AUSTIN PROCK AND MONTANA BRAND / RMT GEARED UP FORNHRA GATORNATIONALS

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 09, 2023) – No one closed out the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season with more momentum than Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet dragster team. Jumping from 12th to third in the six-race Countdown to the Championship, Prock and his crew now headed by Chris Cunningham, are looking to continue that momentum as they kick off the 2023 season at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. Prock finished the 2022 season with a pair of victories in the Countdown to the Championship and his first career No. 1 qualifying position. Making his third appearance at the Gatornationals, Prock is hoping to start the 2023 season with the same momentum he had closed out 2022, a double-up victory this weekend would do just that. Prock has the opportunity to snag a Wally Sunday at the Gatornationals and the NHRA Pep Boys All-Star Top Fuel Callout being raced during Saturday qualifying. “I’m looking forward to the first race of the year. We have a lot going on. We’ve got the Pep-Boys Call Out that we qualified for and there are a lot of good cars in there. It’s a good competition and it’s always fun,” Prock said. “We have a new crew chief team with Chris Cunningham and Joe Barlam and a handful of new guys on the Montana Brand / RMT car. Everybody has been doing a great job and I’m looking forward to seeing how we hash-up against everyone else and to see if we can pick up from where we left off.  Austin is making just his third appearance in the Florida race and while he has yet to advance beyond the first round, Prock has a unique opportunity at the Gatornationals, a race in which he can become the third generation of the Prock family to reach the final round. His dad, Jimmy Prock, crew chief on Robert Hight’s Chevrolet Funny Car, has won the race five times. His grandfather, Tom Prock, was runner-up to Don Prudhomme in the 1975. “We’ve done some good testing over the past couple weeks. The first test session that we had in Gainesville we ran mid-to-low 60’s just like we did at Pomona,” Prock said. “We changed a bunch of things in the bell housing and clutch discs and it all responded really well. We should be able to go out there and compete for a Wally the first week out.” The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, the season-opening event in the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, begins with four qualifying sessions Friday at 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. with the Pep Boys Call-Out taking place throughout qualifying Saturday. Eliminations on Sunday are slated for 10 a.m. Television coverage of the event begins with a qualifying show Saturday at 11 a.m. ET and a dedicated Pep Boys All-Start Callout show on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Sunday race day action will be at noon ET on FOX Broadcasting Network.

GAINESVILLE, FL (March 9, 2023) — The Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown once again begins its season at historic Gainesville Raceway, March 10-12 for the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. After a lengthy off season, the heated competition between Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Mustang Cobra Jets and Dodge Mopar Challenger Drag Paks will be front and center at a total of 10 NHRA national events in 2023. Last season David Barton dominated the end of the season to capture the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown championship winning two of the final three races of the season.

“It’s been a productive off-season for our team. We took some time to celebrate the championship, but we also made some improvements heading into 2023. We want to start this season at the same high-performance level we left with at the end of last year,” said Barton, who collected three wins in five final round appearances in 2022. “There’s heated competition in this category, we may not get enough credit for that, but there are guys out here going after it every weekend, not just one or two either but everybody. Now, this year, with 10 races to prove who deserves the title, it’s going to be even more exciting. I know I’m looking forward to it and where better to kick things off than a historic track like Gainesville.” 

In his 2022 championship campaign, Barton snagged a runner-up finish at the second event, but it wasn’t until mid-summer in Bristol, Tennessee that he would pick up his first victory and go on a run of four consecutive final round appearances. He would pick up his final two victories of the season at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and at his hometown race in Reading, Pennsylvania. 

David Barton celebrates winning NHRA Reading Nationals, photo courtesy Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

Barton earned the championship with a narrow point lead over veteran Bill Skillman who also had three victories in his Ray Skillman Auto Ford Cobra Jet. 

Besides chasing down and hoping to take the series crown from Barton, drivers will also be gunning for the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Bounty Program $1,000 from 2021 champion and winner of the season ending Texas NHRA FallNationals, Aaron Stanfield. The program will see a “bounty” placed on the head of the previous event winner. As the most recent winner Stanfield is now being hunted by the rest of the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown field. If a competitor can beat Stanfield at this weekend’s Gatornationals, that driver will receive the $1,000 prize. If Stanfield takes home the win in Gainesville, his bounty is upped to $2,000.

“The 2022 season was a bit shaky for us. We had success towards the end with a pair of runner-up finishes and then the win to close it all out, but the first half was a bit rocky,” said Stanfield who is a two-time class champion. “We’ve been working hard in the shop to carryover our end of season success and hopefully get things started on the right foot in 2023. It might play into our favor that we have a pair of extra races but that might be true for everyone. It’s definitely going to be another good year with high-level competition, you can be sure of that.”

Aaron Stanfield launches his COPO Camaro at NHRA FallNationals, photo credit Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

Qualifying for the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown season opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals begins Friday with sessions at 12:45 and 3:30 p.m. and continues Saturday with a third and final session at 11:15 a.m. before eliminations kick-off at 2:55 p.m. Eliminations are set to conclude Sunday with second round at 11:50 a.m. and the finals slated for 2:20 p.m. 

BATAVIA, Ohio (March 9, 2023) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is back in action next week – Friday, March 17 at Atomic Speedway and Saturday, March 18 at Brownstown Speedway. Drivers will contend for a $12,000 top prize in Friday’s Buckeye Spring 50 at Atomic Speedway. The pit gate will open at 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET, followed by general admission gates at 2:00 p.m. ET. Dirt Draft Hot Laps are slated to begin at 6:00 p.m. ET followed by Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains, and the 50-lap Buckeye Spring 50 finale. Also on the card will be the 305 Sprint Cars and Sport Modifieds. Atomic Speedway is located at 2535 Blain Highway in Waverly, Ohio – just off S.R. 23 six miles south of Chillicothe. For more information about Atomic Speedway, including how to purchase discounted tickets in advance, please visit www.atomicspeedway.net.  Teams will travel west on Saturday to the historic Brownstown Speedway in Brownstown, Ind. A complete program is on deck for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series – highlighted by the $15,000-to-win, 50-lap, 26th Annual John Jones Auto Group Indiana Icebreaker. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be joined by the Modifieds and Pure Stocks.  All gates at Brownstown Speedway will open at 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET, with on-track action set to begin at 6:00 p.m. ET. Brownstown Speedway is located one mile southeast of Brownstown, Ind. on S.R. 250 at the Jackson County Fairground. To purchase tickets in advance or find more information about Brownstown Speedway, visit the track’s website at www.brownstownspeedway.com.  The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has seen eight different winners in the first eleven events of the 2023 season, including two first-time winners. Among those victors are the top three in the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship – presented by ARP standings – Ricky Thornton Jr., Hudson O’Neal, and Brandon Overton. Tim McCreadie and Devin Moran round out the top five in championship standings. For complete standings, please visit www.lucasdirt.com/standings.  Track Information:Atomic SpeedwayPhone Number: (740) 703-9749Location: 2535 Blain Hwy, Waverly, OH 45690Website: www.atomicspeedway.net Brownstown SpeedwayPhone Number: (812) 358-5332Location: 476 East CR 100, Brownstown, IN 47220Website: www.brownstownspeedway.com Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule:March 17th – Atomic SpeedwayLeft Front – Any Hoosier (28.5) or (90) CompoundLeft Rear/Right Front – Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) LM20Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NLMT2, (92) LM20, (92) NLMT3, (92) LM30s *Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains*For the A-Main, competitors may use 2 new tires.*Can cut and/or sipe any tire.*Flat tire must be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position. March 18th – Brownstown SpeedwayLeft Front – Any Hoosier (28.5) or (90) CompoundLeft Rear/Right Front – Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) LM20, (90) NLMT3, (90) LM30sRight Rear – Hoosier (92) NLMT2, (92) LM20, (92) NLMT3, (92) LM30s, (92) NLMT4, (92) LM40 *Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains*For the A-Main, competitors may use 3 new tires.*Can cut and/or sipe any tire.*Flat tire must be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Weekend Purses:Buckeye Spring 50 at Atomic Speedway: 1. $12,000, 2. $6,000, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,800, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,100, 15. $1,050, 16. $1,000, 17. $1,000, 18. $1,000, 19. $1,000, 20. $1,000, 21. $1,000, 22. $1,000, 23. $1,000, 24. $1,000 = Total $52,800 Indiana Icebreaker at Brownstown Speedway: 1. $15,000, 2. $7,000, 3. $5,000, 4. $4,000, 5. $3,000, 6. $2,500, 7. $2,400, 8. $2,300, 9. $2,200, 10. $2,100, 11. $2,000, 12. $1,800, 13. $1,600, 14. $1,500, 15. $1,400, 16. $1,300, 17. $1,200, 18. $1,100, 19. $1,000, 20. $1,000, 21. $1,000, 22. $1,000, 23. $1,000, 24. $1,000, = Total $63,400

2023 AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals

Gainesville Raceway

Gainesville, Florida

March 10-12, 2023

KICKING OFF THE 2023 SEASON IN GAINESVILLE

As the 2023 NHRA season kicks off in Gainesville, Florida, Chevrolet looks to defend multiple titles from 2022. With Brittany Force’s second Top Fuel title in the Chevrolet dragster, Erica Enders’ fifth Pro Stock championship in the Chevrolet Camaro, and David Barton’s Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown in the Chevrolet COPO Camaro, Chevrolet enters the new year looking to defend their most recent Manufacturers Cup.

The site of her first career NHRA victory in 2016, Brittany Force looks to keep her and her Chevrolet team’s strong momentum rolling into the weekend’s AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at John Force Racing. Alongside her, teammate Austin Prock enters his fourth season in Top Fuel competition looking to build on his achievements heading into the new year.

In Funny Car, John Force looks to continue his legendary drive this season while defending his historic stats of 16 championships, 155 wins, and 165 No. 1 qualifiers. His teammate, Robert Hight, looks to defend and add to his three Funny Car championships, in addition to his 61 career wins (26 supported by Chevrolet), and 77 career No. 1 qualifiers.

In Pro Stock, Chevrolet once again joins Erica Enders and Elite Motorsports in the drive for a sixth championship, along with Greg Anderson at the newly formed KB Titan Racing in seeking his sixth Pro Stock title. Joining Enders in the Elite Motorsports camp in the hunt for the Winner’s Circle this year is Bo Butner, Troy Coughlin Jr., and Aaron Stanfield. Racing to add to her achievements in her Rookie of the Year season in 2022, Camrie Caruso joins Anderson at KB Titan Racing, along with Dallas Glenn (the 2022 Pro Stock winner at Gainesville), Kyle Koretsky, and Deric Kramer.

Kicking off their 2023 season, the COPO Camaro drivers of the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown take to the starting line once again in the fight to defend the 2021 and 2022 Chevrolet-supported back-to-back championship runs, captured by Aaron Stanfield and David Barton respectively, as well as the 2022 Gainesville victory by Len Lettig.

