NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFF MEDIA DAY TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT AUGUST 31, 2021
WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE, Teleconference Transcript: WITH THE HIGH DOWNFORCE PACKAGE, IT SEEMS TO HAVE BECOME A BIG TASK TO OVERTAKE THE RACE LEADER. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO PEOPLE THAT CLAIM THAT IT PUTS LESS EMPHASIS ON DRIVER SKILL AND MORE ON RANDOM LUCK?“I don’t think that’s true at all. I feel like it’s just honestly just been the same race teams and drivers are kind of up at the front at the 550 tracks as they are at the other tracks. So, not a huge difference there. There are a couple of teams that are better at the 550’s than the 750’s, but really we approach it just like every other race.”
HOW MUCH DOES PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE HELP COMING INTO THE POST-SEASON AND HOW MUCH HAVE YOU LEARNED THAT YOU CAN BRING FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR?“The only thing I’d say is just the format not changing. Just kind of knowing what it takes to advance through the rounds. But as far as cars go and the race team itself, a lot has changed since last year on my race team alone. So, I don’t really compare it to previous years.”
BECAUSE BRISTOL IS NOW ONE OF THE CUTOFF RACES, IN THE FIRST THREE RACES, HOW AGGRESSIVE DO YOU THINK THAT RACE CAN BECOME?“Yeah, I think it’s going to be aggressive. The thing about Bristol is that things happen really fast, so you just have to stay on your toes. You have to be mentally and physically prepared. It’s a really tough track, physically because you’re constantly loaded up in the bankings. So, not a lot of time to breathe and think. Things just happen fast. With it being an elimination race, it’s going to be challenging and you’re going to have to stay on your toes all day.”
THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME IN THE PLAYOFFS WITH RUDY FUGLE, HIS FIRST TIME AS A CUP CREW CHIEF. WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS ALLOWED HIM AND YOU, TOGETHER, IN THIS FIRST-TIME SITUATION IN GOING FROM TRUCKS TO THIS HIGH LEVEL?“I think it is. I think if you asked him, he would say that some things are different, and some things are the same. I definitely think it’s a big step for him, but he’s taking it in stride. I think we all knew that he had all the characteristics and traits that it takes to be a really good Cup crew chief. Those characteristics don’t change, whether you are setting up a truck or a car. But I feel like, for him, he’s done a great job handling the adversity and pressure of the season. I think he’s going to continue to do a really good job with that as we go on down the road in the Playoffs. I’m really confident in him as my crew chief and I feel like he’s going to do a great job kind of rallying the troops and getting us ready to go.”
THE FORDS WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY THINK THEY WILL BE A LOT MORE COMPETITIVE ON THE 750 TRACKS. WITH SEVEN OF THE 10 PLAYOFF RACES BEING 750, DOES THAT THROW ANOTHER ASPECT INTO THINGS? DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT MORE?“I don’t know. I feel like we can be just as competitive on the 750 tracks. I think, if anything, we started the year with not as good a notebook on the 750’s as we needed. We’ve kind of slowly progressed into having more notes and a better idea of what we need to put in our race car for those tracks. Yeah, I think we can be just as competitive. We might not have shown it yet, but I feel like Darlington is a good track for us. We finished fourth there in the Spring, so I don’t see why we can’t be a little bit better than that.”
NOW THAT THE POINTS ARE RESET, DOES IT MOTIVATE YOU TO TURN IT UP ANOTHER NOTCH LIKE THE LEVEL YOUR TEAMMATE, KYLE LARSON, IS ON IN THESE NEXT 10 WEEKS?“Yeah, I’ve been motivated all season. And I feel like we’ve put ourselves in good positions. We’ve prepared really hard for every weekend and every race. I’m really proud of how we’ve done that all year. I don’t think anything changes in that aspect, going into the Playoffs. But just make sure we cover all the boxes and make sure that we’re doing all the things that we need to do to get as prepared as possible.”
YOU WERE ABLE TO LOCK YOURSELF IN THE PLAYOFFS EARLY THIS SEASON. HOW MUCH OF A BENEFIT DO YOU THINK THAT WAS TO YOUR TEAM?“It was huge. I think we didn’t start the first two races like we thought, or like we should have. We finished in the 30’s, I think. So, for us to win the third race of the season kind of got us up in the points. I think we were 13th after Homestead and then we just went on that stretch of really good finishes for ten weeks in a row, and that really kind of put us up in the top 5 in the points and we kind of stayed there the rest of the year. I think we’ve had really good moments and we’ve had some moments where we learned some things. But honestly, the consistent thing has been we’ve had the speed to win races. And we’ve had the ability to drive up there to the front and lead laps. So, I don’t see that changing.”
YOU JUST LEFT DAYTONA, AND THERE’S ALWAYS A ‘BIG ONE’ THERE. ON A SMALLER SCALE, AT BRISTOL, HOW EASY IS IT TO GET CAUGHT UP IN SOMEONE ELSE’S MESS?“Yeah, I mean, especially with lapped cars, I feel like the pace of the lapped cars is so different than the pace of the leaders. At times, it can be 10 to 15 mph different. So, just try to avoid them and make efficient work of some of those lapped cars is really important. It’s also an opportunity to pass. I try to just stay heads-up, and my spotter spots a little bit more out of the front than normal, just to make sure I’m staying heads-up with what’s going on.”

NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFF MEDIA DAY TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT AUGUST 31, 2021
CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE, Teleconference Transcript: THE MODERATOR:  We will get right into questions for Chase Elliott.  
Q. A little bit off the beaten path, but this year is the 20th anniversary of the HANS device becoming mandatory equipment in NASCAR. It helped to usher in a period of incredible safety. I want to ask your opinion about what has that device meant to the sport, back to your dad’s era, what has it meant? Can you imagine racing without one? CHASE ELLIOTT: I feel like it changed racing across the world. And, no, I don’t know that I would ever get in a car without one, to be honest. That’s an absolute must-have, a piece of safety innovation that, like I said, I think it changed really the world, to be honest.  
Q. Since Kansas you finished eighth or better in 12 of 16 races, including two wins. From you and your team’s perspective, has this run been as steady as the box scores say and how much confidence does that run give you going deep again in the Playoffs? CHASE ELLIOTT: Man, so hard to say. It’s really difficult to put a lot of emphasis on past races and expect that to equal future results.  But Kansas has been a solid track, a place we’ve been able to win at, a place we’ve had some really strong runs. I look forward to going out there. You just hope that your past history will translate, and you can have a good run.  I feel like we’re very capable of that. We just have to go put it all together.  
Q. Now that you’ve got a championship under your belt, do you enter the Playoffs feeling less pressure, more relaxed, or because you are defending your title, do you feel more pressure? CHASE ELLIOTT: To be real honest with you, I don’t really feel any different than I did going in last year. I mean, it’s nice to have seen some of those circumstances and to have gone through some of those things that you’re faced with mentally, just some of those challenges, as you step through that last round and get to Phoenix.  But to me the message is really no different than it was last year. To me it’s just about enjoying those big moments. If you don’t enjoy them, you’re never going to thrive in them. A big moment typically means it means something to you and it typically means there’s opportunity for something big at the end of it.  You have to like it. I mean, that’s to me the biggest piece of the whole puzzle. I don’t think that message will ever change whether you have zero championships, or you have 15. I feel like that’s the single most important piece of how this Playoff format works. It promotes winning, and winning in big situations.  
Q. Your biggest competition for a championship may, indeed, be a teammate who you sit across from in team meetings. So few sportsfans or other athletes understand that. What is that like from a competitor’s standpoint? CHASE ELLIOTT: It’s definitely unique, for sure. But I think we’ve all — a lot of us have been around racing long enough, have been doing it long enough, to kind of understand how that dynamic works.  At the end of the day, I feel like for Mr. Hendrick especially, he’s done a lot for the sport, he’s changed a lot of people’s lives in the sport, mine included. If his cars are racing against each other for a championship, I think he deserves that. I think at the end of the day it’s a good thing.  I’m for it. And it really doesn’t matter who you’re racing against, you just hope you’re around at the end of this thing and have a shot. 
Q. Is it hard to support and root against a friend/teammate?  CHASE ELLIOTT: No, man, it’s just how it works. I feel like it’s easy to go down that road. The media likes to talk about it and stuff. It’s just how it works, man.  Like a lot of these teams have four cars. If you’re at a solid organization, there’s a good chance you’re going to be racing against your teammates for big moments, big opportunities. Ultimately, I think it’s a good thing. It means we’re at a great organization and you have a chance to win and have won some races.  Q. What are the biggest things that you feel like you learned about how to race in these Playoffs last year en route to the championship as well as what you learned about yourself in the midst of that run? CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I honestly don’t feel like I did anything different last year than I had been doing the years before. But just taking some of those experiences and really, like I said a second ago, just enjoying those bigger moments more. I think that’s something I did a poor job of in the past, kind of letting those moments be bigger than what they should have been. I feel like last year we really just tried to boil things down to just the nuts and bolts of what mattered.  Ultimately as you go through these rounds, if it’s not going to make us go faster, I really don’t care about it. In doing that, I think it makes you enjoy those bigger moments more because you’re more focused on things that can make a difference at the end of the day and the results you get.  That’s where my head’s at again. I’m looking forward to getting going.  
Q. Let’s move ahead to Bristol for a moment. Other than the obvious, how different will it be racing on the concrete for you guys since it’s the first time this year? CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, kind of odd to be going there for the first time this year. The Bristol night race is always one of my favorite events. It’s an event that I will tell a close friend to go see, like you have to go see this race before I don’t have a chance to be there anymore or whatever. Even if I’m not there, go, enjoy a race.  But just a great event. A lot of energy. I’m glad it’s in the Playoffs. I’m glad it’s a cutoff race. Just glad to go to eastern Tennessee and enjoy hopefully a dry Saturday night in Bristol.  
Q. Some stick-and-ball sports you have a regular season, a post-season, two different seasons. Intensity, aggression, things are different in the Playoffs. What is your philosophy in racing? Do you change your approach, or do you stick with what got you here, keep it through the final 10 races? CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I mean, it’s a fine line, right? I feel like you always want to grab that extra gear if you have it to pull. A lot of times you don’t. I think you can very easily reach too far and get yourself in more trouble than what you would if you really executed what you had to work with.  I think it’s recognizing those things. Hey, can we be better? Do we have that gear to pull? Can we step it up a notch? If the answer is yes, Okay, let’s do it somehow, some way.  If not, I do think it’s important not to reach too far and reach outside of what your reality is, where you are. If you start this thing and you’re an eighth-place car, that’s just where you’re at. You’re better off having a solid day and finishing eighth or maybe doing a really good job and finishing sixth than you are trying to reach for a win. I just think you can get yourself in a lot of trouble doing that. I’ve done that in the past.  I think you have to really, number one, recognize where you’re at, then adjust your expectations a little bit to buy you some more time because you never know. I mean, you could get hot in the last three weeks and have a shot to win, but you have to get there first. It’s a unique balance.  FastScripts by ASAP Sports

NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFF MEDIA DAY TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT AUGUST 31, 2021
TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING CAMARO ZL1 1LE, Teleconference Transcript: THE MODERATOR: We’re going to get right into questions here for Tyler Reddick.  
Q. These first three tracks are ones where you’ve consistently fought for top 10s, top 5s. What is your confidence level heading into your first Playoffs? TYLER REDDICK:  It’s good. The nice thing is that we’re going back to a venue — well, let me think about this. I mean, in a way we’ve been to all three of these tracks already this year, the third Bristol. Obviously a little dustier for some reason the first time we were there earlier this year.  The speed we had early at this race at Darlington in the beginning of summer, if you will, was really promising to know we were that good and still have missed the mark on where our car needed to be by that much.  Yeah, I’m excited for sure going into that race. But even more excited, after all the chaos and everything kind of had passed at Daytona, we knew we were in, that night leading into the next morning, Bob is taking a guess at where everyone is going to start.  Oh, my gosh, this fifth-place finish was not only good to finally finish fifth, in the top 5 at Daytona, but it looks like it’s going to help our starting position at Darlington where there’s only I think 13 points between myself and sixth right now.  I think we’re going to see a lot of shake-up just right away in how tight everybody is, how it’s going to spread out just in this first race at Darlington. We’re going to try to take advantage of that.  
Q. I know you weren’t in the Playoffs last year. Did you notice anything competitively or with intensity as a driver that maybe you can expect this time around, if there was something different? TYLER REDDICK: Well, out of the competition or…  
Q. Yeah. I mean, does the intensity level raise up? Do you feel that as a driver, something you actually experience that you can sense around you that can help you this year, if at all? TYLER REDDICK: Yes and no. I think I experienced this for sure when we ran the Southern 500 last year. We at times were racing, especially the first round for sure, we were racing around a lot of Playoff cars all night long at Darlington, and Bristol especially once we were up in the top 5. We aren’t racing for what those guys are, but we’re still racing to try and have a good finish for our progress and everything like that.  So I think the intensity’s there whether you’re in the Playoffs or not. When you’re a Playoff driver, you’re racing really hard with those other Playoff drivers. It seemed like the guys outside of the Playoffs understand what is going on, but they’re still going to race hard for their season. The give-and-take, the mark has moved a little bit from where it is in the regular season up until that point.  But I’d say either way you have it, it’s just shaped a little bit differently whether you’re in the Playoffs or not. Last year when I wasn’t, I felt like the Playoff drivers – as they should – were racing hard for every single spot. Essentially this one or two points at the end of the year ultimately doesn’t dictate whether I make the next round or not.  So it is different, but I wouldn’t say it’s more intense. It’s just the intensity level is with a certain group of drivers on one side and another in the Playoffs.  
Q. Entering Michigan you said you believed the No. 8 team was running well enough to potentially reach the Round of 8 if you got into the Playoffs. Now that you’re in, do you feel the consistency you’ve shown over the summer can get you that far or do you feel like you’re going to need a win somewhere in the first two rounds to reach the Round of 8 and go from there? TYLER REDDICK: I would say at this moment looking at how everything’s seeded, if you will, only 13 points as of right now separate myself to I believe it’s sixth. I hope I got that number right. So it’s pretty tight. Again, that can change in one stage, one race, one part of these three-race rounds in this Playoff system.  We’re obviously going to see new winners. We’re going to see three winners this round of the Playoffs and three winners in the Round of 12. That can certainly shake up those numbers and where we’re at in comparison.  When you think about that 13-point gap right now over three races, I feel like we’ve been able to be consistent and gain a lot of points just over really a lot of the field over the course of the summer.  Yeah, you look at these three last races for myself, not exactly the most consistent, for sure. Michigan, flat out just made poor decisions. It happens from time to time. It’s a nice little reality check, if you will, before the Playoffs started of, Okay, this is why we need to really stay on the plan that we have.  So, yeah, I feel good about it still. I mean, everyone’s working really hard to set themselves up to really go out of the gates in the Playoffs. Obviously, everyone’s going to be probably a little bit faster or different than they’ve been the last two months. So, speed out of some cars, out of some drivers, may be different now.  I still feel good about it, but you never know until you’re in it for sure.  
Q. The naysayers, I’m sure you’ve heard: Last man in, first man out. How would you respond to that? Is your strategy going to be to maximize points as much as you can or go all out for the win? TYLER REDDICK: I mean, I would say to win races you need to be relevant all day long. The only places you can really pop in and steal wins, when fuel mileage has come into play in the past on superspeedways. To win those races, you before winning races you need to score a lot of points and be running up front.  For most of this year, especially once we got it rolling the way it needed to be, we were running inside the top 10 a lot, having shots, one pit stop or one decision here or there away from top 5s, which unfortunately haven’t had a lot of those this year. But we’ve been right there. Little details will either make or break this Playoff run for us.  But I like where we’ve been going. I still feel like we’re still just improving, but we’re right where we need to be for the right time at the start of this.  Certainly don’t feel like looking at how we’ve ran that we will be the first out. Again, it’s not just a race against 15 other competitors, you’re racing yourself.  Now that we’re in these Playoffs, certainly it will be a lot easier to allow the pressure to get to us. But I’m not going to lie, Saturday was one of the most pressure-packed nights of my life and I thought we handled it pretty well. Some may argue that I needed to just be out the back, let everything happen. But I can’t get so caught up in Austin that I forget there’s eight or nine drivers up there that could have won and knocked us out.  I thought we handled that situation as well as we could. It makes us even more prepared and ready for this first round, the rounds after, if we can do our part and get there.  
THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Tyler.  

