Feger posts third runner-up in six races, Blight nails best career finish in third

MOBERLY, MO (June 20, 2023) – A fast car, a growing lead, and the final laps closing in. Drake Troutman was only moments away from his first career DIRTcar Summer Nationals victory Tuesday night at Moberly Motorsports Park. And then, pop.

The right-rear tire on Troutman’s Wheeler Fleet Solutions, Jay Dickens/Longhorn #7 had blown while entering Turn 3, dramatically slowing him through Turn 4 before the caution was thrown. He pulled behind the wall and into the pit area, and just like that, the 18-year-old Pennsylvanian’s run was over in a matter of seconds.

Outside polesitter Billy Moyer Jr. had been stalking him a handful of car lengths behind, waiting for his opportunity to strike and take the lead back. He inherited the lead under the yellow, fended off a hard-charging Jason Feger, Morgan Bagley and Kye Blight in the closing laps and brought the field back around to the checkers to win his 11th career Hell Tour Feature in the opening race of Week 2.

“Eleven Summer Nationals wins – that’s pretty cool,” Moyer Jr. said. “I’ve been around this a long time and watched a lot of guys who ran a lot of Summer Nationals races and never won more than three or four. So, it’s pretty cool to win 11.”

Back in the pits, Troutman stood by his car, knowing it was fast, despite the bitter outcome.

“That was an upsetting deal, for sure,” he said.

On the other side, Moyer Jr. celebrated his $5,000 victory and recalled the moment when he saw Troutman’s right-rear issue, knowing he was about to be the leader for the final restart.

“My first thought was, ‘Alright, now don’t let anybody behind you get you,’” Moyer Jr. said. “We had a little luck, so we’ll take it.”

Moyer’s run to the checkers started with a run out front for the first 16 circuits of the 30-lap event. Troutman trailed him by only a half-second on average every lap, waiting for Moyer to make a mistake and capitalize.

The two leaders broke away from the pack and soon dipped into lapped traffic, where the gap tightened the most. Troutman ramped-up the banking in Turn 1 with a great burst of speed on Lap 17 and drove right around Moyer Jr. on the top side, sealing the pass down the backstretch.

“We were just kinda riding around there, and if the right opportunity came, we were going to take it,” Troutman said. “[Moyer Jr.] ended up moving down that one trip for the lapper and it just opened up the door for me.”

Though he had just lost the lead, Moyer Jr. had already devised a plan to put himself in a spot to regain it.

“Once [Troutman] got by me, I knew I had a [big gap] on third place – I was just halfway cruising,” Moyer Jr. said. “I was trying to get [Troutman], but I was thinking at that point, it was gonna be hard to pass him. So now, I was trying to make my tires last. And we did, luckily.”

Once he did, there was no stopping Moyer Jr, who cruised to the Week 2 Summer Nationals victory in his first start of the season.

UP NEXT

The DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Models head to the famed Iowa 1/4-mile of Davenport Speedway in Davenport, IA, for a Wednesday night show on June 21. Tickets will available at the gate; streaming is available at DIRTVision.com.

ABBREVIATED RESULTS (view full results)

Feature (30 Laps): 1. 21J-Billy Moyer Jr[2]; 2. 25-Jason Feger[7]; 3. 31AUS-Kye Blight[4]; 4. 42-Chad Finley[9]; 5. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[8]; 6. 15-Clayton Stuckey[6]; 7. 58-Tyler Clem[12]; 8. 4G-Bob Gardner[16]; 9. 22H-Daniel Hilsabeck[17]; 10. 42H-Johnathan Huston[14]; 11. 14X-David Melloway[21]; 12. 50K-Kayden Clatt[13]; 13. 38-Thomas Hunziker[22]; 14. 14M-Morgan Bagley[1]; 15. 7-Drake Troutman[5]; 16. 22R-Will Roland[11]; 17. 21-Billy Moyer Sr[10]; 18. 5-Austin Vincent[15]; 19. 101-Forrest Trent[18]; 20. 30-Mark Voigt[20]; 21. 4D-Doug Tye[19]; 22. 12-Ashton Winger[3]

Beccera Wins First Career Summit Modified Feature at Moberly

Austen Beccera collected his first career DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Feature win Tuesday at Moberly Motorsports Park, surrounded by his family and friends.

Beccera, of Carthage, IL, took the lead on Lap 2 of the Feature and never looked back, denying runner-up Chris Spalding’s early challenge for the lead and running away to bag the $1,500 check. He noted the tough frontrunners he faced in the event and took pride in the triumph over his fellow Illinois/Missouri rivals.

“Michael [Long] is here, Dave [Wietholder] is really fast, [Chris] Spalding has been running pretty good back at our local track – it’s good to have some decent cars here,” Beccera said. “It feels pretty good to get a win.”

UP NEXT

The Summit Modifieds take Wednesday off before returning to action Thursday, June 22 at Spoon River Speedway in Lewistown, IL. Tickets will available at the gate; streaming is available at DIRTVision.com.

ABBREVIATED RESULTS (view full results)

Feature (15 Laps): 1. 22-Austen Becerra[2]; 2. 00S-Chris Spalding[3]; 3. 28-Preston Dawson[5]; 4. 9-Charles Baker[6]; 5. 05-Dave Wietholder[7]; 6. 29-Jace Gay[4]; 7. 18L-Michael Long[1]

OCALA, FL (June 20, 2023) — The R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will be rolling into Summit Equipment Motorsports Park looking to grab one more win light this year. Team owner and driver Josh Hart raced through three rounds at America’s Racetrack and then his momentum was sidelined by a rainstorm before the final. Hart missed picking up his third career Top Fuel win and the young driver used that experience as a motivator moving forward in his career. This weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals, June 23-25, Hart will bring his 12,0000-horsepower R+L Carriers land rocket to the track with his focus on picking up his first win of the season. “We have been making steady progress all season with a new racecar and we have made major strides in the past two races,” said Hart, who has five career final round appearances in Top Fuel. “Getting to the final round in Chicago was big and we lost a close race to my friend Clay Millican. We ran two races in one weekend in Bristol and our R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster made some strong passes. We just need to string four good qualifying runs together and then four good runs on Sunday.” Josh Hart and R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster, photo credit Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery Hart has kept a laser focus on the development of his team since he burst onto the scene during the 2021 NHRA season. Last year was his first full year on tour and this season the young driver who is establishing himself as a leader in the category is finding his way on and off the track. “A lot of people don’t know how much time it takes to run a race team and race competitively,” said Hart, who also owns Burnyzz Speed Shop in Ocala, Florida. “I manage two teams all the time with the assistance of some great teammates. I have my Burnyzz team in Ocala, Florida, and then this R+L Carriers Top Fuel team based out of Brownsburg, Indiana. There are a lot of similarities between the two but there is really no crossover. I think it makes me a better driver when I focus on the task at hand and I am seeing positive results.” Hart’s racing operation is a collaborative effort with veteran crew chief Ron Douglas. The Douglas and Hart combination have built a program that continues to improve race to race. The two soft-spoken racing professionals understand the season is a marathon not a sprint. “Working with Ron Douglas has been a blessing,” said Hart. “He is a tremendous crew chief but more than that he really does a great job running the motorsports operation out of Brownsburg. I knew when I gave him an ownership stake in the team we were going to be together for a long time. I want to win a lot of races with him and he is putting me in a great position to be successful.” This season Hart got off to a slower than expected start, but the team did not panic and over the past five races there has only been one first round exit combined with three final round appearances including but four-wide national events when Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team were competing in the final quad. The race in Chicago was a breakthrough and quick runs in Bristol also have the team eager to get to Norwalk where the track will be quick and conditions should be perfect for great times and speeds. “Norwalk is one of those places you want to put on a good show,” said Hart. “The Bader family pours their hearts into the race and as a competitor you want to give them everything you have because you know how hard they are working. They will have a great crowd and there is an R+L Carriers facility right across the street so we are looking to represent R+L Carriers with a strong performance. The Top Fuel teams will get on the track on Friday for two qualifying runs at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET and they will be back on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to wrap up qualifying. The quickest 16 Top Fuel dragsters will hit the track in head-to-head action on Sunday, June 25, at 11:00 a.m. ET with the race being broadcast nationally on FOX from 4:00-7:00 p.m. ET.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 20, 2023) – Following three straight Miles, Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, now shifts its gears to race four consecutive Half-Miles starting with this weekend’s Mission Lima Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle and Drag Specialties at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, on Saturday, June 24. Reigning Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750) comes in with all the momentum after sweeping the aforementioned Miles. He’s also fully at home at the venue with its trademark pea-gravel cushion, considering he’s not just a five-time winner of the race but also its promoter with wife Nichole. Even with all that considered, Mees isn’t necessarily the overwhelming favorite to win this weekend; several others have a legitimate claim as well. Even as a rookie, Mission SuperTwins points leader Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) looked like the rider to beat pretty much all day here a year ago. In the Main Event, he fought his way up from a bad start to battle for the lead before coming home in second place. And the rider who ultimately beat Daniels was not Mees, but rather Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750). Robinson, who comes in fresh off an ultra-close runner-up result at the DuQuoin Mile, is a two-time winner of the Lima Half-Mile and driven to score his first victory of ‘23. That’s also the case for Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 790 Duke), another two-time winner of the prestigious event. Bauman was as strong as he’s been all season this past weekend and is now primed to capitalize as the season shifts to some tracks well aligned with his strengths. JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750) have all had their moments this season and look to add some more this weekend as the trio headline an extended list of additional podium contenders. Another rider to keep tabs on is the returning Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), who won the Mission Production Twins race aboard the Royal Enfield here in 2021. Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER The hard-won points advantage of defending Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER champ Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) took something of a battering during the recent run of Miles. This didn’t come entirely unexpectedly, and despite the dip, he still managed to weather the storm and continues to stand atop the championship standings. Now he’s poised to strike back. A year ago, the foundations of Kopp’s championship campaign were built on his Half-Mile prowess, reeling in five HM victories in eight attempts. Included in that list of wins was a blowout performance at the Lima Half-Mile, in which he shook free from the pack on the race’s opening lap and never looked back. The riders who joined him on the podium that night will look to make it more of a contest this time around, as both come into the weekend considerably more experienced and in stellar form. Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) is just nine points behind Kopp on the strength of five consecutive podiums, four of which runner-ups. And he’s the opposite of satisfied by that impressive stat considering he’s still seeking his first Progressive AFT victory after multiple near-misses. Even with Kopp’s one-sided victory, the rider who turned the most heads at Lima a year ago was arguably Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), who finished in second while making his series’ debut. The Aussie is a class full-timer now and quickly making his presence felt, notching up a pair of race wins already in ‘23. The rest of the usual suspects should factor up front again this weekend, including the likes of Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F), Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), and Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R). While a bit quiet at the last two rounds, 1st Impressions Husqvarna teammates Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450) and James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450) might just make more noise this weekend. Cose managed to win a Mission Production Twins race and podium in Parts Unlimited AFT Singles at Lima on a single evening back in ‘19, while Ott finished inside the top five here just last year. And don’t rule out a huge night for Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 450 SX-F), who was victorious at Lima in both 2018 and 2019. There will be plenty to keep fans entertained at the track on Saturday as well, including numerous vendors, expansive food and beverage options, and extensive motorcycle parking. Don’t miss your last chance to save $10 per ticket before the sale ends and prices return to normal on Wednesday, June 21. Act fast to get General Admission Bleacher ticketsfor just $30 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult GA ticket). Upgraded options include Reserved Grandstand and Premier Reserved Grandstand tickets along with VIP ticket add-ons. Pit Pass Upgrades are also available for purchase, which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport. Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/meespromotions/events/lima-half-mile-58771 to reserve your seats today. Gates will open for fans at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 6:40 p.m. ET (3:40 p.m. PT). For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv. FOX Sports coverage of the Mission Lima Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle and Drag Specialties, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, July 2, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 p.m. PT). For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

PLAINVIEW, NY (June 20, 2023) — Two weeks ago Justin Ashley turned on every win light available to the third-year pro winning the rescheduled NHRA New England Nationals, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals over a three day stretch at Bristol Dragway. For the second time this season Ashley defended his 2022 victory at a national event going back-to-back in Bristol just like he did earlier this season at the historic NHRA Winternationals. This weekend at the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals, June 23-25, Ashley and his Maynard Ashley Racing Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Okuma will be looking to make it three national event wins in a row.