The 2023 AMALIE Motor Oil Gatornationals get underway starting with Qualifying Friday, March 10, broadcasting March 11 at 10 a.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Saturday’s qualifying from Gainesville will air also on FS1 Sunday, March 12 at 9 a.m. ET, with eliminations on Sunday airing at 12 p.m. ET on FOX.

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

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (QUOTES)

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

“We are pumped coming in here after finishing so strong and winning a championship together. We are looking forward to seeing what we can do this season. Last season we had five wins and we want to go beyond that. We want more wins. We’d like to set more track records, but the ultimate game plan is to win the championship for this team. 

We came out early and did six days of testing. We’re pretty confident going into this race weekend, especially because it’s two races in one. It’s the PepBoys All-Star Call Out, it’s going to be fun. I already kind of had a brief discussion with (David) Grubnic on who we are going to call out, so we already have a game plan in mind. We’ll see how it goes. There’s no good team or driver to call. They’re all going to be tough, that’s why we are all up there together. There are eight of us. Either way, it’s going to be tricky but we are ready for the challenge.”

Brittany on competing at Gainesville:

“Gainesville is definitely a special place for me. I’ve been coming up here since I was a kid watching my dad and Ashley (Force Hood) race. My first win in a Top Fuel car was here in 2016. Again, it’s a special place. I love it here. It’s the Gatornationals; it’s just a big one. It’s the one race I remember as a kid that was such a unique one. I knew it was a big race. It was the Gatornationals. It drew in a huge crowd, and it had so much momentum and excitement behind it. It is one you never wanted to miss.”

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

“I’m looking forward to the first race of the year. We have a lot going on. We’ve got the Pep-Boys Call Out that we qualified for and there are a lot of good cars in there. It’s a good competition and it’s always fun. We have a new crew chief with Joe Bartlum and Chris Cunningham and a handful of new guys on the car. Everybody has been doing a great job and I’m looking forward to seeing how we hash up against everyone else and to see if we can pick up from where we left off.” 

Austin on Gainesville and pre-season testing:

“The first test session that we had in Gainesville, we ran mid-to-low 60’s just like we did at Pomona. Then we changed a bunch of things in the bell housing and clutch discs in the second half of the season and it all responded really well. We should be able to go out there and compete for a Wally the first week out!”

CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS IN NHRA

1,421: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time)

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

366: 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

42: 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

UPCOMING NHRA MILESTONES

950: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) is second all-time with 912 elimination round wins. He could reach 950 round wins with a decent run in the 18-race schedule.

600: Robert Hight has 591 Funny Car elimination round victories to rank 14th on the all-time NHRA list. Reaching 600 round wins would put him 13th all time.

436: By qualifying for his next race, Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) will extend his NHRA record to 436 consecutive race day appearances.

138: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) ranks third on the NHRA all-time list with 121 No. 1 qualifiers. He could pass 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.

The third-year driver is looking forward to time in familiar territoryMECHANICSBURG, PA (March 9, 2023) – The addition of a Pennsylvania swing in March for the 2023 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car tour was a welcomed shift for Brock Zearfoss.The Jonestown, PA native shaped his talents with the Pennsylvania Posse throughout the “Keystone State” before transitioning to the World of Outlaws tour full-time in 2021.Rather than heading west to California like years past, he’ll get to put those talents on display at home again for the final two nights of the Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown at Williams Grove Speedway (March 17) and Lincoln Speedway (March 18). “It’s nice to be able to get back home,” Zearfoss said. “Obviously, I love racing in Pennsylvania. It’s where I’m from. It’s where I cut my teeth. It’s racetracks I’m super familiar with. All of our sponsors are right there, and it’s nice to race in front of them whenever we get the chance to. Hopefully we can get a win early in the season. Obviously, California is a whole different animal than what I’m used to racing at home with half-mile stuff. It’ll be nice to get home to tracks I’m familiar with and kind of keep that flow going to carry to the Midwest.”The entire region of central PA is special to any Sprint Car driver from the area, but the next track on tap, Williams Grove, will always be especially meaningful for the “Jonestown Jet.” Back in 2017, making his eighth World of Outlaws Feature start, Zearfoss topped the opening night of Summer Nationals at the Mechanicsburg, PA facility for his first Series win. He’s also posted five of his 53 career top-10s at the iconic half-mile.“The first Outlaw win is special. It’s something you always remember,” Zearfoss said. “We had a little bit of luck in the Feature when Lance (Dewease) unfortunately got upside down and put us in the lead, but it wasn’t really given to us that night. I had to earn it. I had David Gravel and Donny Schatz breathing down my neck for about 15 laps. It wasn’t easy. I didn’t drive off into the sunset, still had to race my butt off. It’s something I’ll never forget.”On top of racing at familiar tracks, the simple element of being close to home and his own race shop is another benefit he’s looking forward to. The grind of the World of Outlaws tour rarely allows teams a respite from the road. Now, even with the Port Royal Speedway race weekend canceled due to wintry conditions, Zearfoss gets a couple weeks at home rather than being a few thousand miles from his front door like he would be on the West Coast.“Anytime that you can rest is good,” Zearfoss said. “Sleeping in your own bed is really nice, too. To start the season off, get racing and get back in the flow of things and kind of get going but still be able to spend some time at home and sleep in your own bed, stay rested is nice. Being in California, you’re sleeping in hotel rooms. It’s a long way out there. There’s a lot of driving in between. Being at home all of the tracks we race at in Pennsylvania are no farther than an hour.”Heading into home territory, Zearfoss will look to fix his early season performance disparity between Low-E Insulation Qualifying and the Feature.Time trials have posed some problems as he’s averaging timing in 26th quick through the five completed Volusia Speedway Park races, but the main event has been an entirely different story.When the green flag drops on the Feature, Zearfoss has proven to be one of the fastest cars on track and able to slice through the field better than anyone. The 32-year-old is averaging passing nearly eight cars per Feature with a net position change of plus-39 so far this season, more than double the next best. His efforts have already earned him two KSE Hard Charger awards.“We take away that our car can pass race cars,” Zearfoss noted of his early season impressions. “I can take away that I work well with (my crew members) Todd Berkheimer, Matt Frisbie, and Kasey Walters. We’re all working together really well. We all understand each other. Todd understands what I’m looking to feel in the car. I think the adjustments that we’ve made throughout the night, racing five races down there (Florida) throughout the nights, you know, we adjusted our car, and our car responded well to it.”While weather chopped a pair of nights off the planned PA tilt, Zearfoss still hopes he can build on the strides they made in Florida by performing well on familiar tracks in front of his hometown fans. By the time Williams Grove and Lincoln roll around next weekend he’ll have had plenty of days of work in his own shop and nights of sleep on his own pillow. With the comforts of home on his side, Zearfoss is confident he can perform well and create some early momentum in his third season with The Greatest Show on Dirt.“It adds a little bit of excitement to get to go home to the tracks you’re familiar with,” Zearfoss said. “It comes back to the confidence level. I have confidence in my race car and my team, but it just gives that little extra bit when you know you’re going home and you’re racing in your backyard.”For tickets to the final two rounds of the Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown at Williams Grove Speedway, March 17, and Lincoln Speedway, March 18, CLICK HERE.If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch both races live on DIRTVision – either online or with the DIRTVision App.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 09, 2023) – Two-time and reigning NHRA Camping World Top Fuel world champion Brittany Force and her Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Camaro SS team enter this weekend’s Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway with the same intensity that won them the 2022 championship. “This Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team is pumped coming into the 2023 season after finishing so strong and winning a championship together. We are looking forward to seeing what we can do this season,” Force said. “Last season we had five wins and we want to go beyond that. We want more wins. We’d like to set more track records, but the ultimate game plan is to win another championship for this team.” Now with a No. 1 emblazoned on the Monster Energy dragster, Force, the only woman other than Shirley Muldowney to have won the series title in NHRA’s signature category, returns to a track forever embedded in her history. Force tallied her first professional win at Gainesville Raceway in 2016 when she doubled up for victory with teammate Robert Hight. It was also the first professional nitro sweep for John Force Racing. “Gainesville is definitely a special place for me. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid watching my dad and then Ashley race,” Force said. “My first win in a Top Fuel car was here in 2016. Again, it’s a special place, I love it here, it’s the Gatornationals, it’s just a big one. It’s one of the races I remember as a kid that seemed so prestigious. It drew in a huge crowd, and it had so much momentum and excitement behind it. It is one you never want to miss.” Force set the current Gainesville Raceway track ET record (3.680 seconds on March 15, 2019) when she and Hight were No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the 2019 Gatornationals and set the track speed record (337.75mph) in her most recent appearance (March 12, 2022). This weekend will also play host to the second annual Pep Boys NHRA All-Star Callout featuring eight of Top Fuel’s most competitive drivers. Force is the top seed and will pick her first-round opponent in a bid to win her first all-star race after finishing runner-up in a final round contested at Indianapolis during the U.S. Nationals after the event was rained out in Gainesville, Fla. “After coming out early and testing for a total of six days, we’re pretty confident going into this race weekend and we’re excited for it to be two races in one. It’s the Pep Boys All-Star Call Out, it’s going to be fun,” Force said. “I already kind of had a brief discussion with Grubnic on who we are going to call out, so we already have a game plan in mind. We’ll see how it goes. There’s no good team or driver to call. They’re all going to be tough, that’s why we are all up there together, the eight of us. So, either way, it’s going to be tricky but we are ready for the challenge.” The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, the season-opening event in the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, begins with four qualifying sessions Friday at 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. with the Pep Boys Call-Out taking place throughout qualifying Saturday. Eliminations on Sunday are slated for 10 a.m. Television coverage of the event begins with a qualifying show Saturday at 11 a.m. ET and a dedicated Pep Boys All-Start Callout show on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Sunday race day action will be at noon ET on FOX Broadcasting Network.

GTE Am campaign for No. 33 C8.R starts at lone FIA WEC American stop DETROIT (March 9, 2023) – For the second straight year, Corvette Racing begins its globe-trotting venture in the FIA World Endurance Championship at an all-too-familiar place, albeit in an unfamiliar category.

The 1,000 Miles of Sebring on Friday, March 17 kicks off the seven-round WEC season, which sees Ben Keating, Nicky Catsburg and Nico Varrone team in the No. 33 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R. It’s the first race together for the trio and the first for Corvette Racing in the GTE Am category, which will feature 14 entries in the event.