• The National Hot Rod Association’s (NHRA) cornerstone and world’s biggest drag-racing competition, the Dodge//SRT U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, is set to take to the place September 1-5 at Lucas Oil Raceway
• In early 2021, Dodge//SRT (Street and Racing Technology) performance brands announced the addition of the oldest and most prestigious drag-racing event to their portfolio of event title sponsorships with a multiyear deal
• 2016 U.S. Nationals winner Matt Hagan and his Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye come to Indianapolis with two wins this season, the Funny Car points lead and is ready for the final regular season race before the “Countdown to the Championship” playoff series begins
• DSR pilot Leah Pruett aims to take her Dodge//SRT Redeye Top Fuel Dragster a step further after finishing runner-up in 2020 at the “Big Go” and repeating her 2018 Factory Stock Showdown (FSS) win as she looks to double up on hardware
• DSR will campaign three new 2021 Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak entries in Factory Stock Showdown, with Pruett looking to repeat her 2018 Indy victory
• Dodge HEMI® Challenge marks its 20th anniversary as a specialty race at the 2021 Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals

August 31, 2021, Auburn Hills, Michigan. – The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Camping World Series is gearing up for its cornerstone event, the 67th edition of the Dodge//SRT U.S. Nationals, with drag racers from across the country and various parts of the world getting ready to hit the staging lanes at Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis, Indiana, September 1-5. 

At the season start, Dodge and SRT (Street and Racing Technology) performance brands announced an expansion of their support for the series with the addition of the oldest and most prestigious of drag-racing events to their portfolio of event title sponsorships with a multiyear deal.

“As the new title sponsor of the 67th NHRA U.S. Nationals, Dodge//SRT is showing off its passion for performance to America’s motorsports enthusiasts,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge Brand Chief Executive Officer – Stellantis. “The Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals is drag racing’s marquee event. In these cars, these drivers and these fans, you’ll find the heart of the Dodge brand and our Brotherhood of Muscle. Dodge’s performance history is closely tied to this sport and you’ll find a long list of successful Dodge race cars that have competed here over the years. Our teams are ready to write another winning chapter in this event’s storied history.”

While attending the event affectionately known as the “Big Go” is an assured bucket-list item for any passionate motorsports enthusiast, competing at the Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals remains a priority item for serious drag racers in any category. Standing proudly upon its tallest pedestal with a Wally trophy in hand remains a coveted addition to every drag racer’s list of career accomplishments.

“It’s the biggest race of our season and the thing about Indy is you want to win it,” said three-time and defending NHRA Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan, who powered his Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) Mopar Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Funny Car from No. 1 qualifier position to the winner’s circle at Indianapolis in 2016. “I’ve been blessed to win it, but there are a lot of great drivers that haven’t won it. But you always want another one. I’m greedy. You want to go out there and battle and put another (Wally trophy) on the shelf.”

As Hagan gets set to compete in his 14th Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals, he’ll take the red, black and chrome “Demon-possessed” Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye to the staging lanes for the final regular season event as the current Funny Car points leader and the tour’s most recent winner. With wins in two of the last five events —  the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, and the Dodge//SRT Mile High Nationals in Denver, Colorado — Hagan has put himself in prime position for the “Countdown to the Championship” playoff series.

“I’m feeling super confident in our guys,” added Hagan. “They’re busting their butts and turning the car around in 30 minutes. (Car chief) Alex Conaway, (Assistant Crew Chief) Mike Knudsen and (Crew Chief) Dickie Venables are doing a great job with our Mopar Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye. I’m trying to do my job starting and leaving on time and I think it’s starting to click and it will come together. It’s going to be amazing.”

After a one-year hiatus, the NHRA returns to using the unique points-and-a-half format for this final race of the regular season, providing drivers one last chance to jostle for positions before the points are reset and the field tightened heading into the playoffs, which begin the following week at the Mopar Express Lane Nationals Presented by Pennzoil near Reading, Pennsylvania.

DSR teammate Ron Capps is also in the mix of the championship hunt, sitting in fifth place with a win last month in Pomona, California, and less than a round from the points lead. His focus is firmly on the task at hand — the 27-year Funny Car veteran has never won the coveted Wally trophy at the “Big Go.”

Capps came close in 2017, driving his DSR NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat to a runner-up finish. While he captured an event win on the Indianapolis track last summer for the Dodge Indy Nationals, one of three events held at the track due to an adapted pandemic schedule, he is intent on chasing that elusive Dodge//SRT U.S. Nationals win.

The third member of the Dodge Funny Car stable of drivers looking to get in four rounds of racing with his Snap-on Tools Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat on Labor Day weekend is three-time winner Cruz Pedregon. The Cruz Pedregon Racing team has been coming on strong this season with consistent performances that have earned a win (Norwalk), a runner-up finish and an eighth-place spot in the current Funny Car season point standings.

DSR Top Fuel driver Leah Pruett piloted her Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye dragster to a runner-up finish in her first career final elimination round at the world’s most famous drag race last year. While focused on turning that into a win this year, Pruett has a specific idea of what the ultimate prize is for her.

“I always conceptualize winning Indy as a ‘snowglobe.’ We all see what it looks like from the outside, yet want to be inside,” said Pruett. “We’ve heard stories of how magical it is inside that globe from those that have visited by way of a win, and see the prestige that goes with it. Some call this place the winners circle but for this Dodge team it is our globe. The more years I race Indy, the less I become infatuated with having a name tied to the prestigious race win and more obsessed with our journey, memories and character building through the challenges of obtaining such a goal.”

Pruett will take on the added challenge at the “Big Go” of again competing in both the Top Fuel category and Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown (FSS), the eight-race series showcasing Detroit’s finest drag-racing ready, factory-built vehicles. That presents Pruett with the opportunity to double-up on trophy hardware and add her own iconic moment to the legendary event aboard her 2021 Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak, but she knows that the ride is what makes that destination even sweeter.

“My perspective may be somewhat unconventional but it is because I was fortunate enough to experience the Indy ‘snowglobe’ of prestige when the Mopar Drag Pak (FSS) team won the U.S. Nationals in 2018. Some of my highest-ranked memories are of that win because it was tough and ultimately the pinnacle of races to accomplish a win.”

Pruett will be joined by teammates Mark Pawuk and David Davies as DSR campaigns three Mopar Drag Pak entries at this year’s event to battle among a large 30+ car qualifying field.

“Our ability to rise and gain momentum when needed is what excites me about the upcoming Dodge//SRT U.S. Nationals,” added Pruett. “The continued support of Dodge across all levels of the NHRA speaks volumes and we plan to make the loudest roar at their biggest race. A Top Fuel and Factory Stock Showdown win on the same day, although elusive, is not impossible. The momentum with the new Mopar Drag Pak has been promising, as seen by our recent results of back to back finals, current point standings and the relentlessness of the team to keep the Mopar flag flying strong and high.”

While the new generation Mopar Drag Pak is showcased in FSS, the racing heritage of Mopar and Dodge will be on display as the ever-popular Dodge HEMI® Challenge returns to the U.S. Nationals for its 20th anniversary. The longest running continuous specialty race in NHRA history features heads-up, wheel standing, side-by-side racing of vintage HEMI-powered 1968 Dodge Dart and Plymouth Barracuda “package cars” that have dominated the NHRA Super Stock (SS/AH) class for over five decades.

Fans who can’t make it to the Lucas Oil Raceway to watch all the action can tune in online via NHRA.TV and its subscription-based, video-on-demand coverage of live racing action throughout the weekend.

Television coverage of Top Fuel and Funny Car qualifying will air on FS1 on Friday, Sept. 3, 7-9 p.m. (ET), and Sunday, Sept. 5, 9-10 a.m. Elimination rounds at the 67th edition of the Dodge//SRT U.S. Nationals will air on FS1 on Sunday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and then will move to the FOX television network 1-4 p.m. for live final round action.

DodgeGarage: Digital Hub for Drag Racing News
Fans can follow all the NHRA action this season at DodgeGarage, the one-stop portal for Dodge//SRT and Mopar drag-racing news. The site includes daily updates and access to an online racing HQ, news, events, galleries, available downloads and merchandise. For more information, visit www.dodgegarage.com. 

@DodgeMoparMotorsports on Instagram
The @DodgeMoparMotorsports Instagram channel continues to share content capturing Dodge//SRT Mopar drivers on the track. Fans can see action from the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series and NHRA Sportsman grassroots racers, competing in classes such as Factory Stock Showdown, Stock and Super Stock, as well as additional motorsports series.

Mopar
Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) offers exceptional service, parts and customer care. Born in 1937 as the name of a line of antifreeze products, the Mopar brand has evolved over more than 80 years to represent both complete vehicle care and authentic performance for owners and enthusiasts worldwide.

Mopar made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era with performance parts to enhance speed and handling for both on-road and racing use. Later, the brand expanded to include technical service and customer support. Today, Mopar integrates service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance customer and dealer support worldwide.

Mopar is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com. 

Follow Mopar and company news and video on:
Company blog: blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Media website: media.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Mopar brand: www.mopar.com
Mopar blog: blog.mopar.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mopar
Instagram: www.instagram.com/officialmopar
Twitter: @OfficialMOPAR
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/mopar and www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

Dodge//SRT
For more than 100 years, the Dodge brand has carried on the spirit of brothers John and Horace Dodge. Their influence continues today as Dodge shifts into high gear with muscle cars and SUVs that deliver unrivaled performance in each of the segments where they compete.

2021 marks the year that Dodge is distilled into a pure performance brand, offering Hellcat-powered, 700-plus-horsepower SRT versions of every model across the lineup. For the 2021 model year, Dodge delivers the drag-strip dominating 807-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock, the new 797-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Redeye, the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world, and the new 710-horsepower Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, the most powerful SUV ever. Combined, these three muscle cars make Dodge the industry’s most powerful brand, offering more horsepower than any other American brand across its entire lineup.

In 2020, Dodge was named the “#1 Brand in Initial Quality,” making it the first domestic brand ever to rank No. 1 in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Dodge brand also ranked No. 1 in the J.D. Power APEAL Study (mass market). These results are historic because it marks the first time a domestic brand has earned top spots in both J.D. Power studies in the same year.

