racing at one of the most iconic short tracks in the world, it’s what the fans asked for and we’re proud to make it happen.”

David Gravel, who chased Brad Sweet all the way to the final checkered flag in 2021, was the class of the field in his April Bristol debut, sweeping the weekend for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars. He’ll return with his Big Game Motorsports team in 2022 to defend those victories and pick up two more famed gladiator sword trophies.

Four-time World of Outlaws Late Model champion Josh Richards and eight-time World of Outlaws Late Model winner Devin Moran split the Late Model Bristol Bash victories this year. Both will go into 2022 with the chance to make history and be the first repeat Late Model winner, or rising Series stars Ryan Gustin and 2021 Rookie of the Year Tyler Bruening could find themselves having a career moment.

It all sets up another exciting weekend that will be etched in the memories of those who attend. Make sure to reserve your camping and get your tickets now for the 2022 World of Outlaws Bristol Bash. The three-day reserve combo ticket is $90 for adults – $120 for Flag Stand Reserve seats (by the start/finish line) – and only $20 for kids 12 and under – $25 for reserve. Seats are for the front stretch only. All other ticket, parking and camping information can be found at BristolMotorSpeedway.com or contact the track at 866-415-4158.

INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 12) — Third-generation drag racer Paige Coughlin is making a dramatic step in 2022, trading in the Super Comp dragster she’s been competing in for the last few years for a ’92 ProCharger Chevrolet Camaro. The college-aged daughter of three-time Pro Mod world champion Troy Coughlin will be vying for wins and national prestige on Discovery Channel’s “Street Outlaws No Prep Kings” television program, the latest series in a line of extremely-popular drag-racing-centric reality shows. “It’s something totally different,” Paige said, “something that looks like a lot of fun, something that’s very competitive, and something no Coughlin family member has ever tried before. “There were 15 races in 2021 and there may be even more next year. They’ll take place all around the country on drag strips where absolutely no preparation of any kind will be allowed. You’re driving these super high-powered racecars capable of covering the eighth-mile in well under four seconds with basically no traction. It can be really wild.”

Competing drivers can earn points at each event on the schedule with a “No Prep King” crowned at the conclusion of the season. Drivers must be invited to each race, where they will vie to make a 32-car field. Points are awarded as follows: Show up 5 points, first-round win 10 points, second-round win 15 points, third-round win 20 points, fourth-round win 25 points, and win race 30 points. “They have a ‘Future Class’ where the show’s producers can see up-and-coming drivers and how they handle themselves in the pits, dealing and interacting with other racers and, of course, running down the strip,” Paige said. “We’ve been working hard to prepare for everything.” Despite the show’s name, there are a growing number of female racers joining the fray. Lizzy Musi has become a star on the series and Kayla Morton is earning her place as well.

Longtime “Street Outlaws” like Ryan Martin, Big Chief, Kye Kelley, Scott Taylor, Axman, Farmtruck, Azn, Jeff Lutz, Birdman, Daddy Dave, Reaper and Monza also star in the series, where talking a big game can be every bit as important as winning a race. “I’m just gonna be myself for the most part,” Paige said. “The biggest change will be saying what’s on my mind out loud instead of keeping it inside. It’s drag racing but it’s also a TV show that millions of people watch, so we need to make our mark. It’s also a great way for JEGS to reach an audience we don’t always touch with traditional racing. Most people watching these kinds of shows are interested in high-performance parts and we have them all at JEGS. I can hammer that point home by doing well.”

–30–

About JEGS AutomotiveJEGS Automotive is a worldwide e-commerce leader in the mail-order, high-performance auto parts business, offering more than 1M individual items for purchase. Founded in 1960 by drag racing legend Jeg Coughlin Sr., JEGS remains family-owned to this day with brothers John, Troy Sr., Mike and Jeg Jr. in charge. The company’s corporate headquarters, massive 225,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center, state-of-the-art call centers, the family’s classic car and truck collection, Team JEGS’ research and development facility and the offices of the JEGS Foundation are all located in Delaware, Ohio. For more information, call 800-345-4545 or visit www.JEGS.com.

Industry Leader to Begin Sanctioning Midget and Non-Wing Series in 2022

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – December 11, 2021 – World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter delivered groundbreaking news Saturday afternoon at the Performance Racing Industry show in Indianapolis.

