Devil’s Bowl win list is occupied by many of the sport’s greats

MESQUITE, TX (March 30, 2023) – One of the most important dirt ovals in Sprint Car racing history can be found 20 minutes outside of Dallas.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TX.

The track is known as the home of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars after hosting the Series’ inaugural race in 1978. The Greatest Show on Dirt has visited the half mile dozens of times in the years since and will continue to do so this weekend with the running of the Federated Auto Parts Texas Outlaw Nationals, March 31-April 1.

Throughout the years, Devil’s Bowl Victory Lane has been reserved for the sport’s best names – many already in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and others on their way. Of the 28 different drivers to top a race at the half mile, only three of them have less than 10 World of Outlaws triumphs. 

California’s Jimmy Boyd won the Series debut event on March 18, 1978, forever cementing himself as the first World of Outlaws winner.

Later that year in September, the driver who went on to become the most dominant at Devil’s Bowl, Sammy Swindell, came out on top for his first win at the track. The Germantown, TN legend eventually collected 19 triumphs in Mesquite, winning races in four different decades (‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘00s). Swindell’s dominance was highlighted by a five-race winning streak in 1986-1987.

To nobody’s surprise, next in line to win at Devil’s Bowl after Swindell was Steve Kinser in March of 1979. “The King” tallied 16 of his 690 Feature wins at the half mile, trailing only Swindell’s total. Behind Steve is his cousin, Mark Kinser, with six victories including a streak of three straight in 1996-1997.

Hooks, TX native, Gary Wright, may not have the number of wins as Swindell and both Kinsers, but he proved he could contend with anyone at the track located just a few hours west of his hometown. Wright won six races with the World of Outlaws during his time, and all but one came at Devil’s Bowl – each coming in the ‘90s.

Danny Lasoski’s four Devil’s Bowl wins rank fifth all-time. The 2001 Series champion and 122-time Series winner experienced a brief stretch of dominance at the facility, earning all four of his victories over an eight-race span from 1999-2001.

Behind the top-five that separated themselves, the list gets a little crowded. Seven drivers have won three times at Devil’s Bowl, all of which are in the top 20 on the all-time Series win list. Among the three-time winners are current full-timers, 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz and Logan Schuchart. The latter of the two became only the third driver to top three consecutive World of Outlaws races at Devil’s Bowl with his wins from 2019-2021.

Those with a pair of Devil’s Bowl victories include even more legends like 1995 Series champion Dave Blaney (95 career wins), Stevie Smith (84 wins) and Jeff Swindell (51 wins), among others making two trips to Victory Lane.

Eleven different drivers have won once at Devil’s Bowl, most recently Brent Marks last season.

This weekend offers two chances for drivers to add their name to the Devil’s Bowl win list and position themselves next to legends. If the current list is any indicator, it’s nearly a guarantee that name will go down in history as one of the greats of the sport and a trip to the Hall of Fame may be on the horizon.

For tickets to the Federated Auto Parts Texas Outlaw Nationals, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action on DIRTVision.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway Winners (92 Races, 28 Drivers)

19 – Sammy Swindell

16 – Steve Kinser

6 – Mark Kinser

5 – Gary Wright

4 – Danny Lasoski

3 – Doug Wolfgang, Bobby Davis Jr., Andy Hillenburg, Joey Saldana, Daryn Pittman, Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart

2 – Ron Shuman, Jeff Swindell, Dave Blaney, Stevie Smith, Shane Stewart

1 – Jimmy Boyd, Danny Smith, Brad Doty, Tim Green, Bobby Allen, Craig Dollansky, Brad Furr, Tyler Walker, Jason Johnson, Brad Sweet, Brent Marks

Pomona, CaliforniaMarch 30-April 2, 2023 Round 3 of the 2023 NHRA season continues out west, as the Chevrolet Funny Car, Top Fuel, and Pro Stock drivers and teams take on the historic In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip this weekend in Pomona, California. Seeking the 157th Funny Car Wally, 20th Top Fuel victory, or the 369th Pro Stock win for the Bowtie brand, drivers and teams face stacked fields ahead as they continue their championship hopes early in the year. Leaving Phoenix with his 62nd NHRA victory, and 27th with Chevrolet, Robert Hight, in his AAA/Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car, looks to move closer to his 600 rounds wins milestone, currently with 596 after this last weekend’s win, while protecting the now-acquired NHRA Funny Car points lead heading to Pomona. APPROACHING MILESTONESAfter racing to his 62nd NHRA victory, Robert Hight looks to Pomona this weekend to add to his NHRA Funny Car round win count, currently at 596. If he reaches the finals and wins the Winternationals this weekend, he will achieve 600 round wins. On the Top Fuel side of John Force Racing, Brittany Force looks to notch her fourth consecutive No. 1 qualifier at Pomona 1, previously earning the top spot on the ladder heading into race day in 2020, 2021, and 2022. B. Force also looks to Pomona with her sights set on the Winner’s Circle, showing success and strength at the track while it also is the site where she set the NHRA national speed record in 2022 at 338.94 MPH at Pomona 2. RACING TO [HER]STORY IN PHOENIXBecoming the second female to win in Pro Stock, Camrie Caruso looks to Pomona to capitalize on the momentum she’s gained after completing her first season and earning 2022’s Rookie of the Year honors. With Caruso’s first win, along with Erica Enders, Chevrolet holds both victories by a female in Pro Stock in the Chevrolet Camaro SS. “The win in Phoenix was great but I think this team has a lot of confidence right now and we want to keep the momentum going, said Caruso. “Being able to see the success of this KB Titan Racing team so early shows what we are all capable of heading into this season.” PUSHING TO REACH THE POMONA WINNER’S CIRCLELooking for redemption from NHRA’s first two events of 2023, both John Force (Funny Car) and Austin Prock (Top Fuel) at John Force Racing seek their first No. 1 qualifiers and trips to the NHRA Winner’s Circle this year. Prock has his sights on Pomona, a track where he’s seen success in his young NHRA career that includes winning the Pomona 2 event and racing to runner-up in Pomona 1, both in 2022. John Force, the holder of the most event victories at Pomona 1 with seven, enters his 834th race seeking his 156th Funny Car Winner’s Circle as well as the same redemption to the 2023 start as Prock. In Pro Stock, Erica Enders, driver of the Johnson’s Horsepower Garage Chevrolet Camaro SS for Elite Motorsports, looks to Pomona to shift her season start, and enters the weekend defending her 2022 win as well as the No. 1 qualifier at Pomona 1. Looking to join her Elite teammate Troy Coughlin, Jr., driver of the JEGS.com Chevrolet Camaro SS, as an early winner this season, Elite Motorsports seeks to add to Chevrolet’s win count in Pro Stock this weekend. At KB Titan Racing, Greg Anderson, driver of the HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro SS, looks to add to his achievements this weekend as he hopes to pick up where he ended the 2022 season, the Winner’s Circle at Pomona (Pomona 2). By qualifying for Pomona 1 this year, Anderson will extend his streak of race day appearances to 438, holding the longest career qualifying streak in NHRA with his first coming at Pomona 2 in 2002. The Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals action from In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip airs first with Friday qualifying on Saturday, April 1 at 7 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Saturday qualifying from Pomona airs Sunday, April 2 at 12:30 p.m. ET on FS1. Sunday’s Finals also air on FS1, starting at 7 p.m. ET. Coverage streaming live throughout the weekend can be found through NHRA.tv, available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices. WHAT THEY’RE SAYINGBrittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pack Chevrolet Top Fuel Dragster for John Force Racing:“Heading to race number three on our circuit at my home track in Pomona. This Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team is coming out of Phoenix with a better understanding of our car after a post-event test session. Our goal is to improve on last weekend. We plan to qualify in the top three and advance on race day. We made some big changes to this car coming into the season, so we knew it was going to take a handful of races to get our stride back. I’m excited to be back in Pomona and hunting down the first win of our season surrounded by friends and family.” John Force, driver of the BlueDEF Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car for John Force Racing:“I love coming home to race at Pomona. All the history, the success, hopefully, it plays into our had this weekend because I could sure use it. This BlueDEF team, we’re running well, just need a little bit of luck and maybe a little bit of extra effort on my part, but Danny Hood, Tim Fabrisi, and Mac Savage helping out now, they’ve got this car figured out. We’ll keep doing what we’re doing, qualifying well, making good solid passes, and then we’ll see what happens on race day.” Robert Hight, driver of the Auto Club/Cornwell Tools Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car for John Force Racing:“Last weekend was great, just what this Auto Club / Cornwell Tools / Flav-R-Pac team needed. Jimmy Prock, he really is the best. I have all the faith and confidence in him with Thomas Prock and Nathan Hildahl. This whole team really stuck with it. We were testing some new things out, Jimmy had to get it all fine-tuned. We almost scrapped it but, like I said, when you have Jimmy Prock as your crew chief, you just know you’re one run away from fixing this thing and being back to where we need to be. I’m ready to get back in the seat, I don’t like having downtime so the fact that we get to keep our momentum rolling right into the next weekend here in Pomona, it’s great. We’ll be looking to Auto Club the win on Sunday.” Austin Prock, driver of the Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:“Heading to Pomona always excited me. I got my first-round win there and have had success in the past, along with being the most recent winner at the track. The place is just good to me. I feel like if the track is in a good place, there should be some really quick runs and those types of conditions really suits our setup.” Camrie Caruso, driver of the Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock for KB Titan Racing:“I am excited to get this Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro back on the track this weekend at the Winternationals. The win in Phoenix was great but I think this team has a lot of confidence right now and we want to keep the momentum going. Being able to see the success of this KB Titan Racing team so early shows what we are all capable of heading into this season. I know we have a lot more races to go but doing well in Pomona will only keep us focused.” On working with her KB Titan Racing teammates…“Getting to work with Greg (Anderson), Dallas (Glenn) and Kyle (Koretsky) has been so great. They are really supportive and I am so comfortable in my Powerbuilt Camaro thanks to all their input. Seeing my whole team in the winner’s circle in Phoenix was great. I have to thank my mom, dad and Papa for all their support too. I am looking forward to racing in the 2Fast2Tasty race on Saturday and then chasing that second Pro Stock win on Sunday.” TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS1,422: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time)596: Round wins for Robert Hight (14th all-time; Bob Glidden sits 13th at 597)368: Number of wins in Pro Stock since 1970; 249 won in the Chevrolet Camaro body264: Final Round wins by John Force (the last coming in Topeka, runner-up)165: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time)156: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 196777: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time)76: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro body43: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force27: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.24: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car18: Number of Pro Stock championships16: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force7: Number of Funny Car driver championships2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships MOST RECENT WIN IN NHRA BY CHEVROLETPhoenix, 2023: Robert Hight, Funny CarPhoenix, 2023: Camrie Caruso, Pro Stock 2022 NHRA POMONA 1 WINS BY CHEVROLETRobert Hight, Funny CarErica Enders, Pro Stock 2022 NHRA POMONA 1 NO. 1 QUALIFIERS BY CHEVROLETBrittany Force, Top FuelErica Enders, Pro Stock MOST RECENT DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIPS IN NHRA BY CHEVROLET2022: Brittany Force, Top Fuel2022: Erica Enders, Pro Stock2022: David Barton, Factory Stock Showdown2019: Robert Hight, Funny Car UPCOMING NHRA MILESTONES950: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) is second all-time with 915 elimination round wins. He could reach 950 round wins with a decent run in the 18-race schedule.600: Robert Hight has 596 Funny Car elimination round victories to rank 14th on the all-time NHRA list. Reaching 600 round wins will tie him with Bob Glidden (Pro Stock), who holds 597. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car) sits 12th with 615.438: By qualifying for his next race, Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) will extend his NHRA record to 438 consecutive race day appearances. His first appearance came in 2002 at Pomona 2, and he holds the longest career qualifying streak in NHRA.138: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) ranks third on the NHRA all-time list with 121 No. 1 qualifiers. He will tie Warren Johnson (Pro Stock, 138) for second to John Force (165) on the list.260: By qualifying for his next race, Robert Hight will extend his NHRA record to 260 consecutive race day appearances. His first appearance came in 2010 at Pomona 2, and he currently sits seventh in career qualifying streaks in NHRA (Doug Kalitta is sixth at 268).65: Robert Hight moved into the top 10 on the all-time NHRA victory list with his win in Phoenix, tying the retired Larry Dixon (Top Fuel) at 62 wins. Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock, retired) is next ninth on list with 65.46: Erica Enders has 43 career Pro Stock victories (all with Chevrolet). Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) is the all-time NHRA female leader with 46. 18: Brittany Force (16 Top Fuel career wins) will move past Shirley Muldowney (18 wins) into third on the NHRA all-time victory list for females. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, 43) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle, 46) are ahead.6: Erica Enders (Pro Stock) could tie Warren Johnson (6 Pro Stock championships) for second on the class list. The same holds for Greg Anderson. Bob Glidden is the leader with 10.3: Brittany Force (Top Fuel, 2 championships) would tie Shirley Muldowney (Top Fuel) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) for second on the NHRA all-time championship list by females with another title in 2023. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, 5) is the leader.