Dodge is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

Mohawk International Raceway Shines in 358 Series stunner, DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Series North Region goes to Robert Delormier AKWESASNE, NY – Billy Dunn, in his rocket red #49, found a way through the chaotic final laps of the $4,000-to-win, 75-lap DIRTcar 358 Modified Series thriller to win at Mohawk International Raceway. The Watertown, NY driver made a last-lap pass on fellow Watertown native and rival Tim Fuller after the leader Mike Mahaney broke and pulled off with just two laps to go. Erick Rudolph drove up from his unlucky redraw spot in position number twelve to capture the final step on the podium. After suffering damage to his motor in Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Championship racing at Ransomville Speedway last Friday, Rudolph hooked up with the Junior Welling operation to field a Troyer chassis for the event. Preston Forbes pulled the number one spot during the top 12 redraw. Forbes looked strong and lead the way until lap 22 when Billy Dunn winged around the top groove and into the lead. From there Dunn was determined to leave the rest of the field behind. At one point the #49 split a pair of lapped cars down the backstretch. “I’ve always found it’s best to be aggressive with lapped traffic,” said Dunn. “I’ve lost a couple of big races here being too easy on lapped cars.”Dunn lead until lap 40 when the field restarted and Tim Fuller got the advantage. “I thought right after the Heat Race that I had a really good car,” Dunn noted. “I knew I had a good car to stay up front with but I wasn’t good on restarts. It took me until halfway down the straightaway to get it cleared out. I fired before him [Fuller] and he just plain beat me to the front. Clean air here is everything.”While Dunn and Fuller battled it out, Mike Mahaney was reeling them in using the bottom groove of the racetrack. On lap 51 Mahaney made the pass for the lead in Turns Three and Four. With five laps to go, Mahaney began to show smoke from the right rear. Meanwhile, Tim Fuller and Billy Dunn were cutting in and out of lapped traffic battling each other just like they do every week at Can-Am Speedway. “Mahaney could run the bottom better than anyone,” said Dunn. “He might have found some speed down there before anyone else. I tried to follow his line on the bottom and I thought I was faster than Fuller. I saw Mahaney get the hole with four or five laps to go. I assume that’s what broke him. He slowed drastically and I had to avoid him to keep from slowing down and giving up time to Fuller.”Mahaney maintained the lead but on lap 73, the entire right rear of the car seemed to collapse with tire smoke billowing out. The #35 Adirondack Auto Big Block limped off the backstretch and into the pits while Dunn and Fuller raced side-by-side for the lead. It was then that Dunn pulled the trigger and dove to the bottom under Fuller to take the top spot for the $4,000 win in the first points-paying DIRTcar 358 Modified Series race since 2019. An understandably disappointed Tim Fuller finished second. The black and orange St. Lawrence Radiology #19 started in the second row and battled with Dunn, polesitter Forbes, and Mahaney for all 75 laps. He had his 358 slinging around the top side but unfortunately, he couldn’t get the car to the bottom when he needed to. “I couldn’t run the bottom,” Fuller said.”I tried it and I felt slow so I kept running the middle and top. With 2 laps to go I was leading but there was so much going on that I wasn’t sure what was happening behind me. Dunn found a lane on the bottom and that was it.”“I was a second-place car because I ran second,” noted Fuller. “Mahaney had a pretty good car. I think I was equal to him in the middle but I was missing the bottom where everyone was running through it. It was set up tight. I like to run the middle to the top here but it was just too snug to run the bottom.”Erick Rudolph, from Ransomville, NY, finished third. This was his first outing in Junior Welling’s Troyer chassis, a chassis Rudolph had not raced in 4-5 years by his recollection. “The car came with a baseline setup and we made some fine tunings for the Feature,” said Rudolph. “ I am really happy with how the car performed. Overall it was really good.”The #25 had a lot of strong cars to get around before finding the podium including Rocky Warner, Dave Marcuccilli, and Ronnie Davis III. “It seemed like on the restarts I was able to pick up a spot or two,” Rudolph said. “We were working the bottom really good but if we had to we could use the top. We had a really maneuverable car. I am not sure when but I am looking forward to getting back in it.”Driver Cameron Black suffered a mechanical issue in the race but his finishing position of 22nd was randomly chosen for one free Hoosier Racing Tire. The next DIRTcar 358 Modified Series race is on Friday, September 10 at Can-Am Speedway. FEATURE (75 Laps)1. 49D-Billy Dunn [4][$7,500]; 2. 19-Tim Fuller [3][$4,000]; 3. 25R-Erick Rudolph [12][$2,500]; 4. 66X-Carey Terrance [9][$1,800]; 5. 98W-Rocky Warner [10][$1,600]; 6. 32R-Ron Davis [11][$1,400]; 7. 45R-Preston Forbes [1][$1,300]; 8. 111D-Demitrios Drellos [15][$1,200]; 9. 28M-Jordan McCreadie [24][$1,100]; 10. 1M-Dave Marcuccilli [8][$1,000]; 11. 60G-Jackson Gill [2][$800]; 12. 83J-Danny Johnson [30][$700]; 13. 31W-Lance Willix [16][$600]; 14. 9M-Tyler Meeks [20][$575]; 15. 55W-Matt Woodruff [7][$550]; 16. 35M-Mike Mahaney [6][$525]; 17. 24M-Derrick McGrew [21][$500]; 18. 74F-Lucas Fuller [23][$500]; 19. 9S-Kristan Smoke [28][$500]; 20. 87M-Darryl Mitchel [17][$500]; 21. 11S-Steven Lewis [27][$]; 22. 23L-Cameron Black [26][$]; 23. 66W-Derek Webb [22][$500]; 24. 15T-Todd Root [19][$500]; 25. 18J-Louie Jackson [5][$500]; 26. 29J-Jeff Sykes [18][$500]; 27. 7mm-Michael Maresca [13][$500]; 28. 36B-Daniel Beachard [29][$500]; 29. 24A-Zach Aubertine [14][$]; 30. 31J-Tom Jock [25][$]Hard Charger Award: 83J-Danny Johnson[+18]DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Series North RegionRobert Delormier took the DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Series North Region victory in the 40-lap, $1,000-to-win Feature on a late-restart pass on Justin Stone who had lead the entire race up until that point. “It took a few races to get this thing figured out but we did it,” Delormier said. “This is a brand new DKM chassis too. I am glad we ran well tonight but it’s a work in progress.”“I was good on the bottom in Turns One and Two,” he said of his racing lines. “I just stayed on the high side of Turns Three and Four. I am worn out that was a good race to end the night.The podium steps were rounded out by Ryan Shannahan and Daryl Nutting. Shannahan was in the hunt for the win throughout the race after rushing up from the ninth-place starting position. Albany-Saratoga Speedway standout Daryl Nutting made the tow and it was worth it as he crossed the finish line in third. Taylor Doxtator finished 11th and picked up a free Hoosier Racing Tire from the random drawing. FEATURE (40 Laps)1. 1D-Robert Delormier [5][]; 2. 32RS-Ryan Shannahan [9][]; 3. 42-Daryl Nutting [8][]; 4. 14A-Zach Arquiett [10][]; 5. 1X-Justin Stone [1][]; 6. 29H-Nick Heywood [11][]; 7. 6XX-Travis Back [4][]; 8. 04G-DJ Gonyo [2][]; 9. 71X-Delbert Legrow [3][]; 10. 83D-Dustin Bradley [12][]; 11. 2D-Taylor Doxtator [16][]; 12. 19B-Jamy Begor [15][]; 13. 357J-Chris Jackubiak [17][]; 14. 84P-Joshua Pete [7][]; 15. 10X-Corey Castell [14][]; 16. 71D-Delbert Legrow [25][]; 17. 18C-Chris Cayea [18][]; 18. 18x-Blayden Arquiette [26][]; 19. 11W-Ben Wheeler [13][]; 20. 15H-Greg Henry [27][]; 21. 48E-Derrick Ellsworth [24][]; 22. 0-Cameron Reif [23][]; 23. 88S-Fire Swamp [19][]; 24. 9S-Bentley Gray [22][]; 25. 1R-Ricky Thompson [21][]; 26. 44S-Casey Swamp [6][]; 27. 7D-Eugene Tarbell [28][]; 28. 22D-Micheal Delmorier [20][]Hard Charger Award: 71D-Delbert Legrow[+9]PHOTO: Quentin Young

DIRTcar Racing is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel), Chevy Performance Parts, iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, and NAPA Auto Parts (SDS). Contingency sponsors include: ARP (Automotive Racing Products), ASI Race Wear (SDS), Bassett, Bicknell Racing Products, Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux (SDS), Cometic Gasket (SDS), COMP Cams, Drydene, Fast Shafts, Fox Factory (SDS), Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Service, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Quarter Master, Schoenfeld Headers, Summit Racing Equipment, and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum) (SDS); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Beyea Headers, FireAde, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics and Velocita USA.

INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 30) – Last year, the JEGS Allstars race found a new home when it moved to historic Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Held during the Dodge SRT U.S. Nationals, NHRA’s oldest and most prestigious event, the pairing proved to be a successful one with Indy proving to be the perfect host for the JEGS Allstars race, which celebrates its 37th year in 2021. This week, the best Sportsman racers from across NHRA’s seven geographic divisions will return to Indianapolis for the special event that crowns both an overall team champion and individual winners in 10 separate eliminators. For the 80 racers who have qualified for the special event, winning an individual title at the JEGS Allstars race is a tremendous achievement, but being a part of the winning team is an extra-special accomplishment, particularly on the hallowed grounds of Lucas Oil Raceway, which has been home to the U.S. Nationals since 1961. Last year, the team from the West Central Division turned in a dominant performance to win their third overall title in the last seven seasons. The Division 5 crew also won titles in 2014 and 2016. A highlight of each season since the inaugural event in 1985, the JEGS Allstars event features a total purse of more than $150,000, making it one of the richest events of its kind.  Racers qualify for the event by earning points in their home divisions during year-long battles in the following NHRA Lucas Oil categories; Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Competition, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman. Still riding the wave of last year’s triumph, the Division 5 team returns to Indy with a great chance to repeat their 2020 victory. Their line-up includes past world champion Matt Driskell in Top Sportsman as well as title contenders Doug Engels (Comp), Scott Burton (Stock), and Bradley Johnson (Top Dragster). Driskell is one of 13 former or current NHRA national champions in the JEGS Allstars field. That list also includes Top Alcohol Dragster racers Duane Shields and Joey Severance, and reigning champions Craig Bourgeois (Comp), Bryan Worner (Super Stock), Christopher Dodd (Super Comp), and Anthony Bertozzi (Top Dragster).  Four women have qualified for this year’s JEGS Allstars team including Jackie Fricke and Julie Nataas in Top Alcohol Dragster, Randi Lynn Shipp in Stock, and Alison Prose in Super Street. Nataas and Shipp are fresh off wins in last week’s Division 3 event in Bowling Green, Ky., while Fricke also earned a recent win at the Division 1 race in Reading, Pa. The Top Alcohol Funny Car class also delivers a stacked line-up, although the only driver in the field who has previously won a JEGS Allstars title is Ray Drew from the Central Region team, who is unbeaten in his last two starts. The Top Alcohol categories compete for their own championship, separate from the eight other eliminators.  The Northeast Division team features world champions Bryan Worner in Super Stock and Al Kenny in Top Dragster. The Division 1 crew are also seeking their first Allstars overall crown since 2010 when they won three of ten classes. The Southeast Division team has enjoyed tremendous success at the Allstars with their most recent title coming in 2015. This year, their hopes are pinned on Bertozzi, Super Comp ace Ray Miller III, and veteran Stock racer Jeff Hairrington. The North Central squad will be looking to garner their ninth win and they have all the weapons necessary to do it including past Super Stock world champ Ricky Decker, first-time Comp qualifier Ronnie Bohn, and Shipp, who is a seven-time national event winner. The Northwest Division team is looking for their first title since 2005 and has brought to Indy a line-up that includes veteran Comp racer Ralph Van Paepeghem, reigning Division 6 Super Street champ Sean Shaffer, and Top Sportsman driver Robert Strohm. The gang from the Pacific Division, who last claimed the overall title in 2012, will be looking to regain the top spot and there is no reason to think they won’t be able to with a core group that includes current championship contender Joe Mozeris in Comp, Kyle Rizzoli in Super Stock, and longtime class racer Steve Wann in Stock. Any racer who can win Saturday’s JEGS Allstar title and then return on Sunday to win the Dodge SRT U.S. Nationals in the same class will be eligible for the JEGS “double-up” bonus.

