Tough Afternoon for Toyota Top Fuel Dragsters

ELWOOD, Ill. (May 21, 2023) – Ron Capps drove his GR Supra Funny Car to the final round in Sunday’s NHRA Drag Racing event that returned to the Route 66 Raceway outside of Chicago for the first time since 2019. Capps faced off with race-winner Tim Wilkerson in the final round, but a mechanical issue with the parachute cost the NAPA GR Supra the win.

In Top Fuel dragster competition, while all five Toyotas qualified in the top-half of the ladder, round one proved that a warmer day made for more challenging track conditions and four of the five were eliminated. Doug Kalitta advanced to round two, but fell to Clay Millican.

Toyota Post-Race Recap

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series

Route 66 Raceway

Race 6 of 21

TOYOTA TOP FUEL FINISHING POSITIONS 

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
Doug Kalitta	Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Round 2	W. 3.762 vs. 3.822 (Wurtzel) L. 5.363 vs. 3.797 (Millican)
Steve Torrence	Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Round 1	L. 8.456 vs. 3.742 (Pruett)
Justin Ashley	Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Round 1	L. 4.429 vs. 3.786 (McNeal)
Shawn Langdon	AutoDesk Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Round 1	4.675 vs. 3.732 (Millican)
Antron Brown	Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Round 1	L. 4.756 vs. 4.390 (Hart)

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR FINISHING POSITIONS 

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
Ron Capps	NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Final Round	W. 4.002 vs. 4.070 (Haddock) W. 3.983 vs. 4.050 (Tasca III) W. 3.985 vs. 4.085 (Green) L. 4.110 vs. 3.966 (Wilkerson)
Alexis DeJoria	Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Round 1	L. 8.060 vs. 4.029 (Pedregon)
J.R. Todd	DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Round 1	L. 8.320 vs. 4.570 (Tasca III)

TOYOTA QUOTES

RON CAPPS, NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, Ron Capps Motorsports

Final Result: Final Round

How challenging were track conditions throughout the day and in the final round?

“Everybody struggled here. It was tricky. We’re going to see these kinds of conditions throughout the summer months, so I’m very proud of what our guys did to win the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. That gained us extra points, which was huge. Going to the final round in one of the trickiest days we’ve seen was also huge. Very smart crew chiefs had issues getting down the track for a lot of teams. ‘Guido’ and ‘T-Buck’ and the guys did such a great job all day. Heartache not winning in the final, but I’m very pumped to see these next few races and really get ready for the summer months. It’s going to be a lot of fun with our race team.”

ALEXIS DEJORIA, Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, DC Motorsports

Final Result: Round 1

What happened on the starting line with the staging light not getting fully lit and ultimately led to you getting timed out?

“It was the nose of the body and that’s a really crappy way to lose a race. I don’t go out there to try to play games. The first thing that went through my mind when that was happening was that the nose of the body was too far down. This happened to us in Atlanta all weekend and it was plaguing us and I was like, ‘Dammit, here we go again.’ I obviously got timed out because of that, but Cruz (Pedregon) makes a good run and I just wanted to get down here and make sure that he knew that I wasn’t trying to play games. I don’t play games down there. I just want to cut a good light and have a good, fair race. We’ll take it back and get ready for Epping (New Hampshire). But this was definitely not the weekend that we wanted to have. We’ll be prepared for the next one.”

May 21, 2023

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/DEX Imaging team wound up being spectators for the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, as the historic track hosted NASCAR’s premier Cup Series for the first time since 1996.

Burton and the Motorcraft/DEX Imaging team competed in the preliminary Open, where teams not already locked into the All-Star race ran a 100-lap race, with the top-two finishers, plus the winner of a fan vote, advancing to the main event.

Burton started the Open from fourth place thanks to a quick pit stop in Friday’s qualifying session, which was based on the speed of pit stops.

Burton’s starting spot put him in the outside line for the initial start, which was a disadvantage as the lower groove was faster. He dropped back to seventh place before falling into line and worked his way back to sixth, holding that spot for the remainder of the first 20 laps.

He had dropped to eighth place by the time a scheduled caution flag flew at Lap 40.

After a trip to pit road for fresh rear tires (saving his fronts for a possible late-race restart) he rejoined the field in eighth place. He dropped back early in the run, then avoided a wreck ahead of him to move back into the top 10.

Another wreck ahead of him allowed him to move to eighth place, but he dropped back on the subsequent restart after moving to sixth place on the choose. After 37 more laps of green flag racing he wound up 11^th at the finish.

Burton and the No. 21 team now turn their attention to Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 28.
 

CHICAGO (May 21, 2023) — The first NHRA race in Chicago since 2019 was a major success for Top Fuel driver TJ Zizzo. The Chicago native picked up a new career-best elapsed time of 3.712 seconds, beating No. 1 qualifier Mike Salinas in the first round of competition at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance.

“Running that 3.71 in the first round was out biggest positive this weekend,” said Zizzo. “No doubt. That was our career-best and stood up as the quickest run in Top Fuel on race day in a clutch moment. That single run turned our entire program around.”

Zizzo’s success did not stop at the first round. He then went on to beat No. 9 qualifier, Leah Pruett, in the second round, with a 3.804 second, 316.08 mph run.

“There’s no doubt this felt great and it’s a good feeling when you’re really in the show,” said Zizzo. “When you have good people surrounding you, you have a chance, and I have excellent people surrounding me.”

The driver of the Rust-Oleum Rocket Top Fuel dragster understands it took the time and effort of a whole team of people to get him to this point in his career. Zizzo is thankful for his crew, family, and current and past sponsors for supporting him along the way.

“I was not surprised by that win at all,” said Zizzo. “I have all the faith in the world with all of our guys. They are the same people who have worked on this racecar for a decade and a half. We have the knowledge, and now we have some good parts. We put some really good stuff in the car today and the guys made a great choice of tune-up. Thanks very much to Gerber Collision & Glass for putting this event on. PEAK as well. They were sponsors of ours for 12 years, they got us to this point, with the rest of our sponsors.”

Unfortunately, Zizzo fell to race runner-up and No. 12 qualifier, Josh Hart, in the semi-final round of racing. In their first-ever matchup, Zizzo was up in smoke from the start. Despite the tough loss, Zizzo is choosing to learn from his mistakes and focus on the weekend’s wins.

“It’s great to get a couple of round wins, but you need to turn on many more win lights throughout the day to ultimately get the Wally,” said Zizzo. “But it is so much fun turning on win lights. I’m fixing the driver issue right now as we speak with some anti-skid tape on the pedals. We have some new car issues, but we’re going to work through all that.”

This was the second time Zizzo has beaten a No. 1 qualifier from the No. 16 spot. The last time was during the 2012 Chicago race, against Tony Schumacher. That was previously what he considered to be his most memorable race, but now this takes the cake.

“There is nothing like having success at your hometown track, surrounded by friends and family,” said Zizzo. “I am so grateful that this race is back on the calendar, and I can’t wait to see what we are able to do here, for many years to come. I do feel like I let some people down but we are going to keep fighting.”

Zizzo is expected to race at four additional NHRA events in 2023. By making it to the semi-finals in Chicago, he qualified for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Top Fuel Challenge in Epping on June 3. The team is evaluating their options but with a thriving body shop outside of Chicago Zizzo’s racing schedule is limited.

Qualifying Results

Q1: 4.178 sec; 208.62 mph; Qual. 10

Q2: 3.795 sec; 325.92 mph; Qual. 14

Q3: 4.049 sec; 221.02 mph; Qual. 16

Race Results

First Round

TJ Zizzo, Rust-Oleum Rocket Top Fuel dragster, (.056), 3.712, 329.99 mph def. Mike Salinas, Scrappers Racing dragster, (.075), No Time

Second Round

TJ Zizzo, Rust-Oleum Rocket Top Fuel dragster, (.073), 3.804, 316.08 mph def. Leah Pruett, Dodge Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster, (.059), 4.411, 252.61 mph

Semi-Final Round

Josh Hart, R+L Carriers/TechNet dragster, (.043), 3.910, 310.20 mphdef. TJ Zizzo, Rust-Oleum Rocket Top Fuel dragster, (.049), 11.446, 74.29 mph

Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Top Fuel

1.         Steve Torrence            437

2.         Brittany Force             420

3.         Austin Prock                410

4.         Justin Ashley               406

5.         Leah Pruett                 403

6.         Mike Salinas                350

7.         Antron Brown             345

8.         Josh Hart                     342

9.         Shawn Langdon          296

10.       Doug Kalitta                293

CLINCHES SPOT IN MISSION #2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE

CHICAGO (May 21, 2023) — The R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster team and driver Josh Hart continued their steady improvement with a runner-up finish at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals outside of Chicago. The Ocala, Florida-based team qualified No. 12 but defeated No. 5 qualifier Antron Brown, No. 13 qualifier Jacob McNeal, No. 16 qualifier TJ Zizzo before coming up a few hundredths of a second short to veteran Clay Millican in the final round. Tricky track conditions and warm weather bedeviled most of the teams on race day, but Hart and crew chief Ron Douglas were able to navigate the conditions and advance to their fifth career final round.

“We had a super tricky racetrack today,” said Hart, a two-time Top Fuel national event winner. “I am happy we are back in Chicago though. I really liked this place. It looks like a gladiator stadium. I’ve wanted to get back here badly for a long time and hopefully it’s back again next year.”

Through two days of qualifying Hart’s R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster was not its usual dominant self that has led the team to back-to-back final quads at the previous two four-wide national events. The team’s quickest pass of 3.770 seconds came on Saturday morning and they built off those numbers on race day. Hart had his hands full in the first round against three-time world champion Brown. Both dragsters smoked the tires, but Hart’s racecar was able to hang on long enough to give him the momentum to win.

“In qualifying, we were kind of hit or miss. We were just trying to figure the track out,” said Hart. “In the first round, you get out there and you’re way past the shake zone and that thing starts to move sideways. My job was just to get it to settle down and then hit the gas again and fortunately, we had enough momentum to get past Antron. It’s hard to even leave on somebody like that. And we did buy a little bit off the starting line.”

After the wild first round Hart made a solid pass to get around newcomer Jacob McNeal. Hart was first off the line and he never trailed in the drag race. Both drivers made clean runs and it was Hart advancing to the semifinals and clinching a spot in the upcoming Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at the New England Nationals. In the semifinals once again, Hart had to wrestle his racecar to the finish line for a third win light.

“We go out there and I felt it drop a couple holes and starts chugging like you know, the Cannonball Express and you’re thinking ‘Oh, this is gonna hurt like the Cannonball Express is gonna smash pennies like it does on train rails.’ I was thinking this is going to hurt my wallet which it did it. We grenaded an engine but when you’re in eliminations, you just you got to do what you got to do,” said Hart.

Racing for his third career win Hart was looking to get a fourth win light against veteran Millican, another independent driver and friend. Both drivers left together and they were side by side for 1000 feet with Millican just getting the nose of his dragster out in front of Hart. The margin of victory was about a foot at over 320 mph.

“In the finals, we were just trying to get this thing down the racetrack,” said Hart. “The guys really went over and above. We put in a new engine, a new super-charger and a new clutch. We were doing stuff that we were way out of our comfort zone just to try to see if we could get it to go A to B. He had a .049 light and I had a .052 so we were right there. We lost by literally the skin of our teeth. I didn’t see him so that means I was just going to stay in it. Congratulations to Clay. He’s one of my favorite people out here. He’s always smiling. I like him a lot. So couldn’t happen to a better team.”

Hart will be back in action in two weeks at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire. The third-year pro moved up to seventh in the Top Fuel point standings and he is three points out of sixth and three rounds from the top five.

Qualifying Results

Q1: 4.542 sec, 167.32 mph; Qual. 12

Q2: 3.770 sec, 329.91 mph; Qual. 11

Q3: 9.387 sec, 58.80 mph; Qual. 12

Bonus Points: 0

Race Results

First Round

Josh Hart, R+L Carriers dragster, (.054), 4.390, 198.85 mph def. Antron Brown, Matco Tools dragster, (.060), 4.756, 184.85 mph

Second Round

Josh Hart, R+L Carriers dragster, (.040), 3.793, 328.78 mph def. Jacob McNeal, Marck Recycling dragster, (.066), 3.870, 317.27 mph.

