with Sights Set on Second Win

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (September 2, 2021) — In 2014 Alexis DeJoria captured the biggest win of her young career winning the 60^th annual U.S. Nationals. This year DeJoria will bring even more experience and another strong team led by crew chief Del Worsham to Indianapolis looking to become a multiple time winner of the biggest race of the season. The Bandero Premium Tequila/ROKiT Toyota Camry Funny Car has been one of the quickest race cars all season and DeJoria knows it is just a matter of time before all the pieces fall into place on race day.

“We have been running really well all season in qualifying and we just need to string together four solid runs on race day,” said DeJoria, a five-time Funny Car national event winner. “Indy is the biggest stage for our sport. There will be a big field of Funny Cars and I am pumped to get to the track and see what this Bandero Tequila/ROKiT Toyota team can do.”

This season DeJoria has qualified in the top three at seven events and she has used that qualifying advantage to race to a final round at the Mile-High Nationals and multiple semifinal finishes, most recently at the Sonoma Nationals. Over the past six races, leading up to the all-important U.S. Nationals and start of the NHRA Countdown, DeJoria has advanced to the quarterfinals five times.

Alexis DeJoria, Bandero Premium Tequila ROKiT Toyota Camry Funny Car, photo credit TFPR

 “We are going rounds on Sunday and we really just need to have everything come together at the same time,” said DeJoria. “The team is giving me a strong Toyota Funny Car. This class is tough and unforgiving. Most of the time one small mistake on race day is all it takes to cost you a win light.”

With her spot in the 2021 NHRA Countdown secured DeJoria will be able to focus 100 percent of her energy on winning the U.S. Nationals for the second time. Sitting in the No. 7 spot in the Funny Car point standings with the opportunity to move up to sixth is another opportunity she does not want to pass up with the seven-race playoffs starting the week after the Indianapolis race.

“Our focus is on winning Indy and if we can move up a spot in the points that would be great,” said DeJoria. “I would love to try and get that winning feeling back this year and go into the Countdown with momentum.”

CHEVROLET AT INDIANAPOLIS What: Dodge/SRT NHRA U.S. NationalsWhen: Friday, Sept. 3-Sunday, Sept. 5Where: Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, Brownsburg, IndianaTV: FOX will telecast eliminations live at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 5                                                                                                     Team Chevy seeks to close out regular season with a bang       Chevrolet drivers in six categories aim to add to U.S. Nationals success

DETROIT (Sept. 2, 2021) – To many competitors and spectators alike, the U.S. Nationals is not only the final race before National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) playoffs.
Count four-time Pro Stock champion and current points leader Greg Anderson and 16-time Funny Car champion John Force, who has five victories in “The Big Go” at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, among the lot. The prestige and sense of accomplishment from standing in Victory Circle for the U.S. Nationals last long after the season’s final race.
“I can honestly say that when you drive through the gate in the morning it’s a different feeling,” said Anderson, who has held a U.S. Nationals Wally six times. “It’s a special place and there’s way more to it. It’s more important than all the other races. Some people don’t buy into that but I do, and I think that’s why I’ve had success there.”
Added Force: “You want to win Indy; that’s what it’s all about.”
Chevrolet competitors in professional classes of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will be joined by drivers of the Chevrolet COPO Camaro in the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown, Super Stock and Stock Eliminator this weekend.
Countdown to the Championship seedings are on the line for Chevrolet drivers.
Brittany Force will aim to record her sixth consecutive Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier and her second victory of the season in the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet dragster. Force, who is second in the standings, would reach 200 career round wins with a victory (196-167 elimination round record). Tony Schumacher in 2005 is the last Top Fuel racer to earn six top qualifier honors in a row.
“We are finally heading into the U.S. Nationals and the final race before the NHRA Countdown begins,” said Force, who claimed the No. 1 qualifier and track elapsed time record of 3.645 seconds in 2019. “This Monster Energy/ Flav-R-Pac team is second in points and in a great spot. Our goal going into the Countdown was a top three position and we hit our expectation.”
Teammate and team owner John Force, driving the PEAK/BlueDEF Platinum Camaro SS, is only 16 points out of first place in the Funny Car standings. He would reach 2,000 Funny Car career elimination rounds (a first in NHRA’s 70-year history) if he advances to the semifinals. His record stands at 1,376-621.Robert Hight, a three-time winner of the event, is sixth in the Funny Car standings in the Automobile Club of Southern California Camaro SS. Hight and Force remained at Brainerd International to test last week.
“Honestly, I think we found some consistency,” Hight said. “As far as confidence leaving Brainerd, all of our teams were pretty stoked. You don’t want to look back on a career and say I never won Indy. I’ve been fortunate to win it a few times.”
Competition in Pro Stock is equally as tight, with five different drivers of the Chevrolet Camaro SS having won at least once through 10 races. KB Racing’s Anderson, driver of the HendrickCars.com Camaro SS, is the points leader as he seeks to tie Warren Johnson’s class record of 97 wins. 
Reigning and four-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders, driver of the Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Camaro SS, won the Pro Stock race at the 2020 U.S. Nationals.
Aaron Stanfield, driver of the Janac Brothers Camaro SS, has a field-high three wins and is second in the standings in his first full season in the class. His father, Greg, won the Pro Stock title at the U.S. Nationals in 2010.
The younger Stanfield, who drove the Janac Brothers COPO Camaro to victory in the 2020 Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown event at the U.S. Nationals on the way to the series championship, returns to the competition this weekend. A COPO Camaro driver has won four of the five Factory Stock Showdown races this season. 
FOX will telecast eliminations live at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 5. 
CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT
TOP FUEL:
BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, FLAV-R-PAC CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (seven-time No. 1 qualifier in 12 races; winner at Topeka; track ET record-holder; second in points): “The Indianapolis U.S. Nationals, The Big Go, is our biggest race of the season. It’s a prestigious race and one I’m still looking to win. Our plan is to take it all home and win at one of the most nostalgic tracks on our circuit.”
FUNNY CAR:JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK ANTIFREEZE AND COOLANT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (three-time winner this season; five-time winner in U.S. Nationals; fourth in points): “You want to win Indy; that’s what it’s all about.”
ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (two-time winner and two-time runner-up; three-time winner in U.S. Nationals; sixth in points): ““You don’t want to look back a career and say you never won Indy. I’ve been fortunate enough to say I’ve won it a couple times and I’m looking forward to winning it a couple more. There are full fields at this event. That Friday night run is going to be important; you can’t go and throw-down and if it doesn’t work expect you’ll get in the show on Saturday like a lot have done the rest of this season. We’re going to go out, make our run, get in the show and use Saturday to try and get as much data and build consistency for Sunday.”
PRO STOCK:
GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (two-time winner; No. 1 qualifier in eight of 10 races; six-time winner in U.S. Nationals; points leader): “This is the one I always look to. There’s more points involved, there’s more money involved, so I guess I like that extra pressure and that extra meaning to it. To me, there’s no place like that place for Victory Circle. All those wins I’ve had there have been absolutely some of the most special I’ve had. I’ve had a lot of wins there, but it’s been too long since the last one.”
AARON STANFIELD, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JANAC BROTHERS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (three-time winner this season; second in points; first Pro Stock appearance at track): “We’ve really run good the past several races. I’m very grateful for the opportunities and grateful for the success we’ve had. I’m in the best equipment I can have and it’s up to me to show up and do my job. From an engine building standpoint, it’s definitely not just another race. Things get a lot busier this time of year getting ready for the Big Go. To me, this is the Holy Grail of drag racing. This is the one you’ve got to win.”
DALLAS GLENN, KB RACING, RAD TORQUE SYSTEMS CAMARO SS (first-year full-time driver; two-time winner): “I’ve dreamt my whole life about racing at the U.S. Nationals and getting to do it in my rookie year of Pro Stock is really cool. Our RAD Torque/KB Racing Chevrolet Camaro has already had such a crazy year so far and I don’t see why we can’t keep that trend going to finish out the season.”
KYLE KORETSKY, KB RACING, LUCAS OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (first-year full-time driver; runner-up at Topeka; first Pro Stock appearance at track): “I’m hungry for my first win. It’s what everyone comes out here to do. I’m hungry to get that first one for my family. A Koretsky winning it is incredibly huge for me and it’s been my main goal from when I started. I’m confident in my driving, I’m confident in the team. There’s not reason why we can’t win. I feel like we have a winning car every weekend. As long as I do my job, I’ve got a shot to win. Runner-up is nice and I’m grateful, but if you’re not first you’re last.”  
TROY COUGHLIN JR., ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JEGS MAIL ORDER CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (runner-up in season opener; transferred to final quad at Charlotte; semifinalist at Sonoma; first Pro Stock appearance at track): “This is the final race before the playoffs so we’re looking to continue the momentum we’ve gained and make a great run at the championship. If I can get off the pedal when I’m supposed to then I know we can contend because Mark Ingersoll (crew chief), Kelly Murphy, Steven Hurley, Eric Luzinski, and Kyle Bates always give me a great race car. They are so efficient and professional, it’s exciting to be around them.”

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 02, 2021) – Robert Hight and the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro team enter this weekend’s Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway, the final regular season event before the NHRA Countdown to the Championship begins, with the Funny Car lead in sight. Hight and the Auto Club team are trying to climb to the top of the Funny Car standings for the 14th time in the 16 seasons in which they have contested the championship. If they are successful this weekend, Hight would earn a 30-point advantage over No. 2 when the points reset for the NHRA Countdown to the Championship. Already with two victories at the NHRA SpringNationals in Houston and Sonoma Raceway’s NHRA Sonoma Nationals marking the 53rd win of his career, two runner-up finishes at the season opening Gatornationals and the New England Nationals and a No. 1 qualifier at the Las Vegas Four-Wide event, Hight and the Auto Club team have proven themselves to be contenders for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series championship. The Funny Car field is competitive though, making every point matter. After missteps at the event in Topeka and the most recent race at Brainerd International Raceway, the three-time championship team took a day in Brainerd, Minn. to test and the results were exactly what they wanted. “This Auto Club Chevy, we’ve either been good, or we’ve been bad, there hasn’t been any in between,” Hight said. “Honestly, I think we found some consistency during Brainerd testing, we ran well, every pass. As far as confidence leaving Brainerd both John and my team, we were pretty stoked.” Hight is seeking his fourth win at the U.S. Nationals, drag racing’s biggest event in the world. He previously won in 2006, 2008 and 2013. If successful in securing his fourth victory at the historic facility, Hight would tie Don Prudhomme for third most Funny Car victories at the US Nationals. In addition to his three wins, he also has been runner-up three times, most recently in 2015. “You don’t want to look back a career and say you never won Indy. I’ve been fortunate enough to say I’ve won it a couple times and I’m looking forward to winning it a couple more. There are full fields at this event. That Friday night run is going to be important, you can’t go and throw-down and if it doesn’t work expect you’ll get in the show on Saturday like a lot have done the rest of this season. We’re going to go out, make our run, get in the show and use Saturday to try and get as much data and build consistency for Sunday.” Qualifying at the Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals begins Friday with a session at 7:35 a.m. and continue Saturday with sessions at 2 and 5:45 p.m. Eliminations are slated for 10 a.m. on Sunday. Television coverage for the weekend begins Friday at 7 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) that will include live coverage of the first qualifying run. A second qualifying show will air Sunday at 9 a.m. ET on FS1. Eliminations television coverage will be live but split with a show at 11 a.m. ET on FS1 and a second show at 1 p.m. ET on FOX Broadcast Network.