POMONA, Calif. (March 30, 2023) – The largest professional team in NHRA drag racing is geared up for a standout performance at this week’s 63rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at the historic In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. The Elite Motorsports fleet of eight Pro Stock machines will take to the track ready to turn up the heat as they enter the third event of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.  The talented team made history in Phoenix last week when Cristian Cuadra became the first Mexican-born NHRA driver to qualify No. 1 in a pro category, an achievement that received international recognition including an encouraging message from Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Five-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders earned her first Winternationals title in Pomona last year, a victory that marked the 900th race in category history. This win kicked off the best-performing season of her illustrious career, thus far. After two early exits in eliminations this season, Enders is ready to turn things around this weekend. And this powerful competitor has proven multiple times that her determination knows no bounds. Troy Coughlin Jr. has a lot of momentum coming into the third race of the season. He emerged victorious at the Gatornationals earlier this month and won the first Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge in Phoenix last week. He’s not the only guy in yellow vying for a Winternationals win. His teammate C. Cuadra landed his first No. 1 qualifier in Phoenix and the talented young driver is eager for a victory. He and his brother, Fernando Cuadra Jr., will take to the track in their yellow Corral Boots Mustang along with their father, Fernando Cuadra Sr. in his black Corral Boots Mustang. The two younger Cuadras both scored first round wins in Phoenix and they look forward to turning on more win lights this weekend. 2017 Pro Stock world champion Bo Butner gave a stellar performance last week in Phoenix, racing to a runner-up finish in only the second final round of the season. He will participate in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the Winternationals for a rematch of the Arizona Nationals semifinals against Kyle Koretsky. This race-within-a-race format will take place during qualifying on Saturday.  Aaron Stanfield is looking for his first win of the season in his Janac Brothers / JC3 Energy Camaro and his teammate, rookie Pro Stock driver Jerry Tucker, is seeking the first win of his Pro Stock career in his sleek gray Elite Motorsports Camaro. Pro Stock action at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals begins with qualifying on Friday, March 31 at 3:00 pm PDT.  ***

Driver Quotes

Erica Enders”When you dream about how you want your season to go, you never imagine starting out the way we have this year. But I’ve learned that each season writes its own story and I’m excited to change the momentum in an aggressive way at Pomona. Last year we won this event for the first time ever and our team loves to get those repeat wins.”

Aaron Stanfield”We didn’t get the result we wanted in Phoenix, but our team is working hard to get us back in the spot to win. We are ready to try again this weekend in Pomona.”

Troy Coughlin Jr.”I have always loved the history of drag racing and Pomona is where it all began. It’s an honor just to get to compete there and I’ve had a lifelong goal to win there as well. Team Yellow is still hungry and focused and our minds are all set on making great laps. My Uncle Mike is racing in Top Alcohol Dragster this weekend and is the defending event champion from last year, so I’m excited to get to cheer him on as well!”

Bo Butner”We are going to a track that has been a great track to our race team, in multiple classes. So this team is looking forward to it!”

Fernando Cuadra Sr.”The Cuadra Boys are getting better and stronger at each event. I’m so proud of my sons as we continue to all learn together.”

Fernando Cuadra Jr.”After the Phoenix race, we left feeling confident that we have a great race car and it’s continuing to improve. I’m really excited because even though I know that winning may be a big target, I’m confident that we can win some rounds in Pomona.”

Cristian Cuadra”After Phoenix (where C. Cuadra was the No. 1 qualifier), I feel really motivated. I have a good race car and a team that is helping me every single round to reach my goals. Pomona is a new opportunity to show who we are as a team and all of the Elite-Cuadra cars are ready to turn on win lights on Sunday.”

Jerry Tucker”I learned a lot last weekend in Phoenix and I think going into another race without any downtime in between is going to help me apply what I’ve learned and get more successful passes under my belt.”

Photos

The Elite Motorsports Pro Stock fleet is excited to take to the track at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Pre-Race Notes

Elite Motorsports: Pre-race notesLucas Oil NHRA WinternationalsIn-N-Out Burger Pomona DragstripPomona, Calif. (March 30- April 2)  The Elite Motorsports team, the largest team in professional drag racing, has expanded for 2023 and will field a total of eight entries for this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. The Elite Pro Stock team features eight drivers including reigning and five-time world champion Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield, Troy Coughlin Jr., Bo Butner, Fernando Cuadra Sr. and his two sons, Fernando Jr. and Cristian, as well as newcomer Jerry Tucker. In the 19 Pro Stock events contested last season, Team Elite won 15 times and appeared in 26 of 38 possible final rounds. In addition to Enders’ 10 wins, Aaron Stanfield collected three victories while Troy Coughlin Jr. earned his first two professional victories. Enders is coming off the most dominant season of her career that produced ten wins in 13 final round appearances and an astounding 55-9 record in elimination rounds. This season, Enders’ impressive roster of supporters includes Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, Melling Performance, SCAG Mowers, PeopleLease and Mark Stockseth. During her professional career, Enders has accumulated 43 wins in 74 final rounds and has a round-win record of 439-242 for a .645 win percentage. Enders also has a win in Super Gas (2004 Houston) bringing her career total to 44 national event victories. Enders has won at least one event at 17 different venues including In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. She won last year’s Winternationals title by beating teammate Aaron Stanfield in the final and also won the season-ending Auto Club Finals in Pomona in 2014, beating Jason Line in the final to clinch her first world title. Enders currently holds both the elapsed time and speed record for the NHRA Pro Stock class with bests of 6.450-seconds and 215.55 mph. The elapsed time record was set at the 2022 Gatornationals last March. If Enders wins four events this season, she will surpass three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Angelle Sampey as the sport’s winningest female driver. Sampey currently has 46 wins while Enders has 44. After suffering uncharacteristic early losses at the first two events in Gainesville and Pomona, Enders comes into the Pomota event as the No. 13 ranked driver in the Pro Stock class bust she is just 80 points out of first place, the equivalent of four rounds of competition. Following an impressive fourth-place finish in 2022, Troy Coughlin Jr. will begin his fourth full season behind the wheel of the familiar yellow and black JEGS.com Camaro. Coughlin enjoyed a breakout season last year with back-to-back victories in Seattle and Topeka. Coughlin also went to final rounds in Phoenix, Reading and Las Vegas. Coughlin heads to Pomona as the championship leader after a dominating win at the season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. He currently has a seven point lead over Camrie Caruso. At last weekend’s NHRA Arizona Nationals near Phoenix, Coughlin became the first winner of the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, a special event open to the four semifinal finishers from the previous event. Coughlin defeated Greg Anderson in the final with an elapsed time of 6.57, compared to Anderson’s 6.60, to capture the inaugural event victory. In addition to his three career Pro Stock victories, the multi-faceted Coughlin has won in Top Alcohol Dragster, Super Comp and Super Gas. Coughlin’s father, Troy Sr., is a 15-time national event winner in Pro Stock, Pro Mod and Super Gas. Including his uncles, John, Mike, and Jeg Jr., the Coughlin family has combined to win 131 national event titles. Coughlin’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.515-seconds and 212.29 mph, set earlier this month at the season opener in Gainesville. Aaron Stanfield has also returned to the Elite team for another season behind the wheel of the Janac Bros/JC3 Energy Camaro. Stanfield, the son of five-time Super Stock world champ Greg Stanfield, is coming off a season where he was the third-ranked driver in Pro Stock. In 2021, Stanfield won the Pomona event beating Anderson in the final round. Last year, he was the runner-up to his teammate Enders. Last year, Stanfield earned Pro Stock wins in Phoenix, Bristol and the Fall Charlotte race to go with four runner-up finishes in Pomona, Epping, Norwalk, and Denver. Stanfield finished the season with a 38-16 record in elimination rounds. Stanfield is coming off a quarterfinal finish at last week’s NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix. He is currently ranked No. 10 in the points standings, 62 points out of first place. Stanfield won back-to-back titles in the FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown class in 2020-21. He will continue to drive his Janac Bros.-owned COPO Camaro in that class and will also continue to race in the Wright Trailers Top Dragster class. All told Stanfield has 21 career wins in Pro Stock, Factory Stock, Super Stock, and Top Dragster.  Stanfield’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.457-seconds and 213.47 mph, both set last year in Gainesville. Bo Butner is a two-time NHRA world champion in Pro Stock (2017) and Comp Eliminator (2006). He joined the Elite team last season as the driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro. Last season, Butner drove to a ninth-place finish in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock standings. While he did not win a Pro Stock event last year, the multi-talented Butner did earn a pair of victories in the Super Gas class in Indy and Reading. Last weekend in Phoenix, Butner drove to a runner-up finish in Pro Stock, reaching the final round for the first time since the 2019 Richmond event. Butner defeated Erica Enders, Fernando Cuadra Jr. and Kyle Koretsky to reach his 26th career Pro Stock final. Butner is now ranked No. 7 in the Pro Stock standings, just 28 points outside of first place. Butner has 29 career national event victories including 11 in Pro Stock. He also has wins in Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Gas, and Super Street. Butner has also enjoyed success as a big-money bracket racer with a victory at the K&N Spring Fling Million in Las Vegas in 2021. Butner has five career wins in Pomona, including Pro Stock titles in 2017, 2018 and 2019, the latter two coming from the Winternationals events. He also won the Super Stock title at the 1999 finals and the Stock title at the 2013 finals. Butner’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.475-seconds and 214.28 mph, set in Dallas (2015) and Gainesville (2017), respectively. The Cuadra family including Fernando Sr., and his sons Fernando Jr. and Cristian, have returned to Elite Motorsports again this season with their three-car Corral Handcrafted Boots team. The Cuadra family will race Ford Mustangs under the Elite banner. Fernando Sr. is a two-time national event runner-up with final-round appearances at the 2019 races in Reading and Pomona. Cristian Cuadra was also the runner-up to Enders at the 2022 Four-Wide event in Las Vegas. The Cuadra family has career-best elapsed times of 6.515 (Fernando Jr.), 6.524 (Fernando Sr.) and 6.527 (Cristian) – all of them recorded in Gainesville. Their career-best speeds are 212.13 (Fernando Sr.), 211.43 (Cristian), and 210.73 (Fernando Jr.). Cristian Cuadra went to the final round of the Four-Wide event in Las Vegas last season where he finished second to teammate Enders. He finished the season as the sport’s No. 8 ranked driver in Pro Stock. Last weekend in Phoenix, Cristian Cuadra became the first Mexican-born NHRA racer to qualify No. 1 in a pro category when he drove his Elite-powered Corral Handcrafted Boots Mustang to a 6.552 pass. C. Cuadra’s achievement was recognized internationally including an encouraging message from Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.  New to the Elite Pro Stock team this year is Jerry Tucker, who enjoyed a memorable debut in Gainesville. Tucker qualified his Elite Camaro in the No. 15 spot with a 6.573 and won the first round after teammate Enders encountered a mechanical issue. Tucker also performed well in Phoenix, qualifying No. 13 with a 6.595. He is currently ranked No. 12 in the points standings. Tucker, of Lindsay, Okla., has spent the last 30 years racing everything from Sprint cars to Midgets and has also enjoyed success in drag racing. Tucker previously raced in the Top Sportsman class. Tucker is expected to be one of the leading contenders for the NHRA Rookie of the Year award. Collectively, the eight current team Elite drivers have combined to win 104 NHRA national event titles across all classes including 64 in the Pro Stock class.

$2,500 awarded to winner of Challenge Series points championship, spanning from April to October

CONCORD, NC (March 30, 2023) – The Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyotaand the POWRi National Midget League are set to co-sanction 11 races in 2023, forming the Xtreme Outlaw-POWRi Challenge Series – a separate points championship with a $2,500 grand prize in store for the winner.

The new miniseries will begin with the I-55 Outlaw Showdown weekend at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, Friday-Saturday, April 14-15 and conclude at I-44 Riverside Speedway, Oct. 14, adding another layer of excitement to the series’ regular championship weekend.

