HUMBOLDT, KS – September 19, 2022– The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models will make their long-awaited return to two Midwest tracks and their debut at another during a triple header weekend at the end of October.

First, the Series will make two stops in Kansas – at Humboldt Speedway, on Friday, Oct. 21, and the 81 Speedway, on Saturday, Oct. 22 – before venturing to US 36 Raceway in Osborn, MO on Sunday, Oct. 23.

The three races, each paying $10,000 to win, are key points in the 2022 championship battle with drivers looking to secure as many points as they can before the season ending World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Nov. 2-5.

Tickets: CLICK HERE

WORLD OF OUTLAWS @ HUMBOLDT

Track: Humboldt Speedway

Location: Humboldt, KS
To Win: $10,000
Last Winner: No previous races

Notables: The World of Outlaws will make their debut at the 3/8-mile Humboldt Speedway

WORLD OF OUTLAWS @ 81 SPEEDWAY

Track: 81 Speedway

Location: Wichita, KS

To Win: $10,000

Last Winner: Brandon Sheppard (2017)

Notables: The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet will make their second appearance the track. 

Brandon Sheppard was the inaugural winner in 2017, while current Series regular Shane Clanton finished fifth. 

Ryan Gustin also scored a victory at the track in 2020, in a United States Modified Touring Series event. 

WORLD OF OUTLAWS @ US 36
Track: US 36 Raceway

Location: Osborn, MO
To Win: $10,000

Last Winner: Steve Francis (2009)

Notables: The World of Outlaws will make their first appearance at the track since 2009, when Steve Francis found Victory Lane. 

Four-time Series champion Josh Richards finished second in that race, while Shane Clanton finished eighth. 

MARSTONS MILLS, Massachusetts (September 19, 2022)  Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it’s the courage to continue that counts.” That quote certainly resonates with Jay Blake and the Follow A Dream Team after this past weekend’s Pep Boy’s NHRA Nationals in Mohnton, Pennsylvania.It’s no secret that Maple Grove is Jay’s favorite track, and the reason is simple, its where Jay first dreamed up the crazy idea to start a race team despite becoming totally blind. After over 20+ years at the helm of his Top Alcohol Funny Car team, that is the one Wally that has eluded the Dream Team.“I can’t really put into words what it would mean to me to win there, I’ve been chasing it for so long, and I guess it would feel like finally conquering the mountain.” said Blake of the continued pursuit. The team did briefly taste victory after a few rounds of Qualifiers that didn’t quite go as planned. The first qualifier was a shut down due to an ignition problem that was solved by Q2. The second round of Qualifiers earned a 5.72 at 261 mph. The racecar shook the tires for several feet leaving heavy wheelie bar marks behind it. Tuner Anthony Terenzio and Team Consultant Rich Bozzelli had the kinks worked out by Q3 and the team was satisfied with the 5.51 at 266 mph that the final round of qualifiers yielded.Saturday’s first round of eliminations brought early victory and stoked the team’s enthusiasm as Burkart screamed past Gawlik Sgro in the Permatextraining.com funny car with a winning 5.54 at 264 mph to Brian Gawlik’s 5.63 at 258 mph. Unfortunately, the momentum didn’t continue, and The Dream Team was bested in an incredibly close second round loss by DJ Cox’ s 5.47 at 267 mph to Phil Burkart’s 5.51 at 264 mph.Now its on to Virginia for the teams last race of the year and one more chance to clinch The Eastern Region Championship!Jay Blakes’s speaking program continues to flourish with Blake and some of his crew heading out for a presentation at Reading Muhlenberg Vocational Technical School before the races this past weekend. Blake smiled as the freightliner rolled out of the school heading for the track, “The racing is great, I mean really fantastic, who doesn’t love to win, but it’s the lives that we change that really makes this dream worth dreaming!” Well said, Jay! For more information about Follow A Dream’s speaking program please reach out to Jay at FollowADream.org

Jay Blake motivating hundreds of students at Reading Muhlenberg VocTech

An inspired student hugging Jay

Visible wheelie bar marks after Q2

Team Chevy Continues to Occupy 50 Percent of Playoff Field DETROIT, Mich. (September 19, 2022) – It was a battle all the way down to the last lap of the first elimination race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway, with six Chevrolet drivers prevailing to advance to the Round of 12 and continue in the championship title hunt. The 500-lap annual night race at “The Last Great Colosseum” provided drama throughout, but the bowtie brigade proved its strength, continuing to occupy 50 percent of the playoff field for the second consecutive round. Chevrolet drivers continuing on include all four Hendrick Motorsports teammates (Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, William Byron and Alex Bowman); as well as Trackhouse Racing teammates and first-time playoff drivers Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez.            It was a playoff opening round for the record books. Three non-playoff drivers took the victories in each of the three races in the Round of 16; a first-time occurrence in series’ history since the NASCAR playoff era began in 2004. Consistency was key for playoff drivers to solidify their spot into the next round. William Byron and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 team proved to be a contender right out of the gate, with an eighth-place finish at Darlington Raceway that took the 24-year-old North Carolina native to the second spot in the playoff standings. Byron was able to maintain that position on the playoff grid throughout the opening round, scoring top-10 finishes in all three races.            With the playoff grid reseeded in advance of the Round of 12, a familiar face is back in the top position in the standings: 2022 NCS regular-season champion Chase Elliott. The 26-year-old Georgia native now sits 31-points above the cutline, while continuing to lead the series in wins (4), top-fives (11), top-10s (18), laps led (719) and accumulated playoff points (40). Joining Elliott in the top-five of the playoff standings includes Ross Chastain (third; 11-points above the cutline), Kyle Larson (fourth; 10-points above the cutline), and William Byron (fifth; 6-points above the cutline), giving Chevrolet four of the top-five playoff spots heading into race one of the Round of 12 at Texas Motor Speedway. Alex Bowman and Daniel Suarez sit in the 10th and 11th spots in the standings, respectively, but both only six-points below the cutline.

The Round of 12 will be contested on three completely different racetrack configurations, including an intermediate track (1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway); the unpredictability of a superspeedway (Talladega Superspeedway); and a left- and right-hand turns of a road course circuit (Charlotte ROVAL). Two of the three tracks in the round saw a Chevrolet-powered machine in victory lane in 2021, with Kyle Larson taking the wins in both the Texas Motor Speedway playoff and All-Star race, as well as the Charlotte ROVAL.

CHEVROLET RACING: NCS PLAYOFFS ROUND OF 12 FAST FACTS

·       In the 29 NASCAR Cup Series points-paying races; Chevrolet continues to lead all manufacturers in race wins (16), top-fives (69), top-10s (127), laps led (3,329) and stage wins (23).  ·    For the second consecutive round, Chevrolet continues to occupy 50 percent of the playoff field with six Chevrolet drivers advancing to the Round of 12. ·    Heading into race one of the Round of 12, Chevrolet drivers take four of the top-five positions in the playoff standings, led by regular-season champion Chase Elliott (1st).

Chevrolet All-Time NASCAR Cup SeriesChampionships:  Manufacturer Championships: 1st Chevy Title: 1958Most Recent Title: 2021Highest Number of Consecutive Titles: 13 (2003-2015) Driver Championships: 1st Chevy title: Buck Baker (1957)Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021)Highest Number of Consecutive Titles: 7 (2005-2011)

Chevrolet’s 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 Drivers:

Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 – 1st in Playoff Standings (+31 points above cutline)2022 NASCAR Cup Series Regular-Season Champion

Victories: 4 (series-leading)Top-Fives: 11 (tied for series-leading); Top-10s: 18 (series-leading);Laps Led: 719 (series-leading); Average Finish: 11.1 (series-leading);Stage Wins: 5 Of Note: – The 2022 season marks Elliott’s seventh consecutive appearance in the NCS playoffs. – Elliott has advanced to the Championship 4 the past two seasons, winning his first career NCS Driver Championship in 2020. – Six of his 17 career NCS wins have come in the playoffs.- Elliott has won at two of the three tracks in the Round of 12, including Talladega Superspeedway (2019); and a two-time winner at the Charlotte ROVAL (2019 and 2020).

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Camaro ZL1 – 3rd in Playoff Standings (+11 points above cutline)

Victories: 2Top-Fives: 10 Top-10s: 16Laps Led: 584Average Finish: 14.2Stage Wins: 5Of Note: – The 2022 season marks Chastain’s first career appearance in the NCS playoffs. – Chastain has already scored a win at one of the Round of 12 tracks in 2022, with his second-career NCS win coming at Talladega Superspeedway in April. 

Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 – 4th in Playoff Standings (+10 points above cutline)2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion

Victories: 2Top-Fives: 11 (tied for series-leading)Top-10s: 15Laps Led: 341Average Finish: 13.7 (third-best)Stage Wins: 3 Of Note: – The 2022 season marks Larson’s sixth appearance in the NCS playoffs, with 2021 bringing Larson his first trip to the Championship 4. – During the playoff era (2004-present); Larson leads the series in ‘multiple playoff race wins in a single season’ with five in 2021 (Bristol, Charlotte ROVAL, Texas, Kansas, Phoenix).- In 2021, Larson took the wins at two of the three tracks that are in the Round of 12, including both the playoff and All-Star races at Texas Motor Speedway; and the annual race at the Charlotte ROVAL.

William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 – 5th in Playoff Standings (+6 points above the cutline)

Victories: 2Top-Fives: 5Top-10s: 8Laps Led: 671Average Finish: 16.8Stage Wins: 4 Of Note: – The 2022 season marks Byron’s fourth consecutive appearance in the NCS playoffs. – Bryon’s career-best finish in the NCS playoffs came in 2021, finishing the season 10th in the final standings.- Byron scored top-10 finishes in all three races of the Round of 16 including an eighth-place at Darlington Raceway; sixth-place at Kansas Speedway; and third-place at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1 – 10th in Playoff Standings (-6 points below the cutline)

Victories: 1Top-Fives: 4Top-10s: 12Laps Led: 136Average Finish: 15.7Stage Wins: 2 Of Note: – The 2022 season marks Bowman’s fifth consecutive appearance in the NCS playoffs. – Bowman has raced his way into the Round of 12 in each of his NCS playoff appearances; making it to the Round of 8 in the 2020 season to score a career-best sixth in the final standings.- Two of Bowman’s 12 top-10 finishes of 2022 came in the Round of 16, recording a 10th-place finish at Darlington Raceway and a fourth-place finish at Kansas Speedway.

Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Camaro ZL1 – 11th in Playoff Standings (-6 points below the cutline)

Victories: 1Top-Fives: 6Top-10s: 11Laps Led: 246Average Finish: 16.4Stage Wins: 2Of Note: – The 2022 season marks Suarez’s first career appearance in the NCS playoffs. – Suarez has three top-five finishes on road course circuits in 2022 including his first-career NCS win at Sonoma Raceway; and fifth-place finishes at Road America and Watkins Glen.