Dodge HEMI® Challenge Celebrates 20th Anniversary at the “Big Go”

·        The Dodge HEMI® Challenge celebrates its 20th anniversary during the 2021 Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis Sept. 2-3
·        The longest running, continuous, specialty race in NHRA history showcases Super Stock 1968 Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas in head-to-head battles for an iconic custom-made Dodge HEMI Challenge trophy and $15,000 winner’s prize
·        Dodge HEMI Challenge Grand Marshal and legendary Mopar Stock and Pro Stock racer Herb “Mr. 4 Speed” McCandless will lead the iconic muscle cars in a parade for fans prior to elimination rounds
·        Defending winner Stephen Yantus III, four-time winner Jim Daniels Jr. and inaugural winner Bucky Hess II return to vie for the uniquely crafted trophy and bragging rights

Indianapolis, Indiana, Sept. 2, 2021– The ever popular Dodge HEMI® Challenge celebrates its 20th anniversary at the National Hot Rod Association’s (NHRA) prestigious Dodge//SRT U.S. Nationals, affectionately known as the “Big Go,” at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis this weekend. 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 more than five decades.

In celebration of the classic muscle cars that contributed to the Dodge and Mopar brands’ legendary reputation and success at the drag strip, Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals Grand Marshal Herb “Mr. 4 Speed” McCandless will also serve in the same role for the Dodge HEMI Challenge and lead the field of qualified Darts and Barracudas down the Indianapolis track’s fabled return road in a parade prior to Friday’s eliminations rounds aboard his own original 1968 Super Stock HEMI Dart. 

The winner of the Dodge HEMI Challenge takes home the uniquely crafted 42.6-lb. trophy, made from a 426 HEMI cylinder head. All 16 drivers who reach the elimination rounds will receive cash rewards, with the winner earning an extra $15,000 prize.

Among the participants vying for the iconic custom-made trophy and bragging rights will be driver Bucky Hess II, winner of the inaugural edition of the (then Mopar) Dodge HEMI Challenge that took place in 2001.

“It was the best HEMI Challenge ever and to be able to share that with my wife and son made it so special,” said Hess. “When we came up the return road at Indy, the stands were full and the whole crowd stood and gave us a standing ovation as we drove by in my HEMI Barracuda. It looked like the wave at a football game. They (NHRA) were running a Pro Stock qualifying session and they stopped them to let us drive through to the front of the tower. Like they say, the first is the one they will always remember and I’ll never forget that evening at the 2001 NHRA U.S. Nationals.” 

Other previous winners of the fan-favorite event that relives the amazing history of factory-supported drag racing include Richard Beshore (2002), Jerry Jenkins (2003) and five-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. (2004), Charlie Westcott Sr. (2009), Jim Daniels Sr. (2010) and Rick Houser (2007 and 2013). Charlie Westcott Jr. is the winningest HEMI Challenge driver with six titles (2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2014).

Jim Daniels Jr. returns in his vintage HEMI-powered ’68 Dodge Dart as a four-time winner (2016-2019) after seeing his record four-year, 19-round consecutive win streak come to an end last year with a first round loss.

“The success that we have had in the Dodge HEMI Challenge feels like you’re on cloud nine,” said the 25-year-old Daniels, who remains a favorite as a front runner at this year’s event. “Having the opportunity to win one Dodge HEMI Challenge is an absolute dream come true, but being able to win four consecutive events was out of this world. This is a race we prepare for all year so when you are victorious at the end of the day, it’s all a big dream come true.

“The competition is definitely going to be tough at this year’s event,” added Daniels. “You are going to have a handful of cars that are more than capable of winning the event. You can’t take any of these guys lightly as they are all gunning for that awesome HEMI cylinder head trophy and the $15,000 check. The competition will be tough, so you must be prepared. The Dodge HEMI Challenge is extremely important to me. This is the one race we put a ton of time and resources into each and every year and it is by far one of my greatest achievements in my racing career.”

A new winner was crowned last year when Stephen Yantus III drove a ’68 Barracuda from the No. 1 qualifier position through eliminations, where he set the low elapsed time and top speed of the event with an 8.410-second, 158.65-mph run to earn the victory and coveted trophy.

“The 2020 event was the fourth time we ran at the Dodge HEMI Challenge and the first three times didn’t treat us very well,” said Yantus. “We started off very green and had to learn a bunch as quick as we could learn it. These elephants (426 HEMI engine) are very difficult to understand and master how to best get them down the track. Not too many people were stepping up to the plate to help us. This class is very competitive and secrets stay secrets. You have to earn your stripes and take your licks in the SS/AH class. But there isn’t another class out there like it. Racing these iconic HEMI package cars has always been my dream and they’re amazing to watch.”

Yantus is among 23 entrants for the 20th anniversary HEMI spectacle.

“It should be a great show for the fans,” added Yantus, “and to have that many cars I think that’s great to show Dodge that there still is a want and need for these cars and by showing up is telling Dodge thank you for doing this for us.”

The Dodge HEMI Challenge will be streamed online via NHRA.TV with subscription-based video-on-demand coverage of live qualifying and elimination rounds at Lucas OIl Raceway on Sept. 2-3.

The final elimination round of the Dodge HEMI Challenge, as well as highlights from the parade of participating 1968 Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas, will be broadcast on FS1 during the qualifying show on Friday, Sept. 3 from 7-9 p.m. Eastern. Fans can also look for HEMI Challenge highlights during the NHRA coverage of the Dodge//SRT U.S. Nationals on Sunday Sept. 5, on FS1 from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. and then on the FOX national broadcast network from 1 – 4 p.m. EDT.

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

One driver could collect $30,000 if they sweep the weekend

Monroe, LA – September 2,  2021 – The Pelican State is due for an experience like no other, as the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models prepare for a trip to the deep South. 

The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet will stop at The Rev in Monroe, LA, for two nights of jam-packed action.  

On Friday, Sept 24, the Series will run a 40-lap Feature, paying $10,000-to-win. Then, on Saturday, Sept. 25, the drivers will return for a 60-lap finale, with $20,000 going to the winner – meaning one driver could collect $30,000 if they win both. 

Fans in Louisiana will get a front-row seat to three-time and defending champion Brandon Sheppard’s quest for history. The New Berlin, IL driver has 76 career World of Outlaws victories, two wins shy of tying Josh Richards for most all-time (78).

They’ll also catch a glimpse of Sheppard’s run for a fourth Series title, which also ties Richards if the “Rocket Shepp” holds on to the points lead. 

Sheppard will face a group of hungry competitors trying to keep him from the top of the mountain, including his championship rival and two-time DIRTcar Drydene Xtreme Series champion Chris Madden. The Gray Court, SC driver has four wins this season and hopes to use his knowledge of tracks in the Southeast to his advantage at The Rev. 

The list of stout competitors doesn’t stop there either. Veteran Dennis Erb, Jr. will be aiming to end the season with a career-high win total. Rookie contenders Tyler Bruening and Ryan Gustin will continue their war for the Rookie of the Year title. And Series stars Ricky Weiss, Brent Larson and Boom Briggs will be on the hunt for their first win of the season.

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series put on a barnburner of a show at The Rev earlier in the year, so strap in for an exciting ride with the World of Outlaws Late Models as they’ll flex their muscles in the Bayou.

TICKETS: https://bit.ly/2XLHy5J

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.

KNOXVILLE, IA (September 2, 2021) – Knoxville Raceway has increased the purse for the 17th Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals presented by BRANDT Professional Agriculture to more than $287,000. For the first time, the winner of the 100-lap finale on Saturday, September 18th will earn $50,000, while the runner-up will take home $25,000. “We may be the Sprint Car Capital of the World, but our Late Model Nationals has grown into a premier event at Knoxville Raceway and deserves a bigger purse,” said John McCoy, Race Director at Knoxville Raceway. “The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series puts on a great show here year-after-year. We enjoy working with the Lucas Oil team to put on a great show and appreciate how well they work with other series to make this a truly special event. This event is a great way for Knoxville Raceway to end its season each year.” “For over a decade, the Late Model Knoxville Nationals has stood out as one of the most lucrative in Dirt Late Model racing,” said Rick Schwallie, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Director. “As the prestige of the Late Model Knoxville Nationals grows, the stakes continue to rise. A huge thanks to Knoxville Raceway for continuing to invest in what has become one of the most coveted events in Dirt Late Model racing. Lucas Oil Products is proud to have been a partner of Knoxville Raceway since 2005 and we look forward to continuing our great working relationship for years to come.”  The three-day event is Knoxville Raceway’s sole late model event each season. The race dates back to 2004 when Iowa native Brian Birkhofer took home the win in the inaugural Late Model Knoxville Nationals. In 16 events, there have been 12 different winners. Only Jimmy Owens, Mike Marlar, and Scott Bloomquist have recorded multiple wins. Teams look forward to returning to the famed 1/2-mile black clay oval that sits in the middle of town after the 2020 Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals were postponed until this year due to COVID. Three-day ticket packages and single-night tickets are available at knoxvilleraceway.com or by calling the ticket office at 641-842-5431. All three nights will be broadcast on MAVTVPLUS.com. The September 18th finale will also air live on MAVTV Motorsports Network at 9:00 PM CT/10:00 PM ET. For more information on the September 16th-18th Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals presented by BRANDT Professional Agriculture, visit www.knoxvilleraceway.com, follow @KnoxvilleRaces on Twitter and like the track on Facebook and Instagram. Previous Late Model Knoxville Nationals Winners:2019 – Jimmy Owens2018 – Jimmy Owens2017 – Mike Marlar2016 – Mike Marlar2015 – Jared Landers2014 – Brian Birkhofer2013 – Darrell Lanigan2012 – Steve Francis2011 – Don O’Neal2010 – Billy Moyer2009 – Scott Bloomquist2008 – Tim McCreadie2007 – Brady Smith2006 – Brian Shirley2005 – Scott Bloomquist2004 – Brian Birkhofer Knoxville Late Model Nationals Purse Information:Thursday-Friday A-Main Purse: 1. $7,000, 2. $4,000, 3. $3,000, 4. $2,000, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,000, 7. $900, 8. $800, 9. $700, 10. $600, 11. $580, 12. $560, 13. $540, 14. $520, 15. $500, 16. $490, 17. $480, 18. $470, 19. $460, 20. $450, 21. $440, 22. $430, 23. $410, 24. $400 Saturday A-Main Purse: 1. $50,000, 2. $25,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $8,750, 5. $7,500, 6. $7,000, 7. $6,500, 8. $6,000, 9. $5,500, 10. $5,000, 11. $4,500, 12. $4,000, 13. $3,500, 14. $3,400, 15. $3,300, 16. $3,200, 17. $3,100, 18. $3,000, 19. $3,000, 20. $3,000, 21. $3,000, 22. $3,000, 23. $2,500, 24. $2,500, 25. $2,500, 26. $2,500, 27. $2,500, 28. $2,500, 29. $2,500, 30. $2,500, 31. $2,500, 32. $2,500 About Knoxville Raceway: Located on the Marion County Fairgrounds in Knoxville, Iowa, Knoxville Raceway is a 1/2-mile dirt track that hosts winged CT525, 360 and 410 sprint car racing nearly every Saturday night from April to September. The “Sprint Car Capital of the World” also hosts the Knoxville Nationals, sprint car racing’s most prestigious event, every August, as well as the Late Model Knoxville Nationals, 360 Knoxville Nationals and Corn Belt Clash featuring non-wing sprint cars. In 2021, Knoxville Raceway also hosted the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Superstar Racing Experience (SRX). Knoxville Raceway is the third-largest outdoor stadium in Iowa with 20,322 seats and 33 suites.

About Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt SeriesFounded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series showcases the talents of the top dirt late model drivers from across the country. In 2021, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction 59 events across 18 states, including some of the biggest marquee events in the industry, providing dirt slinging, sideways, door-to-door racing action lap after lap.  The series receives national exposure through a television package filmed, produced and edited by Lucas Oil Production Studios. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events will broadcast on four networks including CBS, NBC Sports, CBS Sports Network and the MAVTV Motorsports Network.   The in your face excitement of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is second to none in motorsports. For more information, including the latest news, tour schedule, driver information, and more, visit the official website at: www.LucasDirt.com.

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 02, 2021) – Sitting No. 2 in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series points standings, Brittany Force and the Monster Energy team are more confident than ever as they head into the Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway, the final regular season event before the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s seven race playoffs. The Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team has collected seven of the 12 No. 1 qualifying positions this season and is currently on a streak of five consecutive. Force is going for her sixth straight No. 1, the 28th of her career and her second straight at the U.S. Nationals. The 2017 world champion swept the top spots at the three-race Western Swing and followed with a No. 1 position on her way to a double-up win with her father, 16-time world champion John Force at the Menards NHRA Nationals at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kan. It was the first time in NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series history a father and child duo shared the winner’s circle. Brittany would bring her No. 1 streak to five at the most recent stop on the tour at Brainerd International Raceway where she also had a semifinal finish. If Force is No. 1 again, she would tie sister Courtney for third most JFR No. 1s behind John and Robert Hight. Six straight No. 1s would be the most by any pro driver since Allen Johnson did it in Pro Stock in 2012 and would tie her with her dad (1994), Don Prudhomme (1976), Warren Johnson and Jim Yates (both 1997), Greg Anderson (2004), Tony Schumacher (2005) and Allen Johnson for 10th longest all-time consecutive No. 1 qualifier streaks. “We are finally heading into the U.S. Nationals and the final race before the NHRA Countdown begins,” Force said. “This Monster Energy/ Flav-R-Pac team is second in points and in a great spot. Our goal going into the Countdown was a top 3 position and we hit our expectation.” Force is the track record holder for time at 3.645 seconds, a mark she established the last time she raced at Lucas Oil Raceway in 2019. It is one of 16 elapsed time or top speed track records she currently holds (at 12 different tracks). She is trying to become the sixth different JFR winner of drag racing’s biggest event after John Force, Gary Densham (2004), Robert Hight, Ashley Force Hood (2009, 2010) and Mike Neff (2011, 2012). “The Indianapolis US Nationals, The Big Go, is our biggest race of the season,” Force said. “It’s a prestigious race and one I’m still looking to win. Our plan is to take it all home and win at one of the most nostalgic tracks on our circuit.” Qualifying at the Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals begins Friday with a session at 7:35 a.m. and continue Saturday with sessions at 2 and 5:45 p.m. Eliminations are slated for 10 a.m. on Sunday. Television coverage for the weekend begins Friday at 7 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) that will include live coverage of the first qualifying run. A second qualifying show will air Sunday at 9 a.m. ET on FS1. Eliminations television coverage will be live but split with a show at 11 a.m. ET on FS1 and a second show at 1 p.m. ET on FOX Broadcast Network.

Sep 1, 2021 | Featured, Pre-Race Releases, Special Announcements

The Randy Meyer Racing Team has been preparing for the 2021 U.S. Nationals and Jegs AllStars races ever since they won the event and set the world record at 5.09 seconds in the quarter-mile last year. With Rachel Meyer leading the national standings and Julie Nataas in fourth, the team has a big bullseye on their back again this year for the two biggest drag racing events in the same weekend.

Joining the team for the 5th consecutive year of the U.S. Nationals is Technician.Academy who offers personalized online courses as well as blogs, how-to tips, and industry insights to automotive technicians. Each year, Technician.Academy hosts a contest for two college students to join the Randy Meyer Racing Team as interns on the crew for the U.S. Nationals, and they are excited to welcome two new Respect is Learned© In The Pits contest winners to the team for this year’s internship opportunity. Juliaun Pracht and Jeremy Sullivan are the two students that have been selected from the pool of applicants to work on the team’s two Top Alcohol Dragsters. Juliaun and Jeremy will gain hands-on experience behind the scenes at one of the largest drag racing events in the world, a feat few young technicians can tout.

“We’re proud to continue offering this unique opportunity to young technicians. We’re excited to introduce Juliaun and Jeremy to the Randy Meyer Racing Team. This is going to be an incredible learning experience for the both of them,” said Shawn Collins, Founder of Technician.Academy.

Technician.Academy is excited to welcome Ivy Tech Community College Evansville as the newest sponsor for this year’s Respect is Learned© In The Pits contest. Ivy Tech Community College Evansville and the Ivy Tech Foundation are proud to sponsor this initiative and help provide these students with once-in-a-lifetime learning experiences.

“We are so excited to partner with Technician.Academy and be represented in this year’s NHRA U.S. Nationals. The opportunity this chance affords our students is invaluable – even if they do not win the competition,” said Ivy Tech Chancellor Daniela Vidal. “For our faculty and students to be able to see the team in the pits in action and view the race from the stands is a chance in a lifetime.”

“There are thousands of open positions in Indiana in the automotive industry, and competitions like this, and programs like Ivy Tech’s Automotive Technology Program prepare students for successful futures and help fill open positions with skilled technicians in Indiana automotive shops,” said Chris Kaufman, program chair at Ivy Tech Evansville. “Ivy Tech offers short-term certificates in sequences of technical and professional courses that are industry-focused that build upon each other leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology,” he added.

Continuing their partnership with Technician.Academy and the Randy Meyer Racing Team for the fourth year in a row is MotoRad. MotoRad’s team of experts understands the value of bringing unique education opportunities like this to the automotive industry where training is lacking and quality technicians are retiring.

“MotoRad is proud to continue our partnership with Technician.Academy and Randy Meyer Racing as sponsor of the 2021 Respect is Learned© In The Pits initiative,” said Brandon Kight, VP of Marketing at MotoRad. “This will be our fourth year to sponsor this great program. It has been so rewarding to see these young technicians enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of a world-class drag team pit crew. This is an experience that they will take with them into their future careers and cherish for a lifetime.”

MotoRad has supported the Respect is Learned© In The Pits contest since 2018. Since then, five automotive college students have experienced a once-in-a-lifetime ride behind-the-scenes at the largest drag racing event in the world. In 2021, two more talented students will have the opportunity to work on Randy Meyer Racing’s Top Alcohol Dragsters, where the team hopes to once again clinch the championship win.

“This opportunity wouldn’t be possible without sponsors like Ivy Tech and MotoRad,” said Technician.Academy Founder Shawn Collins. “Encouraging students to pursue automotive repair as a career and gain hands-on experience is so important in an industry that’s short on technicians and quality training. Respect is Learned© In The Pits is one of our ways of liberating the industry, and we’re excited to have Ivy Tech on board.”

Rachel Meyer and Julie Nataas will have two qualifying sessions for the U.S. Nationals on Thursday, September 2nd followed by a third session on Friday to set the field. Julie will go on to compete in the prestigious Jegs AllStars event to represent the North Central Region of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Eliminations for the U.S. Nationals will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

“I am excited to return to the U.S. Nationals for the third time,” said Rachel Meyer, driver of the NTK Top Alcohol Dragster. “We’d like to get back into the winner circle again this year with help from our Technician.Academy, MotoRad, and Ivy Tech interns. We have been on a winning streak the past couple of races, and I have high hopes that we can continue the momentum at the biggest race of the year.”

September 1, 2021

Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team head into Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway with some current momentum and some long-term team history on their side. 

DiBenedetto and the Wood Brothers team have been on a roll lately, finishing in the top 11 six-straight times before being involved in a crash while racing for the lead at Daytona last Saturday night.

And the iconic No. 21 Mustang will be carrying a throwback paint scheme honoring the 21^st straight year of Motorcraft backing the Wood Brothers team. 

It also celebrates the 20^th anniversary of Elliott Sadler’s first Cup win, which came at Bristol Motor Speedway in the Motorcraft-sponsored Wood Brothers Ford. That was the first victory for the Wood Brothers/Motorcraft pairing.

DiBenedetto said driving the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang, with its throwback paint scheme, in the fabled 500-miler at the NASCAR’s original superspeedway is a combination to be proud of.

“The Southern 500 is a big one, especially when driving the 21 there,” he said, adding that he’s disappointed to not be a part of the 10-race Playoffs, which begin Sunday night.

“It stinks we missed the Playoffs, but the amount of momentum we have as a team is awesome,” he said.
 
The 71-year-old Darlington track, known as the Lady in Black, is always challenging for drivers, but this year there will be a new factor involved. Turn Two has been repaved to prevent seepage of water in the event of rain prior to the races, according to published reports.
 
“It’s going to be interesting to watch the races before us to see how the new asphalt in Turn Two affects the cars and the racing,” DiBenedetto said.

There will be no practice or qualifying prior to the start of Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500. DiBenedetto will line up 30^th, as the starting order was set based on results from Daytona, where he finished 25^th.

The green flag is set to fly just after 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Stage breaks will be at Laps 115 and 230.

NBCSN will carry the TV broadcast.
 

GAFFNEY, SC – September 1, 2021 – As the leaves start to change, the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models move closer to the end of their season with a return to the Southeast.  The two-track, two-state, weekend includes two 40-lap, $10,000-to-win Morton Buildings Features.  The doubleheader kicks off with the Mike Duvall Memorial at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC, on Friday, Oct. 1. It’s the Series third appearance at “The Place Your Mama Warned You About” in 2021 and the second visit in 30 days.   In March, Jimmy Owens and Brandon Sheppard won 25-lap split-field Features as part of the Rock Gault Memorial. Sheppard’s victory came in thrilling finish as the New Berlin, IL driver made a last lap pass around the outside of Dale McDowell to steal the victory. The race will give Gray Court, SC’s Chris Madden another chance to bring home state fans to their feet. “Smokey” has 27 victories at the Palmetto State venue, including a win with the Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series earlier this year. However, he’s still searching for his first World of Outlaws win at his home track.   Previous Cherokee Speedway Winners 2021- Jimmy Owens/Brandon Sheppard on Mar. 26 2020 – 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 On Saturday, Oct. 2, the Series will make its final stop in the Volunteer State in 2021 with a trip to 411 Speedway in Seymour, TN. Last season, Madden held off a hard-charging Sheppard and Ricky Weiss through lap traffic to earn one of his two wins. If he can pull off the feat again, it would be his second Tennessee win this season. His first came at Smoky Mountain Speedway in March. Previous 411 Speedway Winners2020- Chris Madden on Oct. 32019 – Brandon Overton on Oct. 5 2018 – Cory Hedgecock on June 1 Madden will have to contend with several hungry competitors, including championship rival and reigning Series champion Brandon Sheppard. The “Rocket Shepp” hopes to put an exclamation point on the 2021 season as part of his climb toward World of Outlaws history. Sheppard needs two more wins to tie Josh Richards for the most all-time (78).  He’ll also tie Richards for the most titles in Series history (4) if he holds on to his 178-point advantage over Madden.  The two championship contenders will also have to fight off challenges from Weiss, three-time winner Dennis Erb Jr., Boom Briggs, Tyler Bruening, Ryan Gustin and more. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App.