Semifinal Round

Josh Hart, R+L Carriers dragster, (.043), 3.910, 310.20 mph def. TJ Zizzo, Rust-Oleum dragster, (.049), 11.446, 74.29 mph

Finals

Clay Millican, Parts Plus dragster, (.049), 3.801, 328.94 mph def.  Josh Hart, R+L Carriers dragster, (.052), 3.808, 324.28 mph

Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Top Fuel

1.         Steve Torrence            437

2.         Brittany Force             420

3.         Austin Prock                410

4.         Justin Ashley               406

5.         Leah Pruett                 403

6.         Antron Brown             345

7.         Josh Hart                     342

8.         Mike Salinas                340

9.         Shawn Langdon          296

10.       Doug Kalitta                293

About R+L Carriers

Based in the United States, R+L Carriers is a Global Freight Transportation and Logistics company that has remained family-owned and operated since 1965. R+L Carriers offers one of the most comprehensive networks of nationwide service centers for LTL, Truckload, Expedited and Cross-Border Shipping. In addition to its core value-added shipping solutions, R+L Carriers has a portfolio of services that extends to International Supply Chain Management, Warehousing and Customs Brokerage.

Richard Freeman Races To Victory At Route 66 Nationals

JOLIET, Ill. (May 21, 2023) – Richard Freeman, the owner of Elite Motorsports, took the wheel of his Elite-powered Mountain Motor Pro Stock machine all the way to the winners circle today at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance. “This is a great way to kick off our season in mountain motor pro stock,” said Freeman. “This category is so exciting. As you can see from qualifying, the field is stacked. There’s going to be some intense competition and I’m glad we got it started right. This team is just doing a fantastic job of putting things together and they are the reason we got the win today.” As drivers took to the track at iconic Route 66 Raceway on race day for the first time in four years, Pro Stock driver Cristian Cuadra faced his older brother, Fernando Cuadra Jr. in the first round, both in their Corral Boots Mustangs. F. Cuadra Jr. left first by two-thousandths of a second but had trouble after leaving the starting line, so the younger Cuadra, Cristian, got the first-round win. The next pair to take the track were also a couple of Elite Motorsports teammates as Erica Enders and Aaron Stanfield lined up against each other. Stanfield defeated Enders on a holeshot with a stellar reaction time of .021-seconds.  Pro Stock rookie Jerry Tucker left the starting line with a flawless .000-second light. He held on to that advantage to power his Elite Motorsports Camaro to a round win against Camrie Caruso. Troy Coughlin Jr.’s yellow and black JEGS.com Camaro defeated Kyle Koretsky thanks to a smooth pass of 6.544-seconds at 209.98 mph. In the final Round One Pro Stock matchup, Bo Butner, the driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro, powered past Shane Tucker to advance to the next round of competition.  As the luck of the ladder would have it, several Elite Motorsports team members had to face each other in the quarterfinal round. Stanfield’s Janac Bros. / JC3 Energy Camaro powered to a round win against Butner and J. Tucker defeated Coughlin. Deric Kramer got out in front of C. Cuadra at the line and held onto his lead for the win. J. Tucker earned his way into the first semifinal round of his professional career, also securing his place in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty challenge at the next event where Pro Stock is contested. He faced Dallas Glenn in the semifinals while his teammate Stanfield would take on Kramer. Although J. Tucker had a phenomenal light with a .007 reaction time, he had trouble off the line and had to give the win to Glenn. Kramer defeated Stanfield as well. In Mountain Motor Pro Stock, the competition was heated, to say the least. The entire field was only separated by six-hundredths of a second amongst the eight drivers who qualified for race day. Enders entered the competition from the third position on the ladder and faced Tony Gillig in the first round. Gillig timed out, advancing Enders to the semifinals. Freeman defeated Johnny Pluchino with a powerful run of 6.228 at 226.96 to advance to face Enders in the semifinals.  Freeman powered his way to the first final round of the season for the fan-favorite category by defeating Enders. Facing John Montecalvo in the final heat of the day, Freeman got the starting line advantage and piloted his way to victory.  ***

Photos

Richard Freeman powered his Elite Motorsports Mountain Motor Pro Stock machine to victory at the Route 66 Nationals. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Richard Freeman, the owner of Elite Motorsports, celebrates his win in Chicago at Route 66 Raceway. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)

Erica Enders launches off of the starting line in her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Bo Butner lays down a signature smokey burnout at Route 66 Raceway. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Jerry Tucker advanced to his first final round at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Cristian Cuadra in his Corral Boots Mustang. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Aaron Stanfield in his Janac Brothers / JC3 Energy Camaro. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Fernando Cuadra Jr. in his Corral Boots Mustang. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

David Cuadra puts some heat in the tires of his Corral Boots Mustang. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Fernando Cuadra Sr. in his Corral Boots Mustang. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Troy Coughlin Jr. in his JEGS.com Camaro (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

JOLIET, Ill. (May 21, 2023) – Lenny Lottig and his ITI Trailers & Truck Bodies COPO Camaro won their second consecutive Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown race Sunday at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.

Facing Doug Hamp and his Hamp Racing COPO in the finals, Lottig would lay down a stout 7.681-second pass at 179.21 mph to win his third career Factory Stock Showdown race. Hamp would cross the finish line at 7.746-second and 178.24 mph.

“Our crew chiefs Dave Yedney and Tommy Lane, they have given me a car that just drives great. We got a win at the last race and we’re like, ‘Hey, we’re going to go and double up.’ And here we are back on the winner’s stage,” Lottig said. “It was Dave’s birthday today and I said, ‘Hey, we’re getting you a Wally for your birthday.’ And by golly he gave me the car to be able to do it. Without a doubt we wouldn’t be here without these guys. We got Jesse Alexandra. We got my wife Linda. It definitely takes an army to be successful out here.”

To start the day, Lottig would lay down a 7.708-second pass at 178.99 mph to send Stephen Bell and his Stanfield Racing Engines Chevrolet’s 7.770 at 177.56 home. Lottig would then take on Mark Pawuk and the Empaco Equipment Dodge Drag Pak in the semifinals. Lottig would have a stellar 7.693 pass at 178.71 bettering Pawuk’s 7.717 at 178.45.

“We’ve been fortunate to surround ourselves with good people. These guys say whatever the track throws at us, their approach is we have to race the track that we got,” Lottig said. “It has definitely been panning out. You saw it today and you saw it in Charlotte.”

With the victory, Lottig moved within 15 points of the championship points lead and maintained the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Bounty, growing the prize for taking him out in eliminations to $2,000.

“I do not have a problem hurting my opponents’ feelings when it comes to this bounty,” Lottig said. “I said it before, I want to grow this bounty, really make it worth it for whoever beats me, I hope it’s my teammate Jesse Alexandra, then dinner is on him.”

En route to the finals, Hamp took down No. 4 qualifier and current points leader Aaron Stanfield and the Stanfield Racing Engines Camaro’s 7.749-secodn pass at 178.57 mph with a 7.748 pass at 178.45. In the semifinals, Hamp’s 7.770 pass at 177.46 would better Jason Dietsch’s 8.230 at 176.26.

The NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown season continues at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway June 9-11 in Bristol, Tennessee.

Flexjet Bounty Program

Gatornationals (Gainesville, FL)

$1,000 bounty collected by Joe Welch, defeated Aaron Stanfield, Dallas winner

Four-Wide Nationals (Charlotte, N.C.)

$1,000 bounty collected by Lenny Lottig, defeated Joe Welch, Gainesville winner

Route 66 Nationals (Chicago)

Bounty not collected

2023 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Results

Gainesville – Joe Welch, winner; Aaron Stanfield, runner-up

Charlotte – Lenny Lottig, winner; Aaron Stanfield, runner-up

Chicago – Lenny Lottig, winner; Doug Hamp, runner-up

Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Top Ten Points Standings:

1.         Aaron Stanfield           290

2.         Lenny Lottig                285

3.         David Davies III           213

4.         Joseph Welch              205

5.         Doug Hamp                 200

6.         Mark Pawuk                199

7.         Stephen Bell               182

8.         Jesse Alexandra          180

9.         AJ Berge                      178

10.       David Barton               161

About Flexjet

If maintaining performance vehicles is your passion – translate those skills into becoming a Flexjet aircraft maintenance technician (AMT). Explore a career with the world-class Flexjet Maintenance group today.

Flexjet, Inc., a global leader in subscription-based private aviation, first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing and is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, is the first and only company to be honored with 24 FAA Diamond Awards for Excellence, upholds an ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating, a 4AIR Bronze Sustainable Rating and is IS-BAO compliant at Level 2. Red Label by Flexjet, a market differentiator, which features the most modern fleet in the industry, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and the LXi Cabin Collection of interiors. To date there are more than 40 different interior designs across its fleet, which includes the Embraer Phenom 300 and Praetor 500, Bombardier Challenger 350, the Gulfstream G450 and G650. Flexjet’s European fleet includes the Embraer Praetor 600 and the Gulfstream G650. Flexjet’s helicopter division sells fractional, lease, and on-demand charter access to its fleet of owned, operated and maintained Sikorsky S-76 helicopters which boast 55,000 hours of safe flying certified by Wyvern and ARG/US and serving locations throughout the northeastern United States, United Kingdom, and southern Florida. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies. For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com or follow us on Instagram @FlexjetInc.

May 21, 2023 — SPEEDWAY, Ind.

• Fourth consecutive Indy 500 pole for Honda
• Alex Palou records second-fastest qualifying run in Indianapolis 500 history; quickest pole run
• Scott Dixon also advances to Fast Six final qualifying, will start sixth

Alex Palou delivered Honda’s fourth consecutive Indianapolis 500 pole today in a thrilling final qualifying contest that resulted in one of the closest front rows in “500” history.

After qualifying second to teammate Scott Dixon in 2022, Palou piloted his #10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to a four-lap record speed of 234.217 mph – eclipsing the mark set last year by Dixon – to claim the second-fastest qualifying run in Indianapolis 500 history. Palou’s speed edged Rinus VeeKay by just 0.006 mph over the four-lap, ten-mile qualifying run. 

Also advancing to Final Round qualifying, Dixon will start sixth in his #9 Chip Ganassi Honda. Other Honda drivers to advance out of first-round qualifying to the “Fast 12” second round earlier today included two-time Indy winner Takuma Sato, who will start eighth; and defending “500” race winner Marcus Ericsson, who will start his Chip Ganassi Racing Honda from 10th.

Prior to the Firestone Fast Six final qualifying round, the 11th and last row of the starting grid was completed with Last Chance Qualifying, with four drivers competing for the final three starting positions.  Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard and Jack Harvey made the cut, and will start 31st and 33rd, respectively. 

Dale Coyne Racing with RWR’s Sting Ray Robb will start from the middle of the back row, 32nd; while Graham Rahal failed to make the field in his Rahal Letterman Lanigan entry.

Honda Drivers and Teams Starting Positions for the Indianapolis 500

1st Alex Palou	Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
5th Scott Dixon-W	Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
8th Takuma Sato-W	Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
10th Marcus Ericsson-W	Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
15th Kyle Kirkwood	Andretti Autosport Honda
19th Romain Grosjean	Andretti Autosport Honda
20th Helio Castroneves-W	Meyer Shank Racing Honda
21st Colton Herta	Andretti Autosport Honda
22nd Simon Pagenaud-W	Meyer Shank Racing Honda
23rd David Malukas	Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Honda
24th Marco Andretti	Andretti Autosport Honda
26th Devlin DeFrancesco	Andretti Autosport Honda
30th Katherine Legge	Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda
31st Christian Lundgaard	Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda
32nd Sting Ray Robb-R	DCR with Rick Ware Racing Honda
33rd Jack Harvey	Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda

W – Indianapolis 500 race winner                      R – Indianapolis 500 rookie

Quotes

Alex Palou (#10 Chip Ganassi Honda) Pole qualifier, his first Indianapolis 500 pole with a record speed of 234.217 mph: “This means the world to me, to the guys on the team, to everyone.  We knew it was going to be tight, and it was really tight, but the #10 car guys and Honda did an amazing job.  They made the fastest car today.  I’m just super-proud of the work they’ve done all month, all year, to get us to this point.  We knew that we had to go aggressive [with the setup] to get a good first lap.  That made the fourth lap really tough to stay flat [in the turns], but we did it.  We’ll celebrate tonight, but then get ready for next week [and the race].”