Justin Ashley with New England Nationals and Thunder Valley Nationals Wallys, photo by gary Nastase. Auto Imagery

“We approach each race with a renewed mindset,” said Ashley, who will also be competing in his fourth Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. “Our Phillips Connect Toyota Racing team accomplished something very special in Bristol. It was important for us to reflect, appreciate and value those victories. But our focus and attention has now shifted to Norwalk. The competition is going to be tough and many teams are hitting their stride. We’re excited for the challenge.”

Summit Motorsports Park, recognized as “America’s Racetrack,” is a fan friendly facility that Ashley would like to build a winning legacy. The past two seasons he has qualified well, starting in the top half twice, but his race days have not been extended efforts.

“Norwalk is an amazing facility and the Bader family does a tremendous job promoting NHRA and their national event,” said Ashley, the 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year. “The stands are always packed with fans eager to watch racing. The full fields will make for an excellent show and varying conditions could create unpredictably. Our Phillips Connect team will be ready.”

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

This season Ashley has won more races already than any previous campaign for the second-generation driver. His four wins have come in his four final round appearances. It has been feast or famine for Ashley since he also have three first round losses and a quarterfinal finish over eight races. The up and down nature of the sport has not phased Ashley how keeps and even keel when he reflects on his season’s progress.

“You look at the competition we are facing every weekend and there are no easy rounds,” said Ashley, who leads the category in reaction time average. “In Bristol there were multi-time Top Fuel champions going into race day deep in the bottom half of the field. That could just as easily be our team any weekend because the margins of success versus failure are so thin out here. Qualifying positions and races are being set by one or two hundredths of a second or even a few thousandths of a second. Every round is a battle.”

Ashley and his newly formed team Maynard Ashley Racing are building a program that will keep the nine-time Top Fuel winner at the top of the category. This weekend Ashley will be recognizing Okuma on his 12,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster along with long-time sponsors KATO Fastening Systems, Strutmasters.com, Lucas Oil, Mac Tools and Toyota. The list of supporters that keep Ashley powering towards win lights continues to grow and the goal of Maynard Ashley Racing is to make sure all the marketing partners get maximum return on and off the track.

“Maynard Ashley Racing is focused on growth, stability, and bringing world-class results to our marketing partners both on and off the racetrack,” said Ashley. “You will start seeing more business-to-business elements coming together as the season progresses and Okuma is a great example of that. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Okuma and I can’t say how excited I am to be working with the Joe, Cathi, Joe C. Maynard, and Eric Lehman.”

This weekend Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Okuma will get four qualifying passes leading up to eliminations on Sunday. In addition to two runs on Friday and Saturday Ashley will be racing for his fourth Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge title which would put another $10,000 and three championships in his pocket. The addition of this specialty program has Ashley and his team thrilled to head into the countdown.

“I love the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge,” said Ashley. “Of course, winning additional prize money is great but collecting championship points is critical. These points could prove to be the difference in seeding once the countdown begins. We want to keep stacking up round wins and championship points.”

Qualifying will begin on Friday, June 23, at 5:30 p.m. ET with final eliminations on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. ET. The race will be broadcast nationally on Sunday, June 25, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

PLAINVIEW, NY (June 20, 2023) — Two weeks ago Justin Ashley turned on every win light available to the third-year pro winning the rescheduled NHRA New England Nationals, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge and the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals over a three day stretch at Bristol Dragway. For the second time this season Ashley defended his 2022 victory at a national event going back-to-back in Bristol just like he did earlier this season at the historic NHRA Winternationals. This weekend at the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals, June 23-25, Ashley and his Maynard Ashley Racing Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Okuma will be looking to make it three national event wins in a row.

Justin Ashley with New England Nationals and Thunder Valley Nationals Wallys, photo by gary Nastase. Auto Imagery

“We approach each race with a renewed mindset,” said Ashley, who will also be competing in his fourth Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. “Our Phillips Connect Toyota Racing team accomplished something very special in Bristol. It was important for us to reflect, appreciate and value those victories. But our focus and attention has now shifted to Norwalk. The competition is going to be tough and many teams are hitting their stride. We’re excited for the challenge.”

Summit Motorsports Park, recognized as “America’s Racetrack,” is a fan friendly facility that Ashley would like to build a winning legacy. The past two seasons he has qualified well, starting in the top half twice, but his race days have not been extended efforts.

“Norwalk is an amazing facility and the Bader family does a tremendous job promoting NHRA and their national event,” said Ashley, the 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year. “The stands are always packed with fans eager to watch racing. The full fields will make for an excellent show and varying conditions could create unpredictably. Our Phillips Connect team will be ready.”

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

This season Ashley has won more races already than any previous campaign for the second-generation driver. His four wins have come in his four final round appearances. It has been feast or famine for Ashley since he also have three first round losses and a quarterfinal finish over eight races. The up and down nature of the sport has not phased Ashley how keeps and even keel when he reflects on his season’s progress.

“You look at the competition we are facing every weekend and there are no easy rounds,” said Ashley, who leads the category in reaction time average. “In Bristol there were multi-time Top Fuel champions going into race day deep in the bottom half of the field. That could just as easily be our team any weekend because the margins of success versus failure are so thin out here. Qualifying positions and races are being set by one or two hundredths of a second or even a few thousandths of a second. Every round is a battle.”

Ashley and his newly formed team Maynard Ashley Racing are building a program that will keep the nine-time Top Fuel winner at the top of the category. This weekend Ashley will be recognizing Okuma on his 12,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster along with long-time sponsors KATO Fastening Systems, Strutmasters.com, Lucas Oil, Mac Tools and Toyota. The list of supporters that keep Ashley powering towards win lights continues to grow and the goal of Maynard Ashley Racing is to make sure all the marketing partners get maximum return on and off the track.

“Maynard Ashley Racing is focused on growth, stability, and bringing world-class results to our marketing partners both on and off the racetrack,” said Ashley. “You will start seeing more business-to-business elements coming together as the season progresses and Okuma is a great example of that. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Okuma and I can’t say how excited I am to be working with the Joe, Cathi, Joe C. Maynard, and Eric Lehman.”

This weekend Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Okuma will get four qualifying passes leading up to eliminations on Sunday. In addition to two runs on Friday and Saturday Ashley will be racing for his fourth Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge title which would put another $10,000 and three championships in his pocket. The addition of this specialty program has Ashley and his team thrilled to head into the countdown.

“I love the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge,” said Ashley. “Of course, winning additional prize money is great but collecting championship points is critical. These points could prove to be the difference in seeding once the countdown begins. We want to keep stacking up round wins and championship points.”

Qualifying will begin on Friday, June 23, at 5:30 p.m. ET with final eliminations on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. ET. The race will be broadcast nationally on Sunday, June 25, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

About Maynard Ashley Racing
Maynard Ashley Racing (MAR) was founded in 2023 with the express goal of delivering world class results, on and off the racetrack, for a growing community of marketing partners and fans drawn to Justin Ashley, the 2020 NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year and seven-time Top Fuel national event winner. Behind Maynard Ashley Racing is a partnership between JCM Racing, led by Joe E. and Cathi Maynard, Joe C. Maynard, and Eric and Kim Lehman, who have taken the NHRA by storm over the last year, and Max Out Motorsports a partnership between Justin Ashley, Dustin Davis and Jim Epler. 
 

MOBERLY, MO (June 20, 2023) – A stretch of six races in six days through three different states is set to commence on the 38th annual DIRTcar Summer Nationals as the Hell Tourheads for Week 2.

Multi-time champions Brian Shirley and Bobby Pierce reaped the rewards during Week 1, sharing wins in each of the five races – three for Shirley and two for Pierce. Though Shirley now leads the overall Late Model points standings, both drivers are not projected to compete with the tour this week as they return to full-time World of Outlaws CASE Late Model Seriescompetition in Kansas.

Four different winners headlined the first week of DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals action, with Kyle Steffens taking the points lead after four races. A five-race slate is on tap for the Modifieds this week; Wednesday, June 21 will be an off-day, featuring Late Models only at Davenport Speedway.

Week 2 Schedule
Tuesday, June 20 – Moberly Motorsports Park (Moberly, MO)
Wednesday, June 21 – Davenport Speedway (Davenport, IA) [Late Models only]

Thursday, June 22 – Spoon River Speedway (Lewistown, IL)
Friday, June 23 – Brownstown Bullring (Brownstown, IL)
Saturday, June 24 – Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 (Pevely, MO)
Sunday, June 25 – Lincoln Speedway (Lincoln, IL)

Tickets for each Week 2 event will be sold at the gate on race day. If you can’t make it to your favorite tracks, watch all the action live on DIRTVision.

Here are the drivers to watch and the storylines to follow this week:

GREEN MACHINE – Jason Feger had a solid first week out on the trail of the Summer Nationals, posting two runners-up and no finishes worse than ninth. With his second runner-up to Brian Shirley on Sunday at Sycamore, he moved into second place in Week 1 points and took home the $5,000 points fund check for his weeklong efforts.

Feger, the 2010 Hell Tour champion from Bloomington, IL, is projected to take over the overall Summer Nationals points lead during Week 2, as Shirley – the Week 1 points winner – will head west to continue his run for a national championship with the World of Outlaws CASE Late Model Series this week.

Feger’s decorated Midwest racing career includes Feature wins at several tracks on the Week 2 schedule, including Davenport Speedway (Aug. 28, 2022 with World of Outlaws); Spoon River Speedway (May 28 with Midwest Auto Racing Series [MARS]); Brownstown Bullring (June 23, 2011 with Summer Nationals); and Lincoln Speedway (July 3, 2022 with Summer Nationals).

CONSISTENCY COUNTS – Frank Heckenast Jr. also had a strong stretch through Week 1 and was the only other driver to post top-10 finishes in all five events, with a best run of second Friday at Tri-City Speedway.

Heckenast, the former World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year from Frankfort, IL, has plans to take on the entire Week 2 schedule, vying for another shot at a $10,000 check as champion of the weekly points standings. He currently sits third in overall Summer Nationals points, 59 points out of the top spot.

Though he’s yet to win in Summer Nationals competition at any of the tracks on the Week 2 docket, he did capture a MARS victory at Davenport Speedway in June 2020. This week, he’ll be going for his first Hell Tour Feature win since that year.

FIRST WEEK ADVERSITY – What began as a rough first week out on his quest for a Summer Nationals championship turned out much better for Ashton Winger.

After taking a DNF in the season opener Wednesday at Peoria Speedway, Winger – the 23-year-old from Senoia, GA – rebounded well, posting three-straight top-10 finishes to end Week 1. That put him back in the thick of the overall standings, now riding in the sixth spot, 108 points out of the lead.

He and the Jeff Mathews Motorsports team brought a truckload of spare parts and equipment with them as they prepare for the long-haul, planning to compete in all 28 events on the schedule this season.

HOT START – Kyle Steffens currently leads the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals standings, 36 points up on second-place Tyler Nicely.

The St. Charles, MO-native posted a streak of four top-five finishes in all four Summit Modified races last week with a runner-up Thursday at Kankakee. Though he’s never won a Summit Modified Feature, Steffens’ chances are as high as ever with two DIRTcar UMP Modified wins already recorded this year.

He’s set for competition in select events in Week 2 and several other Summit Modified events dotted throughout the season as he aims to get a full, points-paying 12 races this summer.

ROLLER COASTER RIDE – It was an up-and-down Week 1 for current DIRTcar UMP Modified national points leader Tyler Nicely on the journey for his first Summit Modified championship.

Nicely, 27, of Owensboro, KY, currently sits second in the standings, 36 back of leader Kyle Steffens after four races. He began the week strong, running second in a photo finish to Illinois rival Allen Weisser at Peoria Speedway, followed by his first-ever Feature win at Kankakee County Speedway on Thursday. That preceded a rough start to his night at Tri-City on Friday, where he tangled with another car in his Heat, forcing him to take a provisional and come from 23rd on the grid to finish sixth in the Feature.

His outing Saturday at Fairbury Speedway was quiet as Nicely missed the transfer cutoff in his Heat and opted to take another Feature provisional, which ended with a 22nd-place finish, handing the points lead over to Kyle Steffens.

Nicely is projected to be back in action with the Modifieds at select events in Week 2, trying to reclaim the points lead he held during most of Week 1.

DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Models Overall Points Standings (view full standings)
1. Brian Shirley – 352 points
2. Jason Feger – 312 points (-40)
3. Frank Heckenast Jr. – 293 points (-59)
4. Dennis Erb Jr. – 288 points (-64)
5. Bob Gardner – 253 points (-99)
6. Ashton Winger – 244 points (-108)
7. Ethan Dotson – 243 points (-109)
8. Tommy Sheppard Jr. – 241 points (-111)
9. Shannon Babb – 221 points (-131)
10. Forrest Trent – 180 points (-172)

MOORESVILLE, NC (June 20, 2023) — Second year pro Camrie Caruso is ready to race into the summer months of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series starting with this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, June 23-25. The driver of the Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro is looking to build off momentum that has steadily been building all season beginning with her first career win at the NHRA Arizona Nationals earlier this year.