READING, PA (September 18, 2022) — Rookie Top Alcohol Dragster driver Travis Shumake of New York City took a major step forward as an up and coming drag racer racing to the semifinals of the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in just his second career national event start. Racing the Randy Meyer owned and tuned Sheetz Top Alcohol Dragster the second-generation driver qualified No. 12 in a 21 car field loaded with veteran racers.

“I learned so much this weekend,” said Shumake, at the end of the day. “I learned what it’s like to red-light. Sometimes your brain, emotions, and right foot aren’t on the same page. I got really wrapped up in my head going into that semifinal round. As a fan you watch and say, “It so easy to not red light, you just don’t go until the ambers flash” and then you’re in the car and you just…go. Whoops.”

Travis Shumake and Sheetz TAD, photo by SR Driven Media

In the first round contested yesterday afternoon Shumake upset No. 5 qualifier and former World Champion Duane Shields with a hole shot win. Shumake took a .049 to .109 second starting line advantage in the Sheetz branded dragster that pushed him to the next round with a winning time of 5.280 seconds, a career quickest run, and a major improvement from his quickest qualifying time of 5.462 seconds.

As the sun dropped yesterday evening Shumake was once again on the hunt for an upset and the son of Funny Car standout Tripp Shumake delivered with another hole shot win taking out No. 2 qualifier Jackie Fricke. Shumake hit the throttle with a .029 reaction time which propelled him in front of Fricke’s .113 second reaction time. As both dragsters flew down the track Shumake’s time of 5.282 seconds combined with his reaction time advantage was enough to beat Fricke’s quicker 5.259 second run at 275.90 mph.

Today after a night to reflect on his success Shumake faced Jeff Veale, the No. 9 qualifier, in his first semifinal appearance. The run proved to be a pivotal moment for the rookie driver as he jumped the start with a red-light start and handed the win to Veale. For Shumake the entire weekend was a huge learning experience and one that he feels will pay dividends as his career progresses.

“I shut off at about 800 feet because I knew I redlit and I was processing how that all worked,” said Shumake. “Randy joked about wishing I ran it through the lights just to test the tune-up we had. We were ready for a tight race. We packed that same tune-up in the trailer, and I can’t wait to roll it out Friday morning in Charlotte. These Randy Meyer cars are showing some great consistency in the back half of the year and five days from now we get to do it again.”

Shumake was racing the first of two NHRA national events representing Sheetz, a customer-centric destination for more than gas and snacks which is open 24/7/365, in the Top Alcohol Dragster class. In five days Shumake and the Randy Meyers team will be back in action at zMax Dragway outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. The marketing relationship with Sheetz was a hit throughout the weekend in front of a packed Maple Grove Raceway crowd.

Travis Shumake, photo by SR Driven Media

“The Sheetz fans are everywhere,” said Shumake. “I loved meeting the “Sheetz Freakz” as they self-identity out at the track. If I had a dollar for every person who stopped and said ‘No way, I love Sheetz. I didn’t know they had a dragster!’ I would have paid for the weekend. Fellow competitors agree that Sheetz is the kind of sponsor we need more of in the sport. A place where our 30 million fans can instantly show their loyalty and appreciation with a gallon of gas or a milkshake. “

Pep Boys NHRA Nationals results

First Round

Travis Shumake, (0.049) 5.280, 263.87 mph def. Duane Shields, (0.109) 5.278, 276.13 mph

Second Round

Travis Shumake, (0.027) 5.282, 264.23 mph def. Jackie Fricke, (0.113) 5.259, 275.90 mph

Semifinals

Jeff Veale, (0.017) 5.347, 274.44 mph def. Travis Shumake, (-0.089) 5.895, 177.37 mph

Justin Ashley Assumes Points Lead in Top Fuel

MOHNTON, Penn. (September 18, 2022) – Justin Ashley assumed the Top Fuel points lead following his Final Round appearance in Sunday’s NHRA event at Maple Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania. Ashley advanced beating top contenders Doug Kalitta and Mike Salinas before facing eventual race-winner Austin Prock in the finals. Ashley would fall to Prock by only three one-hundredths of a second, but take over the points lead with five national events remaining. 

Toyota Post-Race Recap

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series

Maple Grove Raceway

Race 17 of 22

TOYOTA TOP FUEL FINISHING POSITIONS 

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
Justin Ashley	Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Finals	W. 3.732 vs. 3.865 (Chatterson)W. 3.841 vs. 5.890 (Kalitta)W. 3.739 vs. 9.497 (Salinas)L. 3.783 vs. 3.755 (Prock)
Antron Brown	Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Semi-Finals	W. 3.851 vs. 10.983 (Hart)W. 3.730 vs. 5.389 (Force)L. 6.565 vs. 5.732 (Prock)
Doug Kalitta	CMR Construction & Roofing Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Round 2	W. 3.720 vs. 4.458 (Pruett)L. 5.890 vs. 3.841 (Ashley)
Steve Torrence	Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Round 2	W. 3.740 vs. 5.901 (Langdon)L. 3.767 vs. 3.762 (Prock)
Shawn Langdon	DHL Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Round 1	L. 5.901 vs. 3.740 (Torrence)

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR FINISHING POSITIONS 

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
Ron Capps	NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Round 2	W. 3.858 vs. 4.282 (Burkhart)L. 4.420 vs. 3.918 (Wilkerson)
J.R. Todd	DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Round 2	W. 3.914 vs. 3.932 (Green)L. 3.972 vs. 4.000 (Force – Holeshot)
Alexis DeJoria	Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Round 1	L. 3.924 vs. 3.922 (Wilkerson)

TOYOTA QUOTES

JUSTIN ASHLEY, Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Davis Motorsports

Final Result: Finals

What does a final round appearance to kickoff the Countdown say about this race team?

“We are peaking at the right time thanks to our team leadership. (Co-owner) Dustin Davis has done a fantastic job of developing a group of people that works so well together. They genuinely care about what they do. (Crew chiefs) Mike Green and Tommy DeLago are very experienced, and it shows. They are always calm, and nothing ever phases them. They are also uber-aggressive and they want to win. That attitude is reflected through the whole team.”

What do you expect the racing to be like throughout the Countdown?

“I would expect races like today the rest of the Countdown. Whether you are racing guys in the Countdown or outside the Countdown it is a dogfight out there. You better bring your ‘A Game’ every round. I expect a lot of close races with a lot of lethal teams and outstanding drivers.”

What can you say about the crowd this weekend at Maple Grove Raceway?

“This weekend was amazing. There were so many people here. It was a joy to be able to race in front of this many people. I have to tip my hat to the Koretsky family. They did a fantastic job with this facility in a very short amount of time. The NHRA fans are what it is all about. To pull up and see the kind of crowd in the stands is amazing.”

Justin Ashley Assumes Points Lead in Top Fuel

MOHNTON, Penn. (September 18, 2022) – Justin Ashley assumed the Top Fuel points lead following his Final Round appearance in Sunday’s NHRA event at Maple Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania. Ashley advanced beating top contenders Doug Kalitta and Mike Salinas before facing eventual race-winner Austin Prock in the finals. Ashley would fall to Prock by only three one-hundredths of a second, but take over the points lead with five national events remaining. 

Toyota Post-Race Recap

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series

Maple Grove Raceway

Race 17 of 22

TOYOTA TOP FUEL FINISHING POSITIONS 

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
Justin Ashley	Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Finals	W. 3.732 vs. 3.865 (Chatterson)W. 3.841 vs. 5.890 (Kalitta)W. 3.739 vs. 9.497 (Salinas)L. 3.783 vs. 3.755 (Prock)
Antron Brown	Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Semi-Finals	W. 3.851 vs. 10.983 (Hart)W. 3.730 vs. 5.389 (Force)L. 6.565 vs. 5.732 (Prock)
Doug Kalitta	CMR Construction & Roofing Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Round 2	W. 3.720 vs. 4.458 (Pruett)L. 5.890 vs. 3.841 (Ashley)
Steve Torrence	Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Round 2	W. 3.740 vs. 5.901 (Langdon)L. 3.767 vs. 3.762 (Prock)
Shawn Langdon	DHL Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	Round 1	L. 5.901 vs. 3.740 (Torrence)

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR FINISHING POSITIONS 

Name	Car	Final Result	Round-by-Round
Ron Capps	NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Round 2	W. 3.858 vs. 4.282 (Burkhart)L. 4.420 vs. 3.918 (Wilkerson)
J.R. Todd	DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Round 2	W. 3.914 vs. 3.932 (Green)L. 3.972 vs. 4.000 (Force – Holeshot)
Alexis DeJoria	Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	Round 1	L. 3.924 vs. 3.922 (Wilkerson)

TOYOTA QUOTES

JUSTIN ASHLEY, Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Davis Motorsports

Final Result: Finals

What does a final round appearance to kickoff the Countdown say about this race team?

“We are peaking at the right time thanks to our team leadership. (Co-owner) Dustin Davis has done a fantastic job of developing a group of people that works so well together. They genuinely care about what they do. (Crew chiefs) Mike Green and Tommy DeLago are very experienced, and it shows. They are always calm, and nothing ever phases them. They are also uber-aggressive and they want to win. That attitude is reflected through the whole team.”

What do you expect the racing to be like throughout the Countdown?

“I would expect races like today the rest of the Countdown. Whether you are racing guys in the Countdown or outside the Countdown it is a dogfight out there. You better bring your ‘A Game’ every round. I expect a lot of close races with a lot of lethal teams and outstanding drivers.”

What can you say about the crowd this weekend at Maple Grove Raceway?

“This weekend was amazing. There were so many people here. It was a joy to be able to race in front of this many people. I have to tip my hat to the Koretsky family. They did a fantastic job with this facility in a very short amount of time. The NHRA fans are what it is all about. To pull up and see the kind of crowd in the stands is amazing.”