CORVETTE RACING MEDIA INFORMATION Corvette Racing media information is updated and available ahead of this weekend’s Petit Le Mans. Materials include: · WEC race advance and quotes· Corvette Racing Sebring International Raceway stats and figures· Corvette Racing racecar comparisons· Corvette Racing Fast Facts· Driver biographies

The entire class and the 37-car field will take part in this weekend’s two-day Prologue test session ahead of the first official practice session on March 15. The Corvette program is easily the most experienced team in the WEC paddock at the 3.74-mile, 17-turn Sebring International Raceway circuit. It has 25 years of racing experience at the historic track, which sits on the site of an Army airbase from World War II. In addition to two previous starts in GTE Pro at the Sebring WEC round – including a runner-up finish last year for Tommy Milner and Nick Tandy – Corvette Racing has 13 victories at the track with 12 coming in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. On the driver front, both Catsburg and Keating have previous starts in the Sebring WEC round. Catsburg finished second in GTE Pro in 2019 while Keating placed third a year ago in GTE Am on his way to the class championship. Meanwhile, Varrone will make his first full-season start as a WEC competitor in the 1,000 Miles. In addition to Sebring, the Corvette lineup will content the full GTE Am championship including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the No. 33 C8.R will be among 21 entries in class for the French endurance classic. The 1,000 Miles of Sebring for the FIA World Endurance Championship is scheduled for noon ET on Friday, March 17. MotorTrend and MotorTrend Plus will provide both level television and streaming coverage. Radio Le Mans will stream audio coverage of all practice sessions, qualifying and the race.

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 33 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “I’m massively looking forward to Sebring. It’s the start of a new program for us in GTE Am together with Ben and Nico. I feel like we have a very strong lineup and I cannot wait to get started. We can build on strong results from last year after winning there in IMSA and the guys in the WEC finished P2, so the car obviously has good potential around Sebring. “The plan is to stay out of trouble and focus on the championship right from the start. I’m looking forward to getting back together with the team and looking forward to going over the IMSA paddock and see everyone on that side again. It’ll be a big weekend, and I’m ready to get started.”

BEN KEATING, NO. 33 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “I’ve said over and over again how excited I am as an American to drive for an American team in an American brand, and I’m excited to be racing in a brand that I sell. Not only are we going to be racing this American brand with an American team all around the world, but the first race in the USA, which is special. There is one race in the United States for the World Endurance Championship, and clearly we want to show well on our home soil. As a team, Corvette Racing has thousands of laps around there during the last 25 years, so I expect the team, the car, the drivers and everyone is going to be well tuned up and ready to go for this race.“My first laps in the Corvette were at the WEC Rookie Test in Bahrain, and it was different enough there that I left thinking that I had a lot to learn about this car. Then we did the test at Sebring and it was a totally different experience. That left me thinking, ‘Wow… this is a really special car.’ Not only is it special from my standpoint of racing it, but the performance level around Sebring is awesome. Sebring is unlike anywhere else in the world – very flat, very bumpy and very different from a typical FIA circuit that we go to in WEC. This is not that; this is an old, historic circuit and the Corvette performed amazingly well at the test. It set my expectations really high for the race. It handles the bumps extremely well, and it’s very comfortable to drive. I don’t know if there’s such a thing as an easy car to drive around Sebring because it’s such a physical track. It will beat you up a little bit. But “the Corvette is such a delight to drive, and it’s easy on the driver.This also is the first race for me to do with Nico and Nicky. I’m super excited about my teammates. We’ve all gotten along exceedingly well. There are no egos. No one is out there trying to prove what they’re capable of doing as an individual. It’s a great feeling of being great teammates – not just for this race but the whole World Endurance Championship. I couldn’t imagine having a better group of teammates going into the season, and I’m super excited to go racing with these guys.”

NICO VARRONE, NO. 33 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “I’m really excited to start this new program with Corvette Racing. It’s my first time racing for a factory team so it’s a dream for me, and to do it with this great brand makes it even better! Teaming up with Nicky Catsburg and Ben Keating is a great chance for the whole team to achieve some good things in the GTE Am class. Speaking personally, I can learn a lot from them and keep growing as a driver. I simply can’t wait!“Sebring is really special. I did some laps in the C8.R with Corvette Racing in December and I really enjoyed the track. I cannot think for a better place for my debut with this team than to do it at this legendary track where Corvette has achieved so much success.”

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: By the Numbers• 1: As in one team, one manufacturer and one model of car for the 25th year at Sebring: Corvette Racing and the Chevrolet Corvette.• 3: Tracks where Corvette Racing has competed in each of its previous 23 years: Sebring, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.• 4: GT class pole positions at Sebring for Oliver Gavin and Ron Fellows, tied for most in event history.• 8: Sebring victories – a race record – for Johnny O’Connell, a Sebring Hall of Famer who drove for Corvette Racing from 2001-10. It includes one overall and seven class wins.• 13: Number of Sebring victories for Corvette Racing – the most of any venue in program history. Twelve of those have come in the 12 Hours, including last year in GTD PRO.• 14: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001.• 26: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen• 29: Number of wins in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for Corvette Racing, including last year’s Sebring 12 Hours.• 32: Number of drivers for Corvette Racing since 1999. Ben Keating and Nico Varrone will join that list with their participation in the 1,000 Miles of Sebring for the World Endurance Championship.• 122: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 113 in North America, eight at Le Mans and one in WEC (outside of Le Mans).• 267: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999.• 53,631.76: Number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing at Sebring. That’s more than two full trips around the Earth at its equator (approx. 24,900 miles).• 351,351.25: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. To put that in perspective, Corvette Racing is more than halfway to the distance traveled by Apollo 13 – the longest manned spaceflight in history: 622,268 miles. That means Corvette Racing has raced to the moon! Corvette Racing at Sebring International Raceway1999No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/John Paul Jr. – 4th in GTS (Fellows pole)No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Scott Sharp/John Heinricy – 7th in GTS (Pilgrim fastest race lap)  2000No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/Justin Bell – 6th in GTS (Fellows pole)No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 5th in GTS 2001No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Chris Kneifel – 3rd in GTSNo. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 2nd in GTS 2002No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GTS (Fellows pole)No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 4th in GTS 2003No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Franck Freon – 1st in GTSNo. 4 Corvette C5-R: Oliver Gavin/Kelly Collins/Andy Pilgrim – 3rd in GTS (Gavin pole) 2004No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Max Papis – 1st in GTS (Fellows pole)No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 6th in GTS (Gavin fastest race lap) 2005No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Max Papis – 2nd in GT1No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 3rd in GT1 2006No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Max Papis – 4th in GT1No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GT1 2007No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Jan Magnussen – 2nd in GT1 (Magnussen pole, fastest race lap)No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Max Papis – 1st in GT1 2008No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GT1No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Max Papis – 2nd in GT1 (Gavin fastest race lap) 2009No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell/Antonio Garcia – 1st in GT1No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Marcel Fässler – 2nd in GT1 (Gavin pole, fastest race lap) 2010No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell/Antonio Garcia – 8th in GT2No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Emmanuel Collard – 9th in GT2 2011No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Tommy Milner/Antonio Garcia – 3rd in GTNo. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen/Richard Westbrook – 4th in GT 2012No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 2nd in GT (Magnussen pole)No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Richard Westbrook – 3rd in GT 2013No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 11th in GTNo. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Richard Westbrook – 1st in GT 2014No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 8th in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Robin Liddell – 6th in GTLM (Gavin fastest race lap) 2015No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 1st in GTLM (Daytona/Sebring double)No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Simon Pagenaud – 9th in GTLM 2016No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 9th in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 1st in GTLM (10th Sebring team win) 2017No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 1st in GTLM (3rd straight Sebring team win)No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 10th in GTLM 2018No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 8th in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 6th in GTLM 2019No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 3rd in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 8th in GTLMNo. 63 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 8th in GTE Pro (FIA WEC) 2020*No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 2nd in GTLM (Taylor pole)No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 1st in GTLM 2020No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 5th in GTLM (Garcia pole, Catsburg fastest race lap)No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 6th in GTLM 2021No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 4th in GTLM (Taylor pole, Garcia fastest race lap)No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Alexander Sims – 5th in GTLM 2022No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 1st in GTD PRONo. 64 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy – 2nd in GTE PRO (FIA WEC)

OCALA, FL (March 9, 2023) — In advance of the 54^th NHRA Gatornationals NHRA and Top Fuel team owner and driver Josh Hart hosted a massive car show and FanFest at Burnyzz Speed Shop in Ocala, Florida. The first time event featured nearly two dozen NHRA drivers, over 300 classic cars, a live band, food trucks and ticket giveaways for the thousands of fans in attendance. Proceeds from the event which included a 50/50 raffle and entry fees will be donated to Racers For Christ. The entire staff of Burnyzz Speed Shop pulled together to execute the three hour free event that kicked off four days of racing action beginning today at Gainesville Raceway.

Drivers gather for group photo during Fanfest at Burnyzz Speed Shop

“I have to thank my team as well as the Ocala Street Cruisers and Citrus Corvette Club for coming out and supporting this event,” said Hart, the 2021 Gatornationals Top Fuel champion. “We wanted to host an event to get fans excited about the Gatornationals and give back to our racing community. I want to thank all my fellow drivers who came down and signed autographs and spent time with the fans. It was a great first-time event and we are already looking at how we can make it bigger and better for next year.”

In addition to Hart there were six additional Gatornationals winners in attendance including Top Fuel winners Don Garlits, Larry Dixon Jr., Spencer Massey, and Brittany Force along with Funny Car winners Frank Hawley, John Force and Cruz Pedregon. Rookie of the Year winners Camrie Caruso, Justin Ashley, Austin Prock, and Antron Brown were also present. 

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Burton, DEX Imaging Team Preparing for Debut of New Aero Package at Phoenix

March 10, 2023 ARP Trish

WRAPPING UP OUT WESTCarrying the momentum from three consecutive trips to victory lane, Chevrolet drivers and teams in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) will head to Phoenix Raceway for the final stop of the western swing. The one-mile Arizona tri-oval will not only host the first short-track race of 2023, but also feature the highly anticipated debut of a new aerodynamic rules package that will be run on the series’ short ovals and road courses this season.  Sunday’s United Rentals Work United 500 will mark the NCS’s 54th appearance at Phoenix Raceway. Chevrolet is heading to the venue with a series-leading 25 wins. The manufacturer’s most recent NCS win at the track came in November 2021 when Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson clinched Chevrolet’s 33rd driver’s championship in NASCAR’s premier series.  The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) will also make the trek to Avondale, Arizona, with Saturday’s United Rentals 200 kicking-off the doubleheader race weekend. Both series will take on Phoenix Raceway twice this season with the venue returning as the site of NASCAR’s championship weekend for the fourth consecutive season.

CHEVROLET LOOKING TO GO FOUR-FOR-FOURHendrick Motorsports’ William Byron continued Chevrolet’s early-season success by leading the manufacturer to its third consecutive NCS victory of 2023 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 25-year-old North Carolina native became the third driver from the third different Chevrolet team to collect a win in NASCAR’s premier series this season.