“I set a lot of goals for our team and last year we accomplished some of them, but I knew this year I wanted to start winning races and chase that Pro Stock championship,” said Caruso, the 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year. “We picked up the win in Arizona and then another No. 1 qualifier at the Winternationals. This Tequila Comisario team is moving in the right direction. I felt we had a Camaro that could have won Bristol, but we had a bad second round that really wasn’t our fault. I am not going to make any excuses, but we have a good race car, and I can’t wait to get to Norwalk.”

Camrie Caruso and Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, photo credit Innovative Creation Experts

Two weeks ago, at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals there was a four hour rain delay that sidelined all the Camping World Drag Racing Series first round winners. The NHRA Safety Safari did an amazing job recovering the track for the competitors to return to racing in the second round but the first two pairs of Pro Stock competitors, including Caruso and her teammates Greg Anderson and Dallas Glenn had their hands full during their respective races. Caruso was pulling away from Cristian Cuadra when both race cars began sashaying at the top end. Caruso wisely lifted and deployed her parachute to maintain control. The track crew re-prepped the racetrack following the first two pairs and proceeded to complete the event without issues.

“The Safety Safari does an amazing job every race. They bust their butts when it rains and they have to get the track prepped,” said Caruso. “It was just one of those bad timing deals that we were in the first pair of cars to go the full quarter mile after the rain delay. I am glad we didn’t have a serious issue and that was a learning experience for me. I don’t think I have ever been that sideways in a Pro Stock car. I would have liked to have had the round win but keeping my Tequila Comisario Camaro in one piece is more important.”

Caruso was racing in Bristol with additional confidence after winning the first ever NHRA Pro Stock Allstar Callout at the previous NHRA national event in Chicago. The second-year driver was one of eight drivers eligible to compete based on her qualifying efforts during the start of the 2023 season. She entered the specialty race as the No. 8 qualifier and defeated Cristian Cuadra, Troy Coughlin Jr. and Aaron Stanfield for the top prize and specialty trophy. After the first round Caruso was the lone KB Titan Racing driver remaining to take on a full field of Elite Motorsports drivers.

“I love that there is a rivalry between KB Titan Racing and Elite Motorsports,” said Caruso. “They have great racers and cars in their pits and I am really proud to be a part of KB Titan Racing. Getting the win at the Pro Stock Allstar Callout for KB Titan Racing was a big deal. We are going to be battling them all season for the championship.”

For the third generation drag racer her second full time season behind the wheel on a Pro Stock race car is a continual learning experience. Last season she raced to one final round and secured her first career No. 1 qualifier. She finished the regular season in the Top Ten and then battled through the Countdown against some of the toughest competition the category has seen in recent memory. This year with more experience Caruso is leaning on and learning from her teammates.

“I learned a ton in my rookie year but this year I am still picking up so many new things,” said Caruso. “I love racing in Pro Stock and I can’t thank my family and my marketing partners enough for all their support. We are a new team and we are looking for funding all the time. We picked some new partners this season like Big Jeff Audio and that has really helped our program. We are going to continue to work with new people throughout the season to go along with our Powerbuilt Tools, VP Racing Lubricants and DENSO relationships.”

NHRA^® Team Report

NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals  

Pre-Race Report

The Snap-on^® “Makers and Fixers” Dodge^® SRT^® Hellcat^® is good to go for Norwalk after driver Cruz Pedregon experienced a one-in-a-million shake at the end of the burnout on race day in Bristol.

“We replaced bent rims and the team combed through the car after we had that shake that literally ripped the wheel out of my hands…a high-speed wobble on the burnout has never happened to me before,” says Cruz. “Even after that rare event, we feel good about the car now and know we can be successful at getting the car down a hotter racetrack.”

Hanging out with Cruz in the pit this weekend will be Snap-on Nitro Franchisee Matt Harrison. Matt worked for Snap-on before becoming a franchisee where he says he gets lots of customer interaction calling on shops each week. Before that, he worked his way up at a tire company originally changing tires to ultimately being responsible for a huge amount of inventory. Matt’s name is the one you’ll see on the side of Cruz’s car in Norwalk. 

Before arriving at “America’s Track,” the team loaded a show car to head to sponsor Snap-on’s booth at what’s being called “the largest gathering of America’s future skilled workforce,” SkillsUSA in Atlanta. An estimated 15,000 attendees will get to see Cruz’s nitro Funny Car during the week which includes more than 100 competitions in everything from automotive service technology to welding fabrication and precision machining. If you’re a future or seasoned maker and fixer, be sure to check out “Makers and Fixers” on Instagram and share your stories at makersandfixers.com.

After this weekend’s race, Cruz will join other NHRA racers to visit Riley’s Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. They’ll be doing crafts and playing video games with young people at the hospital and passing out some cool swag to the patients.

The four-night event features a trio of $20,000-to-win prelims with a $250,000-to-win finaleBRANDON, SD (June 20, 2023) – History awaits. The richest payday for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series awaits.The Billion Auto Huset’s High Bank Nationals presented by Menards is here. Four days of racing (June 21-24) will begin with three preliminary nights that each award $20,000 to the winner. Those will set the stage for Saturday and the largest payday in World of Outlaws history. The driver who parks in Victory Lane when the dust settles on the finale will have a $250,000 check awaiting them.The massive event has already drawn a pre-entry list of 56 of the nation’s best Sprint Car drivers. They’ll all converge in Brandon, SD to battle for a quarter of a million dollars and a place in Sprint Car history.BUY HIGH BANK NATIONALS TICKETSLet’s look at some of the weekend’s top storylines:THE FORMAT: Such a special race calls for a unique format, and that’s exactly what’s been organized.Points and inverts are the name of the game. Each of the three prelims will begin with points being awarded for Qualifying. Heat Races will be lined up with a six-car invert. The top 20 in combined Qualifying and Heat points will be locked into the Feature with the top eight heading to the redraw. The Last Chance Showdown and C-Main will be lined up by points with the top two from the “C” joining the Last Chance Showdown and the top four from that joining the Feature.Each driver will get to drop their worst of the three prelim nights. Saturday’s format will feature a “King of the Hill” that includes top point earners from the prelims and the winners of either four or six (depending on car count) qualifiers. Those qualifiers will be lined up based on points and also help determine a majority of the finale’s lineup with the Last Chance Showdown supplying the final couple rows.HIGH BANK HAUDENSCHILD: In last year’s High Bank Nationals finale, Sheldon Haudenschild lived up to his reputation of being one of the sport’s most exciting drivers. With five laps to go, he was sixth. When the white flag flew, he was third. In Turns 1 and 2 on the final circuit, he blasted to the lead and went on to claim the win and $100,000.The Wooster, OH native looks to repeat in 2023 with more than double the money on the line. On top of last year’s High Banks glory, Haudenschild also topped a 2020 Series race at Huset’s. He and his Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing crew enter the important week on the highest note possible as the most recent winner having triumphed this past Saturday at Beaver Dam Raceway.BIG GAME HOME GAME: Plenty of eyes will be on David Gravel this week. The Watertown, CT pilots the Big Game Motorsports #2 owned by Huset’s Speedway owner – Tod Quiring.Gravel enters the High Bank Nationals on a hot streak with three consecutive top-two finishes including a win at Knoxville. He’s also only 10 points behind Brad Sweet in the chase for the championship.The 30-year-old has experienced plenty of success at Huset’s in his career. Gravel has topped a pair of World of Outlaws races at the 3/8-mile – both in 2021. In his 14 career Series starts at the Brandon, SD oval, he’s finished in the top-five eight times.MACEDO MAGIC: One driver who may be most hungry for the $250,000 is Carson Macedo.Last year, the Jason Johnson Racing pilot topped the penultimate night for his first Huset’s victory. Then on the final night, Macedo appeared headed for the checkered flag by starting from the pole and leading the first 34 circuits. But then he faded to fifth in the closing laps.Macedo has been one of the fastest cars all season with a trio of wins under his belt, and he’ll go for redemption this week with even higher stakes than last year.DONNY IN THE DAKOTAS: Any trip to the Dakotas is a special on for 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz. He may be from North Dakota, but he made plenty of trips to the south to Huset’s while cutting his teeth in Sprint Cars.Schatz is a four-time World of Outlaws Feature winner at Huset’s – most recently claiming a 2016 visit. The Fargo, ND driver has struggled in recent appearances at the facility with no finish better than sixth in the last four races. But prior to that he had a stretch of five podiums in nine races.It’s been an up and down 2023 so far for Schatz. The Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing driver has 13 finishes outside the top 10 but also owns seven podiums including a pair of wins through 30 races.BAYSTON BREAKTHROUGH?: More than a quarter of the way through his second season with the World of Outlaws, Spencer Bayston is still chasing his first win of the year. Huset’s Speedway might be the place where he’s primed to breakthrough.One of Bayston’s four career Series victories occurred at the 3/8-mile last year on opening night of the High Bank Nationals. The Lebanon, IN native also finished fourth there two nights later.That victory last June remains the CJB Motorsports driver’s most recent with the Series – a fact he hopes to change this week.BIG MONEY VICTORS: As expected, the lucrative event has attracted some of the sport’s top talent that plan to accompany the World of Outlaws full-timers.Kyle Larson has entered in Paul Silva’s #57. The 28-time World of Outlaws Feature winner is no stranger to claiming high-paying Sprint Car races. Larson topped both the Kings Royal ($175,000) and Knoxville Nationals ($150,000 plus lap money) in 2021. The Elk Grove, CA native topped a 2020 World of Outlaws race at Huset’s.One of the nation’s hottest drivers in the form of Rico Abreu is expected to make the trip to South Dakota. With Abreu gelling strongly with Ricky Warner, the team has been a nightly threat wherever the #24 shows up. Abreu already owns a trio of World of Outlaws wins in 2023.Fresh off claiming an Ohio Sprint Speedweek title, Tyler Courtney plans to compete for the $250,000 prize with Clauson Marshall Racing. The two-time All-Star Circuit of Champion titlist’s one career World of Outlaws win came with big money on the line in the form of a $175,000-to-win Kings Royal.MORE STARS: The entire list of entrants is filled with drivers who could make some noise.Two of Mark Dobmeier’s three career World of Outlaws wins have come at Huset’s (2012 & 2014). The Grand Forks, ND native will look for more success this week.Sandwiched between Dobmeier’s victories was a Tim Kaeding triumph in 2013. The Californian is fresh off finishing second in Sunday’s Border Battle at Huset’s aboard the Lunstra #3 – the same ride he’ll pilot during the High Bank Nationals.Another former World of Outlaws winner at Huset’s – Aaron Reutzel – has the High Bank Nationals on his schedule. The Clute, TX native also topped a Huset’s NOSA race last September.Riley Goodno impressed at last year’s High Bank Nationals – leading eight laps before finishing third on the second night. The budding talent from Knoxville, IA already picked up a Huset’s local win this month.Ayrton Gennetten is the most recent Huset’s winner having claimed Sunday’s Border Battle. The Versailles, MO native has continued to show more and more improvement behind the wheel of a Sprint Car.If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action live on DIRTVision.THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCEWHEN AND WHEREWednesday-Saturday, June 21-24 at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, SDON THE INTERNETWorld of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Twitter – @WorldofOutlaws Instagram – @WoOSprint Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/monthCURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (30/80 Races):1. 49 – Brad Sweet (4196PTS) 3. 2 – David Gravel (-10PTS) 3. 41 – Carson Macedo (-40PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-176PTS) 5. 15 – Donny Schatz (-228PTS) 6. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-248PTS) 7. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-268PTS) 8. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-352PTS) 9. 3Z – Brock Zearfoss (-562PTS) 10. 1A – Jacob Allen (-622PTS)NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (13 Drivers):6 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2)5 wins – Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49)3 wins – Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24), James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83), Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41)2 wins – Donny Schatz (Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15), Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17)1 win – Buddy Kofoid (CMS Racing #11), Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports #21), Logan Schuchart (Shark Racing #1S), Anthony Macri (Macri Motorsports #39), Brian Brown (Brian Brown Racing #21), Gio Scelzi (KCP Racing #18)FEATURE LAPS LED (16 Drivers):147 laps – Brad Sweet131 laps – David Gravel126 laps – Carson Macedo115 laps – James McFadden106 laps – Rico Abreu70 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild46 laps – Buddy Kofoid44 laps – Logan Schuchart43 laps – Brent Marks41 laps – Donny Schatz39 laps – Gio Scelzi24 laps – Brian Brown11 laps – Anthony Macri10 laps – Cory Eliason3 laps – Brady Bacon1 lap – Austin McCarlSIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (12 Drivers):10 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo6 QuickTimes – David Gravel3 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart2 QuickTimes – Anthony Macri, Rico Abreu1 QuickTime – Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Buddy Kofoid, Gio Scelzi, James McFadden, Sheldon Haudenschild, Jacob AllenHEAT RACE WINNERS (21 Drivers):19 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo18 Heat Wins – David Gravel8 Heat Wins – Buddy Kofoid, Donny Schatz6 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart5 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet, Rico Abreu, Gio Scelzi4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks3 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, James McFadden, Brian Brown, Jacob Allen2 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston, Parker Price-Miller, Justin Peck, Brock Zearfoss,1 Heat Win – Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Cory EliasonTOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (34 Drivers):25 Dashes – Carson Macedo24 Dashes – David Gravel20 Dashes – Brad Sweet16 Dashes – Logan Schuchart13 Dashes – Donny Schatz12 Dashes – Gio Scelzi, Sheldon Haudenschild11 Dashes – Rico Abreu10 Dashes – James McFadden8 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid, Spencer Bayston7 Dashes – Jacob Allen6 Dashes – Brent Marks5 Dashes – Brock Zearfoss, Anthony Macri4 Dashes – Brian Brown3 Dashes – Justin Peck, Danny Dietrich, Cory Eliason2 Dashes – Parker Price-Miller, Robbie Price, Tyler Courtney, Garet Williamson, Austin McCarl1 Dash – Kasey Kahne, Freddie Rahmer, Devon Borden, Aaron Reutzel, Brady Bacon, Chad Trout, Dylan Norris, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Kyle LarsonMICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (20 Drivers):4 LCS Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild2 LCS Wins – Robbie Price, Parker Price-Miller1 LCS Win – Brock Zearfoss, Gio Scelzi, Noah Gass, Hunter Schuerenberg, James McFadden, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Timms, Ayrton Gennetten, Spencer Bayston, Logan Schuchart, Kraig Kinser, Freddie Rahmer, Henry Malcuit, Cole Macedo, Tim Estenson, Aaron Reutzel, Kerry MadsenKSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (22 Drivers):3 Hard Chargers – Sheldon Haudenschild2 Hard Chargers – Brock Zearfoss, James McFadden, Tyler Courtney, Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet1 Hard Charger – Gio Scelzi, Robbie Price, David Gravel, Justin Peck, Blake Hahn, Buddy Kofoid, Joe B. Miller, Kyle Larson, Hunter Schuerenberg, Kyle Moody, Freddie Rahmer, Skylar Gee, Cole Duncan, Austin Pierce, Brenham CrouchPODIUM FINISHES (22 Drivers):15 Podiums – David Gravel14 Podiums – Brad Sweet10 Podiums – Carson Macedo7 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Rico Abreu5 Podiums – Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild4 Podiums – Buddy Kofoid, James McFadden3 Podiums – Brent Marks, Brian Brown2 Podiums – Jacob Allen1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Spencer Bayston, Parker Price-Miller, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri, Kyle Larson, Garet Williamson, Gio ScelziTOP 10 FINISHES (42 Drivers):27 Top 10s – Carson Macedo, Brad Sweet26 Top 10s – David Gravel23 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart20 Top 10s – Gio Scelzi19 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild18 Top 10s – Spencer Bayston17 Top 10s – Donny Schatz16 Top 10s – James McFadden13 Top 10s – Buddy Kofoid, Rico Abreu10 Top 10s – Jacob Allen8 Top 10s – Justin Peck6 Top 10s – Brent Marks5 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney, Brian Brown4 Top 10s – Kasey Kahne, Danny Dietrich, Brock Zearfoss, Cory Eliason3 Top 10s – Anthony Macri2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Blake Hahn, Brady Bacon, Kyle Larson, Parker Price-Miller, Robbie Price1 Top 10 – Zeb Wise, Devon Borden, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Joe B. Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg, Brandon Rahmer, Chad Trout, Lance Dewease, Cap Henry, Cole Macedo, Stuart Brubaker, Skylar Gee, Cole Duncan, Austin McCarl, Garet Williamson2023 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)1. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)2. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (2)3. Sat, Feb 11* / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / James McFadden (1)4. Sun, March 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1)5. Mon, March 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (3)6. Sat, March 18 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Rico Abreu (1)7. Fri, March 24 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Buddy Kofoid (1)8. Sat, March 25 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Brad Sweet (1)9. Fri, March 31 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / Brad Sweet (2)10. Sat, April 1 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / James McFadden (2)11. Fri, April 7 / U.S. 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)12. Sat, April 8 / 81 Speedway / Wichita, KS / Rico Abreu (2)13. Fri, April 14 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (3)14. Fri, April 28 / Tri-City Speedway / Granite City, IL / David Gravel (4)15. Sat, April 29 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Brady Bacon (1)16. Fri, May 5 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (1)17. Sat, May 6 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (3)18. Wed, May 10 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Anthony Macri (1)19. Fri, May 12 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brad Sweet (4)20. Fri, May 19 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Donny Schatz (1)21. Sat, May 20 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Donny Schatz (2)22. Fri, May 26 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Brad Sweet (5)23. Sat, May 27 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Carson Macedo (2)24. Mon, May 29 / Lawrenceburg Speedway / Lawrenceburg, IN / James McFadden (3)25. Fri, June 2 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / David Gravel (5)26. Sat, June 3 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Carson Macedo (3)27. Fri, June 9 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brian Brown (1)28. Sat, June 10 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (6)29. Fri, June 16 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Gio Scelzi (1)30. Sat, June 17 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)