For every Xtreme Outlaw and POWRi co-sanctioned race on the 2023 schedule, all competing drivers will earn points toward the Xtreme Outlaw and POWRi National standings as normal. In addition, drivers will also earn points toward the Challenge Series standings, which will tally points across each of the 11 co-sanctioned races on the 2023 calendar.

A $2,500 check will be paid out to the driver with the most points in Challenge Series standings after the final race of the Xtreme Outlaw season – at I-44 Riverside Speedway in Oklahoma City, OK. The champion does not have to be competing full-time on either national tour, opening the Challenge Series up to a wider array of drivers who could potentially compete in all 11 races and top the standings.

“Giving back to the racers that support both tours is the basis for this new miniseries,” said Xtreme Outlaw Series Director Tyler Bachman. “We want to encourage more drivers to compete with both tours at the national level, and the Challenge Series is a great opportunity for our full-timers and for those that aren’t committed to either side to take part in some great events and be rewarded.”

The national Midget racing scene in 2023 has set a new standard for cooperation amongst sanctioning bodies, with Xtreme, POWRi and USAC coming together to operate conjunctively on events and/or strategically schedule races without overlap. This synergy has had positive effects thus far and is expected to push the sport to new heights.

“It’s very important, especially since we share a lot of the drivers,” said POWRi National Midget League Director Kenny Brown. “If you look at the [schedules], they almost look like a mirror of each other. By staying off each other, we maximize car counts.”

Tickets for select events are available HERE.

If you can’t be at the track to watch live, stream every lap right to your devices with a FAST PASS subscription to DIRTVision.

2023 Xtreme Outlaw-POWRi Challenge Series Schedule

Friday, April 14 | Federated AP Raceway at I-55 | Pevely, MO | $4,000-to-win

Saturday, April 15 | Federated AP Raceway at I-55 | Pevely, MO | $5,000-to-win

Friday, July 21 | Doe Run Raceway | Doe Run, MO | $4,000-to-win

Saturday, July 22 | Southern Illinois Raceway | Marion, IL | $4,000-to-win

Friday, August 4 | Federated AP Raceway at I-55 | Pevely, MO | $4,000-to-win

Sat, August 5 | Federated AP Raceway at I-55 | Pevely, MO | $5,000-to-win

Friday, August 25 | Davenport Speedway | Davenport, IA | $4,000-to-win

Saturday, August 26 | Davenport Speedway | Davenport, IA | $4,000-to-win

Thursday, October 12 | Port City Raceway | Tulsa, OK | $5,000-to-win

Friday, October 13 | I-44 Riverside Speedway | Oklahoma City, OK | $4,000-to-win

Saturday, October 14 | I-44 Riverside Speedway | Oklahoma City, OK | $5,000-to-win

POMONA, Calif. (March 29, 2023) – Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet dragster team will be hoping the streak of success at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip continues for the 2019 Rookie of the Year this weekend at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals. At In-N-Out Dragstrip Prock has posted an 11-4 individual record while taking his Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster to the final round in three of five career appearances culminating in a victory last November at the season-ending NHRA Finals. “Heading to Pomona always excited me. I got my first-round win there and have had success in the past, along with being the most recent winner at the track. The place is just good to me. I feel like if the track is in a good place, there should be some really quick runs and those types of conditions really suits our setup.” Prock is seeking his third straight trip to the final round at the Winternationals after earning runner-up honors in 2020 and 2022 (he didn’t compete in the 2021 event). Prock is currently sitting No. 8 in the points after two quarterfinal exits in Gainesville, Florida, and at last weekend’s Arizona Nationals, The Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals starts with qualifying on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. and continues Sunday with eliminations slated to begin at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event begins with qualifying shows Saturday at 7 p.m. ET and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will begin on FS1 Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

The Chatham, IL driver currently sits second in the World of Outlaws Late Models Points Standings

SEYMOUR, TN – March 30, 2023– Consistency is vital to success with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models. 

For Brian Shirley, it’s a key reason he finds himself in championship contention. 

With three top 10s in four races, the Chatham, IL driver is second in points—16 points behind Chris Madden as the Series enters its next weekend of action at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, TN, on Thursday, April 20, and Talladega Short Track on Friday-Saturday April 21-22. 

That early season consistency is vital to his progression for the rest of the season, he said. 

“Anytime you get off to a good start, it’s a little easier to be in contention instead of digging yourself out of a hole,” Shirley said. “The fact that we’re not in a big hole leaving Florida, it was definitely a success, and hopefully, it’ll help us carry on to have a good finish on the tour this year.” 

Despite not reaching Victory Lane during World of Outlaws competition, Shirley kept his momentum from Florida rolling in March. 

He won Clarksville Speedway’s Tuckasee Toilet Bowl Classic, holding off defending Series champion Dennis Erb Jr. for the checkered flag.  

It’s a win, Shirley said, eases the pressure of getting to Victory Lane. 

“Anytime you get a win early in the year, it helps to ease the pressure of winning,” Shirley said. “Obviously, that’s what we do it for, is to win. So, when you get that win out of the way, it definitely helps to hopefully work on getting more.” 

One thing that will be different for Shirley compared to Florida is he’ll be driving a Rocket Chassis after racing a Bloomquist Chassis at Volusia.  

While it was challenging to be in a car he wasn’t used to, it gave him a new perspective, he said. 

“It definitely is challenging for the fact that when you do switch cars, obviously they’re different styles, and different adjustments, so it makes it tougher getting in and out of them and making sure you’re thinking about the right adjustments, “Shirley said. 

“Moving forward, we plan on being in our Rocket Car. In Speedweeks, it was nice to have kind of like a difference of opinion of what goes on at the racetrack. And a different car to help look at things a little different and maybe make better adjustments on the race cars we run every night.” 

Shirley hopes his Rocket Chassis helps continue his consistency for the rest of the season, as it’ll be a critical factor in keeping pace with the World of Outlaws drivers as the road to the World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte continues. 

The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models return to action at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, TN, on Thursday, April 20, before heading south to Talladega Short Track on Friday and Saturday, April 21-22, for Alabama Gang 100 weekend – featuring a $50,000-to-win finale. 

If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App.

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE

RICHMOND STARTS SHORT-TRACK RUN The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) is gearing up for three consecutive weekends of short-track competition, kicking-off with the .75-mile D-shaped oval of Richmond Raceway. Commonly known as “America’s Premiere Short Track”, the Virginia venue has been a staple stop on the series’ schedule with this weekend’s Toyota Owners 400 marking the 133rd appearance by NASCAR’s premier series at the track.

Through NASCAR’s history at Richmond, 17 different drivers have powered Chevrolet to a series-leading 39 NCS victories. The Bowtie brand’s most recent trip to victory lane at the track came from Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman in April 2021 – the first of a career-high four wins for the Chevrolet driver that season. Chevrolet also holds the record for the longest streak of consecutive NCS wins at Richmond by a single manufacturer with six in a row, dating from May 2006 to September 2008. Four different drivers contributed to that run: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (May 2006), Kevin Harvick (Sept. 2006), Clint Bowyer (May 2008) and Jimmie Johnson (May 2007, Sept. 2007 and Sept. 2008).

Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1Richmond Raceway – April 18, 2021

ROWDY REIGNS AT RICHMONDKyle Busch is no stranger to success at Richmond Raceway, giving the Team Chevy lineup yet another powerhouse driver at the Virginia venue. The 37-year-old Nevada native is the series’ winningest active driver at the track with six trips to victory lane in 34 career starts. The two-time series’ champion also will return to Richmond with top-10 finishes in his past 10 starts at the track – a stretch that also includes a sweep of the wins in the 2018 events. Busch also leads the series’ active drivers in runner-up (seven) and top-five finishes (18), and has the best average finish at the track with 6.875.

BOWMAN, BUSCH LEAD IN SEASON FINISHESWith six points-paying NASCAR Cup Series complete, only two drivers have maintained a single-digit average finish – both coming from the Chevrolet camp.  Chevrolet’s most recent NCS Richmond Raceway winner – Alex Bowman – leads the series with an average finish of 7.0. Bowman has only finished outside of the top-10 on one occasion this season, while also leading the series with three top-five finishes. The driver of the No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1 is coming off a third-place finish at Circuit of The Americas to tie his season-best result. Joining Bowman on that list is fellow Chevrolet driver Kyle Busch. The winningest active NCS driver at Richmond will head into the weekend with an average finish of 9.0. Busch has notched four top-10 finishes thus far, including a win and a playoff berth that came just two races into the season.

ALLMENDINGER CONTINUES AS ROAD COURSE KING A notable favorite heading into the Circuit of The Americas race weekend, AJ Allmendinger made his return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) to defend his race winning title at the circuit and the Chevrolet driver accomplished just that. Taking the green from the pole position, Allmendinger led the race’s first 14 laps in en route to the Stage One win. Losing track position during a round of mid-race green flag pit stops, Allmendinger was able to power the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Camaro SS from 25th to lead the final 14 laps to the victory. The win marked Allmendinger’s 11th NXS road course victory, extending his record as the only driver in series’ history to have double-digit road course wins on his résumé.  Despite suffering mechanical failures that resulted in a DNF, Austin Hill was able to maintain the series’ points lead with a 15-point advantage over second. Justin Allgaier – who collected his series-leading fourth top-five finish of the season – is fourth in the standings, with series’ rookie Chandler Smith holding onto fifth to give Team Chevy three of the top-five in the series’ standings. Following the Camaro SS’s fourth win of the season, Chevrolet also continues to hold strong to the top spot of the NXS manufacturer points standing.

NXS JOINS NCS FOR RICHMOND DOUBLEHEADERThe NASCAR Xfinity Series will make its 77th appearance at Richmond Raceway with Saturday’s ToyotaCare 250. Chevrolet has collected 28 NXS victories at the .75-mile Virginia venue with JR Motorsports delivering the manufacturer wins in three of the series’ past four races at the track (Justin Allgaier – 2020 sweep; Noah Gragson – Sept. 2021). Chevrolet had a streak of strong showings in the early 2000s with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s victory in September 2002 marking the start of 10 trips to victory lane in an 11-race stretch.

NCTS HEADS BACK TO THE LONE STAR STATEThe NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ (NCTS) winningest driver Kyle Busch led the Bowtie brand to the finish at Circuit of The Americas, picking up a runner-up finish in his second NCTS start of the season. While the manufacturer was one spot shy of the triumph, the Silverado RST showed its speed throughout the series’ first road course event. Christian Eckes and Busch each drove the Bowtie brand to a stage win with Chevrolet drivers going on to record a combined 25 laps led in the 42-lap race. Chevrolet closed out the weekend maintaining the lead in the series’ manufacturer points standings for the second consecutive week.

Sheldon Creed, No. 2 GMS Racing Silverado Texas Motor Speedway – October 25, 2020

The NCTS will make the trek back to the “Lone Star State” to join the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for a unique doubleheader race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. The Bowtie brand heads to the 1.5-mile Texas oval with 18 NCTS wins at the track. The manufacturer’s most recent Texas triumph came from Sheldon Creed in October 2020 – a victory that took Creed to the Championship Four race that ultimately crowned the Chevrolet driver as the series’ champion.