The company known as the global leader in dirt track racing — home to the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars, World of Outlaws Late Models, Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds, DIRTcar Racing, and more — will expand in 2022 with the addition of Midgets and Non-Wing Sprint Cars.

Officially, the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series and Xtreme Outlaw Sprint Car Series have arrived.

Each Series will feature a 10-15 race schedule with a combined point fund approaching $100,000 available in year one with plans to only grow bigger. Long term goals center around increasing fan interaction and engagement and building the brand awareness for the sport of non-wing racing, as part of that every event will be streamed LIVE on DIRTVision as part of the ever-popular FAST PASS.

“I have always been a huge fan of this type of racing, and I believe World Racing Group can contribute to the future success of these classes,” WRG CEO Brian Carter said. “There’s no denying how spectacular Midget and Non-Wing Sprint Car racing is, and we want to bring it to more people. Working in conjunction with POWRi and USAC to the extent possible and combining World Racing Group’s already established resources will allow us to expand the sport and provide more entertainment for our fans.”

Added to the annual DIRTcar Nationals, the Xtreme Outlaw Sprint Cars will debut at Volusia Speedway Park on Monday & Tuesday, Feb. 14-15, in Barberville, FL. The non-wing heroes will compete in a $5,000-to-win show on Monday and go out with a bang racing for $10,000-to-win on Tuesday night.

During the inaugural campaign, several events for both Series will be held in conjunction with an already established World of Outlaws Sprint Car or Late Model race. For example, the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets will be added to the already prestigious Ironman 55 at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5-6 in Pevely, MO.

For World Racing Group, this creation returns the organization to its roots. When Ted Johnson founded the World of Outlaws in 1978, they first raced without wings atop Sprint Cars. The Greatest Show on Dirt became wings only in 1982 and never looked back, that is until today’s industry-changing news in 2021.

The newly created Series will be guided by Casey Shuman, a veteran Sprint/Midget racer who continues to serve his fourth year as the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Director.

“I’m beyond thrilled to get this adventure going in 2022,” Shuman said. “With the resources we have here at World Racing Group and the people we have lined up, I think we can build something great here. The Midget and Non-Wing community offers some of the most exciting racing in all of the world and we want to increase the awareness and exposure.”

A full schedule, complete points fund, race payout, and more information will be announced as the New Year commences and the first-ever Xtreme Outlaw season approaches.

For future Xtreme Outlaw news you can visit XtremeOutlawSeries.com, follow @Xtreme_Outlaw on Twitter, or like Xtreme Outlaw Series on Facebook.

12/11/21) Sacramento, CA … The West Coast’s premier 410 sprint car series is going to be busy in 2022.

The Northern Auto Racing Club has finalized a 27-race schedule that will visit 13 different facilities across California, Oregon and Washington. The amount of planned events tops last year’s mark by seven.

The racing will bloom to life at the dawn of spring on the first weekend in April with a trip to The Stockton Dirt Track on Saturday, April 2nd. The $6000 to win opening race has been coined “The Duel at The Dirt Track” and will also feature a pit crew competition. It’ll mark the first of four NARC appearances at Stockton in 2022.

Fan Favorites

Though it’s only heading into its eighth edition, the Peter Murphy Classic has already blossomed into one of the most anticipated events of the NARC calendar, and Murphy is ensuring the two-night show is even bigger in 2022.

NARC has expanded its involvement to both nights of the Peter Murphy Classic with the opener set for May 13th at Tulare’s Thunderbowl Raceway, and the $11,000 to win finale making the move to Hanford’s Keller Auto Speedway on May 14th. Both nights will also feature the Sprint Car Challenge Tour 360’s.

The lucrative Howard Kaeding Classic will be on July 15th and 16th at Watsonville’s Ocean Speedway with the NARC portion on the latter. Per usual, the after party will take place once racing wraps up on night one, and the HK luncheon will be on Saturday afternoon.

The popular Louie Vermeil Classic is currently in search of a 2022 location as Calistoga Speedway continues to be mired in a collection of bureaucratic issues involving the fairground property.  When a new venue is found for the Labor Day Weekend (September 3-4) tradition, details will be announced.

Speedweek Finds a New Home

The Fastest Four Days in Motorsports returns in 2022 but with a change of scenery. For the first time since 2012, the series will travel to the Pacific Northwest for four straight nights of racing in both Oregon and Washington on Memorial Day Weekend.