CONCORD, NC – JUNE 20, 2023 – Bobby Pierce’s wraps for Eldora Speedway’s crown jewels have always brought excitement. But in 2023, the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series standout chose a scheme that honored his hero and benefited others. 

Pierce’s hero – his dad Bob – fought and won against bladder cancer two years ago. With June being National Cancer Survivor Month, an idea was sparked to honor his father’s victory and those who have also beat cancer or are still fighting. 

“We brainstormed some ideas, and with my dad having gone through bladder cancer and that he’s now in the remission phase, my mom mentioned that June was National Cancer Survivor month,” Pierce said. “So, we kind of threw something together that represented anyone that’s ever dealt with it and been affected by it. 

“There’s not a single person out there that doesn’t know somebody that’s been affected by cancer. So, when you go to “The Dream,” you want to win, and when you battle cancer, you want to win.” 

While most wraps you see during the three-day event stay the same, Pierce’s was the opposite. Fans bought ribbons all week to honor someone affected by the disease. Those ribbons ended up on the back of Pierce’s car, between the driver’s seat and the spoiler. 

“I’m just happy with the amount of exposure it got and how close it brought people together seeing the ribbons on the car,” Pierce said. “I was kind of shocked by how quickly the ribbons were filling up. It was definitely something to go out and race for and try to do my best. 

“It was pretty heartwarming just to see the support for it. It’s very humbling and almost sad to see all of the ribbons on there because that’s a lot of people.” 

At the end of the weekend, Pierce didn’t win “The Dream,” but he did help take a step forward in improving cancer research, raising over $20,000 to benefit cancer research. 

“It was for a great cause,” Pierce said. “It was fairly cheap, just $20 per ribbon. There were so many people. They just loved that they could put someone on the car. Whether it was a family member who they could put on the car, say it was someone who passed away that racing was their life. To be able to get on the car was cool, and hopefully, the money we raised is able to put some more research into it. It really brought a lot of people together.” 

With “The Dream” complete and his dad by his side, the Oakwood, IL drivers switches his attention from one battle to another as he returns to his chase for the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models championship. The Series is back in action this weekend, starting the inaugural World of Outlaws Heartland Speedweek on Friday-Saturday, June 23-24, at 81 Speedway in Wichita, KS.  

Then, the Speedweek continues at Off-Road Speedway (June 25), Mason City Motor Speedway (June 27), Red River Valley Speedway (June 28), River Cities Speedway (June 30), and I-94 EMR Speedway (July 1).  

Cadillac V-Series.R coming off second win in four GTP races, good showing at Le Mans

DETROIT (June 20, 2023) – Cadillac Racing seeks to continue its positive vibes flowing this weekend at Watkins Glen International following a double podium finish in the last IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race. The No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R, driven by Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande, carved through the Grand Touring Prototype field from its sixth starting spot and won the 2-hour, 40-minute race at Laguna Seca. The No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R driven by Pipo Derani and Alexander Sims placed third.

Cadillac has won two of the four IMSA GTP races and paces the Manufacturer Championship entering the six-hour race on the 3.4-mile, 11-turn Watkins Glen International road course. Both sets of drivers are coming off competition in the Hypercar class of the centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans in which Bourdais and van der Zande, joined by six-time INDYCAR champion Scott Dixon, secured fourth place overall in the 62-car field. The sister No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R – a full-time FIA World Endurance Championship entry – claimed Cadillac’s first podium finish in the iconic endurance race. In 2022, Bourdais and van der Zande drove to a third-place finish at The Glen.

Media resources Weekend guide:* Driver and team bios* Cadillac pit notes* Cadillac at The Glen* A look at the V-Series.R* History of winningFor editorial use:* Driver headshots* Driver candid photos* Racecar photos

Derani and Sims will team with Jack Aitken for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen. They combined for victory in the Twelve Hours of Sebring in March and co-drove to 10th place in the Hypercar class at Le Mans in the No. 311 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R. Peacock will stream flag-to-flag coverage of the race in the U.S. starting at 10:30 a.m. ET, with IMSA.com/TVLive providing streaming coverage outside the U.S. USA Network will telecast the race from 2-5 p.m. ET. Qualifying and the race will be broadcast on IMSA.com and RadioLeMans.com, with SiriusXM live broadcast of the race on XM 207 and Web/App 992 starting at 10:30 a.m. See the roster of Cadillac vehiclesSpectators can view the exciting lineup of Cadillac vehicles, including the Escalade-V and the track-capable CT5-V Blackwing at the Cadillac display in the midway. The special CT4-V Blackwing Watkins Glen track edition will also be on display and lead the prototype field to the green flag.. Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

What they’re saying

No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R Renger van der Zande: “Watkins Glen is one of the better tracks in a six-hour race. It’s a track where you really get tired because of the high G loads and the track has a lot of grip. It is the first time we’ll be there with the Cadillac V-Series.R car, so that will be interesting how we set up the car. I was in the Dallara simulator this week to see if we can benefit for the weekend. There always seems to be a red flag because there is often rain on at least one of the days, so we’ll see what it brings this year. We had some practice in the rain at Le Mans, so hopefully we can benefit from when we go back to IMSA racing. We’re the winners from the last race so obviously that’s motivating.” Sebastien Bourdais: “A lot of things have happened in the last few weeks — the win at Laguna Seca and a strong performance from the whole Cadillac group at Le Mans. With all the adversity we had throughout the week and the race itself, that we finished the race and finished fourth is a credit to the entire team and Cadillac. Going into Watkins Glen, it is an intense race on a very intense track. High speed, mega commitment with quite a bit of momentum. Hopefully, we can build on the form we had at Le Mans and Laguna and the progress we’ve made over the last few weeks. The weather can be a wild factor in that race, so it’s going to be interesting to see how it all shakes out. On top of it, we have the medium hot temperature Michelin tire for that weekend, which is the hard from Le Mans. Overall, pretty happy where we are at and looking forward to the challenge.”