READING, Pa. (Sept. 18, 2022) – Austin Prock in the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist dragster and Robert Hight in the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS, crew chiefed by Prock’s father, Jimmy Prock, doubled up for the first time in their careers Sunday at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. John Force and the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevy Camaro SS had a semifinal finish while Brittany Force with the Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy dragster had a quarterfinal appearance. The win would be Prock’s first of the season, second of his career and propel him from 12th to sixth in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship points. For Hight, it would be his 60th career victory, a career best seventh of the season and second at Maple Grove Raceway while also further solidifying his hold on the championship points lead. Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team started eliminations in the No. 4 spot picking up the win with a 3.705-second pass at his career best 336.15 mph to Foley’s 6.531 at 93.23 after smoking the tires. In the second round, Prock would take on four-time reigning world champion Steve Torrence. In one of the closest side-by-side races of the day, Prock would have the slight starting line advantage at .067-seconds to Torrence’s .070 and never trail crossing the line at 3.762-seconds and 326.87 mph bettering Torrence’s 3.767 at 324.36 sending Prock to his first semifinal appearance since the New England Nationals in Epping, N.H. in June. Prock would take down Antron Brown in a thrilling pedalfest. Both hot rods would go up in smoke almost immediately forcing the drivers to put their skills to the test. Both would battle to gain back control with Prock prevailing to a 5.732-second pass at 293.47 mph over Brown’s 6.565 at 146.54. The finals would be a rematch of the 2022 Winternationals final round with Prock matched up with Justin Ashley. This time around, it would be Prock who would come out victorious with a 3.755-second pass at 329.67 mph over Ashley’s 3.783 at 326.40. “This is exactly what this Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team needed. It’s awesome and we’re right back in the hunt of this thing. We came into the Countdown sitting 12th, and if we wanted to play for the big trophy, we knew we had to win this weekend.,” Prock said. “If you come out and win Reading, you’re right back in the hunt. This is unbelievable and it was just one of those days where everything was going our way, the team did their job, the crew chiefs made good decisions and I did my job. I’m so proud of this team. Everybody kept their heads down and still believed in themselves, and that attitude is how you win a Wally. I was really proud to win four rounds and thank you to John Force and Frank Tiegs for giving me the opportunity.” As the No. 1 qualifiers, Hight and the Auto Club team earned a bye run in the first round. Crew chiefs Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham took advantage of the opportunity running a 3.878-second pass at 333.74 mph to gain lane choice in the second round against Cruz Pedregon. Hight and the Auto Club Chevy would stay consistent going 3.901-seconds at 332.67 mph to Pedregon’s 5.567 at 135.46 after he smoked the tires. It would be two juggernauts in the semifinal with Hight facing second in points Matt Hagan. The Auto Club Camaro would continue to be unwavering going 3.908-seconds at 331.69 mph to Hagan’s 4.123 at 255.34. Veteran Tim Wilkerson would be waiting for Hight in the finals. Hight and the Auto Club team left nothing to chance knowing Wilkerson had run second quickest in two of the rounds. The Camaro would lay down a 3.937-second pass at 328.38 mph but the race was on the starting line after Wilkerson would red-light by -.220-seconds securing victory for Hight. “This is exactly how we scripted it. The only problem is, it’s really easy to script a weekend and a lot harder to get the job done. We needed to qualify well and get bonus points every run, because at the end of the year, those bonus points can be the difference,” Hight said. “This is just hard to believe, what we’re doing. I would have never guessed somebody would win seven Funny Car races. There was a point I’d never thought I’d get a win or a chance to drive. I’m very fortunate and there’s been one common denominator on all those wins and that’s the Auto Club of Southern California. I’v had the same sponsor for 18 years, 60 wins, without them we wouldn’t be here. “It’s dog-eat-dog out there, so this is amazing. This is huge, to start out the Countdown to the Championship like this, but it’s one down and five to go,” Hight continued. “We’re going to have fun today and then go focus in Charlotte and try to get it done next week. If we can do that, we’ll really be in a good position.” John Force and the PEAK Chevy started their race day against Cory Lee after qualifying second for the 16-time champs 800th career race start. Force would go 3.932-seonds at at 287.66 mph after lifting early to defeat lee’s 4.407 at 287.84. In the second round, Todd would square off with J.R. Todd. On a holeshot, Force would pick up the win at 4.000-seconds and 324.59 mph with a .051-second reaction time while Todd would have a 3.972 at 326.95 and a .089 reaction time. Force would run into trouble in the semifinals, coasting to a 9.003-second pass at 82.09 mph after driving into tire smoke against eventual race runner-up Wilkerson who would issues of his own to run 4.621 at 182.62. “Not a bad weekend to start the Countdown. Everyone is in the hunt, Robert may just runaway with Is but this PEAK Chevy, we’re still in the mix, still five races to go. Brittany will be good, still up in the top. That Montana Brand car, we’ve been working hard to get that car back in the mix, and they’ve got a chance,” Force said. “We head right to Charlotte where we’ll have another shot at it. Keep on trying to get the job done.” Entering the day as the No. 1 qualifiers, Brittany Force and the Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team made waves with their first-round victory over Cameron Ferre. Force would handle the David Grubnic and Mac Savage tuned dragster to a 3.698-second pass at a track speed of 337.66 mph. Ferre’s 4.121 at 291.32 was no match for the second quickest run of the event. Force would then line the Flav-R-Pac dragster up with Antron Brown in the second round. Much like her Saturday evening run, Force would have an engine explosion but this time, she’d end up on the losing end going only 5.389-seconds at 123.14 mph when her rear tires slipped in her oil. The 2017 world champion managed to keep her dragster in her lane but watched Brown drive away to a 3.730 at 323.97. “It’s tough, when you come in here in the points lead. It’s unfortunate to get beat that way and watch a car just completely drive around you and you’re stuck, you can’t do anything you have no power, you have to pull your foot out of it. But we’re a team. We’ll pull together these Flav-R-Pac guys. We go to Charlotte next and we’ll set up there and try again.” The NHRA Countdown to the Championship continues with the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, September 23-25. -30-

AUSTIN PROCK, 27, Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist DragsterQualifying:4th; 3.706-seconds; 332.02 mphBonus Qualifying Points:+2 (2nd quickest Q1)Race Results:Beat Doug Foley, Steve Torrence, Antron Brown, Justin Ashley BRITTANY FORCE, 36, Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy DragsterQualifying:1st; 3.696-seconds; 327.90 mphBonus Qualifying Points:+3 (quickest Q3)Race Results: Beat Cameron Ferre; Lost to Antron BrownJOHN FORCE, 73, PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SSQualifying:3rd; 3.890-seconds; 329.99 mphBonus Qualifying Points: +2 (2nd quickest Q1)Race Results: Beat Cory Green, J.R. Todd; Lost to Tim WilkersonROBERT HIGHT, 53, Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro SSQualifying:1st; 3.867-seconds; 331.20 mphBonus Qualifying Points:+7 (quickest Q1; 2nd quickest Q2 & 3)Race Results: Bye; Beat Cruz Pedregon, Matt Hagan, Tim Wilkerson

Photo Credit: Gary Nastase, Auto Imagery

Unofficial NHRA Countdown to the Championship Points Standings TOP FUEL – 1. Justin Ashley, 2170; 2. Brittany Force, Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac dragster, 2161; 3. Mike Salinas, 2160; 4. Antron Brown, 2116; 5. Steve Torrence, 2114; 6. Austin Prock, Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster, 2096; 7. Josh Hart, 2083; 8. Tie, Doug Kalitta and Leah Pruett, 2063 each; 10. Shawn Langdon, 2052; 11. Clay Millican, 2046; 12. Tony Schumacher, 2032. FUNNY CAR – 1. Robert Hight, Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro SS, 2225; 2. Matt Hagan, 2144; 3. Ron Capps, 2141; 4. John Force, PEAK/Blue Def Platinum Chevy Camaro SS, 2128; 5. Bob Tasca III, 2119; 6. Tim Wilkerson, 2103; 7. J.R. Todd, 2095; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 2073; 9. Alexis DeJoria, 2062; 10. Jim Campbell, 2012; 11. Blake Alexander, 2000.

KNOXVILLE, IA (September 18, 2022) – Jonathan Davenport took the lead with two laps to go from Tyler Bruening and went on to win the 18th running of the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals on Sunday afternoon. The victory was Davenport’s first in the only Late Model event at the famed Knoxville Raceway. Bruening, an Iowa native, led from lap 10 to lap 47 when Davenport dove under him to take the top spot, denying him his first career crown jewel victory in heart-breaking fashion. Bruening took home $25,000 for his second-place finish. Brandon Sheppard was third at the end as he now sits just 100-points behind in the championship chase as leader Tim McCreadie finished 25th after completing just 13 laps. Ricky Thornton Jr. was fourth in the final rundown and Earl Pearson Jr. completed the top five drivers. Davenport took the lead early with Bobby Pierce rolling into the second spot. Pierce trailed Davenport for the first eight laps of the race until he took the lead on lap nine. With nine laps complete a caution for Justin Zeitner slowed the field. During the caution period Pierce headed to the hot pit with issues that ultimately ended his night. On the restart, Bruening vaulted to the lead becoming the third different leader of the race in the first ten laps. It was a tightly contested race between Bruening, Pearson, and Davenport until a pair of cautions on laps 19 and 21 kept the field bunched up.  At the halfway mark it was still Bruening showing the way. With the last 29 laps going caution-free it appeared Bruening was within reach of the biggest win of his career. As the laps wound down, Davenport had broken away from a battle with Pearson that had gone on for several laps between the two veteran drivers. Bruening had a little more than a two-second lead that started to slip away as Davenport to close the gap on the top side. Davenport was within striking distance with 47 laps complete and then heading into turn number one he dove underneath Bruening to take the lead a lap later.   Davenport, who won for the 21st time overall this season, said: “I wish I could have said that I was planning for that. I was just too tight there. I didn’t have the best race car by far. I made a mistake first in lapped traffic I thought I might get rolled on the outside and let Bobby around me so I chose the bottom and let Tyler [Bruening] around me. I was trying to race Earl [Pearson Jr.] as clean as I could there, but I knew I had to get by him. I got a big run on Tyler there one time getting into one. I could have blasted on him, but I knew this could be his first crown jewel, so I didn’t want to take it away from him like that.” In his postrace interview, Bruening elaborated on coming so close to winning the biggest race for Late Models in his home state. “I needed two less laps I guess to hold him off. I don’t know. When you are out front for all those laps it’s pretty tough to move out of your line that’s worked the whole race. I didn’t know how close he was until it was too late there getting off of four. I didn’t know how high I could go if all the way up there would do it. It was fun to run up front. We just go beat by the best in the world right now.” Sheppard, who started 11th, charged through the field to round out the podium. “It feels good to run well in this race. I have had a lot of good runs here, so I expected to run good to a certain extent. We had a good car there. Man, I wish it was more laps now because I think we were getting better there at the end. It was unfortunate for Timmy [McCreadie], but we all have bad luck sometimes, that’s part of the game. He still has a pretty good lead on us, so we still have alot of work to do.” The winner’s Lance and Darla Landers-owned, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions, Spartan Mowers, ASC Warranty, Bilstein Shocks, VP Fuels, Midwest Sheet Metal, Mark Martin Automotive, and Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas. Completing the top ten were Ricky Weiss, Shane Clanton, Spencer Hughes, Brandon Overton, and Kyle Strickler. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville NationalsSunday, September 18th, 2022Knoxville Raceway – Knoxville, IA Fast Shafts B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): 1. 1T-Tyler Erb[3]; 2. 22H-Daniel Hilsabeck[2]; 3. 7-Ross Robinson[1]; 4. 15-Justin Duty[5]; 5. 18D-Daulton Wilson[4]; 6. 51-Matt Furman[7]; 7. 53-Andrew Kosiski[9]; 8. 93-Chad Simpson[11]; 9. 6H-Al Humphrey[13]; 10. 14W-Dustin Walker[10]; 11. 10-Junior Coover[12]; 12. 22-Charlie McKenna[6]; 13. (DNS) 42-Johnathan Huston Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Feature Finish (50 Laps):