The action will begin on Thursday, May 26th at Southern Oregon Speedway. The next night takes the teams up to Willamette Speedway on Friday, May 27th. A double header at Elma, Washington’s Grays Harbor Raceway on Saturday and Sunday will punctuate the four-day blitz on May 28th and 29th.  Each race pays $5000 to win and there will be a special bonus for any driver and team who can sweep all four shows.

Dirt Cup

The Fastest Four Days in Motorsports won’t be the only trip north in 2022.

NARC is set to support the 50th edition of the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup at Washington’s Skagit Speedway. The three-night event is slated for June 23rd, 24th and 25th with the finale awarding a whopping $50,000 to the winner. The purse for the Saturday main event also exceeds $160,000.

The Dirt Cup will also be preceded by a pair of events the previous weekend. Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway will begin The Road to Dirt Cup on Friday, June 17th, and the next night, June 18th, it’s back up to Oregon for the “Battle at The Bullring” hosted by Cottage Grove Speedway.

California Mainstays

The racing tradition of California runs deep, and a few events continuing through their fourth decade of existence occupy a trio of dates on the schedule.

A single weekend in June will feature two coveted staples of the left-coast racing circuit. On Friday, June 10th Ocean Speedway will be the site of the 36th annual Pombo-Sargent Classic. Then the series will head from the coast to the Sierra Nevada foothills on Saturday, June 11th where Placerville Speedway will host the 31st Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial Race.

The series also will visit Petaluma Speedway and the Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway this season.

The season finale will be another historic event with the 39th annual Tribute to Gary Patterson capping the year on November 5th at The Stockton Dirt Track.

New but Notable

A few events are still in their infant stages but will continue to cement their spots as must-see, yearly races in 2022.

The second edition of the Anthony Simone Classic will be held at Keller Auto Speedway on April 9th and again pay $10,000 to the winner. It will also showcase a NARC wingless event for anyone who may want to demonstrate their versatility.

Hanford will also host the third annual Morrie Williams Memorial on October 15th that will conclude with a pair of 20-lap NARC features, the second being lined up on a complete invert of the first’s finish.  This lucrative event continues to grow in stature and popularity every year.

To celebrate one of the most successful sprint car owners of California, the first ever Dennis Roth Classic will take place at the Thunderbowl Raceway on October 8th. Fittingly, the feature will pay $8,300 to win and $830 to start to commemorate his famous number 83 race cars.

April Can’t Come Soon Enough

The heavy schedule should help create another memorable season for the historic sanctioning body as the 2022 calendar inches toward that of the series heyday in the 1990s.

Throw in a crop of the West Coast’s best drivers, and each and every night on the 27-race calendar is sure to be can’t miss as those gassers aim to cement their place in history with a NARC championship.

Schedules can be downloaded, and additional information can be found at NARC410.com. For more information, call 714-397-7417.

A separate announcement on series sponsors and the championship point fund will be released in the weeks to come.

If you can’t make it to any of the races during the 2022 campaign, catch them all live on Floracing.com!

NARC FUJITSU GENERAL USA SPRINT CARS 2022 SCHEDULE

April 2: The Stockton Dirt Track (Stockton, CA) – The Duel at The Dirt Track w/ Pit Crew Competition

April 9: Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford, CA) – Anthony Simone Classic

April 30: Silver Dollar Speedway (Chico, CA) – David Tarter Memorial

May 13: Thunderbowl Raceway w/SCCT (Tulare, CA) – Peter Murphy Classic Night One

May 14: Keller Auto Speedway w/SCCT (Hanford, CA) – Peter Murphy Classic Night Two

May 21: Petaluma Speedway (Petaluma, CA) – Salute to First Responders

May 26: Southern Oregon Speedway (Central Point, OR) – Fastest Four Days in Motorsports

May 27: Willamette Speedway (Lebanon, OR) – Fastest Four Days in Motorsports

May 28: Grays Harbor Raceway (Elma, WA) – Fastest Four Days in Motorsports

May 29: Grays Harbor Raceway (Elma, WA) – Fastest Four Days in Motorsports

June 10: Ocean Speedway (Watsonville, CA) – 36th Annual Pombo-Sargent Classic

June 11: Placerville Speedway w/SCCT (Placerville, CA) – 31st Annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial Race