Scott Dixon (#9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) Qualified Sixth: “Congrats to Alex [Palou], that was definitely a mighty fine run there.  Our car was just too ‘on the nose’, super loose, so we were just scrubbing speed right from the get-go.  But we’re looking forward to next week.  I think we have a really good race car; all four Ganassi Hondas should be strong in the race.”

Jack Harvey (#30 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda) bumped his way into the Indy 500 field, will start 33rd: “It was crazy out there, really. I’m so happy for everybody on the #30 People Ready Honda that we have our place in the 107th running of the Indy 500. We had to do a cool down run, and then did another run and went slower. I asked the guys if there was a point in doing a final run and they said ‘you never know’!  So we made one change to the balance and it was a lot better. I feel terrible knocking out another team car [bumping teammate Graham Rahal], but I’m thrilled to make the show.” 

David Salters (President and Technical Director, Honda Performance Development) on today’s pole by Honda driver Alex Palou for next weekend’s Indianapolis 500: “I’m enormously proud of all the magnificent men and women of HPD, of Chip Ganassi Racing — an amazing team there — and of course of Mr. Alex Palou. We got pole [again!] at the Indy 500. It’s really astonishing, to be honest with you. It’s hard to describe, but you literally cannot make this stuff up. Just a massive shout out to everybody involved. This is a team sport, it’s an engineering-prowess sport and we just showed our engineering prowess. Well done, Honda. Well done, everybody. That was amazing!”

Fast Facts

• This is Honda’s 14th pole in 23 races at the Indianapolis 500, and 8th pole in 17 Indianapolis 500s with multi-manufacturer competition.  It is Honda’s fourth consecutive ‘500’ pole, a streak begun by Marco Andretti in 2020 and continued by Dixon in 2021-22.
• Honda has won more Indianapolis 500 races than any major automaker: 15 victories from 22 races – a win ratio of 68% – since the company entered the INDYCAR competition in 1994.

Where to Watch Sunday’s 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Live NBC network coverage of the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 begins at 11 a.m. EDT, with the green flag to start Sunday’s 200-lap contest at 12:45 p.m. EDT.  Live streaming will also be available on NBC Peacock.

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CHICAGO (May 21, 2023) — For Australian Pro Stock racer Shane Tucker his return to the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series has been a tough battle. Tucker, who has the full season backing of UrPay, an Australian-owned payment processing company that is moving into the US market, on his Chevrolet Camaro has competed in every national event this season, but he broke through this weekend at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Nationals. At every event this season Tucker and his Rob Tucker tuned Chevrolet Camaro has improved and been competitive in qualifying, but they just could not string together a top 16 quick run. This weekend Tucker powered his UrPay Chevrolet into the race as the No. 14 qualifier in a tough field of 20 competitors.

UrPay Pro Stock driver Shane Tucker with FOX TV’s Bruno Massel

“We took some big strides in the right direction this weekend,” said Tucker. “We’ve just had so much bad luck with parts breaking and whatnot. It was good to get a decent clean run down the track and get some data we can work with. We have a good team. They’re all very experienced and we have World Championships.”

In the opening round Tucker knew he would need to steal some real estate on the starting line and the veteran driver took a strong starting line reaction time advantage of .019 to .040 over former world champion Bo Butner. Both Camaros were welded together going down the track but Tucker’s racecar fell off on the performance side just slightly opening the door for Butner to advance to the quarterfinals.

“I knew I had to be better than him on the starting line because he’d been outrunning us every run,” said Tucker. “I managed to be a little bit better on the start line, but we were just not quite there. We probably missed it slightly on the setup, but I think all in all, it’s been a positive weekend.”

For Tucker who has raced successfully in his home country of Australia and has competed at the highest levels here in the United States the current competition level in Pro Stock is a welcome challenge. Throughout his career in racing and business Tucker has risen to the challenge.

“The fields these days are separated by less than six hundredths. It is so competitive,” said Tucker. “You go out there in round one and there’s legitimately 16 cars that can win the event, which I think is cool. The fans love it. It gives all the drivers extra motivation to make sure they do their job. I’m super proud of our team to be involved in a 16-car field where it’s that tight. You know, we’re just a bunch of misfits. It’s got an opportunity.”

The team was also impressed with the high number of fans in attendance and the look of the stadium style Route 66 Raceway. Tucker has competed here in the past, but the sheer size of the facility combined with a packed set of grandstands still captured Tucker’s attention.

“This track has a stadium-like sort of feel,” said Tucker. “This has to be how the Coliseum might have felt right back in the day for the gladiators. I love this place. It was really great to have Chris Thompson, the CEO of UrPay, and his wife here to see what the NHRA is all about. I’ve always loved this place. I’ve had good success here. Just seeing the fans turn out in droves has been cool.”

Qualifying Results

Q1: 6.729 sec, 200.41 mph; Qual. 16

Q2: 6.603 sec; 209.39 mph; Qual. 18

Q3: 6.558 sec, 210.24 mph; Qual. 14

Bonus Points: 0

Race Results

First Round

Bo Butner, Johnson Horsepower Garage Chevrolet Camaro, (.040), 6.551, 209.98 mph def. 

Shane Tucker, UrPay Chevrolet Camaro, (.019), 6.590, 210.18 mph

Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Pro Stock

1.         Dallas Glenn               581

2.         Matt Hartford             413

3.         Deric Kramer               406

4.         Troy Coughlin Jr          398

5.         Aaron Stanfield          360

6.         Camrie Caruso             331

7.         Greg Anderson           310

8.         Bo Butner                   309

9.         Cristian Cuadra           293

10.       Kyle Koretsky              286

CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES

INDIANAPOLIS 500

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

TEAM CHEVY FIRESTONE FAST SIX QUALIFYING REPORT

MAY 21, 2023

• Rinus VeeKay, of Ed Carpenter Racing, has been the best qualifying Chevrolet for the Indianapolis 500 for four years in a row.
• This is also the ninth front row start in 11 years for an Ed Carpenter Racing entrant, all with Chevrolet.
• This is Felix Rosenqvist’s, driver at Arrow McLaren INDYCAR, first front row start at the Indianapolis 500.  
• This is the best starting position for an entry from AJ Foyt Racing since Robby Gordon in 2001.
• Legendary driver and now-team owner AJ Foyt won two of his four Indianapolis 500 victories from the fourth starting position, the same starting position as AJ Foyt Racing driver Santino Ferrucci will start the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 from.
• Pato O’Ward, of Arrow McLaren INDYCAR, will start in the middle second row of the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500, qualifying fifth in the Firestone Fast Six.

TEAM CHEVY TOP-SIX QUALIFYING RESULT:

Pos.  Driver

2nd    Rinus VeeKay

3rd     Felix Rosenqvist

4th     Santino Ferrucci

5th     Pato O’Ward

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (QUOTES)

Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:

“I got everything out of it but I wish I had just a little bit more. I got tight and I should have let it run a little bit, but I mean, it’s it’s so close. You know, the whole group really had a shot for pole position. I am a bit spoiled to say that so starting second, and still very happy. We don’t win anything with this you know, this is only the start to the race. We’ll get them held next week.”

Felix Rosenqvist, No. 6 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren INDYCAR:

“I didn’t really feel like we had the same speed as far as the previous one. I’m not sure why, we’ll have to look at the data and see what it was. But anyways, it’s phenomenal to be on the front row and keep us where we are–super quick. I think anyone can grab this pole and it’s so tight that the front and that last one just seemed like some guys find a bit more than we did. I’m just super proud of the team. It has all been awesome and everyone’s just been helping everyone and like this one team was behind us and I tried to get everything out of this beautiful number six car and it’s great a great car.”

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Chevrolet at AJ Foyt Racing:

“I’m really proud of this. I mean, we’re the underdog here to be fighting for top six and the biggest race of the year, and the biggest race in the world is pretty awesome. And like I said before the race matters. So we’ll just have to pass some people…that’s about it.

“Yeah, I feel great about it. I mean gratulations Alex (Palou). I can’t thank my team enough. I mean, these guys worked so hard last couple of weeks and months to prepare this car and to start up front like we are knowing that we got a great race car and shot to win this thing. I’m so proud of the guys.”

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren INDYCAR:

“This is awesome. My first Fast Six. And it’s just it’s awesome for the team. I mean, I’d love to just to get on the front row. I love how these current loops that we came out with. Really, really cool, but we also have to share the front row which is okay.

But, I don’t know man and Palou has been really strong. VeeKay has as well. I think the No. 6 car has a lot of speed is good enough for front row and that’s what I’m hoping I’d be… But I think yeah, man, I mean, this is good,”

RINUS VEEKAY, NO. 21 ED CARPENTER RACING CHEVROLET, and FELIX ROSENQVIST, NO. 6 ARROW MCLAREN CHEVROLET – End of Day Press Conference:

THE MODERATOR: Good afternoon, wrapping up qualifying at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2023 setting the field for the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500. Felix Rosenqvist will also join us here in just a bit.

But joined now by the young man that will start second in the race a week from today, Rinus VeeKay, 234.211. That’s the second closest gap one-two in 500 history. It goes back to 6 thousandths of a mile an hour versus what Ryan Briscoe did with James Hinchcliffe in 2012, and that was three thousandths of a mile an hour. That’s how close it was between one and two.

Rinus, driving the No. 21 BITNILE.COM Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing, the third straight front row start for Rinus. He was the fastest Chevy driver four years in a row how, and ECR, Ed Carpenter Racing, now with their ninth front row start in 11 years. Rinus, it was that close.

RINUS VEEKAY: Yeah, it was very close. Wow, very happy, but also a bit bummed. We had that shot, and I wish we could have done it. It would have been so great for the team. But also I’m bummed to be starting the Indy 500 second.

Not bad, definitely, but yeah, I think it just has to sink in a little bit. What is in my head now is I lost, but no, I will enjoy this one, and it’s my best starting position so far in the 500, which fourth, third, third and second, we all know what comes in my car number after second, and that’s a 1.

Just very proud of the team, also. We had a tough morning, kind of went downhill for a bit, and we still — the team still made it happen. The only thing I had to do was stay flat for four laps, and the ECR Bitnile crew gave me the best possible car for this moment.

Q. Do you think back lap by lap where maybe you could have picked up a tenth or a thousandth here or there, or was that a perfect four-lap run for you?

RINUS VEEKAY: I’m not sure how much better it could have gone. The car felt the best it’s felt in qualifying trim, and yeah, should have had a bit less lunch. I think that’s it.

Q. You mentioned the emotions that go into today, knowing you’ve got to make two attempts, throw in what happened in that practice this morning. Talk about not getting too high or too low throughout the day and the emotions that were brought out of your today.

RINUS VEEKAY: Yeah, it’s a long day, actually longer than last year because there was a big break between the two, the Fast Twelve and the Fast Six. But I think I was the least nervous for the Fast Six because I already made it that far — I’m sorry, worst-case scenario I’m starting sixth. So emotions were pretty good, and also within the team was very chill.

Just very happy to have it done now and focus towards the race.

Q. You probably know the F1 race was canceled due to bad weather. Do you think you can now beat your countryman Max Verstappen for popularity in Holland?

RINUS VEEKAY: It’s definitely nice that — not nice; it’s terrible what happened there. But it’s good that all eyes are on INDYCAR this weekend.

I wish they’d move Monaco next weekend a bit, but at least, yeah, there’s a lot of people tuning in. That’s very nice. I hope the popularity for INDYCAR grows very fast in the Netherlands and all over the world.

Q. Rinus, of course there’s tomorrow’s practice, Carb Day. You’re sandwiched with McLaren and Ganassi in the front row. What’s going to be instrumental to get that car and in order to get Ed that big win over the next few days?

RINUS VEEKAY: I think definitely the most important thing is staying out of trouble, having a clean race, and making sure we’re there when we tune it up at the end of the race.

I know looking at the practice rounds we’ve done that the car is maybe even better in race trim than qualifying trim.

I was very happy on Thursday in our last traffic run, so yeah, just very excited to show that in the race.

Q. Was there any impact to not having a teammate this year in the Fast Six compared to having Ed the last couple years to maybe do some setup changes between?

RINUS VEEKAY: I think it definitely helped out like to have a teammate in there. It’s always nice to have someone with the same setup, same exact car, do a run before and making some little tweaks.

But yeah, I wish Ed was in there and I could have battled with Ed or Conor. But I think for the underdog car in there, it was nice to have a good shot at it and almost hitting the bull’s eye.

Q. The other morning we talked and I asked how you’d grade your season so far, and you said 4 out of 10. Does a day like today help morale?

RINUS VEEKAY: Yeah, definitely. This is the best qualifying result for the team since I’ve joined, so definitely not bad, and yeah, just very, very happy for the team that we got this, and I think it definitely helps morale, not only for me but for all the three car crews.

We’re going to work as hard as we can. We’ve just got to find the grit and the determination to make it happen. But it’s a great group, and I’m excited that we’re going to be in the race, albeit last. We’ll do our best now.

THE MODERATOR: Also joined by Felix Rosenqvist who will start on the outside of row 1, driver of the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet with his first front-row start. By the way, once again, for the second straight year, this is the fastest front row in Indy 500 history, making up, once again, the fastest field in Indy 500 history.

Again, Felix, congratulations. Your thoughts about starting on the front row.

FELIX ROSENQVIST: It’s mixed feelings right now. I think overall it’s a very good day for us. I think these two found something in the Fast Six that we didn’t find. We felt like we were kind of on top of it going into it. We were not confident, but we felt like we put the best possible scenario on the car, and big thanks to all the group for Arrow McLaren and Team Chevy, as well. I think the whole team came together for this final run where we threw everything we had at it, and we missed out, and it’s the second time in not so long I’m sitting here and missing pole with I think one or two thousandths. It’s what it is, but overall we have to be proud to have all the cars in the top 12. It’s just been a phenomenal month for us so far.

But yeah, big congrats to Alex and also to Rinus. That was a hell of a run. We couldn’t match that today.

THE MODERATOR: Fastest field in history, 232.184 miles an hour, breaking the record last year we set, 231.023.

THE MODERATOR: For Felix, fast guy yesterday, fast guy in the Fast 12. Were you a little bit surprised that you didn’t have the speed there at the end when it looked like the track conditions were probably the best they’d been all weekend?

FELIX ROSENQVIST: Yeah, I don’t know. It didn’t feel like it. I could feel on the run pretty much on my warmup lap that it didn’t feel as sporty as it did earlier today, so kind of had to look what went wrong. Obviously we didn’t change a bunch on the car. We were pretty sure what we put on was the best we’d done all month.

But man, it’s tight, and if you don’t get it 10 out of 10, there’s going to be two other boys sitting next to you with better lap times.

I think anyway, it’s just been incredible, and just to have the privilege to drive a car that looks that good and is that fast I think is — yeah, it makes it pretty cool.

Q. Felix, back in Europe the 500 feels a bit further away and the focus is on more circuit racing type stuff. Can you kind of talk from the background that you grew up in what the kind of qualifying what you did today means and how big an occasion the 500 qualifying is just based on everything that’s happened today?

FELIX ROSENQVIST: Yeah, it’s huge, man. I remember when Kenny Brack, who was the first driver I grew up watching actually before F1 or anything, and he had a big shunt, he came back, and I think he set a really good lap time after his injury, and that was a big deal in Sweden, and that was kind of my first memories of racing. So it’s a big deal, and in Sweden it’s huge because he won the race, and now obviously Marcus won it last year.

So Sweden is pumped in this race right now. There’s a lot of Swedish flags out there already, and everyone is sitting back home and watching late at night.

It’s incredible to see the interest has grown, and I think people in general get a better understanding of the ovals. When I came over here, it was like, what’s the difference, like how do you go quicker on an oval. You hear that question a lot. And now people are already looking at ambient temperatures and humidity and wind, and everyone is becoming like experts at analyzing the drivers and lines and stuff.

It’s cool to see. It’s definitely on the upward trend.

Q. Rinus, I believe you started on the front row already, but what’s it like outside front row going into Turn 1? You ought to be a master at it by now, and the fact that you start so far up has to give you a really good strategic edge or tactical edge in the race.

RINUS VEEKAY: Yeah, definitely helps. I feel like even if race running when we did that in the beginning of the week, you definitely feel there’s a bunch of cars in front of you, more than three, it gets very hard to pass. This way if you are in the top 3 you can basically save fuel and focus on that kind of stuff to move your way forward. That helps, that definitely helps, and we’ve got to make sure we stay in there for the last part of the race, and then I think everyone tears it up.

Q. Felix, this is a pretty big accomplishment for you starting on the front row of the Indianapolis 500. You’re having a great, great weekend so far, great week, a lot of speed. I know you’re probably living in the moment a little bit, but your future is a little bit uncertain right now. You’re sitting next to the guy. How much confidence does that give you even about your career, about how you’re doing this week, and even maybe going into next year, do you think this is a time where you can really build that resume up and show everybody, not just Arrow McLaren, that hey, I belong here, this is what I’m meant to do?

FELIX ROSENQVIST: I mean, it doesn’t hurt. We always try to be quick, and I feel like most of the time we are. INDYCAR racing is not easy, and it doesn’t always go the way you want, but no, I feel like it’s been a good year so far, even with two DNFs to start the year. It’s obviously super difficult to crawl out of that.

But on top of that, it’s been great. Everywhere we’ve gone, we’ve been quick. We’ve been qualifying up front. We’ve been good in the races, good strategy.

The whole team has just come together so well that I just feel like there’s quite a lot in store for us for the rest of the season, and obviously now we’re here again on the front row in the second race in a row.

It’s awesome. We just have to ride the wave, and I feel like that way is going to get bigger as the year goes on, and what happens for me in the future, I don’t know, and I don’t really think about it right now. I just try to be in the now, extract everything I can every race, and I always tell myself things work themselves out if you just focus on what you do in the car.

Q. What is it like, most people will never, ever get a chance to drive a car like this, hanging it out. What is it like out there? Do you feel raw emotion, or is there a little bit of scared going on when you’re hanging the car out? What is going on, Felix, when you’re out there in a run like that with everything on the line?

FELIX ROSENQVIST: For me it’s like the most focused you can be. You’re just very — it’s like a very high level of discipline, and knowing yourself, knowing the car, trusting the car, trusting your engineers, trusting your mechanics, but at the same time you kind of just have to shut everything off.

But it feels cool, man. Yeah, it feels quick. I don’t know how else to explain it.

You’re so focused — Not scary, but you know it’s big consequences, and when you feel the car start sliding, you kind of have to just bury it and do some changes to your tools, and then you’re just hoping it’s not going to be the same in the next corner, and it’s kind of a funny thing, but like one press wrong on that button can be the difference of being P1 or being in the wall.

It’s a fun dance, I guess, and it’s fun when you’re out there, but when you’re done, you’re also quite happy.

Q. You’re touching so many buttons, making all these adjustments through a run like that, does it take away from the fun part?

FELIX ROSENQVIST: Yeah, it’s so tight now, man. It seems every time I’m here for qualifying, it’s a record of some sort. It’s the tightest field or the tightest for pole or we have the tightest Fast Six on the GP here a couple of weeks ago.

I think we just have to exploit everything we can get our hands on. If there’s a button to press and you go a bit quicker, we’ll press it.

I feel like it’s getting busier and busier as the years go on. Like you see a couple of runs from the past where maybe you could analyze as well with simulation and computers and stuff, but you just kind of hang on, and now it’s more like being on the very, very fine limit which you can do when you have all the resources that both our teams have, and then when you’re there, you just have to extract every little thousandth out of it. I think it’s pretty cool. It’s sporty, and I think it makes it harder.

JOLIET, Ill. (May 21, 2023) – John Force and the BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car team had a semifinal finish at the Gerber Glass & Collision NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway. Brittany Force and the Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team also made a semifinal appearance while both Austin Prock with the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist dragster and Robert Hight with the Cornwell Tools / AAA Chevy Camaro SS each had quarterfinal exits. John Force had extra motivation this weekend with Old World Industries (OWI), the parent company of BlueDEF and PEAK, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To commemorate the milestone, Force’s BlueDEF / PEAK Chevy sported a hood with all the OWI employee names on it. John Force Racing hospitality played host to over 200 of the Chicago-based company’s employees and executives including Founder and Chairman Tom Hurvis and CEO Greg Noethlich. “Good to have PEAK here, having them help bring this race back with Old World Industries. Tom Hurvis, a guy that has given his life to the business and has been with so many teams over the years. It’s their 50th anniversary this year for all of OWI, PEAK and BlueDEF,” Force said.  “Glad to have had them all out here this weekend and at least they had some fun this weekend and their customers were happy.” John Force and the BlueDEF Chevy came out swinging in the first round of eliminations throwing down the quickest pass of the session at 3.940 seconds and 320.20 mph in what turned into a solo run after Mike McIntire had to shutoff before taking the tree. His win would put Force against teammate Robert Hight in the quarterfinals. The matchup between John Force Racing CEO and John Force Racing President would look like a solid side-by-side race until the end of the run. The Cornwell Tools Camaro would haze the tires late for only a 4.159-second pass at 262.44 mph forcing Hight to watch the BlueDEF Chevy pull away giving Force the win at 4.003 and 323.50. In the semifinals, Force ran into tire smoke almost immediately against eventual event winner Tim Wilkerson. The BlueDEF Chevy would coast to a 9.670-second run at only 76.53 mph while Wilkerson had a 4.012 pass at 319.90 mph. “Great being back here in Chicago, the fans were great. I’ve won here a couple time before, wish we could have gotten it done again today. We did take this BlueDEF / PEAK Chevy a couple rounds and moved our way up the points,” Force said. “Good to be back at this racetrack and we’ll see where we go from here.” Brittany Force and the Flav-R-Pac team moved out of the first round with a 3.750-second pass at 328.70 mph after Spencer Massey redlit by -.042 seconds. The win matched Force up with teammate Austin Prock in the second round. The quarterfinals wouldn’t be pretty for the John Force Racing teammates but Force would come out with the victory going 4.011-seconds at 241.32 mph despite hazing the tires midtrack while Prock drove into tire smoke early for a 5.477 at 262.79. Matched with veteran Clay Millican in the semifinals, Force and the Flav-R-Pac team would have cylinders out crossing the finish line at 3.881 seconds and 319.82 mph that wasn’t quite enough for Millican’s 3.778 at 329.58. “It was a tough start to our weekend qualifying bottom half of the field with only one good qualifying pass out of the three,” Force said. “This Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team turned it around on race day. We went down the track, turned on win lights. It may not have been pretty, but we turned on win lights and went to the semis. We’re happy with that and we’ll look to build on it heading into Epping, N.H.” Before having a quarterfinal exit against John Force, Robert Hight, the event No. 1 qualifier, and the Cornwell Tools Chevy were second quickest of the session going 3.941 seconds at 327.43 mph to better Dale Creasy Jr.’s. 4.464 at 201.55 after smoking the tires. “Not the way we thought we’d end this weekend after how well qualifying went. Tricky track today in the heat. Really bummed we couldn’t get Cornwell Tools in the winners circle but what a way to start our 11 races with them. It was something special to set the track record on that first run with all the Cornwell Tools employees in sponsor viewing and then getting the No. 1 spot,” Hight said. “Looking forward to getting to the next race, getting back on track and back in my Chevy Camaro Funny Car. We’ll be AAA in Epping, New Hampshire for the NHRA New England Nationals. Let’s see if we can get the job done for them.” En route to his second-round exit to teammate Brittany Force, Austin Prock and the Montana Brand team were consistent in round one of eliminations laying down a clean 3.721-second pass at 332.34 mph to beat Tony Schumacher’s 4.298 at 194.49 after smoking the tires. “We had a great hotrod this weekend and just came up short in the second round. I’m very proud of this Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team and how much we’ve accomplished this year so far. Smoking the tires today was the first time we’ve came loose in 11 runs and we’ve run between 3.68-3.74 those runs,” Prock said. “On top of it we had a bunch of sponsor guests and executives in the house this weekend from OWI/Peak, NK seeds and Cornwell Tools It was great meeting all of them and having them out here supporting us in person. Really enjoyed meeting Tom Hurvis and Greg Noethlich from OWI who really had a hand in bringing NHRA back to the Chicago area.” The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season continues June 2-4 with the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. -30-

AUSTIN PROCK, 27, Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist DragsterQualifying:2nd; 3.694-seconds; 331.20 mphBonus Qualifying Points:+2 (second quickest Q1)Race Results: Beat Tony Schumacher; Lost to Brittany ForceBRITTANY FORCE, 36, Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy DragsterQualifying:10th; 3.765-seconds; 334.82 mphBonus Qualifying Points:0 Race Results: Beat Spencer Massey; Lost to Austin ProckJOHN FORCE, 74, BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SSQualifying:4th; 3.989-seconds; 322.81 mphBonus Qualifying Points: +3 (quickest Q2) Race Results: Beat Mike McIntire, Robert Hight; Lost to Tim WilkersonROBERT HIGHT, 53, Cornwell Tools Chevy Camaro SSQualifying:1st; 3.831-seconds; 335.07 mphBonus Qualifying Points:+6 (quickest Q1 & Q3) Race Results: Beat Dale Creasy Jr.; Lost to John Force

CHEVROLET IN NHRA 2023 GERBER COLLISION AND GLASS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS ROUTE 66 RACEWAY JOLIET, ILLINOIS TEAM CHEVY RACE REPORT MAY 21, 2023 DALLAS GLENN WINS NHRA PRO STOCK FOR CHEVROLET IN RETURN TO ROUTE 66 RACEWAY Dallas Glenn, driver of the RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car, raced to his seventh NHRA Pro Stock career win, his third in 2023.Glenn earned Chevrolet their 372nd win in NHRA Pro Stock, the 253rd in the Camaro.Glenn also earned Chevrolet their fifth win of the season in six races, in addition to earning the fifth No. 1 qualifier in 2023, with his pass at 6.537 ET at 210.77 MPH and .022 reaction time.Robert Hight, driver of the Cornwell Tools/AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, raced to the No. 1 qualifier position Saturday at Route 66 Raceway while setting both ends of the track record with a pass of 3.381 ET at 335.07 MPH in Friday’s qualifying. JOLIET, Ill. (May 21, 2023) – Defeating Deric Kramer in the finals at the first event at Route 66 Raceway outside of Chicago since 2019, Dallas Glenn, driver of the RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car, raced to his seventh career NHRA Pro Stock Wally trophy, his third of 2023. Additionally, Glenn’s win notched Chevrolet their 327th win in Pro Stock, and their 253rd in the Camaro. Speaking on his third win of the year, and how tight the NHRA Pro Stock field is this year, Glenn reflected on the day saying, “I definitely know what is going on in the car. I’m a little tired, but this makes it all worth it. We have Dan Provost and Tammy from RAD Torque Systems out here. Thank you Samantha from Race Star Wheels, Summit, and everybody. I have the best crew chiefs ever. I don’t think we were the best today, but we were just good enough.” “You get a car that is working this good, and you just don’t know how far it’s going to continue and you just want to capitalize on every race,” noted Glenn. “I definitely had a real good car. I didn’t feel like I drove my best today, but luckily, it was good enough. It feels good right now, but I know it can change in a heartbeat.  We are just going to try our best to keep improving because I know the other teams are trying really hard and they are showing some promise. We definitely need to keep stepping up and keep the hammer down.” In Nitro, the Top Fuel and Funny Car machines of John Force Racing fell on the side of the ladders to face each other in the second round, with Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster eliminating teammate Austin Prock, then unfortunately falling to eventual event winner Clay Millican in Semifinals. In Funny Car, it was John Force, in the PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, defeating teammate Robert Hight, going then on to falling to eventual winner Tim Wilkerson. In Factory Stock, it was Len Lottig with the back-to-back victory in his Chevrolet COPO Camaro, notching his third win this year following capturing the Wally in Gainesville and the last event at Circle K NHRA Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals. Up next for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series is the NHRA New England Nationals, Friday, June 2 to Monday, June 4, 2023, at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire. Broadcast of Sunday’s eliminations will air live at noon ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) on Sunday. Round 1 Recap:Top Fuel:No. 2 Austin Prock defeated No. 15 Tony Schumacher with his run of 3.721 ET at 332.34 MPH.No. 10 Brittany Force defeated No. 7 Spencer Massey with her run of 3.750 ET at 328.70 MPH.Funny Car:No. 1 Robert Hight defeated No. 16 Dale Creasy, Jr. with his run of 3.941 ET at 327.43 MPH.No. 8 John Force defeated No. 9 Mike McIntire, Jr. with his run of 3.940 ET at 320.20 MPH.Pro Stock:No. 1 Dallas Glenn defeated No. 16 Chris McGaha with his run of 6.537 ET at 210.77 MPH.No. 9 Greg Anderson defeated No. 8 Matt Hartford with his run of 6.559 ET at 209.92 MPH.No. 4 Troy Coughlin, Jr. defeated No. 13 Kyle Koretsky with his run of 6.544 ET at 209.98 MPH.No. 12 Jerry Tucker defeated No. 5 Camrie Caruso with his run of 6.565 ET at 209.88 MPH.No. 2 Deric Kramer defeated No. 15 Mason McGaha with his run of 6.542 ET at 209.82 MPH.No. 3 Bo Butner, III defeated No. 14 Shane Tucker with his run of 6.551 ET at 209.98 MPH.No. 6 Aaron Stanfield defeated No. 6 Erica Enders with his run of 6.546 ET at 209.56 MPH. Round 2 Recap:Top Fuel:B. Force defeats Prock with her run of 4.011 ET at 241.32 MPH.Funny Car:J. Force defeats Hight with his run of 4.003 ET at 323.50 MPH.Pro Stock:Stanfield defeated Butner III with his run of 6.569 ET at 209.30 MPH.J. Tucker defeated Troy Coughlin, Jr. with his run of 6.586 ET at 210.64 MPH.Kramer defeated C. Cuadra with his run of 6.565 ET at 209.59 MPH.Glenn defeated Anderson with his run of 6.576 ET at 210.57 MPH. Semifinals Recap:Top Fuel:B. Force falls to Millican with his run of 3.778 ET at 329.58 MPH to her 3.881 ET at 319.82 MPH.Funny Car:J. Force falls to Wilkerson after smoking the tires, with Wilkerson clocking a lap at 4.012 ET at 319.90 MPH.Pro Stock:Glenn defeated J. Tucker with his run of 6.563 ET at 210.05 MPHD. Kramer defeated Stanfield with his run of 6.567 ET at 209.82 MPH.Finals:Pro Stock:Glenn defeated Kramer after Kramer got loose on his run, with Glenn racing to the win light with a run of 6.562 ET at 209.95 MPH.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA 2023 GERBER COLLISION AND GLASS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS ROUTE 66 RACEWAY JOLIET, ILLINOIS TEAM CHEVY RACE REPORT MAY 21, 2023 DALLAS GLENN WINS NHRA PRO STOCK FOR CHEVROLET IN RETURN TO ROUTE 66 RACEWAY Dallas Glenn, driver of the RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car, raced to his seventh NHRA Pro Stock career win, his third in 2023.Glenn earned Chevrolet their 372nd win in NHRA Pro Stock, the 253rd in the Camaro.Glenn also earned Chevrolet their fifth win of the season in six races, in addition to earning the fifth No. 1 qualifier in 2023, with his pass at 6.537 ET at 210.77 MPH and .022 reaction time.Robert Hight, driver of the Cornwell Tools/AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, raced to the No. 1 qualifier position Saturday at Route 66 Raceway while setting both ends of the track record with a pass of 3.381 ET at 335.07 MPH in Friday’s qualifying. JOLIET, Ill. (May 21, 2023) – Defeating Deric Kramer in the finals at the first event at Route 66 Raceway outside of Chicago since 2019, Dallas Glenn, driver of the RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car, raced to his seventh career NHRA Pro Stock Wally trophy, his third of 2023. Additionally, Glenn’s win notched Chevrolet their 327th win in Pro Stock, and their 253rd in the Camaro. Speaking on his third win of the year, and how tight the NHRA Pro Stock field is this year, Glenn reflected on the day saying, “I definitely know what is going on in the car. I’m a little tired, but this makes it all worth it. We have Dan Provost and Tammy from RAD Torque Systems out here. Thank you Samantha from Race Star Wheels, Summit, and everybody. I have the best crew chiefs ever. I don’t think we were the best today, but we were just good enough.” “You get a car that is working this good, and you just don’t know how far it’s going to continue and you just want to capitalize on every race,” noted Glenn. “I definitely had a real good car. I didn’t feel like I drove my best today, but luckily, it was good enough. It feels good right now, but I know it can change in a heartbeat.  We are just going to try our best to keep improving because I know the other teams are trying really hard and they are showing some promise. We definitely need to keep stepping up and keep the hammer down.” In Nitro, the Top Fuel and Funny Car machines of John Force Racing fell on the side of the ladders to face each other in the second round, with Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster eliminating teammate Austin Prock, then unfortunately falling to eventual event winner Clay Millican in Semifinals. In Funny Car, it was John Force, in the PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, defeating teammate Robert Hight, going then on to falling to eventual winner Tim Wilkerson. In Factory Stock, it was Len Lottig with the back-to-back victory in his Chevrolet COPO Camaro, notching his third win this year following capturing the Wally in Gainesville and the last event at Circle K NHRA Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals. Up next for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series is the NHRA New England Nationals, Friday, June 2 to Monday, June 4, 2023, at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire. Broadcast of Sunday’s eliminations will air live at noon ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) on Sunday. Round 1 Recap:Top Fuel:No. 2 Austin Prock defeated No. 15 Tony Schumacher with his run of 3.721 ET at 332.34 MPH.No. 10 Brittany Force defeated No. 7 Spencer Massey with her run of 3.750 ET at 328.70 MPH.Funny Car:No. 1 Robert Hight defeated No. 16 Dale Creasy, Jr. with his run of 3.941 ET at 327.43 MPH.No. 8 John Force defeated No. 9 Mike McIntire, Jr. with his run of 3.940 ET at 320.20 MPH.Pro Stock:No. 1 Dallas Glenn defeated No. 16 Chris McGaha with his run of 6.537 ET at 210.77 MPH.No. 9 Greg Anderson defeated No. 8 Matt Hartford with his run of 6.559 ET at 209.92 MPH.No. 4 Troy Coughlin, Jr. defeated No. 13 Kyle Koretsky with his run of 6.544 ET at 209.98 MPH.No. 12 Jerry Tucker defeated No. 5 Camrie Caruso with his run of 6.565 ET at 209.88 MPH.No. 2 Deric Kramer defeated No. 15 Mason McGaha with his run of 6.542 ET at 209.82 MPH.No. 3 Bo Butner, III defeated No. 14 Shane Tucker with his run of 6.551 ET at 209.98 MPH.No. 6 Aaron Stanfield defeated No. 6 Erica Enders with his run of 6.546 ET at 209.56 MPH. Round 2 Recap:Top Fuel:B. Force defeats Prock with her run of 4.011 ET at 241.32 MPH.Funny Car:J. Force defeats Hight with his run of 4.003 ET at 323.50 MPH.Pro Stock:Stanfield defeated Butner III with his run of 6.569 ET at 209.30 MPH.J. Tucker defeated Troy Coughlin, Jr. with his run of 6.586 ET at 210.64 MPH.Kramer defeated C. Cuadra with his run of 6.565 ET at 209.59 MPH.Glenn defeated Anderson with his run of 6.576 ET at 210.57 MPH. Semifinals Recap:Top Fuel:B. Force falls to Millican with his run of 3.778 ET at 329.58 MPH to her 3.881 ET at 319.82 MPH.Funny Car:J. Force falls to Wilkerson after smoking the tires, with Wilkerson clocking a lap at 4.012 ET at 319.90 MPH.Pro Stock:Glenn defeated J. Tucker with his run of 6.563 ET at 210.05 MPHD. Kramer defeated Stanfield with his run of 6.567 ET at 209.82 MPH.Finals:Pro Stock:Glenn defeated Kramer after Kramer got loose on his run, with Glenn racing to the win light with a run of 6.562 ET at 209.95 MPH.

CHICAGO (May 21, 2023) —- Racing outside the Windy City for the first time in her Pro Stock career 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year experienced a whirlwind of emotions at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals. On Saturday Caruso won the inaugural NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout picking up the big check for $28,000 defeating Cristian Cuadra, Troy Coughlin Jr., and Aaron Stanfield. Her final qualifying pass of 6.524 seconds was quick enough for the win and moved the young driver up to the No. 5 qualifier position.

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

In the opening round Caruso matched up with newcomer Jerry Tucker looking to pick up her second NHRA national event win of the season. Caruso had lane choice and confidence heading into the opening session. Throughout the season she has been one of the quickest drivers off the starting line and her reputation has drawn out the best from her opponents or at least forced them to take chances on the starting line. Against Tucker, who posted a perfect .000 reaction time, Caruso came up on the losing end of a very close race. At the finish line Caruso’s 6.561 second pass was not enough to advance to the quarterfinals.

“We have a good car and we made good runs yesterday and today in the first round,” said Caruso. “They just got lucky with that triple zero reaction time. To do that in a Pro Stock car is so close to a red light. Good for him and good luck in the next round.”

The second-year pro debuted her new-look Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro which drew rave reviews from the thousands of fans in attendance. The Tequila Comisario look will race with Caruso well into the Countdown. Every race the young driver is getting more and more comfortable and confident behind the wheel.

“We are back in our new look Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro and it is a beautiful race car,” said Caruso. “I think it is one of our best wraps and we will be racing this look through Dallas. I will be ready for Bristol. I’m excited and I’m super thankful for all my partners, my team, everybody involved. Without them all this success wouldn’t be possible. We’re just doing our best and we’ll keep on giving it our all. You look at how strong this team is top to bottom there are a lot more win lights in our future. I am feeling comfortable in the car every pass.”

Caruso will be back on track at the Thunder Valley Nationals, June 9-11.

Qualifying Results

Q1: 6.549 sec, 210.77 mph; Qual. 8

Q2: 6.535 sec, 210.83 mph; Qual. 8

Q3: 6.524 sec, 211.03 mph; Qual. 5

Bonus Points: +1 (3^rd quickest of Q3)

Race Results

First Round

Jerry Tucker, Elite Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro, (.000), 6.565, 209.88 mph def. Camrie Caruso, Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, (.052) 6.561, 210.24 mph

Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Pro Stock

1.         Dallas Glenn               581

2.         Matt Hartford             413

3.         Deric Kramer               406

4.         Troy Coughlin Jr          398

5.         Aaron Stanfield          360

6.         Camrie Caruso            331

7.         Greg Anderson           310

8.         Bo Butner                   309

9.         Cristian Cuadra           293

10.       Kyle Koretsky              286

CHICAGO (May 21, 2023) — Every Top Fuel driver knows that to be successful in drag racing, there has to be some trial and error. For Dallas-based driver Buddy Hull, that error unfortunately meant that he did not qualify for competition on Sunday at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance.

“It’s the first time since I’ve been a team owner, we haven’t qualified,” said Hull. “It’s an interesting feeling. Within that feeling I have to thank everybody from Renegade Race Fuels. I’m disappointed in myself that we didn’t get in the show for them and my team.”

Buddy Hull and Renegade Fuel Top Fuel Dragster, photo by Ron Lewis Photography

With every run during qualifying, Hull’s Renegade Fuel and Motor Oils Top Fuel dragster improved in both elapsed time and speed. In round one of qualifying, he lost traction early and in round two his car went up in smoke within the first 330 feet. The final qualifying session saw Hull mix up cylinders and then push out a head gasket, leading the engine to let go with a quick flash of flames. Still, this was a 3.952 second pass at 264.86 mph. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough, when competing in one of the quickest Top Fuel fields in history.

“[Crew chief] Mike Guger is working hard,” said Hull. “The reality is that we have so many new parts on our racecar. We have new superchargers, a new clutch program and new fuel system. We’re figuring it out. [In Q3] Kyle Wurtzel ran a 3.81 right next to me and we are looking at his incremental times and at mine. At the 330 mark I was ahead of him. If the racecar would have done what we told it to do – which it didn’t – it was going to run a 3.78 or 3.79 and we would have been in the show.”

Buddy Hull in action, photo by Ron Lewis Photography

Despite a tough race weekend, Hull remains thankful for his sponsors, and is optimistic for the season ahead. His next race will be the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals in Denver, July 14-16.

“I have to thank all my supporters, Renegade Race Fuels, Methanol Moonshine and my own company, Vertex Roofing and General Contractors,” said Hull. “I hate losing and not qualifying feels like losing. I can say that when you lose, it gives you a chance to get better.”

When asked what he will take away from the first race in Chicago since 2019, Hull emphasized not letting one bad race affect your outlook for the rest of the season. If anything, one bad race serves as the best motivation for the next matchup.

“It’s all about having a good attitude,” said Hull. “No matter what we do, whether we qualify, or miss the show or we qualify number one, our attitudes will remain the same. You better believe that when we go to Denver, we’re going to come with a vengeance. We’re going to come pissed off, and not in a bad way. We are excited to get to Denver.”

Hull is racing a limited schedule in 2023, but he is looking forward to the Mile High Nationals, Topeka Nationals, the U.S. Nationals, the Midwest Nationals in St. Louis, the Fall Nationals in Dallas and the Las Vegas Nationals.

Qualifying Results

Q1: 7.310 sec; 95.32 mph; Qual. 17

Q2: 5.675 sec; 117.15 mph; Qual. 20

Q3: 3.952 sec; 264.86 mph; Qual. 19

Bonus Points: 0

Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Top Fuel

1.         Steve Torrence           437

2.         Brittany Force             420

3.         Austin Prock                410

4.         Justin Ashley               406

5.         Leah Pruett                 403

6.         Mike Salinas               350

7.         Antron Brown             345

8.         Josh Hart                     342

9.         Shawn Langdon          296

10.       Doug Kalitta                293

CHICAGO (May 21, 2023) — Justin Ashley’s bid to double up a second time, combining a Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win with a Top Fuel race win came up short today at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals. Through three rounds of qualifying at Route 66 Raceway Ashley and his Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster were never slotted lower than fourth in qualifying. The 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year picked up two qualifying bonus points for posting the third quickest runs of the first and second sessions.

On Saturday Ashley, who announced the formation of a new team Maynard Ashley Racing, picked up the $10,000 cash prize for winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Top Fuel Challenge for the second time. Ashley won the specialty race for the first time at the Winternationals and followed that up with a race win on Sunday. His Mission Food Challenge win where he bested Antron Brown and Austin Prock gave the seven-time Top Fuel winner confidence heading into race day.

“This sport will humble you very quickly,” said Ashley. “That’s why it’s important to enjoy the wins when they come. You have to take it one round at a time and one day at a time to give your team the best opportunity to win. I’m really proud of the effort that our Phillips Connect Toyota Racing put in all weekend. We had a great day on Saturday, winning the Mission Foods Challenge and running well each round.”

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

In the first round Ashley was the No. 4 qualifier and drew newcomer Jacob McNeal in the Scott Palmer owned Top Fuel dragster.  This was the first head-to-head meeting for the young drivers. Ashley was nearly perfect off the starting line cutting a .018 reaction time to launch the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster. McNeal was clean off the line, but Ashley immediately smoked the tires. Ashley tried to give his 12,000-horsepower racecar a quick pedal to get it to reconnect with the racetrack, but McNeal was able to hold on for his first career round win.

“We didn’t accomplish what we wanted to on race day today, but that’s okay,” said Ashley, who has two wins this season already. “We’ve already learned from it and we’re ready to move forward. We have a good race car right now and when you look at the whole year so far, there’s a lot of positives. Mike (Green), Tommy (DeLago), and our entire Maynard Ashley Racing Phillips Connect Toyota Racing team are the best in the business. We are ready for Epping.” 

While the outcome was not what Ashley was looking for, he will leave Chicago sitting No. 4 in points and looking to have another good race at the New England Nationals where he was runner-up in 2022.

Qualifying Results

Q1: 3.717 sec, 332.10 mph; Qual. 3

Q2: 3.746 sec; 329.99 mph; Qual. 3

Q3: 3.728 sec, 331.12 mph; Qual. 4

Bonus Points: +2 (3^rd quickest of Q1 and Q2)

Race Results

First Round

Jacob McNeal, Marck Recycling dragster, (.101), 3.786, 322,65 mph def. Justin Ashley, Phillips Connect Toyota dragster, (.018), 4.429, 219.08 mph

Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Top Fuel

1.         Steve Torrence           437

2.         Brittany Force             420

3.         Austin Prock                410

4.         Justin Ashley              406

5.         Leah Pruett                 403

6.         Mike Salinas               350

7.         Antron Brown             345

8.         Josh Hart                     342

9.         Shawn Langdon          296

10.       Doug Kalitta                293

CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES VY TOP-12 QUALIFYING REPORT MAY 21, 2023 FOUR TEAM CHEVY DRIVERS MOVE ON TO FIRESTONE FAST SIX INDIANAPOLIS (May 21, 2023) – The Fast-12 round of qualifying provided an equal amount of drama and excitement as the first round on Saturday.  Four Chevrolet-powered drivers are moving on to the Firestone Fast Six to contend for the pole of for the Indianapolis 500: Arrow McLaren drivers Felix Fosenqvist (1st) and Pato O’Ward (6); AJ Foyt Rading’s Santino Ferrucci (2nd) and Rinus VeeKay from Ed Carpenter Racing (3rd) will make their final run later this afternoon. Four Team Chevy drivers will start in rows three and four for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing: Alexander Rossi and Tony Kanaan, both from the Arrow McLaren Chevrolet stable will start seventh and ninth respectively. AJ Foyt’s Benjamin Pedersen will roll his Chevrolet off in 11th position, and Will Power of Team Penske will start 12th, on the outside of the fourth row.ROW THREE AND FOUR DRIVER QUOTES:ALEXANDER ROSSI, NO. 7 ARROW MCLAREN CHEVROLET, QUALIFIED 7THFOR INDIANAPOLIS 500:“It was a great lap. It’s tight-the field is tight. It always is tight. It was a great team effort. There we just didn’t quite get the balance right for these conditions, which is an excuse, you know, six other cars did but you know, seven is a good starting spot. And we’ll see. We’ll see what next week brings but you know, overall, just a huge effort from Arrow McLaren and hopefully, one of the cars lands on the pole.” TONY KANAAN, NO. 66 ARROW MCLAREN CHEVROLET, QUALIFIED 9THFOR THE INDIANAPOLIS 500:“First, I had to get to the other guys to help them out because we want to put this team on the pole. The drop off was big, but we have between the three cars, a responsibility to help my two teammates with the track changes so that they have a chance to change stuff on the line. That last run was okay. Now this part is over.”BENJAMIN PEDERSEN, NO. 55 SEXTON PROPERTIES AJ FOYT RACING CHEVROLET, QUALIFIED 11TH FOR THE INDIANAPOLIS 500:“We did the best we could and I was happy with what we ran given the conditions. Hats off to all team members for working so hard making sure every little detail is as a Indy 500 special as possible. All the engineers, everybody is working together. So, yeah, I’m very fortunate to have the car like I do for being a rookie. We’re here we’re in the Fast 12 run. Now we get ready to race.” WILL POWER, NO. 12 VERIZON 5G TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET, QUALIFIED 12TH FOR THE INDIANAPOLIS 500:“We had a big push on second lap and I got close to turn one wall and had to lift. But apart from that it’s pretty solid, maybe got the gear wrong shifted down a gear too early, but I got the lights for it. So maybe too much soft limiter is looking like it’s gonna be super tight. the car has been really good in race trim. There’s a lot of other guys that are really good too. The car has been really good in race trim. There’s a lot of other guys that are really good too. Really even, just as tight. But in qualifying it was the same

(5/20/23 – Ben Deatherage) Petaluma, CA … Dominic Scelzi continued to build on his incredible NARC 410 Sprint Car Series momentum leading all 30-laps at Petaluma Speedway. It was Scelzi’s second-straight win of the season, giving him three series triumphs on the campaign for his Scelzi Enterprises/Whipple Superchargers/Red Rose Transportation #41 Maxim team.

On the initial green flag, Scelzi came out in front of a drag race against Bud Kaeding down the front straightaway and into the first set of corners.  The first 20-laps ran non-stop, which brought heavy lapped traffic into the mix as the leader negotiated his way through slower traffic.  Scelzi was cutting perfect laps and established a healthy straightaway advantage over Kaeding, before slower cars slowed his progress.

With a restart with only 10-laps remaining, Kaeding, piloting the Alviso Rock/Al’s Roofing Supply #69 Maxim, launched one more assault on the leader but to no avail.  With an open track ahead of him, Scelzi cruised to the victory and tightened up the battle with Corey Day for the NARC championship. 

“I’m thankful to be upfront and win,” said Scelzi in victory lane.  “It’s awesome to win here; it’s two in a row.  Earlier in my interview, I said this is right up my alley but in reality, this is where I struggle the most of anywhere I’ve been, so winning here is really cool.”

His second straight Petaluma Speedway came by a 1.973 second margin.

“The only way I was going to catch him was if he blew a motor or got a flat tire,” said Kaeding, after posting his first podium finish of the season.

The balance of podium finishers was Justin Sanders in the Farmer’s Brewing/North County Plastering/MittryConstruction.com #2X Maxim.  Sanders launched a haymaker at Kaeding on the restart, but was unable to make it stick.

Andy Forsberg, driving the Pacific Highway Rentals/Meridian Camera #92 ART scored fourth.  ARP fast qualifier Willie Croft, aboard the Amerikote Powder Coating/Novelli Auto Body/Rudeen Racing #29 Eagle rounded out the top five.

 The balance of the top ten comprised Joel Myers Jr., Justyn Cox, NARC point leader Day, Williams Roofing Hardcharger Award winner Chase Johnson, and Billy Aton.  Johnson brought out the only red flag of the program when he got upside down in his trophy dash.

 HOOSIER TIRE FEATURE (30 laps): 1. 41-Dominic Scelzi; 2. 69-Bud Kaeding; 3. 2X-Justin Sanders; 4. 92-Andy Forsberg; 5. 29-Willie Croft; 6. 46JR-Joel Myers Jr.; 7. 42X-Justyn Cox; 8. 14-Corey Day; 9. 24-Chase Johnson; 10. 26-Billy Aton; 11. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield; 12. 115-Nick Parker; 13. 551-Angelique Bell; 14. 4-Burt Foland Jr.

METTEC TITANIUM LAP LEADERS:  Dominic Scelzi 1-30

 WILLIAMS ROOFING HARDCHARGER: Chase Johnson 12th to 9th

 ARP FAST QUALIFIER: Willie Croft, 12.631

 BROWN AND MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS HEAT ONE (8 laps): 1. 2X-Justin Sanders; 2. 14-Corey Day; 3. 46JR-Joel Myers Jr.; 4. 29-Willie Croft; 5. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield; 6. 42X-Justyn Cox

KIMO’s TROPICAL CAR WASH HEAT TWO (8 laps): 1. 69-Bud Kaeding; 2. 41-Dominic Scelzi; 3. 92-Andy Forsberg; 4. 24-Chase Johnson; 5. 115-Nick Parker; 6. 26-Billy Aton; 7. 551-Angelique Bell

 SUNNYVALLEY “POWERED BY BACON” TROPHY DASH 1 (6 laps): 1. 41-Dominic Scelzi; 2. 69-Bud Kaeding; 3. 2X-Justin Sanders; 4. 46JR-Joel Myers Jr.; 5. 92-Andy Forsberg; 6. 29-Willie Croft

 SUNNYVALLEY “POWERED BY BACON” TROPHY DASH 2 (6 laps):  1. 26-Billy Aton; 2. 42X-Justyn Cox; 3. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield; 4. 14-Corey Day; 5. 115-Nick Parker; 6. 24-Chase Johnson

Donny Schatz Claims First Sharon Speedway Win; Sweeps Ohio WeekendSchatz adds another track to his long win list with the World of OutlawsHARTFORD, OH (May 20, 2023) – Summertime is nearing, and Donny Schatz is on fire.After a 30 lap war at Sharon Speedway that saw him trade haymakers with Carson Macedo and hold off a charging David Gravel, Donny Schatz parked the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing machine in Victory Lane for a second consecutive night after winning Friday at Attica. Only three and a half weeks ago, the 10-time Series champion didn’t have a single top three finish through the first 15 races of the 2023 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Car campaign. Since then, Schatz has racked up five podiums in the last six races including his first consecutive victories since topping the final two nights of the 2022 season. In only a few short weeks, Schatz has gone from nightly struggles to resembling the perennial title contender we’re all accustomed to.The triumph was the 309th of Schatz career and first at Sharon Speedway. He also delivered his boss – Tony Stewart – a great birthday gift as “Smoke” celebrated turning 52 on Saturday.“This is the first time I’ve won here? I lose track, man, I’m getting old,” Schatz said with a smile. “I’ve been around a long time, and it feels good to still be here. How about this race team? These guys are pretty incredible. What they’re doing. The way this car is. I can’t say enough about them. It’s pretty unreal. What a great weekend.”Schatz started on the pole and slipped ahead of Carson Macedo to lead the opening circuit. As the opening laps unfolded, Schatz couldn’t escape Macedo’s reach as he kept the Jason Johnson Racing #41 within five car lengths.On lap nine, Macedo pounced with a Turn 1 slider to take over the top spot. Schatz attempted to return the favor in the next set of corners but couldn’t clear Macedo.One lap later, Schatz closed in heading into Turn 3 and had David Gravel right behind him as the two hunted Macedo. Schatz looked low in the corner but again couldn’t slide ahead of Macedo. The Fargo, ND native stayed composed and hit the bottom of Turns 1 and 2 perfectly as he and Macedo navigated the next lap. Schatz easily rolled by to reclaim the lead as they roared down the back straightaway.Once he regained the top spot, Schatz wasted no time extending his advantage. The Series veteran moved his Carquest #15 all over the racing surface as he sliced through traffic while those behind him struggled to keep up.“During racing, I could move around the racetrack,” Schatz explained of his speed. “I could kind of go anywhere. And there’s not very many nights you get a great thing like that. Last night we needed lapped traffic. Tonight, I had a good race car, so hats off to my Carquest team.”Behind Schatz, a brawl broke out for the runner-up spot as the top three in points – Macedo, Gravel, and Brad Sweet – were all throwing sliders and crossing over nearly every corner.It appeared Schatz would cruise away unchallenged to the victory, but the caution flag flew with seven laps to go, erasing his lead.On the restart, Schatz opted to run the middle groove in Turns 1 and 2 and rip the top on the other end of the racetrack. Gravel, who had established control of second, rolled the bottom to perfection. The Watertown, CT native showed Schatz a nose multiple times as the laps dwindled before the yellow flag again was displayed with three laps to go.Schatz nailed the restart and went right back to the line he’d been running while 11th-starting Sheldon Haudenschild surged from fourth to second. Gravel was able to get back by Haudenschild, but Schatz was too far away by that point. Schatz took the checkered flag with more than a second advantage.“If you’re worried about protecting, you’re really just going to lose that spot,” Schatz said of his late race strategy. “You’re on attack mode. You’re trying to go where your race car needs to go, where you can get the best grip. Down there in (Turns) 1 and 2, there’s a spot about two car widths off there that’s kind of chunked open, and there’s moisture down there. And I just kept trying to hit it. Scuba (Crew Chief Steve Swenson) had my car so good that I could roll to that point then could just ease back into that Ford power.”Gravel held onto second aboard the Big Game Motorsports/Husets Speedway #2. Gravel became the first to reach 10 podiums this season with the result. While the finish was strong, he couldn’t help but feel he’d missed out after the final caution flag derailed his best chance at victory.“It was a hell of a race that whole time,” Gravel said. “When I got into second, I think if that caution doesn’t come out, we were going to be side by side or winning that race. I thought for sure Donny was going to go to the bottom because he saw my nose in (Turns) 1 and 2 on the start but he didn’t. He went to the top, and once that happened I pitched the car sideways and lost two spots. Luckily, our car was that good and we were able to pass those two guys back.”Completing the top-three was Sheldon Haudenschild for his fourth podium of the season behind the wheel of the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing/NOS Energy Drink #17. Coming forward from 11th also earned him the night’s KSE Racing Hard Charger Award as he made his home state fans proud.“The track was awesome,” Haudenschild said. “This place was perfect really. I don’t think you could’ve asked for a much better track… The car was great during the Feature, and we were able to drive up through there and throw sliders. I feel like not a lot of guys could throw a slider and keep rolling.”Carson Macedo and Rico Abreu rounded out the top-five.With Brad Sweet finishing seventh, both Gravel and Macedo made up ground on the four-time and reigning champion. Gravel is now only 20 points behind the top spot while Macedo is 30 markers back.In Low-E Insulation Qualifying, David Gravel collected his fifth Simpson Performance Products QuickTime Award of the season – putting him in a tie for the most this season.Gravel came out on top of CASE No.1 Engine Oil Heat One (212th Heat win of career). NOS Energy Drink Heats Two through Four were claimed by Donny Schatz (509th of career), Brock Zearfoss (13th of career), and Carson Macedo (89th of career).UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars stay in Ohio next weekend for two nights (May 26-27) at Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe, OH. Then on Monday, May 29th the Series heads to the Hoosier State where Lawrenceburg Speedway will host the Federated Auto Parts Memorial Day Spectacular. For tickets, CLICK HERE.If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action on DIRTVision.RESULTS:A Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1]; 2. 2-David Gravel[4]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[11]; 4. 41-Carson Macedo[2]; 5. 24-Rico Abreu[5]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet[3]; 7. 5-Spencer Bayston[12]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart[6]; 9. 48-Danny Dietrich[8]; 10. 29-Cole Macedo[15]; 11. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[9]; 12. 22-Brandon Spithaler[13]; 13. 32B-Dale Blaney[14]; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen[20]; 15. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[7]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson[24]; 17. 20G-Noah Gass[23]; 18. 40-George Hobaugh Jr[19]; 19. 70-Henry Malcuit[21]; 20. 7S-Robbie Price[22]; 21. 5C-Dylan Cisney[17]; 22. 1-Nate Dussel[18]; 23. 49X-Cale Thomas[16]; 24. 83-James McFadden[10]

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (May 20, 2023) – Ricky Thornton Jr. went to the lead on lap 18 of the CRST – The Transportation Solution 50 at 34 Raceway and never looked back to score his fifth series win of the season.  Thornton, who was also victorious on Friday night has now retaken the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship presented by ARP points lead heading into the Show-Me 100 weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway, May 25th-27th. With the $15,000 victory Thornton becomes the first series driver to eclipse the $100,000 mark in earnings this season. Tim McCreadie, who ran second to Thornton on Friday night held the lead for the first 17 laps until Thornton made the pass for the lead and went on unchallenged for the rest of the race. Brandon Overton finished second with Spencer Hughes rounding out the Big River Steel Podium in third. The remainder of the top five finishers were Earl Pearson Jr. and Chris Simpson. With Thornton out front, McCreadie maintained the second spot but had lost several car lengths to the leader. A caution with 12 laps to go gave McCreadie a shot at Thornton. On the restart McCreadie jumped to the top groove heading into turns one and two, but his momentum was too much as he slipped off the track which allowed several drivers to get by and he fell to 12th in the running order. The final caution appeared with nine laps remaining which set up a single-file restart. Thornton again showed his strength as he pulled away from Overton and Hughes as he went on record his tenth career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory.    Thornton has ridden a wave of emotions after winning on Friday night as he and his family escaped uninjured after his apparel trailer left the highway and flipped en route to 34 Raceway. “It’s definitely been all over the place [my emotions]. We won last night at Farley and when we left last night, I barely got the trailer off the road and then it flipped. Luckily me and my family was safe. I didn’t how good we would be here tonight. It’s nice to bounce back from that. I want to thank all the fans who bought stuff today, it helps us out.” “There at the beginning of the race the track was really better than I thought it was, especially in one and two,” Thornton added. “I was trying to keep my pace and I was trying to keep my tires under me. Once I got to traffic you have to go where they are not. Once Tim committed to the top, I thought I would just stay on the bottom. It worked out for me. I think we went three-wide a couple of times getting through traffic.”  Overton, who sits third in the championship standings came home in the runner-up spot. “I have never been to these places so what to adjust or not adjust we weren’t sure. I couldn’t run down in there and steer, cause I would shove up the hill. That was a pretty good race from second on back. Congrats to those guys. It was an awesome track; it was my first time here. You could run through the bottom or middle.” Hughes rounded out the podium with his third-place finish. “You definitely had to be real patient tonight. I wasn’t quite as good as Ricky and Brandon in the slick. I had to catch that last little bit of moisture down by the tires. I was able to do that. I caught some breaks on a couple of those restarts. We will take this finish and head to Wheatland with some momentum.” The winner’s Todd and Vickie Burns-owned, SSI Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Hoker Trucking, Sub-Surface of Indiana, Dyno One, Inc., West Side Tractor Sales, D&E Outdoor Service, Certified Inspection Service Company, Inc., Sunoco Race Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, Midwest Sheet Metal, and Murty Farms. Completing the top ten were Hudson O’Neal, Mason Zeigler, Tyler Erb, Jimmy Owens, and Max Blair. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary CRST, The Transportation Solutions 50Saturday, May 20, 202334 Raceway – West Burlington, IA Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Tyler Bruening / 15.026 seconds (overall)Fast Time Group B: Earl Pearson, Jr. / 15.122 seconds  Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 39-Tim McCreadie[2]; 2. 16-Tyler Bruening[1]; 3. 99-Devin Moran[4]; 4. 25C-Chad Simpson[3]; 5. 58-Garrett Alberson[5]; 6. 29-Spencer Diercks[6]; 7. 93-Jay Johnson[7] Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 2. 76-Brandon Overton[2]; 3. 1H-Hudson O’Neal[3]; 4. 111B-Max Blair[4]; 5. 99B-Boom Briggs[5]; 6. 17-Tim Simpson[6]; 7. 12-Brandon Queen[7] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[1]; 2. 11-Spencer Hughes[3]; 3. 32-Chris Simpson[4]; 4. 18D-Daulton Wilson[2]; 5. 1T-Tyler Erb[5]; 6. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 7. 33-Rickey Frankel[7] AP1 Insurance Heat Race #4 (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 20-Jimmy Owens[1]; 2. 49-Jonathan Davenport[2]; 3. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[4]; 4. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[3]; 5. 49T-Jake Timm[5]; 6. 51-Matt Furman[6]; 7. (DNS) 42-Johnathan Huston Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 (10 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): 1. 58-Garrett Alberson[1]; 2. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 3. 49T-Jake Timm[4]; 4. 99B-Boom Briggs[3]; 5. 29-Spencer Diercks[5]; 6. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 7. 51-Matt Furman[8]; 8. 93-Jay Johnson[9]; 9. 17-Tim Simpson[7]; 10. 12-Brandon Queen[11]; 11. (DNS) 33-Rickey Frankel; 12. (DNS) 42-Johnathan Huston CRST, The Transportation Solution 50 Feature Finish (50 Laps):

Race Statistics Entrants: 28Terminal Maintenance & Construction Pole Sitter: Tim McCreadieLap Leaders: Tim McCreadie (Laps 1-17); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 18-50)Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Feature Winner: n/aBrandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: n/aMargin of Victory: 1.741 secondsGorsuch Performance Solutions Cautions: Daulton Wilson (Lap 38); Jonathan Davenport (Lap 41)Fast Time Provisional: Matt Furman; Rickey FrankelSeries Emergency Provisionals: n/aTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Brandon Overton, Spencer HughesPenske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Brandon Overton, Spencer Hughes, Earl Pearson, Jr., Chris SimpsonTodd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race: Tyler Erb (Advanced 10 Positions)Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Mason ZeiglerDeatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Devin MoranEarnhardt Technologies Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (33 Laps)Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Hudson O’NealO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Max BlairEtchberger Trucking Fastest Lap of the Race: Tim McCreadie (Lap 2 – 15.876 seconds)MD3 Tough Break of the Race: Tim McCreadieOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Anthony Burroughs (Ricky Thornton, Jr.)ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Chris Simpson (15.3555 seconds)Time of Race: 23 minutes 47 seconds The Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (May 20, 2023) – Ricky Thornton Jr. went to the lead on lap 18 of the CRST – The Transportation Solution 50 at 34 Raceway and never looked back to score his fifth series win of the season.  Thornton, who was also victorious on Friday night has now retaken the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship presented by ARP points lead heading into the Show-Me 100 weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway, May 25th-27th. With the $15,000 victory Thornton becomes the first series driver to eclipse the $100,000 mark in earnings this season. Tim McCreadie, who ran second to Thornton on Friday night held the lead for the first 17 laps until Thornton made the pass for the lead and went on unchallenged for the rest of the race. Brandon Overton finished second with Spencer Hughes rounding out the Big River Steel Podium in third. The remainder of the top five finishers were Earl Pearson Jr. and Chris Simpson. With Thornton out front, McCreadie maintained the second spot but had lost several car lengths to the leader. A caution with 12 laps to go gave McCreadie a shot at Thornton. On the restart McCreadie jumped to the top groove heading into turns one and two, but his momentum was too much as he slipped off the track which allowed several drivers to get by and he fell to 12th in the running order. The final caution appeared with nine laps remaining which set up a single-file restart. Thornton again showed his strength as he pulled away from Overton and Hughes as he went on record his tenth career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory.    Thornton has ridden a wave of emotions after winning on Friday night as he and his family escaped uninjured after his apparel trailer left the highway and flipped en route to 34 Raceway. “It’s definitely been all over the place [my emotions]. We won last night at Farley and when we left last night, I barely got the trailer off the road and then it flipped. Luckily me and my family was safe. I didn’t how good we would be here tonight. It’s nice to bounce back from that. I want to thank all the fans who bought stuff today, it helps us out.” “There at the beginning of the race the track was really better than I thought it was, especially in one and two,” Thornton added. “I was trying to keep my pace and I was trying to keep my tires under me. Once I got to traffic you have to go where they are not. Once Tim committed to the top, I thought I would just stay on the bottom. It worked out for me. I think we went three-wide a couple of times getting through traffic.”  Overton, who sits third in the championship standings came home in the runner-up spot. “I have never been to these places so what to adjust or not adjust we weren’t sure. I couldn’t run down in there and steer, cause I would shove up the hill. That was a pretty good race from second on back. Congrats to those guys. It was an awesome track; it was my first time here. You could run through the bottom or middle.” Hughes rounded out the podium with his third-place finish. “You definitely had to be real patient tonight. I wasn’t quite as good as Ricky and Brandon in the slick. I had to catch that last little bit of moisture down by the tires. I was able to do that. I caught some breaks on a couple of those restarts. We will take this finish and head to Wheatland with some momentum.” The winner’s Todd and Vickie Burns-owned, SSI Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Hoker Trucking, Sub-Surface of Indiana, Dyno One, Inc., West Side Tractor Sales, D&E Outdoor Service, Certified Inspection Service Company, Inc., Sunoco Race Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, Midwest Sheet Metal, and Murty Farms. Completing the top ten were Hudson O’Neal, Mason Zeigler, Tyler Erb, Jimmy Owens, and Max Blair. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary CRST, The Transportation Solutions 50Saturday, May 20, 202334 Raceway – West Burlington, IA Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Tyler Bruening / 15.026 seconds (overall)Fast Time Group B: Earl Pearson, Jr. / 15.122 seconds  Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 39-Tim McCreadie[2]; 2. 16-Tyler Bruening[1]; 3. 99-Devin Moran[4]; 4. 25C-Chad Simpson[3]; 5. 58-Garrett Alberson[5]; 6. 29-Spencer Diercks[6]; 7. 93-Jay Johnson[7] Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 2. 76-Brandon Overton[2]; 3. 1H-Hudson O’Neal[3]; 4. 111B-Max Blair[4]; 5. 99B-Boom Briggs[5]; 6. 17-Tim Simpson[6]; 7. 12-Brandon Queen[7] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[1]; 2. 11-Spencer Hughes[3]; 3. 32-Chris Simpson[4]; 4. 18D-Daulton Wilson[2]; 5. 1T-Tyler Erb[5]; 6. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 7. 33-Rickey Frankel[7] AP1 Insurance Heat Race #4 (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 20-Jimmy Owens[1]; 2. 49-Jonathan Davenport[2]; 3. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[4]; 4. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[3]; 5. 49T-Jake Timm[5]; 6. 51-Matt Furman[6]; 7. (DNS) 42-Johnathan Huston Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 (10 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): 1. 58-Garrett Alberson[1]; 2. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 3. 49T-Jake Timm[4]; 4. 99B-Boom Briggs[3]; 5. 29-Spencer Diercks[5]; 6. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 7. 51-Matt Furman[8]; 8. 93-Jay Johnson[9]; 9. 17-Tim Simpson[7]; 10. 12-Brandon Queen[11]; 11. (DNS) 33-Rickey Frankel; 12. (DNS) 42-Johnathan Huston CRST, The Transportation Solution 50 Feature Finish (50 Laps):

Race Statistics Entrants: 28Terminal Maintenance & Construction Pole Sitter: Tim McCreadieLap Leaders: Tim McCreadie (Laps 1-17); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 18-50)Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Feature Winner: n/aBrandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: n/aMargin of Victory: 1.741 secondsGorsuch Performance Solutions Cautions: Daulton Wilson (Lap 38); Jonathan Davenport (Lap 41)Fast Time Provisional: Matt Furman; Rickey FrankelSeries Emergency Provisionals: n/aTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Brandon Overton, Spencer HughesPenske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Brandon Overton, Spencer Hughes, Earl Pearson, Jr., Chris SimpsonTodd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race: Tyler Erb (Advanced 10 Positions)Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Mason ZeiglerDeatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Devin MoranEarnhardt Technologies Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (33 Laps)Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Hudson O’NealO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Max BlairEtchberger Trucking Fastest Lap of the Race: Tim McCreadie (Lap 2 – 15.876 seconds)MD3 Tough Break of the Race: Tim McCreadieOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Anthony Burroughs (Ricky Thornton, Jr.)ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Chris Simpson (15.3555 seconds)Time of Race: 23 minutes 47 seconds The Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings: