CHANDLER, Ariz. (March 22, 2023) – John Force and his BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SS team head to the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park with history on their side as the sixteen-time champion hopes to close out the track’s final event with a victory.  Force’s eight wins at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2005) are three more than anyone else in any professional category. From 1994 through 2002, Force was in the final every year except 1998 and in addition to his eight wins, he has been runner-up six times, most recently in 2016. Force’s history at the track started at the beginning, he participated in the first race ever run at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park (formerly Firebird Raceway) in 1985. Later that same year, he was runner-up to John Collins in the track’s first official NHRA national event. “I’ve loved racing in Arizona at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. I’ve got a lot of memories there, a lot of success,” Force said. “Never want to see a racetrack go, we’ll see what happens, but me and my team, we’re hoping to bring this chapter to a close with a win. I want to get this BlueDEF Chevrolet in the winners circle, just like I do every weekend. Danny Hood and Tim Fabrisi and my guys, they’ve been working hard, I’ve got to step it up to keep up but we’ll get the job done.” The BlueDEF Chevrolet came up short in the quarterfinals of the season-opening Gatornationals, but a solid qualifying effort that had them No. 2 to start race day earned them seven total bonus points to put Force fifth in the championship points standings.   The NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park kicks off with qualifying Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Race Day is set to begin with the first round of eliminations Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) beginning with a qualifying show Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET. Eliminations will air Sunday at 7 p.m. ET

MOORESVILLE, NC (March 22, 2023) — Last year in just her second career Pro Stock race Camrie Caruso picked up her first win light at the NHRA Arizona Nationals. That round win gave the rookie loads of confidence that carried her through a strong rookie campaign that included a No. 1 qualifier a few weeks later in Houston and her first final round appearance at the same national event. At the end of the season Caruso was crowned NHRA Rookie of the Year and now the second year pro is looking to return to the site of her first win light with her sights set on securing her first win. Caruso will be wheeling her Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro with a new team and crew chief.

“Last year we qualified in the top half of the field at the Winternationals to start the season and then got our first win light at the Arizona Nationals,” said Caruso, a third generation drag racer. “I can’t explain the feeling of seeing that win light come on at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park last year. So much time and energy went into just getting our team organized to race last year. I am looking forward to getting back with my new KB Titan Racing team and turning on even more win lights this weekend.”

Camrie Caruso, Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro

Over the off-season Caruso jumped at the opportunity to join KB Titan Racing and become a teammate with multi-time Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson, 2021 NHRA Rookie of the Year Dallas Glenn and second-generation driver Kyle Koretsky. The new alliance has freed up Caruso’s time to focus even more on improving her driving skills and building her marketing team of supporters. One of her biggest backers, Powerbuilt Tools, will be on her Chevrolet Camaro for multiple races starting this weekend. 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.”

Last year Caruso experienced firsts at every NHRA national event on her way to her Rookie of the Year honors. To celebrate her accomplishments Caruso is teaming up with NHRA announcer Jason Galvin to spend time at each NHRA national event talking to fans about what they can expect from an NHRA national event if they are first time attendees. The free stage show will take place on Friday at 3 p.m. on the Nitro Alley stage in the pit area. Aptly named “Just the Basics with 2022 Rookie of the Year Camrie Caruso” will give fans the chance to hear about what is going on at the Arizona Nationals as well as behind the scenes stories from the reigning rookie of the year.

“I am looking forward to participating in the Just the Basics stage show with Jason,” said Caruso. “I learned so much last year and I want to help our fans understand everything that is going on at the races. There is so much to see and do if I can help a fan have a better experience I want to help them out. This is something new and hopefully fans will enjoy hearing some cool and sometimes funny stories.”

On the track Caruso will be looking to continue to develop as a driver and race her Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car to round wins on Sunday. She will get her first shot at the track on Friday night during the opening day qualifying run. On Saturday Caruso and the Pro Stock class will get two more qualifying runs before the 16 quickest Pro Stock competitors race on Sunday for the coveted NHRA Wally. The race will be nationally televised on FS1 throughout the weekend.

PLAINVIEW, NY (March 22, 2023) — Heading into the second race of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series this weekend at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park Justin Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster team powered by National Debt Relief are looking to write their name into the record books. This weekend’s NHRA Arizona Nationals will be the last NHRA national event at the storied facility located 20 minutes from beautiful downtown Phoenix and Ashley would like to etch his name into the winner’s column. The fourth-year pro has raced at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park twice before and the 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year is hoping the third time racing in the desert will be the charm.

“The NHRA has had so many great races at this facility,” said Ashley, who has qualified No. 5 in both of his previous races in Arizona. “Every race is equally as important. But this one has added significance. We’d love the opportunity to join a long list of previous winners in Phoenix. We have high expectations for ourselves and look forward to racing in front of a sold-out crowd.” 

With three qualifying sessions on the schedule Ashley knows it will be critical to come off the trailer on Friday night and lay down a solid number. At the season opening NHRA Gatornationals the team battled some early season issues during qualifying before losing a close first round race at Gainesville Raceway. Ashley was at the top of his form off the starting line with a stellar .038 reaction time, quickest of the round in the losing effort.

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

“There is so much that goes into making these 12,000-horsepower race cars perform at a high level. It’s one of twenty-one races,” said Ashley. “The race in Gainesville quickly went into the rear-view mirror and our focus immediately shifted to Arizona.  We have a championship team with the right mentality and skillset to achieve our goals. We will be ready for this weekend and understand the importance of each pass down the racetrack beginning on Friday night.”

Over the off-season Ashley renewed a number of marketing relationships including KATO Fastening Systems and added Century 21 Realty Specialists, Mac Tools and National Debt Relief. These companies and brands are seeing the rise of an NHRA superstar and championship contending team. 

“It’s an honor to represent the partners that we do,” said Ashley. “I am fortunate to work closely with each of them and truly value their time, energy and commitment to the success of our program. I love being the spokesperson for Phillips Connect, the leader in the field of trailer telematics. I love representing National Debt Relief, a company that prides themselves on helping clients achieve financial independence. But most importantly, I am grateful for the opportunity to work with each one of the amazing companies that contribute so much to our team both on and off the racetrack.”

In Ashley’s rookie season he raced to the quarterfinals starting from the No. 5 spot. Last season once again starting No. 5 he was upset in the first round by Tony Schumacher. This year Ashley is looking for another top half of the field or better start in the qualifying order and a long day on Sunday.

“This class was so tough last year, and it’s shaping up to be even tougher this season,” said Ashley. “Every driver who qualifies has a legitimate chance to win the race. We saw it at the Gatornationals and you will see more of the same this weekend at the Arizona Nationals. Teams will have to have four near perfect rounds of racing to put themselves in a position to win. But that is part of what makes our sport so great. The tide is rising and teams are having to rise with it. Our Phillips Connect team is ready.”

Qualifying for the NHRA Arizona Nationals will begin on Friday night with one session followed by two qualifying sessions on Saturday. The quickest 16 Top Fuel dragsters will battle for the Wally starting at 11:00 a.m. local time with the race being televised nationally on FS1.

CHANDLER Ariz. (March 22, 2023) – Robert Hight returns to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park for the NHRA Arizona Nationals, the second event of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, as the defending race champion in the Flav-R-Pac / Cornwell Tools / AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS. Last year’s win over Matt Hagan in the finals was Hight’s second at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. The other came in 2012 when he beat then-teammate Mike Neff in an all-John Force Racing final round. Hight has also been runner-up in Arizona in 2007, 2008, and 2014 and was the No. 1 qualifier in 2007 and 2019. He earned the No. 1 spot in 2007 with a time of 4.636 seconds which remains the quickest run ever at the quarter-mile distance at which races were contested until July of 2008. “I feel good coming into Arizona this weekend. This Flav-R-Pac team is getting settled in and getting back into our groove. We were getting back to it there at the Gatornationals, but it just wasn’t our weekend,” Hight said. “We’ll pick right back up and get the job done at Wild Horse Pass. I’ve done well here, know that helps. Hopefully, we’ll qualify well and have a long race day. Would really like to get this Flav-R-Pac Funny Car in the winners circle with Brittany’s Flav-R-Pac dragster.” A mechanical issue plagued the Flav-R-Pac Camaro at the season-opening Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, handing Hight a quarterfinal finish after starting the day as the No. 3 qualifier. The Flav-R-Pac / Cornwell Tools / AAA team will enter the Arizona Nationals looking for a jump from their No. 8 points standing position. The NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park kicks off with qualifying Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Race Day is set to begin with the first round of eliminations Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) beginning with a qualifying show Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET. Eliminations will air Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

The Mooresville, NC driver sits eighth in the points standings, leads Germfree Rookie of the Year Battle

FARMER CITY, IL – March 22, 2023 – When the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series returns to Farmer City Raceway, March 30-April 1, there will be a sense of needed familiarity for Nick Hoffman. 

He grew up developing his skills on Midwest bullrings and scored two national wins in a DIRTcar UMP Modified at Farmer City. However, he admitted going there with the World of Outlaws for the Illini 100 will be a new challenge. 

“I’ve ran good in the Modified there, but this is a whole different deal,” Hoffman said. “You’ll have 15 to 20 guys that can legitimately win that deal, so we’ll just throw our name into the ring, and hopefully, we’ll be one of them. 

“Farmer City, I kind of know what to expect. Looking at pictures, it looks like they kind of changed [Turns] 3 and 4 a little bit, maybe banking-wise. So, we’ll see what we got when we get there.” 

Hoffman can get his feet wet at Farmer City as teams are offered a practice session on Thursday, March 30, before the racing begins on Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1.  

It’s a test he said he’s looking forward to since his last race was the final night of DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. 

“The biggest thing is we have a test night,” Hoffman said. “That’s kind of nice to get back in the swing of things. I feel like it’s been a year since it feels like since we’ve raced with so many off weekends.  

“I kind of know what we need to do or what to expect as the night goes on, which is kind of nice. Any of those Illinois’ racetracks are pretty similar as the night goes on, which for sure helps.” 

Hoffman enters the Illini 100 eighth in the points standings—38 points behind Chris Madden. However, he currently leads the battle for Germfree Rookie of the Year after four races.  

Despite being in contention for a championship, he’s hoping to get back on track at Farmer City. After a top five and two top 10s at Sunshine Nationals, his best finish was 17th when the Series returned to Volusia for DIRTcar Nationals. 

“I just sucked, really, at the Speedweeks side of it,” Hoffman said. “I was good at the beginning of the week. Then, I pulled my car I ran at Sunshine Nationals out and just wasn’t very good. I don’t know where I missed it.  

“Once we got back to the shop and worked on some stuff, I found some areas that were off. I had a bent A-frame and stuff like that. Little things that I missed, I guess. Just bad maintenance on my part, I guess.” 

Despite not racing since Volusia, Hoffman has been busy in his Mooresville, NC shop getting a car ready for one of the most significant events of the season—the Dirt Late Model Dream at Eldora Speedway.  

However, that car is also necessary if things don’t go as planned. 

“The biggest thing is to make sure we’re prepared for the whole year for this World of Outlaws schedule, so if we do go out there and happen to junk one or two cars, we’re not sitting on our hands and don’t have everything ready,” Hoffman said. 

Hoffman had plenty of success building Modifieds with his Elite Chassis business and said he’s excited to put together his first Late Model. But he hopes that the car doesn’t hit the track too soon. 

“This is the first Late Model I’ve ever put together myself,” Hoffman said. “Everything else has been put together by either Longhorn or Rocket, so I was kind of excited just to put one together myself. I had some areas I felt I wanted to change and make a bit different and see how it goes.  

“We’ll debut it probably a couple of weeks before The Dream. Hopefully, we don’t have to use it before then.” 

With more knowledge about his Late Model and a sense of familiarity, Hoffman has all the tools he needs to get back on track at Farmer.  

The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models return to Farmer City Raceway for the Illini 100, March 30-April 1.  

OCALA, FL (March 21, 2023) — Last year Josh Hart made his Arizona debut at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park racing his R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster to the semifinals. The third year pro is looking to add two more win lights to his Sunday this year and win the final NHRA Arizona Nationals Wally. The Ocala, Florida racer and business owner is off to a hot start so far in 2023 winning the Pep Boys Top Fuel Allstar Callout two weeks ago at the NHRA Gatornationals. The $80,000 winner-take-all payday in front of his hometown fans and family was a great momentum builder for the season and Hart’s R+L Carriers team.

“We saw the first big money win light of the season on Saturday of the Gatornationals winning the Pep Boys Allstar Callout and I talked about how great the win was but also how this sport will humble you very quickly,” said Hart, who also won his first career Top Fuel race in 2021 at Gainesville Raceway. “We celebrated on Saturday with our team and lots of our staff from Burnyzz Speed Shop. Then we got serious for Sunday. Ron Douglas and my guys gave me an amazing race car and I didn’t take advantage of it.”

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

On Sunday morning racing in the first pair of Top Fuel dragsters Hart was second off the line against eight-time Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher and his race day was over in spite of making his quickest pass of the weekend. Hart’s R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster crossed the finish line 3.693 seconds after it left the starting line at a career best speed of 335.40 mph. It was a disappointing end to a magical weekend to start the season. At the end of the day Hart reflected on the high of winning the Pep Boys Callout with the low of not advancing further on race day.

“I talked about how this sport will humble you in less than a second,” said Hart. “I am not sure what happened on the starting line, but it was not up to my personal standards. I told my guys I will do better and then I put it behind me. You can’t dwell on your mistakes, you have to learn from them and move on. I am excited to get back to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. I wish this race was the Monday after the Gatornationals.”

Last year Hart qualified No. 8 and raced past Leah Pruett and Rob Passey before dropping a semifinal race to veteran Clay Millican. The first-time experience of racing in the desert was a great learning opportunity for Hart. He spent time with new fans and made laps at a brand new facility. This year Hart will be taking that experience and build on it heading into this weekend’s race.

“Last year we were racing for the first time at a lot of tracks,” said Hart. “It was a huge deal but there was a level of uncertainty that I don’t have this season. I think we will be better prepared and ready to take our first win of the season. We are racing against the best drivers in the world and there is no doubt I feel like I belong. Qualifying starts on Friday night and we are going to come out with a winning attitude.”

Qualifying for the NHRA Arizona Nationals will begin on Friday night for Hart and the R+L Carriers team with one session followed by two qualifying sessions on Saturday. The quickest 16 Top Fuel dragsters will battle for the Wally starting at 11:00 a.m. local time with the race being televised on FS1.

CHANDLER, Ariz. (March 22, 2023) – Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster team are settling in as they head to the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, the second of 21 events on the NRHA Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule. The Montana Brand / RMT team is coming off a disappointing end to their season-opening Gatornationals where a mechanical issue prevented the 2019 Rookie of the Year from taking the tree in their quarterfinal matchup. Sitting __ in points, Prock will be making his fourth appearance at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. While he’s yet to make it out of the quarterfinals, the track just outside of Phoenix is significant for the third-generation driver. “I’m ready to get back into action with my Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team at the Arizona Nationals. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park is where I made my first pass in a Top Fuel Car and there’s just something about being out west early in the year that feels right,” Prock said. “We are going to come out strong this weekend and put the Gatornationals behind us. We’ve got a great team and car that can run with the best of them.” After an impressive end to the 2022 season where Prock jumped from 12th to third with three final round appearances and two wins in the six-race Countdown to the Championship, Prock entered the 2023 season with a revamped team led by veteran crew chief Chris Cunningham and Joe Barlam who led the team with now-retired Hall of Fame crew chief Rahn Tobler in 2022. The NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park kicks off with qualifying Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Race Day is set to begin with the first round of eliminations Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) beginning with a qualifying show Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET. Eliminations will air Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

EASTABOGA, AL (March 22, 2023) – The racing is intense. Everything happens at an accelerated pace. The smallest mistake can cost you so much.

That’s how Kasey Kahne described racing at Talladega. Both Talladega tracks – the Superspeedway and the Talladega Short Track across the street, where the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will be racing, Friday, March 24.

“Any Sprint Car race, it’s so intense and things are happening all the time,” Kahne said. “And the same thing at Talladega (Superspeedway).

“That restrictor plate stuff is so close together. The slightest mistake, you’re in the big one. Definitely different there. But very intense in all of it.”

He spent 15 years running full-time with the NASCAR Cup Series and made 30 starts at the Talladega Superspeedway in that span.

Now, as a full-time World of Outlaws competitor, Kahne, of Enumclaw, WA, said Sprint Car is what he enjoys most. But when he was in NASCAR, restrictor plate racing held that sentiment. He was comfortable with the close-quarters, tense racing, atmosphere both forms of racing produce. And while he stopped short of saying his Sprint Car conditioning helped his restrictor plate racing, Kahne admitted it didn’t hurt.

“You’re relying so much on runs and your spotter and people making the right decisions,” he said about racing at the big track. “It always showed over the years that certain guys, certain spotters understood it a little better and did a better job, and I think that is a completely different kind of racing than Sprint Car race. But the intensity and things can happen so quick at either one of them, that is very similar. Sprint Car races are very intense at all times.”

Kahne’s sole start at the Talladega Short Track came in 2011 – the Series’ last visit to the 1/3-mile Alabama facility. In attendance as driver and race promoter, he finished eighth.

While the Short Track is vastly different than the Superspeedway across the street, it’s still just as fun.

“It’s a neat little track,” Kahne said. “It’s wide and really racy. I raced there once and watched it a few different times. It can be a great place. It can be sketchy running the top. There’s a little cushion there. You can get over that, over the edge and off over. It’s a very cool like track. I’m looking forward to it. Have been.”

A win would be his first at either Talladega track – he finished second twice at the Superspeedway in the Cup Series. And while that’s his goal, he’s mainly focused on keeping his Fuel Me #9 car in the top 10 on a consistent basis.

Kahne earned his second podium with the World of Outlaws at Volusia Speedway Park this year, but has finishes of 11th, 17th, 13th, 16th and 21st in the other five events. However, the Series has only visited two tracks, so far, due to weather cancellations. Talladega will be the third different track of the season. Then, the Series will visit Magnolia Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 25 – where Kahne finished fifth in 2021.

“My biggest thing is to keep getting better as a driver,” he said. “I feel, every so many races, more confident in what I’m doing behind the wheel. I like that. I like feeling more understanding of what’s going on. Things happen quick, so when you don’t think about it and just do it, it seems to always go better. I think I’m getting closer to that, which has been nice.

“I just want to run in the top 10 all the time. That’s no different than anyone else. But all the time I want to be in the top 10. We’re getting closer to that. That’s the biggest thing for me. If we’re there, and running better than that at times, it would be awesome to win some races. But to ultimately run in the top 10 all the time is definitely what we’re shooting for.”

The one-day event at the Talladega Short Track will be a change from the NASCAR weekends at the Talladega Superspeedway, but Kahne said he still expects the same atmosphere.

“I think the fans and the way they support the racing around that area, it’s just a different feel for sure,” he said. “It will be really cool to go race a World of Outlaws race there.”

For tickets to the Friday, March 24, event at the Talladega Short Track, and the Saturday, March 25, event at Magnolia Motor Speedway, CLICK HERE.

CHANDLER, Ariz. (March 22, 2023) – Reigning and two-time Camping World Top Fuel champion, Brittany Force and her Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster team will be trying to get John Force Racing’s first Top Fuel win at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park this weekend at the NHRA Arizona Nationals. Coming off a No. 1 start at the season-opening Gatornationals in Gainesville Raceway, the 43rd of her career, Force is looking for her second No. 1 start at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Her first No. 1 came in 2020, before the pandemic disrupted the season, while she set both ends of the track record at 3.643 seconds at 337.92 mph. Force has made her way to the finals of the Arizona Nationals three times, coming up with runner-up finishes in 2014, 2016, and 2017. “Heading into race two on the NHRA circuit this weekend in Phoenix and we plan to come out with a win. With this being the final NHRA national event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, this Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team wants to leave on a strong note,” Force said. “We plan to qualify in the top three and go four rounds on race day. We’ve set both ends of the track record with our No. 1 qualifier from 2020 but it wasn’t enough on race day. Hoping to turn things around this year and get our first win of the 2023 season.” Most recently, Force qualified sixth and had a quarterfinal exit en route to her second Top Fuel world championship in 2022. This season, she is trying to become JFR’s third three-time champ while also tying Shirley Muldowney, the only other woman to win a nitro category championship, in championship titles. The NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park kicks off with qualifying Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Race Day is set to begin with the first round of eliminations Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) beginning with a qualifying show Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon ET. Eliminations will air Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

2023 NHRA Arizona Nationals

Chandler, Arizona

March 24-26, 2023

ONE LAST SHOOTOUT AT WILD HORSE PASS

For the final time, the horsepower-filled field of the NHRA will take to the track at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix, Arizona. As the sun sets on the Southwest staple, Team Chevy drivers and teams look to rebound after NHRA’s Gatornationals in Gainesville while also capitalizing on 2022’s victories in Pro Stock (Elite Motorsports’ Aaron Stanfield) and Stock Eliminator (Leo Glasbrenner).

Featuring Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock categories in competition this weekend, Troy Coughlin, Jr. looks to extend his streak of victory after capturing the 2023 season-opening Wally in Pro Stock in his JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro SS. Coughlin, Jr.’s Elite Motorsports teammate Aaron Stanfield heads into the race defending his 2022 NHRA Arizona Nationals Pro Stock win. Facing redemption from a Round 1 elimination in Gainesville, five-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders enters the event weekend with a clear vision of her potential 44th career victory.

With KB Titan Racing’s Greg Anderson and Dallas Glenn racing to the semifinals in Gainesville, they hunt for their first Wally of the year alongside teammates Camrie Caruso, Kyle Koretsky, Deric Kramer, and Matt Hartford. With 115 Pro Stock victories – 101 career for Anderson, four Pro Stock wins notched by Glenn, four career wins by Kramer, five credited to Hartford, and one Pro Stock win to Koretsky, the team continues to seek the NHRA Winner’s Circle as Anderson looks to continue his drive for a sixth championship.

Prepared to battle for more championships and adding to their legendary winning history, the quartet at John Force Racing looks to reverse Gainesville’s results and sets sights on building momentum at Phoenix and beyond. Looking to match 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, Brittany Force, in her Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, also seeks her 44th No. 1 qualifier at Phoenix as well as her 17th career victory. Austin Prock, in his Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, seeks his fourth career NHRA Top Fuel victory, building on his 52 round wins and one No. 1 qualifier in his 50-race career. On the Funny Car side of the nitro ladders, John Force, in his PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, enters his 834th NHRA race seeking to build on his 1,423 round wins, 155 victories, and 16 championships. Robert Hight, in his Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, also looks to build on 398 events with 61 victories, 77 No. 1 qualifiers, and 593 round wins.

NHRA Arizona Nationals action from Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park airs first with Friday qualifying on Friday, March 24 at 10:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Saturday qualifying from Phoenix airs Sunday, March 25 at 12 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 SAYING

Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pack Chevrolet Top Fuel Dragster for John Force Racing:

“Heading into race two on the NHRA circuit this weekend in Phoenix and we plan to come out with a win. With this being the final NHRA national event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, this Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team wants to leave on a strong note,” Force said. “We plan to qualify in the top three and go four rounds on race day. We’ve set both ends of the track record with our No. 1 qualifier from 2020 but it wasn’t enough on race day. Hoping to turn things around this year and get our first win of the 2023 season.”

Austin Prock, driver of the Montana Brand/Rock Mountain Chevrolet Top Fuel Dragster for John Force Racing:

“I’m ready to get back into action with my Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team at the Arizona Nationals. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park is where I made my first pass in a Top Fuel Car and there’s just something about being out west early in the year that feels right,” Prock said. “We are going to come out strong this weekend and put the Gatornationals behind us. We’ve got a great team and car that can run with the best of them.”

TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS

1,423: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time)

593: Round wins for Robert Hight (14th all-time)

367: Number of wins in Pro Stock since 1970; 247 won in the Chevrolet Camaro body

264: 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)

155: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967

77: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time)

75: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro body

43: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force

27: 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 Car

18: Number of Pro Stock championships

16: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA

16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force

7: Number of Funny Car driver championships

2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships

MOST RECENT WIN IN NHRA BY CHEVROLET

Gainesville, 2023: Troy Coughlin, Jr., Pro Stock

MOST RECENT DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIPS IN NHRA BY CHEVROLET

2022: Brittany Force, Top Fuel

2022: Erica Enders, Pro Stock

2022: David Barton, Factory Stock Showdown

2019: Robert Hight, Funny Car

UPCOMING NHRA MILESTONES

950: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) is second all-time with 914 elimination round wins. He could reach 950 round wins with a decent run in the 18-race schedule.

600: Robert Hight has 593 Funny Car elimination round victories to rank 14th on the all-time NHRA list. Reaching 600 round wins would put him 13th all time.

437: By qualifying for his next race, Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) will extend his NHRA record to 437 consecutive race day appearances.

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.

62: Robert Hight will move into the top 10 on the all-time NHRA victory list with his next win, tying the retired Larry Dixon (Top Fuel) with 62 wins. Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock, retired) is 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.

Right On Track, A Disney Channel Original Movie, Featured NHRA Jr. Drag Racing

WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (March 21, 2023) – Twenty years ago, The Disney Channel released a Disney Channel Original Movie, Right On Track, based on the life of drag racing sisters Erica and Courtney Enders. Right On Track premiered on March 21, 2003, and starred two young actresses who’ve gone on to have phenomenal careers in show business. Beverly Mitchell (7th Heaven, Candy Cane Christmas) played Erica Enders and Academy Award winner Brie Larson (Room, Captain Marvel) played Courtney Enders. It all started when Erica Enders, now a five-time Pro Stock world champion, began competing in the newly formed NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League when she was just 8 years old. Soon after, her younger sister Courtney followed suit and the two became an unstoppable force, picking up wins across the country. They caught the attention of a People Magazine journalist who wrote a feature on the dynamic duo.  That article led to interest from the Disney Channel. At the time, the network was focused on creating original content with a focus on unique true stories in the world of sports. Right On Track was an instant favorite, reaching new fans outside the drag racing world. Erica and Courtney not only made cameo appearances in the film, but they also did most of the stunt driving required to make the feature-length film. There are a few Hollywood embellishments like a crash and some pretty intense rivalries. But the film certainly hit the nail on the head when it came to depicting the personality differences between Erica and Courtney. That’s likely why they still make a good pair to this day. Through their experiences in Jr. Drag Racing, Erica learned to embrace the competitive pressure and Courtney learned to embrace the spotlight so Erica can remain focused on driving while Courtney handles all of the public relations aspects. “At the time, Right On Track felt like the peak of our careers,” said Courtney. “To have a movie made about your life when you’re still just a teenager is unheard of but we had already accomplished so much. I wish I could have absorbed every moment more as it happened. Fast forward 20 years and it’s still unbelievable to see the impact this movie had and still has on our sport. We get parents at the ropes introducing their kids to us saying they made their kids watch their favorite movie from 20 years ago and now their kids want to race. It’s wild. To know we had anything to do with the youth and female participation in the sport we love so much really wows me. I’m so proud of not only the movie and the story it told but where Erica and I have both taken our careers since then.” “It’s crazy to think that Right On Track was released 20 years ago,” said Erica. “To be a high school kid and have a movie made about your life is pretty surreal. It was fun to be a part of making a movie from start to finish – especially since we got to do all of the stunt driving. At the time, it was hard to comprehend the gravity of it. Looking back, it is so cool to see the impact the movie had on us, our sport and the Jr. Drag Racing League. To this day, I still hear kids talk about how they started racing because of this movie. To hear little girls (and grown women) tell us how our story impacted them and changed the course of their lives is unbelievable. When the movie was made, about 25% of Jr. Dragster drivers were girls. Now it’s around 50%. Courtney and I are perfect examples of normal kids who had big dreams. We were able to accomplish great things through hard work, determination and surrounding ourselves with the right people. It goes to show you that the sky is the limit when you never give up.” Right On Track received a resurgence of interest in late 2019 when Disney launched its streaming service, Disney+, which featured all of the Disney Channel Original Movies. Brie Larson has been known to mention the movie on talk shows when promoting other projects. Twenty years later, Right On Track is still inspiring young drivers in the Jr. Drag Racing League: “I love that movie! My favorite part is when the sisters compete against each other and it gets really intense.” – Cora H., 9 years old “I really like Right On Track because it’s about drag racing and there isn’t much out there for kids that’s about drag racing. I think it’s really cool that Erica started out racing Jr. Dragsters and now she’s racing in Pro Stock.” – Cam M., 9 years old The Enders sisters still work together in drag racing. Erica Enders is a professional Pro Stock racer with multiple records, national event wins and world championships to her credit. In addition to being Erica’s brand manager, Courtney Enders is the head of Drag Racing Content and on-air talent for FloRacing. She works with Elite Motorsports and a number of other drag racing entities doing team management, PR and content creation.  ***

Photos

Logo commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Disney Channel Original Movie, Right On Track, based on the lives of Erica and Courtney Enders. (Photo source: Elite Motorsports)

Courtney and Erica Enders were both champions in the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League. (Photo source: Enders Family)

Right On Track starred Beverly Mitchell and Brie Larson. (Photo source: Disney)

Erica Enders and Beverly Mitchell on the set of Right On Track. (Photo source: Enders Family)

The Enders family with Beverly Mitchell at the Right On Track premiere. (Photo source: Enders Family)

L to R: Erica Enders, Beverly Mitchell, Courtney Enders and Brie Larson on the set of Righ

Magnolia Awaits World of OutlawsPoints are Tightening Between Gravel, Macedo, and Schuchart Heading into Alabama and MississippiEASTABOGA, AL (March 21, 2023) – After a quick trip to Pennsylvania to conclude the Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are southbound.The Greatest Show on Dirt is gearing up for its only appearances of the year in a pair of neighboring southern states, Alabama and Mississippi.For the first time since 2011, the World of Outlaws will invade Talladega Short Track this Friday, March 24, marking the 12th Series visit to the Eastaboga, AL track. The following day the tour travels one state west for the second ever trip to Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, MS).TALLADEGA TICKETSMAGNOLIA TICKETSHere are some of this weekend’s top storylines:MARCHIN’ MACEDO: The month of March has been especially kind to Carson Macedo. Behind the wheel of the Jason Johnson Racing #41, Macedo has picked up a win and posted a 3.5 average finish through four races this month. The Lemoore, CA native is also fresh off claiming the inaugural Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown mini-series, banking him an extra $10,000.The recent stretch of strength has brought Macedo within 12 points of the championship lead heading into the southern stint. Macedo is one of many who will be making his Talladega debut. His lone drive at Magnolia in 2021 saw him finish 21st after a mechanical issue ended his night prematurely.EVEN PLAYING FIELD?: The pair of races will present an interesting challenge to teams with such limited notebooks. Of the current full-time roster, only three drivers have turned laps at Talladega in World of Outlaws competition. At Magnolia, the only set of data to pull from is the 2021 Series debut at the facility.With the unique set of circumstances facing crews, this weekend presents a potential opportunity for younger drivers to notch a career best finish or even grab their inaugural World of Outlaws win.Robbie Price continues to navigate his rookie campaign and hopes this weekend can yield strong results. He’ll have the benefit of his car owner/crew chief, Jason Sides, who has driven in eight World of Outlaws Features at Talladega, posting a pair of top 10s. Price already tallied his third career Series top-10 this season at Volusia Speedway Park.Noah Gass is another driver on the rise who hopes to perform well this weekend. While he didn’t qualify for the Feature, Gass made his World of Outlaws debut at Magnolia in 2021. Two years later he returns as a sophomore on the tour.TALLADEGA TRACK TIME: The trio of active World of Outlaws who’ve competed at Talladega in Series competition hope the experience proves advantageous.David Gravel may serve as inspiration for those seeking their first win. In 2011, as a 19-year-old, Gravel claimed his first World of Outlaws win at the red clay oval. The current driver of the Big Game Motorsports #2 outdueled a red-hot Jason Meyers in the Series most recent Talladega appearance for the first of his now 79 victories. The Watertown, CT native heads into the weekend as the points leader.Donny Schatz finished behind Gravel that night, and the 10-time Series champion enters this weekend as the most experienced active competitor at the Alabama track. The Tony Stewart Racing/Curb Agajanian driver has competed in all 11 World of Outlaws races hosted by Talladega. Schatz is yet to win at the facility but has been close with five top-five finishes including a pair of runner-ups.Kasey Kahne was also present in 2011, operating within dual roles. The race took place during a NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Talladega Superspeedway – less than 10 minutes away from the Talladega Short Track – and Kahne served as a promoter and driver for the World of Outlaws race. The Enumclaw, WA native finished eighth that night, notching one of his now 34 career Series top 10s. MAGNOLIA MASTERS: A few current World of Outlaws full-timers took a liking to Magnolia during the Series’ inaugural race in 2021.Sheldon Haudenschild came away with the victory that night, making a late pass for the lead and pacing the final six circuits. The Wooster, OH native has been one of the most consistent drivers this season with five top 10s in six races aboard the Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing #17.The driver Haudenschild passed for the top spot was Logan Schuchart. The Shark Racing pilot still finished runner-up at Magnolia after leading the opening 24 laps, earning one of his now 121 World of Outlaws podiums. The Hanover, PA native currently sits third in points (14 behind Gravel) this season, having finished no worse than eighth. He and Macedo are the only two yet to miss the top 10.Completing the Magnolia podium in 2021 was four-time and defending World of Outlaws champion, Brad Sweet. “The Big Cat” enters this weekend carrying the momentum of runner-ups in two of the last three Features.Oddly enough, the next three in the finishing order that night was the aforementioned trio of drivers with Talladega experience. Donny Schatz, Kasey Kahne (started 23rd), and David Gravel filled positions fourth through sixth. After those three it was current Series Rookie of the Year contender, Gio Scelzi, in seventh.‘DEGA AND THE MAG CONNECTIONS: A couple current members of the World of Outlaws roster have ties to previous events at both tracks despite not having raced at them in the form of car ownership.Spencer Bayston has the benefit of driving for CJB Motorsports, who took part in the 2021 event at Magnolia, finishing 15th with Brent Marks. Bayston has been building some momentum recently. After finishes of 16th, 19th, and 12th to begin the year, the Lebanon, IN native has improved to the tune of sixth, fifth, and 11th in his last three races.James McFadden is behind the wheel of a car that nearly snagged a Talladega triumph – the Roth Motorsports #83. Back in 2003, Tim Shaffer drove the Beef Packers machine to a Talladega runner-up. McFadden has already won once this season in Florida and looks for more southern success.INVADERS: In addition to the crop of full-time World of Outlaws, more talented drivers are planning to venture into Alabama and Mississippi.Rico Abreu is fresh off topping his first Sprint Car race of the year with The Greatest Show on Dirt at Lincoln Speedway, and he’s aiming for more this weekend. However, Talladega and Magnolia will be a new experiences for the St. Helena, CA driver as he’s yet to compete at either track.Buddy Kofoid has competed in every World of Outlaws race this season with CMS Racing and plans to continue to do so through at least Talladega and Magnolia. The 21-year-old has been consistent with a pair of podiums and four top 10s so far.If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap live on DIRTVision.THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCEWHEN AND WHERE– Friday, March 24 at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL – Saturday, March 25 at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MSON THE INTERNETWorld of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Twitter – @WorldofOutlaws Instagram – @WoOSprint Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/monthCURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (6/84 Races)1. 2 – David Gravel (852 PTS); 2. 41 – Carson Macedo (-12PTS) 3. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-14PTS); 4. 49 – Brad Sweet (-40PTS) 5. 11 – Michael Kofoid (-48PTS) 6. – 83 James McFadden (-60PTS); 7. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-66PTS); 8. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-90PTS); 9. 15 – Donny Schatz (-92PTS); 10. 13 – Justin Peck (-112 PTS)NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (4 Drivers):3 wins – David Gravel, Big Game Motorsports #21 win – James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83), Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41), Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24)FEATURE LAPS LED (9 Drivers):54 laps – David Gravel30 laps – James McFadden22 laps – Brad Sweet21 laps – Carson Macedo13 laps – Rico Abreu11 laps – Buddy Kofoid10 laps – Anthony Macri, Cory Eliason9 laps – Gio ScelziLOW-E INSULATION QUICKTIME AWARDS (5 Drivers):2 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo1 QuickTime – Anthony Macri, Logan Schuchart, Brian Brown, Donny SchatzHEAT RACE WINNERS (13 Drivers):3 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart, Buddy Kofoid, Carson Macedo, David Gravel2 Heat Wins – Brent Marks1 Heat Win – James McFadden, Brian Brown, Spencer Bayston, Gio Scelzi, Donny Schatz, Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Brad SweetTOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (22 Drivers):5 Dashes – Logan Schuchart, David Gravel4 Dashes – Carson Macedo3 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid, Jacob Allen, Brad Sweet2 Dashes – Brent Marks, Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Danny Dietrich, Spencer Bayston1 Dash – Anthony Macri, Sheldon Haudenschild, Robbie Price, Cory Eliason, Justin Peck, James McFadden, Gio Scelzi, Kasey Kahne, Freddie Rahmer, Rico Abreu, Devon BordenMICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (4 Drivers):1 LCS Win – Brock Zearfoss, Parker Price-Miller, Sheldon Haudenschild, Gio ScelziKSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (5 Drivers):2 Hard Chargers – Brock Zearfoss1 Hard Charger – Tyler Courtney, Donny Schatz, James McFadden, Gio ScelziPODIUM FINISHES (12 Drivers):4 Podiums – David Gravel2 Podiums – Buddy Kofoid, Carson Macedo, Brad Sweet1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Logan Schuchart, James McFadden, Brian Brown, Kasey Kahne, Jacob Allen, Rico Abreu, Devon BordenTOP 10 FINISHES (24 Drivers):6 Top 10s – Carson Macedo, Logan Schuchart5 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild, Brad Sweet, David Gravel4 Top 10s – Buddy Kofoid, James McFadden3 Top 10s – Donny Schatz, Justin Peck2 Top 10s – Brian Brown, Spencer Bayston, Brent Marks, Danny Dietrich1 Top 10 – Aaron Reutzel, Brock Zearfoss, Cory Eliason, Kasey Kahne, Robbie Price, Tyler Courtney, Zeb Wise, Jacob Allen, Rico Abreu, Devon Borden, Gio Scelzi2023 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)1. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)2. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (2)3. Sat, Feb 11* / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / James McFadden (1)4. Sun, March 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1)5. Mon, March 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (3)6. Sat, March 18 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Rico Abreu (1)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 21, 2023) – The 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season resumes just two weeks after its thrilling Bike Week double-opener with the inaugural Yamaha Senoia Short Track at Senoia Raceway in Senoia, Georgia, on Saturday, March 25. All eyes will be on second-year Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle star Dallas Daniels(No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), who comes in with a perfect 50-point score after orchestrating back-to-back virtuoso rides at the DAYTONA Short Track I & II. Daniels will have some additional motivation to keep his hot streak going at Yamaha’s home round, as will teammate JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT). Combined, the Estenson Racing pairing have collected the last three Short Track victories in succession (and four of the last six), dating back to last season. The two figure to face stiff challenges from last year’s other ST winners, Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), and Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 890 Duke). Speaking of Bauman, the two-time Mission SuperTwins champ’s initial outing aboard his new KTM 890 Duke was one of the opener’s biggest stories. He didn’t disappoint in his Rick Ware Racing debut, claiming a podium in his first attempt, despite losing his brakes early in the contest. The overall KTM premier-class presence will be further bolstered at Senoia where Bauman and his brother, Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing/2 Wheelz KTM 890 Duke), will be joined by reigning Mission Production Twins champion Jesse Janisch (No. 33 KTM/Haversack/Z-Max 890 Duke), who will make his Wally Brown Racing debut this weekend. Meanwhile, no one should ever overlook defending Mission SuperTwins king Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750). Mees had a bit of a quiet opener – at least by his standards – but he still managed to collect a pair of valuable fourths. And while he may not have won on a Short Track a year ago, he has taken multiple ST wins over his career and landed on the box in the close-quarters showdowns on more than one occasion in ‘22. Along with Mees and the aforementioned Robinson, two other Indian-mounted pilots in Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750)and Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) got their ‘23 campaigns off to impressive starts, the two finishing 2-3 behind Daniels the last time out. Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) clearly demonstrated that he and his bike are capable of running up front with the best riders and equipment in the world in the opener. He and teammate Ryan Wells (No. 94 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) will look to follow up a promising opener with an even stronger performance on Saturday. Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER A year ago, Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) kick-started his runaway Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER title triumph with six wins over the season’s opening nine races. Therefore, it should be a serious concern for any prospective class title hopeful that Kopp is off to an even better beginning in ‘23, sweeping the first two rounds after going 1-2 to open ‘22. While slowing Kopp is a daunting task, the field is loaded with hungry and skilled riders across several manufacturers. Besides the defending champion, KTM is represented by with some of the category’s most decorated riders, headlined by the likes of Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F), and Shayna Texter-Bauman(No. 52 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 450 SX-F). The American Honda-backed Turner Honda effort has been a powerhouse since its earliest days, and ‘23 looks to be no different with the talented trio of Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), and Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R). Yamaha, meanwhile, will see its home turf defended by the talented Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F). And Husqvarna has a 1-2 punch of its own in James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450) and Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450). Along with joining the premier class in underlining the depth of manufacturer parity and diversity of Progressive AFT, the 2023 opener also showcased some riders who may be poised to step into the spotlight this season. Travis Petton IV (No. 82 ECG Racing/3 Bros KTM 450 SX-F), Justin Jones(No. 91 NRC Racing/Elder Trucking KTM 450 SX-F), and Andrew Luker (No. 11 Rackley Racing/Keeran Racing Yamaha YZ450F) all flashed eye-opening speed in Daytona, while rookies Logan Eisenhard (No. 166 Scotts Powersports/The Cycle Lab LLC KTM 450 SX-F) and Clark Morian (No. 133 Morian Racing/Wells Tuned KTM 450 SX-F) didn’t take long to prove they belonged. This weekend’s action actually kicks off on Friday with some top-flight amateur racing at Senoia Raceway. The added value trend carries over into Saturday, when Progressive AFT will again welcome the inclusion of the Grand National Hooligan Championship on the evening’s bill. There will be plenty to keep fans entertained off the track as well, including numerous vendors, plenty of food and beverage options, music, and extensive motorcycle parking. General Admission tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under just $5), while Reserved Grandstand tickets are $50 (all ages). Reserved Trackside Parking (add-on only) is also available for $60 per vehicle while Multi-Day Camping Passes (add-on only) are $75. Pit Pass Upgrades are also available for purchase, which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport. Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/yamaha-senoia-short-track-61409 to purchase your tickets today! Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT). For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv. FOX Sports coverage, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 from the Yamaha Senoia Short Track on April 1 at 7:00 a.m. ET (4:00 a.m. PT).

DALLAS (March 20, 2023) — Beginning this weekend at the NHRA Arizona Nationals Buddy Hull Racing will be partnering with Minnesota-based Go Lithium to provide the team with custom designed 48-volt battery packs for their 12,000-horsepower Moonshine Methanol Top Fuel dragster. This first of its kind product from Go Lithium will feature four 12-volt batteries wired to create the 48-volts needed to power the starter in a custom design billet case.

“I am so excited to show off this Go Lithium battery starter,” said Buddy Hull, who will be making his 2023 debut this weekend at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. “There are two things I love about racing, the technical innovations and looking cool. These battery packs combine both of those elements and I think Go Lithium will get a lot of customers once people see how sharp this custom starter looks and how well it works. Doug Johnson and Jason Line have done an amazing job.”

This is Go Lithium’s first foray into the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, but the company has been providing batteries to Super Stock racer Justin Lamb, 5-time NHRA Lucas Oil Series champion, as well as late model racer Scott Bloomquist, X275 Racer JD Campbell and a variety of World of Outlaws teams. Go Lithium batteries are handmade in the USA and purpose built for racing. A nationwide network of dealers provides a wide range of battery products to racers and consumers at every level of motorsports.

“This is a dream come true for me to have our batteries aligned with an NHRA Top Fuel team like Buddy Hull Racing,” said Doug Johnson, Go Lithium President. “The beauty of this product is that we can make it completely custom for any Top Fuel team. It will be great looking and will stand out with the added benefit of being a tremendous battery pack. Getting on the level of NHRA Top Fuel racing also gives Go Lithium instant credibility. We are excited about the possibilities and we know Buddy Hull and his team will be great ambassadors for Go Lithium.”

The custom designed battery packs will be housed in billets designed by Pro Stock world champion Jason Line in conjunction with Go Lithium. Johnson was excited to be taking an existing product and modifying it for a new use. The small batch product will be completely customizable to match the look and design of any NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series team.

Fans and teams will get their first look at the Buddy Hull Racing Go Lithium battery starter on Friday night during the first round of qualifying for the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Motorsports Park. Two more qualifying rounds will be contested on Saturday, March 25 with the 16 quickest Top Fuel dragsters competing on Sunday before a packed hour and FS1 television audience. For more information on tickets visit nhra.com.

For more information visit https://www.buddyhullracing.com/ and for merchandise visit https://www.buddyhullracing.com/shop

YORBA LINDA, Calif. (March 20, 2023) – In its continued effort to grow partnerships and strengthen business-to-business relationships, John Force Racing announced that they have hired Paul Woody as its Chief Revenue Officer. In his new role, Woody will be responsible for creating new and enhancing current partnerships as well as developing and executing successful activation. “We are always looking for ways to keep up, keep up with how business is being done, keep up with what sponsors are looking for and I believe Paul will be important in keeping us up to speed,” said John Force, CEO of John Force Racing and driver of the PEAK / BlueDEF Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car. “We’re focusing on maintaining partnerships for years to come, building relationships that benefit both us and the businesses that support what we love doing. Having Paul specifically focused on finding and maintaining those relationships will be essential to John Force Racing.” Woody joins John Force Racing with two decades of sponsorship experience, most recently serving as the Vice President of Business Development for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), where he played an integral role in sponsorships, partnerships, and media development. Prior to PRCA, Woody worked for IMG, a global leader in sports, events, media, and fashion management and marketing, for a total of nine years, notably serving as General Manager for IMG Sports Marketing at the Air Force Academy, Ohio University and Assistant General Manager at UNLV. “I am very excited to be joining John Force Racing, one of the biggest names in motorsports. It is an honor to have the opportunity to represent and help the legacy of this team grow,” said Woody who earned a Ph.D. from the University of Nevada and an MBA and MSA from Ohio University after graduating with a Physics degree from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. “This team is already a leader both on and off the track. John is known for the quality with which he treats his sponsors. He and Robert Hight have established concrete relationships with their partners, and I look forward to building on that foundation and expanding their reach for the next generation of John Force Racing.” In his spare time, Woody enjoys time with his two sons (10 and 7) and his wife of 14 years. He is a member of Rotary Club International and serves on the Board of Directors for Home Front Military Network, a local charity focusing on financial bridge assistance for veterans.

March 19, 2023

Harrison Burton and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team were swept up in a multi-car melee on Lap 189 of Sunday’s Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, with the damage to the No. 21 Mustang too severe to be repaired in a timely manner. That dropped Burton to 34^th in the finishing order.

Burton started Sunday’s race from 33^rd place after getting loose in qualifying on Saturday. When the green flag flew on Sunday he spent most of the first two Stages running near the back of the pack.
 
He finished the first 60-lap Stage in 32^nd place. In the second Stage he managed to avoid getting lapped as the Stage wound down and ended that segment in 29^th place and on the lead lap.

As Stage Three got underway, Burton began to move forward. He moved into the top 25 on Lap 167 and was up to 22^nd by Lap 171. 
 
He was still inside the top 25 on Lap 189, 71 circuits shy of the finish, when a wreck that began at the front of the pack left the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang with race-ending suspension damage.

“I don’t even know what caused our wreck,” Burton told reporters at the track. “I was looking back and forth between the windshield and the mirror trying to block people from being aggressive and taking you in the middle of three-wide.
 
“I looked back and forth and by the time I looked back they were wrecking in front of me.”
 Burton said it was frustrating to see his race end as it did. 

 “I feel like our qualifying effort was not very good, obviously,” he said. “I about crashed in qualifying, but I felt really good about our car in the race, but I just could not gain track position to maintain it.  
 
“It’s really, really hard to leapfrog your way forward a lot of spots. It’s just frustrating how that worked out.  
 
“Once you’re back there, you’re bound to get pushed into all the wrecks for sure.”
 
Up next for Burton and the No. 21 team is next Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
 

NASCAR CUP SERIES ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY AMBETTER HEALTH 400 TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES & QUOTES MARCH 19, 2023

TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-10 RESULTS:POS.   DRIVER4th      Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Celsius Camaro ZL18th      Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Camaro ZL110th    Kyle Busch, No. 8 Lenovo Camaro ZL1  TOP-FIVE UNOFFICIAL RESULTS: POS.  DRIVER1st      Joey Logano (Ford)2nd      Brad Keselowski (Ford)3rd      Christopher Bell (Toyota)4th      Corey LaJoie (Chevrolet)5th      Tyler Reddick (Toyota)    The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season continues at Circuit of The Americas with the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on Sunday, March 26, at 3:30 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE QUOTES: Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1Sidelined by damage sustained in an accident on lap 210. Finished: 31st “There was nowhere to go. Nobody had been having tire issues, so I wasn’t even expecting the No. 10 (Aric Almirola) to have a tire issue in front of me. Even if I did, I didn’t have time to react. It’s a bummer. Just frustrating.. I was finally upfront on this style of race track and still end up with a DNF. I don’t know, just frustrating.”  Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Celsius Camaro ZL1Finished: 4th“I hope he gives me a shout-out for pushing him (race winner Joey Logano).. gave him a good shot there at the end. I was probably fourth or fifth in the top lane there. I had an opportunity to get down and as soon as I didn’t take it, I was like – man that was the race. That was probably with 18 or 20 to go. That’s why these guys make millions of dollars.. they’re pretty good and know where to put their car. Fourth-place is a solid day for the No. 7 Celsius Chevy team.” LaJoie on this style of racing: “Honestly, I think as this track gets a little more wear and abrasiveness to it, it’s going to be like old Daytona.. where you’re bumping and sliding around, and your car has to be fast. I felt like the track lost 10 to 15 percent of grip from last year, so handling was a big thing. You could really drive or push if you wanted to, or you could be sideways. Our Chevy drove great. We were able to pick the right lanes at the right time, just a little short.” Kyle Busch, No. 8 Lenovo Camaro ZL1Finished: 10th“We had a decent day. Our No. 8 Lenovo Camaro was fast enough. I think there were probably 20 of them that were fast enough. It was just a matter of positioning yourself and getting positioned there towards the end. I got shuffled out to around 16th and then made our way back into the top-10. Tried to make a move there with four to go on the outside and just hit a block or a wall of air and just slowed up. Top-10 finish. We’ll take that and head to COTA.” Josh Berry, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Camaro ZL1Finished: 18th “I thought it was a solid day for the No. 9 NAPA Chevy. I feel like we definitely improved. We got up there in the top-10 and we were pretty solid before that wreck. After that, the car was just a little too damaged to be too aggressive. All-in-all, we finished the race, learned a lot and had some fun.”  AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Action Industries Camaro ZL1Finished: 16th“I thought we made the best of it. We got a little bit of damage in one of the wrecks and that probably didn’t help our speed, but we were just lacking speed in general which made it tough for us to make moves and we kinda got stuck. Pit stops were really good, strategy was really good. We did everything right and the car handled well, just got stuck there in pack racing and we didn’t have a lot of raw speed in the car. We just tried to make the best there with what we had and we got out with a clean race car.” William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1Sidelined by damage sustained in an accident on lap 190. Finished: 32nd “It was superspeedway-type racing. I thought for the most part, it was pretty single-file all day. That was a little discouraging because the bottom lane wouldn’t really go that much. But as we all started to save fuel on the top, the bottom started to surge there. It looked like the No. 1 (Ross Chastain) and the No. 4 (Kevin Harvick) just got connected there into turn one and got the No. 4 loose. It’s just part of racing. That’s the way it goes.. not really in our control. We were up there running in the top-five and doing what we needed to do. Thank you to Liberty University and all of our partners. We’ll go to COTA and hopefully control a little bit more there and get a win.”  Noah Gragson, No. 42 Sunseeker Resorts Camaro ZL1Finished: 12th “It was a smooth, solid day for the No. 42 Sunseeker Resorts Chevy team. I felt pretty competitive running in the top-10 or 15 throughout the race. Really felt like we had a decent shot, we were just a little too far back there at the end to really make anything happen. But solid execution and solid job by everyone on the No. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Chevy team.  Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Camaro ZL1Finished: 8thDid you think you’d get a top-10 after that accident? “Probably not. Just looking at the day, I thought we were just stuck farther back. It was just hard to pass. We didn’t qualify good, so it just took awhile for us to get up there and we never really did, and then we got in a crash there.  Happy to get a top-10 for the No. 43 Allegiant Chevy. We needed that. We just needed a good finish. We haven’t had one this year, so it was nice to do that. I hope we keep it rolling. We just kind of squeaked that one out there at the end with some stuff working out on the last two laps for us. But happy with that; proud of that. Glad we can hopefully get some momentum going and keep rolling.” 

Stage One·       Kyle Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1 team led Chevrolet in yesterday’s qualifying session, taking the green from a ninth-place starting position for today’s Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. ·       The only caution in Stage One fell early in the race on lap 11, with the majority of the field opting to not pit for track position. ·       Kyle Busch (No. 8 Lenovo Camaro ZL1) led Chevrolet to the conclusion of Stage One in the seventh position. ·       Two Chevrolet drivers scored stage points with top-10 finishes in Stage One: 7th      Kyle Busch, No. 8 Lenovo Camaro ZL19th      Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Tootsies Camaro ZL1 Stage Two·       The 100-lap Stage Two went caution-free, with a round of green-flag pit stops playing a factor in track position in the latter-part of the stage. ·       At the 160-lap mark, the race had seen nine lead changes, with Kyle Busch leading twice for Chevrolet for seven laps. ·       Alex Bowman (No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1) led Chevrolet to the end of Stage Two in the third position. ·       Team Chevy Stage Two: Top-103rd      Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL15th      William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL110th     Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Celsius Camaro ZL1·       With a round of pit stops at the conclusion of Stage Two, crew chief Mike Kelley called Ricky Stenhouse Jr. down pit road for a two-tire pit strategy. The No. 47 Kroger / Nature Valley Camaro ZL1 team gained 18 positions on pit road to lead Chevrolet to a fourth-place starting position for the final stage.  Final Stage·       The first multi-car accident of the race took place on lap 190, collecting a handful of Chevrolet drivers (No. 9, 24, 1, 8, 3, 78). Unable to make repairs to the No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1, Byron was forced to retire from the race. ·       Kyle Larson was running in the second position on lap 210 when race leader Aric Almirola spun due to tire issues, collecting the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1. Damage sustained in the accident ended Larson’s day. ·       Corey Lajoie and the No. 7 Celsius Camaro ZL1 team finished in the fourth position, leading Chevrolet to three top-10 finishes at the conclusion of the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. ·       With five NASCAR Cup Series races in the books, Chevrolet has recorded four wins, two pole wins, 12 top-fives, 24 top-10s and seven stage wins.

NASCAR CUP SERIES ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY AMBETTER HEALTH 400 TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES & QUOTES MARCH 19, 2023

TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-10 RESULTS:POS.   DRIVER4th      Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Celsius Camaro ZL18th      Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Camaro ZL110th    Kyle Busch, No. 8 Lenovo Camaro ZL1  TOP-FIVE UNOFFICIAL RESULTS: POS.  DRIVER1st      Joey Logano (Ford)2nd      Brad Keselowski (Ford)3rd      Christopher Bell (Toyota)4th      Corey LaJoie (Chevrolet)5th      Tyler Reddick (Toyota)    The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season continues at Circuit of The Americas with the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on Sunday, March 26, at 3:30 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE QUOTES: Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1Sidelined by damage sustained in an accident on lap 210. Finished: 31st “There was nowhere to go. Nobody had been having tire issues, so I wasn’t even expecting the No. 10 (Aric Almirola) to have a tire issue in front of me. Even if I did, I didn’t have time to react. It’s a bummer. Just frustrating.. I was finally upfront on this style of race track and still end up with a DNF. I don’t know, just frustrating.”  Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Celsius Camaro ZL1Finished: 4th“I hope he gives me a shout-out for pushing him (race winner Joey Logano).. gave him a good shot there at the end. I was probably fourth or fifth in the top lane there. I had an opportunity to get down and as soon as I didn’t take it, I was like – man that was the race. That was probably with 18 or 20 to go. That’s why these guys make millions of dollars.. they’re pretty good and know where to put their car. Fourth-place is a solid day for the No. 7 Celsius Chevy team.” LaJoie on this style of racing: “Honestly, I think as this track gets a little more wear and abrasiveness to it, it’s going to be like old Daytona.. where you’re bumping and sliding around, and your car has to be fast. I felt like the track lost 10 to 15 percent of grip from last year, so handling was a big thing. You could really drive or push if you wanted to, or you could be sideways. Our Chevy drove great. We were able to pick the right lanes at the right time, just a little short.” Kyle Busch, No. 8 Lenovo Camaro ZL1Finished: 10th“We had a decent day. Our No. 8 Lenovo Camaro was fast enough. I think there were probably 20 of them that were fast enough. It was just a matter of positioning yourself and getting positioned there towards the end. I got shuffled out to around 16th and then made our way back into the top-10. Tried to make a move there with four to go on the outside and just hit a block or a wall of air and just slowed up. Top-10 finish. We’ll take that and head to COTA.” Josh Berry, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Camaro ZL1Finished: 18th “I thought it was a solid day for the No. 9 NAPA Chevy. I feel like we definitely improved. We got up there in the top-10 and we were pretty solid before that wreck. After that, the car was just a little too damaged to be too aggressive. All-in-all, we finished the race, learned a lot and had some fun.”  AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Action Industries Camaro ZL1Finished: 16th“I thought we made the best of it. We got a little bit of damage in one of the wrecks and that probably didn’t help our speed, but we were just lacking speed in general which made it tough for us to make moves and we kinda got stuck. Pit stops were really good, strategy was really good. We did everything right and the car handled well, just got stuck there in pack racing and we didn’t have a lot of raw speed in the car. We just tried to make the best there with what we had and we got out with a clean race car.” William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1Sidelined by damage sustained in an accident on lap 190. Finished: 32nd “It was superspeedway-type racing. I thought for the most part, it was pretty single-file all day. That was a little discouraging because the bottom lane wouldn’t really go that much. But as we all started to save fuel on the top, the bottom started to surge there. It looked like the No. 1 (Ross Chastain) and the No. 4 (Kevin Harvick) just got connected there into turn one and got the No. 4 loose. It’s just part of racing. That’s the way it goes.. not really in our control. We were up there running in the top-five and doing what we needed to do. Thank you to Liberty University and all of our partners. We’ll go to COTA and hopefully control a little bit more there and get a win.”  Noah Gragson, No. 42 Sunseeker Resorts Camaro ZL1Finished: 12th “It was a smooth, solid day for the No. 42 Sunseeker Resorts Chevy team. I felt pretty competitive running in the top-10 or 15 throughout the race. Really felt like we had a decent shot, we were just a little too far back there at the end to really make anything happen. But solid execution and solid job by everyone on the No. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Chevy team.  Erik Jones, No. 43 Allegiant Camaro ZL1Finished: 8thDid you think you’d get a top-10 after that accident? “Probably not. Just looking at the day, I thought we were just stuck farther back. It was just hard to pass. We didn’t qualify good, so it just took awhile for us to get up there and we never really did, and then we got in a crash there.  Happy to get a top-10 for the No. 43 Allegiant Chevy. We needed that. We just needed a good finish. We haven’t had one this year, so it was nice to do that. I hope we keep it rolling. We just kind of squeaked that one out there at the end with some stuff working out on the last two laps for us. But happy with that; proud of that. Glad we can hopefully get some momentum going and keep rolling.” 

Stage One·       Kyle Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1 team led Chevrolet in yesterday’s qualifying session, taking the green from a ninth-place starting position for today’s Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. ·       The only caution in Stage One fell early in the race on lap 11, with the majority of the field opting to not pit for track position. ·       Kyle Busch (No. 8 Lenovo Camaro ZL1) led Chevrolet to the conclusion of Stage One in the seventh position. ·       Two Chevrolet drivers scored stage points with top-10 finishes in Stage One: 7th      Kyle Busch, No. 8 Lenovo Camaro ZL19th      Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Tootsies Camaro ZL1 Stage Two·       The 100-lap Stage Two went caution-free, with a round of green-flag pit stops playing a factor in track position in the latter-part of the stage. ·       At the 160-lap mark, the race had seen nine lead changes, with Kyle Busch leading twice for Chevrolet for seven laps. ·       Alex Bowman (No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1) led Chevrolet to the end of Stage Two in the third position. ·       Team Chevy Stage Two: Top-103rd      Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL15th      William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL110th     Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Celsius Camaro ZL1·       With a round of pit stops at the conclusion of Stage Two, crew chief Mike Kelley called Ricky Stenhouse Jr. down pit road for a two-tire pit strategy. The No. 47 Kroger / Nature Valley Camaro ZL1 team gained 18 positions on pit road to lead Chevrolet to a fourth-place starting position for the final stage.  Final Stage·       The first multi-car accident of the race took place on lap 190, collecting a handful of Chevrolet drivers (No. 9, 24, 1, 8, 3, 78). Unable to make repairs to the No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1, Byron was forced to retire from the race. ·       Kyle Larson was running in the second position on lap 210 when race leader Aric Almirola spun due to tire issues, collecting the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1. Damage sustained in the accident ended Larson’s day. ·       Corey Lajoie and the No. 7 Celsius Camaro ZL1 team finished in the fourth position, leading Chevrolet to three top-10 finishes at the conclusion of the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. ·       With five NASCAR Cup Series races in the books, Chevrolet has recorded four wins, two pole wins, 12 top-fives, 24 top-10s and seven stage wins.

Abreu earns 10th Series win while Macedo banks $10,000 with Spring Showdown championship

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA (March 18, 2023) – Rico Abreu made a powerful opening statement for his 2023 Sprint Car season.

On a night that was all about World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars battling the PA Posse, it was a driver not fitting into either category coming out on top.

Making his 2023 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season debut, Abreu topped a thriller at Lincoln Speedway (Abbottstown, PA) on Saturday night in the Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown finale. The St. Helena, CA native outdueled four-time and defending Series champion, Brad Sweet, in the 35-lap Feature to take home the $10,000 check.

The victory marked his 10th with The Greatest Show on Dirt and first in the state of Pennsylvania. Abreu became the 48th different driver to reach double digit World of Outlaws wins and only the eighth from the state of California.