BOWTIE BULLETS:·       Active Chevrolet Drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Richmond Raceway: Kyle Busch – 6 (2018 sweep, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009)Alex Bowman – 1 (2021)Kyle Larson – 1 (2017)  ·       In 132 NASCAR Cup Series races at Richmond Raceway, Chevrolet has amassed a series-leading 39 victories and 47 pole wins.  ·       Chevrolet recorded six consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victories at Richmond Raceway from 2006 to 2008 – a record for the longest streak of consecutive wins by a single manufacturer at the .75-mile Virginia oval.   ·       Hendrick Motorsports leads all active NASCAR Cup Series teams with 55 short-track wins, recorded by 14 different drivers. Eleven of those victories came at Richmond Raceway.  ·       Chevrolet’s series-leading four NASCAR Cup Series wins this season have been recorded by drivers from three different Chevrolet teams: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (JTG Daugherty Racing), Kyle Busch (Richard Childress Racing) and William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports).  ·       Chevrolet drivers have recorded eight of the 12 NASCAR Cup Series stage wins this season: William Byron (four; series-leading), Ross Chastain (three) and Kyle Larson (one).  ·       Only two drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have a single-digit average finish this season – both coming from the Chevrolet lineup: Alex Bowman (7.0) and Kyle Busch (9.0).   ·       With six points-paying NASCAR Cup Series races in the books, Chevrolet continues to lead the series in wins (four), top-fives (16), top-10s (29), stage wins (eight) and laps led (753). ·       Chevrolet sits atop the manufacturer points standings in all three NASCAR national series, leading by 22 points in the NASCAR Cup Series, 15 points in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and two points in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.  ·       With its 41 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer’s Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver’s Championships, and 837 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title of winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.  Tune In: ·       NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond RacewayToyota Owners 400; 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 2(FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90) ·       NASCAR Xfinity Series at Richmond Raceway ToyotaCare 250; 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 1(FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90) ·       NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Texas Motor Speedway SpeedyCash.com 250; 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 1(FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

QUOTABLE QUOTES:ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 JOCKEY CAMARO ZL1 What do you expect this weekend at Richmond?“We are running a little bit different package this weekend compared to Richmond last year. It’ll be our second short track this season so I’ll be curious to see how everything shakes out. I’ve been working in the simulator and my guys have been working hard on the set up. We’ll have a short time for practice and hopefully we qualify well which is huge. I qualified second there last fall which is big because it doesn’t take cars long to go a lap down there under green flag.” AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BREZTRI AEROSPHERE CAMARO ZL1What are your thoughts on Richmond Raceway?“Richmond Raceway is a challenge. I loved the track for about half of my life NASCAR life, and for the other half it was such a brutal place to come race for us. My Richard Childress Racing team really flipped the script the last couple of years, and we’ve been consistent in the top 10 and running well. I’m looking forward to getting back to Richmond with the new lower downforce package. Tire wear is very fast so managing tires for 400 laps is key and I’ve always enjoyed the long runs. Richmond is a rhythm track, and after our Top-5 run at the L.A. Coliseum, I’m excited to see what the No. 3 BREZTRI AEROSPHERE™ (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) Chevrolet will do.” KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 Larson on what he learned from running the Gen-6 car and the Next Gen car at Richmond Raceway: “They both drove similarly at Richmond (Raceway). The entry to (turn) three was a little bit looser in the Next Gen car as the run progressed. Richmond was already a hard track to pass on and is probably (now) one of the most difficult tracks to pass on in the Next Gen car. The spring race at Richmond Raceway is really slick and slow. Richmond in general is very finesse.” KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 3CHI CAMARO ZL1You have had a lot of success at Richmond. What is it about that track that fits so well with your driving style?“I have had a lot of success at Richmond and I enjoy going there. It’s a fun place. I struggled and was terrible there when I started in the Truck Series back in 2001 but then the track got repaved. I was able to go back there in the Xfinity Series and sat on the pole and got my first Busch Series win at Richmond, Now that the track has really aged and the surface is getting older, it has really turned that track into a tough short track, really much harder than it once used to be. Used to be able to get down to the bottom and kind of rip the center of the corner and drive off the corner really hard. Now it’s all about managing your tires and taking care of your car.Long runs always happen there. The second and third stages go 100 laps plus and that’s about how far you can go on fuel so to try and stretch your tires 100 laps definitely makes it tough on the driver and the car.” The Richmond race will be held in the afternoon and the track surface is older. Do you think that will make for better racing? “I don’t know if it will make any difference for better racing. I just think that it makes for different racing. Being there in the nighttime, I think it ventures more to the bottom, around the bottom. The shortest way around is the fastest way around. When you’re able to have it a little bit slicker with a little bit more track temp during the day, a little bit more rubber that goes down, it allows guys to kind of move around somewhat but when your car’s good and you’re good around the bottom the shortest way around is the fastest way around, so I don’t see there being much difference.”   JOSH BERRY, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 Berry on racing at Richmond: “Richmond Raceway has always been one of my favorites to race at. I feel like its nature fits my style, and I was able to get my first top-10 finish in the (NASCAR) Xfinity Series there. Since then, I’ve continued to perform well at Richmond and I’m hoping that will cross over into Sunday.” AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 16 ACTION INDUSTRIES CAMARO ZL1 “Richmond is a challenging short track. It’s very slick and hard on tires. We are working hard to make our short track program better and this will be a good test to see what we have.” WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 RAPTORTOUGH.COM CAMARO ZL1 Byron on his fast start in 2023 lending itself to the upcoming short-track races: “With the variety of tracks we’ve raced at so far this year, it really shows the strength of this team overall. Our short-track program was strong last year. Those tracks are a real strength of mine in general, which makes me really excited for this weekend. We should have a really good shot at being one of the cars to beat again this weekend and that’s how we want it to be. We want to keep that momentum up and keeping playing offense.” JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL1“Richmond is a challenging racetrack. There’s a lot of racing grooves on the track, which makes it fun. It was one of my best tracks in the Xfinity Series, but we have struggled a bit in the Cup Series with our short track program. Hopefully we can take some of the stuff we learned at Phoenix and apply it here.” NOAH GRAGSON, NO. 42 SUNSEEKER RESORT CAMARO ZL1“I’m looking forward to Richmond this weekend. The No. 42 team has been rallying back the last two weeks with strategy and speed. The pit crew has been awesome. My first race win at Richmond in Xfinity was really special and I was able to drive the NextGen car last fall in a Cup car. We are making some progress as a team and each week things are coming together more and more.” ERIK JONES, NO. 43 U.S. AIR FORCE CAMARO ZL1This weekend, you will have the added support from the U.S. Air Force on your No. 43 Chevrolet. What does it mean to you to drive this special Thunderbirds paint scheme?“It’s pretty cool to have the U.S. Air Force on the No. 43 – its year three for me as a driver to represent them. Having the Air Force Thunderbirds paint scheme this weekend – it’s just a really good looking car – it’s probably my favorite Air Force paint scheme over the last few years. I’m happy to have them onboard and I hope to have a good run for them. We’ve come close a few times to getting them a win in some speedway races, so hopefully we can get it done this at Richmond this weekend.” RICKY STENHOUSE JR., NO. 47 KROGER / KRAFT MAC & CHEESE CAMARO ZL1“We have received a lot more information this off season from Chevrolet and with our alliance with Hendrick. We have learned about more tools to work with on our race cars that we didn’t know we had. Last year, the first Richmond race we struggled. The second race we had some good speed. We found some things that made our car better for that second race. After the work we did in the off season, we feel like we are going to be better than what they were last year.” Richmond is a fun track because you can run the bottom, middle, top and you’ve got downshifting. With the asphalt being worn, the tires wear out. Short tracks are short tracks, but they are also unique. You need the same thing at about every short track. You need the car to rotate the center and the front tires to work well. We improved the second Richmond race last season. Now, I feel like I have more confidence going into this weekend at Richmond for sure.” ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1Bowman on his consistency to start 2023: “Being able to start the year so strong is a testament to the hard work by everyone on the No. 48 team. Becoming more consistent is something I have wanted to get to for a while now. To have this season start this way has given me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season. The team at the shop are building really fast No. 48 Ally Chevrolets and Blake (Harris, crew chief) has put a lot of energy back into this group. It’s a really exciting time for us. I am just trying to take it one race at a time and do everything I can to continue our string of good races.” DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 QUAKER STATE CAMARO ZL1 How do you stay positive in times of frustration?“I try to remind myself why I’m here. I’m here because I love racing. I’m here because I love to compete and I like to win. Everything else comes as a consequence. I feel grateful to be here. When you’re in a rhythm, like I was talking about not long ago, it’s easy to take it for granted what we do every single weekend. We are very lucky individuals that we get to do every single weekend what we love to do – drive racecars and compete. Every single driver here is very, very competitive. It’s something we just love. Just because of that we are very fortunate to be in this position. I try to remind myself all these things – to know that I’m in a very good position and go out there and have fun… prepare myself as good as possible mentally and physically and go out there and compete at the highest level that I could possibly do.”——————————————————————————————————————————— CHASE PURDY, NO. 4 BAMA BUGGIES SILVERADO RSTWith the speed you’ve shown at the mile-and-a-half tracks are you looking forward to Texas this weekend?“We’ve had really good speed at the first two races this year on mile-and-a-half tracks. KBM has done a really good job of bringing really dominant trucks to those places, not just this year, but years prior. I think this will be an opportunity for me to correct the mistakes I’ve made in the first two mile-and-a-half races and really put it all together and show that our Bama Buggies team can go out and starting contending for wins.” How does racing at Texas compare to the other mile-and-a-half tracks on the Truck Series schedule?“It’s less wide open. Turns Three and Four if your stuff is good you are going to want to be wide open, but Turns One and Two you are going to have to lift and with no substance down in the other lanes I feel like it is going to be one-lane dominant. Traditionally at mile-and-a-half tracks you can move around, but this one not so much. I think that is something to be aware of. With no live pit stops, track position is going to be more important so that will make qualifying even more important than it usually is.” Will the earlier start time affect the handling of the trucks?“It’s not going to be as hot as it would be if we were racing there in June, so I’m not sure that starting earlier will affect it that much. Normally when it is hot it makes it slicker. I think it will still be slick because nobody has been racing on it and we are going to be the first ones on track. I think that causes people to wreck when they try to get off the bottom and run up a little bit into the old substance that is there from before, but we won’t know until we get there.” JACK WOOD, NO. 51 SEVWINS SILVERADO RSTYou’ve been traveling with the team to the races where you aren’t behind the wheel. What have you been able to learn by doing that?“It’s been really good for me to go to the track and watch these races from a different angle that I normally don’t get to see. Being able to sit on the pit box with Brian (Pattie, crew chief) and understanding the communication that goes on between him and the engineer, as well as with him and the spotter and what the pit crew does during the race and all the kind of stuff you might not even think about. It’s been a good perspective for me to see. Starting to understand more of the behind the scenes of what happens on a race weekend. When you go as a driver, you are really just focused on driving the truck, but these couple races I’ve been able to learn quite a bit as far as team communication goes.” Does the strong run you had at Atlanta give you confidence heading into this week’s race at Texas?“Coming off a strong run at Atlanta, I’m definitely looking forward to Texas. I’ve just been really pleased with the speed that the KBM trucks have had this year, so as a driver that gives you a lot of confidence and makes you really excited for each race. I know that we are going to show up with a fast Sevwins Silverado. Texas is going to be a good one for me, it’s going to be different than anything I’ve raced on so far this year in the KBM equipment, but KBM has been really strong at Texas in past years. It’ll be interesting with us being there without Xfinity and Cup — the track preparation that SMI will be doing I feel like will be a little bit different than what we are used to. I think it’ll be a good day for us, we just need to keep the nose clean and maintain track position. The way that the pit stops are set up, you’re not going to be able to gain spots on pit road like we have been able to at the last couple of races, so that is going to throw a little curveball in there. It’s also going to be a lit bit longer of a race than what we are used to in the Truck Series as well, so I think you just need to keep your head in the game, maintain your track position and try to give the best feedback that you possibly can to your crew chief throughout the race so that you have what you need when it gets down to the end of the race.” GRANT ENFINGER, NO. 23 CHAMPION POWER EQUIPMENT SILVERADO RSTTexas Motor Speedway has been a good track for you in the past, what are some of the key factors to take into consideration to stay up front this weekend?“I am ready to get back to Texas Motor Speedway. Last year at Texas we did not have enough to contend with, but I feel like our trucks are better this year. Texas is pretty unique, with it being so flat into turn one and two, but has so much banking in turns three and four. We need to stay ahead of the track and unload close, because it’s pretty difficult to pass there. I think our No. 23 Champion Power Equipment team has a lot of things going our way, and I feel if we do our job as a team we can contend for a win on Saturday.” RAJAH CARUTH, NO. 24 WENDELL SCOTT FOUNDATION SILVERADO RSTCaruth’s thoughts on competing at Texas Motor Speedway for the first time:“I’m excited to hit up another new venue this weekend in Texas Motor Speedway. I enjoy the high-speed facilities, and know our No. 24 Wendell Scott Foundation Chevy Silverado will have the speed to contend all race long! We are hoping to continue the start of the momentum that we’ve gained from last race in Austin. I think we can have ourselves a fun weekend with GMS Racing.” DANIEL DYE, NO. 43 KIX COUNTRY / RACE TO STOP SUICIDE SILVERADO RSTDaniel’s thoughts on competing at Texas Motor Speedway:“I’m looking forward to going to Texas with our No. 43 team this weekend. It’s another intermediate track on our schedule but quite a bit different than what we had in Las Vegas and Atlanta. It will be a new challenge for us, but I’m going to learn all day throughout practice, qualifying, and through the first stage of the race. I haven’t been to that track since I raced quarter midgets out in the parking lot a few years ago, so I think it will be a fun experience to come full-circle by racing at the big track.” CHRISTIAN ECKES, NO. 19 NAPA AUTO CARE SILVERADO RSTEckes on his impressive history at Texas:“Texas is easily one of my favorite racetracks for sure, especially after second-place finishes in the last two spring races. There’s some unfinished business there that I’d like to take care of this weekend with our NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet. This is a great opportunity for our team to bounce back after COTA and respond the right way. Everybody at MHR has put together fast trucks each week and we’ve been in contention to win all four races this year, so I’m looking forward to this weekend and put ourselves in position for another one.” JAKE GARCIA, NO. 35 ADAPTIVE ONE CALIPERS SILVERADO RSTGarcia on returning to a 1.5-mile track:“I’m looking forward to getting back to an intermediate this week at Texas. Even though I’ve never raced there before and haven’t done much intermediate racing, I’m getting more comfortable after Las Vegas and Atlanta. We had a great result at Vegas and I felt like we had a really strong truck at Atlanta, so hopefully we can continue that with our Adaptive One Chevrolet on Saturday. Last week was definitely a learning experience road course racing, so it’ll be good to get back at a mile-and-a-half and get more experience.”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics Manufacturers Championships:Total (1949-2022): 41First title for Chevrolet: 1958Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15) Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022 Drivers Championships:Total (1949-2021): 33First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021) Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021 Event Victories:Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)                2023 STATISTICS:                                                                                                    Wins: 4Poles: 3Laps Led: 753Top-five finishes: 16Top-10 finishes: 29Stage wins: 8·       Ross Chastain – 3 (Daytona), (Auto Club x2)·       William Byron – 4 (Las Vegas x2), (Phoenix), (COTA)·       Kyle Larson – 1 (Phoenix)   CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 837 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 737Laps led to date: 246,297Top-five finishes to date: 4,237Top-10 finishes to date: 8,741                                                                                                          Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:                    General Motors: 1,171           Chevrolet: 837           Pontiac: 154           Oldsmobile: 115           Buick: 65            Ford: 821                                                                      Ford: 721           Mercury: 96           Lincoln: 4            Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467           Dodge: 217           Plymouth: 191           Chrysler: 59            Toyota: 171

CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES PPG 375 AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY FT. WORTH, TEXAS TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE MARCH 29, 2023 TEAM CHEVY LOOKS TO SHOWCASE STRENGTH DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS FOR ROUND 2 IN 2023 Heading to the Lone Star state for the second event of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR Series season, Chevrolet looks to continue their strong streak of performance at Texas Motor Speedway in this weekend’s PPG 375. As the defending winner with a strong 1-2 finish by Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin, respectively, Chevrolet also looks to add to their seven victories on the 1.5-mile oval since 2012. With 250 laps separating the green flag from winning glory, Newgarden said of Texas, “It’s a very demanding, difficult track on the teams and the drivers. I love the challenge of going there. Last year was a fantastic ending for the No. 2 car and was really a great event for Team Penske as a whole. Team Chevy has really done a tremendous job for us both at this event last year, but I think to start the 2023 season.” Reflecting on his 2022 finish while looking ahead to this weekend, Newgarden’s Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin noted he’s looking forward to getting back to Texas for the PPG 375. “Obviously, pretty awesome for our team last year of first, second, and fourth. Unfortunately, I just lost it on the line there against Josef (Newgarden), but if you want to lose to anyone, your teammate is the guy to lose to. Hopefully, we’ll go one better this year. Maybe protect that highline, and if we’ve got the same fast Chevys as we normally have, and the fuel mileage, we’ll be perfect. Really looking forward to seeing what we’ve got.” Unloading at the track known as No Limits, Texas, Sunday’s event becomes the 183rd race for the Bowtie brand in the 2.2L V6 Twin Turbo Direct Injection era, capturing seven driver championships, seven manufacturer championships, 106 total victories, 120 total earned pole awards, and 285 podiums. Ed Carpenter, who steps into his double-duty role this weekend of both driver and team owner for the first time this season, exudes excitement getting back behind the wheel of his No. 33 Chevrolet looking to add to his 2014 win on the oval. “Texas is a track where I have had some decent runs in the past and we, as a team, are strong on superspeedways,” said Carpenter. “We understand our issue from last year that kept us from a good result and it will be resolved for this year, which is nice. I am excited to get back to it and back up to the high speeds of Texas.” The closest event to his home country of Mexico, and also one he’s seen strength and victory at, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward talks of the exciting support he will have this weekend. “I’m going to have over 200 guests in the suites and over 500 guests in the grandstands cheering on papaya,” said O’Ward. “We love racing at Texas! I got my first NTT INDYCAR SERIES win there, so I have great memories every time I go back.” A true test of performance by driver, team, and power, Rob Buckner, IndyCar Program Manager at General Motors noted, “Texas Motor Speedway has set the stage for some exciting INDYCAR races since the Chevrolet V6 program began in 2012, and we expect a similar scenario this weekend. The track surface is worn which drivers tend to enjoy as it puts the race in their hands but poses a challenge to our Chevrolet and team engineers to arrive at the correct balance to handle the high banks and the speed. Chevrolet has had great success at Texas with our 2.2 liter V6, and we are well prepared for this weekend. With Texas being the only oval race before the Indianapolis 500, we have an opportunity to sharpen those skills specific to an oval, and hopefully bring home another big Texas win.” Chevrolet will also once again lead the PPG 375 field to the green at Texas Motor Speedway, pacing the field pre-race in the white 2022 Chevrolet Corvette C8. The PPG 375 kicks off with Practice 1 on Saturday, April 1, at 9 a.m. ET. Qualifications then start at 12:15 p.m. ET Saturday, with Practice 2 at 1:45 p.m. ET. Final Practice will then wrap up Saturday for the field at 2:30 p.m. ET. All practice and qualifying will be live on Peacock, INDYCAR Radio and SiriusXM Channel 160. The 250-lap race Sunday, April 2 will take the green flag at 12 p.m. ET live on NBC. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (QUOTES)Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Chevrolet at Team Penske:“Always excited to get back to Texas. It’s a very demanding, difficult track on the teams and the drivers. I love the challenge of going there. Last year was a fantastic ending for the No. 2 car and was really a great event for Team Penske as a whole. Team Chevy has really done a tremendous job for us both at this event last year, but I think to start the 2023 season. I’m excited to put all of the hard work from the offseason to use at the race this year and can’t wait to see all of the fans back in Texas.” Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Chevrolet at Team Penske:“Looking forward to getting back to Texas for the PPG 375. Obviously, a pretty awesome for our team last year of first, second, and fourth. Unfortunately, I just lost it on the line there against Josef (Newgarden), but if you want to lose to anyone, your teammate is the guy to lose to. Hopefully, we’ll go one better this year. Maybe protect that highline, and if we’ve got the same fast Chevys as we normally have, and the fuel mileage, we’ll be perfect. Really looking forward to seeing what we’ve got.” Conor Daly, No. 20 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:“I can’t wait to head to Texas Motor Speedway and get back to work! Texas is a track where I have had some decent runs in the past and we, as a team, are strong on superspeedways. We understand our issue from last year that kept us from a good result and it will be resolved for this year, which is nice. I am excited to get back to it and back up to the high speeds of Texas. Hopefully, all three of our BITNILE.COM cars will bring home a great result!” Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:“Cowboy hat and boots are ready! I am very excited for Texas and I think it’s going to be a really good weekend for us. We showed really good speed last year and thought we had tamed Texas, but things did not really go our way at the end. We looked at everything, learned from it as a team and now I feel we are more prepared than ever. It’s going to be tough and it’s going to be hard, but it’s also going to be exciting. I am confident we are going to contend for a top-five!” Ed Carpenter, No. 33 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:“I am extremely motivated to get back to Texas Motor Speedway and get my season started! Texas has always been a track that I have enjoyed racing at. While the past few years haven’t gone to plan, as a team we feel like we have a good strategy this year to get our three cars back to the front and in contention for the win. It is the only oval before we get to the Indianapolis 500, so it will be a big boost to leave there with confidence in our oval off-season development!” Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren INDYCAR:“Texas is the closest I have to a home grand prix. I’m going to have over 200 guests in the suites and over 500 guests in the grandstands cheering on papaya. We love racing at Texas! I got my first NTT INDYCAR SERIES win there, so I have great memories every time I go back. We’re ready to keep building on the momentum we started with in St. Pete.” Felix Rosenqvist, No. 6 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren INDYCAR:”I’m really looking forward to Texas. It’s one of the tracks where I have a lot of great memories, personally and as a team. In general, it’s one of the ovals that I’m strongest at historically and the one I probably enjoy the most. We’ve had a good track record there, but obviously the competition is super tough. We have some new ideas to continue being strong, and even though our baseline is pretty good, we’re not taking anything for granted. It’s an awesome track, quick with a lot of adrenaline – it’ll be good to get the first oval of the year going.” Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren INDYCAR:”Texas always provides a unique challenge, and I’m really looking forward to hitting the track. Our team has been working incredibly hard to fine-tune the car, and we’re confident in our ability to perform well this weekend. The high-speed corners and intense competition make the Texas race a thrilling experience for both drivers and fans alike. We’ll be pushing hard to secure a great result and deliver an exciting race for everyone watching.” Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Chevrolet at AJ Foyt Racing:“Super excited to head into the Texas Motor Speedway race this coming weekend. Hopefully a lot to look forward for us as a team. Obviously, we didn’t start the season off super strong, so a little bit of redemption here. Will be nice to get back on the ovals. The last start at Texas was really good and I already have a top-five there, so it’ll be pretty cool to win that race. We’ll see what we can do.” Benjamin Pedersen, No. 55 Chevrolet at AJ Foyt Racing:“Really looking forward to this upcoming race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Had the rookie test last week which went very well. Very comfortable around there and looking forward to coming back to the race weekend. It’ll be exciting. It’ll be a great atmosphere, a tough race. Really looking forward to getting back on track.” Callum Ilott, No. 77 Chevrolet at Juncos Hollinger Racing:“Pretty excited to head to Texas this week. It was where I made my oval debut in INDYCAR, and definitely looking forward to it. I think this year we’ve definitely stepped it up a bit, and as it was my first time last year, I’m sure I’ve stepped it up a bit as well. It should be a good challenge. I think we definitely have some good speed with Chevy helping us a bit on the straight line as well with extra power. Looking forward to it, and that it will also be our first oval with two cars. That will be exciting to get to compare bit and hopefully learn a bit. It will be a compact weekend, and that never makes it easy but also on the challenging side, we can hopefully capitalize on it.” Agustin Canapino, No. 78 Chevrolet at Juncos Hollinger Racing:“I am very excited to have my first weekend in an oval with all that means. I have prepared myself as much as possible for this opportunity and we are looking forward to having a good weekend together with the whole team. Although obviously my main objective is finishing the race in any position regardless of the final result. Our big challenge is to see the checkered flag and be able to gather experience and continue on this learning way.” CHEVROLET AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAYWins at Texas (since 2012): 72013 – Helio Castroneves2014 – Ed Carpenter2015 – Scott Dixon2017 – Will Power2019 – Josef Newgarden2021 – Pato O’Ward2022 – Josef Newgarden Number of Team Chevy Pole Awards at Texas (since 2012): 6 (2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022) Chevrolet Driver with the Most Texas Pole Awards (since 2012): Will Power, 3 (2013, 2014, 2014) Number of Team Chevy Podiums at Texas (since 2012): 22 Number of laps led by Team Chevy at Texas (since 2012): 1,436 2023 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS183: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR. 106: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012. 120: Earned poles since 2012. 7: Manufacturer Championships since 2012. 7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012. 26: Wins by Will Power since 2012 – all with Chevrolet power – most of any driver with same manufacturer. 14: Consecutive seasons with at least one win by Will Power, including past 11 with Chevrolet power. 9: Wins from pole by Will Power with Chevrolet power since 2012, most by any driver. 44: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver.*Will Power’s career total of 68 poles makes him the all-time pole winner in INDYCAR.