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

Four Straight Races Highlighted by Sunday’s $25,000/Win Sage Fruit Skagit NationalsALGER, WA – August 31, 2021 – The wait is finally over. The Greatest Show on Dirt is returning to the west coast.After a two-year absence, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is back in Washington state with four straight nights of racing scheduled from Friday to Monday.Highlighting the Pacific Northwest adventure is the Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals, a three-night affair at Alger’s Skagit Speedway capped off by a $25,000-to-win finale on Sunday, September 5. Following that, a Monday night edition of DIRTVision rolls on with a trip to Grays Harbor Raceway on September 6.SKAGIT TICKETS (Fri-Sun) GRAYS HARBOR TICKETS (Mon)Some of the top storylines to follow include:POWER UP: Donny Schatz and the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #15 team have hit a new level since they switched to a newer edition of the Ford Performance Stewart 410 engine earlier this month. Their current streak of 14 consecutive top-10 finishes is highlighted by an extraordinary stretch of six straight top-four results over the last three weeks, including two wins at Red River Valley (ND) Speedway and I-80 (NE) Speedway.With Washington in play this weekend, Schatz has all the potential to keep his hot streak rolling and even take it to the next level. He’s the only full-time driver with wins at both tracks this weekend, topping Skagit on four occasions and winning five Features at Grays Harbor. Sitting -102 points of Gravel in second, Schatz has plenty of time to make more ground in the championship chase.HOMECOMING: For the first time since 1998, Kasey Kahne will compete in his home state of Washington this weekend with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. Since that August night at Grays Harbor 23 years ago, Kahne has become a NASCAR Cup Series superstar with 18 wins and built a perennial contender in The Greatest Show on Dirt with Kasey Kahne Racing. This time, he’s heading back home as a “full-time” driver since taking the reigns of the Roth Motorsports, Beef Packers #83.A frequent competitor at Skagit and Grays Harbor while growing up, this weekend’s four-race stretch in Washington is the perfect opportunity for the Enumclaw, WA native to snag his first-career World of Outlaws win. The Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals on Friday through Sunday is located just over two hours away from his childhood home, while Monday’s stop at Grays Harbor is only 80 miles away with Kahne fans expected to pour into the gates at both venues.SECOND-HALF SURGE: Brock Zearfoss’ momentum from making the Knoxville Nationals A-Main has without a doubt carried over to the rest of his World of Outlaws tour. His five races post-Knoxville have resulted in an average finish of 8.4 and he’s racked up four consecutive top-10 finishes, the longest stretch of his career against The Greatest Show on Dirt.Next on the agenda for the Jonestown, PA native is a top-five finish, something he’s had within his grasp on countless occasions, but has yet to achieve in 2021. He’ll take the #3Z to Washington this weekend in preparation for his first-ever west coast swing with five new tracks on deck.MONDAY NIGHT DIRTVision: Next Monday’s stop at Grays Harbor (WA) Raceway will mark the 15th and (as of now) final weeknight race of the 2021 campaign. From there on out, it’s back to being weekend warriors as the remaining 15 races are run on Fridays and Saturdays through the season-ending NGK/NTK World Finals on November 4-6 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.Brad Sweet has undeniably been the king of weeknight shows this year, scoring five of his 15 victories on weekdays. David Gravel is the only other driver with multiple weekday wins, claiming two to his credit.HAUD’S HOT: Sheldon Haudenschild averaged a 1.6 finish last week in three Features through North Dakota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The newly-turned 28-year-old never finished outside the top-10 during August and collected three of his career-high eight victories this season during the eight-race stretch.With $25,000 on the line at the Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals this weekend, the Wooster, OH native looks to cash in on his recent momentum with the richest win of his World of Outlaws career. The Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing, NOS Energy Drink #17 is no stranger to victory lane at the Washington oval, as Sheldon scored a win at the track in 2018.THE WAIT IS OVER: When The Greatest Show on Dirt finally roars back to life in the Pacific Northwest on Friday night, it will have been exactly two years and one day since the last World of Outlaws race in Washington on September 2, 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic locked the Series out of the state last year and more protocols shut down a west coast swing this spring, but there’s no stopping the NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars this fall.For Skagit, a three-day show will bring about the track’s 39th, 40th & 41st World of Outlaws races. At Grays Harbor on Monday, the Elma, WA facility hosts the Series for the 30th time.BACK ON TRACK: It’s been a whirlwind summer for Logan Schuchart and the Shark Racing boys. They won $50,000 in June’s Jackson Nationals, but a dismal July followed with six finishes outside the top-10 and only one podium appearance to show in 13 races. The Drydene Performance Products #1S turned it around in August, though, recording six top-fives in eight events, including a fifth-place finish at the Knoxville Nationals.The Hanover, PA native enters the month of September with a perfect opportunity to return to form at the Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals. In 2019, when the World of Outlaws last raced at the Alger, WA 3/10-mile, Schuchart led all 70 laps and swept the weekend. He’ll try to recreate that magic with $25,000 on the line in Sunday’s finale to the three-day special.POINTS CHASE: With 19 points-paying Features left, the championship chase remains on middle ground as it’s not locked up by any means, but it’s not wildly close either. Entering the Washington weekend, Brad Sweet and the Kasey Kahne Racing #49 lead David Gravel (-120) and the Big Game Motorsports #2 and Carson Macedo (-160) and the Jason Johnson Racing #41.All three drivers will have four chances this weekend to either extend or cut away at the points lead. With hopes for a third-straight World of Outlaws championship, Sweet just needs to keep up business as usual with his 4.98 average finish. For Gravel, he needs to out-earn Sweet by an average of 6.32 points per night, while Macedo needs to make up a greater task of 8.42 points per night.This Week at a Glance – When and WhereFriday-Sunday, September 3-5 at Skagit Speedway in Alger, WA Monday, September 6 at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, WAOn the Internet World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Twitter – @WorldofOutlaws Instagram – @WoOSprint Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/monthAround the Turn: Following a four-night stay in Washington, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series continues its west coast swing with back-to-back weekends in California. First on the Golden State agenda for The Greatest Show on Dirt is the Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10-11.NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (14 Drivers): 15 wins – Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne Racing w/ Mike Curb #49 8 wins – David Gravel, Big Game Motorsports #2 8 wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing #17 7 wins – Carson Macedo, Jason Johnson Racing #41 4 wins – Aaron Reutzel, Roth Motorsports #83 3 wins – Kyle Larson, Silva Motorsports #57 3 wins – Logan Schuchart, Shark Racing #1S 3 wins – Donny Schatz, Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #15 2 wins – Kerry Madsen, Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #14 2 wins – Brent Marks, Brent Marks Racing #19 1 win – James McFadden, Kasey Kahne Racing w/ Mike Curb #9 1 win – Dave Blaney, Dave Blaney #10 1 win – Spencer Bayston, Sam McGhee Motorsports #11 1 win – Tyler Courtney, Clauson-Marshall Racing #7BCFEATURE LAPS LED (27 Drivers): 297 laps – Brad Sweet 292 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild 224 laps – Carson Macedo 201 laps – Donny Schatz 189 laps – David Gravel 188 laps – Aaron Reutzel 174 laps – Logan Schuchart 72 laps – Kyle Larson 63 laps – Kerry Madsen 57 laps – Tyler Courtney 36 laps – James McFadden 33 laps – Spencer Bayston 29 laps – Giovanni Scelzi 27 laps – Brent Marks, Sam Hafertepe Jr. 13 laps – Wayne Johnson 11 laps – Sye Lynch 10 laps – Jacob Allen, Brock Zearfoss, Parker Price-Miller 9 laps – Austin McCarl 3 laps – Ian Madsen 1 lap – Kasey Kahne, Kraig Kinser, Brandon Spithaler, Dave Blaney, Brian BrownSLICK WOODY’S QUICKTIME AWARDS (21 Drivers): 13 QuickTimes – David Gravel 7 QuickTimes – Sheldon Haudenschild 6 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart 5 QuickTimes – Brad Sweet 4 QuickTimes – Kerry Madsen 3 QuickTimes – Aaron Reutzel 2 QuickTimes – James McFadden, Kasey Kahne, Cory Eliason, Giovanni Scelzi, Parker Price-Miller, Sam Hafertepe Jr. 1 QuickTime – Donny Schatz, Carson Macedo, Kraig Kinser, Danny Dietrich, Anthony Macri, Brian Brown, Brock Zearfoss, Rico Abreu, Sye LynchDRYDENE HEAT RACE WINNERS (39 Drivers) 25 Heat Wins – David Gravel 22 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo 17 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz 16 Heat Wins – Aaron Reutzel 15 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild 12 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet, Logan Schuchart 10 Heat Wins – James McFadden 7 Heat Wins – Brian Brown 5 Heat Wins – Kraig Kinser, Kerry Madsen 4 Heat Wins – Brock Zearfoss, Giovanni Scelzi, Tyler Courtney 3 Heat Wins – Jason Sides, Wayne Johnson, Ian Madsen, Anthony Macri, Sam Hafertepe Jr. 2 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Larson, DJ Netto, Parker Price-Miller 1 Heat Win –  Danny Dietrich, Hunter Schuerenberg, Lance Dewease, Brandon Spithaler, Tim Kaeding, Jack Dover, Scotty Thiel, Paul McMahan, Daryn Pittman, Justin Peck, Jac Haudenschild, Sye Lynch, Chad Trout, TJ Stutts, Brent MarksPODIUM FINISHES (27 Drivers): 28 Podiums – Brad Sweet 20 Podiums – Carson Macedo 19 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Sheldon Haudenschild 18 Podiums – David Gravel 12 Podiums – Logan Schuchart 10 Podiums – Aaron Reutzel 7 Podiums – James McFadden 6 Podiums – Kerry Madsen, Brent Marks 5 Podiums – Giovanni Scelzi 3 Podiums – Brian Brown, Lance Dewease, Kyle Larson 2 Podiums – Kraig Kinser, Cory Eliason, Anthony Macri, Danny Dietrich, Tyler Courtney 1 Podium – Jacob Allen, Justin Peck, Brian Brown, Anthony Macri, Dave Blaney, Spencer Bayston, Daryn Pittman, Paulie Colagiovanni, Austin McCarl, Sam Hafertepe Jr.2021 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Schedule & WinnersNo. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins) 1. Fri, Feb. 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brad Sweet (1) 2. Sun, Feb. 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Logan Schuchart (1) 3. Fri, March 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1) 4. Sat, March 6 / East Bay Raceway Park / Tampa, FL / Aaron Reutzel (1) 5. Fri, March 12 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Sheldon Haudenschild (1) 6. Sat, March 13 / The Rev / Monroe, LA / David Gravel (1) 7. Fri, March 19 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Sheldon Haudenschild (2) 8. Sat, March 20 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Brad Sweet (2) 9. Sat, March 27 / Lake Ozark Speedway / Eldon, MO / Brad Sweet (3) 10. Fri, April 2 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (4) 11. Sat, April 3 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (5) 12. Fri, April 9 / Kokomo Speedway / Kokomo, IN / James McFadden (1) 13. Sat, April 10 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Carson Macedo (2) 14. Fri, April 22 / Bristol Motor Speedway / Bristol, TN / David Gravel (2) 15. Sun, April 24 / Bristol Motor Speedway / Bristol, TN / David Gravel (3) 16. Thur, April 29 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL / Brad Sweet (6) 17. Fri, April 30 / I-70 Motorsports Park / Odessa, MO / Brad Sweet (7) 18. Sat, May 1 / I-70 Motorsports Park / Odessa, MO / Brad Sweet (8) 19. Sat, May 8 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Brent Marks (1) 20. Sat, May 8 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Sheldon Haudenschild (3) 21. Wed, May 12 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Brad Sweet (9) 22. Fri, May 14 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Carson Macedo (3) 23. Sat, May 15 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Aaron Reutzel (2) 24. Tues, May 18 / Bridgeport Speedway / Swedesboro, NJ / Logan Schuchart (2) 25. Fri, May 21 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / David Gravel (4) 26. Sat, May 22 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Dave Blaney (1) 27. Mon, May 31 / Lawrenceburg Speedway / Lawrenceburg, IN / Kyle Larson (1) 28. Sat, June 5 / Granite City Speedway /Sauk Rapids, MN / David Gravel (5) 29. Fri, June 11 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Carson Macedo (4) 30. Sat, June 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Carson Macedo (5) 31. Thur, June 17 / 34 Raceway / West Burlington, IA / Brad Sweet (10) 32. Fri, June 18 / Dubuque Fairgrounds Speedway / Dubuque, IA / Donny Schatz (1) 33. Sat, June 19 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (4) 34. Mon, June 21 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (6) 35. Tues, June 22 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Aaron Reutzel (3) 36. Thur, June 24 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Kerry Madsen (1) 37. Fri, June 25 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Kerry Madsen (2) 38. Sat, June 27 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Logan Schuchart (3) 39. Fri, July 2 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Brad Sweet (11) 40. Sat, July 3 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Brad Sweet (12) 41. Sat, July 10 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Brad Sweet (13) 42. Tues, July 13 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Spencer Bayston (1) 43. Wed, July 14 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Carson Macedo (6) 44. Sat, July 17 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Tyler Courtney (1) 45. Sat, July 17 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Kyle Larson (2) 46. Sun, July 18 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Carson Macedo (7) 47. Tues, July 20 / Lernerville Speedway / Sarver, PA / Brad Sweet (14) 48. Fri, July 23 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Sheldon Haudenschild (5) 49. Sat, July 24 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brent Marks (2) 50. Fri, July 30 / Ransomville Speedway / Ransomville, NY / Aaron Reutzel (4) 51. Sat, July 31 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (7) 52. Fri, August 6 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Sheldon Haudenschild (6) 53. Sat, August 7 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Sheldon Haudenschild (7) 54. Sat, August 14 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson (3) 55. Sat, August 21 / Red River Valley Speedway / Fargo, ND / Donny Schatz (2) 56. Sun, August 22 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (8) 57. Wed, August 25 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Brad Sweet (15) 58. Fri, August 27 / I-80 Speedway / Greenwood, NE / Donny Schatz (3) 59. Sun, August 29 / Black Hills Speedway / Rapid City, SD / Sheldon Haudenschild (8)

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, KSE Racing Products (Hard Charger Award), MSD and Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award); manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, and Racing Electronics.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 all World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.

INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 31) — Decorated drag racers Troy Coughlin Jr., Mike Coughlin and Jeff Taylor are anxious to add to an impressive list of Indy triumphs for Team JEGS at this weekend’s 67th annual Dodge NHRA U.S. Nationals. Hailed as the grandaddy of them all, the U.S. Nationals is a must-win for straight-line racers. Those lucky enough to have won in the past — like Troy Jr., Mike and Taylor — simply become hungrier for more in an effort to further cement their names in history books. “Indy is where the magic happens,” said Troy Jr., a two-time U.S. Nationals winner, having won Super Comp in 2010 and Super Gas in 2014. “It’s such a historic place and the list of past winners includes all the bigs. Plus, you know all the best drivers are there every year so it’s incredibly hard to win. If you’re a drag racer, you have to earn a Wally from the U.S. Nationals. It’s a must.

“It was pretty surreal when I won in 2010 because I knew my dad (Troy Sr.) had won Super Gas there in 1991 when I was a baby. To join Pops, my Uncle Mike (who won Indy in Pro Stock Truck in 1999 and 2001), and my Uncle Jeg (a five-time Indy winner in a variety of classes), was such a special feeling.” Currently seventh in the Pro Stock rankings with a pair of final-round showings, Troy Jr. needs another solid weekend in his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro to secure his spot in this year’s Countdown to the Championship. “This is the final race before the playoffs so we’re looking to continue the momentum we’ve gained and make a great run at the championship,” Troy Jr. said. “If I can get off the pedal when I’m supposed to then I know we can contend because Mark Ingersoll (crew chief), Kelly Murphy, Steven Hurley, Eric Luzinski, and Kyle Bates always give me a great racecar. They are so efficient and professional, it’s exciting to be around them.”

When Troy Jr.’s not racing himself, he’ll be taking in all the action in the JEGS Allstars event, a special race for the top 80 sportsman racers drawn from the NHRA’s seven geographic regions.  “As big as the U.S. Nationals are for professional racers, the JEGS Allstars are absolutely huge for Sportsman racers,” Troy Jr. said. “To have the Allstars race at the U.S. Nationals is almost too much to take in. Our director of racing at JEGS, Woody Woodruff, had already made the Allstars a huge deal, and now that he’s got it moved to Indy, it’s become a dream scenario for these racers. I hope to catch all the action I can.” Aside from the Allstars, Troy Jr. also will be rooting for his Uncle Mike, who is racing in Top Dragster, and longtime family friend and three-time Indy champion Taylor, who is racing in both Stock and Super Stock.