No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R Jack Aitken: “Looking forward to getting back into IMSA racing after our trip to Le Mans with the team. I think we learned a lot from that trip and there are some lessons that we can bring to IMSA, which is quite exciting. A six-hour race compared to 24 hours is going to feel like a sprint. Probably just one time in the car for each driver. Watkins Glen is a new track for me and it will be a challenge with the amount of cars starting the race, so we’ll be working our way through traffic the whole time. We don’t have a lot of practice time, so we’ll have to learn fast and make good decisions during those sessions. I’m looking forward to driving what looks like an exciting, fast-flowing track. I think it will suit the car well.” Pipo Derani: “Happy to come back to Watkins Glen. It’s a very fast and enjoyable track to drive and also part of the endurance championship where we are also fighting at the top. It will be, as usual, a demanding race and I am looking forward to be back in IMSA after having the pleasure to race at Le Mans with our team. Hoping we can get back on victory lane as we did in Sebring and continue our fight for the endurance and overall championship.” Alexander Sims: “Looking forward to Watkins Glen. Having completed the Le Mans 24-hour race, we got a lot of really useful information to develop and verify some of the systems on the car, the engine management software seems to be going in a good direction. And it was good to get a lot of laps to get a good feel for the car. It’s always difficult with some of the short weekends. You go from one practice session to the next doing short runs and short runs and then you’re in the race without a lot of time to get on top of things, so the Le Mans week was good for that. The car felt really good in the Porsche curves at Le Mans and we’ll see similar medium and high speed corners at Watkins, so hopefully that will play to our advantage. It’s my first time there in a prototype so it will be a challenge in short practice sessions. I’m hopeful we can get a good result and continue our form in IMSA.” Cadillac Racing DPi-V.R Watkins Glen results 2022-2017 2022: Third (No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R) start third – Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande         Fourth (No. 02 Cadillac Accessories Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fourth – Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn         Fifth (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fifth – Pipo Derani, Olivier Pla, Mike Conway         Sixth (No. 48 Ally Cadillac DPi-V.R) start seventh – Jimmie Johnson, Kamui Kobayashi, Mike Rockenfeller         Seventh (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R) start sixth – Tristan Vautier, Richard Westbrook, Loic Duval 2021 (2-hour, 40-minute race): First (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fourth – Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr        Second (No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R) start third – Renger van der Zande, Kevin Magnussen        Fourth (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R) start sixth – Tristan Vautier, Loic Duval2021 (6-hour race):  Fourth (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fifth – Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr, Mike Conway        Fifth (No. 48 Ally Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fourth – Jimmie Johnson, Simon Pagenaud, Kamui Kobayashi        Sixth (No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R) start third – Renger van der Zande, Kevin Magnussen        Seventh (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R) start sixth – Tristan Vautier, Loic Duval, Sebastien Bourdais2020: No race2019: Fourth (No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fifth – Renger van der Zande, Jordan Taylor         Sixth (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R) start sixth – Joao Barbosa, Filipe Albuquerque, Mike Conway         Seventh (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start seventh – Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr, Eric Curran        Eighth (No. 50 Juncos Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R) start 10th – Will Owen, Rene Binder        Ninth (No. 84 JDC-Miller Motorsports Cadillac DPi-V.R) start ninth – Simon Trummer, Stephen Simpson, Chris Miller        11th overall (No. 85 JDC-Miller Motorsports Cadillac DPi-V.R) start eighth – Tristan Vautier, Misha Goikhberg, Juan Piedrahita2018: Fifth (No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R) start sixth – Renger van der Zande, Jordan Taylor         Sixth (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R) start 12th – Gabby Chaves, Filipe Albuquerque, Christian Fittipladi         Seventh (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start ninth – Felipe Nasr, Eric Curran, Mike Conway         11th overall (No. 90 Spirit of Daytona Cadillac DPi-V.R) start 10th – Tristan Vautier, Matthew McMurry2017: First (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R) start third – Christian Fittipaldi, Joao Barbosa, Filipe Albuquerque         Sixth (No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fourth – Ricky Taylor, Jordan Taylor         16th overall (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start sixth – Dane Cameron, Eric Curran, Filipe Albuquerque 2023 Cadillac V-Series.RWins: Sebring (Pipo Derani, Alexander Sims, Jack Aitken), Laguna Seca (Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande)2 wins, 4 podiums (including wins) IMSA1 podium FIA WEC (Le Mans; No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R – Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn, Richard Westbrook) Cadillac total wins in all classes/series since 2004: 68Cadillac total podiums in all classes/series since 2004: 216IMSA GTP (4)IMSA DPi (85)FIA WEC (1)World Challenge (126)Cadillac Manufacturer Championships in all series: 8IMSA DPi (2021, 2018, 2017)Pirelli World Challenge GT (2014, 2013, 2012)SPEED World Challenge GT (2007, 2005)IMSA DPi Driver Championships: 2021, 2018, 2017IMSA DPi Team Championships: 2021, 2018, 2017IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Manufacturer Champion: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Driver Championships: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Team Championships: 2018, 2017Pirelli World Challenge GT Driver Championships: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012SPEED World Challenge GT Driver Championship: 2005

(6/19/23 – Ben Deatherage) Alger, Washington … The tail end of the Pacific Northwest Swing for the NARC 410 Sprint Car Series will take the tour to the historic Skagit Speedway for the 51st Annual Jim Raper Memorial Super Dirt Cup for a huge three-day show on June 22-24th. This is the biggest payday weekend on the NARC schedule, as the winner on Saturday night earns a whopping $62,000! It is by far the richest sprint car race on the West Coast and sixth in the entire nation. 

“When anyone talks about Skagit Speedway, they automatically think of Dirt Cup,” said Skagit Speedway promoter Peter Murphy. “This race attracts so many good drivers that want to win it so badly, and having the NARC guys added to the mix makes it that much better. Be sure to bring a friend this weekend. You don’t want to miss it.”

Car counts are expected to be in the 45-plus range as teams from all over the Western United States converge on the Alger 3/10-mile clay oval. Thursday and Friday are reserved for preliminary nights to help determine who gets locked into the big dance on Saturday.

The NARC teams will get valuable track time with the Dirt Cup Tune-Up on Tuesday night, June 18th. This will not be a point-paying event for the series, but several drivers will undoubtedly be taking advantage of the opportunity to dial their cars in for the big weekend.

The Northwest Focus Midget Series will be the companion division for the entire weekend.

On Wednesday night (6/21), there will be Super Dirt Cup Scramble Golf Tournament at Avalon Links Golf Club in Burlington. Later that night, Railroad Pub and Pizza will host a pre-race party from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The Format

The two preliminary nights will emphasize lineup inversions, and accumulated points will establish the final Saturday night lineups. Thursday will be a 30-lap feature, while Friday is a 35-lap contest.

On Thursday and Friday, points will be immediately earned in qualifying. The Fast Qualifier will earn 200 points with a two-point drop for each subsequent position. The heat races will be lined up with an eight-car inversion. 

The heat races will award 100 points to the winner, with a three-point drop for each subsequent position. The Top 20 in points after qualifying and heat races will be locked into the prelim features. Those outside the Top 20 will be positioned in the C-main and B-main, with the C sending the Top 4 finishers to the B and the B sending its Top 4 finishers to the feature. The Thursday Feature will invert the Top 16 in points while Friday is the Top 18.

The feature winner will earn 200 points with a two-point drop for each subsequent position. The first criteria tiebreaker is the best finish in the respective main event, the second is rank in qualifying, and the third is the time of the second qualifying lap. Other tiebreaker criteria may be implemented if needed.

The top 18 in overall accumulated points from Thursday and Friday will be locked into Saturday’s feature. The top six of those 18 are locked into the Pole Shuffle. The finish of the Pole Shuffle will set the first three rows of Saturday’s feature. The B-main will line up straight up on points and transfer the Top 6 finishers to the feature. Two cars will be added to the finale via a fan’s and promoter’s choices, totaling 26 cars. 

Money, Money, And More Money

On top of already paying a whopping $62,000 to win, drivers will have plenty of other ways to earn stout paydays. The runner-up will collect $26,000, while the third and fourth get paid $18,000 and $11,000, respectively. Fifth place pays $5,000, and simply making Saturday’s main event will be worth $1,000.

Courtesy of generous supporters, each lap in Saturday’s 40-lap main event will award an extra $1,000, paid out $500-$300-$200 to the top three cars on every lap.

Winning a prelim night will be no small payday, as Thursday and Friday are $4,100 to win. $550. will be paid to teams that travel over 250-miles to the event.

Who To Watch

One of the hottest drivers in the county, Corey Day, is coming off an incredible Fastest Four Days In Motorsports run by winning three of the four shows and greatly expanding his point lead in the NARC 410 Sprint Car Series. The Clovis, California chauffeur was sixth in the final night of Dirt Cup last year and is looking to crack into the top five for the first time ever behind the wheel of the Jason Meyers Racing #14.

Dominic Scelzi is always one to be on the lookout for when he rolls into Skagit. The two-time defending series champion from Fresno, California gasser, was third in the finale, but he paced the field for the first twenty-four circuits. Scelzi got the job done in 2021, the event’s last year as a 360 program.

Trey Starks is the defending track champion in 410 Sprints at Skagit Speedway and has yet to be defeated there this year in domestic competition. Capturing last year’s Friday night preliminary feature, the Puyallup, Washington pilot wound up seventh in finishing order on the last night in 2022. 

Zeb Wise is undoubtedly a driver looking to bag the $62,000 on Saturday night. The Angola, Indiana driver has two wins in All Star Circuit of Champions competition and is aiming for first place aboard the Rudeen Racing #26 entry on the final night. 

Fremont, CA driver Shane Golobic posted a fourth-place effort and will be back in the Matt Wood Racing #17W entry this weekend. Shane is still looking for his first NARC 410 Sprint Car Series win of 2023.  He has been close several times.

The driver with the most laps around Skagit is Jason Solwold, who was fifth last year in the big dance. Once again, aboard the famed Shaylen Raye Motorsports #18, Solwold has won the previous two 360 Sprint titles at the famed 3/10-mile clay oval. The Burlington veteran has been a staple at the facility since the early 1990s. He won the event in 2015, the first time it was a 360 race.

One racer making his Skagit debut is Lemoore, California’s Cole Macedo. Racing the Tarlton Motorsports #21, Macedo had an excellent swing during the Fastest Four Days In Motorsports, including a win and his worst finish was seventh.

D.J. Netto will make the long journey up from Hanford, California. Netto put in a good shift on the Thursday preliminary night by finishing second at the checkered flag. Coming back from a serious collarbone injury at last year’s Trophy Cup, he already has three 360 wins to his name in 2023.

In the Bates-Hamilton Racing #42X, Justyn Cox has only been to Skagit Speedway once in a 410 sprint car. One of the front runners on the NARC tour, the Roseville, California racer, had a healthy amount of top 5 finishes over the last weekend.

Justin Sanders is no driver to discount for this big event either. Racing the Demo Mittry #2X, the Aromas, California-based driver, did not finish outside the Top 10 in both preliminary nights and the finale.

Other California NARC regulars expected to be on hand are Campbell’s Bud Kaeding, Chase Johnson of Penngrove, Willie Croft from Colfax, Rocklin racer Colby Copeland aboard the Larry Antaya #16A entry, Billy Aton representing Benicia, Oakley Teenager Dylan Bloomfield, and Tucson, Arizona transplant Nick Parker.

Other Pacific Northwest drivers to be on the lookout for will be Mill Creek’s Cam Smith, Austen Wheatey from Lake Stevens, Burlington-native Justin Youngquist, Jesse Schlotfeldt of Arlington, Enumclaw youngster Colby Thornhill, and Whannock, British Columbia’s Luke Didiuk. Oregon will be represented by the likes of Tanner Holmes out of Jacksonville and Harrisburg’s Tyler Thompson.

Several foreign competitors from Australia will also be on tap for the three nights of Dirt Cup. They include Karl Hoffmans of Ipswich, Queensland, Penrith, New South Wales traveler Jessie Attard, and Andy Caruana from Melbourne, Victoria.

Fan & Competitor Info

The pit gate will open at 1:00 p.m. each day, with the front gate following at 5:00 P.M., Racing will begin around 7:00 P.M.

On both Thursday and Friday, General Admission tickets will be $40. Juniors, Seniors, and Military will be admitted for $35. Children (ages 3-6) will be admitted for just $10. Saturday General Admission tickets are $50. Juniors, Seniors, and Military will be admitted for $40. Children (ages 3-6) will still be admitted for $10.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online via the following link: https://skagitspeedway.showare.com.

Skagit Speedway is located at 4796 Old Highway 99, North Burlington, WA 98233. For more information, visit skagitspeedway.com or call 360-724-3567.

All three nights of the Jim Raper Memorial Super Dirt Cup can be viewed live on floracing.com, along with the entire NARC 410 Sprint Car Series schedule.