Race StatisticsEntrants: 48Lap Leaders: Jonathan Davenport (Laps 1-8); Bobby Pierce (Laps 9-10); Tyler Bruening (Laps 11-47); Jonathan Davenport (Laps 48-50)Wrisco Feature Winner: Jonathan DavenportArizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Feature Winner: Jonathan DavenportBrandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: Jonathan DavenportMargin of Victory: 1.116 secondsStop-Tech Cautions: Justin Zeitner (Lap 13); Hudson O’Neal (Lap 10); Ryan Gustin (Lap 19); Chris Simpson (Lap 21)Series Provisionals: n/aFast Time Provisional: n/aSeries Emergency Provisionals: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Jonathan Davenport, Tyler Bruening, Brandon Sheppard,Penske Shocks Top 5: Jonathan Davenport, Tyler Bruening, Brandon Sheppard, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Earl Pearson, Jr.Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Daulton Wilson (Advanced 13 Positions)Hot Rod Processing Most Laps Led: Tyler Bruening (37 Laps)Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Brandon SheppardMidwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Tim McCreadieO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Spencer HughesDirty Girl Racewear Fastest Lap of the Race: Jonathan Davenport (Lap 3 – 18.020 seconds)DirtonDirt.com Tough Break of the Race: Hudson O’NealOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Jason Durham (Jonathan Davenport)ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Daulton Wilson (19.940 seconds)Time of Race: 28 minutes 27 seconds

• Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) pilot Matt Hagan drove his No. 5 qualified Dodge Power Brokers Funny Car to the semifinals at the Pep Boys Nationals near Reading, Pennsylvania, in the first of six National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) “Countdown to the Championship” playoff series events
• Hagan’s semifinal performance at Maple Grove Raceway moves him into second place in the Funny Car playoff standings behind points leader and event winner Robert Hight
• TSR’s Leah Pruett qualified her Rayce Rudeen Foundation Dodge//SRT dragster tenth on the Top Fuel eliminations ladder for the first playoff elimination of the season but saw her race day shortened by loss of traction in the first round
• Pruett leaves Maple Grove Raceway tied with Doug Kalitta in eighth place in the Top Fuel playoff standings
• Cruz Pedregon qualified his Snap-on Tools Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat eighth on the Funny Car eliminations ladder and had a quarterfinals performance to keep him eighth in the playoff standings heading to the Carolina Nationals next weekend 

September 18, 2022, Reading, Pennsylvania – The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) “Countdown to the Championship” six-event playoff series opened with the 37th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading, Pennsylvania, and three Dodge//SRT supported entries ready to vie for the Camping World Drag Racing Series’ top honors in two nitro categories. 

Following the Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Tony Stewart Racing’s Funny Car driver Matt Hagan closed out the regular season with three wins, three runner-up finishes, five No. 1 qualifier awards, and with the points reset for the playoffs, the three-time world champ officially began the Countdown ranked third in the Funny Car standings behind Robert Hight and Ron Capps.

Hagan got things started at Maple Grove Raceway by qualifying his Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat fifth on the eliminations ladder with a solid 3.906-second elapsed time run at 326.32 mph. On race day he drove his way through to the semifinals by recording round wins over No. 12 seed Jim Campbell and No. 4 qualifier Bob Tasca to face No. 1 qualifier Hight. The two semifinal competitors launched and battled closely until a loss of traction slowed Hagan’s progress and dashed any hope of advancing further. 

Hagan’s eliminations performance at Reading put him and his HEMI®-powered Hellcat second in the playoff standings, 81 points behind event winner and category leader Hight with five races remaining to battle for the 2022 Funny Car World Championship.

TSR’s Top Fuel driver Leah Pruett, who earned a Wally trophy in the regular season at the Dodge Power Brokers Mile-High Nationals in Denver, got her playoff run started at Reading aboard her Rayce Rudeen Foundation Dodge//SRT dragster from seventh place in the Countdown standings. In qualifying, Pruett improved her ride with each pass, added a valuable bonus point with the third quickest run of the second qualifying session at 3.736 seconds at 328.62 mph, and put herself tenth on the eliminations ladder with a 3.734 second/328.38 mph lap. 

Her opponent for the opening elimination round of the Countdown was No. 7 qualifier Doug Kalitta but while the pair both had good starts, Pruett saw her hopes of challenging for the round win go up in tire smoke. With the results, Pruett finds herself tied with Kalitta for eighth in the Top Fuel championship standings, 107 markers behind playoff points leader Justin Ashley.

Fellow Dodge//SRT driver Cruz Pedregon, a two-time Funny Car world champion, is also in the playoff hunt and started off the weekend at Maple Grove Raceway seeded eighth in the Countdown. He drove his Snap-on Tools Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat to a best qualifying run of 3.931 seconds at 319.45 mph to put himself in the No. 8 seeded position for Sunday’s competition. 

Pedregon turned on win lights in the opening round against No. 9 seed Paul Lee with a 3.918 second elapsed time run at 326.40 mph to advance to a quarterfinal meeting with No. 1 qualifier Hight. 

The pair had identical reaction times of 0.085-seconds, but the Cruz Pedregon Racing machine began to lose traction early in the run and was unable to continue to challenge. With the quarterfinal performance, Pedregon remains eighth in the playoff standings, 151 points behind the Funny Car points leader.

The NHRA “Countdown to the Championship” continues next weekend with the second of six playoff series events, theBetway NHRA Carolina Nationals, at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C., Sept. 23-25. FS1 will air qualifying highlights on Friday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. ET and Sunday, Sept 25, at 2 a.m. ET, while race day coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET.

ADDITIONAL NOTES and QUOTES: 

Leah Pruett, Rayce Rudeen Foundation Dodge//SRT Top Fuel Dragster  

(No. 10 Qualifier – 3.734 seconds at 328.38 mph)

Round 1: (0.080-second reaction time, 4.458-second elapsed time run at 224.51 mph) loss to No. 7 Doug Kalitta (0.071/3.720/329.58)

“We definitely had a very promising race car and I would consider it one of the most promising cars considering we were the only one to make three clean, full passes in qualifying. Unfortunately, when you have the first round in a matchup with a championship contender close to you in points and qualifying, you’re going to have a close race and that’s what we were prepared for. We moved in a way to improve our short times. It’s something we’ve been working on for a while – to try and get better 60-foot times and our increments to 330, which means we have to push harder. We tried to push a little bit harder and the Rayce Rudeen Foundation dragster didn’t like it and we smoked the tires. The most frustrating part about it is we have been on this plan for three races or so and keep throwing a lot of power to different places on the car. It hasn’t been reacting the way we want and at the most important time so far in the season, the car says ‘oh, I recognize that and it’s a little too much now.’ For us to find that threshold in the first round of eliminations in the first race of the countdown is slightly frustrating. We will be testing between now and Charlotte to further our progress because in order for us to have a better ET (elapsed time), we have to start at the starting line to the 60-foot mark and improve our acceleration gain. We won’t stop and that’s the name of the game. There are five races remaining in the Countdown and anything can happen.”

Matt Hagan, Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car  

(No. 5 Qualifier – 3.906 seconds at 326.32 mph)

Round 1: (0.076-second reaction time, 3.909 seconds at 334.65 mph) defeats No. 12 Jim Campbell (0.125/4.445/207.53)

Round 2: (0.054/3.935/329.67) defeats No. 4 Bob Tasca (0.086/3.941/330.63)

Round 3: (0.078/4.123/255.34) loss to No. 1 Robert Hight (0.072/3.908/331.69)

“We had a pretty strong weekend. We qualified No. 5, so the biggest thing we have to focus on is qualifying in the No. 1, 2 or 3 spot. It really sets the tone for the weekend to put yourself on the correct side of the ladder that works in your favor. We had to get through some really tough cars this weekend by qualifying fifth. There are no easy rounds out there. All in all, I’m really happy with what my guys are doing. As far as putting the car together, we had two turns today that only lasted 35 minutes breaking the car apart, putting it back together and firing it up. The guys are working so well together and I’m really proud of them. We moved back up to second in the Countdown. Anytime you’re gaining, I think it’s positive. Robert (Hight) and those guys will be tough all season long. They have been tough and will continue to be. I think our clutch combination is what we’re struggling with a little bit right now, but that’s way above my pay grade. We will keep working on it more and I have nothing but faith in Dickie (Venables – crew chief), Mike (Knudsen – co-crew chief) and Alex (Conaway – car chief). We always run strong and are in the hunt, so I’m expecting the next five races we will run well and turn the win lights on.”

Cruz Pedregon, Cruz Pedregon Racing Snap-on® Tools Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

(No. 8 Qualifier – 3.931 seconds at 319.45 mph)

Round 1: (0.105-second reaction time, 3.918 second elapsed time run at 326.40 mph) defeats to No. 9 Paul Lee (0.078/3.991/319.45)

Round 2: (0.085/5.567/135.46) loss to No. 1 Robert Hight (0.085/3.901/332.67)

“After qualifying in the top eight with a 3.93 (-second run) at 319 mph, we went up against Paul Lee, a formidable car, and disposed of him with a 3.91, which was our quickest run of the weekend. That was great run at 3.26 and we got the speed up on that run too. In the second round against Robert Hight, obviously one of the top cars in the field, we had a nice even start but the car spun the tires at about 200, 300 feet out, which looking back we determined that the clutch wear was down, which has been a little bit of a problem. Mechanically, when the clutch wear is down, it tends to have a more aggressive clutch application, so there’s something we can do to get that where it doesn’t become too aggressive for us. We’re going to go back and get that logged into our system and get ready for Charlotte. We’re feeling good actually. The Countdown is like the NFL playoffs in that if you get hot at the end, anything could happen and we did have our struggles this year, but I feel like we’re making some good solid runs or we’re starting to come into our own. It took a while, but you know it just takes a while sometimes to get things dialed in.”

NHRA CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS:

Following the Pep Boys Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway

FUNNY CAR (season wins in parentheses)

1.  Robert Hight 2225 (7)

2.  Matt Hagan (Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat): 2144 (3)

3.  Ron Capps: 2141 (3)

4.  John Force: 2128(1)

5.  Bob Tasca III: 2119 (3) 

6.  Tim Wilkerson: 2103

7.  J.R. Todd: 2095

8. Cruz Pedregon (Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat): 2073

9.  Alexis DeJoria: 2062

10. JIm Campbell: 2022

11. Blake Alexander: 2000

TOP FUEL (season wins in parentheses)

1.  Justin Ashley: 2170 (2)

2.  Brittany Force: 2161 (4)

3.  Mike Salinas: 2160 (4) 

4.  Antron Brown 2116 (2)

4.  Steve Torrence: 2114 (1)

5.  Austin Prock: 2096 (1)

7. Josh Hart: 2083 (1) 

8.  Leah Pruett (Dodge Power Brokers): 2063 (1)

8.  Doug Kalitta: 2063

10. Shawn Langdon: 2052

11. Clay Millican: 2046

12. Tony Schumacher: 2032 (1)

READING, Pa. (September 18, 2022) –David Barton and his Saw Mill Auto Chevrolet COPO Camaro picked up their second consecutive Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown victory Sunday at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, the seventh of eight events on the 2022 season schedule. 

Barton, who was also the No. 1 qualifier, started the day taking on Lenny Lottig after defeating Jonathon Allegrucci in the first round Saturday. Barton would handle his Saw Mill Auto Chevy to a 7.772-second pass at 173.67 mph to better Lottig’s 7.836 at 173.56 setting Barton up to race 2021 U.S. Nationals champion Jesse Alexandra.

David Barton, winner Pep Boys Nationals, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

In the semifinals, Barton had a 7.744-second pass at 174.73 mph in his COPO Camaro bettering Alexandra’s 7.771 at 177.04 to send him to another final round, this time to face the reigning world champion, Aaron Stanfield. It would be a close race, but one Barton would end up on top handling the Camaro to a 7.752 at 177.44 over Stanfield’s 7.824 at 175.96. 

“We picked up and I finally got Stanfield covered for once. He has been kicking my butt for two years. We are finally ahead of him for a couple of races. To stay ahead of Bill Skillman and Stanfield is just a dream come true. All the right things happened for our team this weekend” said Barton, a Robesonia, Pennsylvania native. “We moved here from Canada 30 years ago and it feels really great to get this win at home. I have been coming here since I was a little kid. It was cool to have all our friends and family here as well as the employees from the shop. They do so much work it was cool for them to see the win at the track. The competition is so fierce in this class. The track was playing games with us all weekend. To get it just right and cut a good light, it means a lot.”

All Barton needs to do now is qualify at the final race of the season, the Texas NHRA Fall Nationals to clinch the 2022 Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Championship. 

“The competition is so tough out here. To stay ahead of Bill Skillman and Stanfield is just a dream come true,” Barton said. 

David Barton Pep Boys Nationals winner’s circle, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

Barton also built his bounty to $2,000 after two consecutive weekends of victories through the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Bounty Program. He’ll continue to carry the bounty until he is defeated in an elimination round. 

Hoping for some chance at the championship, Bill Skillman in his Ray Skillman Ford Cobra Jet, had a second-round loss to Daniel Condon on Sunday. Condon crossed the finish line with a 7.845 at 174.46 mph to defeat Skillman’s 7.913 at 175.89. Skillman remains second in points for the championship.

The ongoing battle between Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Cobra Jets and Dodge Challenger Drag Paks will pick up at the Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas, September 14-16.

2022 Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Schedule/Results

Gainesville – Lenny Lottig, winner; Anthony Troyer, runner-up

Charlotte1 – Bill Skillman, winner, David Barton, runner-up

Richmond – Bill Skillman, winner, Dan Condon, runner-up

Bristol – David Barton, winner, Stephen Bell, runner-up

Norwalk – Bill Skillman, winner, David Barton, runner-up

Indianapolis – David Barton, winner, Aaron Stanfield, runner-up

Reading – David Barton, winner, Aaron Stanfield, runner-up

Dallas, Fall Nationals, October 14-16

Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Top Ten Points Standings:

1. David Barton           682

2. Bill Skillman             566

3. Aaron Stanfield      468

4. Lenny Lottig             405

5. Mark Pawuk            363

6. Dan Condon                       350

7. David Janac             336

8. David Davies III       331

9. Jesse Alexandra      301

10. Anthony Troyer    300

READING, PA (September 18, 2022) — Justin Ashley drove the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Energy to a runner-up finish at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals for the second year in a row. Today he moved his team into the Top Fuel points lead with five playoff national events remaining in the 2022 NHRA season. As a third-year driver and team owner the 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year is building momentum at the right time following five semifinals in the past six races coming into the Countdown.

Final round Justin Ashley and Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Energy, photo by Ron Lewis

“We are peaking at the right time thanks to our team leadership,” said Ashley. “(Co-owner) Dustin Davis has done a fantastic job of developing a group of people that works so well together. They genuinely care about what they do. (Crew chiefs) Mike Green and Tommy DeLago are very experienced, and it shows. They are always calm, and nothing ever phases them. They are also uber-aggressive and they want to win. That attitude is reflected through the whole team.”

In the first round Ashley was racing newcomer Jeff Chatterson and he never trailed in the drag race, getting the jump off the starting line and making a smooth run for the win. His winning time of 3.732 seconds was just a tick off his quickest qualifying run and gave him lane choice heading into the quarterfinals.

Justin Ashley, photo by Ron Lewis

In the second round Ashley faced veteran and championship contender Doug Kalitta. The two Toyota backed Top Fuel dragsters pulled up with 20 points on the line. Ashley took another round win when Kalitta jumped the starting line by just .007 seconds. The Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Energy made a smooth run and once again his run was quick enough to have lane choice over his semifinal opponent.

“I would expect races like today the rest of the Countdown,” said Ashley. “Whether you are racing guys in the Countdown or outside the Countdown it is a dogfight out there. You better bring your ‘A Game’ every round. I expect a lot of close races with a lot of lethal teams and outstanding drivers.”

In the semifinals Ashley faced Mike Salinas with the Top Fuel points lead up for grabs. The winner of this race would move around No. 1 seed and points leader Brittany Force who lost in the previous round. Ashley was first off the line and never trailed in the race posting a strong 3.739 second run at 330.80 mph. The win moved him to the ninth final round of his career and fifth for the 2022 season.

In the finals of the Pep Boys Nationals Ashley was looking to keep his career record perfect against Austin Prock. At the season opening Winternationals the pair met in the final round with Ashley taking the win. Today looking to move to 6-0 in head-to-head races Ashley, recognized as one of the best drivers off the starting line, was able to get the jump on Prock and the Phillips Connect Top Fuel dragster made a smooth quick pass. Unfortunately, Ashley was just slightly behind Prock when the drivers crossed the finish line.

“It was a really good weekend especially when you get to the Countdown you want to get as many points as possible whether they are qualifying points or round wins. We do a good job of stacking round wins when we go to at least the semifinals. We definitely want to come to every race and win. It is a long Countdown and leaving here with the points lead is very gratifying. This team has worked so hard to put ourselves in the position.”

Packed grandstands throughout the weekend gave Ashley an added charge as the Countdown playoffs began. New facility owners Kenny and Kyle Koretsky made major improvements and promoted the event drawing in fans from across the northeast.

“This weekend was amazing. There were so many people here,” said Ashley. “It was a joy to be able to race in front of this many people. I have to tip my hat to the Koretsky family. They did a fantastic job with this facility in a very short amount of time. The NHRA fans are what it is all about. To pull up and see the kind of crowd in the stands is amazing.”

In less than a week Ashley and the Phillips Connect team will be defending their points lead at the Carolina Nationals from zMax Dragway outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Ashley holds a nine point lead over Salinas and a 10 points lead over Force so the championship battle is far from over.

Qualifying Results

Q1: 3.703 sec, 330.55 mph; Qual. 1

Q2: 4.828 sec; 148.58 mph; Qual. 1

Q3: 4.344 sec; 182.13 mph; Qual. 2

Bonus Points: +3 (Quickest of Q1)

Race Results

First Round

Justin Ashley, Phillips Connect Toyota dragster powered by Vita C Energy, 3.732, 329.83 mph def. Jeff Catterson, Brantford, ONT, 3FP dragster, 3.865, 321.58 mph

Second Round

Justin Ashley, Phillips Connect Toyota dragster powered by Vita C Energy, 3.841, 306.12 mph def. Doug Kalitta, CMR Construction and Roofing dragster, DQ – Red-Light

Second Round

Justin Ashley, Phillips Connect Toyota dragster powered by Vita C Energy, 3.841, 306.12 mph def. Doug Kalitta, CMR Construction and Roofing dragster, DQ – Red-Light

Semifinals

Justin Ashley, Phillips Connect Toyota dragster powered by Vita C Energy, 3.739, 330.80 mph def. Mike Salinas, San Jose, Calif., Pep Boys dragster, 9.497, 83.15 mph

Finals

Austin Prock, Pittsboro, Ind., Montana Brand dragster, 3.755, 329.67 mph def. Justin Ashley, Phillips Connect Toyota dragster powered by Vita C Energy, 3.783, 326.40 mph

Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Top Fuel

1. Justin Ashley          2170

2. Brittany Force         2161

3. Mike Salinas           2160

4. Antron Brown         2116

5. Steve Torrence       2114

6. Austin Prock            2096

7. Josh Hart                 2083

8. Doug Kalitta             2063

8. Leah Pruett             2063

10. Shawn Langdon    2052

11. Clay Millican         2046

12. Tony Schumacher 2032

READING, PA (September 18, 2022) — In his first full season as a Top Fuel driver and team owner Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team are in the thick of one of the toughest battles for the Camping World Drag Racing Series world championship. Hart, who last year won twice and raced to a handful of semifinal finishes in just thirteen races, competing on a partial schedule tackled all sixteen regular season national events of 2022. Today he competed in his first playoff national event with the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals. 

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

The driver from Ocala, Florida, qualified No. 9 after two days that included three runs which highlighted steady improvement from the former Top Alcohol Dragster national event winner. Hart’s final two passes of qualifying were strong 3.742 second and 3.733 second passes. His final qualifying pass was the third quickest of the session and earned him a valuable qualifying bonus point.

“We made some good runs to close out qualifying,” said Hart. “We knew we would have a tough first round. This is what the playoffs are all about. There are no easy opponents.”

Traditionally, Hart prefers to be one of the first Top Fuel dragsters in the first round to take advantage of ideal track conditions. Today Hart and his opponent Antron Brown were the final pair of the first round which started over 15 minutes late following an opening ceremony’s fireworks delay. While the delay did not affect track conditions thanks to the superior work from the NHRA Safety Safari, Hart and Brown wrapped up a wild session that saw multiple winners who had to pedal their race cars to victory.

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

When the R+L Carriers team pulled up Hart hit the throttle and his 11,000-horsepower race car launched off the starting line and immediately overpowered the right lane, smoking the tires. Brown was pulling away in the left lane when his race car lost power, but Hart was in no position to chase down his opponent. 

“That was a tough way to go out in the first round,” said Hart. “It is a pretty helpless feeling to see your opponent pull away from you like that. No one over here is going to hang their heads. We are going to put this race behind us. You can have one slip up and still stay in contention for the championship. Today was our slip up and we know what we need to do to win this championship. I am ready to get to North Carolina. We won that race last year and I want to win it again next weekend.”

The Countdown contending driver will head to the Carolina Nationals, a race he won last year, sitting seventh in points. With five races left in the season Hart is less than 100 points out of the lead. The R+L Carriers team controls their destiny as the playoffs move to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Qualifying Results

Q1: 6.278 sec, 107.00 mph; Qual. 12

Q2: 3.742 sec, 330.63 mph; Qual. 9

Q3: 3.733 sec, 330.47 mph; Qual. 9

Bonus Points: +1 (3^rd quickest of Q3)

Race Results

First Round

Antron Brown, Brownsburg, Ind., Matco dragster, 3.851, 249.76 mph def. Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., R+L Carriers dragster, 10.983, 73.85 mph

Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Top Fuel

1. Justin Ashley                 2170

2. Brittany Force              2161

3. Mike Salinas                  2160

4. Antron Brown              2116

5. Steve Torrence             2114

6. Austin Prock                 2096

7. Josh Hart                       2083

8. Doug Kalitta                  2063

8. Leah Pruett                   2063

10. Shawn Langdon         2052

11. Clay Millican               2046

12. Tony Schumacher      2032

READING, PA (September 18, 2022) —- Racing in the first of six playoff races of the 2022 NHRA Countdown Pro Stock rookie Camrie Caruso qualified well and faced a tough first round opponent. During the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway Caruso, the front-runner for NHRA Rookie of the Year, drove her Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro race car to the No. 11 qualifier position after two days of qualifying. Her best run in qualifying, 6.565 seconds at 206.23 mph, set her up for a first round race against Pro Stock veteran Aaron Stanfield.

In the opening round Caruso, who beat Stanfield two weeks ago at the U.S. Nationals on a hole shot in the first round, was once again first off of the starting line. Her reaction time advantage was .026 to .039 seconds, but it was not enough to hold off a charging Stanfield at the stripe. As both Camaros crossed the finish line stripe it was Stanfield’s 6.580 second run out in front of Caruso’s 5.595 second pass.

Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

“We are in the Countdown. We just have to work a little harder to win this championship,” said Caruso, a third generation racer. “That is still the goal. It was not ideal to have Aaron in the first round but that is how you get better. Racing tough opponents. We have beaten him before, but today wasn’t our day. He is a great racer. I am happy with how well my team has pulled together and hopefully we can do some damage over these next five playoff races.”

Throughout the regular season Caruso faced and defeated some of the toughest Pro Stock competitors in recent memory. In her first Countdown Caruso entered the playoffs in eighth place. It was a great start for a rookie and after today’s early exit she slipped to tenth but with five races remaining the driver who lives in Denver, North Carolina, has a shot at winning the Camping World Drag Racing Series world championship. A sellout crowd on Saturday and a near sellout on race day showed Caruso and the Tequila Comisario team the playoffs have a different feel.

Camrie Caruso, driver of the Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

“I loved the playoff atmosphere at Maple Grove Raceway this weekend. It felt like a really big race,” said Caruso. “The Koretskys did a really great job promoting this race. It was sold out on Saturday and there were a ton of people here today too.”

With the race broadcast nationally on FOX a whole new audience was introduced to the rising star in Pro Stock. In less than a week Caruso will be back on track looking to make a move up the points during the Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway.

Qualifying Results

Q1: 6.573 sec, 206.23 mph; Qual. 9

Q2: 6.565 sec, 206.23 mph; Qual. 11

Q3: 6.570 sec, 207.94 mph; Qual. 11

Bonus Points:  0

Race Results

First Round

Aaron Stanfield, Bossier City, La., Janac Brothers Chevrolet Camaro, 6.580, 208.52 mph def. Camrie Caruso, Denver, NC, Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, 6.595, 207.98 mph 

Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Pro Stock

1. Erica Enders                         2225

2. Greg Anderson                   2144

3. Kyle Koretsky                      2137

4. Troy Coughlin Jr                  2135

5. Aaron Stanfield                  2134

6. Dallas Glenn                       2107

7. Matt Hartford                     2063

8. Mason McGaha                  2061

9. Bo Butner                           2053

10. Camrie Caruso                  2052

11. Fernando Cuadra Jr          2032

12. Deric Kramer                     2011

13. Cristian Cuadra                 2002

14. Chris McGaha                   1992

15. Fernando Cuadra             1981

Enders Takes First Pro Stock Win Of The NHRA Countdown

Elite Motorsports Weekend Recap

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series READING, Pa. (September 18 2022) – The Elite Motorsports Pro Stock team swept the first race of the Countdown to the Championship as they nabbed the low qualifier, runner-up and winner titles this weekend at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.  Erica Enders landed her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Camaro in the winners circle defeating teammate Troy Coughlin Jr. in an all-Elite final round. This marks her seventh win of the season and the first time she’s won at this facility. “I’ve had a race car that most Pro Stock drivers dream about all season long,” said Enders just moments after she exited her car. “That’s thanks to my guys. They work their tails off back at the shop. It’s my job behind the wheel to execute perfectly and make them shine. We did that today, and I could not be more proud. “This year I had a goal to win at the tracks we hadn’t won at before. We started off winning the Winternationals in Pomona, then we won in Sonoma which had evaded us for 18 years. We’ve missed Reading for 18 years as well, but we got it done today.” Former Pro Stock world champion Bo Butner knows how to turn it on when it counts. The skilled driver snagged his first No. 1 qualifier of the season at the first event of the Countdown to the Championship with a blistering pass of 6.523-seconds at 210.08 mph. Coming into the Countdown from the 11th position in points, Butner has been poised for a turnaround and it looks like everything is coming together at the right time for his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro.  Elite Motorsports teammates Coughlin and Cristian Cuadra were the first pair out for eliminations on Sunday, qualified No.8 and No. 9, respectively. Coughlin had the starting line advantage and held onto it for the win.  Aaron Stanfield faced rookie Camrie Caruso in the first round of eliminations. The third-generation driver of the Janac Brothers/JC3 Energy Camaro won it by two-thousandths of a second despite Caruso’s slight starting line advantage. In the quarterfinals, Stanfield was defeated by Kyle Koretsky, who’s family recently purchased Maple Grove Raceway where they’ve made substantial improvements to the facility.  In his Corral Boots Mustang, Fernando Cuadra Jr. lined up against current Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson on Sunday morning. With identical reaction times of .020-seconds at the starting line, Anderson pulled ahead of Cuadra Jr. for the round win.  Butner faced his Elite Motorsports teammate, Fernando Cuadra Sr., who qualified in the No. 16 spot in his new Corral Boots Camaro (formerly driven by Butner). Cuadra Sr. got the starting line advantage but Butner managed to get around him for the win. In the second round of eliminations, Coughlin took out Butner, advancing to the semifinals where he faced Anderson. With a reaction time of .020-seconds, Coughlin took out Anderson as he raced to the finals in his JEGS.com/Elite Motorsports Camaro. Entering eliminations from the No. 2 qualifier position, four-time Pro Stock world champion Enders defeated Alan Prusiensky to wrap up the first round of competition. When she faced Matt Hartford in the quarterfinals, he left a few thousandths too early and Enders powered her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Camaro straight down the track for the win, laying down a fierce pass of 5.569 at 209.39. Facing Koretsky in the semifinals, Enders got the starting line advantage and stayed ahead all the way to the finish line before facing and defeating Coughlin in the finals. The next stop on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series will be the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, N.C.  ***

Photos

Bo Butner powered his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro to the No. 1 qualifier position at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals. Photo credit: Auto ImageryBo Butner proudly wears his No. 1 qualifier hat at Maple Grove Raceway. Photo credit: Auto Imagery

Aaron Stanfield in his Janac Brothers/JC3 Energy Camaro at Maple Grove Raceway. Photo credit: Auto ImageryTroy Coughlin Jr. lays down a solid smokey burnout in his JEGS.com/Elite Motorsports Camaro. Photo credit: Auto Imagery

Fernando Cuadra Jr. makes a crowd-pleasing burnout in his Corral Boots Mustang. Photo credit: Auto ImageryErica Enders kicks off the Countdown to the Championship in her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Camaro. Photo credit: Auto Imagery

In front of a sellout crowd at Maple Grove Raceway, Cristian Cuadra launches his Corral Boots Mustang. Photo credit: Auto ImageryFernando Cuadra Sr. debuted a new Corral Boots Camaro at the Pep Boys NHR Nationals. Photo credit: Auto Imagery

Unofficial Pro Stock Points Standings For The Countdown To The Championship 1. Erica Enders 2,2252. Greg Anderson 2,1443. Kyle Koretsky 2,1374. Troy Coughlin Jr. 2,1355. Aaron Stanfield 2,1346. Dallas Glenn 2,1077. Matt Hartford 2,0638. Mason McGaha 2,0619. Bo Butner 2,053 10. Camrie Caruso 2,052 11. Fernando Cuadra Jr. 2,03212. Deric Kramer 2,01113. Cristian Cuadra 2,00214. Chris McGaha 1,99215. Fernando Cuadra Sr. 1,981

September 18, 2022

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team persevered through some early adversity to post a 16^th-place finish in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Burton started the 500-lap race from 27^th place then had a flat tire in the early going that put him a lap down.

He worked his way into position to get the free pass at the end of the first 125-lap Stage and rejoined the lead lap for the start of the second Stage. 

Just after the ensuing restart, Burton spun and had another flat tire after being collected due to contact between two other drivers.

He pitted for fresh tires and rejoined the fray.

On Lap 196, the No. 21 Mustang suffered another flat tire but another driver’s spin brought out the caution flag, which allowed Burton to again collect the free pass and get back on the lead lap.

He moved into the top 25 just past the 200-lap mark and continued to move forward, ending the second Stage in 15th place.

In the third and final segment of the race, he started 23^rd but ran in or around the top 15 for the rest of the way, ending the race in 16^th place.

Burton and the No. 21 team now head to Texas Motor Speedway for next Sunday’s Autotrader Echo Park Automotive 500. 
 