Sheppard, Madden, Briggs, and more prepare for three races in three statesGAFFNEY, SC – August 30, 2021 – For the first time since April, the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models return to the Southeast for three nights of jam-packed racing action in three different states. The weekend kicks off Thursday, Sept. 2, at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC, for the rescheduled Rock Gault Memorial. The 60-lap Feature, paying $40,000-to-win, is the highest paying event in the track’s history.  The Series moves South on Friday, Sept. 3, for a visit to Lavonia Speedway in Lavonia, GA—the only trip to the Peach State in 2021. The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet will battle for $10,000 in a 40-lap event.  On Saturday, Sept. 4, the Southeastern swing finishes off with a stop at Volunteer Speedway, in Bulls Gap, TN, for another 40-lap Feature paying $10,000-to-win. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App. Here are some of the storylines to keep an eye on this weekend: Home Field Advantage: No one is more excited for the Series’ return to the Southeast than Chris Madden. The Gray Court, SC driver has 27 victories at Cherokee Speedway, including a win earlier this year during a Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series event.  “Smokey” has also had success at the other two tracks the Series will visit this weekend, winning at Lavonia in 2019, and Volunteer in 2017. Madden already has a victory in the Volunteer State this season. He won the “Tennessee Tip-off at Smoky Mountain Speedway in March. He’s currently second in the World of Outlaws points standings on the strength of four wins, 22 top fives, and 33 top-10s.  Two wins Away: All eyes are on the Rocket1 Racing team as Brandon Sheppard moves closer to obtaining a piece of World of Outlaws history. After winning last weekend at Davenport Speedway, the New Berlin, IL driver is two victories away from tying Josh Richards for the most all-time (78).  Sheppard and his team have hit a stride over the past few weeks, finding Victory Lane three times in the last seven races.  The “Rocket Shepp” won at Cherokee earlier this season and has a win at both Lavonia and Volunteer.   Sheppard currently leads the Series standings—178 points ahead of Chris Madden. If he can hold on to that advantage, he’ll win his fourth Series title, also tying Richards for most all-time.  Here Come the Heavy Hitters: When a $40,000 prize is on the line, you can expect some of the top names in Late Model racing to fight for it.  Many drivers who already have World of Outlaws wins in 2021 are expected to attend Thursday’s event at Cherokee, including Brandon Overton. “Big Sexy” is having the best season of his career, winning 21 times, including both “Dirt Late Model Dreams” and the Firecracker 100.  Overton has two Series wins at Cherokee and won last year’s event at Lavonia.  Another name to keep an eye on Thursday is Jonathan Davenport. This season, the Blairsville, GA campaigner already found success in big money races with the World of Outlaws, winning the $50,000 prize at the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway. Those two, along with 2014 Series champion Tim McCreadie hope to cash in on the chance at taking home big money.  Boom is Rolling: Boom Briggs has some momentum entering Thursday’s Rock Gault Memorial. The Bear Lake, PA driver has two top-fives in his last four races, including a third last Saturday at Davenport Speedway—his best finish of 2021.  Boom is having his best World of Outlaws season to date, scoring three top-fives and 10 top-10s this season. If he continues to trend in that direction, his first career World of Outlaws victory may not be far behind.   WHEN AND WHERE Sept. 2- Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC Sept. 3- Lavonia Speedway in Lavonia, GA Sept. 4- Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, TN ABOUT THE TRACKS Cherokee Speedway is a 3/8-mile oval Lavonia Speedway is a 3/8-mile semi-banked oval  Volunteer Speedway is a 4/10-mile High-banked paperclip Previous Cherokee Speedway Winners 2021- Jimmy Owens/Brandon Sheppard on Mar. 262020 – Brandon Overton on Oct. 2 2019 – Ross Bailes on May 3; Brandon Overton on October 4 2018 – Mike Marlar on May 4 2017 – Shane Clanton on May 5 Previous Lavonia Speedway Winners 2020- Brandon Overton on Sept. 42019 – Chris Madden on Oct. 3 2018 – Brandon Sheppard on May 3 2014 – Darrell Lanigan on May 3 Previous Volunteer Speedway Winners 2020 – Brandon Sheppard on June 19; Zack Mitchell on June 20 2018 – Jimmy Owens on June 2 2008 – Shane Clanton on Aug. 21; Jimmy Owens on Aug. 20 2007 – Steve Francis on Oct. 13; Chris Madden on Aug. 23 2004 – Brian Birkhofer on March 27 ONLINECherokee Speedway- http://cherokeespeedwaysc.comLavonia Speedway- https://www.lavoniaspeedway.netVolunteer Speedwat- http://volunteerspeedway.com TRACK RECORDS Cherokee Speedway- 14.658 set by Ross Bailes on Jan. 20, 2020  Lavonia Speedway- 14.990 set by Zack Mitchell  Volunteer Speedway- 11.860 set by Vic Hill on May 29, 2017 On the Internet World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Series Twitter – Twitter.com/WoOLateModels – @WoOLateModels Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOLateModels – @woolatemodels Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsLateModelSeries YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month Around the Turn: The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet head to The Rev in Monroe, LA on Sept. 24-25.  CLICK HERE for Tickets.   Feature Winners: (20 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsBrandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-7Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-4 Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-4Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-3 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-3Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-2 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-2 Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL-2 Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-2 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA-2Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1 Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL-1 Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-1 Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-1 Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-1 Rick Eckert, York, PA-1 Dave Hess, Waterford, PA-1 Ashton Winger, Senoia, GA-1 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-1 Gregg Satterlee, Rochester Mills, PA-1 DRYDENE HEAT RACE WINNERS (53 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsBrandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-19Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-16Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-9Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-8Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-7 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-8Rick Eckert, York, PA-6 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-6Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-4 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-4 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-4 Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, WI-4 Max Blair, Titusville, PA-4 Devin Moran, Dresden, OH- 4Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-3 Ricky Weiss, Headingley, MB-3 Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA-3 Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL- 3 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-3Ross Bailes, Clover, SC- 2 Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN-2 Mason Zeigler, Chalk Hill, PA-2 Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-2 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-2 Chad Simpson, Mt. Vernon, IA-2 Ashton Winger, Senoia, GA-2 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-2 Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-2 Chub Frank, Bear Lake, PA-2Dale Mcdowell, Chickamauga, GA- 1 Darell Lanigan, Union, KY-1 Parker Martin, Milledgeville, GA-1 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1 Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1 Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, AZ-1 Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL-1 Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL-1 Taylor Scheffler, Waukesha, WI- 1 Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL-1 Kevin Weaver, Gibson City, IL-1 Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-1 Dan Stone, Thompson, PA-1 Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR-1 Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL-1 Dave Hess, Waterford, PA-1 Chris Hackett, Erie, PA-1 Spencer Hughes, Meridian, MS-1 Mike Norris, Sarver, PA-1 Mark Whitener, Middleburg, FL-1 Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, NM-1 Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-1 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA-1 Wyatt Scott, Garland, PA-1 Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-1 Last Chance Showdown Winners (42 drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsRicky Weiss, Headingley, MB-4 Dennis Erb, Jr., Carpentersville, IL-4 Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-4Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-3 Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-3 Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA-3 Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-3Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-2 Rick Eckert, York, PA-2 Chad Simpson, Mount Vernon, IA-2 Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-2Ross Robinson, Georgetown, DE- 1 Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN-1 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA- 1 Mike Norris, Sarver, PA- 1 Stacy Boles, Clinton, TN-1 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-1 Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-1 Chris Simpson, Oxford, IA-1 Jake Timm, Winona, MN-1 Taylor Scheffler, Waukesha, WI- 1 Gordy Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-1 Tyler Bare, Rockbridge Baths, VA-1 Trevor Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-1 Greg Oakes, Franklinville, NY-1 Mark Whitener, Middleburg, FL-1 Jared Miley, Pittsburgh, PA-1 Mike Benedum, Salem, WV-1 Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY-1 Gregg Satterlee, Indiana, PA-1 Chad Mahder, Eau Claire, WI-1 Cole Schill, West Fargo, ND-1 James Giossi, New Richmond, WI-1 Kevin Eder, Ashland, WI-1 Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL-1 Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-1 Lukas Postl, Shawano, WI-1 Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-1 Chad McClellan, Stoystown, PA-1 Dutch Davies, Warren, PA-1 Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, NM-1PODIUM FINISHES (44 drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – PodiumsBrandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-21Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-12Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-7Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL- 6 Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-6Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-5 Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA – 5 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA – 5 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-5Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-4Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC – 3 Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-3Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL – 2 Rick Eckert, York, PA-2 Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN – 2 Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, WI-2 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-2 Ashton Winger, Senoia, GA-2 Max Blair, Titusville, PA-2 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA-2 Dave Hess, Waterford, PA-2Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY – 1 Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN – 1 Ricky Thornton, Jr., Chandler, AZ – 1 Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA – 1 Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1 Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL-1 Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL-1 Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-1 Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-1 Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1 Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-1 Scott James, Bright, IN-1 Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR-1 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1 Dan Stone, Thompson, PA-1 Mike Norris, Sarver, PA-1 Mark Whitener, Middleburg, FL-1 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1 Gregg Satterlee, Rochester Mills, PA-1 Kyle Hardy, Stephens City, VA-1 Chub Frank, Bear Lake, PA-1 Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL-1 Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA-1 HARD CHARGER (25 drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB – 5Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL – 3 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-3 Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA – 3Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS – 2 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-2 Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-2 Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY-2 Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-2 Ross Robinson, Georgetown, DE-2Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1 Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, AZ-1 Jason Jameson, Lawrenceburg, IN-1 Logan Martin, West Plains, MO-1 Dan Stone, Thompson, PA-1 Gregg Satterlee, Rochester Mills, PA-1 Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL-1 Pat Doar, New Richmond, WI-1 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-1 Ron Berna, Green Bay, WI-1 Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1 Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-1 Max McLaughlin, Mooresville, NC-1 Dave Hess, Waterford, PA-1 Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL-1 SLICK WOODY’S QUICK TIME Award (20 drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTsBrandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-6Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-5Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC – 2 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-2 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL – 2 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-2 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-2 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-2Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL – 1 Devin Moran, Dresden, OH – 1 Donald McIntosh, Dawsonville, GA- 1 Taylor Scheffler, Waukesha, WI- 1 Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR-1 Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA-1 Rick Eckert, York, PA-1 Dave Hess, Waterford, PA-1 Mike Norris, Sarver, PA-1 Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1 Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-1 Bryan Bernheisel, Lebanon, PA-1 Matt Lux, Franklin, PA-12021 World of Outlaws Late Model Schedule & WinnersNo./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins) 1. Thursday, Jan. 14 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Bronson (1) 2. Saturday, Jan. 16 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Strickler (1) 3. Wednesday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Strickler (2) 4. Thursday, Feb. 11 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Devin Moran (1) 5. Friday, Feb. 12 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brandon Overton (1) 6. Saturday, March 6/ Smoky Mountain Speedway/ Maryville, TN/ Chris Madden (1). 7. Friday, March 26 / Cherokee Speedway / Gaffney, SC / Jimmy Owens/Brandon Sheppard 8.Friday, April 2/Farmer City Raceway/Farmer City, IL/ Mike Spatola(1) 9. Saturday, April 3/ Farmer City Raceway/Farmer City, IL/Bobby Pierce(1) 10. Friday, April 9/Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN/Josh Richards(1) 11. Sunday, April 11/Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN/Devin Moran(2) 12. Friday, April 23/Richmond Raceway, Richmond, KY/Tim McCreadie(1) 13. Friday, April 30/Boone Speedway, Boone IA/Cade Dillard(1)/Shannon Babb(1) 14. Saturday, May 1/Boone Speedway, Boone IA/Bobby Pierce(2) 15.Friday, May 7/Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI/Brandon Sheppard(1) 16.Saturday, May 8/Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI/Chris Madden(2) 17. Friday, May 21/ Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA/Chris Madden(3) 18. Saturday, May 22/Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA/Chris Madden (4) 19. Friday, June 4/Circle City Raceway, Indianapolis, IN/Dennis Erb Jr. (1) 20. Saturday, June 5/Plymouth Raceway, Plymouth, IN/Rick Eckert (1) 21. Thursday, June 17/Stateline Speedway, Busti, NY/Dave Hess(1) 22. Thursday, June 24/Lernerville Speedway, Sarver, PA/Brandon Sheppard(2) 23. Friday, June 25/Lernerville Speedway, Sarver, PA/Brandon Overton(2) 24. Saturday, June 26/Lernerville Speedway, Sarver, PA/Brandon Overton(3) 25. Friday, July 9/Jackson Motorplex, Jackson, MN/Frank Heckenast Jr. (1) 26. Saturday, July 10/Jackson Motorplex, Jackson, MN/Dennis Erb Jr.(2) 27. Tuesday July 13/Gondik Law Speedway, Superior, WI/Brandon Sheppard (3) 28. Friday, July 16/River Cities Speedway, Grand Forks, ND/Dennis Erb Jr. (3) 29. Saturday, July 17/I-94 Sure Step Speedway, Fergus Falls, MN/Frank Heckenast Jr. (2) 30. Sunday, July 18/Red Cedar Speedway, Menomonie, WI/Brandon Sheppard (4) 31. Saturday, July 31/Fairbury Speedway, Fairbury, IL/Kyle Larson(1) 32. Tuesday, August 3/Outagamie Speedway, Seymour, WI/Cade Dillard (2) 33. Friday, August 6/ Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond, WI/Ashton Winger (1) 34. Saturday, August 7/ Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond, WI/Jonathan Davenport (1) 35. Thursday, August 19/Orange County Fair Speedway, Middletown, NY/Brandon Sheppard (5) 36. Friday, August 20/Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA/Gregg Satterlee(1) 37. Saturday, August 21/Sharon Speedway, Hartford, OH/Kyle Larson(2) 38. Sunday, August 22/ Eriez Speedway, Erie, PA/Brandon Sheppard(6) 39. Thursday, August 26/Davenport Speedway, Davenport, IA/Devin Moran(3) 40. Friday, August 27/Davenport Speedway, Davenport, IA/Brandon Sheppard (7) 41. Saturday, August 28/Davenport Speedway, Davenport, IA/Devin Moran(4)

The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings® Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, MSD, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award), and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Capital Race Cars, FireAde, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, and Rocket Chassis.Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings® Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.

NHRA® Team ReportNHRA Nationals – Indianapolis
Pre-Race Report

Heading to the team’s home track after clocking his best 1,000-ft ET and qualifying Number Two has Cruz Pedregon and crew revved and ready for the Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. He says winning a race this season and finishing in two previous semis is proof that the team is really “gelling” and exactly where they want to be as they head into the weekend. 

“It’s the biggest race of the year and the most prestigious. I’ve been fortunate to win it three times, so to win a fourth time would put me in some elite company and we have the car to do it,” Cruz says. “The Snap-on® Dodge® SRT® Hellcat® is certainly one of the cars to beat on the circuit, and I’m proud of that. It’s been a lot of work, and our sponsors have been great. They’ve enabled me to put together the team we have here now. I can’t say enough about what they’ve meant to my career, and we have a lot to look forward to.”

Cruz says Indy really sets the tone for the playoffs, as the points-and-a-half will help even the field and set the stage for the Countdown. He believes the team has a good shot to get into the top five, which he says is the team’s goal. The Snap-on Franchise paint scheme is sidelined for now, so Cruz will be racing the primary Snap-on® “Makers and Fixers” Dodge SRT Hellcat Funny Car body better known to the team as “Gato Loco.”

August 30, 2021 Jim Allen

(8/30/21) Chico, CA … The event honoring one of the most important figures in the history of NARC (Northern Auto Racing Club) finds a new home for 2021 at one of California’s most historic bullrings this weekend when the NARC-King of the West Fujitsu Sprint Cars head to Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway on September 4th and 5th for the 13th annual Louie Vermeil Classic.

Louie Vermeil is a key figure in the birth of NARC. During what has become one of the most significant conversations in the history of west coast racing, Vermeil helped conceptualize the sanctioning body in Calistoga’s Owl Garage in 1960 and shortly after made it a reality with the creation of the Northern Auto Racing Club.