POMONA, Calif. (March 29, 2023) – Funny Car points leader Robert Hight is back in familiar colors driving the Automobile Club of Southern California / Cornwell Tools / Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Camaro SS this weekend at the newly dubbed In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip for the NHRA Winternationals. Coming off a win, Hight hopes to keep the momentum going and repeat as the Winternationals champion. After starting the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season with a disappointing mechanical failure in the second round of the Gatornationals, Hight rallied at the final NHRA national event to be held at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Starting from the No. 9 qualifying position, he defeated teammate and 16-time champion John Force, No. 1 qualifier Bob Tasca III and reigning world champion Ron Capps en route to victory. “Last weekend was great, just what this Auto Club / Cornwell Tools / Flav-R-Pac team needed. Jimmy Prock, he really is the best. I have all the faith and confidence in him with Thomas Prock and Nathan Hildahl. This whole team really stuck with it. We were testing some new things out, Jimmy had to get it all fine-tuned. We almost scrapped it but, like I said, when you have Jimmy Prock as your crew chief, you just know you’re one run away from fixing this thing and being back to where we need to be,” Hight said. “I’m ready to get back in the seat, I don’t like having downtime so the fact that we get to keep our momentum rolling right into the next weekend here in Pomona, it’s great. We’ll be looking to Auto Club the win on Sunday.” Hight is bidding to become just the fifth pro driver to win as many as six times at the Winternationals (along with teammate John Force, Don Garlits, Greg Anderson and Bob Glidden). He’s been a finalist of the event seven times with wins in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2019 and 2022. Hight started the Winternationals from the No. 1 position in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2019 and, in addition to his five wins, was runner-up in 2007 and 2018. He is also the event record holder for Funny Car speed at 336.99 mph set on Feb. 11, 2018. The Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals starts with qualifying on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. and continues Sunday with eliminations slated to begin at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event begins with qualifying shows Saturday at 7 p.m. ET and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will begin on FS1 Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

MOORESVILLE, NC (March 29, 2023) — As Women’s History Month comes to an end on March 31, second year pro Camrie Caruso etched her name into the NHRA record books as just the second female to win a Pro Stock national event and just the 19th woman to win an NHRA professional national event last weekend. In just her 21st professional start Caruso raced to the winner’s circle at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park outside of Phoenix, three days ago. The No. 8 qualifier outran Deric Kramer, Cristian Cuadra, Matt Hartford and finally Bo Butner to secure the win behind the wheel of her Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro out of the KB Titan Racing stable.

Camrie Caruso in Arizona Nationals winner’s circle, photo credit SR Driven Media

“Getting my first win was a huge goal and to have it come during Women’s History Month is really cool,” said Caruso, who has won NHRA events at a variety of levels. “NHRA has a great history of successful women racers and crew chiefs so to add my name to that list by winning the Arizona Nationals is really special.”

This was Caruso’s second final round appearance. During her rookie season she raced to the finals at the SpringNationals in Houston as the No. 1 qualifier and lost a close race to eventual Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders in the first all-female Pro Stock final round. 

“The Pro Stock category has had a number of women racers over the past 50 years and to be one of only two women to have won a Wally is amazing,” said Caruso. “I hope other young racers in junior dragster or the sportsman classes see the success I have had or that Erica (Enders) has had and it motivates them to keep racing or to give racing a shot.”

“There have been so many successful women in NHRA that it doesn’t seem weird or out of place to stand in the winner’s circle. I have won in other categories racing men my whole life so Sunday winning my first professional Pro Stock race was more about my racing ability and my Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro’s performance than who I was racing against. It was a team effort all around and I am just proud we got a win in the second race of the season,” added Caruso.

This weekend Caruso will return to In-N-Out Pomona Drag Strip for the NHRA Lucas Oil Winternationals. It was a little over a year ago that Caruso qualified for her first NHRA national event at the historic track located 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. The successful first outing included qualifying in the top half of the field and gaining valuable experience that would carry her through her rookie campaign.

“I am excited that we will get this Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro back on the track this weekend at the Winternationals,” said Caruso. “The win in Phoenix was great but I think this team has a lot of confidence right now and we want to keep the momentum going. Being able to see the success of this KB Titan Racing team so early shows what we are all capable of heading into this season. I know we have a lot more races to go but doing well in Pomona will only keep us focused.”

Over the off-season Caruso joined the newly formed KB Titan Racing joining a four driver team composed of five-time Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson, 2021 NHRA Rookie of the Year Dallas Glenn and second generation Pro Stock standout Kyle Koretsky. The mix of veteran leadership, youthful enthusiasm and superior racing talent has Caruso feeling right at home and also eager to continue her development as a driver. 

“Getting to work with Greg, Dallas and Kyle has been so great,” said Caruso. “They are really supportive and I am so comfortable in my Powerbuilt Camaro thanks to all their input. Seeing my whole team in the winner’s circle in Phoenix was great. I have to thank my mom, dad and Papa for all their support too. I am looking forward to racing in the #2Fast2Tasty race on Saturday and then chasing that second Pro Stock win on Sunday.”

The race weekend will be busy for Caruso with the #2Fast2Tasty race on Saturday pitting the Arizona Nationals Pro Stock semifinalist in rematch races for cash and championship points. The reigning Rookie of the Year will also return to the NHRA Nitro Stage with host Jason Galvin for her “Just the Basics with Camrie Caruso” fam experience. Powerbuilt Tools will be on her Chevrolet Camaro again this weekend and Caruso will not just be promoting the outstanding tool brand but also promoting CAWA, a non-profit trade association, representing automotive parts manufacturers, jobbers, warehouse distributors, retailers and program groups. The Association was formed in 1955 and serves as the voice of the aftermarket parts industry in the West, i.e., Arizona, California and Nevada. CAWA prides itself on quality customer service to its members and the industry.

“Powerbuilt Tools is a great company to be associated with and our relationship is about more than selling tools,” said Caruso, who made multiple appearances for Powerbuilt Tools in the off-season. “Through their relationship with CAWA we are helping provide scholarships and career opportunities for people all over Arizona, Nevada and California. They are doing great things to encourage women to get involved in motorsports at all levels. There are so many opportunities beyond driving and working on race cars and CAWA is doing great things to promote this with the support of Powerbuilt Tools.”

Caruso and the rest of the Pro Stock field currently sitting at 19 entries for 16 spots will get their first qualifying run Friday afternoon. Two more sessions are scheduled for Saturday with the quickest 16 Pro Stock entries vying for the Winternationals title on Sunday. The race will be nationally televised on FS1 throughout the weekend.

POMONA, Calif. (March 29, 2023) – Currently sitting No. 8 in points, John Force and the BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car team are looking for a strong performance at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Raceway at Pomona, his home racetrack.  No one has more victories at In-N-Out Raceway than John Force. Overall, he has won 16 times, seven times in the Winternationals (1991, 1993, 1997, 2002, 2010, 2012, and 2014), eight times in the In-N-Out Finals, and once in a special event, the NHRA’s 50thAnniversary Nationals, contested in 2001. His record at the Winternationals also includes four runner-up finishes, the most recent in 2020 and he has started from the No. 1 qualifying position 10 times, most recently in 2014. The only event in which he has more No. 1 starts is the U.S. Nationals (12). “I love coming home to race at Pomona. All the history, the success, hopefully, it plays into our had this weekend because I could sure use it. This BlueDEF team, we’re running well, just need a little bit of luck and maybe a little bit of extra effort on my part, but Danny Hood, Tim Fabrisi, and Mac Savage helping out now, they’ve got this car figured out,” Force said. “We’ll keep doing what we’re doing, qualifying well, making good solid passes, and then we’ll see what happens on race day.” Force has started the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season with a quarterfinal exit at the NHRA Gatornationals after qualifying No. 2. Last weekend at the final event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, Force qualified eighth before falling in the first round to eventual race winner and teammate Robert Hight in the first round. The Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals starts with qualifying on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. and continues Sunday with eliminations slated to begin at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event begins with qualifying shows Saturday at 7 p.m. ET and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will begin on FS1 Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

PLAINVIEW, NY (March 29, 2023) — On the heels of his first win of the season team owner and Top Fuel racer Justin Ashley is heading into arguably one of the busiest weekends a defending event champion could face. Last year Ashley opened the 2022 season with a dominant win with brand-new sponsor Phillips Connect and the 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year would go on to win multiple races and contend for the championship. Heading into this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip Ashley is looking to defend his Winternationals title by starting a win streak following his Arizona Nationals win. He will also be participating in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge for the first time on Saturday and will be one of the first Toyota competitors in the Top Fuel versus Funny Car Supra Showdown. The busy weekend does not scare the nearly unflappable driver and team owner.

“This is the kind of weekend you dream about,” said Ashley, a six-time Top Fuel national event winner. “I was so thrilled to win the Arizona Nationals because it was a true team effort. The weekend was very successful both on and off the racetrack. We now have momentum going into Pomona and another opportunity to collect championship points through the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Every point counts for this Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel team powered by National Debt Relief.”

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

Last weekend Ashley bounced back from an early exit at the Gatornationals to turn on four win lights during the final national event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. As the No. 7 qualifier he outran eight-time Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher in the first round. In four prior meetings Ashley was unsuccessful in advancing past the winningest Top Fuel driver. In the second round Ashley defeated Mike Salinas, the Gatornationals winner, and in the semifinals Ashley had to get around four-time Top Fuel champion Steve Torrence, setting up a tough final round with 2013 Top Fuel champion Shawn Langdon. It was a gauntlet of tough competitors that Ashley knew was no fluke or coincidence.

“Our ladder was tough in Phoenix but there will be no easy paths to victory in Top Fuel this season,” said Ashley. “You have to bring your ‘A Game’ every round on Sunday to give yourselves an opportunity to advance. I am so proud of Mike Green, Tommy DeLago, Dustin Davis and this whole Phillips Connect team for fighting through to victory in Phoenix. But now we are focused on Pomona.”

By advancing to the semifinals in Phoenix Ashley will be competing this Saturday during qualifying in the second Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge which will be a rematch of races from the Arizona Nationals. Ashley will square off with Torrence during the second qualifier with the chance to win $10,000 and three critical championship points on the line if he is victorious over Torrence and then outruns either Langdon or Leah Pruett, the other Phoenix semifinalists, at the end of the day on Saturday.

“I am fired up for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge because it just gets you into race mode earlier in the weekend with a chance to collect points,” said Ashley, who finished fourth in the Top Fuel standings in 2021 and 2022. “Every point counts in the Countdown so if you can start collecting them now it could pay off huge benefits at the end of the season. These rematches will also be fun for the fans.”

Prior to the qualifying session on Saturday Ashley will be participating in the Supra Showdown versus Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria in two identical Toyota GR Supras.  Toyota will pit its Top Fuel drivers against its Funny Car drivers at select national events and keep a season-long tally on round wins to establish a team winner. The finale will take place in Charlotte in the fall, where Toyota will donate to the charities aligned with the winning team and drivers. For the 2023 season, Ashley is racing for the Wyakin Foundation and DeJoria is supporting Austin Pets Alive.

“I love everything about the Supra Showdown,” said Ashley. “It’s a great way to shed more light on the Supra within the NHRA community while racing for a great cause. I have been involved with the Wyakin Foundation since last season and truly appreciate all they do to support our veterans. It will be a lot of fun to race these 10-second Supras and put on a good show for the fans.”

Ashley has raced to back-to-back final rounds at the Winternationals and would like to keep that success streak going heading into this weekend. Last year he qualified No. 2 and defeated Jim Maroney, Antron Brown, Steve Torrence and Austin Prock to earn the win. In his three appearances at the Winternationals Ashley has advanced to at least the quarterfinals every race.

“I love racing at Pomona and I feel very comfortable at the track,” said Ashley. “This is home for Phillips Connect and Phillips Industries so there will be plenty of representatives at the race. Our team is looking forward to spending time with guests from Phillips Connect, KATO, National Debt Relief and all of our partners. It’s going to be an exciting weekend.”

The Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by National Debt Relief will take to the track on Friday for one qualifying session followed by two more rounds on Saturday. Cool conditions could provide a quick and fast race track for Ashley and the rest of the Top Fuel field. The quickest 16 race cars will go head-to-head on Sunday for the Winternationals title beginning at 11:00 a.m. The Winternationals will be broadcast nationally on FS1 throughout the weekend.