“I think since the beginning of last year, Chevrolet has had a really good product, a really good car,” said Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 team. “That group just did a really good job of giving us a good body. We have great engines. Either camp you get engines, they work together.” Byron joins fellow Chevrolet drivers Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Camaro ZL1) and Kyle Busch (No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Camaro ZL1) on the season’s win list, making it the first time since 2010 that the same manufacturer has won the first three points-paying races of a NCS season. Chevrolet was the last manufacturer to accomplish that feat with wins recorded by Jamie McMurray (Daytona – Feb. 14, 2010) and Jimmie Johnson (Fontana – Feb. 21, 2010; Las Vegas – Feb. 28, 2010). “We’ve got good teams and the teams are working together better now than we ever have,” continued Fugle. “I think there’s something to be said for that. Eric Warren (Chevrolet’s Director of NASCAR Programs) is pushing all of that. Just really proud of the Chevrolet bunch and how they’re pushing us to work together to get better as a group.”

BOWTIE’S BACK-TO-BACK PODIUM SWEEPSWilliam Byron not only led Hendrick Motorsports to its first NCS win of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway but also a sweep of the top-three finishing positions. Kyle Larson (No. 5 HendrickCars.comCamaro ZL1) took the checkered flag in the runner-up position with Alex Bowman (No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1) finishing third, marking the third time in the organization’s history that the Chevrolet team swept the top-three spots in a race. The organization’s last podium sweep happened at Dover Motor Speedway in May 2021, with the team taking it one step further to place all four of its drivers in the top four (Bowman – race winner; Larson – second; Chase Elliott – third; Byron – fourth).  Chevrolet has now taken the top-three finishing positions in two of the three points-paying NCS races this season, with the manufacturer also claiming a one-two-three-four finish at Auto Club Speedway just one week prior.

WEEKEND SWEEP IN THE DESERTThe Bowtie brand took control of the tripleheader race weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, claiming the victories across all three NASCAR national series races at the 1.5-mile Nevada oval last weekend.

In his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCTS) start of the season, Kyle Busch drove his No. 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) Silverado RST to the win, extending Busch’s series-leading NCTS win count to 63. The triumph also marked KBM’s first win under the Chevrolet banner after the organization joined the manufacturer at the beginning of 2023.

NXS points leader Austin Hill became the first repeat winner of the season, taking his No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Camaro SS team to victory lane in Saturday’s NXS Alsco Uniforms 300.

William Byron’s win in Sunday’s NCS Pennzoil 400 capped off Chevrolet’s weekend sweep. The victory was Byron’s first at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and his fifth career victory in 183 starts in NASCAR’s premier series.

On three separate occasions in 2022, Chevrolet drivers powered the Bowtie brand to a weekend sweep when all three NASCAR national series contested on the same weekend: NCTS at Mid-Ohio (July 9, 2022): Parker Kligerman, No. 75 Henderson Motorsports Silverado RSTNXS at Atlanta Motor Speedway (July 9, 2022): Austin Hill, No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Camaro SSNCS at Atlanta Motor Speedway (July 10, 2022): Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 NCTS at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (July 29, 2022): Grant Enfinger, No. 23 GMS Racing Silverado RSTNXS at Indianapolis Road Course (July 30, 2022): AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Camaro, SSNCS at Indianapolis Road Course (July 31, 2022): Tyler Reddick, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Camaro ZL1 NCTS at Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 2, 2022): Matt DiBenedetto, No. 25 Rackley W.A.R. Silverado RSTNXS at Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 2, 2022): AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Camaro SSNCS at Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 3, 2022): Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1

WINNING WAYS WITH RCRWith the 2023 season in full swing, a common force has been at the top of the leaderboard: Richard Childress Racing. The Chevrolet team has made it’s way to victory lane in either the NCS or NXS in each of the first three race weekends this season. The impressive streak started with Austin Hill’s win in the NXS season-opener at Daytona International Speedway, marking the 28-year-old Georgia native’s second consecutive triumph in the event. The following weekend, Kyle Busch claimed the win at Auto Club Speedway in just his second points-paying start with the organization. Most recently, Hill became the first repeat winner of the NXS season, making a last-lap pass to take the victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. With a combined three wins and two drivers already locked into a playoff spot in their respective series, Richard Childress Racing is proving to be an early force to be reckoned with this season.  PACING IN THE STANDINGSTrackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain took over the top spot in the NCS points standings following a third-place finish at Auto Club Speedway, marking the first time in his career that he has led the standings in NASCAR’s premier series. Chastain will head to Phoenix Raceway maintaining the lead after accumulating points in both stages and taking home a 12th-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Other Chevrolet drivers holding a top-five position in the standings are Alex Bowman and Daniel Suarez, sitting in the second and fourth positions, respectively. Bowman and Suarez are the only two drivers that have yet to finish outside of the top-10 in the series’ first three races this season.

BOWTIE BULLETS:·       NASCAR Cup Series victories by active Chevrolet drivers at Phoenix Raceway: Kyle Busch – 3 (2019, 2018, 2005)Kyle Larson – 1 (2021)Chase Elliott – 1 (2020) ·       In 53 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Phoenix Raceway, Chevrolet has recorded a series-leading 25 victories. Chevrolet team Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at the track with 12, recorded among seven drivers: Terry Labonte (1994), Kyle Busch (2005), Jeff Gordon (2007, 2011), Jimmie Johnson (2007, 2008 sweep, 2009), Mark Martin (2009), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2015), Chase Elliott (2020) and Kyle Larson (2021). ·       William Byron delivered Chevrolet its third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, making it the first time since 2010 that the same manufacturer has won the first three points-paying races of a NCS season. ·       Chevrolet’s first three NASCAR Cup Series wins of 2023 have been recorded by drivers from three different Chevrolet teams: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (JTG Daugherty Racing), Kyle Busch (Richard Childress Racing) and William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports). ·       Chevrolet drivers swept the top-three finishing positions for the second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series race. Hendrick Motorsports recorded a one-two-three finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, marking the third time in the organization’s history to accomplish that feat. ·       Chevrolet drivers have taken at least 50 percent of the top-10 finishing positions in each of the first three NASCAR Cup Series races of 2023, with at least three different Chevrolet teams contributing to the manufacturer’s top-10 finishes in each of those races. ·       Chevrolet drivers Alex Bowman and Daniel Suarez are the only two drivers to record top-10 finishes in each of the first three NASCAR Cup Series races this season.  ·       With three races in the books for the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series, Chevrolet leads the manufacturer and driver points standings in both series. The reigning Manufacturer Champion leads the NCS manufacturer points standings by 22 points, while also leading the NXS manufacturer points standings by nine points. ·       With its 41 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer’s Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver’s Championships, and 836 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title of winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.  ·       Chevrolet will pace the field at Phoenix Raceway this weekend. The Camaro SS will lead the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Saturday’s United Rentals 200 and the Camaro ZL1 will lead the NASCAR Cup Series in Sunday’s United Rentals Work United 500.  FOR THE FANS·       Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Phoenix Raceway. ·       Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles the Fan Midway including: Silverado ZR2, Blazer RS, Silverado 1500 2LT, Camaro ZL1, Corvette 2LT Convertible, Tahoe Z71 and Equinox 1LT.·       Fans can also view Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Camaro ZL1 show car at the Chevrolet Display in the Fan Midway. Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display: Saturday, March 11·       Parker Kligerman: 12:30 p.m.·       Daniel Hemric: 12:45 p.m.·       Chandler Smith: 1 p.m. ·       BJ McLeod: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 12·       Daniel Suarez: 9:15 a.m.·       Corey LaJoie: 9:30 a.m.·       William Byron: 9:55 a.m.·       Ty Dillon: 10:15 a.m. Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation: Friday, March 10: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.Saturday, March 11: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 12: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Tune In: ·       NASCAR Cup Series – United Rentals Work United 500; 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 12(FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90).·       NASCAR Xfinity Series – United Rentals 200; 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 11(FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90).