NASCAR CUP SERIES BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY BASS PRO SHOPS NIGHT RACE TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES & QUOTES SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-10 RACE RESULTS:POS.   DRIVER2nd     CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 HOOTERS CAMARO ZL13rd      WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 ACRONIS CAMARO ZL15th      KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL16th      ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 WORLDWIDE EXPRESS CAMARO ZL17th      AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 16 ACTION INDUSTRIES CAMARO ZL1 TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS: POS.  DRIVER1st      Chris Buescher (Ford)2nd     Chase Elliott (Chevrolet)3rd      William Byron (Chevrolet)4th      Christopher Bell (Toyota)5th      Kyle Larson (Chevrolet) Race one of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 will get underway next Sunday, September 25, at Texas Motor Speedway with the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at 3:30 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on the USA Network, the NBCSports Gold App, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.                                                                                                               TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES AND QUOTES:ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 WORLDWIDE EXPRESS CAMARO ZL1Finished: 6thWhat was your big takeaway from this race? “I’m proud of the effort from Trackhouse Racing, the No. 1 Worldwide Express team and Chevrolet to minimize things that take you out of the race. The minimal amount of flat tires.. none for Trackhouse. I don’t know about the other Chevy’s, but just a minimal amount for the bowties. That’s what we need; we needed extra air in the tires and extra clearance off the ground. We struggled just being tight all night. We put a couple rounds in the right-rear there at the end and drove up to sixth. We were up there where we needed to be all night. Looking at the next round, what do you guys need to work on and what do you feel like your strengths were in this first round? “To be honest, I’ve only had Homestead on my mind next for the test this week. We have a lot of questions to answer there. Good, bad or in different – Wednesday night, we’re going to know a whole lot more and that’s what tests are for. We’re taking a lot of spare parts. I need to work on running up top more, running the wall. That’s a big thing we’re going to focus on.” AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BASS PRO SHOPS / TRACKER OFF ROAD CAMARO ZL1, sidelined by damage sustained in an accident on lap 278.Finished: 31st DILLON ON THE ACCIDENT HE WAS INVOLVED IN THAT ENDED HIS RACE: “I was just told the No. 99 (Daniel Suarez) wrecked in front of the field there and got in the No. 47 (Ricky Stenhouse Jr.). I hate it for the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops / TRACKER Off Road Chevy team. We got left-front suspension damage and if we don’t get that, we’re out there running and probably in a good points position to make it. It’s unfortunate, but we put ourselves in a little bit of a bind, points-wise, in the first two races. We were doing our job today though. We had a great race car and got stage points. It’s just unfortunate we were caught up in it.” HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE REST OF THE SEASON? “Just go and try to win races and get better. I think today was a positive overall. We can use that going into next year.” TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 CHEDDAR’S SCRATCH KITCHEN CAMARO ZL1 Finished: 25th Reddick on the accident he was involved in and what his team tried to do after that:“I saw the crash happen. I checked up, but I just got run over. We had two bad races with bad finishes. We had two really good race cars, but we just didn’t capitalize on it and that was enough to miss it.” What was it like to limp around and just hope that other drivers had trouble?“It was terrible. It’s out of your control; you can’t really fight to do anything about it. Hoping for others’ misfortunes is no way to race.” CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 HOOTERS CAMARO ZL1Finished: 2ndYou weren’t really comfortable with your car and then you were locked-in and you got very comfortable, very fast. How would you sum up the night? “It was long. Obviously, hate to run second and get that close. The top just got so dominant there at the end. I couldn’t really run the bottom and keep pace. Unfortunately for me, we never really caught much of lap traffic and that was really what I needed. I hate to be so close. This is my favorite race of the year and it would have been nice to check that box.  Proud of our No. 9 Hooters Chevrolet team for fighting through it. We had a poor starting spot and unfortunate pit selection that kind of handcuffed us all night. We put ourselves in a hole yesterday and was able to get a top-two out of it. We’ll try again next week.” AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 16 ACTION INDUSTRIES CAMARO ZL1Finished: 7th “I’m happy to run 500 laps at Bristol anytime I can do that. That’s a good night. I was pretty happy with our No. 16 Action Industries Camaro ZL1. We just needed a little bit more I think to get to the next level, but really happy when we can run anywhere from about seventh to 10th all night. We had good strategy, and our pitstops were really good. So overall, I’m just really, really happy with the night.” WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 ACRONIS CAMARO ZL1Finished: 3rd “Honestly, with this Next Gen car, the pace is so fast around here and I didn’t really have a chance to see what was going on around me. I would see guys up in the wall, having flat tire issues or blowing up, so I just tried to avoid it.  Our No. 24 Acronis Chevrolet team did a great job tonight. We were a little bit timid early and didn’t really quite have the car in stage one. We wanted to get those points so we could advance. And then they told me after stage one that we were locked-in. We were a little bit freer after that. We really didn’t change much, but we got the car better and had a good second and final stage.  I’m really proud of this team. This whole round, we’ve been getting better each race. Just really proud of the effort. After a rough summer, this is really good to see how we brought ourselves to the playoffs. Thank you to all of our partners and supporters back home. We’re really excited.”  JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL1Finished: 12th“That’s a really strong night for our No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet. We fought hard all night, played some excellent strategy and just had an overall good car. That was a good, good run for the company. We are definitely building something. We will take this and keep improving.” TY DILLON, NO. 42 EG3 TECHNOLOGIES CAMARO ZL1Finished: 26th “Such a bummer way to end an otherwise pretty solid night out at Bristol. Our No. 42 team was able to make some pretty good changes to our EG3 car to help us throughout the race, and that put us in a position for a top-15 finish. Unfortunately, a mechanical issue of some sort took us out early. It’s a shame because we had made some good gains up until that point, but that just how it goes sometimes. Looking forward to heading to Texas next weekend and put this one behind us.” ERIK JONES, NO. 43 U.S. AIR FORCE CAMARO ZL1Finished: 21st “We knew this week may be a test with the new car at Bristol and it proved to have its challenges tonight. We struggled with the handling early in the race and were making the right changes, but spun missing a wreck and that put us a few laps down and then had a couple of tire issues late in the race. A disappointing night for sure. We have seven more races to build for next year and I know we are capable of running up front and winning races, just need to turn things around. We’ll had to Texas next week, one of my favorite tracks, and see what we can do.” ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1, sidelined by damage sustained in an accident on lap 278.Finished: 32nd What did you see from your perspective?“Cars stopping in a hurry and no way for me to get stopped. We lost power steering and tried to work our way through it. We stayed out to get stage points, which thankfully we had a great racecar and we were able to get stage points even without power steering and lock ourselves in. But the flip side of that was restarting in the back there and just getting collected.  It’s a bummer, but at least we’re onto the next round and we can focus on Texas (Motor Speedway) next weekend.” DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 TOOTSIES ORCHID LOUNGE CAMARO ZL1Finished: 19thYou advanced to the Round of 12. I know this was a hard day for you guys; the car wasn’t what you wanted it to be. How rewarding is it to run all of the laps tonight and live to fight another day? “It was a long day. It wasn’t pretty, but we did what we needed to do. We thought we were going to be able to make our car better from yesterday to today, but it was not. We have to regroup. Hopefully we can fight some monsters and come back stronger. I think the next round is pretty good for us. Texas (Motor Speedway), we’re going to be strong. A road course is in our wheelhouse. A superspeedway, anything can happen.  I’m very thankful for our No. 99 Tootsies Orchid Lounge Chevy team. They never give up. The car wasn’t what we needed, but we’re still on the good side of it.” How tough is the mental reset after a night like tonight? “You have no idea how easy it’s going to be for me to reset because that car was not fun. For me, to be able to make it to the next round with the way the car was driving, is a huge plus. Thank you to everyone on our team. They did a very good job. We had the speed, but there were a lot of mistakes; on pit road, myself, overall. We’ll come back stronger for the next round.” TEAM CHEVY RACE QUICK NOTES Stage One:·       Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman led Chevrolet to the green in the 500-lap NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race, starting second and third, respectively, in their Camaro ZL1’s. ·       The 125-lap Stage One saw four Chevrolet drivers take top-10 positions at the end of the Stage, led by Kyle Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1 in fifth.  ·       Stage One: Team Chevy Top-105th      Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL16th      Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL18th      Tyler Reddick, No. 8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Camaro ZL19th      William Byron, No. 24 Acronis Camaro ZL1 Stage Two: ·       William Byron – who entered the Round of 16 elimination race in the second position in the playoff standings – clinched his spot by points into the Round of 12 during the early laps of Stage Two. ·       A caution flying at the end of Stage Two; crew chief Cliff Daniels chose pit strategy while running in the top-10, bringing Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1 down pit road for a four-tire and fuel stop with 15 laps left in the Stage. ·       At the conclusion of Stage Two, Alex Bowman and the No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1 team punched their ticket to the Round of 12 by virtue of points. ·       Stage Two: Team Chevy Top-102nd      Ross Chastain, No. 1 Worldwide Express Camaro ZL14th      Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hooter Camaro ZL16th      Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL17th      William Byron, No. 24 Acronis Camaro ZL18th      Austin Dillon, No. Bass Pro Shops / TRACKER Off Road Camaro ZL19th      Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1 Final Stage / Post-Race Notes: ·       On lap 278, Chevrolet playoff drivers Alex Bowman and Austin Dillon were involved in an accident, sustaining damage that forced both teams to retire early from the race. ·       In the duration of the Final Stage, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott and Ross Chastain were able to lock-in their spots into the Round of 12. ·       In 29 points paying races, Chevrolet has now recorded 69 top-fives and 127 top-10s, continuing to lead all manufacturers. ·       Six Chevrolet drivers have advanced to the Round of 12, with the bowtie brand continuing to occupy 50 percent of the playoff field.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops / TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet Team Show Speed and Resilience Before Getting Caught Up in Wreck at Bristol31st28th15th“I’m not exactly sure what happened because I haven’t seen a replay yet. I was told the No. 99 car wrecked in front of the field and got into the No. 47 car. I hate it for the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops / TRACKER Off Road Chevy team. We got left-front suspension damage and if we don’t get that, we’re out there running and probably in a good points position to make it into the next round of the NASCAR Playoffs. It’s unfortunate, but we put ourselves in a little bit of a bind, points-wise, in the first two races. We were doing our job today, though. We had a great race car and got stage points. It’s just unfortunate we were caught up in it. Our goal for the rest of the year is to just go and try to win races and get better. I think today was a positive overall. We can use that going into next year.” -Austin DillonTyler Reddick and the No. 8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet Team Put Up Strong Fight All Night Long at Bristol25th17th13th“This team worked so hard to fix the car all night long. My guys were on it and never gave up. I’m proud of this team and everyone at RCR and ECR. Tonight was frustrating for sure. We thought qualifying was better for us in our Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevy, but we didn’t quite have the pace or the balance really to make our car better, and unfortunately the balance issues we were fighting, we were pretty much limited. We couldn’t really adjust on it without hurting downforce of the car overall, so we were kind of boxed in. Then we just kind of got collected in that accident back there. I checked up in time, but yeah, I got absolutely ran over from there. Caught the right front and broke the upper control arm for the second week in a row.“ -Tyler Reddick

READING, Pa. (September 17, 2022) – Pennsylvania native David Barton and his Saw Mill Auto Chevrolet COPO Camaro continued their battle for the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Championship with a No. 1 qualifying position and first round win Saturday at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. 

David Barton, No. 1 qualifier Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

Barton, who is from Robesonia, Pennsylvania, earned the No. 1 qualifying position with a 7.714-second pass at 177.56 mph during Friday night’s qualifying session. On Saturday, Barton would go 7.733 at 174.89 and 7.741 at 177.56.

“The first two qualifying runs I didn’t feel very comfortable in the car,” said Barton, who won the U.S. Nationals two weeks ago. “The track seemed greasy and the cars weren’t launching like they should. I wasn’t sure what was going on. On that last run we hit the nail on the head. I made some minor adjustments and the car finally pulled a normal wheelie. If I had that same set up in Indy the car would have wanted to flip over backwards. I am happy that we figured it out in that third run. I felt pretty good going into the first round.”

With the No. 1 start, Barton would face Jonathon Allegrucci in his Watson Racing Ford Mustang during the first round of eliminations Saturday evening. Barton would have the starting line advantage and never trailed, recording a 7.828-second pass at 177.18 mph to better Allegrucci’s, 7.954 at 173.96. 

“With that first round win I will sleep better tonight. I am trying not to let the points race bother me. It is what it is, and I am just going to go out there and do my best especially with all the support we have at this race,” Barton said. “We love racing here at Maple Grove Raceway. I have a lot of people here from friends and family to employees that are here watching so it adds some pressure. I am not sure I really like that. I like having all the people here of course. We asked them to put this race on the schedule. There are no other Factory Stock Showdown races in Division 1 and there are a ton of fans in the Northeast. People come down from Canada to watch us race. It is exciting but honestly it is also a little nerve wracking.”

Bill Skillman, No. 2 in Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown points, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

Barton, who has a $1,000 target on his back as the most recent event winner through the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown Bounty Program will take on Lenny Lottig in the quarterfinals on Sunday. 

Bill Skillman and his Ray Skillman Ford Cobra Jet, remain Barton’s closest rivals for the 2022 championship. Skillman qualified No. 2 with a 7.717-second pass at 184.19 mph and secured his first round win with a 7.774 pass at 171.62 defeating Lee Hartman’s 7.896 at 172.39 in his Carrier Services Group Dodge Challenger Drag Pak. Skillman will start Sunday with a matchup against Daniel Condon. The championship battle will wrap up at the Texas Fall Nationals October 14-16 at Texas Motorplex outside of Dallas.

The battle between Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Cobra Jets and Dodge Challenger Drag Paks continues with the second round of eliminations at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway Sunday at 12:10 p.m. 

First Round Results: 

No. 1, David Barton def. No. 16, Jonathan Allegrucci

No. 2, Bill Skillman def. No. 15, Lee Hartman

No. 3, Ricky Hord def. No. 14, Anthony Troyer

No. 13, Jesse Alexandra def. No. 17 Scott Libersher

No. 12, David Janac def. No. 5, Doug Hamp 

No. 11, Aaron Stanfield No. 6, Warren Walcher 

No. 7, Dan Condon def. No. 10, Mark Pawuk

No. 8, Lenny Lottig def. No. 9, Stephen Bell

READING, Pa. (Sept. 17, 2022) – In front of a sold-out crowd at Maple Grove Raceway, points leaders Brittany Force in the Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy dragster and Robert Hight in the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS secured the No. 1 qualifying positions in Top Fuel and Funny Car Saturday at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals. John Force and the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevy secured the No. 3 spot while Austin Prock landed the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist dragster in the No. 4 spot. Brittany Force and the Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy dragster tallied their eighth No. 1 qualifying position of the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season and 40th of her career when they capped of qualifying with a thrilling run. Force would handle her David Grubnic and Mac Savage tuned hot rod to a 3.969-second pass at 327.90 mph despite putting a rod out near the finish line. It was a drastic improvement from her 3.967 pass at 270.16 mph earlier in the day. “We weren’t going for the dramatics, but it was a solid run. We got this Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy dragster down there and even though it’s unfortunate it was only one of three runs, it should be enough to learn what we need and apply it to race day,” Force said. “Getting down that first run today would have been important, but we are working with what we got, a 3.69 on the board and its No. 1 so can’t complain. We’ve done well here in the past, set records and ran well last year so we’re hoping to do it again. Go some rounds and have a long race day. We came in here with the lead and our goal is to leave here the same way.” Robert Hight and the Auto Club team were consistent through their qualifying efforts. Coming into the day with the No. 1 spot, Hight was second quickest of both runs first with a 3.936-second pass at 329.99 mph and then closed out qualifying with a 3.883 at 332.51. In total, the Auto Club team earned seven bonus points en route to their fourth No. 1 of the season and 75th of Hight’s career. “First off, hats off to the Koretsky family. There’s not a better feeling when you’re coming into the water box than to see a packed house, stands full, standing room only, it’s pretty exciting. That’s exactly what they needed for their first weekend,” Hight said. “These qualifying runs were big for the Auto Club team. We got points every single run. That’s what we have to do all six of these Countdown races. So now, qualifying is behind us and it’s time to focus on race day. Luckily, we get a bye-run first round. We’re still working on some things. That first run today we wore the clutch on it, otherwise I believe we could have been quickest that round. So, we have a run tomorrow to be able to make it right. It’s going to be a battle; it’s going to be a battle every weekend. Whoever wins this championship and stands up there at the banquet on Monday after the finals, they’re going to have earned it. I just hope it’s this Auto Club team.” Coming into the day in the No.3 spot, Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / RMT team ran into some tire smoke for only a 4.373-second pass at 181.20 mph Saturday afternoon. The Joe Barlam and Rahn Tobler tuned dragster was able to improve in the final session with a 3.767 pass at 327.82 mph. They’ll start race day from No. 4 and run against Doug Foley. “This Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team is starting off the Countdown to the Championship with our best performance in months,” Prock said. “This team has been working so hard to get these results and I’m looking forward to going to battle with them tomorrow morning. I honestly believe we are capable to walk away with our first Wally of the year tomorrow and make a huge jump up in the standings.” John Force and the PEAK Chevy had a misstep on Saturday first going only 4.463-seconds at 192.47 mph after hazing the tires and shutting off early. In the final qualifying session, Force would drive into tire smoke for only a 6.042 pass at 113.51. He qualifies No. 3 off his 3.890 pass from Friday evening and will race Cory Lee first round. “Tougher day today for the PEAK team. But we’re in the show, ran well last night,” Force said. “It should be a good day tomorrow. We’ve had great weather. What matters is that we are in the show. It’s the Countdown, we need to go some rounds tomorrow and hopefully get this PEAK Chevrolet into the winners circle.” Competition at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway continues with eliminations Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Television coverage of the event continues on Sunday at 11 a.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. Eliminations will be aired Sunday at 2 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) on FOX Broadcasting Network. -30-

AUSTIN PROCK, 27, Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist DragsterQualifying:4th; 3.706-seconds; 332.02 mphBonus Qualifying Points:+2 (2nd quickest Q1)BRITTANY FORCE, 36, Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy DragsterQualifying:1st; 3.696-seconds; 327.90 mphBonus Qualifying Points:+3 (quickest Q3)JOHN FORCE, 73, PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SSQualifying:3rd; 3.890-seconds; 329.99 mphBonus Qualifying Points: +2 (2nd quickest Q1)ROBERT HIGHT, 53, Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro SSQualifying:1st; 3.867-seconds; 331.20 mphBonus Qualifying Points:+7 (quickest Q1; 2nd quickest Q2 & 3)

Team Toyota’s top Countdown seeds each start second for eliminations

MOHNTON, Penn. (September 17, 2022) – Justin Ashley led Toyota in qualifying for the Pep Boys Nationals with a second-place effort in the Top Fuel class at Pennsylvania’s Maple Grove Raceway. Ashley is Toyota’s top-seed in the Top Fuel Countdown for the Championship and has earned four straight top-three qualifying efforts. Team Toyota’s Steve Torrence (fifth), Doug Kalitta (seventh) and Antron Brown (eighth) joined Ashley inside the top-half of the qualified field. 

In Funny Car, Ron Capps closed the Saturday qualifying effort with his strongest run of the weekend – a 3.878 – to move him to second on the final qualifying grid. Capps earned three bonus points in the session to add to the bonus point he earned in Friday evening’s session. J.R. Todd also closed with a strong run to qualify his Toyota GR Supra Funny Car inside the top-half of the field in sixth. 

Toyota Post-Qualifying Recap

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series

Maple Grove Raceway

Race 17 of 22

TOYOTA TOP FUEL QUALIFYING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Qualifying Position	First Round Opponent
Brittany Force*	Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster	1st (3.696)	Ferre
Justin Ashley	Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	2nd (3.703)	Chatterson
Steve Torrence	Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	5th (3.711)	Langdon
Doug Kalitta	CMR Roofing & Construction Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	7th (3.724)	Pruett
Antron Brown	Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	8th (3.731)	Hart
Shawn Langdon	DHL Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	12th (3.801)	Torrence

(*non-Toyota driver)

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Qualifying Position	First Round Opponent
Robert Hight*	AAA of Southern California Chevy Camaro FC*	1st (3.867)	Bye
Ron Capps	NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	2nd (3.878)	Burkhart
J.R. Todd	DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	6th (3.912)	Green
Alexis DeJoria	Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	10th (3.966)	Wilkerson

(*non-Toyota driver)

TOYOTA QUOTES

RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, Ron Capps Motorsports

FC Qualifying Result: 2nd

How do you approach race day?

“Great question. This place is historic for breaking your heart or making you feel so good. It’s the start of the Countdown obviously and so happy the fans came out like they did, it’s unbelievable. Robert (Hight) and I brag about it all the time. We have the two best seats in the house for some of the best runs, especially side-by-side stuff like this. Great job by Guido (Dean Antonelli) and John Medlen (crew chiefs) and the NAPA Auto Care team. Anytime I don’t see that whole car (Hight’s) out next to me, I know we’re running pretty well. The Countdown is going to be this same, exact stuff for all six races. All races and all qualifying. I hope I see a lot more of him (Hight) qualifying at the back of the pack. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Thank you to the fans, love you guys.”

JUSTIN ASHLEY, Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Davis Motorsports

TF Qualifying Result: 2nd

How were your qualifying efforts?

“It’s been a really good weekend for our team so far. Going into race day in the no. 2 position is really important just to try to position ourselves well. The way the depth of the Top Fuel field is – there is no easy matchups top-to-bottom, nonetheless, we feel good about where slotted in heading into race day. It’s the Countdown, so every run counts. Just proud of this Phillips Connect team. Mike Green, Tommy DeLago (crew chiefs) are doing a great job, and now that Friday and Saturday is behind us, we are focused on final eliminations.”

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