“It’s so great to be racing the U.S. Nationals again,” Mike said. “After we won in Truck back in 1999 and 2001, we switched classes and missed out on coming here because they weren’t contesting Top Sportsman or Top Dragster. Now they are again and it’s been a thrill these last few years to have a chance at another U.S. Nationals title. “I feel about as good as I have all year. I’ve been struggling a bit with my driving so I took my niece Paige’s dragster to the Fling bracket race and learned a whole lot about myself. I really feel I regained the discipline and focus it takes to win and I credit last weekend’s attitude adjustment for that. It was a big confidence booster.” As usual, crew chief Greg Cody and crewmen Tony Collier, Justin Beaver and Ryan Micke will be wrenching on Mike’s JEGS.com Top Dragster.

A four-time world champion, Taylor will be driving two familiar mounts from the yellow-and-black stable in Indy, Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Stock entry and Clay Coughlin’s Chevy Cobalt Super Stock hot rod. Taylor’s prior Indy wins came in Stock, Super Stock and Comp. “Now I’m only two wins away from my 50th one so why not make it happen this weekend in Indy, the biggest race of them all?” Taylor said with a laugh. “Sounds like a good plan until you factor in the 127 other drivers in each category that don’t care one bit about my feelings. “It’s super special to be in an elite group of racers who have won Indy. I always call it an endurance race because for the Sportsman classes you have to be here Tuesday through, hopefully, Monday night, if you want to win. The key to winning here is to stay focused for that long. A lot of people tucker out after three, four days and start thinking about home and work. It can be mentally draining. “I’d love to get another win for the Coughlin family. It’s always a pleasure to race with the entire JEGS team. These guys know what it takes to win, they make sure you have it, and everyone is pulling in the same direction. It makes it a lot of fun.”

Series Schedule barrels full speed towards NAPA Super DIRT Week with four of five races in September awarding Billy Whittaker Cars 200 guaranteed startsWEEDSPORT, NY –  This September contains six premier Super DIRTcar Series races with four of the five paying $10,000 plus to win for the Beats of the Northeast to clash over. That also means there are only four more prized NAPA Super DIRT Week starting positions up for grabs.So far only six drivers have locked themselves into the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 during NAPA Super DIRT Week. They include: Stewart Friesen, Demetrios Drellos, Tim Fuller, Matt Sheppard, Max McLaughlin, and Chris Hile.This Saturday (Sept. 4), Lebanon Valley Speedway takes center stage with the $25,500-to-win Mr. DIRT Track USA. The Valley of Speed is one of the fastest and most challenging tracks on the tourAfter that, it’s the two-day Cavalcade Cup Weekend at the historic and pristine Weedsport Speedway on Sept. 10-11. Friday’s Feature pays $7,500 while Saturday pumps the purse to $10,000 for the first Big Block across the line. Saturday, Sept. 18, brings the Series stars back to Land of Legends Raceway for the third annual Gerald Haers Memorial. This time, the memorial win comes with a guaranteed start at NAPA Super DIRT Week. The month of money concludes with a NAPA Super DIRT Week qualifier at The Great Race Place, also known as Albany-Saratoga Speedway, for the Massive Malta Weekend, featuring both the Super DIRTcar Series and the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series.DIRT TRACK USA The Valley of Speed – Lebanon Valley Speedway – has been a staple on the Super DIRTcar Series calendar since 1972 when Dick Hansen took the inaugural win. In 2021, things are a little different. This year, Mr. DIRT Track USA will pay $25,500 to the winner after 100 laps of high-speed action. Lebanon Valley is a unique racetrack with some of the longest straightaways the Series travels. followed by high-banked paperclip turns at each end. Speed, brakes and bravery will crown the Mr. DIRT Track USA winner on Sept. 4. Click here for tickets and camping info. Last Five Series Winners at Lebanon Valley Speedway:May 31, 2021 – Matt SheppardAugust 31, 2019 – Kenny Tremont Jr.September 1, 2018 – Kenny Tremont Jr. August 31, 2017 – Brett HearnSeptember 1, 2016 – Matt SheppardCAVALCADE CUPAnother track in the Super DIRTcar Series 1972 club is Weedsport Speedway. It’s new Cavalcade Cup Weekend features two nights of Super DIRTcar Series action, along with the DIRTcar Sportsman making an appearance both nights. The DIRTcar Pro Stocks will join the fun on Saturday (Sept. 11) and the Empire Super Sprints will make an appearance on Sunday (Sept. 12). The Super DIRTcar Series will contest for a $7,500 payday on Saturday and then $10,000 on Sunday, along with an elusive NAPA Super DIRT Week guaranteed starting spot. Both events are full points nights.Stewart Friesen took the last Series race win at Weedsport back in July at the Hall of Fame 100. But to get the inaugural Cavalcade Cup Weekend win, he’ll have to contend with other former Weedsport winners like Max McLaughlin, Matt Sheppard, and Mat Williamson.Click here for more info on the Cavalcade Cup. Last Five Series Winners at Weedsport Speedway:July 25, 2021 – Stewart FriesenMay 30, 2021 – Mat WilliamsonOctober 11, 2020 – Max McLaughlinSeptember 2, 2019 – Matt SheppardJuly 28, 2019 – Matt SheppardGERALD HAERS MEMORIALThere’s always something special about Big Blocks at Land of Legends Raceway. The long-standing Canandaigua, NY race track once again hosts the Gerald Haers Memorial on Saturday, Sept. 18. New this year, the event will be a full Series points race. And along with points, drivers will be chasing the $10,000-to-win top prize and a guaranteed start at NAPA Super DIRT Week. This year, Justin Haers, whose father is the namesake of the memorial, won the Land of Legends Raceway track championship in a tight battle with fellow Series stars Erick Rudolph and Peter Britten. Haers edged the duo by just two points. Rookie sensation Chris Hile, in the #5H, took the checkered flag at last year’s Gerald Haers Memorial. Hile has also been on a hot streak recently, winning races in Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Championship racing and finishing well in Series races. This could be a breakthrough race for the Syracuse, NY driver. Click here for track info on the Gerald Haers Memorial. Last Five Series Winners at Land of Legends RacewayAugust 4, 2021 – Stewart FriesenAugust 4, 2021 – Peter BrittenOctober 10, 2020 – Matt SheppardJuly 4, 2019 – Matt SheppardJuly 5, 2019 – Danny JohnsonMASSIVE MALTA WEEKENDMalta, NY’s Albany-Saratoga Speedway has been home to some of the most edge-of-your-seat racing in the Northeast. The Massive Malta Weekend at the track is a two-day race with a 358 Modified special on Friday night followed by the Super DIRTcar Series and DIRTcar Pro Stock Series on Saturday, Sept. 25. Anthony Perrego took the last Series win at Albany-Saratoga during 2020’s DIRTcar OktoberFAST. He’ll be on the hunt to capture another and a guaranteed start at NAPA Super DIRT Week. Win Slavin won the first Super DIRTcar Series race at the track in 1977. The Series raced there regularly until 1984. When it made its triumphant return in 2005, Billy Decker claimed the victory. With $10,000 up for grabs to the winner, the best of the best will be on tap at The Great Race Place Sept. 25.Click here for more info. Last Five Series Winners at Albany-Saratoga SpeedwayOctober 6, 2020 – Anthony PerregoSeptember 22, 2019 – Demetrios DrellosJune 25, 2019 – Stewart FriesenJune 26, 2018 – Stewart FriesenJune 28, 2017 – Tim McCreadieUP NEXT IN OCTOBER & NOVEMBERWhen September ends, all eyes will be on the 49th NAPA Super DIRT Week (Oct. 6-10). The Demon 100 at Brewerton Speedway, on Oct. 5, will kick off the racing action for the week, giving Super DIRTcar Series drivers another chance at $10,000 and their final chance of securing a guaranteed starting spot in the $50,000-to-win Billy Whittaker Cars 200 on Sunday, Oct. 10. CLICK HERE for tickets and more info.Then, the Super DIRTcar Series will conclude its 2021 season in epic fashion at the NGK NTK World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte (Nov. 4-6), crowning two more Feature winners and the 2021 Series champion.If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every Super DIRTcar Series race live on DIRTVision – either online or through the DIRTVision App.PHOTO: Tom Morris

The Super DIRTcar Series 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) and NAPA Auto Parts. Contingency sponsors include: ARP (Automotive Racing Products), ASI Race Wear, Bicknell Racing Products, Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux, Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Drydene, Fox Factory, MSD, and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: FireAde, Intercomp, and Racing Electronics.

“It was pretty surreal when I won in 2010 because I knew my dad (Troy Sr.) had won Super Gas there in 1991 when I was a baby. To join Pops, my Uncle Mike (who won Indy in Pro Stock Truck in 1999 and 2001), and my Uncle Jeg (a five-time Indy winner in a variety of classes), was such a special feeling.” Currently seventh in the Pro Stock rankings with a pair of final-round showings, Troy Jr. needs another solid weekend in his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro to secure his spot in this year’s Countdown to the Championship. “This is the final race before the playoffs so we’re looking to continue the momentum we’ve gained and make a great run at the championship,” Troy Jr. said. “If I can get off the pedal when I’m supposed to then I know we can contend because Mark Ingersoll (crew chief), Kelly Murphy, Steven Hurley, Eric Luzinski, and Kyle Bates always give me a great racecar. They are so efficient and professional, it’s exciting to be around them.”

When Troy Jr.’s not racing himself, he’ll be taking in all the action in the JEGS Allstars event, a special race for the top 80 sportsman racers drawn from the NHRA’s seven geographic regions.  “As big as the U.S. Nationals are for professional racers, the JEGS Allstars are absolutely huge for Sportsman racers,” Troy Jr. said. “To have the Allstars race at the U.S. Nationals is almost too much to take in. Our director of racing at JEGS, Woody Woodruff, had already made the Allstars a huge deal, and now that he’s got it moved to Indy, it’s become a dream scenario for these racers. I hope to catch all the action I can.” Aside from the Allstars, Troy Jr. also will be rooting for his Uncle Mike, who is racing in Top Dragster, and longtime family friend and three-time Indy champion Taylor, who is racing in both Stock and Super Stock.

“It’s so great to be racing the U.S. Nationals again,” Mike said. “After we won in Truck back in 1999 and 2001, we switched classes and missed out on coming here because they weren’t contesting Top Sportsman or Top Dragster. Now they are again and it’s been a thrill these last few years to have a chance at another U.S. Nationals title. “I feel about as good as I have all year. I’ve been struggling a bit with my driving so I took my niece Paige’s dragster to the Fling bracket race and learned a whole lot about myself. I really feel I regained the discipline and focus it takes to win and I credit last weekend’s attitude adjustment for that. It was a big confidence booster.” As usual, crew chief Greg Cody and crewmen Tony Collier, Justin Beaver and Ryan Micke will be wrenching on Mike’s JEGS.com Top Dragster.

A four-time world champion, Taylor will be driving two familiar mounts from the yellow-and-black stable in Indy, Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Stock entry and Clay Coughlin’s Chevy Cobalt Super Stock hot rod. Taylor’s prior Indy wins came in Stock, Super Stock and Comp. “Now I’m only two wins away from my 50th one so why not make it happen this weekend in Indy, the biggest race of them all?” Taylor said with a laugh. “Sounds like a good plan until you factor in the 127 other drivers in each category that don’t care one bit about my feelings. “It’s super special to be in an elite group of racers who have won Indy. I always call it an endurance race because for the Sportsman classes you have to be here Tuesday through, hopefully, Monday night, if you want to win. The key to winning here is to stay focused for that long. A lot of people tucker out after three, four days and start thinking about home and work. It can be mentally draining. “I’d love to get another win for the Coughlin family. It’s always a pleasure to race with the entire JEGS team. These guys know what it takes to win, they make sure you have it, and everyone is pulling in the same direction. It makes it a lot of fun.”

“It was pretty surreal when I won in 2010 because I knew my dad (Troy Sr.) had won Super Gas there in 1991 when I was a baby. To join Pops, my Uncle Mike (who won Indy in Pro Stock Truck in 1999 and 2001), and my Uncle Jeg (a five-time Indy winner in a variety of classes), was such a special feeling.” Currently seventh in the Pro Stock rankings with a pair of final-round showings, Troy Jr. needs another solid weekend in his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro to secure his spot in this year’s Countdown to the Championship. “This is the final race before the playoffs so we’re looking to continue the momentum we’ve gained and make a great run at the championship,” Troy Jr. said. “If I can get off the pedal when I’m supposed to then I know we can contend because Mark Ingersoll (crew chief), Kelly Murphy, Steven Hurley, Eric Luzinski, and Kyle Bates always give me a great racecar. They are so efficient and professional, it’s exciting to be around them.”

When Troy Jr.’s not racing himself, he’ll be taking in all the action in the JEGS Allstars event, a special race for the top 80 sportsman racers drawn from the NHRA’s seven geographic regions.  “As big as the U.S. Nationals are for professional racers, the JEGS Allstars are absolutely huge for Sportsman racers,” Troy Jr. said. “To have the Allstars race at the U.S. Nationals is almost too much to take in. Our director of racing at JEGS, Woody Woodruff, had already made the Allstars a huge deal, and now that he’s got it moved to Indy, it’s become a dream scenario for these racers. I hope to catch all the action I can.” Aside from the Allstars, Troy Jr. also will be rooting for his Uncle Mike, who is racing in Top Dragster, and longtime family friend and three-time Indy champion Taylor, who is racing in both Stock and Super Stock.

“It’s so great to be racing the U.S. Nationals again,” Mike said. “After we won in Truck back in 1999 and 2001, we switched classes and missed out on coming here because they weren’t contesting Top Sportsman or Top Dragster. Now they are again and it’s been a thrill these last few years to have a chance at another U.S. Nationals title. “I feel about as good as I have all year. I’ve been struggling a bit with my driving so I took my niece Paige’s dragster to the Fling bracket race and learned a whole lot about myself. I really feel I regained the discipline and focus it takes to win and I credit last weekend’s attitude adjustment for that. It was a big confidence booster.” As usual, crew chief Greg Cody and crewmen Tony Collier, Justin Beaver and Ryan Micke will be wrenching on Mike’s JEGS.com Top Dragster.

A four-time world champion, Taylor will be driving two familiar mounts from the yellow-and-black stable in Indy, Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Stock entry and Clay Coughlin’s Chevy Cobalt Super Stock hot rod. Taylor’s prior Indy wins came in Stock, Super Stock and Comp. “Now I’m only two wins away from my 50th one so why not make it happen this weekend in Indy, the biggest race of them all?” Taylor said with a laugh. “Sounds like a good plan until you factor in the 127 other drivers in each category that don’t care one bit about my feelings. “It’s super special to be in an elite group of racers who have won Indy. I always call it an endurance race because for the Sportsman classes you have to be here Tuesday through, hopefully, Monday night, if you want to win. The key to winning here is to stay focused for that long. A lot of people tucker out after three, four days and start thinking about home and work. It can be mentally draining. “I’d love to get another win for the Coughlin family. It’s always a pleasure to race with the entire JEGS team. These guys know what it takes to win, they make sure you have it, and everyone is pulling in the same direction. It makes it a lot of fun.”

NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFF MEDIA DAY TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT AUGUST 31, 2021

ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE, Teleconference Transcript: 
THERE WAS SOME TALK ABOUT THE DENNY HAMLIN AND JOEY LOGANO RIVALRY. YOU KIND OF STAY OUT OF THE MIX AND CONTROVERSIES. WHAT’S THE BIGGEST FEUD YOU’VE EVER HAD WITH ANOTHER DRIVER? DO YOU PURPOSELY TRY TO STAY OUT OF CONTROVERSY? WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT FEUDS ON THE RACETRACK BETWEEN DRIVERS?“We all race against each other so much that that’s going to happen, right. We’re racing against each other each and every week, so those things will happen. I’m pretty non-confrontational, so I try to somewhat avoid that. I would say my biggest feud was probably Bubba (Wallace) and I going back and forth a couple years ago. I’m glad that’s all squashed and kind of over with.”
“That stuff will happen. You get into each other; it’s just part of racing.”
GIVEN THAT SOME OF YOUR TOUGH COMPETITION HERE IN THE PLAYOFFS ARE YOUR TEAMMATES, HOW IS THE COLLABORATION GOING ON AT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS? “We’ve worked really well together all year. The four of us all get along really great. I don’t see that changing. The four of us have raced each other really hard, but we’ve all been clean. The crew chiefs are getting along well. The teams are working well together. Yeah, we’re going to be racing each other for the Championship. But we’re going to continue to work well together.”
YOU AND MICHAEL (MCDOWELL) ARE BOTH FROM ARIZONA, BUT TWO VERY DIFFERENT PLACES IN ARIZONA, TWO VERY DIFFERENT WAYS UP THE RANKS AND AT TWO VERY DIFFERENT TIMES. YOU BOTH WENT FROM START-AND-PARK TO CUP SERIES WINNERS. WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MICHAEL OR WHAT IS YOUR PERCEPTION OF HIM?“I’ve known Michael (McDowell) for quite a while. He’s a really good dude. I think it’s cool that he won the Daytona 500. It’s so cool to see somebody that’s kind of been through similar things to me in their career -at a similar point to where I was at one point in their career – have success. I don’t want to take anything away from their team, but like a lower-level team going and winning the 500. Honestly, I think he’s probably one of the best speedway drivers in the Series right now. I think he’s consistently upfront at superspeedways and he has been for a long time; in a car that’s good, but not as good as what I feel like what we bring to the racetrack. It’s cool to see him have success there.”
“Representing Arizona in the Playoffs, it’s awesome. Hopefully, we can win a Championship at home.”
MICHAEL (MCDOWELL) SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH YOU GOT INTO IT AT SONOMA A LITTLE BIT, THAT WON’T BE COMING BACK TO YOU IN THE PLAYOFFS. SO, YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT.“Yeah, I talked to him after that and everything was good. I think the one thing about Michael (McDowell) is that he’s super nice off the racetrack and away from the racetrack. But on the racetrack, he’s extremely aggressive and one of the hardest guys to race. That’s just his racing style, so that’s just part of it.”
A NASCAR POST-SEASON IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT. YOU HAVE TEN WEEKS BEFORE YOU CROWN A CHAMPION. DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED TO BE CHAMPIONSHIP OPERATING ON THAT KIND OF LEVEL RIGHT NOW GOING INTO THE PLAYOFFS OR DO YOU FEEL LIKE TEN WEEKS YOU HAVE TIME TO BUILD UP TO THAT POINT?“I think you need to be maximizing each and every week throughout the entirety of the Playoffs. I don’t think you can turn it up towards the end of the Playoffs. You need to be strong each and every week. While we didn’t have the summer that we wanted, I think we can have a great Playoff run. We had a miserable summer last year and had a really good Playoff run. I’m excited to get going. But yeah, I think you need to operate 100 percent each and every week.”
ARE THERE ANY PLACES THAT YOU TAKE YOUR TEAM THAT’S A HOTSPOT THAT YOU HAVE TO GO EAT OR VISIT WHEN YOU GO TO ARIZONA?“Yeah, I used to try to pop around to a couple different places. I’d say my favorite thing out there is just Mexican food, in general. There are a couple places that are decent in Charlotte, but nothing like there was at home. Try to hit a couple spots there.”
“Pat’s Chili Dogs in Tucson is pretty amazing. That was one of my favorite places to go. This year, with kind of the different layouts and everything going on in the world, I’ll probably keep closer to the racetrack and keep a little more locked-up. But definitely some places in the past that we’ve tried to go.”
WHEN YOU DID THE SIMULATION DRIVING FOR HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS, WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN? HOW MUCH DO YOU FEEL LIKE IT KEPT YOU SHARP IN PREPARTION FOR JUMPING INTO THE NO. 88 CAR IN 2018?“I think that was definitely better than sitting on the couch all year. But, at the same time, it wasn’t racing. So, it’s definitely different. It kept me in a racecar a little bit, with the wheel force car. I ran a couple of Xfinity races that year and a Truck race early that year, too. Those couple of races I think helped, but there were definitely areas that I was rusty in 2018 that I needed to relearn or reacclimate to. It’s just never good taking a year off, but I felt like it was necessary to end up here at Hendrick Motorsports and be where I wanted to be.”

NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFF MEDIA DAY TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT AUGUST 31, 2021
KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE, Teleconference Transcript: THE MODERATOR: We’ll start with questions for Kyle Larson.   Q. Obviously you’ve had an extremely successful season, beginning in Las Vegas. What people may not know about you is you’ve also had a ton of success outside of NASCAR. How has that translated and helped you win on vastly different road courses, Sonoma, Watkins Glen? How do you think that’s going to help you in the Playoffs? KYLE LARSON: Yeah, I mean, if you’re speaking of the dirt track stuff, it’s been a good season all around in everything that I’ve done. I think I’ve won, like, 24 races to this point in the year. Yeah, I think just being in position as often as I’ve been helps kind of the mindset of staying calm and things like that on Sundays for Cup races, too.  Yeah, it’s been great. I love racing and staying busy. It slows down a little bit this time of year just because of schedule stuff. I look forward to running more dirt races, staying sharp for the Playoffs.  
Q. You’re not one often to brag or have an attitude about yourself. But you are the favorite. You will be the target just about every time you drive, including the Cup Series Playoff. Do you like that position? KYLE LARSON: Yeah, I don’t know, I mean, it means you’re in a fast race car and you’re doing a good job, so it’s good. I mean, it’s not like everybody’s gunning for you and you have a target on your back or anything like that. It’s just a cool spot to be in.  It’s been a lot of hard work to get to this point. Now we’ve got a great opportunity to go chase a championship. We’ve been doing a great job doing what we’ve been doing. We just got to continue that and execute well. Hopefully it will all kind of take care of itself.  
Q. Where do things stand with Christopher Bell and if you have any plans on smoothing things over before things get started here? KYLE LARSON: I mean, it’s been a long time since that. I don’t know why we’re still really talking about it.  Yeah, I’m looking forward to the Playoffs. I know he is, too. He’s got a great car. I’ve got a great car. Both of us’s best opportunity to go chase a championship.  
Q. You don’t want to peak too early. Do you feel there’s still more you can gain, anything you’re looking to improve upon going into the Playoffs so you can still gain on the field or further separate yourself from the field? KYLE LARSON: Sure, I mean, I don’t know. I hope we haven’t peaked yet. We won a race a few weeks ago. Yeah, I think we’re still capable of winning more races throughout the rest of the year and continuing to get better. I think all the race teams get better each and every week. We’re one of those teams that’s done that, too.  It’s hard to predict. It’s been fun. We’ve been able to win a lot of races. Even when we weren’t winning, we were still up front. That’s what you’ve got to do here in these next 10 weeks.  
Q. When you think about a year ago, you weren’t racing in the Cup Series, everything you had to endure, what do you think about the last year, where you are now versus where you were a year ago? KYLE LARSON: Yeah, I mean, I feel like I’m a much more mature person on and off the racetrack, behind the wheel, not behind the wheel. I think through all the experience of growing up made me ultimately just better all around.  Speaking of just racing, I think getting to race as much as I did last year and contend — I raced 96 times, something like that, and won 46. Probably was in position to chase a win in 80 races or more.  I think putting yourself in position like that, it makes me a much mentally stronger driver these days, much more experienced driver. Yeah, it’s definitely been a crazy couple years, but thankful that I’m in the opportunity I’m in now.  
Q. Let’s talk about Bristol being part of the Playoffs. More importantly, that track being the cutoff race. How aggressive do you think that race could become? KYLE LARSON: Yeah, I mean, Bristol’s Bristol. It’s always really aggressive. Hopefully I’m not anywhere near the cutoff or whatever in points. But, yeah, it can get aggressive. You can use the bumper there a little bit in traffic and things. That track is just so difficult anyways, it’s a lot of fun.  I’m so looking forward to getting to Bristol. I love that place. I’ve been close to winning some races there. I’ve led a bunch of laps there. Would love to get my first win at Bristol.  
Q. You’ve been in the Playoffs a number of times in the past. Now this year obviously circumstances are so much different. You’re at the top of the board. How do you compare your approach going into the Playoffs this year as in the past? KYLE LARSON: Yeah, I’m not sure. I don’t know. I don’t really remember. I don’t remember my thoughts or feelings or my approach from when I was in the Playoffs last and stuff.  Yeah, I don’t know. I feel like I’ve been in a good kind of mindset leading up to the Playoffs, just trying to rack up as many points as you can for these last few months. I feel like that’s the kind of mindset you need to have for the Playoffs, too.  Still got to go out there and chase as many points as you can throughout the race. Obviously, you want to win the races. If you can’t, you don’t want to leave any points out on the table. That’s kind of where my head’s at right now. I think you can kind of go through each round with that mindset.  
Q. With all the racing that you’re doing in the Cup Series and also on dirt tracks, do you ever worry about burnout, how much racing is too much racing? KYLE LARSON: No, no, I don’t. No, this is what I do for a living. I want to be the best race car driver I can be. The only way to do that is to race, race a lot. No, I don’t worry about burnouts.  Like this year, I mean, during the two-week break I took a week to go on vacation. That was a good little recharge to get me back excited about powering through the rest of the year.  I think when you stay as busy as I do, you just get used to it. When I’m not racing during the week, when I have a week where I don’t race a dirt race, like, it feels forever until I race again. I like staying busy.  
Q. You’re one of the five NASCAR Next graduates who are in this Playoff field. How do you feel that you and your peers from the program are battling for the championship? KYLE LARSON: Yeah, I look back on that little era of drivers that I raced with in 2012 in the K&N East Series, look at how many of us are in the Cup Series now. It’s really cool.  So, yeah, it’s just neat to be a part of that, be one of the guys that they noticed early on that we had potential. Now we’re here chasing championships and stuff. Chase was able to win the championship last year. Blaney has won these last two races. It’s cool.  THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Kyle.  

NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFF MEDIA DAY TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT AUGUST 31, 2021 KURT BUSCH, NO. 1 CHIP GANASSI RACING CAMARO ZL1 1LE, Teleconference Transcript: WHAT WAS THE TURNING POINT FOR YOUR TEAM THIS YEAR THAT REALLY GOT YOU GOING AND INTO THE PLAYOFFS?“For us, on the No. 1 Monster Energy Chevrolet race team, we had a really weird beginning of the season where points were a struggle and finishing races with oddball things happening. It was weird. We weren’t slow, it was just weird. At the (Coke-Cola) 600, we had an engine failure.  And it was like, ‘this hast to be about it’, for strange things happening. Since June 1st, we have really put in a good run of consistency and the finishes really started to help our starting position build back up.  The win at Atlanta, that really just spring boarded us right back to where we needed to be as a Playoff contender.” THIS IS YOUR LAST PLAYOFF RUN WITH CHIP GANASSI. IS THERE ANY FAVORITE MEMORY OF YOURS WITH CGR AND DOES ANYTHING TOP WINNING AT VEGAS LAST YEAR?“Vegas was a special win, but we have had some great memories all the way through like the win at Kentucky (Speedway) in the first time that the No. 1 car had been back to Victory Lane in so many years. Atlanta was one of those dominating cars and with GearWrench, a sponsor that has been with Chip Ganassi Racing for I believe six years – it was great to deliver that moment. The drafting at the superspeedways, there was a wreck at one of the short tracks where Chip was all over me, so, it’s been neat to have all these different emotions with such a cool, legendary owner in NASCAR.” WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE NEW SURFACE IN AREAS AT DARLINGTON AND THE EFFECT ON THIS FIRST PLAYOFF RACE?“Yeah, it has really going to improve the lap times with the grip level. Turn two is where your lap time is made and if you get through there good, its really going to help with that. Now with the extra grip, there is going to be a ton of speed down the back straightaway, into turn three, and there could be a question if we are up against the rev chip. So, you might have to back off the throttle to preserve the engine.  With this being the second longest race of the year, that could be a huge factor at the end of the race as far as durability.” WHAT ABOUT SLICKNESS IN THE TRACK?“I think the tire is made for the older asphalt, so to me the fresher asphalt will be free grip. It’s a matter of slip sliding into the asphalt, grabbing it, and then having the car straight launch out of the asphalt and back onto the older stuff. A lot of eyeballs will be watching the preliminary races, because we will have no practice and we will just have to go for it.” PAST EXPERIENCE IN THE PLAYOFFS. DOES IT MEAN ANYTHING AND IF SO, WHAT DOES IT MEAN?“It just means staying calm, staying cool and knowing how to use your points cushion. Where if you are behind, knowing how to get points over the other guys. It’s just where the driver and the crew chief, if they have been together for a while, they will know exactly what to do without saying a word and execute. It all comes down to teamwork, preparation, and staying a step ahead.” IT SEEMS LIKE SONOMA MIGHT HAVE BEEN A TURNING POINT IN THE YEAR FOR YOU. WHAT CHANGED AFTER THAT RACE?“This might be a pretty lame answer, but our luck changed. Things just started to happen in a normal fashion. Where at the beginning of the year, we had all these crazy things from all different directions and I feel like since the first of June, things have been on a nice, steady top 10-type effort. Then when you finish well, it helps with your starting position for the next week because we are not qualifying as much, so it just started to trend all in the right direction for us.” REGARDING THE STATISTIC THAT YOU SHARE THE MOST PLAYOFF STARTS AS OTHER DRIVERS“I just learned about that today and I didn’t know about it. It hasn’t really necessarily been a focus for me other than it is what I love to do. And that is to race, go after wins, and to be Playoff eligible. I start every year going to Daytona focused on that. I have been with some great teams, and we have made some big runs at the Playoffs to get to the Championship Four and winning it in the first year. Maybe my time in the sport has helped me add up to those 15.” TALK ABOUT YOUR SUCCESS AT BRISTOL AND IT BEING A CUTOFF RACE AND IF IT COULD FORCE DRIVERS TO TAKE CHANCES THEY WOULDN’T NORMALLY TAKE THERE?“Yeah, I think if you find yourself on the bubble and you need a spot or two, yeah things could get big. And that is for that 11th or 12th place guy in points. Most of the guys will be locked in and some will know they just don’t have a chance at it, and so it just comes down to that bubble opportunity. And Bristol is one of those short tracks where you can find somebody’s bumper real quick.” DOES HAVING YOUR FUTURE SET IN THE SPORT HELP YOU RELAX FOR THIS PLAYOFF RUN?“That is what I was hopeful for. It’s been one of those years that ebbs and flows with the emotions, the trajectory of the team, with Chip selling, with my sponsorship with Monster Energy, and how we can all make the future work together. So, really happy and grateful that the announcement has come out and now we can kind of close it and work for these ten weeks with a clear mind and a clear focus on a championship run.”

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