NARC 410 SPRINT CAR SERIES 
CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS
(AFTER 12 EVENTS IN 21-RACE SERIES – 6/19/23)

1. Corey Day, Clovis – 1672
2. Dominic Scelzi, Fresno – 1627
3. Justin Sanders, Aromas – 1613
4. Justyn Cox, Roseville – 1611
5. Bud Kaeding, Campbell – 1589
6. Dylan Bloomfield, Oakley – 1542
7. Billy Aton, Benicia – 1465
8. Nick Parker, Tucson, AZ (R) – 1465
9. Chase Johnson, Penngrove – 1461
10. Tanner Holmes, Central Point, OR – 1183
11. Joel Myers Jr., Sebastopol – 1165
12. Cole Macedo, Hanford – 1054
13. DJ Netto, Hanford – 1021
14. Burt Foland Jr. (R) – 980
15. Shane Golobic, Fremont – 938
16. Joey Ancona, Concord (R) – 892
17. Kaleb Montgomery, Templeton (R) – 876
18. Colby Copeland, Roseville – 772
19. Ryan Bernal, Roseville – 656
20. Michael Pombo, Easton – 619

After scoring the last World of Outlaws win, Shirley went on to score three Summer Nationals victories and the Week 1 title

WICHITA, KS (June 19, 2023) – Some drivers are riding a wave of momentum into the inaugural World of Outlaws Heartland Speedweek, but Brian Shirley is bringing a tsunami.

On top of winning the last World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series event at Paducah International Raceway, Shirley scored three DIRTcar Summer National victories and the Week 1 title last week.

“Things are starting to go our way a little bit,” the Chatham, IL driver said.

“Just some of it is the car has been good. Luck has been good… It’s kind of the perseverance of the hard work these guys have been putting in to try and get better. Things are starting to go our way a little bit.”

Shirley has been on a hot streak since the end of May with five top-10 finishes in the last six World of Outlaws CASE Late Model starts – including a second-place finish at Tri-City Speedway and his win at Paducah. If not for a tire issue during the DIRTcar Dirt Late Model Dream at Eldora Speedway, he was on his way to a potentially big payday. But then made up for it by scoring three wins with the DIRTcar Summer National Late Models and earning the $10,000 Week 1 title.

Now, he’ll turn his attention to the World of Outlaws Heartland Speedweek – a stretch of seven races in nine days, which includes events at 81 Speedway (June 23-24), Off Road Speedway (June 25), Mason City Motor Speedway (June 27), Red River Valley Speedway (June 28), River Cities Speedway (June 30) and I-94 EMR Speedway (July 1).

With most of the Speedweek tracks new to the Illinois driver, he’s hoping his recent string of success continues throughout the month and beyond.

“You hope so,” Shirley said. “That’s kind of why you keep racing. Keep racing to feel what the car is doing each night and stuff like that. The bad part is going to a lot of new tracks you don’t have a lot of time to fix where maybe you’re not balanced right but hopefully it all works out enough that we kind of been on a decent package where it will relay over to them racetracks.”

However, as a four-time DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Model champion, Shirley has excelled in speedweek-type excursions. And knows what it takes to be in contention for a national title.

He currently sits fifth in World of Outlaws CASE Late Model points – 62-points behind leader Chris Madden – with nine top 10s, three top fives and his recent win.

“Anytime you’re running good it helps when you’re going into races, it helps you build confidence as far as knowing you’re up to speed and helps you have enough confidence that when you’re going to race on a national level you can run with them guys,” Shirley said. “Anytime you run good in general it helps you go to the next race and keep everybody’s moral up and keep everybody excited and keeping racing because we have been racing a lot.”

Along with Shirley, World of Outlaws CASE Late Model standout and reigning Series champion Dennis Erb Jr. have also built momentum during the opening week of the DIRTcar Summer Nationals as Pierce picked up two wins and Erb scored three top fives in the first five races.

You can see them, and the rest of the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Series stars, duel during the World of Outlaws Heartland Speedweek, starting at 81 Speedway, June 23-24. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the tracks, you can watch every World of Outlaws race live on DIRTVision.

(6/18/23 – By Ben Deatherage) Elma, WA … Corey Day was in superhero mode in the final leg of NARC’s Fastest Four Days In Motorsports as he powered his way from the 14th starting spot to win the Timber Cup at Grays Harbor Raceway. Day collected $5,000 for the Jason Meyers Racing Meyers Constructors/Four C’s Construction #14 KPC for his sixth win of 2023 with the NARC 410 Sprint Car Series.

The race was called for safety reasons after a caution period on the 24th lap due to excessive tire wear.  The call was unpopular for some fans and teams, but over half the field was racing on extremely worn and bald tires. During a red flag fuel stop just minutes earlier, teams were informed by NARC officials that the next caution period would end the event. Unfortunately, that happened before another lap could be completed.

“That one was pretty crazy. I don’t know what to say,” said Day, after winning his 12th career NARC triumph. “We didn’t have a stellar heat race and didn’t get to run the dash and didn’t get that much time on the track.  It’s just a testament to Shane (Bowers) and his decision-making on tracks like these and anywhere we go. He and I have started to gel this last couple of weeks, and I’m thankful for him. To come from 14th to win that deal is cool.”

The main event began with the Scelzi Motorsports/Whipple Superchargers #41 Maxim of Dominic Scelzi seizing the lead on the opening lap. Scelzi attempted to construct a sizable lead, but several stoppages prevented him from running away from the field. Several yellow flag incidents kept the field bunched up nice and tight.

Meanwhile, Day methodically overtook car after car after the restarts. Running the top shelf in the second set of corners, he eventually made his way to challenge Scelzi for first place. The two would battle fiercely with each other for several entertaining laps. Day completed the decisive pass on the 21st circuit to become the new pacesetter and remained there the balance of the distance.

The T&C Concepts/Fisher Racing Engines #55 J&J driven by defending race winner Trey Starks was the runner-up in front of a large crowd of Washington supporters.  He was unhappy with the decision to cut the race short as he felt he had something for the leader.

Tanner Holmes earned his second Fastest Four Days In Motorsports podium for the Shane DeWald Trucking/RTR Diesel Performance #18T KPC by finishing third.   

Joel Myers Jr. had his best run of the season with NARC aboard the All About Fire Protection/High Plains Building Division #46JR Maxim earning fourth. He also earned the ARP Fast Qualifier Award.  The Bates-Hamilton Racing-owned Benefit RFP/Specified Pipe #42X Maxim of Justyn Cox ended the night fifth for the second time this weekend.

D.J. Netto hit the finish line sixth, followed by 15th starter Chase Johnson, and Justin Sanders. Dylan Bloomfield recovered from an early race incident to grab ninth, while Australian Karl Hoffmans was tenth.

Nick Parker got on his side in heat race competition while Tanner Holmes flipped in the Sunnyvalley Bacon Dash, but both were unharmed.

A-FEATURE (30 Laps): 1. 14-Corey Day [14]; 2. 55-Trey Starks [5]; 3. 18T-Tanner Holmes [6]; 4. 46JR-Joel Myers Jr [3]; 5. 42X-Justyn Cox [4]; 6. 88N-DJ Netto [7]; 7. 73-Chase Johnson [15]; 8. 2X-Justin Sanders [11]; 9. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield [8]; 10. 3AU-Karl Hoffman [21]; 11. 21S-Jesse Schlotfeldt [17]; 12. 26-Billy Aton [13]; 13. 21-Cole Macedo [2]; 14. 44-Austen Wheatley [9]; 15. 41-Dominic Scelzi [1]; 16. 19-Colby Thornhill [12]; 17. 69-Bud Kaeding [16]; 18. 7T-Tyler Thompson [10]; 19. 96ASU-Andy Caruana [22]; 20. 115-Nick Parker [19]; 21. 53-Jessie Attard [18]; 22. 4-Burt Foland Jr [20]

METTEC TITANIUM LAP LEADERS:  Dominic Scelzi 1-20; Corey Day 21-24

WILLIAMS ROOFING HARDCHARGER: Corey Day +13

ARP FAST QUALIFIER (22 Cars): Joel Myers Jr., 13.175

BROWN AND MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS HEAT ONE (8 Laps): 1. 41-Dominic Scelzi [1]; 2. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield [3]; 3. 7T-Tyler Thompson [2]; 4. 19-Colby Thornhill [5]; 5. 73-Chase Johnson [6]; 6. 46JR-Joel Myers Jr [4]; 7. 96ASU-Andy Caruana [7]

KIMO’s TROPICAL CAR WASH HEAT TWO (8 Laps): 1. 18T-Tanner Holmes [1]; 2. 88N-DJ Netto [2]; 3. 2X-Justin Sanders [3]; 4. 55-Trey Starks [4]; 5. 14-Corey Day [5]; 6. 53-Jessie Attard [6]; 7. 3AU-Karl Hoffman [7]

BEACON WEALTH STRATEGIES & RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL HEAT THREE (8 Laps):  1. 42X-Justyn Cox [2]; 2. 21-Cole Macedo [4]; 3. 44-Austen Wheatley [1]; 4. 26-Billy Aton [7]; 5. 69-Bud Kaeding [6]; 6. 21S-Jesse Schlotfeldt [3]; 7. 115-Nick Parker [5]; 8. 4-Burt Foland Jr [8]

SUNNYVALLEY “POWERED BY BACON” TROPHY DASH (6 Laps): 1. 41-Dominic Scelzi [1]; 2. 21-Cole Macedo [2]; 3. 46JR-Joel Myers Jr [4]; 4. 42X-Justyn Cox [6]; 5. 55-Trey Starks [3]; 6. 18T-Tanner Holmes [5]

CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES SONSIO GRAND PRIX AT ROAD AMERICA ELKHART LAKE, WISCONSIN TEAM CHEVY PRACTICE ONE REPORT JUNE 16, 2023 ALEXANDER ROSSI LEADS PRACTICE ONE AT ROAD AMERICA Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren INDYCAR Chevrolet, set the fastest lap in practice one at Road America for the NTT INDYCAR Series – One Minute, 41.7790 seconds/141.978 mphIn eight starts, Rossi has one win, one pole and three podium finishesRossi’s Arrow McLaren teammates Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Chevrolet and Felix Rosenquist, No. 6 Chevrolet both posted top-10 times on the newly repaved 4.02-mile, 14-turn natural road course.Current NTT INDYCAR Series track record is One Minute, 39.866 seconds set in 2000 by Dario FranchittiWith new surface, several drivers may set a new mark during Saturday qualifying All 27 drivers in this year’s Road America field broke the 2022 pole time of One Minute, 44.8645 set by Rossi  Saturday’s schedule will start with another practice at 9:55 am for one hour. Firestone Fast Six qualifying is scheduled to begin at 12:55 pm.  A final warm-up will start race day Sunday at 9:15 a.m. CT. All practice and qualifying will be live on Peacock, INDYCAR Radio and SiriusXM Channel 160. The 55-lap, 220.77-mile race Sunday, June 18 will take the green flag at 12:25 p.m. CT live on USA Network. All times are Central Time. Press Conference Transcript: Alexander RossiTHE MODERATOR: Good afternoon. Wrapping up day one here at beautiful Road America. We’re currently joined by P1, Alexander Rossi, driving the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. 2019 winner here at Road America and last year’s pole winner as well.75-minute session. Did you get everything out of that?ALEXANDER ROSSI: No, I don’t think you ever get everything out of it. I’m so nervous when James is around (smiling). THE MODERATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, James Hinchcliffe has left the building.ALEXANDER ROSSI: You never get all you want out of it because usually you’re limited on the amount of tires you have and everything.It was interesting for us, having tested here last week, to understand the difference in the tire that Firestone brought for this weekend because no one that tested here had the actual tire. Obviously trying the reds for the first time. So it was an interesting session.Yeah, definitely lots to digest overnight. THE MODERATOR: We’ll begin with questions.Q. (No microphone.)ALEXANDER ROSSI: It’s everywhere, right? With the new surface, there’s more grip. Yeah, I mean, it’s every single corner quite honestly. Q. (No microphone.)ALEXANDER ROSSI: Really you don’t do anything different. I think it’s just there’s more potential from the car and the tire, so you have to have probably a higher level of commitment than you did last year.Last year with the surface, I never thought it was particularly bumpy, but the car slid around on the track quite a bit more than it does now. It’s quite a bit in the track, similar to what Watkins Glen was like when it was repaved, what Barber was like when it was repaved. You feel the car digging in more than you did before. But everyone has that advantage now.Really your approach is no different whether it was low grip or high grip. Q. (No microphone.)ALEXANDER ROSSI: I think we as a group would be pretty disappointed, considering we tested here, if we didn’t roll off the truck pretty strong. I think it’s still early days.But, yes, certainly the potential is there. It wasn’t a very clean run or laps by me, so I think there’s certainly quite a bit more in it, which is a good sign.So, yeah, it’s just about really diving into, again, the tire differences because it’s a chunk slower than our pace in testing. So understanding the differences there and making any adjustments to the car to kind of combat that going into tomorrow.Obviously track evolution is going to continue being a thing, and other cars are going to keep improving, so you can’t stay still, you have to keep improving. Q. Question about the speed of the reds versus blacks.ALEXANDER ROSSI: They weren’t faster. I mean, there was areas where they were faster, but a lot of guys didn’t improve. It wasn’t just me. I had fairly clean laps, so it wasn’t like traffic or lock-ups or anything like that. We’ve had it before. Same for everyone.But it certainly changes I think the strategy going into qualifying a little bit. That being said, I don’t think that the reds are going to continue being slower, but I think it’s certainly going to take an adjustment from what people usually do blacks to reds specifically for this weekend compared to other events that we’ll go to. Q. Question about track rubbering in.ALEXANDER ROSSI: Man, I don’t know that I remember last year long enough to know that specific detail (smiling). Yeah, I can’t answer that.I think as more cars run and everything, that will obviously make the grip level continue to grow. But it’s also very slippery offline, so that’s an interesting thing. I think that’s going to be the most interesting part of the race. Yes, the surface is a much higher grip when it has rubber on it. When there isn’t rubber on it, it’s borderline the same if not lower grip. It will be interesting to see how that offset from offline to online continues to grow. Q. (No microphone.)ALEXANDER ROSSI: No. I think it’s probably just really turn one, which obviously was pretty famous when Scott posted the onboard of it. So I don’t know why. Maybe because it’s more grip available than there used to be, you’re carrying more speed, so that kind of jump has more of an effect.I know the series has tried to resolve that. I don’t know if it will be solvable for this weekend. It’s interesting. Like, they repaved the whole circuit, but they didn’t redo the curbs. That’s kind of cool, but it’s also a little bit strange.But, yeah, as I said, offline it’s also very slippery. That probably plays into it as well. Q. Obviously they’ve worked hard to keep the shape of the corners the same. Do any of the corners feel different, how you approach them? Any corners that stand out as being different at all?ALEXANDER ROSSI: No, no. Not at all. Like I said, it’s just a global grip increase. But, no, I would say all the corners, like the driving styles, the characteristics of it, like turn six is super sketchy going up the crest. I would say it’s all very much the same. Just higher corner speeds.Q. Do you feel 39 is out of reach, the pole record, or do you think it’s a possibility?ALEXANDER ROSSI: What is it, a 39.8 or something?THE MODERATOR: Yes.ALEXANDER ROSSI: We can do that (smiling).