QUOTABLE QUOTES:  ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 KUBOTA CAMARO ZL1How do you feel going into Phoenix this weekend?“We’ve been back to Phoenix since the fall race last year and tested with NASCAR. We’ll have a different aero package with less downforce that we’ll be working through this weekend. It’s a steep hill we are going to have climb to be as competitive as we were in the fall at Phoenix. It’s going to feel like a different racecar this weekend. I think the topic will be how much less downforce we all have and how much we are all sliding around. We will find out if it actually makes the racing better.” Qualifying was admittedly a challenge last year. Anything different at Phoenix this year?“I just try to wrap my head around putting the car at the limit for one lap. Its high risk, but it is high reward to start up front. Last fall at Phoenix it obviously took us a while to get up front and we don’t want that to happen again.” AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BETMGM MARCH MATCHUPS CAMARO ZL1 What are your thoughts on Phoenix Raceway?“Our RCR teams have had a strong start to the 2023 season and we’re looking to keep the momentum up this weekend. Phoenix Raceway is a tough short track and one of those places where you hit it, or you don’t. This track is challenging. I’m looking forward to it though because it’s such a fun track for drivers. It could be a good place for the No. 3 BetMGM team.” How do you feel about the whole West Coast swing?“I like the West Coast swing. The first race can be pretty tough. I usually come back home after that one, but my family and I stay out between Las Vegas and Phoenix. It’s a fun trip for us. We get some good racing in to start the season. You can really see and evaluate where you are at compared to the competition. We get to race on three different types of tracks. Auto Club Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Phoenix Raceway are all quite different. It’s a good start to the season on the West Coast.” Phoenix Raceway can bore a lot of fruit for the end of the season since that is where the Championship race is held. How important is Phoenix Raceway’s Spring race for the end of the season?“Our goal is to get to the Championship, so Phoenix Raceway should be a very important race for us. I want to go out there and perform. Phoenix Raceway hasn’t been a great place for us recently, so we’ve got to get our cars better for that type of track.” KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1Larson on racing at Phoenix Raceway: “I enjoy Phoenix (Raceway). 2021 was a great ending for us there, getting the win and (NASCAR Cup Series) championship. I feel like we’re usually on the cusp of being able to lead laps and win races there. It’s a unique track. Different than any other race track we go to. The shape of it, the size of it, the banking, etc. is unique to Phoenix. I also bought a place out here (Scottsdale) a handful of months ago, so it’s kind of like a home race for me now and I really enjoy going there.” CLIFF DANIELS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1Daniels on the benefit of extra track time at Phoenix: “This past Sunday was good for us. I really felt like we would have had a great day in California but unfortunately, we missed out on that. Taking the momentum that we’ve had of those good performances (and) a little bit of confidence built from Vegas will be good going into Phoenix. Phoenix is still going to be a big unknown with the new package. None of the Hendrick (Motorsports) cars got to test in January with the new package. We haven’t had our hands on it or been able to touch it and feel it at the track. We will have to make best use of our practice time at the track on Friday and hopefully get it dialed in.” KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 CHEDDAR’S SCRATCH KITCHEN CAMARO ZL1 How critical are managing the restarts at Phoenix?“Phoenix restarts are fun, they’re challenging but fun. You know you have that big, wide front straightaway where the dogleg is that you can go all the way to the flat down on the apron and be five, six, seven wide or whatever and then you have to funnel down into a two-wide turn. That gets a little dicey but you know it’s cool when you can run different lines and kind of be out of the crowd a little bit and make some passes on some restarts and get some positions on that. I’ve been fortunate to be fast on some restarts in years past and that kind of helps me get some spots right off the bat on a restart. And then you kind of settle in line and you go racing from there.”  Is it easy to get a speeding penalty on pit road at Phoenix?“To me I don’t think speeding on pit road is that easy or different at Phoenix versus Bristol or Martinsville or even Richmond for that matter. The timing lines are all pretty well written out and you kind of have an idea of what you’re supposed to do when you roll through the corners and stuff like that but yeah it’s a little dicey with having to lower and raise your speed for the different sections of pit road. I think that’s where the good guys really excel and I feel like I’m one of those good guys.” JOSH BERRY, NO. 9 KELLEY BLUE BOOK CAMARO ZL1Berry on preparing for Phoenix: “Alan (Gustafson) and the entire team have been great to work with this week in getting me prepared for Phoenix (Raceway). Last week was a last-minute situation and my first time in a Next Gen, so to get the opportunity this week to be at the shop and sit down and talk through a lot of things with everyone on the team has been extremely helpful. This is still a really difficult situation and we’re all thinking about Chase (Elliott). We want him back and healthy as soon as he’s able. In the meantime, I’m thankful for the opportunity to fill in for him on the ovals.” ALAN GUSTAFSON, CREW CHIEF, NO. 9 KELLEY BLUE BOOK CAMARO ZL1Gustafson on preparing for Phoenix with Josh Berry: “This week there’s still been a lot of work to do, but we have a much better idea of what Josh needs for the cockpit, his seat and everything around that. Just going through all of that and being able to spend some time with Josh has been good. Having driven this car is the biggest thing for him and we’re now going to be more prepared heading to Phoenix (Raceway). Having that practice will be a big deal. Having those 50 minutes will help a bunch because we don’t really know his tendencies and driving style – what he would need relative to some of the other drivers. It will be nice to get that time and be able to draw some correlation and understanding.” AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 16 ACTION INDUSTRIES CAMARO ZL1“Phoenix will be interesting with the new, lower downforce aero package they are coming out with. Practice will be very important to go out there and get a good feel for it with the new car. I felt like we learned a few things in the fall race last year, so hopefully we can take what we learned and match it up with the aero package and try to make our short track program better. I felt like that was our weakness last year, so we are definitely going to focus hard on that to get ready for the short tracks we have coming up.” WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 VALVOLINE CAMARO ZL1Byron on the importance of track position at Phoenix: “I think that the craziest thing at Phoenix (Raceway) is the restarts. It’s all about lane choice and setting yourself heading into turn one. Track position is important throughout the whole race. Once you lose it, it’s hard to gain it back. We’ll be running the new short-track package for the first time this weekend and I’ll be interested to see how it does since I wasn’t one of the drivers to test it earlier this year. We have momentum on our side after the win last week, but we want to keep that going for sure.” RUDY FUGLE, CREW CHIEF, NO. 24 VALVOLINE CAMARO ZL1Fugle on what he expects for this weekend at Phoenix: “I’m interested to see how this weekend goes. We have a very small taste of what happened at the organizational test that happened in January. They never tested exactly what we’re racing. We don’t know what to expect honestly. It’s like a simulation game and we hope we just have all the right information to work from. We’ll do our best to make all our changes during practice Friday.” JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL1“As an organization, Phoenix is one of our weaker tracks, but it’s also a track that you have to go into with a new mindset. Phoenix is always changing, due to the resin formula, as well as the new, short-track package, so there are some unknowns going into the weekend. I feel like we’ve had decent speed at Phoenix in the past, so hopefully we are able to get a feel for the track early and execute.” NOAH GRAGSON, NO. 42 SUNSEEKER RESORTS CAMARO ZL1“I’ve had some great success at Phoenix and we have some good notes from the No. 43’s test earlier this year. We had a tough race in Vegas last week and have some things to work on, but I love going to Phoenix and have had some really great runs there. We need a solid weekend – a good qualifying session and a good race – and that is our focus.” ERIK JONES, NO. 43 ALLEGIANT CAMARO ZL1You and your team were able to test back in January. What are some key takeaways from your time spent in the session to help your team prepare for this weekend?“Yeah, hopefully we are able to take some of what we learned from the test there as far as this new aero package goes. It’s nice to have some at least have some laps on it compared to the rest of the field and have somewhat of an idea of how the car is going to drive and handle. We did a couple of long runs as well at the test, so we have a baseline of where our car is going to trend. You know, Phoenix was a tough track for our LEGACY MOTOR CLUB team last year, but we got better in the second race, so hopefully with some of this extra knowledge, we can go out there and have a solid run with the No. 43 Allegiant Chevy.” RICKY STENHOUSE JR., NO. 47 THOMAS’ CAMARO ZL1 “Phoenix, not real sure there’s a lot that is new with the downforce package. We have some notes from the test, and we have some ideas that should make us good. We will see how it shakes out in practice.” ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY BEST FRIENDS CAMARO ZL1Bowman on his expectations heading to Phoenix: “We have started off this season really strong and Phoenix (Raceway) is a place I have circled on my calendar. I ran good there once and haven’t had that kind of performance since then, so I am always eager to get back there and try to find success with it being my home track. Blake (Harris) and I are doing all we can to get ready for the race. I know the team is putting in the work to get our No. 48 Ally Chevy ready to hit the track. I am just ready to get hit the track and get my redemption.” BLAKE HARRIS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 48 ALLY BEST FRIENDS CAMARO ZL1Harris on the start of the 2023 season: “When you look back at the start of our season, it starts with Daytona (International Speedway). We missed all the wrecks and scored some good stage points – it was a good points day. At the last two intermediates, we have had a lot of speed in our race cars. We had a solid day on pit road in Las Vegas. Having fast race cars and track position is really giving us the chance to capitalize early in the season. We focused on execution throughout the races and have been able to stay up front. We have scored stage points in every stage expect one at Daytona. Being able to get a top 10 in the first three points races this season is really important. You have to be able to score stage points and have to have good finishes to put yourself in a prime position to make the playoffs, which is our focus. That is certainly something we plan on continuing at Phoenix (Raceway). Our expectation is to run in the top 10 and be able to capitalize at the end of the race.” DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 FREEWAY INSURANCE CAMARO ZL1How is your season so far?“We are off to a good start. We have had rocket ships at most of the races. You can always be better, but Trackhouse Racing is giving us great equipment and our pit stops have been really fast this season.” Three top-10s in three races. Is a top-10 the expectation in each race now?”“No. It’s to win.”How helpful will be Friday’s practice in Phoenix?“It will be helpful for everyone as we try to get used to the new low downforce package and try to get into a rhythm. I don’t really have an answer on what is going to happen. It’s going to be different but we won’t know until Friday.” How do you feel the response has been to you as far as attracting your fellow Hispanics into the sport? But how much do you think you have helped being at the Cup level?“You know, it helps a lot. I’ve been doing this already for several years. I have noticed that every year, with a lot of work from myself, NASCAR, my sponsors, the racetracks, the Daniel’s Amigos, every year we get better, every year we have a bigger community on the track. “But something I learned is that consistent work is paying off, is getting better. But success on track just brings it to a whole different level. At the end of the day you are going to be way more attached to something if you know that your guy and your person that is just like you – in my case obviously Hispanic – is being successful. In my opinion, winning races, being in the Playoffs, contending almost every weekend, that played a huge role.  “And in my opinion, 2022 has been the biggest step I have seen in my racing career in Cup when it comes to the Hispanic community. So it’s amazing. I feel like we are in a huge momentum right now. Obviously 2023 we’re expecting to be an even more successful season.  “I think myself, NASCAR, Coca-Cola, Freeway Insurance and all the people that helped me put these things together, we are definitely moving the needle.”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics Manufacturers Championships:Total (1949-2022): 41First title for Chevrolet: 1958Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15) Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022 Drivers Championships:Total (1949-2021): 33First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021) Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021 Event Victories:Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)                2023 STATISTICS:                                                                                                    Wins: 3Poles: 1Laps Led: 425Top-five finishes: 9Top-10 finishes: 16Stage wins: 5·       Ross Chastain – 3 (Daytona)(Auto Club x2)·       William Byron – 2 (Las Vegas x2)  CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 836 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 735Laps led to date: 245,969Top-five finishes to date: 4,230Top-10 finishes to date: 8,728                                                                                                          Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:                    General Motors: 1,170           Chevrolet: 836           Pontiac: 154           Oldsmobile: 115           Buick: 65            Ford: 820                                                                      Ford: 720           Mercury: 96           Lincoln: 4            Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467           Dodge: 217           Plymouth: 191           Chrysler: 59            Toyota: 170

Photo Credit: Jared Tilton/Getty Images

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 8, 2023) – Progressive American Flat Track is thrilled to announce that NASCAR superstar Kurt Busch will serve as the Grand Marshal for the DAYTONA Short Track I & II presented by Daytona Dodge on Thursday, March 9, and Friday, March 10, in Daytona Beach, Florida. The 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who most recently drove the #45 Monster Energy Toyota Camry TRD for 23XI Racing, knows exactly what it takes to reign supreme at Daytona International Speedway. Chief among the extensive list of accomplishments he’s garnered during a lifetime of racing is his 2017 DAYTONA 500 victory. In addition to his NASCAR Cup title and DAYTONA 500 victory, Busch boasts 34 Cup victories, has won in all three of NASCAR’s top divisions – the Cup Series, the Xfinity Series, and the Craftsman Truck Series – and was named Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year in 2014. The 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season will launch with the hugely anticipated return of the DAYTONA Short Track I & II at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, March 9 andFriday, March 10. Get your tickets now at https://www.tixr.com/promoters/americanflattrack. For those that can’t catch the live action from Daytona International Speedway, 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 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 onFS1 from the Daytona Short Track I on March 18 at 10:30am ET (7:30am PT) and Daytona Short Track II on March 19 at 12:30pm ET (9:30am PT).

Inside Line Promotions – FRESNO, Calif. (March 8, 2023) – Dominic Scelzi is bound for Arizona this weekend to start the 2023 campaign.