The first edition of the Classic took place at Calistoga in 2008 and has since become a Labor Day Weekend tradition of the wine country half mile. However, a battle of bureaucracy between the track and the Napa Valley town forced the 2021 relocation. The annual Calistoga Hall of Fame Dinner has also made the move to Chico for this year and will take place Friday September 3rd on the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. Before the racing gets going on Saturday, there will be wine tasting and live music also on the fairgrounds from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.

While it’s a new venue for the event, Silver Dollar Speedway is certain to continue the tradition of great racing with drivers hunting one of the sport’s most coveted trophies and a stout payday. Both Saturday and Sunday’s Fujitsu/Big O Tire Feature will award $5,000 to the winner. The two-night show will also feature $5,000 to win USAC/CRA non-winged sprint car events.  There is also lap money and product awards up for grabs.

Dominic Scelzi will enter the weekend as the point leader fresh off his Fastest Four Days in Motorsports title. At this point, it seems a Herculean effort will be required to pry him from the podium as he is currently riding a six-race streak of top-3s. Scelzi owns a win in Chico this year and even finished in the top-5 during a 2019 World of Outlaws appearance at the quarter-mile.

Looking to some other potential favorites, Sean Becker or Roseville stands out. The 2005 champ has turned countless laps at Silver Dollar Speedway and tallied 66 sprint car wins at the quarter mile including a World of Outlaws triumph at a Gold Cup prelim night. Becker has continued to gel with Vertullo Motorsports in his first full KWS season since 2014 and already picked up a win in the Howard Kaeding Classic in the yellow No. 83V.

A preview of any 410 sprint car race at Silver Dollar Speedway cannot go without mention of San Jose’s Tim Kaeding. Kaeding owns 58 career sprint car victories in Chico including the most recent series visit in August 2019. TK has finished second in three of his last five starts with the World of Outlaws at Silver Dollar. The pilot of the Bates-Hamilton Racing 42X will be aiming to add a Louie Vermeil NARC-KWS triumph to his accolades.

While Bud Kaeding has spent the bulk of his recent racing career with a wing on, he spent much of the 2000s in the USAC ranks without wings and is expected to have a non-wing ride for the CRA portion in a double-duty effort.

Other expected entrants in the Louie Vermeil Classic include Hanford’s DJ Netto & Mitchell Faccinto, Billy Aton of Benicia, Clovis driver Sean Watts, Roseville’s Colby Copeland, Auburn’s Andy Forsberg, Joel Myers Jr. of Sebastopol, Aromas driver Justin Sanders and many more.

The NARC-King of the West Hoosier Tire Format will include ARP Fast Time Qualifying, 10-lap Brown and Miller Racing Solutions Heat Races, a 6-lap Sunnyvalley Bacon Trophy Dash, a 12-lap Kaeding Performance Semi and the 30-lap Fujitsu General Heating & Air Feature.

On both Saturday and Sunday at Silver Dollar Speedway, the pit gate will open at 1:00 P.M. The grandstand gate will follow at 4:00 P.M. Qualifying will kickoff at 5:30 P.M. with racing set for 6:30 P.M. Reserved seats will be $40. General Admission will cost $35. Kids 6-12 will be admitted for just $10. Tickets can be purchased at: https://hmcpromotions.ticketspice.com/louie-vermeil-classic and include a unique FanPass option!

The Louie Vermeil Classic can be viewed live on floracing.com along with the entire NARC-King of the West Fujitsu Sprint Car schedule.

Silver Dollar Speedway is located on the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds at 2343 Fair St, Chico, CA 95928. For more information visit silverdollarspeedway.com or call (530) 891-6535.

DAYTONA, FL – August 30, 2021 – Ryan Blaney won the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona on Saturday night, marking his second win in a row after his victory at Michigan. Saturday’s Daytona night race concluded the regular NASCAR Cup Series season and a total of 16 drivers will advance to the playoffs next week at Darlington.

“Congratulations to Ryan, Todd, Roger, and the entire No. 12 crew on two wins in a row and finishing out the regular season strong,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “This was a battle to the end, but Ryan and Todd were able to navigate through the field and earn the well-deserved checkered flag.”

“Momentum is what everything is all about.  Confidence is key and we came into this weekend very confident after last week with our heads held high.  They’ll be a little bit higher this week, so I look forward to getting to Darlington,” commented Blaney.

Ryan Newman with Roush Fenway Racing finished P3, B.J. McLeod with Live Fast Motorsports finished P9, and Josh Bilicki with Rick Ware Racing finished P10.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series raced Saturday afternoon at Daytona International Speedway while two Ford Performance teammates finished in the top 15 as Riley Herbst with Stewart-Haas Racing finished in P10 and Jason White with Ryan-Sieg Racing finished P15.

POWERING THE PLAYOFFS

Six drivers powered by Ford Performance and Roush Yates Engines earned a spot in the NASCAR Cup series playoffs: Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Michael McDowell, Aric Almirola, and Kevin Harvick.

RYAN BLANEY – TIED FOR 2ND Ryan Blaney earned his spot in the playoffs after winning at Atlanta, Michigan, and this past weekend at Daytona. This year marks his 5th consecutive season in the playoffs. Earlier in the year, Blaney led 157 of 500 laps at Martinsville and looks forward to leveraging his knowledge and success at this track on October 31st.  Blaney also has won at Talladega and looks forward to this superspeedway race on October 3rd.

JOEY LOGANO – #9Joey Logano earned a spot in the playoffs after winning the inaugural race at the Bristol Dirt track in March. This year he has had 8 Top 5’s and 13 Top 10’s. Logano is a 27-time Cup winner and previous NCS champion. He is one of only a handful of drivers with at least four Championship 4 appearances and aims to advance this year as well.

BRAD KESELOWSKI – #10Brad Keselowski earned his spot in the playoffs after winning at Talladega in April. Keselowski has had a lot of success at Talladega: this track marked his first Cup series win and a total of 6 wins at this track. He looks to use this experience when the series visits on October 3rd. In total, Brad has 35 Cup series victories and has been to the playoffs 9 times in the past 10 years. After finishing 2nd at last year’s championship, Brad is eager to take another swing at the top spot this year.

The Wooster, OH driver’s Black Hills Speedway win propelled him to a career-high eight wins in a seasonRAPID CITY, SD – Aug. 29, 2021 – Sheldon Haudenschild was sick of second. He had to settle for the runner-up spot in his last two races. No more. That ended at Black Hills Speedway.With the correct prediction of a move by 10-time World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz, Haudenschild was able to break that streak and win the Rushmore Outlaw Showdown – along with its $10,000 payday.Like a driver stuck in Ground Hogs Day, Haudenschild was pinned against Schatz on the front row for the DIRTVision FAST PASS Dash and 25-lap World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature. In the Dash, he lost the battle. In the Feature, he won the war.Schatz, on the outside pole, launched ahead of Haudenschild on the first lap of the Dash and ran away with the win. When the Feature commenced, it was Haudenschild’s turn to try the same.Starting on the outside pole, Haudenschild rocketed around the outside of Schatz off Turn 2 but the CARQUEST #15 fought back and pulled even with Haudenschild down the backstretch to retake the lead. However, the caution flew before their battle could continue. Haudenschild had another free shot. Only, this time, Schatz was ready for it.When they saw the green flag, again, Schatz time his restart better than Haudenschild and pulled ahead of him into Turn 1. He drifted up the track to block Haudenschild’s expected run off Turn 2. This is where Haudenschild made the correct prediction.Expecting Schatz to move up, the NOS Energy Drink #17, shifted hard left on the exit of the first corner and darted underneath the 10-time champion down the backstretch. Like Schatz on the initial start, Haudenschild had the better momentum and pulled ahead of Schatz into Turn 3. From there, the Wooster, OH driver hit the afterburners and ran qualifying laps for the remainder of the race.“I can’t give it up enough for Ripper, Steve and Drew,” Haudenschild said of his Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing crew. “They bust their butt. We had to change an engine there before Hot Laps. They always make sure our shit is right.”Five cautions plagued the progress of the Feature and Haudenschild’s command out front. That didn’t hinder the fighter jet-like speed of his car, though. On every restart, Haudenschild found something no one else could and put a second gap between him and the field in a single lap.On multiple occasions this year, circumstances out of Haudenschild’s control robbed him of a win. With several drivers blowing tires throughout the event, anxiety tapped on the shoulder of his crew as they watched from the top of the team hauler, waiting to see if they would be faced with the same fate.Inside the cockpit, Haudenschild knew exactly what he needed to do to avoid an issue.“I feel like I kept it down in the clean part of the track and I felt like they were cutting them, not really getting them bald,” Haudenschild said. “I just tried to cool them there and run in the clean part of the track and get to the end of this. I was sputtering on fuel there at the end.”Behind him, Schatz, who was on a mission to sweep the weekend after claiming his first I-80 Speedway win on Friday could do nothing but watch the black and orange #17 rocket away from him on every restart.“We tried to move around and catch him,” Schatz said. “I was going to have to make something work there in the middle of (Turns) one and two. Just could never hit it right there. We could stay with him at the end. At the beginning, he set a pretty good pace. Hats off to him, he did a great job.”With the fortune of blown tires by others, Gravel was able to keep his equipment clean and round out the podium.“I felt like we had a pretty good car there,” Gravel said. “I felt like we were just as good as anybody. Just track position is really important. I had a hole in my right rear on the last restart and had about four or five pounds left in it.”Two-time and reigning champion Brad Sweet managed to salvage a fifth-place finish after blowing a tire early. However, with Gravel finishing ahead of him, he still lost a few points – now holding a 120-point lead over Gravel.Rookie of the Year contender Brock Zearfoss continued his career run as his sixth-place finish was his fifth top-10 in a row.For Haudenschild, the victory was his first at Black Hills Speedway and eighth of the year – a new career-high of wins in a season for him.“To finish the weekend off with a win is great,” Haudenschild said.Second no more.UP NEXT The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series returns to Washington for the first time since 2019 for the inaugural Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals at Skagit Speedway – Friday to Sunday (Sept. 3 to Sept. 5). CLICK HERE for tickets.If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online or through the DIRTVision App.RESULTS NOS Energy Drink Feature (25 Laps) 1.17-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$6,000]; 3. 2-David Gravel [6][$3,500]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,500]; 6. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [7][$2,300]; 7. 41-Carson Macedo [4][$2,200]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser [12][$2,100]; 9. 88-Travis Reber [14][$2,050]; 10. 9-James McFadden [10][$2,000]; 11. 2N-Shad Petersen [18][$1,600]; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$1,400]; 13. 83-Kasey Kahne [9][$1,200]; 14. 4-Adam Speckman [16][$1,100]; 15. 2C-Zach Patterson [19][$1,050]; 16. 2K-Kevin Ingle [13][$1,000]; 17. 3-Mike Pennel [15][$1,000]; 18. 73-Bill Deay [17][$1,000]; 19. 1J-Jack Eckard [20][$1,000]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [11][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Sheldon Haudenschild 1-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2N-Shad Petersen[+7]Qualifying 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 15.414; 2. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 15.455; 3. 41-Carson Macedo, 15.492; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 15.531; 5. 2-David Gravel, 15.548; 6. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss, 15.6; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen, 15.602; 8. 49-Brad Sweet, 15.611; 9. 9-James McFadden, 15.659; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 15.665; 11. 83-Kasey Kahne, 15.757; 12. 7S-Jason Sides, 15.946; 13. 2C-Zach Patterson, 16.24; 14. 2K-Kevin Ingle, 16.481; 15. 4-Adam Speckman, 17.046; 16. 88-Travis Reber, 17.291; 17. 2N-Shad Petersen, 18.034; 18. 3-Mike Pennel, 18.646; 19. 73-Bill Deay, 19.491; 20. 1J-Jack Eckard

COONRADT CLAIMS GLEN RIDGE GLORY: Josh Coonradt wins first DIRTcar Pro Stock Series race of ‘21Coonradt, Horning, and Ballard fill DIRTcar Pro Stock Series podium at Glen Ridge Motorsports ParkFULTONVILLE, NY – With 15 laps to go, Josh Coonradt, driver of the #00X, passed rival Luke Horning to win the $1,500 winner’s share at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park in the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series kickoff. Horning settled for second and Beau Ballard made an amazing run through the field in the last 10 laps to take the final podium position. Not only did Coonradt earn the $1,500 payday for winning the 40-lap Series Feature, but he also took $100 for his Heat Race win and another $100 for the fastest lap in Time Trials courtesy of Classic Muscle Parts. The Feature however was not a layup by any means. On lap one in Turn Two, the pole sitter Andy Graves drove in hard and skated up the track collecting multiple cars. Robert Yetman, Mike White, and others took damage. Yetman was able to rejoin and drove all the way to the front and even ran third before fading and finishing fifth. While Josh Coonradt loves to win, he also wants to beat the best on the race track. Unfortunately, the lap one incident took out some of his top competitors. “It kind of sucks that that lap one wreck happened,” said Coonradt. “It took out a lot of good cars. We were fortunate to get through it.”The #00X started in the eleventh starting position after an unlucky redraw. After hustling up through the early wreck, Coonradft still had to make plenty of on-track passes for the win. Former champion Robert Yetman drove up through the field from the back after suffering a flat tire and even passed eventual winner Coonradt for third. “When Yetman went by us on the top I thought I wasn’t going to have it but then the car kept getting better and better every lap,” said Coonradt. Luke Horning, in the #2H, was the early race leader. He held the point position until 15 laps to go when Coonradt made the overtake with a great launch off the bottom of Turn Four. Once Coonradt dispatched Horning it was all #00X until the checkered flag. “I think we just needed an open track,” said Coonradt. “I’m just happy to be here. Thanks to Luke for running me clean. To be able to drive by him is a big deal.”Beau Ballard also had an exciting trip to the podium. Ballard started fifth and battled on the top half of the field until he cut down a right rear tire.“We cut down a right rear and thankfully we had guys out here to help get us back on track,” said Ballard. Ballard drove hard to make it back up to the front. He was in 14th with nine laps to go. He had his Pro Stock sailing on the top side and reeling in the leaders before running out of laps. Ballard settled for third. The next DIRTcar Pro Stock Series race is on Friday, Sept. 10 at Can-Am Speedway followed by Weedsport Speedway the next day on Saturday, Sept. 11. FEATURE (40 laps) 1. Josh Coonradt 2. Luke Horning 3. Beau Ballard 4. Ivan Joslin 5. Rob Yetman 6. Jay Fitzgerald 7. Scott Townslee 8. Kevin Fetterly 9. Andy Graves 10. Burton Ward 11. Chuck McSpirit 12. Brian Carter 13. Johnny Rivers 14. Buck Gasner 15. Doug Sheely 16. Ken Griffin Jr. 17. Tyler Bushey 18. Shawn Perez 19. Justin White 20. Chad Jeseo PHOTO: Joe Grabianowski

DIRTcar Racing is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel), Chevy Performance Parts, iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, and NAPA Auto Parts (SDS). Contingency sponsors include: ARP (Automotive Racing Products), ASI Race Wear (SDS), Bassett, Bicknell Racing Products, Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux (SDS), Cometic Gasket (SDS), COMP Cams, Drydene, Fast Shafts, Fox Factory (SDS), Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Service, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Quarter Master, Schoenfeld Headers, Summit Racing Equipment, and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum) (SDS); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Beyea Headers, FireAde, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics and Velocita USA.