By Nick Graziano

DOE RUN, MO (June 16, 2023) – Zach Daum can’t stop. As he said, you’ll never find him sitting around “with his thumb up his ass.”

Between running a Speed Shop and working on two cars – and helping others – the Pocahontas, IL native always keeps his hands, feet and mind busy, whether at or away from the racetrack.

Currently, he gets to do so with a smile after winning back-to-back Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota events; also bringing Trifecta Motorsports its first national Midget win in the process.

However, at the moment, the defending Xtreme Outlaw Midget champion is not sure which car he’ll be in when the Series returns at Doe Run Raceway on Friday, July 21 – his own or one for Trifecta. Either way, he won’t be sitting around “with his thumb up his ass” until then.

“This [six-week] break couldn’t have come, for me, at a better time,” Daum said. “I’ve got a new car sitting here right now. Guys I drove for during the USAC races, they’re from Texas, he bought a King (Chassis) car off of Keith (Kunz) a little bit ago. He had a car sitting there, so I did a race car [deal] we all do. I’ll end up replacing this car for him. But he got me a car to run for a little while.

“It’s basically my car now. I just have to replace it. I’ve ordered all the parts, everything I messed up at Millbridge (Speedway, after the bad wreck). I’ve got everything ordered, parts to go back together with that car. It’s just a matter of putting everything back together at this point. Not a huge deal. Just putting everything together and going from there.”

Daum initially had no plans to run his own Midget or even compete full time on a national Midget tour at the beginning of the season. He intended on only running his Sprint Car and maybe run a handful of Midget events if someone provided a car. Then, the opportunity to be the only King Chassis builder/dealer in the United States popped up. And then, a deal to work with Jeff Taylor and Rick Young’s team, helping field their car for Landon Brooks, developed, which also led to them supplying a motor for Daum.

READ MORE: Zach Daum Returns to Defend Xtreme Midget Title, Building New Zealand-Brand King Chassis

“We’ve done all of this since Chili Bowl,” Daum said. “The first race was in March, so had basically a couple of weeks to put together two teams. Which they already had a lot of their stuff, it was just getting all their stuff in one area, figuring out what they have and what I have. It all came together really quickly.”

Before picking up back-to-back wins, Daum’s first half of the season was a roller coaster of strong finishes and head-hanging results. Fast defined most nights when he wasn’t battling engine issues.

“Every night we replaced something electrical, replaced everything that bolts on the engine,” he said. “Can’t seem to figure it out. Some nights it runs fine. Some nights it doesn’t run well at all. I felt like we gave one away at [Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55] because the motor wouldn’t run there. We broke a rocker arm qualifying at Humboldt (Speedway) and were behind the 8 Ball all night there. I pulled off at [Southern Illinois Center] because it wasn’t running. Just been plagued with dumb issues. Just stuff that is out of your control… Hopefully Eric at Stanton (Racing Engines) can figure that out now and if I do have to run my own stuff the rest of the year, we can do it without any headaches.”

The chance to drive the #7U for Trifecta Motorsports was a chance to relieve that headache for a weekend and a chance to breath during his hectic weeks of balancing racing and a business (5d Speed Shop).

“I’ve always done my own stuff,” Daum said. “Always drove my own truck and trailer. Done my own maintenance. Done everything. Normally it is me, my wife and my two-year-old son that go racing. I don’t have a pit crew. I don’t have help. Luckily, I make buddies with all the other crew guys and say, ‘Hey, if I’m in the hot pit, come help me.’ And when the tables are turned and I’m not racing I want to help them. Just one of them deals where when they asked me to drive that (#7U car) because it was kind of a no-brainer to a point.

“I still have to take care of Landon’s car. Still have to go to the races with a truck and trailer. At the end of the day, Landon is a really good kid, and he wants to learn. So, I’ve been able to teach him how to do the maintenance, how to do the car, how to do everything. He still doesn’t do it all, but he does more than 90 percent of what the other kids out there do. He’s learning how to do that so I can do the motor maintenance and keep him down the right path. I still want to do something. I don’t want to just sit at the racetrack with a thumb up my ass. Still like to do something. But just that stress of having to do everything on my car, everything on his car, worry about lunch, worry about fuel for the generator. All the little things you don’t think about. Where now I can just… the stress rolls off of you a little bit easier and you can jump in.”

Daum currently sits fifth in Series points – 270 points behind leader Cannon McIntosh. No matter which path he’ll take when the season resumes in July, he’ll be ready and eager to keep his hands, feet and mind busy.

“There’s a lot of really good racetracks on the schedule left,” he said. “Everything in Pennsylvania is going to be really cool. I’ve been out there a couple of different times. Those are going to be really good tracks. Doe Run… I used to race Micros there and it was really really fun back then. I think that is going to be really cool.

“It’s also cool to go and see different racetracks, different cultures. Just a lot of fun. Just get to bring in different fans. The most time people hear about a Midget race is the Chili Bowl or at the Dome when they ran them there. Then, there’s nothing else going on and they kind of forget about Midgets during the wintertime again. If we can prove to people that we do race these outdoors and it is pretty good racing, it is only going to help the fanbase overall.”

For the full 2023 Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every Xtreme Outlaw Midget race live on DIRTVisio

KANKAKEE, IL (June 15, 2023) – One night after his return to DIRTcar Summer Nationals Victory Lane, Brian Shirley backed it up with his second win in-a-row Thursday night at Kankakee County Speedway.

Similar to his performance Wednesday night at Peoria, Shirley – the four-time Hell Tourchampion from Chatham, IL – led all 40 circuits around the 1/3-mile oval to bag the $5,000 grand prize, his 40th DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Model Feature win, and expanded his lead in the Week #1 points standings.

After redrawing the outside pole for the Feature, Shirley wrestled the lead away from fellow Summer Nationals champion Jason Feger on the opening lap and soon created a comfortable gap on the field. Shortly after hitting lapped traffic at the tail of the field, Feger began to close in on Shirley, but a quick caution on Lap 12 cooled the intensity and relieved Shirley of his duties in traffic.

“The restarts actually calmed me down because lapped traffic was definitely gonna be nerve-wracking to be out there [with],” Shirley said. “Luckily, the cautions fell when they did and it worked out for us.”

Multiple additional caution periods dotted the second half of the race as Feger continued to track down Shirley, but the race’s start-and-stop nature only seemed to aid in Shirley’s efforts to keep the top spot.

For much of the race, Shirley was running-up the RPMs on the high side of the track, leaning hard on the cushion that laid against the outside wall.

“For us, it’s just where we needed to be,” Shirley said. “I felt like I hurt myself turning in and I hurt myself in the center. That’s the key to making the corner – you’ve gotta be able to turn in to turn off.

“Tonight, I was too tight. When I’d hit the brakes, I would push.”

Feger followed him on the high line as the race dipped down into the final 10 laps. Coming through Turns 3-4 on Lap 33, Shirley forcefully hit the dirt cushion with the right side of his car and made slight contact with the outside wall, cutting his momentum drastically. This opened the door for Feger behind him as he closed the gap instantly and then looked to his inside to pass for the lead.

However, before Feger was able to make the move, the caution was thrown yet again, allowing Shirley to keep the lead and restack the field.

“There was a couple times I definitely hit the cushion wrong and it almost cost me,” Shirley said. “Luckily the good Lord was looking after us tonight.”

Feger and a cast of hungry Illinois Late Model heroes behind him could not catch Shirley after the ensuing restart as he crossed the stripe – victorious for the second time in his Summer Nationals career at Kankakee.

Feger held on for the runner-up spot while Dennis Erb Jr, Shannon Babb and Kevin Weaver completed the top-five.

UP NEXT

The Summer Nationals Late Models take on Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, IL, on Friday, June 16. Get a ticket at the gate or stream all the action live on DIRTVision.

ABBREVIATED RESULTS (view full results)

Feature (40 Laps): 1. 3S-Brian Shirley[2]; 2. 25-Jason Feger[1]; 3. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[5]; 4. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[10]; 5. B12-Kevin Weaver[3]; 6. 4G-Bob Gardner[7]; 7. T6-Tommy Sheppard Jr[14]; 8. 58-Tyler Clem[11]; 9. 174-Ethan Dotson[8]; 10. 21B-Rich Bell[21]; 11. 12-Ashton Winger[13]; 12. 89-Mike Spatola[18]; 13. 31AUS-Kye Blight[6]; 14. 10S-Taylor Scheffler[9]; 15. 130-Chase Osterhoff[15]; 16. 10J-Jordan Bauer[17]; 17. 4D-Doug Tye[22]; 18. 26H-Daryn Klein[12]; 19. 101-Forrest Trent[16]; 20. 18-Shannon Babb[4]; 21. 19X-Cody Bauer[20]; 22. 9R-Curtis Roberts[19]

Nicely Wins First Summit Modified Feature of 2023 at Kankakee

After coming up one spot short in the season opener Wednesday night, Tyler Nicely found redemption Thursday night at Kankakee County Speedway, winning his sixth career Feature with the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals.

Nicely, the current DIRTcar UMP Modified national points leader from Owensboro, KY, started third on the grid and wasted little time making a bid for the lead, getting a big run underneath outside polesitter Levi Kissinger on Lap 6 and beating him in a drag race down the backstretch to take the top spot.

Once he was at the head of the field, there was no stopping him. Nicely fended off the field for the rest of the 25-lap main event to win his first career Feature of any kind at Kankakee.

“I just made sure I kept hitting my marks; it got kinda tricky down there in Turns 1-2,” Nicely said. “I just hit my marks and held everybody off.”

UP NEXT

The Summit Modifieds take on Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, IL, on Friday, June 16. Get a ticket at the gate or stream all the action live on DIRTVision.