Scelzi will make his debut at Central Arizona Raceway in Casa Grande during an ASCS Southwest Region doubleheader running Friday and Saturday.

“I’m excited to get the season underway and to return to the state of Arizona, where we had a great trip last winter,” he said. “Jimmy (Carr) and the guys have worked hard so we hope to start the season by running up front right out of the box.”

Scelzi swept an ASCS Southwest Region two-day event at Cocopah Speedway last November during his most recent trip to Arizona. It marked his first-ever visit to Victory Lane in ‘The Grand Canyon State.’

“It was a great weekend that put us in double digits in terms of wins last season,” he said. “It also was special to add another state to our wins list. The goal is to continue that fortune this Friday and Saturday.”

This weekend will serve as an opportunity for Scelzi to knock the offseason rust off so to speak with marquee events in his home state of California on the horizon. The NARC 410 Sprint Car Series starts the season on March 18 at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico for the $6,000-to-win Mini Gold Cup followed by the High Limit Sprint Car Series season opener on March 21 at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, where the feature winner will earn $23,023.

“We’ve won the NARC championship the last two years and will return to the series this year to go after another title,” Scelzi said. “The High Limit event will be neat as well. Racing in Chico and Tulare is always a blast so I can’t wait for both of those big events.”

UP NEXT –

Friday and Saturday at Central Arizona Raceway in Casa Grande, Ariz., with the ASCS Southwest Region

The Rookie of the Year Contender will have the benefit of receiving guidance from veteran teammate Jimmy Owens

MARYVILLE, TN– March 8, 2023 – Jordan Koehler’s racing career took a significant jump in 2023.  

Not an easy one. But he knew that going in. 

The Mount Airy, NC driver took the step from regional Crate Late Model racing to a national tour with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series this year, driving the #114 Longhorn for Koehler Motorsports. 

“Everything’s just a lot faster, and the competition’s a lot tougher,” Koehler said about his new venture. “It still is in Crates; it’s just that everybody has good stuff here, so you’re racing with the best in the world.” 

Koehler had a handful of Super Late Model starts coming into the 2023 season. And the step up to the premier league with the World of Outlaws has already shown its challenges in the first four races of the year, making one Feature, so far. 

However, racing against the best drivers in the country has also paired him with one of the best drivers in the country. Koehler is teammates with 21-time World of Outlaws Feature winner Jimmy Owens. 

For the 21-year-old, Owens is a textbook of knowledge he can lean on throughout the year, especially for the Series’ next tripleheader weekend in Owens’ home territory at Smoky Mountain Speedway, March 16, and Boyd’s Speedway, March 17-18. 

“When we get to the track, [Owens and I] work together a lot,” Koehler said. “He gives me pointers on what he thinks I need to do and if I’m any good or not any good. He can relate to what I’m feeling, and he can progress us a lot faster than a lot of other people have had the chance to get.” 

That guidance paid off for the Rookie of the Year contender at the first race of the season, making his first World of Outlaws Feature.  

Despite finishing 26th in the season opener, he said being able to run against that caliber of drivers gives him confidence for what’s to come. 

“Everybody probably thought we’d get blown out of the water like I’m sure a lot of them do when they start,” Koehler said. “It helped our whole team a lot, just showing up out of the gate and being good. The first night just making it into the show was a huge deal. 

“I think we started like 11th and ended up wrecking, but we ended up running with them for a lot of laps before that happened.” 

As Koehler continues through his first season with the World of Outlaws, he’s trying to maintain a balance on and off the track. 

When he’s not working on his race car, he’s helping his dad with the family’s business—Ultimate Towing and Recovery. He also started his own trash company—a sponsor you’ll see on cars racing with the World of Outlaws. 

“If you look for Capital Waste, you’ll see on Tanner [English’s] car and other cars that are just running with the World of Outlaws,” Koehler said. “I have a great deal of people helping me with that, so I can really get away.” 

That help with his business, plus the guidance from Owens allows Koehler to focus on the significant jump he’s taking into this season. 

He’ll get another learning experience when the 2023 World of Outlaws CASE Late Model tour heads to the Southeast for three nights of action.  

The weekend starts with a trip to Smoky Mountain Speedway on Thursday, March 16, for the Tennessee Tipoff. Then, the Series moves South to Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, GA, on Friday and Saturday, March 17-18, for the Shamrock 100. 

Smoky Mountain Tickets: bit.ly/3IdAwdx 

Boyd’s Tickets: bit.ly/3m346eB 

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

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 8, 2023) – Progressive American Flat Track is pleased to introduce the Pronto/Parts Plus Pole Award for the 2023 season.  At each of the season’s 18 rounds, the fastest qualifier in both Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle andParts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER will be awarded a $500 “Big Check” during Opening Ceremonies.  “We are excited to continue our support of motorsports and its fans of two- and four-wheel racing,” said Robert Roos, President of the Pronto Network. “Progressive AFT is growing significantly every year, and 2023 looks to be the breakout season. We want to be part of the story along with our 4,300 partners across the United States.”  Pronto Auto Parts and Parts Plus are members of the Pronto Network, by far the largest and most diverse automotive program distribution group in North America. The Pronto Network includes more than 200 wholesale distributors, 1500 auto stores, and 4000 service centers.   The 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season will launch with the hugely anticipated return of the DAYTONA Short Track I & II at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, March 9 and Friday, March 10. Get your tickets now at https://www.tixr.com/promoters/americanflattrack.  For those that can’t catch the live action from Daytona International Speedway, 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 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 FS1from the Daytona Short Track I on March 18 at 10:30 a.m. ET (7:30 a.m. PT) andDaytona Short Track II on March 19 at 12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. PT).

The Largest Team In Professional Drag Racing Is Ready To Tackle 2023 With Gusto

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 8, 2023) – Entering the 2023 season with five Pro Stock world championships and having won 15 of the 19 Pro Stock events contested last year in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, the Elite Motorsports team knows precisely what it takes to create a winning season. The members of the largest professional team in drag racing have been preparing throughout the offseason to do just that. Professional drag racing kicks off this weekend for what is anticipated to be one of the most competitive seasons in NHRA history at the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Fla. The Elite Motorsports crew plans to continue its powerful legacy in the sport and the excitement has been palpable as the team tested in nearby Bradenton, Fla. earlier this week.  “Coming off of such a phenomenal season means we’ve got a target on our backs,” said team owner Richard Freeman. “The competition in all of our categories – Pro Stock, Pro Mod and Mountain Motor Pro Stock – is going to be fierce this year. But this team thrives under pressure. Tell us we can’t do something and this team will find a way to get it done. The talent we have at Elite Motorsports is second-to-none, across the board. Every member of that team has been working during the offseason to make us even better. But we know that our competition has been doing the same. It’s going to be an exciting year for everyone.” The Elite Motorsports fleet is comprised of eight Pro Stock, one Pro Mod and two Mountain Motor Pro Stock machines. Five-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders is returning along with her teammates Aaron Stanfield, Troy Coughlin Jr., Bo Butner, Fernando Cuadra Sr., Fernando Cuadra Jr., and Cristian Cuadra. New to the Pro Stock ranks this season is rookie Jerry Tucker. Piloting the Pro Mod entry will be sportsman veteran Mason Wright. Enders will compete alongside Freeman in the two Mountain Motor Pro Stock cars, new to the Elite fleet this season. In the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, David Cuadra will be debuting a new Elite Motorsports Top Sportsman Mustang. Qualifying for the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals begins on March 9 for sportsman and March 10 for the pro categories. Follow Elite Motorsports online for updates throughout the event.  ***

Driver Quotes

Erica Enders”Last year we started the season by winning the Winternationals and we’re ready to start 2023 in the same fashion. We’ve won five world championships but have yet to claim a victory in Gainesville. Winning the Gators would be the best way to kick off this season and begin the hard work of defending this title.”

Aaron Stanfield”We are excited to get the season started! The team has been thrashing hard over the winter and we are ready to come out strong in Gainesville.”

Troy Coughlin Jr.”It’s been a long winter. Everyone at the shop has worked really hard and it’s time to let the clutch out! We have some wonderful partners on board with JEGS and White Castle. We’re ready to go after a Camping World championship.”

Bo Butner”All I can say is it’s time to race! The JHG cars are ready and I know this driver is very hungry!”

Fernando Cuadra Sr.”The Cuadra Boys are ready to attack the track this weekend in Gainesville. This is the most confident I’ve ever felt going into a season and I’m just very grateful to get to compete alongside my sons.”

Fernando Cuadra Jr.”For this season I have strong wishes to finish in the Top Ten. Last season I made all kinds of mistakes, but they helped me become a better driver. I know more this season and understand what I need to do not to make the same mistakes again, especially with the help of all of the Elite guys. I know I have a fast car and I’m really looking forward to this season.”

Cristian Cuadra”I’m really excited about this season – 18 new races but the goal stays the same. I want to bring a Wally home. That’s my personal dream and I really expect to achieve it. The car is working well and we all have more experience now. I’m coming into Gainesville with really high hopes.”

Jerry Tucker”Driving a Pro Stock car has been a lifelong dream of mine and I’m just in awe that it’s actually coming true. This team is incredible. I’m learning a lot from everyone and excited to see it all coming together.”

Photos

Erica Enders takes to the track in her JHG Camaro for testing in Florida prior to the Gatornationals. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)

Aaron Stanfield tests his Janac Brothers Camaro in Florida prior to the Gatornationals. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)

Troy Coughlin Jr. piloting his JEGS Camaro. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)

Fernando Cuadra Sr. is back in black for the 2023 season in his Corral Boots Mustang. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)

Fernando Cuadra Jr. fires up his Corral Boots Mustang for a test session in Florida. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)

Cristian Cuadra stages in his Corral Boots Mustang. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)

Bo Butner approaches the line in his JHG Camaro during testing. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)

New to the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock team this season is Jerry Tucker. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)

Mason Wright will make his Pro Mod debut this weekend in his Elite Motorsports machine. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)

David Cuadra prepares to launch his new Top Sportsman machine. (Photo credit: Elite Motorsports)

Pre-Race Notes

Elite Motorsports: Pre-race notesAmalie Motor Oil NHRA GatornationalsGainesville, Fla. (March 9-12) The Elite Motorsports team, the largest team in professional drag racing, has expanded for 2023 and will field a total of 9 entries for this weekend’s season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. The Elite Pro Stock team features eight drivers including reigning and five-time world champ Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield, Troy Coughlin Jr., Bo Butner, Fernando Cuadra and his two sons, Fernando Jr. and Cristian, as well as newcomer Jerry Tucker. The team will also field a Pro Mod entry for Mason Wright. In the 19 Pro Stock events contested last season, Team Elite won 15 times and appeared in 26 of 38 possible final rounds. In addition to Enders’ 10 wins, Aaron Stanfield collected three victories while Troy Coughlin Jr. earned his first two professional victories. Enders is coming off the most dominant season of her career that produced ten wins in 13 final round appearances and an astounding 55-9 record in elimination rounds. This season, Enders’ impressive roster of supporters includes Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, Melling Performance, SCAG Mowers, PeopleLease and JEGS. During her professional career, Enders has accumulated 43 wins in 74 final rounds and has a round-win record of 439-240 for a .646 win percentage. Enders has won at least one event at 17 different venues but has not previously won at Gainesville Raceway. In addition to Gainesville, the only current track on the circuit where she has yet to claim a win is Bandimere Speedway in Denver. Enders currently holds both the elapsed time and speed record for the NHRA Pro Stock class with bests of 6.450-seconds and 215.55 mph. The elapsed time record was set at the 2022 Gatornationals last March. If Enders wins four events this season, she will surpass three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Angelle Sampey as the sport’s winningest female driver. Sampey currently has 46 wins while Enders has 43. Following an impressive fourth place finish in 2022, Troy Coughlin Jr. will begin his fourth full season behind the wheel of the familiar yellow and black JEGS.com Camaro. Coughlin enjoyed a breakout season last year with back-to-back victories in Seattle and Topeka. Coughlin also went to final rounds in Phoenix, Reading and Las Vegas. In addition to his two Pro Stock victories this year, the multi-faceted Coughlin has won in Top Alcohol Dragster, Super Comp, and Super Gas. Coughlin’s father, Troy Sr., is a 15-time national event winner in Pro Stock, Pro Mod, and Super Gas. Including his uncles, John, Mike, and Jeg Jr., the Coughlin family has combined to win 130 national event titles. Coughlin’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.521-seconds and 211.93 mph, set last year in Sonoma and Gainesville, respectively. Aaron Stanfield will also return to the Elite team for another season behind the wheel of the Janac Bros/JC3 Energy Camaro. Stanfield, the son of five-time Super Stock world champ Greg Stanfield, is coming off a season where he was the third-ranked driver in Pro Stock. Last year, Stanfield earned Pro Stock wins in Phoenix, Bristol and the Fall Charlotte race to go with four runner-up finishes in Pomona, Epping, Norwalk, and Denver. Stanfield finished the season with a 38-16 record in elimination rounds. Stanfield won back-to-back titles in the FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown class in 2020-21. He will continue to drive his Janac Bros. owned COPO Camaro in that class and will also continue to race in the Wright Trailers Top Dragster class. All told, Stanfield has 21 career wins in Pro Stock, Factory Stock, Super Stock, and Top Dragster. Stanfield is also a previous winner in Gainesville, having claimed back-to-back Factory Stock wins in 2020-21. Stanfield’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.457-seconds and 213.47 mph, both set last year in Gainesville. Bo Butner is a two-time NHRA world champion in Pro Stock (2017) and Comp Eliminator (2006). He joined the Elite team last season as the driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro. Last season, Butner drove to a ninth-place finish in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock standings. While he did not win a Pro Stock event last year, the multi-talented driver did earn a pair of victories in the Super Gas class in Indy and Reading. Butner has 29 career national event victories including 11 in Pro Stock. He also has wins in Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Gas, and Super Street. Butner has also enjoyed success as a big-money bracket racer with a victory at the K&N Spring Fling Million in Las Vegas in 2021. Butner won the Pro Stock title in Gainesville in 2019 and also won the Gatornationals in Stock Eliminator in 2013. Butner’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.475-seconds and 214.28 mph, set in Dallas (2015) and Gainesville (2017), respectively. The Cuadra family including Fernando Sr., and his sons Fernando Jr. and Cristian, have returned to Elite Motorsports again this season with their three-car Corral Handcrafted Boots team. The Cuadra family will race Ford Mustangs under the Elite banner. Fernando Sr. is a two-time national event runner-up with final-round appearances at the 2019 races in Reading and Pomona. Cristian Cuadra was also the runner-up to Enders at the 2022 Four-Wide event in Las Vegas. The Cuadra family has career-best elapsed times of 6.515 (Fernando Jr.), 6.524 (Fernando Sr.) and 6.528 (Cristian) – all of them recorded at the 2022 Gainesville event. Their career-best speeds are 212.13 (Fernando Sr.), 211.43 (Cristian), and 210.73 (Fernando Jr.). Cristian Cuadra went to the final round of the Four-Wide event in Las Vegas last season where he finished second to teammate Enders. He finished the season as the sport’s No. 8 ranked driver in Pro Stock. Collectively, Elite drivers have combined to win 103 NHRA national event titles across all classes including 63 in the Pro Stock class. New to the Elite Pro Stock team this year is Jerry Tucker, who recently upgraded his NHRA license in anticipation of his debut in Gainesville. Tucker, of Lindsay, Okla., has spent the last 30 years racing everything from Sprint cars to Midgets and has also enjoyed success in drag racing. Tucker previously raced in the Top Sportsman class. Tucker is expected to be one of the leading contenders for the NHRA Rookie of the Year award. The Elite team is also welcoming Mason Wright as its newest driver in the Pro Mod class, which is also making its season debut in Gainesville. Wright, of Odessa, Texas, is a graduate of the Top Sportsman class. He will be racing a supercharged Camaro as part of the Elite team. Justin Elkes of Modern Racing will serve as Wright’s crew chief this season. Pro Mod will be showcased at 10 NHRA events this season beginning in Gainesville and it was recently announced that the class will be part of the NHRA on Fox Sports television broadcasts from each event.

Media Contacts:Jessica Hatcher – Imagination 9 jessica@imagination9.com Scott Woodruff – Elite Motorsportswoody@elitemotorsportsllc.com Courtney Enders – Elite Motorsportscourtneyenders@icloud.com

About Elite

Elite Motorsports, LLCElite Motorsports, LLC is the leader in motorsports transportation needs. With a large inventory of new and used trailers, motor coaches, semi-transporters, and more, the experienced team at Elite Motorsports works tirelessly to deliver tailored racing solutions for each customer’s changing needs. Elite Motorsports also operates the largest professional drag racing team in the NHRA featuring Erica Enders, Bo Butner, Troy Coughlin Jr., Aaron Stanfield, Jerry Tucker, and the Cuadra family race team.

Elite HPElite HP is dedicated to the sale of new and used high-performance parts as well as used race cars, collectible cars, and racing engines. You can trust Elite HP because we are operated by racers, for racers, and each of our highly-skilled team members understands the real-world challenges that racers experience. They are uniquely positioned to steer customers in the right direction to meet their specific motorsports needs. Located in Wynnewood, Oklahoma on the Elite Motorsports campus.

Elite PerformanceElite Performance is an engine-building organization focused on professional drag racing engines. Owned and operated by Elite Motorsports, LLC., Elite Performance builds engines that can hold their own in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock and Pro Mod categories.

Patterson-Elite PerformanceWith an international reputation for excellence spanning back to 1960, Patterson-Elite Performance builds drag racing engines for sportsman categories including Stock, Super Stock, Competition Eliminator and Factory Stock. In addition to developing some of the best-performing engines in the sport, Patterson-Elite also operates a sportsman drag racing team competing in the NHRA Stock and Super Stock categories as well as big-money bracket races throughout the U.S.

Elite Cultivation & Processing Elite Cultivation & Processing is a state-of-the-art cannabis grower. Under the experienced leadership at Elite Motorsports, LLC, Elite Cultivation & Processing brings the same appetite for excellence, attention to detail, and precision-based engineering to the cannabis industry. With extraordinary customer service and professionalism, Elite Cultivation & Processing is setting a new standard for developing high-quality cannabis-based products.

The final two rounds of the Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown will be at Williams Grove Speedway, March 17, and Lincoln Speedway, March 18PORT ROYAL, PA (March 8, 2023) – Keeping fans and teams in mind, World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and Port Royal Speedway officials have been forced to cancel this weekend’s Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown due to unstable weather conditions – including rain, snow, wind and temperatures below the freezing point throughout the weekend.The decision comes after working closely with Meteorologist Wayne Mahar from Precision Weather Service and monitoring the local weather over the past 48 hours.If you purchased a ticket in advance to the Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown at Port Royal, March 10-11, you will receive a face-value credit to your MyDirtTickets.com account – good for two years – to be used toward any World of Outlaws event available at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix. If a credit to your account does not work for you, then you have until April 8 to request a refund.Teams and fans will now set their sights on the final two rounds of the Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown at Williams Grove Speedway, March 17, and Lincoln Speedway, March 18. At the conclusion of the mini points battle, the driver with the most points earned across the two races at Volusia Speedway Park (March 5-6), Williams Grove and Lincoln will receive $10,000. The driver with the second most points will earn $6,000 and third will get $4,000.Current World of Outlaws points leader David Gravel and Carson Macedo are tied for the lead in the Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown points battle. Macedo won the first round with Gravel finishing second and then Gravel won the second round with Macedo finishing second.For tickets to the events at Williams Grove Speedway and Lincoln Speedway, CLICK HERE.Fans can also keep their plan of watching DIRTVision this weekend with the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota set to commence its 2023 season at the Southern Illinois Center, Friday and Saturday, March 10-11.

F1 Champion Will Race March 26 at Circuit of the AmericasLed 39 Laps To Win 2018 U.S. Grand Prix at Austin, Texas Track

CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA –The Iceman is returning to NASCAR and this time at a track he knows quite well. Trackhouse Entertainment Group today announced 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Räikkönen will return to the NASCAR Cup Series on March 26 at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas to race PROJECT91’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. The race will mark Räikkönen’s second Cup Series race after debuting with PROJECT91 at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International on Aug. 21 last year. Unlike the Watkins Glen track, Räikkönen is familiar with COTA, racing on the road course eight times during his Formula One career. One of Räikkönen’s 21 Formula One victories, and most recent, came at COTA on Oct. 21, 2018, when he led 39 laps on his way to victory driving a Ferrari.

“I had a fantastic time in NASCAR,” said Räikkönen. “There was a lot to learn in a very short amount of time, but everyone was very helpful, the competition was a big challenge. This time I get to race on a track I am familiar with so there won’t be as steep of a learning curve. I want to have fun, but also do as well as we can.”Trackhouse Racing – a division of Trackhouse Entertainment Group – fields the No. 99 and the No. 1 Chevrolets with drivers Daniel Suárez and Ross Chastain in the NASCAR Cup Series. Kimi Raikkonen

Trackhouse Owner and Founder Justin Marks created PROJECT91 last year intent on expanding the organization’s global reach by fielding a Cup Series entry for renowned international racing drivers. “When we announced Kimi last year I said he was the global superstar I had in mind when we created PROJECT91. I think you saw the fan reception across the world and Kimi’s performance in the car was proof of the concept. Kimi’s following is massive and it’s great for NASCAR, Trackhouse plus I think Kimi really enjoys our racing.”