POMONA, Calif. (March 29, 2023) – Brittany Force and the Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy Chevrolet dragster team have taken every advantage of testing as they opened the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. At this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at the newly named In-N-Out Raceway at Pomona, they’ll look to capitalize on what they’ve developed. Although Force has not picked up a win at the NHRA Winternationals, the two-time and reigning series champion had the best outing of her career a year ago when she qualified her Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy dragster No. 1 for the third straight time at the event (2020, 2021 and 2022) before losing a semifinal showdown with teammate Austin Prock. Force’s only win at In-N-Out Raceway was one of the more memorable of her career as it came in her first championship season (2017) when she won the In-N-Out Finals. In her most recent visit to In-N-Out Raceway, Force set the NHRA Top Fuel national speed record last November at 338.94 mph. She also holds the speed record at the Winternationals when she ran 336.23 mph in 2020 before parking her car for the year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Force and the Flav-R-Pac team enter the weekend sitting No. 5 in the points standings after a quarterfinal exit in at the NHRA Arizona Nationals. “Heading to race number three on our circuit at my home track in Pomona. This Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team is coming out of Phoenix with a better understanding of our car after a post-event test session,” Force said. “Our goal is to improve on last weekend. We plan to qualify in the top three and advance on race day. We made some big changes to this car coming into the season, so we knew it was going to take a handful of races to get our stride back. I’m excited to be back in Pomona and hunting down the first win of our season surrounded by friends and family.” The Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals starts with qualifying on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. and continues Sunday with eliminations slated to begin at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event begins with qualifying shows Saturday at 7 p.m. ET and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will begin on FS1 Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

POMONA, Calif. (March 29, 2023) – Toyota, the official car of the NHRA, is pleased to unveil their new at track program, the Supra Showdown, this weekend at the Winternationals at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip. 

“After a stellar debut season with the Toyota GR Supra Funny Car on track, we look forward to showcasing the Toyota GR Supra in the Supra Showdown at select events this season,” said Paul Doleshal, group manager, motorsports, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). “We think this is a great way to engage the fans and highlight the Supra’s performance as the fans prepare for the exciting NHRA action on track.” 

The Supra Showdown will feature two identical Toyota GR Supras making passes down iconic dragstrips across the country as part of NHRA national events. Toyota will pit its Top Fuel drivers against its Funny Car drivers in each race and keep a season-long tally on round wins to establish a team winner. The finale will take place in Charlotte in the fall, where Toyota will donate to the charities aligned with the winning team and drivers. For the 2023 season, Team Top Fuel drivers will compete for Matco Tools for a Cause (AB Motorsports), Wyakin Foundation (Davis Motorsports), Feeding America (Kalitta Motorsports) and East Texas Treatment Center (Torrence Racing). The Team Toyota Funny Car drivers will compete for A Soldier’s Child Foundation (Ron Capps Motorsports), Feeding America (Kalitta Motorsports) and Austin Pets Alive (DC Motorsports). 

The Supra Showdown will provide fan engagement opportunities with the on-track racing action at races in Pomona, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Chicago, Bristol and Sonoma, before the finale at the fall Countdown race at zMax Dragway. When the Toyota GR Supras are not racing on track, they will be featured at the Toyota Racing Experience fan display in the NHRA midway.

Toyota is coming off another stellar season in NHRA action as Ron Capps delivered a Funny Car championship in his first season with the Toyota GR Supra, while all five Toyota’s Top Fuel drivers scored top-10 finishes in the season-long point standings – highlighted by Antron Brown’s runner-up finish. For the 2023 NHRA season, Toyota will continue to support Top Fuel’s Justin Ashley, Brown, Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon and Steve Torrence, along with Funny Car’s Capps, Alexis DeJoria and J.R. Todd as Toyota plans to secure its latest drag racing milestone – its 200^th NHRA victory – this year.

OCALA, FL (March 29, 2023) — Josh Hart started the season with three win lights on Saturday of the NHRA Amalie Oil Gatornationals pocketing $80,000 and the Pep Boys Top Fuel Allstar Callout title but since that specialty race victory Hart and the R+L Carriers team has been battling to get back to the winner’s circle. The team is hopeful this weekend’s Lucas Oil Winternationals at In-N Out Pomona Drag Strip will be the perfect antidote to a slower than usual start for the team from Ocala, Florida.

“I can’t wait to get to the Winternationals. Since we won the Pep Boys Allstar Callout we have been battling some gremlins in our new R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster,” said Hart, a two-time Top Fuel national event winner. “We are creating a lot of power very early and that hurt us in Phoenix. I know the guys are going to get it figured out and we will be ready for Pomona in a few days.”

Josh Hart and R+L Carriers Top Fuel team, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

With just two races completed this season Hart has captured the biggest prize in Top Fuel winning the Pep Boys Top Fuel Allstar Callout. On the opening Saturday of the season Hart outran Austin Prock, Brittany Force and Mike Salinas to win $80,000 and a one-of-a-kind Pep Boys Allstar Callout trophy in front of his hometown fans and family. It was the second significant win for Hart at Gainesville Raceway following his 2021 Top Fuel national event win in his first professional start.

“Gainesville Raceway is a special place for sure but you look at race tracks where everyone wants to win and Pomona is one of those places just like Indy,” said Hart. “The season historically has started at the Winternationals and so many great racers made the trip west to start their season. This is one of our longest trips from my home and I want to do well and make a move in the points. It is early but I got a taste of victory in Gainesville and all that does is make you hungry for more win lights.”

Hart has just one Winternationals race under his belt when last year he qualified the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster No. 9 and raced to the quarterfinals. The Top Fuel competition last year created some of the closest racing the category had seen in decades and 2023 looks to be shaping up as just as competitive if not stronger. Early upsets have strong teams littered up and down the points standings with Hart tied for eleventh place with veteran Clay Millican. Three rounds separate the Florida entrepreneur from the Top Five and just in front of Hart sits Tony Schumacher (8-time world champion), Antron Brown (3-time world champion), Austin Prock, Brittany Force (2-time world champion) and Shawn Langdon (2013 Top Fuel world champion).

“This class is full of amazing teams that have huge budgets and years of experience,” said Hart. “This is going to be our second full season so we still have a lot to learn but we are ready for the battle. I want to be out here racing the best of the best. I have great equipment and a strong team. I have never been more motivated to win races. I have a lot of faith in our abilities and I really appreciate all the support from our sponsors R+L Carriers and TechNet as well as my team back at Burnyzz Speed Shop.”

Hart will take to the track on Friday for one qualifying session followed by two more rounds on Saturday. Cool conditions could provide a quick and fast race track for Hart and the rest of the Top Fuel field. The quickest 16 race cars will go head to head on Sunday for the Winternationals title beginning at 11:00 a.m. The Winternationals will be broadcast nationally on FS1 throughout the weekend.

March 29, 2023

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Menards/Dutch Boy team are headed to the Commonwealth of Virginia, home of the Wood Brothers and the Burton family, hoping to for a strong home-team run in the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway.

The Wood Brothers have been competing at Richmond since 1959, when the late Glenn Wood made the team’s first start there, finishing second in the Richmond 200. Wood also won a Convertible Series race there in 1957.

“Any time the Wood Brothers team races in Virginia we’re excited about the weekend,” crew chief Brian Wilson said, adding that Richmond race, like many others in the early portion of the schedule, will see teams working to adapt to new rules for the 2023 season.

“There’s great opportunity as everyone is still learning about the new low-downforce short-track package.”
 
Wilson said a big part of racing in the Cup series is evolving with rule changes. 

“With a drastic reduction in spoiler size and removing several under-body aero pieces, we know this package will require changes to the car’s set-up,” he said. “We’ve tried to utilize what we learned at Phoenix with this package and apply that during our simulator time through Ford Performance this week.
 
“Everyone on the Menards/ Dutch Boy Ford is excited to get to Richmond for Saturday’s practice and Sunday’s race.”
 
Practice for Sunday’s 400-lapper on the three-quarter-mile oval is set for Saturday at 10:05 a.m., to be followed at 10:50 by qualifying.
 
Sunday’s race is set to get the green flag just after 3:30 p.m. with TV coverage on FOX Sports 1. Stage breaks are planned for Laps 70 and 230.
 

Bourdais, van der Zande add to depth of preparation for Le Mans in Hypercar class

DETROIT (March 29, 2023) — A second Cadillac V-Series.R will join the Hypercar lineup for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on April 29. The gold No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R, co-driven by Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande, will compete for the victory alongside the sister No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R in the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R, co-driven by Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook, is contesting the full WEC season. They combined to drive to a fourth-place finish in Cadillac Racing’s WEC Hypercar debut March 17 in the 1000 Miles of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway and next will challenge for the win April 16 in the 6 Hours of Portimão at Algarve International Circuit. “We’re excited for the opportunity to bring another Cadillac to the race at Spa in the FIA World Endurance Championship season,” said GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser. “Any opportunity that we have to prepare for Le Mans within the WEC rules and regulations is great. “This will get the team even more ready to tackle that race as well as an opportunity to bring more Cadillac participation to the European race.”

Media resources* French version of Cadillac Racing release Word | PDF* WEC Sebring race weekend photos* Cadillac Racing driver headshots and candid photos* IMSA Sebring race weekend photos

Van der Zande has competed twice at Spa in LMP2 (2012, 2021), while Bourdais co-drove an LMP1 entry in 2012 and an LMP2 car in 2022 at the 4.35-mile, 20-turn Le Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Endurance racing has been taking place at Spa-Francorchamps for nearly 100 years and the 6 Hours of Spa has been a part of every WEC season to date. “We are looking forward to the first WEC race where both of our Cadillac Hypercars will be participating,” said Mike O’Gara, director of operations for Chip Ganassi Racing which campaigns the Nos. 2 and 3 racecars in the IMSA Grand Touring Prototype and WEC Hypercar classes. “Cadillac and Chip Ganassi Racing believe that we are stronger when we race multiple cars on any given race weekend. The Spa event will serve as a much-needed dress rehearsal for the Le Mans 24-hour race.  “It will be a great opportunity for our ‘IMSA regulars’ to be immersed in the WEC rules and race procedures in anticipation of the big event in June.” The Nos. 2 and 3 Cadillac V-Series.R racecars will be joined by the No. 311 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R for the centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Action Express Racing-prepared car claimed the pole for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 17 and went on to post Cadillac’s 28th prototype victory since 2017 and its third in a row at Sebring International Raceway with Pipo Derani, Alexander Sims and Jack Aitken sharing the wheel.. “We can’t wait for the Whelen Engineering Cadillac to join us at Le Mans and bring the whole family back together again,” Klauser added. The No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R, running as the No. 01 in the IMSA GTP class, earned a podium finish in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona in January and started from the front row in the Twelve Hours of Sebring. The hybrid racecar led a field-high 120 laps and registered the fastest lap of the race (1 minute, 48.311 seconds; 124.308 mph) on the 3.741-mile, 17-turn course before retiring with a fuel distribution system issue.  Bourdais and van der Zande will aim to successfully defend their IMSA victory April 15 on the streets of Long Beach, California. The Cadillac V-Series.R features an all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V8 naturally aspirated engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan. The body, codeveloped by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis constructor Dallara, incorporates key Cadillac V-Series production car design elements.

Renger van der Zande* Birthdate: Feb. 16, 1986* Birthplace: Dodewaard, Netherlands* Residence: Amsterdam* Family: Wife Carlijn, daughter and son* At Spa: 2012 – Co-driver with Thomas Holzer and Mirco Schultis of No. 31 Lotus in LMP2; qualified the car fifth in class. DNF. … 2021 – Co-driver with Alex Brundle and Jakub Śmiechowski of No. 31 Inter Europol Competition Oreca 07 in LMP2; qualified 11th in class. Finished fifth in class and eighth overall.* 2023 results: Co-drove to third place in the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona after starting fourth; started second and classified eighth in class at the Twelve Hours of Sebring.* Notable: Co-drove to three victories in 2022. Win at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R upped his IMSA total to 18 wins, including eight with Cadillac Racing. … Two-time overall winner of Rolex 24 At Daytona in Cadillac DPi-V.R. … Won 2020 Petit Le Mans and Rolex 24. … 2016 IMSA GTLM champion. … Raced in Europe in Formula Renault, A1GP, GP2, German Touring Car, Porsche SuperCup, Intercontinental GT Challenge and WEC. … Marking 10th year of competing in sports car racing in the U.S. … Competed in two WEC races in 2022 in LMP2 class with Vector Sport.* Twitter: @RengervdzQuick Q&A: What fuels your competitive spirit? “To make the most out of and to optimize the whole package; the car, the team, the drivers, the strategy, and all the factors that get thrown at you during a race. It takes all everything to win a race and when you’ve done it better than others, that’s a good day.”In one sentence, how would you describe the art of driving? “Finding the limit of your car for the conditions that are available.”Sebastien Bourdais* Birthdate: Feb. 28, 1979* Birthplace: Le Mans, France* Residence: St. Petersburg, Florida* Family: Wife Claire, daughter and son* At Spa: 2012 – Co-driver with Nicolas Minassian of No. 9 Pescarolo Team LMP1 entry; qualified the car ninth. Finished 15th overall. 2022 – Co-driver with Ryan Cullen and Nico Müller of No. 10 Vector Sport LMP2 entry. Finished 16th overall.* 2023 results: Co-drove to third place in the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona after starting fourth; started on front row and classified eighth in class in Twelve Hours of Sebring.* Notable: Co-drove to the 2021 Twelve Hours of Sebring victory in a Cadillac DPi-V.R. … Earned pole for 2022 Twelve Hours of Sebring with qualifying lap record of 1:45.166. … Co-drove the No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R to three victories in 2022. Victory at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park was his 10th IMSA win. … Competed in select WEC races in 2022 in LMP2 class. … Ford GT driver for Chip Ganassi Racing 2016-2018; won Rolex 24 At Daytona in 2014 and 2017. … 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE Pro class winner in 2016. … Competed in Formula One in 2008. … Four-time INDYCAR champion (2004-07); won 37 races total in Champ Car and INDYCAR.* Twitter: @BourdaisOnTrackQuick Q&A: What fuels your competitive spirit? “Racing was my passion well before it became my job and thankfully the passion has remained. There is nothing else that excites and fulfils me more than driving a race car.” In one sentence, how would you describe the art of driving? “For me, it’s all about being one with the car. When you reach that state, it’s the most satisfying feel I know.”