Needless to say, Abreu was thrilled for he and his #24 crew to come out swinging so forcefully to begin his year.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Abreu said. “It’s incredible for my team. I think that’s the coolest part for me is for my team to experience something like that. Those are definitely difficult wins to come by.”

The majority of the 35 laps proved to be a three-horse race between Abreu, Sweet, and Raymond, WA native turned PA Posse driver, Devon Borden.

Sweet controlled the early portion of the race, taking off from the pole position. The driver of the Kasey Kahne Racing #49 faced an early challenge from Freddie Rahmer as traffic became a factor early on. However, on lap nine Rahmer’s chances vanished as he nosed into Sweet’s tail tank and spun in Turn one.

Rahmer’s misfortune moved Borden into the runner-up spot. On the ensuing restart, it appeared as if Sweet may get away, but lapped traffic again posed an issue for him, allowing Borden to close in. Around the halfway point, Borden made one valiant attempt at the lead as he drew even with Sweet down the front straightaway, but Sweet got his elbows up and pulled away after catching a glimpse of the Shuttlesworth-Stehman #23 to his outside.

“I actually thought there, for a minute, we were going to have a really good shot to win,” Borden said of the battle with Sweet. “We were really fast, had a really good car. I was just trying to stay patient and got to Sweet there a couple of times and was really close to him.”

Only a lap after Sweet put some distance between himself and Borden, Abreu’s car began to come alive as he rolled by Borden and set his sights on Sweet. Shortly after taking the runner-up spot, Abreu closed on “The Big Cat” and tossed a slider on him to take the lead coming to 13 laps to go. Abreu gave plenty of credit to his legendary crew chief, Ricky Warner, and his work on the wrenches for his late race speed.

“Ricky is obviously a very experienced crew chief and understands the ability to adapt quickly when it comes to crew chief decisions on racetracks that develop throughout the night,” Abreu said. “My car was unbelievably fast tonight. I was really lucky to get good track position and not have to fight too hard to get up front. Toward the end of the race, my car just kept getting better and better.”

After Abreu took the lead, there was no looking back as he pulled ahead and ultimately took the checkered flag with nearly a two second advantage over Sweet. A win to kick off his racing season left Abreu feeling especially grateful for his situation.

“I have some great partners,” Abreu said. “Everybody just does an unbelievable job. It’s just really cool to sit back and see it and see everybody involved and how pleasuring it is to me to be in this position. It’s unbelievable.”               

Behind Abreu, Sweet finished on the podium for the second time this year, earning the 259th of his illustrious career with the World of Outlaws. The Grass Valley, CA native felt encouraged with the result but also couldn’t help but think of what could’ve been after leading the opening 22 circuits.

“Overall tonight, we were pretty happy with our car, finishing second even though we were leading laps and up front,” Sweet explained. “I just felt we were a little off in the A (main), but this is a tough field of cars. And with new tires and a lot of unknowns, you just don’t know how these nights are going to go, so we’re pretty happy with second with our Napa Auto Parts car.”

Rounding out the podium in just his 14th career World of Outlaws Feature start was Borden, marking his first career Series top-three.

“It honestly means the world just to be running out here in Pennsylvania against the absolute best in the world and running up front and contending for wins, you know,” Borden said. “We’ve come a long way, didn’t think I’d be here this soon. It’s really cool.”

One spot behind Borden was a hard charging Carson Macedo. The Jason Johnson Racing driver moved up from ninth to fourth, enough to make him the Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown champion and pocket an extra $10,000.

“It means a lot to us,” Macedo said. “I think it’s something really cool they put together that hopefully they continue to do in the future. I feel like all the people from Low-E Insulation, that’s a good chunk of change for them to put out.”

David Gravel and Brad Sweet finished second and third in the Spring Showdown standings to take home the remaining portion of the point fund with Gravel taking $6,000 and Sweet claiming $4,000.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars will take on a down south double header as next weekend (March 24-25), Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, AL) and Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, MS) host The Greatest Show on Dirt. For tickets, CLICK HERE

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

RESULTS

A Feature (35 Laps): 1. 24-Rico Abreu[3]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet[1]; 3. 23-Devon Borden[4]; 4. 41-Carson Macedo[9]; 5. 13-Justin Peck[12]; 6. 48-Danny Dietrich[7]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart[5]; 8. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[21]; 9. 19-Brent Marks[13]; 10. 2-David Gravel[6]; 11. 5-Spencer Bayston[8]; 12. 11-Michael Kofoid[10]; 13. 83-James McFadden[25]; 14. 27-Chris Windom[16]; 15. 39M-Anthony Macri[19]; 16. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[27]; 17. 16-Matt Campbell[11]; 18. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[22]; 19. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[30]; 20. 15-Donny Schatz[28]; 21. 9-Kasey Kahne[29]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen[15]; 23. 8D-Billy Dietrich[14]; 24. 69-Tim Glatfelter[20]; 25. 91-Kyle Reinhardt[18]; 26. 99M-Kyle Moody[26]; 27. 5W-Lucas Wolfe[23]; 28. 44-Dylan Norris[24]; 29. 8-Freddie Rahmer[2]; 30. 1M-Landon Myers[17]

(March 18, 2023) – Corvette Racing showed itself strong early but was left wondering what might have been at the end of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday. The No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R – with Antonio Garcia, Jordan Taylor and Tommy Milner sharing the wheel – placed fifth in the GT Daytona (GTD) PRO class after the second race of this year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

After fighting back first from an untimely full-course yellow early and then a mechanical problem with four hours remaining, Corvette Racing appeared to be in a great spot for a second straight Sebring class victory until late-race chaos that started with the GTP-class fight with 20 minutes to go undid all the team’s good work at the end. The Corvette had the race going its way in the opening eight hours. Garcia began from pole position and steadily increased his advantage through the first hour. The first bit of misfortune struck at the race’s second full-course yellow just past the hour mark as the Corvette couldn’t make its first stop before the pits closed. As a result, it had to enter the pitlane for five seconds of emergency fuel and pit again for full service when the GT pits opened. Garcia fell to eighth in class but carved his way back toward the front with a dynamic drive through traffic in the span of 25 minutes. He moved up to second by the time the race went yellow again at the two-hour mark. Taylor got in the Corvette for almost three hours as the Corvette Racing crew got him out ahead of the No. 79 Mercedes for the GTD PRO lead. It was a spot that Taylor held for most of his triple-stint before he handed the C8.R to Milner, who rejoined with the lead. The Corvette continued to lead out front despite the air and track temperatures climbing during the hottest part of the day. Still while leading, Milner radioed to the Corvette Racing pitbox for the crew to check something at the rear of the car. On his final pitstop with about four hours left, the crew found and replaced the C8.R’s left-rear damper. The fix cost Corvette Racing a lap but Taylor got in for his second run in the car still with good pace but needing a yellow. Nearly 2.5 hours later, the yellow flags flew again to solidify the Corvette getting back on the lead lap. Taylor stayed in until the 10-hour mark when Garcia re-entered the race for the final stints to the end. A series of additional full-course yellows and some sharp strategy calls moved the Corvette as high as third and first among the GTD PRO cars that made their final scheduled stops under yellow with about 50 minutes to go. On the subsequent restart, however, Garcia was hit from behind and knocked off track. The contact sent the C8.R down to sixth place. The final blow came with 17 minutes to go when Garcia and the No. 62 Ferrari were involved in a crash instigated by the overall leaders. Despite the second spin, the Corvette did gain a spot to its final fifth-place finishing position. Corvette Racing’s next event in the WeatherTech Championship is Saturday, April 15 in Long Beach, Calif.

Photos: Richard Prince, Chevrolet Racing

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – FINISHED FIFTH IN GTD PRO:“I’m really disappointed with the finish, but it has nothing to do with the team. They did a great job all weekend with the car, our strategy and helping to keep us in the race when things weren’t looking so good. We kept waiting for a long time for a yellow to get back with the main GTD PRO group, and it finally came our way not long after I got in. I felt like we were in the best shape of all with about an hour to go before all the chaos broke out. I really don’t know what to say. All I know is that I was spun twice and it ruined our race and our car. I understand that this is an important race but there is no call for what happened late. It was careless and reckless driving by a lot of guys who should know better. I don’t know if we would have won, but I do know that we had that chance taken from us. I’m not happy.”

JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – FINISHED FIFTH IN GTD PRO: “A disappointing finish. The guys did an amazing job. We were up front and in control for a majority of the day before our mechanical issue. I’d say driving standards for today were pretty sub-par from the whole field. There were so many yellows early on and the end of the race was embarrassing to be part of, to be honest. It’s disappointing to finish fifth after how strong we were, but we’ll move on to Long Beach.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – FINISHED FIFTH IN GTD PRO: “The start was great from Antonio. The first stint from Jordan was awesome. The car was very, very good. At some point in my stint, we had our issue and it looked a little grim for awhile. Then it looked like we would have an opportunity and a chance to race for a podium, which I think we certainly deserved as we had the car to beat. At the end, you had a lot of guys who were driving over their heads and there was a lot of that today. Unfortunately we got the worst of it. I feel for the rest of the guys in GTD PRO to have to deal with Antonio for the rest of the year. He’s going to be fired up.”