ABBREVIATED RESULTS (view full results)

Feature (25 Laps): 1. 25-Tyler Nicely[3]; 2. 8-Kyle Steffens[5]; 3. 777-Trevor Neville[11]; 4. 8K-Levi Kissinger[2]; 5. 28M-Frank Marshall[1]; 6. 96M-Mike McKinney[7]; 7. 5-Steven Brooks[20]; 8. 121-Deece Schwartz[15]; 9. 0F-Matt Fabrizius[23]; 10. 20-Tanner Sullivan[19]; 11. 1-Nash Hilmes[14]; 12. 2ND-Jake Leitzman[17]; 13. 94-Tom Pasek[21]; 14. B5-Matthew Baker[22]; 15. 01-Billy Knippenberg[12]; 16. 24Z-Zeke McKenzie[4]; 17. 36L-Jamie Lomax[9]; 18. 21A-Nick Allen[10]; 19. 35-Jason Hastings[8]; 20. 77-Ray Bollinger[16]; 21. 21-Lyndon Whitfill[6]; 22. 5CS-Curt Spalding[13]; 23. 89-Austin Friedman[18]; 24. 25B-Braiden Bohlmann[24]

(6/15/23 – Ben Deatherage) White City, OR … Corey Day took care of business in the non-stop 30-lap NARC 410 Sprint Car Series main event at Southern Oregon Speedway, besting the field to win the Fastest Four Days In Motorsports opening leg. Despite starting from the inside front row, Day had to hold back a charging Justyn Cox at the wire on the final lap. It is the fourth time that Day has won with the series in 2023 and the tenth of his career with NARC.

“I knew (Justyn) was getting close,” said a joyful Day in victory lane. “I was stuck with the lappers, and our header broke, and I wasn’t sure if our motor was blowing up or not, so I was just being conservative and trying to make sure it wasn’t losing power.”

“We finally put a whole night together. When you have a guy like Shane (Bowers) turning the wrenches, it makes your job pretty easy, and hats off to the track crew here; that rework on the bottom helped the track come in.”

Day motored away at the drop of the green flag and set a blazing place. It only took five laps for him to get into lapped traffic, and he handled it efficiently, but it would not be the last time he squared up with the tail end of the field. As the long green flag run developed, the Meyers Constructors/Four C’s Construction #14 KPC pilot kept the Jason Meyers Racing entry up on the high side, encountering more and more cars to pass.

In the last few circuits Day got bottled up in some hefty traffic which allowed runner-up Justyn Cox in the Benefit RFP/Teichert Construction #42X Maxim to reel him in. Cox, racing for Bates-Hamilton Racing, made a daring last lap. last corner, move but couldn’t make it stick, allowing Day to hold on for the .603 second victory.

“It was a Hail Mary at that point,” commented Cox. “When you’re leading, it’s tough to know what to do. I packed my right rear full of mud on the inside, so I was shaking hard and couldn’t see that well. I was half-blind for a minute but figured I’d poke my nose. Corey races me with a lot of respect.”

The Shane DeWald Trucking/NexGen Diesel Exhaust Fluid #18T KPC, of Tanner Holmes was third. Teenager Dylan Bloomfield posted a fourth-place finish in the Dave and Debbie Vertullo-owned Starr Property Management/Gary Silva Ranches #83V Maxim.  It was his best NARC finish of his career. Fifth went to Justin Sanders, running the Farmer’s Brewing/North County Plastering #2X Maxim for car owner Demo Mittry.

“Corey and Justyn set a really good pace,” said Holmes, who posted a career-best NARC finish. “It came down to lapped traffic on what we could do. It’s awesome to see such a big crowd, and we were able to defend some home turf and run up front.”

Two-time defending series champ Dominic Scelzi was sixth, chased by Cole Macedo and Bud Kaeding. Joel Myers Jr. and Australian Jessie Attard wrapped up the top ten finishers.

Jared Hood got upside down in heat race action but was unharmed.

A-FEATURE (30 laps): 1. 14-Corey Day [1]; 2. 42X-Justyn Cox [2]; 3. 18T-Tanner Holmes [3]; 4. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield [4]; 5. 2X-Justin Sanders [7]; 6. 41-Dominic Scelzi [8]; 7. 21-Cole Macedo [5]; 8. 69-Bud Kaeding [9]; 9. 46JR-Joel Myers [6]; 10. 53-Jessie Attard [11]; 11. 26-Billy Aton [12]; 12. 115-Nick Parker [10]; 13. 73-Chase Johnson [13]; 14. 3AU-Karl Hoffmans [16]; 15. AU96-Andy Caruana [14]; 16. 4-Burt Foland Jr [15]

METTEC TITANIUM LAP LEADERS:  Corey Day 1-30

WILLIAMS ROOFING HARD CHARGER: Justin Sanders +2

ARP FAST QUALIFIER (17 Cars): Dylan Bloomfield, 11.133

BROWN AND MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS HEAT ONE (10 Laps): 1. 42X-Justyn Cox [1]; 2. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield [4]; 3. 69-Bud Kaeding [2]; 4. 115-Nick Parker [3]; 5. 4-Burt Foland Jr [6]; 6. 3AU-Karl Hoffmans [5]

KIMO’s TROPICAL CAR WASH HEAT TWO (10 Laps): 1. 46JR-Joel Myers [2]; 2. 21-Cole Macedo [4]; 3. 41-Dominic Scelzi [1]; 4. 53-Jessie Attard [3]; 5. 73-Chase Johnson [5]; 6. A1-Jared Hood [6]

BEACON WEALTH STRATEGIES & RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL HEAT THREE (10 Laps): 1. 18T-Tanner Holmes [1]; 2. 2X-Justin Sanders [2]; 3. 14-Corey Day [4]; 4. 26-Billy Aton [3]; 5. AU96-Andy Caruana [5] 

SUNNY VALLEY “POWERED BY BACON” TROPHY DASH (6 Laps): 1. 14-Corey Day [2]; 2. 42X-Justyn Cox [1]; 3. 18T-Tanner Holmes [5]; 4. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield [4]; 5. 21-Cole Macedo [3]; 6. 46JR-Joel Myers [6]

USA Nationals to Feature New Format, Full Series Points Each Night
Drivers will contend in $6,000-to-win Features on Thursday and Friday and then the $50,000-to-win main event on Saturday

NEW RICHMOND, WI (June 15, 2023) – Cedar Lake Speedway is bringing a new format, more money and full points to the USA Nationals this August for the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models.

All three nights of the Wisconsin marquee event (Aug. 3-5) will award championship points for competitors and showcase 25-lap, $6,000-to-win, Features on Thursday and Friday, and then the legendary 100-lap, nearly $50,000-to-win, main event on Saturday. In total, $50,000 was added to the three-day overall purse, bringing it over $200,000.

Thursday and Friday’s event will utilize the “Every Lap Matters” points format where drivers will be awarded event points for Qualifying, Heat Races, Last Chance Showdowns and the Feature. The top 16 in event points after those two nights will be locked into Saturday’s Feature – with all drivers staging heads up.

The USA Nationals is a fan, and driver, favorite as the 3/8-mile high-banked track produces wheel-to-wheel racing every night with a wide-range of off-track spectacles and excitement. With the addition of championship points on the line this year, the epic title fight among Chris Madden, Kyle Bronson, Nick Hoffman, Bobby Pierce, Brian Shirley, Ryan Gustin and Brandon Sheppard will rage on each night.

For tickets to the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway, Aug. 3-5, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the

The month of money has evolved into a three-month stretch with nearly $1 million in winnings availableBEAVER DAM, WI (June 15, 2023) – As the summer begins and the heat rises, so will the stakes on the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car tour.Big events and big paydays define the summer stretch for The Greatest Show on Dirt. This isn’t merely one month of money. This is a three-month period of booming bank accounts.Over the next three months, the World of Outlaws schedule boasts 16 races that pay at least $15,000 to win with 15 of them offering $20,000 or more. Among those are also a trio of six-digit paydays, including the richest in World of Outlaws history.The lucrative period begins this weekend as the two-night (June 16-17) Jim “JB” Boyd Memorial at Beaver Dam Raceway concludes with a $20,000-to-win Feature on Saturday. Then, only four days from Saturday is where one of the biggest events of the season can be found.Teams from across the nation will converge in Brandon, SD – the site of Huset’s Speedway – on June 21-24. The four-day Billion Auto Huset’s High Bank Nationals presented by Menards will begin with a trio of $20,000 prelim nights. And then on Saturday everyone will be vying for the largest payday in Series history as the winner of the finale is going home with $250,000. Not only is the winner leaving with a major sum of money, but the entire purse is massive. The $5,000-to-start main event features a $456,500 total payout. The purse for the entire four days amounts to more than three-quarters of a million dollars. The High Bank Nationals will be a special event for all involved, but it’ll be especially meaningful for championship contender David Gravel. The Watertown, CT native pilots the Tod Quiring-owned Big Game Motorsports #2. Quiring is also the owner of Huset’s and largely responsible for establishing the High Bank Nationals as a marquee race.“Huset’s is such a unique event with the format and a short track and all that,” Gravel commented. “We’re excited. I feel like we have a little bit of redemption from last year. I felt like we had a pretty good car all week and had an opportunity to win the race.“To race for $250,000, and to race for $20,000 each night could be a huge week for somebody if you can win a couple nights and the finale. That’s what makes Sprint Car racing really exciting this year. When you win a $10,000-to-win race, that’s cool, but if you win one of these big ones, it takes care of so many other events.”Two and a half weeks after the High Bank Nationals, $15,000 is put on the line at Attica Raceway Park’s Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic (July 11). That’s just before Eldora Speedway hosts the $20,000-to-win Knight Before (July 14) and then the $175,000-to-win 40th Kings Royal (July 15).July is capped by a pair of $20,000 races with the Champion Oil Summer Nationals at Williams Grove (July 22) and Weedsport Speedway’s Empire State Challenge (July 30).As the summer of money is navigated, momentum could be a helpful factor in bagging some big bucks. While no results are ever guaranteed to translate to the next race, the confidence of a strong stretch can do wonders when facing the pressures of a major event. “Every race car driver is a headcase,” rookie contender Gio Scelzi joked. “Confidence is huge for us, and when you get momentum rolling like we have right now, it definitely makes our job a bit easier, and it makes you be a little bit more confident in making those tight passes and tight moves.”As July comes to an end, it’s on to the Ironman 55 at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 (August 5) with another $20,000 prize during its Saturday finale.A week later brings “The Granddaddy of ‘Em All” as Knoxville Raceway hosts the 62nd NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals. Not only has the winner’s share been upped to $185,000 this year, but it will also pay $15,000 to merely start the finale on Saturday, August 12 – part of the more than $1 million overall purse. Excluding how much it pays to win, Knoxville’s Saturday Feature purse alone exceeds half a million dollars.After Knoxville, it’s a third straight week of stout Saturdays with the Jackson Nationals concluding its three-night show with a $25,000-to-win main event on August 19.That will then lead to a west coast trip where another trio of racing nights will be capped by a high-paying finale. Skagit Speedway’s Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals boasts $26,000-to-win on September 2. Then, Silver Dollar Speedway’s Gold Cup Race of Champions, as it continues to be revitalized by SLC Promotions, will offer $25,000 to whoever claims the Gold Cup on Saturday, Sept. 9. That will be followed by the fourth Tom Tarlton Classic at Kings Speedway on Sept. 15, paying $21,000 to the winner.Add it all up and the result is several chances for big and, life-changing, money. Combining every to-win amount among the Summer of Money stretch, including the $10,000-to-win races, nearly $1 million will be on the line. And that doesn’t even account for all of the cash spread throughout the field. “The months of money are something we always try to get focused on,” Carson Macedo said. “We try to do our best to put our best foot forward, and I feel like we’re going to a lot of tracks that I like, and we’ve done really well at in the past. Hopefully we can put good runs together and get some wins on those big money nights.”Full Upcoming Schedule:Date / Track / To WinsJune 16-17 / Beaver Dam Raceway / $10K, $20K June 21-24 / Huset’s Speedway / $20K, $20K, $20K, $250K June 30-July 1 / Cedar Lake Speedway / $10K, $10K July 7 / 34 Raceway / $10K July 8 / Wilmot Raceway / $10K July 11 / Attica Raceway Park / $15K July 14-15 / Eldora Speedway / $20K, $175K July 19 / BAPS Motor Speedway / $10K July 21-22 / Williams Grove Speedway / $10K, $20K July 29-30 / Weedsport Speedway / $10K, $20K Aug. 4-5 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway / $10K, $20K Aug. 9-12 / Knoxville Raceway / $12K, $12K, $4K, $185K Aug. 17-19 / Jackson Motorplex / $10K, $10K, $25K Aug. 25 / River Cities Speedway / $10K Aug. 26 / Red River Valley Speedway / $10K Aug. 31-Sept. 2 / Skagit Speedway / $10K, $10K, $26K Sept. 4 / Grays Harbor Raceway / $10K Sept. 7-9 / Silver Dollar Speedway / $10K, $10K, $25K Sept. 15 / Kings Speedway / $21KFor tickets to races during the World of Outlaws Summer of Money, CLICK HERE.If you can’t make it to the track, watch every race live on DIRTVision.