No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.RRenger van der Zande, Sebastien BourdaisVan der Zande and Bourdais return for their second season as teammates for the full IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Grand Touring Prototype season and two races in the FIA World Endurance Championship. They teamed with six-time INDYCAR champion Scott Dixon to place third in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona. In 2022, van der Zande and Bourdais co-drove the No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R to three victories — at Long Beach on April 9, at Belle Isle on June 4 and at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park on July 3 – starting from the pole in the former two. … CTMP was the 18th IMSA victory for van der Zande and 10th for Bourdais. … Bourdais set the qualifying lap record time at Long Beach and Belle Isle. He also set the lap record time in earning the pole for the Twelve Hours of Sebring and for the Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio.

No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.REarl Bamber, Alex Lynn, Richard WestbrookSecond-year entry in expanded Cadillac Racing factory program that is contesting the full WEC calendar. … The trio co-drove to fourth place in the IMSA season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona in preparation for the seven-race WEC season. They co-drove to fourth place in Cadillac Racing’s WEC debut March 17 in the 1000 Miles of Sebring. . … Bamber and Lynn return as teammates for the second year. They co-drove to the victory in the Twelve Hours of Sebring in 2022, along with runner-up finishes on the streets of Long Beach and Road America in the No. 02 Cadillac DPi-V.R. … They are joined for the 2023 season by veteran sports car racing driver Richard Westbrook, who co-drove a Cadillac DPi-V.R last season with JDC-Miller MotorSports. … Bamber, who owns his own race team, salutes his home country with a silver fern design on the sides of his helmet — a quasi-national emblem used for various official New Zealand symbol. … Westbrook earned an overall podium finish in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022. … Lynn most recently competed in the full WEC season in 2018-19. He was the teammate of Cadillac Racing driver Alexander Sims in the 2020-21 Formula E season.

(3/29/23 – Jim Allen) … The Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC) announced its associate sponsorship package for the 2023 sprint car season. The package incorporates the involvement of 29 different companies, providing a variety of products and services ranging from financial advisors and bacon, to property management and racing components.  Overall, the NARC sprint cars are competing for over $800,000 in purse money this season, plus these partnerships, which are worth another $145,000 in cash and product during thee 23-race campaign.

Heading the list are Hoosier Racing Tires, Floracing.com, and NAPA Auto Parts, who are collectively providing championship point fund support.  All but one of NARC’s events are live-streamed on Floracing this season.

Automotive Racing Products (ARP) is once again the sponsor of the ARP Fast Time award.  They are paying $100 to the quickest car team at every event.

The four heat races, which each pay $100 to the winner are sponsored by Brown & Miller Racing Solutions (BMRS), Kimo’s Tropical Car Wash, Beacon Wealth Strategies-Raymond James, and Kaeding Performance.  Kimo’s Tropical Car Wash is kicking in another $500 to the driver who wins the most heat races this season.

Starr Property Management is the official fan engagement sponsor.  Their unique involvement allows NARC to provide 1000’s of fan giveaways of the course of the season.  These types of promotions continue to build brand recognition and fan loyalty.  These promotions include logoed thunder-sticks, foam fingers, t-shirts, and toy cars.  Scelzi Enterprises is a cash contributor for the NARC frisbee throw promotion.

The ever popular Sunnyvalley “Powered by Bacon” trophy dash is again a series staple thanks to the continued relationship with Sunnyvalley Smoked Meats.  The winner of the dash pockets $100, plus takes home nine-pounds of flash-frozen thick cut Sunnyvalley bacon.  In addition, a lucky fan takes home a nine-pound cooler of bacon.

Come feature event time, the financial rewards keep coming.  The tenth place finisher in every NARC A-Main event this season will pocket a $50 check courtesy of D & D Roofing (David & Dianne Durica, Orangevale, CA.)

Mettec Titanium is sponsoring the Mettec Lap Leader award. It pays $10 to the team for each lap lead in every NARC headliner this season.  Leading all 30-laps in the A-Main is now worth an extra $300.  Mettec also sponsors the “low pill” draw and awards $100 worth of their titanium product to the driver who pulls the lowest number in the pill draw.

Williams Roofing (Fremont, CA) has signed on as the official Hardcharger Award sponsor.  The Williams Roofing Hardcharger Award will pay $150 to the driver who passes/advances the most cars from their original starting position in every NARC feature event.  They are also kicking in a $1000 bonus to the driver who can pass the most cars this season.

Johnstone Supply will present the 2023 NARC Rookie of the Year with a check for $1250 at the November 5th NARC Champion Celebration at the Brookside Country Club.

An extensive product contingency awards program is also up for grabs this season.  Product support is provided by Diversified Machine, Inc, KSE Racing Products, Kaeding Performance Center, LifelineUSA, Maxim Racing, Pyrotect, SAFECRAFT Safety Equipment, Saldana Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, SCI Racing Products, System 1 Pro Ignition, Ultra-Lite Brakes, Wilwood Disc Brakes, and Winters Engineering.  Decals are required to be eligible.

Bullet Impressions is the official NARC apparel vendor and has a fully-stocked trailer of merchandise at every event.

Links to each sponsor can be found at https://narc410.com/sponsors/

The NARC 410 Racing Series is still in search of a title sponsor.  If you have any interest in getting involved with the Northern Auto Racing Club sprint cars, please contact Jim Allen at jallen@NARC410.com.

The NARC 410 Racing Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts is scheduled for April 1st at the Stockton Dirt Track.  The 2023 schedule can be downloaded at NARC410.com

PLEASE SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT SPRINT CAR RACING!

FARMER CITY, IL – March 28, 2023 – After much discussion involving World of Outlaws Late Model Series, Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series, and Farmer City Raceway officials, along with guidance from Precision Weather Service, an extremely difficult decision has been made to cancel this weekend’s Illini 100. 

Heavy rain and thunderstorms expected from the early hours on Friday to the early hours on Saturday, along with dropping temperatures and dangerously strong winds, will have a negative impact on the drivers’ ability to compete and the fans’ overall experience at the event. With the total precipitation officials expect on Friday, the facility would be difficult to access. 

Even with an at-best optimistic forecast Saturday, the conditions left behind by the expected weather system makes the event impractical for all involved. Unfortunately, with the national and regional event schedules increasing as Spring advances, the event will not fit into the 2023 calendar and will not be made up. 

Those who purchased a ticket in advance to this weekend’s events at Farmer City Raceway will receive a face value credit to their MyDirtTickets.com account to be used towards any World of Outlaws event available at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix. Those credits are good for two years.  

If a credit to your account does not work for you, then you have until Monday, May 1 to request a refund. For more details email tickets@dirtcar.com.  

The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models will continue its high-octane show on Thursday, April 20 at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, TN. Then, the Series heads south to Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL for the Alabama Gang 100 weekend on Friday April 21 and Saturday April 22.

Prepares to Move from Top Alcohol to Top Fuel in 2024

Images Available: Jasmine Salinas TF Test 3.27.23

BROWNSBURG, Indiana (March 28, 2023) – Jasmine Salinas made her first launches behind the wheel of a nitro-powered Top Fuel dragster on Monday afternoon at the Wildhorse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona. The 31-year-old daughter of NHRA Drag Racing Top Fuel driver, Mike Salinas will work to obtain her NHRA Top Fuel license as she prepares to compete full time beginning in 2024.

During Monday’s test session, Salinas made a total of three launches and made it successfully to the 330-foot mark behind the wheel of one of the race team’s Top Fuel dragsters. Salinas will continue her testing at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in April where she intends to make her first full passes. 

Salinas has competed in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks since 2019 and has earned three victories in her career. She is competing for the 2023 championship in the series while spending as much time as possible testing the Top Fuel Dragster in preparation for 2024.

Salinas began racing at the age of 15 in the Junior Dragster division. After college, Salinas began working for her family’s Top Fuel team, Scrappers Racing, as a Floater and Supercharger Assistant. She currently serves as the teams’ General Manager and handles all day-to-day operations of the team.

Quotes – Jasmine Salinas

What was your day like leading up to strapping into the Top Fuel dragster?

“When I woke up, I was very shocked because I thought I wasn’t going to sleep and be sick to my stomach like I was going into Pomona for the finals. I remember Pomona when we were going into Saturday night before Sunday’s finals. I was up at 3am crying hysterically because I was like, ‘I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I’m ready for a championship.’ I was just so stressed out about it.”

“But in comparison to this time around, I think the difference was that there were no expectations. For me, there nobody that had put any expectations on me. That I have to make so many passes. I have to go this far. I didn’t put any expectations on myself except to just show up and hit the throttle. And just taking all of that pressure off of me, I was just really grateful and appreciative that I have this opportunity to take it at my own pace. So my stress levels when I woke up this morning, I was feeling great. And I was so excited. And it wasn’t until I was basically getting suited up where I was like, ‘Okay, I’m actually pretty stressed right now. I’m a little anxious and nervous.’ And I was sitting in my car and I was like, ‘Okay, I’m just going to pretend I’m in my A-Fuel (Top Alcohol) car.’ I kept noticing I was doing that throughout the day, just pretending I was in my a A-Fuel car. And there’s definitely some huge things that were very different. But after I got my first pass out of the way, it was a very short launch because we’re still adjusting some things with my helmet and literally only went 100 feet. And then the second time I went past the 330 (foot) mark and I was like, ‘God, this is incredible.’ I understand, I’m barely going anywhere, and I’m already hooked and it’s also great because I was kind of expecting the absolute worst.”

“Honestly, I was trying to mentally prepare myself and based off everything that I’ve heard from other people’s experiences. I was compiling all the worst-case scenarios into one pass. Things like, I’m going to black out and everything’s going to get blurry. I’m going to have no idea where I’m at on the track and it’s just being prepared for the worst. And I usually try to be very positive, but for some reason was trying to like to be so prepared for anything because I just didn’t know what to expect. And I think that was the thing that was the scariest is just not knowing what to expect and not knowing how I am going to react to this experience that’s so unique. But then knowing that everybody else that I’ve talked to about their journeys leading up to stepping on the gas in a Top Fuel car has been very different than others. It’s just been interesting to see, I guess, where I’m at in comparison to all those other stories that I’ve heard so far.”

What was your initial reaction when you finished your first launch and what was the reaction of your parents throughout this initial experience?

“My initial reaction was, ‘I know I didn’t even make a full pull and the power of these cars is absolutely incredible.’ And at that moment, right there is where I realized I want to spend this entire year taking my time because it gave me even more respect for these cars and the power that they have. I want to respect it so much and take my time with it because the horsepower and how fast it was. I’ve 100 percent fallen in love with it and I’m ruined, and I’ll be even more ruined when I make my first full pass.”

“And then my dad, he was a hot mess all day. I think they even had to ask him to like leave the pit because he was trying to help with everything to the point where I was like, ‘You’re not being helpful so just go stand over there and look at something else.’ And then my Mom I think was crying all day long. And then she was like, ‘Are you sure you want to do this? You know, you could step out any time.’ But she stayed for all my rides. And it was special because, you know, my routine from when I’m getting suited up and everything, I always hug my mom before I get in my race car. And she was there even for these runs. So, nothing changed. And it felt like I was still doing everything that I’ve been used to with my racing, and I loved it.”