June 17: Silver Dollar Speedway (Chico, CA) – The Road to Dirt Cup

June 18: Cottage Grove Speedway (Cottage Grove, OR) – The Battle at the Bullring

June 23: Skagit Speedway (Burlington, WA) – 50th Annual Jim Raper Dirt Cup

June 24: Skagit Speedway (Burlington, WA) – 50th Annual Jim Raper Dirt Cup

June 25: Skagit Speedway (Burlington, WA) – $50,000 to win 50th Annual Jim Raper Dirt Cup Finale

July 9: Petaluma Speedway (Petaluma, CA) – Salute to Baylands Raceway Park

July 16: Ocean Speedway (Watsonville, CA) – 12th Annual Howard Kaeding Classic

July 23: The Stockton Dirt Track (Stockton, CA) – Salute to LeRoy Van Conett

August 27: The Stockton Dirt Track (Stockton, CA) – Champions Classic

September 3 – Louie Vermeil Classic w/USAC-CRA – Track To be Announced

September 4 – Louie Vermeil Classic w/USAC-CRA – Track to be Announced

October 8: Keller Auto Speedway w/SCCT (Hanford, CA) – Morrie Williams Memorial (Twin 20-lap Features)

October 15: Thunderbowl Raceway (Tulare, CA) – Dennis Roth Classic

October 29: The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park (Bakersfield, CA) – Sprint Car Showdown

November 5: The Stockton Dirt Track w/SCCT (Stockton, CA) – 39th Annual Tribute to Gary Patterson

CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS CELEBRATION:  November 6:  Brookside Country Club (Stockton, CA)

December 10, 2021 Jim Allen

(12/9/2021 – Alex Nieten) Sacramento, CA… After the disappointment of 2020’s pandemic shortened season, the NARC King of the West Fujitsu General USA Sprint Cars resurged in 2021 with a 21-race schedule that was punctuated with the crowning of a new champion.

The first quarter of the campaign offered a good indicator of how the year would ultimately play out.

The four who would prove to be the strongest competitors of the full-time roster all delivered strong starts to the season. D.J. Netto began his title defense by dominating the season opener at The Stockton Dirt Track and followed it with top-10s in the next four races.

Dominic Scelzi scored the year’s second event by claiming the Peter Murphy Classic and the $11,000 check that went with it. Outside of a DNF at Ocean Speedway, Scelzi finished no worse than fifth in the opening five events and picked up his second victory at the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial Race.

Though he didn’t win a race in the opening fourth of the season, Bud Kaeding’s consistency led him to the best overall start of any driver. Through five races the 2017 series champion had tallied a pair of podiums, four top-fives and an average finish of fourth.

Bud’s brother, Tim Kaeding started the year with four consecutive top-10s including a win in Ocean Speedway’s Pombo-Sargent Classic, his 70th career NARC victory. TK’s win made it so a “Kaeding” owns a win in all five decades of the Pombo-Sargent Classic’s history.

As July’s four races unfolded those same four drivers continued to jockey at the top of the point standings.

Bud Kaeding went from unshakeable consistency to feast or famine in the next four races with finishes of 3rd, 18th, 6th, and 17th. Tim Kaeding picked up another win at Petaluma Speedway but followed it with a DNF the next weekend in Watsonville. The two-time series champ recovered during the following week’s double header at Tulare and Santa Maria with two top-10s which would kickstart what became his best stretch of the season. Netto collected a trio of top-10s but had to settle for 13th in Watsonville after an incident. Scelzi also had issues at Ocean Speedway but bounced back the next week with a win at Tulare, the start of a historic podium streak for the Fresno racer.

Over that same stretch of races, Sean Becker earned his first NARC victory in seven years by taking the checkered flag at the Howard Kaeding Classic. The month’s final event at Santa Maria Raceway saw Billy Aton snag his first career series victory.

The Fastest Four Days in Motorsports ushered in the second half of the campaign and began with the new pairing of Justin Sanders and Paul Silva in the Works Limited No. 57 winning at Merced Speedway. The next night Mitchell Faccinto earned his first series victory since 2018 at Ocean Speedway, and Dominic Scelzi and Justin Sanders capped the Speedweek with triumphs at Stockton and Petaluma. Scelzi earned the points title for the FFDM with podiums each night, stretching his top-three streak to six and widening his points lead. Colby Copeland, in the Vanlare machine with help from Larry Antaya, came home second in the FFDM standings by finishing no worse than 8th in any race.