Räikkönen, Marks, Suárez & Chastain at Watkins Glen in August

Räikkönen will race the No. 91 Onx/iLOQ Chevrolet Camaro at COTA fielded by a Trackhouse crew led by 23-time wining crew chief Darian Grubb who won a Cup Series title with Tony Stewart in 2011. Onx is transforming how the world builds homes and neighborhoods through X+ Construction, a fully integrated system that merges high-end design and leading technology, delivering more value at every step of the homeowner journey. The company served as the primary sponsor on Ross Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet when he won the COTA race last year as well as Daniel Suárez’s victory at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway in June. iLOQ, the Finnish pioneer of smart and mobile locking systems, is present in the American market with its battery-free technology that ensures secure and intelligent access management for people and businesses.Last summer, Räikkönen became the first PROJECT91 driver visiting the team’s Concord, North Carolina race shop and testing with the team at Virginia International Raceway. At the Watkins Glen race, Räikkönen qualified 27th then raced in the top-10 most of the afternoon before a late race accident caused by another driver ended his day. Marks said Räikkönen will again visit the shop in the days before the Austin, Texas event, but no test sessions are planned before the COTA race. “I’m sure there are a lot of drivers that would like to have a chance to try NASCAR,” said Räikkönen. “It’s not very easy, so maybe it will open some doors in the future for more chances to try and get more Europeans into the sport.” The native of Espoo, Finland retired from Formula One in 2021 after competing with the Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus and Alfa Romeo teams since he started in 2001. His Formula One highlight came in 2007 when he won the F1 World Driving title for Scuderia Ferrari.He competed in the Xfinity and Truck Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May 2011.

PLAINVIEW, NY (March 8, 2023) — As the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series opens this weekend with the NHRA Gatornationals, March 9-12, championship contender Justin Ashley and his Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster team will be looking to start the season once again with a victory. Last year the fourth-year pro won the historic Winternationals in Pomona the first race of 2022 and went on to his best season collecting two more wins and seven total final round appearances. Ashley was in championship contention until the final day of the season, ultimately finishing No. 4 in the Top Fuel point standings. This year Ashley has even loftier goals for his experienced and enthusiastic team.

“I can’t wait to get the season started,” said Ashley. “We’ve had a productive offseason on and off the racetrack. Gainesville is our first opportunity to see the results of that production and evaluate our performance when it matters most. I am very much looking forward to kicking off 2023 with our Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster team.”

The Phillips Connect Top Fuel team will have a busy weekend schedule in addition to the four qualifying sessions Ashley and seven other championship caliber Top Fuel teams will be competing in the Pep Boys Top Fuel All-Star Callout. This race within a race will award the winner an $80,000 top prize and bragging rights at the start of the season. The race will be contested during the Saturday qualifying sessions and on Friday drivers will “call-out” their opponents. As the No. 3 qualifier Ashley could have the chance to choose his opponent unless the No. 1 or No. 2 qualifiers select him.

Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster and Justin Ashley, photo credit Ron Lewis

“I love everything about the Pep Boys All-Star Callout,” explained Ashley. “The field is loaded with talent and the unique format creates an even higher-level energy and excitement. We’re racing for the big money on FOX, but more importantly we’re racing for our teams, sponsors and fans. This race brings out the best in everybody.” 

Last year only one round of the Pep Boys All-Star Callout was contested as the Gatornationals due to torrential rains which upended the schedule throughout the weekend. This year’s event looks to have a favorable forecast and Ashley is ready to spend three days at Gainesville Raceway making quick passes and spending time with the fans and sponsors.

“Last year the rain really impacted the race,” said Ashley. “We still had success, which speaks volumes about our team. But I am certainly looking forward to a more normal race this year. You’re going to get everyone’s best shot in great conditions and in front of a huge crowd of fans.” 

As a fan favorite Ashley continues to build his team with a positive attitude and hard work. Throughout the off-season Ashley was working with sponsors to make sure he was positioned to make another run for the Top Fuel championship. As a team owner as well as a driver Ashley keeps his head on the business and operations side of the team as well as his performance behind the wheel. The 2020 NHRA Rookie of the year is recognized as one of the top drivers when it comes to average reaction time and Ashley continues to hone his skills as a young Top Fuel driver.

“I try to compartmentalize and eliminate all distractions inside the race car,” said Ashley. “My goal is to do the same thing every time whether it’s qualifying or race day. Fortunately, I have a great team on and off the racetrack who help me to do so. Mike Green, Tommy DeLago and Dustin Davis are at the forefront of a truly amazing group. We will be ready to go starting on Friday with that first round of qualifying.”

The NHRA Gatornationals will feature two rounds of Top Fuel qualifying on Friday and two sessions on Saturday. During the qualifying sessions on Saturday Ashley will also be competing in the Pep Boys All-Star Callout. The final round of the Callout will be contested on Saturday night with a winner-take-all $80,000 race that will not count towards qualifying position. Final eliminations will begin on Sunday March 12 at 10 a.m. ET with FOX broadcasting the race nationally from noon-3:00 p.m. ET.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 8, 2023) – AMA Pro Racing is pleased to announce that Progressive Insurance® will continue to serve as the title sponsor of American Flat Track in the seasons ahead thanks to a new multi-year renewal of their landmark sponsorship. Founded in 1937, Progressive is the nation’s leading motorcycle insurer. That status was earned through decades of supporting the two-wheeled and motorsports communities, granting it a unique understanding on how to best meet the needs of motorcyclists. Progressive was first named Title Sponsor and Official Insurance Company of Progressive AFT in 2020 and has expanded their support of the sport over the years through digital and experiential activations at events. “Progressive has played an integral role in accelerating American Flat Track’s growth over the last few years and we truly appreciate their continued partnership,” said Gene Crouch, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “It’s great to work with a brand that shares the same values that we have; we are likeminded in the desire to engage with our customers in entertaining and memorable ways. We’re excited to kick off the next chapter of our partnership and working together with Progressive to make our races and the stars of the sport as memorable as the stars of Progressive’s ad campaigns.” “We are thrilled to continue our support in growing this sport by serving as the title sponsor of American Flat Track,” said Todd Matthews, Progressive Acquisition Specialist. “As the No.1 motorcycle insurer, we recognize the passion, enthusiasm and commitment riders possess, and we are excited to see what’s in store in the seasons ahead.” The 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season will launch with the hugely anticipated return of the DAYTONA Short Track I & II at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, March 9 and Friday, March 10. Get your tickets now at https://www.tixr.com/promoters/americanflattrack. For those that can’t catch the live action from Daytona International Speedway, 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 Daytona Short Track I on March 18 at 10:30 a.m. ET (7:30 a.m. PT) and Daytona Short Track II on March 19 at 12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. PT).

OCALA, FL (March 8, 2023) —Third year Top Fuel driver Josh Hart has been waiting for the start of the 2023 NHRA Gatornationals since he pulled the chutes for the last time at the NHRA Auto Club Finals in Pomona last November. The young driver from Ocala, Florida, battled through a tough sophomore season that saw the two-time Top Fuel winner only advance to two final rounds and his R+L Carriers/TechNet team chased consistency for 22 races. This weekend is a fresh start for one of the teams tabbed as a championship contender led by a rising star in the NHRA.

“I am putting 2022 behind me and totally focusing on racing for the championship in 2023,” said Hart. “I have a brand-new race car that I have never been more comfortable in. My crew chief Ron Douglas and the crew guys have been working their tails off all off-season. I am mentally ready to go out there and win races. I have won the Gatornationals before and I would like to get back into that winner’s circle.”

Hart stood in the Gainesville Raceway winner’s circle at the conclusion of his first Top Fuel national event as a professional, something only six other drivers have ever accomplished. In 2021 the successful Top Alcohol Dragster racer made the jump to Top Fuel, qualified No. 8 and then outran Clay Millican, Steve Torrence, Justin Ashley and Shawn Langdon to capture the Gatornationals Top Fuel title. Hart’s friend and NHRA legend Don “Big Daddy” Garlits was in attendance and shared the moment with the new star.

Josh Hart and new look 2023 R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster, photo credit Josh Hart Racing

“It was amazing to win that first race and to have Don there,” said Hart, who went on to win another race in a partial season of competition in 2021. “We only raced about half the season in 2021 and we had so much success. This sport is very humbling and last year was tough. We know what we need to do this season and I think we will be a tough team. I want to race, beat the best drivers in the world and I think they will all be at the track this weekend. It is going to be a lot of fun.”

In addition to the Gatornationals competition Hart and the R+L Carriers/TechNet Top Fuel team will be competing in the Pep Boys Top Fuel All-Star Callout specialty race. This will be Hart’s first big money Top Fuel specialty race and he is ready for whatever comes his way.

 “It’s going to be an awesome Callout and I’m super stoked,” said Hart. “There are no participation trophies here and every one of these drivers is tough. I learned a lot last year and I’m ready to roll. I’m proud to be a part of this group.”

In advance of the season kick-off race Hart and the NHRA will be hosting a Gatornationals FanFest event at Burnyzz Speed Shop in Ocala, Florida, Wednesday, March 8, from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The free event will feature a car show, live music, food trucks and a driver autograph session with some of the biggest names in the sport as well as many former Gatornationals winners. The drivers will be signing autographs beginning at 7 p.m. and fans are welcome to join the FanFest and get revved up for an exciting weekend.

“We wanted to host an event to build some excitement for the race and give back to our fans in Ocala and from all over Florida,” said Hart. “My wife Brittanie has been doing an amazing job of pulling this event together. I want to thank all the drivers for participating and we are just trying to make this event bigger and better every year. We will be donating proceeds from the car show and 50/50 raffle to Racers For Christ so we would love to see a big crowd.”

With good weather in the forecast for the weekend the NHRA Gatornationals should also see record attendance. Getting to spend time with the fans has been a bonus for Hart as he steadily becomes more of a well-known name on the NHRA tour. The soft spoken but not shy driver is looking to start making a run for his first championship on Friday when qualifying begins in earnest.

“We had a good couple of days of testing and our R+L Carriers/TechNet dragster is ready to roll,” said Hart. “The Gatornationals is my home race track so we will have a lot of our team from Burnyzz Speed Shop at the race as well as more sponsors. It will be a busy weekend.”

The NHRA Gatornationals will feature two rounds of Top Fuel qualifying on Friday and two sessions on Saturday. During the qualifying sessions on Saturday Hart will also be competing in the Pep Boys All-Star Callout. The final round of the Callout will be contested on Saturday night with a winner-take-all $80,000 race that will not count towards qualifying position. Final eliminations will begin on Sunday, March 12 at 10 a.m. ET with FOX broadcasting the race nationally from noon-3:00 p.m. ET.