(8/29/21 – Alex Nieten) Petaluma, CA … By leading all 30 laps, Justin Sanders claimed his second win in the last four NARC-King of the West Fujitsu Sprint Car events while Dominic Scelzi finished third to earn the Fastest Four Days in Motorsports title at the historic Petaluma Speedway.

The win is Sanders’ third 30-lap Fujitsu General USA Feature of the year, ninth career, and second aboard the Kevin Kozlowski owned and Paul Silva prepared Works Limited No. 57. On the tacky, quick racing surface, Sanders had to remain focused each and every lap.

“Just trying not to make any mistakes and trying to keep the car underneath me as hard as I could,” Sanders said of what was required to grab the checkered flag.

Rounding out the podium was Dominic Scelzi, marking his sixth straight appearance in the top-three and securing enough points for the $2,000 to win Fastest Four Days in Motorsports championship. The Jimmy Carr-prepared Scelzi Enterprises/Red Rose Transportation No. 41 appears incapable of having an off night even with the grueling challenge presented by the Fastest Four Days in Motorsports.

“This is a very tough four days,” Scelzi said. “You go to four completely different racetracks, and you have to be fast every single night, and the 41 car has been so good to drive every single night this year. It feels great to have that consistency.”

The field was brought to green by Sanders and Scelzi, and Sanders quickly darted to a five car-length advantage. Behind him, Colby Copeland moved around Scelzi into second on lap one aboard the Larry Antaya Motorsports Fire Protection Management 16A.

Copeland began his pursuit of Sanders, who, oddly enough, was attempting to mirror what he did in May in the car Copeland wheeled, lead from green to checkered.

Copeland looked to the inside of Sanders early on in turn three but couldn’t make it work. Then, in typical Petaluma fashion, a game of cat and mouse through lap traffic ensued. Sanders would clear a car, and Copeland was forced to match his moves to have any chance of keeping up.

The two dueled through slower cars, but ultimately Copeland was unable to mount a serious charge for the lead. Every time it seemed like he might reel him in and have an opportunity to make a move, Sanders would put a little more space between the two. When the checkered flag flew, Sanders crossed the line with a cozy 1.039 second advantage.

Despite again dominating by leading every lap on the fast 3/8th mile, Sanders was humble in victory lane.

“I think I put together a decent 30-laps,” Sanders said. “They weren’t great, but they were good enough to get the job done.

Sanders’ efforts earned him a $4,000 payday while Scelzi took home $2,000 for winning the Fastest Four Days in Motorsports title on top of his race earnings. Scelzi also stretched his growing point lead a little more in the overall NARC standings.

Shane Golobic finished fourth, securing top-5 results in all four nights of the FFDM, and Rico Abreu completed the top-5. The remainder of the top-10 was Bud Kaeding, Tim Kaeding, Joel Myers Jr, Sean Becker and Andy Forsberg.

The night started off with rising start, Joel Myers Jr., claiming ARP Fast Time.

FUJITSU GENERAL USA FEATURE (30 laps): 1. Justin Sanders 57 2. Colby Copeland 16A 3. Dominic Scelzi 41 4. Shane Golobic 17W 5. Rico Abreu 24 6. Bud Kaeding 69 7. Tim Kaeding 42X 8. Joel Myers Jr. 46JR 9. Sean Becker 83V 10. Andy Forsberg 92 11. DJ Netto 88N 12. Robbie Price 21P 13. Billy Aton 26 14. Corey Day 21 15. Sean Watts 98 16. Kaleb Montgomery 35 17. John Clark 12J 18. Jessie Attard 53

HOOSIER TIRE LAP LEADERS: Sanders 1-30

SWIFT METAL FINISHING HARDCHARGER: Billy Aton 17th to 13th

ARP FAST QUALIFIER: Joel Myers Jr. 12.457

BROWN AND MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS HEAT ONE (10 laps): Shane Golobic, Colby Copeland, Sean Becker, Joel Myers Jr., DJ Netto, Jessie Attard

FUJITSU GENERAL USA HEAT TWO (10 laps): Bud Kaeding, Dominic Scelzi, Rico Abreu, Andy Forsberg, Corey Day, Billy Aton

FLORACING.COM HEAT THREE (10 laps): Kaleb Montgomery, Justin Sanders, Tim Kaeding, Sean Watts, Robbie Price, John Clark

SUNNYVALLEY “POWERED BY BACON” DASH (6 laps): Justin Sanders, Dominic Scelzi, Shane Golobic, Colby Copeland, Bud Kaeding, Joel Myers Jr.

August 29, 2021

Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Menards/Dutch Boy team put themselves in position to win Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, but their involvement in a late-race, multi-car crash knocked them out of contention for a win and the Playoff berth that would have come with it.

DiBenedetto and the Menards/Dutch Boy team earned the ninth starting spot for Saturday’s regular season finale and took the green flag in seventh place. The team’s strategy called for playing defense early on, so they rode near the back of the pack for most of the first two Stages, hoping to avoid damage to their No. 21 Mustang.

Those plans worked as he finished 27^th in both Stages but had an unblemished Mustang to put to work in the final segment of the race.

DiBenedetto and his fellow Ford drivers were able to leapfrog to the front after the Blue Oval contingent made their final pit stops under the green flag on Lap 123.

When the caution flag flew on Lap 141 and their competitors drove to pit road, the Fords cycled to the front, with DiBenedetto lining up in fourth place for the restart.

His outside line didn’t advance, and he dropped to seventh place but had recovered to sixth place when the next caution flag – and eventually the red flag – flew.

Back under green, DiBenedetto initially dropped to the back of the top 10 as the outside line didn’t keep pace, but he worked his way into the lead with four of the scheduled 160 laps left to run.

But his chances for victory ended there after contact with Chase Elliott took him out of contention and brought out a caution flag that extended the race into Overtime.

DiBenedetto recovered to finish 26th as the race ended under caution for another multi-car crash.

“Our strategy going into the race was to be smart and be there when it counted,” DiBenedetto said. “We worked on the car, got it right and had a shot at winning.”

DiBenedetto said he wasn’t surprised when Elliott moved to block him as the Menards/Dutch Boy Mustang surged forward.

“We had prepared for that exact scenario,” he said. “We had a good push and a huge run.

“We were all racing for the win, so there are no hard feelings. But [Elliott] double blocked us, and we had too big a run for him to do that.” 
 
Despite being disappointed by the outcome, DiBenedetto’s focus remained on the positives.
 
“No regrets,” he said. “We did everything right.
 
“Our Menards/Dutch Boy team should be proud. We’ll take our good momentum and go get a win.” 
 
DiBenedetto and the No. 21 team now head to Darlington Raceway for next Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500.
 

(8/28/2021 – Alex Nieten) Stockton, CA… Dominic Scelzi’s dream season just keeps on rolling.

The pilot of the Scelzi Enterprises/Red Rose Transportation No. 41 notched his fourth NARC-King of the West Fujitsu Sprint Car victory of 2021 with a masterful drive from his starting spot on the third row at the Stockton Dirt Track Saturday night. The result in day three of the Fastest Four Days in Motorsports also marked his fifth consecutive series podium as he continues to hunt his first career NARC title. Scelzi was quick to credit his crew for the consistent success.

“With Jimmy Carr,” Scelzi said in victory lane. “I say it every week, the guy just gives me a perfect racecar every night.”

The Champion’s Classic field was brought to green by DJ Netto and Justin Sanders. Netto got the initial jump into turn one, but Sanders powered underneath Netto out of turn four to lead the opening circuit.

Sanders continued to lead with Netto close behind until lap 10 when Netto was able to slip back by in his Netto Ag/Penny Newman Grain 88N. Sanders came to a stop in turn four on the next lap with a mechanical issue but was able to rejoin after the caution and tag the tail.

The green flag on lap 11 immediately brought another yellow for Corey Day who had trouble on the backstretch before a lap was complete, ending his night.

Scelzi began his charge after the caution for Day. Scelzi lined up fifth for the restart and watched his competitors all head for the top side when the green dropped. On lap 12 Scelzi rolled the bottom perfectly to jump by two cars onto the podium. The following lap he took over second from Rico Abreu. Just two laps later, Scelzi squeezed to the inside of Netto to grab the lead into turn one.

Netto would not go down without a fight as he launched a slider the next lap to regain top spot and lead lap 16, but Scelzi countered with a crossover and was able to distance himself from the reigning champion just enough to get some breathing room.

Lap traffic came into play with under 10 laps remaining as Scelzi and Netto both had to navigate slower cars on what was a tricky surface. Netto made daring moves to get by lap cars and keep Scelzi in his sights. The pilot of the 88N approached Scelzi’s tail tank on multiple occasions as the laps dwindled, but he couldn’t quite gain enough momentum to make another move for the lead. Scelzi hung on to win by just under two seconds.

Behind the battle for the lead, Tanner Carrick quietly moved forward in his Carrick Motorsports/CVC Concrete 83T from his eleventh starting spot to finish in third for his second career series podium. Carrick’s efforts also earned him Swift Metal Finishing Hardcharger honors.

Scelzi’s win in the Champion’s Classic marked his third KWS triumph at Stockton, and it netted him $6,000. The point leader extended his lead in the standings and his advantage in the Fastest

Four Days in Motorsports points. The Fresno native just continues to put together a west coast racing season for the history books, and he’s enjoying every moment along the way.

“I’m in awe,” Scelzi said. “I really can’t believe our car is this good every single night.”

The remainder of the top-10 was Rico Abreu, Shane Golobic, Colby Copeland, Sean Becker, Tim Kaeding, Bud Kaeding and Jessie Attard.

The NARC-KWS Fujitsu Sprint Cars can next be seen in action Sunday August 29th at Petaluma Speedway for the Fastest Four Days in Motorsports finale.

FUJITSU GENERAL USA FEATURE (30 laps): 1. Dominic Scelzi 41 2. DJ Netto 88N 3. Tanner Carrick 83T 4. Rico Abreu 24 5. Shane Golobic 17W 6. Colby Copeland 16A 7. Sean Becker 83V 8. Tim Kaeding 42X 9. Bud Kaeding 69 10. Jessie Attard 53 11. Justin Sanders 57 12. Sean Watts 98 13. Mitchell Faccinto 37 14. Willie Croft 29 15. Robbie Price 21P 16. Joel Myers Jr. 46JR 17. Billy Aton 26 18. Mitchel Moles 01 19. Geoffrey Strole 09S 20. Corey Day 21 21. Brain Boswell 75 22. Richard Brace Jr. 2R 23. Kalib Henry 93

HOOSIER TIRE LAP LEADERS: Sanders 1-9 Netto 10-14, 16 Scelzi 15, 17-30

SWIFT METAL FINISHING HARDCHARGER: Tanner Carrick 11th to 3rd

ARP FAST QUALIFIER (23 cars): Colby Copeland 13.646

BROWN AND MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS HEAT ONE (8 laps): Justin Sanders, Tanner Carrick, Rico Abreu, Colby Copeland, Mitchel Moles, Billy Aton, Richard Brace Jr., Robbie Price

FUJITSU GENERAL USA HEAT TWO (8 laps): Kalib Henry, Sean Becker, Dominic Scelzi, DJ Netto, Tim Kaeding, Jessie Attard, Joel Myers Jr., Brian Boswell

FLORACING.COM HEAT THREE (8 laps): Mitchell Faccinto, Bud Kaeding, Corey Day, Shane Golobic, Willie Croft, Sean Watts, Geoffrey Strole

SUNNYVALLEY “POWERED BY BACON” DASH (6 laps): DJ Netto, Justin Sanders, Rico Abreu, Colby Copeland, Sean Becker, Dominic Scelzi

It’s the Dresden, OH driver’s fourth World of Outlaws win of the seasonDAVENPORT, IA – August 28, 2021 – Devin Moran faced two different battles Saturday night at Davenport Speedway. The Dresden, OH driver survived several restarts against his competitors, and overcame power steering issues to score the $30,000 Victory in the Quad Cities 150 presented by Hoker Trucking.   In the first few laps, Moran traded the lead with reigning Series champion Brandon Sheppard but took the lead for good on Lap 6. While the “Mailman” was cruising out front, his power steering started going away, forcing him to battle the steering wheel through every corner.   “[The Power Steering] slowly got worse and worse and worse as the race went on, and like under caution, I had no power steering,” Moran said. “My arms felt like noodles, and I’m not the biggest guy in the world anyways, but I just told myself on that last caution, don’t be a sissy, get out there and do what I need to do, and that’s what I did.” Moran’s win is his fourth World of Outlaws triumph of the season and eighth of his career. He added $43,500 to his bank account this weekend, between two wins and a third-place finish.   The “Mailman” dealt with challenges from a familiar foe for part of the race, as Bobby Pierce tried to steal the lead from him on one occasion. Moran held him at bay after searching for the best line on the speedway.   “The middle was really really good for most of the race, and then when [Bobby Pierce] slid me, and when I slid him back in one and two, I felt like the slider line was actually like really fast,” Moran said. “When I did that [Wylie Moran, his crew chief], hands got wider, and we trucked on from there.” While Moran led most of the race, the rest traded positions throughout all 70 laps.  Brian Shirley, the race’s hard charger, drove his way to second after starting 15th. The Chatham, IL driver, stated his car was fast and took advantage of some breaks along the way.  “I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out, to be honest, we just needed a good run, and a lot of things were falling our way there,” Shirley said. “We had a good car and had a couple of breaks with the cautions happening and getting in the right spot. Luckily, we just capitalized on some good things that went on [Saturday].” From Bear Lake, PA, Boom Briggs crossed the line third—his best World of Outlaws finish of 2021. The help he received from one of his competitors, paved the way to success on Saturday night.  “I got to thank Mark Richards and all of the [Rocket1 Racing Team],” Briggs said. “[Brandon Sheppard] welded on my car [Saturday], Mark helped me with some stuff and it got me in the game. “That’s all I ever ask is I want in the game and to just be competitive.” Sheppard finished fourth, his second top-five of the weekend. The New Berlin, IL driver ran second for most of the race, but lost his brakes around the halfway point.   “It didn’t affect me too bad around the halfway point, but the longer the race went, and the more I needed to slow my entry down a little bit, the worse I got,” Sheppard said. “I couldn’t steer in unless I was kind of on the gas because I needed to slow up with the brakes, and I didn’t have no brakes to slow me up.”  Bobby Pierce rounded out the top-five, dropping from second on the final restart after a fierce battle for the runner-up spot with Chris Madden.  Pierce was trying to pass Madden on the outside of Turn 3 with five laps to go, when Pierce made contact with Madden, sending the Gray Court, SC driver spinning on the inside of the track.  Pierce stated he was trying to get the most out of his car while running the cushion when the incident happened.    “Anyone that doesn’t know, racing these cars, you’re trying to get that best run off into the corner you can possibly get when you’re running the top,” Pierce said.“When there’s a guy constantly swinging out in front of your line, you’re trying to get to his quarter panel as close as you can without touching him or at least nicking him so you can at least get that best runoff because this game is about inches.  “I could’ve went in there and threw a slider and knocked his nose off. I didn’t want to do that; I wanted to pass him clean. So, therefore, racing deal, it sucks, I take accountability for it because I’m trying to get the most out of my racecar I possibly can.”  We reached out to Madden after the race about the incident, but he declined to comment. Devin Moran overcame adversity to win for the second time in three days, despite leading more laps than anyone throughout the weekend. The “Mailman’s” perseverance shows it’ll take more than a minor issue to keep him out of Victory Lane, when his Longhorn Chassis is dialed in.    UP NEXT: The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet return to Cherokee Speedway on Thursday, Sept. 2 for the rescheduled Rock Gault Memorial.  If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online or through the DIRTVision App. Morton Buildings Feature (70 Laps)-1. 9-Devin Moran [1][$30,000]; 2. 3S-Brian Shirley [15][$15,000]; 3. 99B-Boom Briggs [10][$7,000]; 4. 1-Brandon Sheppard [2][$6,000]; 5. 32P-Bobby Pierce [4][$5,000]; 6. 44-Chris Madden [3][$4,500]; 7. 7-Ricky Weiss [13][$4,000]; 8. B1-Brent Larson [16][$3,500]; 9. 99JR-Frank Heckenast [5][$3,000]; 10. 28-Dennis Erb [8][$2,500]; 11. 16-Tyler Bruening [11][$2,300]; 12. 21-Billy Moyer [12][$2,200]; 13. 19R-Ryan Gustin [7][$2,100]; 14. 0-Nick Hoffman [18][$2,000]; 15. 28M-Jimmy Mars [9][$1,800]; 16. 18-Shannon Babb [22][$1,700]; 17. 32-Chris Simpson [6][$1,600]; 18. 97-Cade Dillard [17][$1,550]; 19. 25-Jason Feger [19][$1,500]; 20. 19G-Richie Gustin [23][$1,500]; 21. 10-Paul Parker [24][$1,500]; 22. 51-Matt Furman [21][$1,500]; 23. 59-Garrett Alberson [20][$1,500]; 24. 44W-Mike Fryer [14][$1,500] Hard Charger: 3S-Brian Shirley[+13]

The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings® Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, MSD, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award), and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Capital Race Cars, FireAde, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, and Rocket Chassis.Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings® Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about

Austin Dillon Narrowly Misses NASCAR Playoffs Following Last-Lap Incident at Daytona International Speedway Despite Strong Run in the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet

18th

27th

13th

“It was a little bit of a roller coaster ride for us tonight in the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet. We drove our butts off and made some good moves to get points in Stage 1 and Stage 2. We found ourselves in fourth place for a green-white-checkered finish here at Daytona, and that’s exactly where I was when we won the Daytona 500 so I was feeling pretty good about it. Instead of a win, we wrecked. Looking back at it, I wish we could have been a little bit more patient. I probably would have stayed on the top line, but I had a run and they all kind of bobbled getting into Turn 3. I went with the No. 17 car just to see if we could have gotten all of the way to the front. The 42 left us at the line and our night was pretty much over there. After that, we were in the middle and had a big run, but the big one happened and we had no where to go. We fought hard. Two weeks in a row, we’ve had fast No. 3 Chevrolets. We just haven’t gotten the finishes that we would like to have, but I’m very thankful that the good Lord took care of us tonight and we get to race at Darlington Raceway next week. It’s unfortunate that we’re not in the playoffs, but we gave it all we could.” -Austin Dillon

Tyler Reddick and the Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Team Advance to the NASCAR Playoffs with Sixth-Place Finish at Daytona International Speedway

6th

17th

11th

“It feels incredible to be in the NASCAR Playoffs. My emotions were shot as soon as we took the green on the last green-white-checkered. I can’t even believe that we finished sixth. It was a lot coming through that last crash at the line and to make the Playoffs is a proud accomplish for our Richard Childress Racing team. I’ve gone to Homestead-Miami a couple times to race for a championship, which was a lot of fun and nerve wracking, but it is a rollercoaster to come to Daytona on the bubble. I almost felt helpless there when I ran into the back of someone and had all the issues we did coming to the checkered. Our Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen team never gave up and we made it through all the challenges. We are going to enjoy this moment, but the real work starts now. I can’t wait to get to Darlington next week and start the Round of 16.”  -Tyler Reddick

NASCAR CUP SERIES COKE ZERO SUGAR 400 DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT AUGUST 29, 2021
  KYLE LARSON CROWNED THE NASCAR CUP SERIES REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSix Team Chevy Drivers Lock into NCS Playoffs DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 29, 2021)– The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) season has been an unprecedented year for Kyle Larson. The battle for the NCS Regular Season Championship all came down to the 400-mile, 160-lap race at the famed Daytona International Speedway, where the 29-year-old Hendrick Motorsports driver captured his first-career NCS Regular Season Championship title. In addition to the title, the Chevrolet driver will enter the 10-race playoff run with 15 additional playoff points to kickoff the fight for the coveted title of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. 
“Our team has worked so hard all of the regular season,” said Larson. “I couldn’t do it without Mr. Hendrick and Linda and all of their support. Everybody back at the shop, too. This is a long season and we still have 10 races to go. It’s a long point to get here and it’s just a big hats off to everybody at the shop. HendrickCars.com, Valvoline, Tarlton and Son, everybody who’s been on board to help us out this year.”
Larson’s debut season with Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 5 Camaro ZL1 1LE team took the NASCAR Cup Series competition by storm. Through 26 races thus far, Larson leads the series in wins with five, a career-best; top-five finishes (14); top-10’s (18); stage wins (12); 37 playoff points; and a career-best 1,566 laps led. The Hendrick Motorsports driver took over the point lead from Denny Hamlin following his win at Watkins Glen and came into the regular-season finale at the World Center of Racing with a 28-point advantage. 
“Congratulations to Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team on clinching the NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Championship,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. Vice President of Performance and Motorsports. “It was quite a battle right to the end, but the combination of the most wins, top-five’s, top-10 finishes, stage wins and laps led made the difference to secure this Regular Season Championship. The team has momentum going into the Playoffs.”
The 16-driver playoff field is set for the NASCAR Cup Series, with six Chevrolet drivers securing their chance to battle for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship: Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, William Byron, Kurt Busch, and Tyler Reddick. Heading into the 10-race stretch, momentum is with the Bowtie Brand after capturing 13 wins in 26 NCS races.  
Chevrolet is entering the championship hunt in search of a back-to-back NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championship after Hendrick Motorsports driver, Chase Elliott, captured his first-career Championship in 2020, giving Chevrolet its 32nd Championship title in NASCAR’s premier series. The Bowtie Brand also sits atop the NCS Manufacturer Standings in pursuit of its 40th title. “It’s great to have six Chevrolet drivers locked into the 2021 Playoffs,” said Campbell.  There are three rounds of Playoffs (3 races per round) in the 2021 format, plus one final championship-crowning season finale. Four drivers will be eliminated following each round of three. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs commences at Darlington Raceway with the annual Cook Out Southern 500 at 6 p.m. ET on September 5. Live coverage of the 367-mile, 501.3-mile race can be found on NBCSN, MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.  KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 VALVOLINE INSTANT OIL CHANGE CAMARO ZL1 1LE, Press Conference Transcript: THE MODERATOR: We are joined by Kyle Larson. Congratulations on winning the NASCAR regular season championship. Give us a quick recap of the race from your vantage point, but also the opportunity to take home that regular season championship trophy.
KYLE LARSON: Yeah, the race went well until the last lap. We didn’t get any stage points the first time, first stage, and the 11 did. I felt like after thinking about it a little bit more if I could just kind of follow him and stay close to him in the second stage, he wouldn’t gain much on me.
It actually ended up where I beat him in the second stage. That gave me a little bit more comfort going into the final one. We were able to dodge a couple wrecks. He actually got collected in one of them. Then it was kind of go for the win at that point.
Just things didn’t work out for me in the green-white-checkered. Ended up getting shuffled back, then getting right in the middle of that wreck. Yeah, bummer that we didn’t get to finish well, but we accomplished the goal going into tonight, which was coming away with the regular season title.Got those 15 bonus points. Now we can look forward to the next 10 weeks and hopefully get some more wins.
THE MODERATOR: We’ll take questions for Kyle.
Q.How special is it to lead the way with an historical team and number?KYLE LARSON: It’s cool. I think just racing the car in general for Mr. H, what that paint scheme and number means to him, it means a lot to me for him to kind of have that trust in me to carry it on. Had a lot of success with it this year, have ourselves positioned in a good spot to chase the championship.
Would have loved to put that car and that paint scheme with HendrickCars.com on it in Victory Lane more often throughout the rest of the year, especially in Phoenix.
Q.You’ll have a huge points lead going into the round of 16. With that margin, what tracks do you have circled in the Playoffs that you feel more confident about?KYLE LARSON: I mean, I think there’s a lot of good tracks for us. I don’t know which ones specifically. I feel like we have a shot to win anywhere right now. That’s encouraging.
I really just look forward to getting it started next week, kind of getting into the flow of that, racing in the Playoffs against multiple other drivers chasing points and wins.
Yeah, I feel good about it.
Q.What is the possibility seeing all Hendrick cars make the Final 4?KYLE LARSON: It would be hard to get all of us in the Final 4 at Phoenix, but it’s not impossible either. We’ve all four been really strong I feel like all season long. It’s been nice to have us all win this year and challenge for many other wins. Yeah, it’s not impossible, but it’s definitely going to be tough. That would be awesome.
Q.You’re a guy that’s used to going out and your philosophy is win, win, win. How are you going to temper that balance to win a championship? You’ve never really been in a position to be the favorite going into the Playoffs, at least at the Cup level?KYLE LARSON: I don’t know, I feel like we’ve kind of had that mindset the last month or so already. It’s not been all about just winning. Once points kind of came into the picture of us being able to beat the 11, kind of points racing against him. I think getting into that mindset, that kind of style it takes to not be so go for broke, which I feel like is a lot of what you need. You obviously have to have that go for broke somewhere in your arsenal.
Yeah, I think a lot of it, you can’t make any big mistakes and take yourself out of it. That’s what we’ve been doing this last month and a half or so. I feel like that’s been good to prep us leading into the Playoffs.
Q.Is there anything you’re looking at as far as changing what you have been doing? Will you continue to race as much outside of NASCAR?KYLE LARSON: I don’t know. I mean, I’ve answered that question a lot. Naturally the schedule, there’s not a lot of midweek racing. There’s no speedweeks and stuff this time of year. I can’t go race as much as I have been.
I’m still going to race. I think it’s been a big part of what’s made me, what’s gotten us to this point, this strong on Sundays, is being fresh throughout the week. Competing is a big part of me.Yeah, I’m going to race when I can. Hopefully we do a good job in the Playoffs.
Q.From your point of view, what differences did you see with the package compared to Daytona and Talladega earlier this season?KYLE LARSON: I didn’t really get to race Talladega. Race ended before the race started almost.The 500, from what I remember of that, I feel like the runs were maybe just a touch smaller. Maybe it was a little easier to block runs and stuff because of that.
But really I didn’t think it was way different. The other drivers who kind of were up front would maybe have a different opinion. From where I was, I didn’t think it was way different.
Q.Looking forward to the Playoffs, are there any tracks in particular that you’re looking forward to the most?KYLE LARSON: I mean, I think I’m happy to start off at Darlington. It’s a fun racetrack. There’s a lot of good racetracks for us and our race team. I’m really looking forward to Bristol. It’s my favorite race of the year, favorite racetrack. We only get to go there really once this year I feel like. Hopefully take advantage of that and have a good time and get my first win at Bristol.
Yeah, I mean, there’s a lot of good tracks. Really we look forward to all of them.
Q.Talladega is not that far away. Did you learn anything you can take to Talladega from tonight?KYLE LARSON: I’m not sure. Obviously there’s always something that you take away from each race. I think after going back and looking at some video, really studying this race, I think you’ll be able to learn a little bit more going to Talladega.
Yeah, I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it yet.
Q.Looking ahead to the Playoffs, is there a certain driver or team you feel is your biggest competition?KYLE LARSON: I mean, I think everybody has had their moments of being really strong this year. I think the three others, my teammates, are going to be really tough. I think I look at obviously Denny, Martin, Kyle Busch as probably being the three others besides our team that stand out.
I feel like there’s always one or two guys that you don’t really notice that much during the regular season, maybe don’t even notice that much in the first round, but really start hitting their stride after that. There’s probably definitely a few wild cards out there. You won’t really know who they are until we get a few races in.
THE MODERATOR: Kyle, thank you for joining us. Congratulations once again. Best of luck in the Playoffs this season.
KYLE LARSON: Thank you.

NASCAR CUP SERIES COKE ZERO SUGAR 400 DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES & QUOTES AUGUST 28, 2021
TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS:POS.   DRIVER5th      RYAN PREECE, NO. 37 KROGER/COCA-COLA CAMARO ZL1 1LE6th      TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 CHEDDAR’S SCRATCH KITCHEN CAMARO ZL1 1LE7th      JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 77 FOE CAMARO ZL1 1LE8th      ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 1LE9th      CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 UNIFIRST CAMARO ZL1 1LE TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS: POS.  DRIVER1st      Ryan Blaney (Ford)2nd     Chris Buescher (Ford)3rd      Bubba Wallace (Toyota)4th      Ryan Newman (Ford)5th      Ryan Preece (Chevrolet)
The NASCAR Cup Series season continues next weekend at Darlington Raceway for the Cook Out Southern 500 on Sunday, September 5, at 6 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.  TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES AND QUOTES: TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 CHEDDAR’S SCRATCH KITCHEN CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 6thWERE YOU NERVOUS AT ANY POINT IN THE RACE GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?“There was definitely so much happening there during the race and I didn’t get nervous till Stage 3 there on a restart that I thought was coming, but he did a really good job of matching the move with Chase Elliott going three-wide on the bottom and we lost all the track position that we gained there in Stage 2.  From that point on we had the cycles and the cautions that came when we got collected in that accident with 15 to go. Yeah, that is when the nerves kind of shot up because the car is crashed, we were out of the draft, and not really sure what was going to happen. We caught a caution and fortunately got through that last crash. Even more fortunate than that was that Ryan Blaney was able to win and if you look at the guys from third to myself, if any of those guys win but Blaney, we are having a different conversation.” WITH THE SMOKE COMING OUT OF YOUR CAR, WAS THERE ANY POINT WHERE YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE DONE?“Well, once the vitals on the dash showed everything was fine, me personally, I wasn’t worried. It was a matter of getting the oil that was trapped or stuck…..just a matter of time for it to just work its way out of the car and to stop looking like we were having all kinds of leaks.  That is when NASCAR thought we still had a leak. Technically our engine was good, and we didn’t have any leaks. We just had some fluid lying around from the accident.” HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO THE MOST PRESSURED SITUATIONS YOU HAVE BEEN IN BEFORE?“Almost more than the Xfinity Series Championship honestly because you have so many drivers that were in the top 15 that could win and change everything for our year. So yeah, a lot of nerves running right there and getting through that crash somehow like we did, and getting the finish and crossing the line and whatnot. Still got sixth and we got lucky.”
ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 1L1 – Finished 8thEND OF THE REGULAR SEASON AND INTO THE PLAYOFFS. ALEX, AS YOU GET READY TO GO PLAYOFF RACING, WHERE’S YOUR TEAM AT AND HOW DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU STACK UP AS WE GO TO DARLINGTON NEXT WEEK?“Yeah, we definitely struggled the three weeks after the two off weeks. But solid top-10 here today for the No. 48 Ally Camaro. Last year, we were miserable all summer and then showed up in the Playoffs and were really strong each and every week. I’m not worried about it. I know we’re going to be good every week. Our Ally Camaro is going to be fast. Greg (Ives, crew chief) and the guys have been doing a really good job. Confident going into a lot of good racetracks for us and excited to get going.”
ARE THERE TRACKS THAT YOU’RE SPECIFICALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO AND IS THERE A TRACK OR TWO THAT YOU’RE HOPING TO GET A GOOD RUN AT IN THESE PLAYOFF RACES?“Yeah, obviously we won Richmond; excited to go there. That was always the one that I circled that I was worried about. Since we’ve gotten a little better there over the last couple of years, it’s cool to have a win there and be excited to go there rather than somewhat dreading it. But then, the typical good racetracks for us – Las Vegas, Darlington, Kansas – a lot of good places for us. Just excited to get going.”
WHAT’S YOUR TAKEAWAY FOR YOUR RUN AT DAYTONA?“We crashed three times and ran eighth; pretty typical superspeedway race. At least we made it to the end there. We had a pretty solid car until we got that left-front damage. It was just kind of slow after that, but the guys did a good job trying to fix it up on pit road. We had a good Ally Camaro. Wish we would have been a couple spots better, but just ready to go Playoff racing and have this one done and over with.”
WHAT IS YOUR CONFIDENCE LEVEL GOING INTO THE FIRST RACE OF THE PLAYOFFS?“It’s been a rough stretch since the two off weeks, but I feel like we were really successful last year in the Playoffs and we have the ability to repeat that and go further. I’m excited; a lot of great racetracks for us.”
CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 UNIFIRST CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 9thCHASE, NINTH-PLACE FINISH TONIGHT. INITIAL TAKEWAYS FROM YOUR RUN.“We had a really, really fast UniFirst Chevrolet. I thought we were probably better than we’ve ever been down here. Just a lot of ability in our car to do the things that we’ve been asking of it for a few years. So, we’re really excited about that. I hate to crash there. It’s so tough when you get in those situations where you have the lead and trying to hold it. You have big runs coming and it’s just like, where do you draw the line.”“I feel like you’ve got to be pretty aggressive or you’re going to get taken advantage of. That’s just the style of racing.”
YOU KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP. WHAT’S IT GOING TO TAKE TO GO BACK-TO-BACK?“I feel like the same thing that it was last year. Just execute a really solid 10 weeks and try to be at our very best during the most important part of the year. We’ll see how it stacks up. It’s hard to time those things up, but we’ll try our best to do that.”
ERIK JONES, NO. 43 COLUMBIA PFG CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 12th“Thought we had a good Columbia Chevy, we rode for most of the race and went hard towards the end. Got towards the front and were in position just didn’t get through the last wreck at the end. Proud that we brought a good car, and hope that we get to have Columbia back on the car.”
KURT BUSCH, NO. 1 MONSTER ENERGY CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 13th “For us, we wanted to protect the car and get it to the end and have a shot to win.  Five points in the Playoffs is what we were after. Secondary was to push the 42 of Chastain, but in the end, the lineup……they couldn’t seem to find out which lane all of us were supposed to restart in. Really doesn’t matter for the lineup if they just let us choose which lane. Some weeks we get to choose, some weeks we don’t. There are too many different inconsistencies and then all hell breaks loose at the end of plate racing and everybody is ripping and gouging for themselves.  The Monster Energy Chevrolet is all beat up, and I got it close, but I don’t even know if we got a top 10 out of it. We will see where things shake out. It’s what it is and now we are in Playoff mode. I can feel it and we have a good 10 weeks ahead of us.” AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BASS PRO SHOPS/TRACKER OFF ROAD CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 18th“It was a little bit of a roller coaster ride. We fought our butts off in the stages. We made some good moves to get points and found ourselves in fourth-place for a green-white-checkered here at Daytona. That’s where we were when we won the Daytona 500, so I was feeling pretty good about it. I don’t know – looking back, I wish I would have been a little more patient and probably stay in the top line. But I had a run and they all kind of boggled getting into (turn) three, so I went with the 17 (Chris Buescher) just to see if we could get all the way to the front. The 42 (Ross Chastain) kind of left us at the line and our night was over there. We were kind of in the middle, had a big run and then the crash happened.”
“We fought hard. The Bass Pro Shop Chevy was very fast. Two weeks in a row we’ve had great cars out of the 3 Team. Just haven’t gotten the finishes we’d like to have, but very thankful that the good Lord took care of us tonight and we get to race at Darlington next week. Unfortunate that we’re not in the Playoffs, but we gave it all we could and fought until the very end.” KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 VALVOLINE INSTANT OIL CHANGE CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 21st; Clinched Regular Season Championship.“We had a stretch there where we won like every Stage and every race for a few weeks in a row. I think we took huge chunks out then. I think I read somewhere where we overcame I think a 166-point gap to Denny (Hamlin). I didn’t think it was possible, but our team has worked so hard all of the regular season. I couldn’t do it without Mr. Hendrick and Linda and all of their support. Everybody back at the shop, too. This is a long season and we still have 10 races to go. It’s a long point to get here and it’s just a big hats off to everybody at the shop. HendrickCars.com, Valvoline, Tarlton and Son, everybody who’s been on board to help us out this year.”
WHEN YOU FIRST SIGNED ON AND MR. HENDRICK CALLED YOU AND SAID, ‘HEY WE’RE GOING TO MAKE THIS A-GO’, DID YOU HONESTLY THINK THIS WAS POSSIBLE WITH THE NO. 5 TEAM?“Yeah, I did for sure. I honestly thought we’d get off to a slower start than we did. But I felt like we could string together some good runs. We’ve had speed all season, so we actually started off the year better than I thought. I didn’t expect to go through that stretch where we were winning every week. But with all of the success that they had last year for Chase (Elliott) and the other three drivers, I knew that it was possible. We just have great people that work so hard and I’m just the lucky guy that gets to drive it. It’s really credit to everybody back at the shop.” WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Sidelined by damage sustained in an accident on lap 145; Finished 38thTOUGH NIGHT TONIGHT. TOUGH END TO THE REGULAR SEASON, BUT STILL IN THE PLAYOFFS. WHAT’S THE OUTLOOK GOING INTO DARLINGTON?“Just reset. Tonight was going OK. I thought we were kind of biding our time to the end and tried to put ourselves in a good position. We had pretty good momentum on the top to make something happen and just got cleaned out. That’s part of it; part of racing. We’ll go onto Darlington and reset for the Playoffs.”
WHAT DID YOU SEE IN ALL THAT?“It looks like I was just one row short of getting through it. I was basically with the No. 9 (Chase Elliott) and the No. 19 (Martin Truex) came up the track all of a sudden…yeah, just got off-center and got loose; the No. 19 did. We were the meat in the sandwich there. That’s just how it goes sometimes.” “I thought we were having an OK night. We were third in Stage 2 and got some Stage points. And then, just trying to get back to the front and just nowhere to go. We’ll go onto Darlington and get ready for the Playoffs.” THE RACING WAS DIFFERENT TONIGHT. WHAT WAS THE FEELING BEHIND THE WHEEL AND IN THE PACK?“The lanes were really tight so there wasn’t a lot of room to make a gap. You just kind of basically got pushed into the next guy in front of you. So, it was kind of like bumper cars out there. And just bumper car your way to the front and hope you can kind of control the lane. We were able to control the lane early, and then we never really got the right position to do so again. So, it was just kind of like bumper cars out there.” MORE SO THAN USUAL?“Yeah, I think so. More so than usual just because, I don’t know exactly why. I don’t know if it was the less horsepower or the wicker off the back. But it seemed like you could never kind of get separation and get pushed out, so you were just kind of always being pushed back to the guy behind you. I think there was a half a lap I pushed the No. 3 car (Austin Dillon) and so, it was just all strategy to try to put yourself in the right spot.” WITH THIS IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR, ARE YOU READY FOR THE PLAYOFFS?“Absolutely. We’re excited. We finished fourth at Darlington in the Spring, and I feel like we’ll have a good car there. So, I’m excited for the first round.”

Myatt Snider and the No. 2 Crosley Brands Team Overcome Early Damage to Finish Eighth at Daytona International Speedway

8th

23rd

12th

“Our Crosley Brands Chevrolet was extremely fast last night under the lights and I knew we were going to be in contention for the win today at Daytona International Speedway. The track was definitely slick in the heat and from the start, the car was twitchy on exit. Unfortunately, I made a mistake at the end of the first stage and got into the 22 car, which ended his day and damaged our Camaro. My guys were able to fix the left front damage; we reset the DVP clock and regained our lap as the lucky dog. From that point forward, we kept chipping away at it as a group. By the start of the third stage, we were back inside the top 10 and stayed there for the remainder of the race. It’s frustrating to finish eighth when you have a car that could have won the race, but that just shows how strong our program is at Richard Childress Racing. I wouldn’t want to be with any other group of guys. We’ll shift our focus to Darlington next week.”  -Myatt Snider