Scelzi and Sanders split the two nights of the Louie Vermeil Classic, making it four wins in a row for the duo. Scelzi’s 3rd place result on night two brought his podium streak to eight in a row as he continued to near his first title. Meanwhile, Tim Kaeding earned his 7th & 8th straight top-10s at The Louie as he continued to climb toward the battle for runner-up in points while Netto and Bud Kaeding struggled with incidents.

September concluded with 15-year-old Corey Day earning his first series victory at the same track his father, Ronnie Day, scored his final one, Hanford’s Keller Auto Speedway. Scelzi’s podium run was snapped but only by a single spot as he finished fourth.

October opened with the twin-20 lap features at the Morrie Williams Memorial in Hanford where Scelzi earned his career-best sixth win of the year. The second main event produced a first-time winner as Mitchel Moles wheeled the Roth Motorsports machine from 11th to the front. Tim Kaeding stretched his top-10 roll to 11 straight with an 8th and a 3rd in the pair of features.

A few weeks later the series made their third consecutive trip to Keller Auto Speedway for the first ever Anthony Simone Classic. Shane Golobic took his first trip to victory lane of the season after a mid-race pass on Sean Becker to claim the $10,000 prize. Following the A-main, a handful of drivers took their wings off to compete in a special race honoring the versatile Anthony Simone. The recently crowned All-Star Circuit of Champions titlist, Tyler Courtney, came out on top after the 15-laps to become the first NARC non-wing winner since 1985.

The next night at The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park, Scelzi and Sanders resumed their dominance of the year’s second half by finishing one-two with Sanders collecting his fifth checkered flag of 2021 and fourth in eleven starts in the No. 57.

The season concluded with Corey Day becoming the first driver since Gio Scelzi in 2017 to earn their first and second career NARC wins in the same season by claiming the 38th Annual Tribute to Gary Patterson at The Stockton Dirt Track. Dominic Scelzi wrapped up the championship by merely completing his qualifying run as he had built such a large points lead that he only needed to earn show-up points the final night to clinch his first title. Scelzi became the 28th different champion in NARC history.

D.J. Netto passed Sean Becker with only two laps to go in the season finale to give himself a one-point advantage over Tim Kaeding and claim second in points. TK took third while Bud Kaeding and Sean Becker completed the top-five in the standings. Billy Aton finished sixth and earned Rookie of the Year honors. Sean Watts, Justin Sanders, Shane Golobic and Joel Myers Jr. rounded out the top-10.

Overall, the season saw 10 different winners over the 21 Fujitsu Features. Dominic Scelzi tallied the most victories with six while Justin Sanders settled for second with five. Tim Kaeding and Corey Day earned a pair of wins apiece, and six drivers claimed a single triumph. 2021 produced three first-time series winners, the most since four in 2017.

Justin Sanders topped the Hoosier Tire Laps Led category by pacing a whopping 138 circuits. Eleven different drivers earned ARP Fast Time honors over the course of the year with Sanders and D.J. Netto tying for the most with three apiece. Dominic Scelzi won the most Brown and Miller Racing Solutions Heat Races with seven. Scelzi and Sanders each collected 36 pounds of bacon with their series-leading four victories in the Sunnyvalley Bacon Trophy Dash. Billy Aton drove by 104 cars in feature competition to top the Swift Metal Finishing Most Cars Passed category.

2021 NARC KING OF THE WEST FUJITSU GENERAL RACING SERIES RACE RESULTS

March 20 – The Stockton Dirt Track – Salute to LeRoy Van Conett – (DJ Netto, Netto Ag 88N)
May 15 – Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway – Peter Murphy Classic – (Dominic Scelzi, Scelzi Enterprises 41)
May 22 – Petaluma Speedway – Salute To First Responders – (Justin Sanders, Antaya Motorports 16A)
June 11 – Ocean Speedway – 35th Annual Pombo-Sargent Classic – (Tim Kaeding, Bates/Hamilton 42x)
June 12 – Placerville Speedway w/SCCT – 30th Annual Dave Bradway Jr. Race – (Dominic Scelzi, Scelzi Enterprises 41)
July 10 – Petaluma Speedway – Salute to Baylands Raceway Park (Tim Kaeding, Bates/Hamilton 42x)
July 17 – Ocean Speedway – 11th Annual Howard Kaeding Classic (Sean Becker, David Vertullo 83V)
July 23 – Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway – Chris & Brian Faria Memorial (Dominic Scelzi, Scelzi Enterprises 41)
July 24 – Santa Maria Raceway – Winged Madness (Billy Aton, Aton 26)
“Fastest FOUR Days in Motorsports”
August 26 – Merced Speedway – Thursday Night Thunder (Justin Sanders, Works Limited 57)
August 27 – Ocean Speedway – Friday Night Showdown (Mitchell Faccinto, Greenberg 37)
August 28 – The Stockton Dirt Track – Champions Classic (Dominic Scelzi, Scelzi Enterprises 41)
August 29 – Petaluma Speedway – The Four Day Finale (Justin Sanders, Works Limited 57)

September 4 – Silver Dollar Speedway (Chico) w/USAC-CRA – Louie Vermeil Classic (Dominic Scelzi, Scelzi Enterprises 41)
September 5 – Silver Dollar Speedway (Chico) w/USAC-CRA – Louie Vermeil Classic (Justin Sanders, Works Limited 57)
September 25 – Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford) – Jim Turner Memorial (Corey Day, Meyers Construction 14)
October 9 – Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford) – Morrie Williams Legends Tribute – Twin 20’s (Dominic Scelzi, Scelzi Enterprises 41 & Mitchel Moles, Roth Motorsports 83JR)
October 29 – Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford) – $10,000 to win Anthony Simone Classic (Shane Golobic, Matt Wood Racing 41 & (non-wing) Tyler Courtney, Roth Motorsports 83JR)
October 30 – The Dirt Track at Kern Country Raceway Park (Justin Sanders, Works Unlimited 57)
November 6 – The Stockton Dirt Track w/SCCT – 38th Annual Tribute to Gary Patterson (Corey Day, Meyers Construction 14)

Two-Time Former NHRA World Champion Will Prep Camaro for Camrie Caruso

          INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Third generation drag racer Camrie Caruso’s bid to shake up NHRA Pro Stock racing as just the second woman to race for the season championship got a big boost Friday with the announcement that Jim Yates will serve as crew chief on the 2022 Caruso Family Racing Camaro in which she will debut next February at the Lucas Oil Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.

          “I am thrilled to have Jim Yates as my crew chief for my rookie season,” said Caruso. “We have a strong team and Jim’s years of experience will only make us stronger. Having a crew chief that has driven as well as tuned these race cars is a huge advantage and one that I am looking forward to taking full advantage of starting at the Winternationals.”

          Yates, 68, is a two-time former NHRA Pro Stock World Champion (1996 and 1997) who made a virtually seamless transition from driver to crew chief after selling his auto parts business in 2000 and climbing out of the cockpit for the last time in 2009.

          “I want to bring my knowledge and experience to this team to make them the best they can be, said Yates. “I have worked with a variety of drivers with differing experience levels and it helps to have that background. Working with that variety of drivers and also having the experience with a diverse number of power packages is really important to a start-up team in my opinion.”

          During a 20-year driving career, Yates won 25 NHRA tour events and was runner-up in 33 others. A graduate of the University of Maryland, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering, he proved himself to be as adept in business as in motor sports, building Yates Auto Parts into an enterprise with 23 stores in and around Washington, D.C., supplied by their own warehouse.

          After disbanding his own team, he worked with Johnny and Shane Gray. During Shane’s rookie season Yates directed the two-car operation that finished fourth in the Pro Stock point standings and won the final race of the season. The Gray Motorsports operation would go on to win the championship in 2018.

          Significantly, four of the 500 cubic inch Gray Motorsports engines, refurbished and now maintained by Eric Latino’s Titan Racing Engines in Denver, N.C., will provide the power for Caruso’s Denver, N.C.-based, Jerry Haas-built Camaro.

          The 23-year-old Pro Stock rookie, daughter of former Pro Modified racer Marc Caruso and granddaughter of “Papa Joe” Caruso, who raced in Super Gas, Top Sportsman and Pro Mod, brings much more to the competitive table than just a great racing pedigree. 

          “If you look at how there are so many young drivers in Pro Stock, I am really excited about the future with Camrie,” added Yates. “You need personality, a good attitude and ability to drive one of these cars and Camrie brings all those things to the party in aces. I am excited to be involved with a driver like that who has her family behind her 100 percent.” 

          Caruso began driving in the NHRA Jr. Dragster League before attending Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School and earning her Super Comp license.  She has continued to move up through the NHRA competition classes for over a decade. After three years of competing in the 8.90 index class, she went back to Frank Hawley and obtained her Top Dragster license, successfully competing in both PDRA and NHRA for three years.

          In 2019 Camrie landed a seat with the championship Top Alcohol Dragster team of Randy Meyer Racing. In her second start in Top Alcohol Dragster at the famed Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Caruso qualified second and captured her first TAD win. She advanced from Top Alcohol Dragster, then to Elite Top Dragster and Pro Outlaw 632 on the PDRA circuit. The team’s 632 car was a naturally aspirated, clutch-equipped former Mountain Motor Pro Stock GXP that is very similar to an NHRA Pro Stock car.

          Thereafter, she raced in Top Dragster and, most recently, in Pro Outlaw 632 on the PDRA circuit. The team’s 632 car was a naturally-aspirated, clutch-equipped Pontiac GXP strikingly similar to a current NHRA Pro Stock car.  

          “I feel like I’ll get up to speed pretty quickly,” Caruso said of her Pro Stock comfort level. “If it wasn’t for the 632 car, I might not feel the same way. I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what to expect.”

DETROIT (December 10, 2021) – Corvette Racing will enter two Chevrolet Corvette C8.Rs for the 2022 Rolex 24 At Daytona in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s new GT Daytona (GTD) PRO category.

For the Rolex 24, Marco Sorensen will join the driving roster and share the No. 4 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Corvette with Tommy Milner and Nick Tandy, who will race at Daytona ahead of their full program in the FIA World Endurance Championship. As previously announced, Antonio Garcia, Jordan Taylor and Nicky Catsburg will pilot the No. 3 Corvette as they go for their second straight class victory at Daytona to start another full-season push for an IMSA championship. The 31-year-old Sorensen has competed at the highest levels of GT racing with two titles in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s GTE Pro category to his credit. He also placed third in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2020 and was the fastest GTE Pro qualifier in 2019. The appearance in the Rolex 24 will be Sorensen’s second in the race and in the WeatherTech Championship. He raced in the GTD category in 2017 and was third in qualifying for the race. Sorensen also has a strong background in single-seater racing with victories in GP2, Formula Renault 3.5 and the German F3 series. Corvette Racing returns to the Daytona after a 1-2 finish in 2021 for the mid-engine Corvette C8.R as part of the GT Le Mans (GTLM) category, which ended at the end of the 2021 season. The GTD-PRO Corvette C8.R will look similar to the GTLM trim. A revised wing profile will mean a slightly different level of downforce at the rear of the Corvette. The C8.R will run on customer Michelin tires, per GTD regulations. Under the skin, the GTD-PRO Corvette will retain the same 5.5-liter, flat-plane V8 with a slightly decreased power output over the GTLM rules package. An anti-lock braking system (ABS), tested by Corvette Racing at Belle Isle’s race in June, also will be featured on the IMSA C8.R along with other driver aids that are mandated by the class regulations. Corvette Racing will open the 2022 season with the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 27-31 from Daytona International Speedway. The week prior, the team will participate in the three-day Roar Before the 24, which will include a 100-minute qualifying race to set the grid for the Rolex 24.

MARCO SORENSEN, NO. 4 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “I’m super happy to join Corvette Racing. It’s a great opportunity for me personally to be with this team and try to achieve together the result that everyone is wanting – that’s of course winning! I love the mentality of Corvette Racing. It has a great car and from what I know, there are some really great people that I will team up with. So I’m really looking forward to this. Corvette Racing has always been a standout team to me because of the way they go racing. They go race and they race hard. They have been around for a very long time so to have the opportunity to go with the team to Daytona is a great one.”

12/10/21) Sacramento, CA … In the continuing effort to unify basic sprint car rules on the West Coast and nationally, the Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC) and Hoosier Racing Tires announced a new tire rule for the 2022 season.

Beginning with the April 2^nd NARC King of the West 410 season opener at the Stockton Dirt Track, sprint car teams will be allowed to run the Hoosier H15 right rear & H12 left rear tire. This move now mirrors the World of Outlaws rulebook.

The NARC series has implemented the Hoosier HTW right rear and RD12 left tire rule for several seasons. Race teams will now have until June 1, 2022, to burn off any existing HTW/RD inventory. At that point, the H15 and H12 tires will become mandatory.

“With supply chain issues, the timing was perfect for such a rule change and allows local teams to support other racing series when they visit California,” said Neal Cowman, Hoosier Tire’s Oval Dirt Track Business Unit Manager.

Winged sprint car series such as the Sprint Car Challenge 360 Tour and the Kings of Thunder, along with local dirt tracks on the schedule are also planning to adopt the same tire rule.

For additional information regarding Hoosier Racing Tire and technical questions please contact Hoosier Tire West at Hoosier Tire West, 2608 E. California, Fresno, CA  93721.  The phone number is 559-485-4612

The 2022 NARC sprint car schedule will be released shortly.  For more information, go to www.NARC410, or call 714-397-7417.

Boom Briggs teaming up with winningest driver in Series history for run at the championshipCONCORD, NC – December 9, 2021 – The most-accomplished driver in World of Outlaws Late Model Series history is coming home.Four-time Series champion Josh Richards returns to the World of Outlaws Late Models in 2022, behind the wheel of a second car owned by fan favorite Boom Briggs.  Richards and Briggs are the first two drivers to sign Platinum agreements for the 2022 season with the help of four new sponsors that make the two-car team possible.   Joining the Briggs Transport team’s growing list of sponsors are Excess Storage out of Sterling, Ontario, Canada; P&W Sales from Longview, TX; Mike Tucker from Las Vegas, NV; and Trans 58 from Edinboro, PA. Briggs is continuing to seek sponsorship for the new tandem to be championship contenders.   “We have secured some sponsorship and are very grateful for it, but we are still looking for more partners,” Briggs said. “The Briggs Transport Family plans on putting a team together for Josh to contend for a championship in 2022.”  Those sponsors add to the team’s list of partners, including Meridien Hardwoods, CJ Auto Transport, Briggs Transport, Penske Racing Shocks, Clements Engines, Rocket Chassis, Valvoline, and Corry Rubber Corporation. Along with Richards’ four Series championships, he also has more wins than any other driver in history, earning his 78th World of Outlaws Late Model Series victory in April when he found Victory Lane during Friday’s portion of the Bristol Bash. He’ll battle four-time and reigning Series champion Brandon Sheppard on his quest for a fifth title and try to keep “The Rocket Shepp” from passing him for most wins all-time.  Richards and his championship rivals kick off the season on Jan. 20-22 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL, as the main attraction of Sunshine Nationals.  Sunshine Nationals Tickets: CLICK HERE If you can’t make it to the event, watch live on DIRTVision – available either online or through the DIRTVision App.

The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings® Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, MSD, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award), and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Capital Race Cars, FireAde, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, and Rocket Chassis.

Top 12 full-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car and Late Model finishers in each Feature bank bonus money

CONCORD, NC – December 9, 2021 – World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series teams are set to benefit from the biggest paydays in the history of both series with the addition of a nearly million-dollar payout bonus in 2022.

The top 12 highest finishing full-time drivers in every 2022 Feature event, for both series, will receive a bonus in addition to the already posted prize money and year-end points funds. All full-time teams will be eligible for the bonus, which will be paid monthly in exchange for increased fan interaction and promotion of each series.

“We have the greatest fans in the world, and I couldn’t be more excited to present this bonus for full-time teams to ensure our loyal fans see the best drivers and teams in the world every race,” said World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter. “Their dedication in both series has truly made the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and Late Models The Greatest Shows on Dirt.”

The bonus will go into effect at the beginning of both series’ first 2022 event. In every World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series event, the highest finishing full-time driver — no matter the finishing position in the Feature — will earn a $1,000 bonus. The fifth through 12th highest full-time finishers will earn a $500 bonus, meaning at minimum a full-time Sprint Car competitor could accumulate bonus money in excess of $40,000 throughout the 80-plus race season and a full-time Late Model competitor could accumulate bonus money in excess of $25,000 throughout the 50-plus race season.

The extra payout comes on top of the announcements that the World of Outlaws Sprint Car and World of Outlaws Late Model overall points funds had been increased for 2022, as well. In 2022 there will be a million-dollar points fund for the Sprint Car Series and a more than $500,000 points fund for the Late Model Series. The Sprint Car champion will now receive $200,000 for winning the championship and the Late Model champion will receive $125,000.

Volusia Speedway Park will host the 2022 season openers for both series. The World of Outlaws Late Models will kick off their tour Jan. 20-22 during the Sunshine Nationals. Then, the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars will venture to The World’s Fastest Half-Mile, Feb. 10-12, to commence its season during the DIRTcar Nationals.

For tickets to both World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car and World of Outlaws Late Model events go to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix.