Motivate, Inspire, Educate
OnTrackTM

FOLLOW A DREAM’S MISSION has always been to educate
children and adults on the power of positive thinking,
self-determination, and teamwork through motorsports.
After over twenty years of inspiring and motivating the
masses, Jay Blake says there is still work to be done. “It’s a
mission that never ends,” Jay says with an easy smile. “I like
to say, ‘with education, there is no finish line.’ I am always
humbled to hear that my story has helped someone else;
it’s incredible to witness the lives we have touched and
the impact we have made. It drives me, it inspires me, and
it energizes me to keep promoting the power of positive
thinking. These five tools really work!”
The five tools that Jay is talking about are a positive
attitude, education, passion, determination, and teamwork.
They are the basis for Jay’s speech and presentation,
designed to encourage and motivate audiences to pursue
their dreams.
After a presentation at Cape Cod Academy in June, the
teacher and long-time friend Juliana Jarvis praised the
charismatic speaker. “I’ve known Jay for over ten years, and
he has come to many events I have hosted for students. He
has a gift for connecting with people of all ages.”
After Spring visits to Granite Academy and The Victor
school, Michael Capobianco, English Teacher at Granite
Academy, echoed Juliana’s sentiments. “Jay Blake spoke
volumes about persistence, gratitude, and growth at one
of our school’s assemblies. His delivery, both engaging
and compelling, featured a sampling of comic relief as
he navigated difficult topics. With a focus on personal
responsibility and team-based support, Blake’s message
resonated with our audience and inspired us all.”
Granite Academy and The Victor School are a part of
Justice Resource Institute which offers a broad range of
specialized schools and unique programs for students
from diverse backgrounds. Blake indeed has a knack for
reaching students, especially those that may not fit the
typical mold.
After a trip to the Carroll Center, a specialized school
for the blind in Newton Massachusetts, Jay reminisced
Continued next pageabout his time there learning to live as a completely blind
man, “When I first arrived here, I was newly blind and
filled with fear, I could never have imagined what I have
accomplished. It’s amazing what can be done when you
believe in yourself and don’t let your fear stop you.”
Jay brings his race car to The Carroll Center every year
and even fires it up to give the students an idea of what
the 4000-plus horsepower engine sounds like. Cheers
and applause broke out from the crowd surrounding Jay
and his race car as it roared to life. Not only thrilling the
students and their instructors but physically representing
what they can accomplish in their lives if they don’t limit
themselves. Jay told his mostly blind audience, “Do not let
your fear stop you; let your dreams drive you.”
Students are often impressed by Jay’s abilities despite his
blindness, but it is his determination and passion that really
impresses his audience; Daniel, a young automotive student
from Madison Park Vocational Technical, Boston’s only
public Vocational Technical School, remarked, “I think his car
is fantastic, and his presentation is impressive too, it’s kind
of an emotional and moving presentation because it shows
that even though he has a disability, it doesn’t stop him from
doing what he loves. It’s the most fantastic thing ever!”
After a packed high school presentation on Cape Cod,
Dennis-Yarmouth student Daniel Springer reflected on Jay’s
visit in a journal entry he shared with us. “That Jay Blake
guy came to speak at school today. He was super inspiring
and really motivating. I am not really into cars, and I don’t
know anything about racecars, horsepower, or all that stuff.
But his story was super interesting.
I think it convinced everyone in the
audience that you can do anything.”
Jay’s speaking engagements
aren’t limited to the Bay State;
Blake has taken his motivational
and inspirational presentation
nationwide. 2022’s speaking
schedule included stops in Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Rhode
Island, and more. At Reading Muhlenberg Vocational
Technical school in Pennsylvania, a disabled girl with
bright, cheerful eyes asked Jay for a hug, saying, “You are
incredible. I always thought that my disability would keep
me from doing what I wanted to do growing up. After
seeing your presentation, I realized I don’t have to give up
on any of my dreams.” Jay embraced the young girl and
reminded her to never give up.
Mr. Blake is certain when he is
asked about his organization
and its mission, “The racing
is my dream, and to be
successful on the track means
the world to me. But, when
I return to my Creator, it will be the lives I have touched
and the people that I have inspired that will matter, not the
races we won, and I am grateful to be able to do what I do.”
Scan this code to donate to
Follow A Dream or to see how you
can volunteer to help us make a
difference. Or visit us at
www.followadream.org.
Want our newsletter emailed to you?
Let us know! Just email us at jay@followadream.org
Motivate, Inspire, Educate — Continued
“It’s amazing what can be done
when you believe in yourself and
don’t let your fear stop you.”Funnycar
Report
The
Follow A Dream
Funnycar Team
Phil Burkart
Driver
Jay Blake
Crew Chief
Anthony Terenzio
Tuner
Rich Bozzelli
Tuning Consultant
Scott “Ozzie” Osborn
Lead Engine
Technician
Anthony Mondi
Assistant Engine
Technician
Lukas VanGelder
Lead Clutch and
Transmission
Technician
Joe Driscoll
Assistant Clutch
Technician
Tom Wanders
Chef and Team
Support
Rachel McMahon
Public Relations
and Social Media
Coordinator
With Special Thanks to
David Lariviere
Alan Hadfield
Will Wallace
Scott VanGelder
David Carlson
Wyatt Kubicke
David Thornton
Andrew “Oggie” Pesek
Jack Rodgers
Daphne Irwin
THE 2022 SEASON didn’t end in victory
for the Follow A Dream Funny Car Team.
However, no one can complain about landing
in second place after more than two years
without a single run down the track. The
Dream Team came out of a two-year drought
ready to win, and they came incredibly
close to clinching the Eastern Region
Championship.
After losing primary sponsorship, the Covid-19
pandemic hit, leaving the funnycar parked
for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. However,
the team was anxious to get back onto the
track and put some pent-up energy to good
use. They did generate power and lots of
horsepower, too! The team rounded out the
season with two wins, and two runner-ups out
of seven regional races, and finished second in
the Eastern Region Championship.
They returned strong, winning their first race of
the year at Atco Dragway in April. Team owner
Jay Blake was ecstatic, and the team was fully
charged. But, unfortunately, after the season-
opening win, the Follow A Dream Team lost its
second race. The Dream Team was knocked
out in their first round of eliminations at Cecil
County Dragway in Maryland due to some
unusual transmission failure.
After fixing the issue, the team packed up and
headed to one of their favorite tracks, Maple
Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania. The Follow
A Dream crew rebounded from the broken
transmission but ultimately lost after a tough
round in the semifinals.
At the fourth race of the year, Funnycar Driver
Phil Burkart was able to drive the racecar
into the winner’s circle once again. The
Follow A Dream Team celebrated capturing
their second win of the season. This time at
Lebanon Valley Raceway in West Lebanon,
New York, also Phil’s home track.
August brought another tough loss in the
finals at Atco raceway in New Jersey. Still, the
team was confident in the car’s performance
and hopeful for a win at the race team’s home
track in New Hampshire. But, unfortunately,
New England Dragway didn’t produce a Wally.
The Dream Team was able to get the car to
the final round once again, but victory slipped
away at the last moment.
In September, the Dream Team headed
to The Maple Grove Nationals, the only
National event on the schedule this season.
The Pep Boys Nationals was the perfect
platform for Follow A Dream to help promote
their long-term racing partner and former
primary sponsor, Permatex’s new endeavor,
PermatexTraining.com. Unfortunately, the
team lost in the quarterfinals. Still, Jay and
the team were happy to have had another
chance to try and clinch the elusive Maple
Grove Wally and to help our racing partner
showcase their new training website.
The team headed home filled with confidence
and ready to prepare for the next race in
Virginia. Expectations were high as Team
Tuner Anthony Terenzio, and Team Tuning
Consultant Rich Bozzelli had been working
hard to pull .40s out of the 4000-plus
horsepower racecar.
Heartbreak and disappointment hit the Dream
Team harder than a tropical storm when
the race in Virginia was canceled at the last
minute due to hurricane Ian. Nevertheless, the
Dream Team unloaded the already packed
transporter and tried to come to terms with
losing their final chance to race for The
Eastern Region Championship.
Team owner Jay Blake tried to lift the spirits
of his disheartened team. He reminded them
that he was still incredibly proud of all the
hard work and effort that went into their
almost-championship run. “After over two
years on the sidelines, we’ll take second
place. Everyone on this team has worked
tirelessly to make this season successful. We
got this far because of all your hard work and
sacrifice. We were a threat to win at every
race we attended this year. Next year, we will
win every race we attend!”

EVANS, GA. – Two-time NHRA Pro Modified champion Stevie “Fast” Jackson underwent surgery on Monday, December 19, 2022, to repair damage to his neck following multiple high-speed crashes dating back to 2008. Doctors have said he could be sidelined for up to six months while healing. 
“They went in there and reconstructed my spine, basically,” Jackson said from his home in Evans, Ga. “A portion of the discs had moved into the spinal column and compressed the spinal cord. They went in there, took the discs out, grafted some bone, removed some bone, fused some bone, put in a titanium cage, screwed me together.”
Jackson admitted he has been up and about since the procedure and said it didn’t take long to realize he’s not as invincible as he thought. 
“Four days removed right now, right now it feels like I’ve been in a fight with Macho Man Randy Savage,” Jackson admitted. 
Jackson said he’d had a clue for the last decade or so that he was more injured than he was willing to admit. During the 2022 NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., he could no longer ignore the situation. 
“When I got into the race car in Brainerd this year, I pulled my helmet on just like I had done a thousand times before. It sent a sharp pain all the way through the heel of my other foot, and my left hand went numb. I haven’t had feeling in my left hand since July of this year. I knew that I needed to get it looked at.
Jackson still tried to avoid having surgery. He went to doctor’s appointments and even did physical therapy. Nothing seemed to fix the problem leaving him with no other alternative but surgery to repair the damage. 
“I started having a decline in motor skills, and reflexes on the right side of my body, to where, when you check your reflexes with the little hammer, and your left leg jumps far, but your right leg barely moves, that’s kind of a bad deal,” Jackson said. 
 “I met with a bunch of neurosurgeons, neurologists, and orthopedic surgeons, and we figured we need to do this right now. I was going to try to put off another season, but it ended up being a need-to-get-it-fixed-right-now deal.”
Jackson had developed a regimen of pain management over the years, even after his crash in 2018 during the final round of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, which revealed he’d further aggravated his pre-existing injuries.
“When I wrecked in 2018, in Charlotte, they did a CAT scan and MRI on my neck and showed me an area where the disc had exploded and was compressing the spinal cord,” Jackson explained.” I thought I would have to have it done at that point. But through physical therapy, exercise, and working out, I was able to get it to a manageable level.”
Jackson admits he’s been tasked with challenging scenarios throughout his career, but remaining idle while his body heals might be the toughest he’s ever faced.
“It’s killing me, man,” Jackson admitted. “Everybody’s planning, going to run at US Street Nationals and all these other races coming up, and I don’t know when I’ll be back in the car. I spoke to Scotty Cannon about this, and he didn’t have this surgery, but it was a similar type of surgery for a different part of his back. He told me the mistake he made was jumping in the car too fast. Everybody I’ve talked to has told me to wait. So while it’s hard, I’m going to wait till they clear me. I do not want to have to do this again.
“The doctors gave me a 90% chance of full recovery. That’s really good as long as I follow the steps they want me to do. I’d much rather be out of it for a while and then get to come back and be as good as I was than to rush back into it and have to do this again.”

Trip Culminates with 50th Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic (Jan. 27-29) on DIRTVision

December 23, 2022 – The term “off-season” is merely a suggestion to the five World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series stars who are ditching the frigid American winter for some fun in the Australian sun over the next month.

From New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia to South Australia, Aussies all across the land will be treated to spectacular showings as the largest crop of Americans in several years take on the countrymen in their most anticipated races of the year.

While many of their travels take them to different states and separate tracks, all five Outlaws will conclude their trip following Australia Day with the 50th Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic – Australia’s version of the Knoxville Nationals – at Premier Speedway in Warrnambool, VIC, which airs live on DIRTVision for American subscribers on January 27-29, 2023. 

James McFadden, a native son of Alice Springs, Northern Territory, leads the charge back to his homeland with a little less racing planned, yet more excitement than ever with a new team. The 2021 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year and current Roth Motorsports ace is taking the wheel of the Tim Hodges Motorsports, NAPA Auto Parts #5 with backing from big names including IndyCar winner Scott McLaughlin, Jack Riewoldt, and Gerard Whateley.

J-Mac is already a two-time winner of the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic (2017, 2020) and hopes this new adventure is the recipe he needs to lock down a third title before his third full-time World of Outlaws season begins in February. He debuted with the new team last week at Premier Speedway and finished second to Jock Goodyer at the famed “Max’s Race.”

“The Classic is one of the biggest races in the world,” McFadden told AutoAction.com. “I love the event, I love the speedway, I love the town, and I love how big the race has become around the world. Everyone in America wants to come down under to compete in it or come and watch it.”

Joining McFadden with NAPA Auto Parts colors is the four-time and defending World of Outlaws champion, Brad Sweet, who will drive the Landrigan Motorsport #49 in his return down under. The Grass Valley, CA native is treating it as more of a family vacation with only two races planned at Avalon’s Presidents Cup (Jan. 25) and Premier’s Classic (Jan. 27-29).

“I love Australia and everyone, everything they have there,” Sweet said. “It’s exciting that we can finally travel back down under and get to events like The Classic again, but I’m just as excited to take my wife and my daughter Savanna to enjoy some family time away from racing.”

After an 11-win season with Jason Johnson Racing on the World of Outlaws trail, Carson Macedo hasn’t taken much time away from the track. The Lemoore, CA native competed with the USAC National Midget Series in his home state – nearly winning the Turkey Night Grand Prix – and then quickly caught a plane to keep racing down under with Dyson Motorsports.

Macedo has a full slate planned with the Complete Parts & Equipment Solutions #99, scheduling almost 20 shows between events at Eastern Creek, Archerfield, Premier,  Toowoomba, Avalon, and Borderline. He’s already won a Midget Feature at Eastern Creek and Sprint Car show at Archerfield in his short time there.

Brock Zearfoss, the 2021 Western Australia Speedweek champion, will return to wheel a special Blue Angels edition of the Goldstar Transports #95. A two-year veteran of the World of Outlaws trail, the Jonestown, PA native will work his way from Perth, Bunbury, and Ellenbrook before heading east for Classic week at the end of January.

Sheldon Haudenschild is also heading down under to continue the family tradition in Australia, where his father Jac won the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic in 1981-82. The son of “The Wild Child” is trading his Stenhouse Jr. / Marshall Racing, NOS Energy Drink #17 for the Jack Lee Racing #V25 to compete at Toowoomba’s Red Hot Summer Shootout, Avalon’s Presidents Cup, Borderline’s Kings Challenge, and Premier’s Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic.

Following their travels down under, the 2023 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series campaign begins at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL with the 52nd DIRTcar Nationals on February 9-11. Tickets are available for purchase HERE.

If you can’t make it to the event, the entire 2023 season will be live on DIRTVision – available either online or through the DIRTVision App.

CONCORD, NC – December 22, 2022 – The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series has found its next voice, naming Ruben Mireles as the new Series announcer.He’ll welcome fans to the 2023 season when it kicks off at Volusia Speedway Park during Sunshine Nationals, Jan. 18-21.  Mireles served as a pit reporter for the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models in the past and has been the DIRTcar Summer Nationals announcer for the past five seasons. Now, he said he’s excited to take on an opportunity he’s been working toward for years.  “Ever since I was 12 years old, I’ve been working for this,” Mireles said. “If you would’ve told me I’d be here, I’d say you were crazy. “It just means the world. It’s a big responsibility. It’s a big position, and more eyeballs are on me now. It’s just a pleasure to work for World Racing Group. I’m looking forward to the friendships and relationships and just want to thank (World Racing Group CEO) Brian Carter and (World of Outlaws Late Models Series Director) Steve Francis from the bottom of my heart.” The Anthony, NM native, started announcing at age 12 at El Paso Speedway Park and Southern New Mexico Speedway before becoming the voice of the CLMA DIRTcar Series. That’s when a meeting with Rick Eshelman led to him becoming the announcer for the DIRTcar Summer Nationals in 2018. “Rick was more than a mentor and colleague to me,” Mireles said. “Rick was like a dad to me, and to be in his shoes is surreal. Having the opportunity to be in Rick’s footsteps is just a dream come true.  “It’s honestly a huge honor to carry his legacy, and I’m going to work my tail off to fill every bit of his shoes.” Mireles and the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models start their 2023 campaign at Volusia Speedway Park, Jan. 18-21. The DIRTcar Pro Late Models and 602 Late Models will also be on the card, making the event a true Late Model Palooza. TICKETS: bit.ly/3t4XdJZ If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either at DIRTVision.com or by downloading the DIRTVision App.

The World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Case Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Fox Factory (Hard Charger Award), MSD, My Place Hotels, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Swift Springs, and Wrisco–Wieland Metal Services (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including Dirt Car Lift, Capital Race Cars, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, FIREBULL, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, Rocket Chassis, and Sea Foam.

CONCORD, NC (Dec. 22, 2022) – Toyota is expanding its reach across the dirt racing world in 2023 by becoming the Official Vehicle of the World of Outlaws and continuing its presenting sponsorship of the growing Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series.As the Official Vehicle, Toyota will have a strong presence in the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series, Super DIRTcar Series and Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series, providing a pace truck for each.“We are extremely pleased Toyota saw so much value in working with us last season on the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series that they expanded their partnership going forward to include the Official Vehicle across our national tours,” World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter said. “Our team continues to build and deliver attractive programs that benefit companies, competition and fans.”Along with its return as the presenting sponsor for the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series – which has expanded to a 35-race schedule with a $80,000 championship purse – the manufacturer will also sponsor the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Dash, making it the Toyota Dash.“The World of Outlaws as a series has an incredible fan base within the dirt community and that was something that Toyota wanted to become more involved with this season and we hope the fans enjoy seeing our Toyota Tundras pacing the fields across the country,” said Paul Doleshal, group manager, Toyota Racing. “Our support of the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series last season was also a strong addition to our TRD driver development program and we look forward to seeing talent continue to be cultivated through that series as well.“The iconic brand has elevated every series it enters, collecting multiple wins and championships across the motorsports landscape and dedicated time to developing drivers. History was made in the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series in 2022 with two Toyota drivers on a national level. Taylor Reimer became the first women to win a national dirt Midget race, and then, Jade Avedisian won the following Xtreme Outlaw event, making them the first back-to-back female winners in any national dirt motorsports series.The Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota is set to start its sophomore season at the Southern Illinois Center, March 10-11.The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models will kick off the year in January during the DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. Then, they along with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars and Super DIRTcar Series, will highlight the 52nd DIRTcar Nationals, Feb. 6-18.If you can’t make it to the track, you can see the Toyota pace trucks leading each field and watch every lap live on DIRTVision.

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: NOS Energy Drink (Official Energy Product), Case Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Toyota (Official Vehicle), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include ACME Trading, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, KSE Racing Products (Hard Charger Award), Micro-Lite LLC, MSD, Low-E Insulation; manufacturer sponsors include Dirt Car Lift, FIREBULL, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, and Sea Foam.

SCHEDULE UPDATES: Ohio Valley, Path Valley, Highland Added to 2023 Midget Tour$80,0000 championship points fund breakdown also released, Red Hill moves to August 17 CONCORD, NC – Dec. 21, 2022 – Three new tracks have been added to the 2023 schedule for the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota, further setting the scene on a bright sophomore campaign for the nation’s newest national dirt Midget racing tour. WHAT’S NEW The Xtreme Outlaws will now kick off a three-day weekend swing with a visit to Ohio Valley Speedway on Friday, July 28. The 3/8-mile oval, located slightly over the Ohio/West Virginia border in Washington, WV, is home to weekly racing on its red clay surface, and will host Midgets for the first time in 2023. Path Valley Speedway Park will host the Xtreme Outlaws on Friday, August 11, filling the open space on the east coast Speedweek stretch, which runs August 8-12. The 1/4-mile oval, located in Spring Run, PA, hosts regular 270 & 600cc Micro Sprint racing on Saturday nights. This event, along with each of the other four Speedweek events, will be co-sanctioned by the ARDC Midgets. Highland Speedway is the third new venue added to the 2023 Xtreme Outlaw slate on Saturday, Sept. 16. The 1/4-mile, hairpin-style bullring in Highland, IL, is a staple venue for weekly DIRTcar competition, hosting Late Models, UMP Modifieds and Factory Stocks. The track also features a handful of Micro Sprint events throughout the season, and welcomes a national Midget tour in for 2023. The Highland event replaces the Series’ appearance at Red Hill Raceway, which has since moved to Sunday, Sept. 17. The Midgets will now complete the three-day swing through Illinois with a trip to the 4/10-mile, red clay oval, located in Sumner, IL. POINTS FUND BREAKDOWN To go with these new schedule additions, a more detailed look at the $80,000 championship points fund has also been released. The 2023 Series champion will take home a $25,000 check, with the runner-up receiving $12,000, and $8,000 in store for third place. A full breakdown of what each position in year-end points pays is shown below. 1st – $25,000 2nd – $12,000 3rd – $8,000 4th – $7,000 5th – $6,000 6th – $5,500 7th – $5,000 8th – $4,500 9th – $4,000 10th – $3,000 The 2023 campaign for the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota begins with the season opener and a debut indoors at the Southern Illinois Center in DuQuoin, IL, March 10-11. If you can’t be at the track, watch every lap live on DIRTVision. UPDATED 2023 SCHEDULEFriday, March 10 | Southern Illinois Center | Du Quoin, IL | $4,000-to-win Saturday, March 11 | Southern Illinois Center | Du Quoin, IL | $5,000-to-win Thursday, March 30 | Farmer City Raceway | Farmer City, IL | Practice Friday, March 31 | Farmer City Raceway | Farmer City, IL | $4,000-to-win [POWRi] Saturday, April 1 | Farmer City Raceway | Farmer City, IL | $4,000-to-win [POWRi] Friday, April 14 | Federated AP Raceway at I-55 | Pevely, MO | $4,000-to-win [POWRi] Saturday, April 15 | Federated AP Raceway at I-55 | Pevely, MO | $5,000-to-win [POWRi] Friday, May 5 | Humboldt Speedway | Humboldt, KS | $4,000-to-win Saturday, May 6 | 81 Speedway | Park City, KS | $4,000-to-win Tuesday, May 23 | Millbridge Speedway | Salisbury, NC | $4,000-to-win Wednesday, May 24 | Millbridge Speedway | Salisbury, NC | $5,000-to-win Thursday, June 1 | Tri-City Speedway | Pontoon Beach, IL | $4,000-to-win Friday, June 2 | Wayne County Speedway | Wayne City, IL | $4,000-to-win Saturday, June 3 | Wayne County Speedway | Wayne City, IL | $4,000-to-win Friday, July 21 | TBA Saturday, July 22 | Southern Illinois Raceway | Marion, IL | $4,000-to-win [POWRi] Friday, July 28 | Ohio Valley Speedway | Washington, WV | $4,000-to-win Saturday, July 29 | Atomic Speedway | Chillicothe, OH | $4,000-to-win Sunday, July 30 | Brushcreek Motorsports Complex | Peebles, OH | $4,000-to-win Friday, August 4 | Federated AP Raceway at I-55 | Pevely, MO | $4,000-to-win [POWRi] Saturday, August 5 | Federated AP Raceway at I-55 | Pevely, MO | $5,000-to-win [POWRi] Tuesday, August 8 | Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway | Newmanstown, PA |$4,000-to-win [ARDC] Wednesday, August 9 | Action Track USA | Kutztown, PA | $4,000-to-win [ARDC] Thursday, August 10 | Linda’s Speedway | Jonestown, PA | $4,000-to-win [ARDC] Friday, August 11 | Path Valley Speedway Park | Spring Run, PA | $4,000-to-win [ARDC] Saturday, August 12 | Bridgeport Motorsports Park | Swedesboro, NJ | $4,000-to-win [ARDC] Thursday, August 24 | Davenport Speedway | Davenport, IA | Practice Friday, August 25 | Davenport Speedway | Davenport, IA | $4,000-to-win [POWRi] Saturday, August 26 | Davenport Speedway | Davenport, IA | $4,000-to-win [POWRi] Friday, September 1 | Paragon Speedway | Paragon, IN | $4,000-to-win Saturday, September 2 | Paragon Speedway | Paragon, IN | $5,000-to-win Friday, September 15 | Jacksonville Speedway | Jacksonville, IL | $4,000-to-win Saturday, September 16 | Highland Speedway | Highland, IL | $4,000-to-win Sunday, September 17 | Red Hill Raceway | Sumner, IL | $4,000-to-win Thursday, October 12 | Port City Raceway | Tulsa, OK | $5,000-to-win [POWRi] Friday, October 13 | I-44 Riverside Speedway | Oklahoma City, OK | $4,000-to-win [POWRi] Saturday, October 14 | I-44 Riverside Speedway | Oklahoma City, OK | $5,000-to-win [POWRi]

CONCORD, NC (Dec. 20, 2022) – Working alongside his parents at their family-owned plumbing business, Chase McDermand had dreams of own his career path.His vision was that of a full-time national dirt Midget racer.In 2023, he’s expanding upon that dream. Back behind the wheel of the #40 for Mounce/Stout Motorsports, McDermand will run full-time with the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota – along with others – and has his sights set on a national Midget championship.“Our goal is to win the championship,” McDermand said. “Finish as many races as possible is the biggest thing. Limit your DNFs and pick up as many wins as you can along the way. The goal is to win the championship. I think that is realistic after the speed we showed this year. Have to hone in on the DNFs, the little details and the rest will work itself out.”The 2022 season marked his first true venture into national Midget racing, making more than 50 starts across Xtreme Outlaw, USAC and POWRi competition. In that span he earned three victories, including his first Xtreme Outlaw victory at Davenport Speedway – in conjunction with POWRi.“That was awesome,” McDermand said about his Xtreme Outlaw victory. “I haven’t been racing national Midgets that long. This is really my first year. To get a win at all is cool, let alone it being [the Xtreme Outlaw Midget’s] first year, too.“It was cool to be a part of the atmosphere, something new in the Midget world, gets a lot of attention. It was nice to be a part of that in a positive way. For our team, also. It was great to give them another national win. It was special for all of us.”McDermand, of Springfield, IL, started racing when he was 11 years old, running Quarter Midgets for three years before climbing the ladder to Lightning Sprints, then D2 Midgets and then running with the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association.With a vision of making it to the national level, he didn’t wait for someone to discover him. He took it upon himself to start knocking on doors. Eventually, Jay Mounce and Gavin Stout opened theirs for a conversation.“I didn’t know them at that time in 2021,” McDermand said. “I never talked to them in person until we started messaging back and forth about racing together.”Now, they’re like family, McDermand said. That chemistry is what he believes led to their success in 2022 and will lead to more in 2023.“Working well together and getting along, that promotes more chemistry,” McDermand added. “And with chemistry it will bring success later.”While they had success, 2022 was still a learning year for him. Learning new tracks. Learning new clay. And learning how to contend with drivers who have been on the national tour for years. None of it scared him away, though. It only made him more excited for what’s to come in 2023.“I’m really looking forward to Pennsylvania,” McDermand said about the 2023 Xtreme Outlaw schedule. “I kind of missed out on PA stuff because [other series] quit going there when I started. So, I’m excited to go there. Those tracks look awesome. Looking forward to going back to [Federated Auto Parts Raceway]. There’s a track in Southern Illinois, Red Hill Raceway, my sister used to live down there and we always drove by that place, and it was abandoned at the time. It’s crazy that we’re now racing there.”The Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series will run a more than 30-race schedule with a $80,000 championship purse – $25,000 going to the Series champion – in 2023.McDermand still works full-time at McDermand Plumbing and will continue to next season. While it’s a challenge juggling his dream and his job at times, he said, it’s an opportunity he cherishes. His parents, Kevin and Shelley, have been by his side every step of the way.“Really fortunate to one, get the time off,” McDermand said. “I think we had 60 days I had to take off this year. Thanks to my parents for letting me do that and live out my dream.“(My dad goes to) mostly every race, I think he missed a few because of work. But me, my mom and our dog, we’re at every race. I don’t think my mom has ever missed one.”For tickets to Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota events, CLICK HERE.If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series race live on DIRTVision.

The Polk, MO driver will be a Rookie of the Year contender in the 2023 season

CONCORD, NC – December 21, 2022 – Dustin Walker will cross a significant item off his bucket list in 2023.

After suffering a stroke in 2020, the Polk, MO driver is preparing for a season like no other—taking on the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series for the first time.

It’s an opportunity he said comes at the perfect time, as he transitions into a role as a full-time driver.

“It’s just a bucket list deal for me,” Walker said. “I had a stroke in 2020 that pretty much wrecked about everything we had going on business-wise. We do a lot of utility construction work, and I kind of had to ride those contracts out because they wouldn’t let us out of them. 

“We were finally able to get all of our equipment, and stuff sold this year, so it was kind of like, we’ve always wanted to do it, and once we finish selling off all of this race stuff, we won’t be able to do it, so I’m just excited to put it all together and give it a go.”

Walker ran a regionally-based schedule in 2023 in the Midwest, including three World of Outlaws CASE Late Models events in October. 

With 53 races on tap on the 2023 Series schedule, being able to focus solely on racing will help him down the stretch of the season’s grind.

“That’s really been the achilles heel for me running with MLRA,” Walker said. “We could run top 10 and top five with those guys on the weeks when we get into the shop to prepare. But I’m always having to work a 60, 70-hour week job running my business, and the racing was always secondary.”

“You could almost guarantee that if it was a week that I finished well, it was after a week I was at home. I’m definitely looking forward to a year where it’s the only thing I’m doing.”

Despite his eagerness to get behind the wheel at Sunshine Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park January 18-21, the results won’t be his main priority on the road.

Walker’s family will join him on the road in 2023, as his daughter has already made every effort to join him while they’re away from their Missouri home.

“We all want to compete, so you have it in your head what you want to do,” Walker said. “To be honest with you, my oldest daughter loves to go racing with me. It’s kind of the only reason I got to race this year. She’s going to remote school the last half of her senior year to go with me, so it’s going to just be me and my daughter against the World of Outlaws, I guess.

“We’re just going to try and enjoy the time, really, it’d be awesome to be able to stay in the top 12 in points, but will I be brokenhearted if I don’t, no.”

With his daughter by his side, Walker said he feels he’s ready to tackle the grind of the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models schedule—looking forward to tracks in the Midwest like 81 Speedway.

He also learned which chassis suits him best as he prepares for his rookie season in a Capital Race Car—an experience he gained during last season’s World of Outlaws swing through Kansas and Missouri.

“Really, I just got my first Capital Chassis,” Walker said. “We just wanted to run it. I’ve got a new (Rocket) XR1 sitting here, I got a Longhorn sitting here, and a new Capital. We ran all three last year to see what we liked the best to get ready for this. 

“It was a good chance to come run with the World of Outlaws but also the last chance we had anywhere close to run that Capital.”

Walker will take two Capital Race cars to Volusia Speedway Park for the 2023 season opener, where he’ll officially cross running on a national Late Model Tour off his bucket list.

The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models kick off 2023 at Volusia for the Late Model Palooza, known as Sunshine Nationals, Jan. 18-21. Joining the Series will be the DIRTcar Pro Late Models and 602 Late Models.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Dec. 21, 2022 – The chase for national and regional championship gold is complete. It’s time to crown the kings of the 39th DIRTcar Racing season.

Each champion and special award winner will be honored at the annual DIRTcar awards banquet on Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Springfield Crowne Plaza.

Late Model and UMP Modified drivers finishing inside the top-50 of national points plus any driver in the top-20 of all other divisions are eligible to receive their points fund check and trophies at the banquet. The top-10 of each division’s region are also eligible for recognition during the ceremony.

Congratulations to each of the 2022 DIRTcar national points champions.

Late Model – Bobby Pierce (Oakwood, IL)

For the fifth time in his young career, Bobby Pierce is DIRTcar Late Model national champion.

Through 39 years of DIRTcar’s weekly racing history, no driver had ever captured this prestigious crown more than four times, until 2022. One year removed from his fourth national championship-winning season in 2021, Pierce notched 15 Feature wins in 55 recorded races in DIRTcar competition this year, once again defeating three-time national champion Rusty Schlenk by 195 points in the final standings.

Pierce also clinched his fifth career DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Model championship with seven Feature wins in 19 starts, besting Hell Tour rookie Payton Freeman by 179 points at the end of the two-month stretch. He now sits only one Summer Nationals title away from tying National Dirt Late Model Hall-of-Famer Billy Moyer for most tour championships all-time.

“I’ve won a lot of races this year, we were really good, but there’s always room for improvement,” Pierce said. “I feel like I could get better just with learning stuff on the car. I would be lying if I said I knew everything I’m doing.

“Heck, I’ll probably still be learning stuff even when I’m 50.”

Though Pierce won at several tracks across the nation this year, nowhere else was he more dominant than at Fairbury Speedway. The 26-year-old parked the Allgayer Inc. #32 in Victory Lane at the 1/4-mile bullring four times in seven appearances, including the MARS Spring Nationals ($30,000), FALS Super Nationals ($10,000), the marquee special One for the Road($22,022), and the season-ending FALS Frenzy ($15,000).

For each of his big wins, Bobby accredits father and 1990 DIRTcar national champion Bob Pierce for the efforts he’s made to help his son’s career progression.

“It feels really nice to have done all the things I’ve done at such a young age,” Bobby said. “But, if it wasn’t for my dad helping me out at a really young age, I definitely wouldn’t be where I’m at today.”

UMP Modified – Mike Harrison (Highland, IL)

After three seasons barred from the top of the UMP Modified world, Mike Harrison has reclaimed his seat on the king’s throne in 2022, now the one and only eight-time DIRTcar national champion.

It was a season-long battle that came down to the final month of competition, where multiple drivers inside the top-six had an opportunity to make a push for the points lead – the best of which was three-time and defending national champion, Nick Hoffman.

Hoffman, who by the end of August was rapidly cutting into Harrison’s lead atop the standings, was trucking Northwest from his home in North Carolina to compete in a crucial Labor Day weekend swing through Illinois when he and his crew were involved in a serious traffic accident on the interstate. The crash resulted in season-ending injuries for Hoffman that took him out of the running for his fourth consecutive national title, leaving the door open for several other contenders to Harrison’s top spot.

“Everybody knows there’s a rivalry there between me and Nick,” Harrison said. “There’s gotta be rivalries in racing, but you never wanna see that happen. At the end of the day, we’re all family in this deal.”

Though he recorded three DNFs in September after going the first five months of the regular season with only one, Harrison still took the CASE IH #24H to Victory Lane four times in nine outings, securing the title in the first week of October by 35 points over runner-up Tyler Nicely.

Harrison competed in only the fifth-most race nights, yet still topped over 1,700 drivers in the wins column with 25 Feature victories in 50 recorded races – each of which he dedicates to his crew, who spend many hours in the shop and made the biggest difference in getting that win total this season.

“We’ve had the same crew, basically, since about 2010,” Harrison said. “We’ve all been together a long time and know each other inside and out. I would say that’s probably the biggest factor – we’re just all so close.”

Seven consecutive years of racing under his own operation halted after the 2020 season, when car owner Josh Carroll teamed with Harrison for 2021. The two are now going on their third year of partnership in 2023, sporting the same Hughes Racing Chassis that gave them success this year.

“This year, we started to with two brand-new ones,” Harrison said. “The cars were good. About mid-season or so, we really hit on something that fit me and was just really good, and it just kinda took off from there.”

Pro Late Model – Jose Parga (New Berlin, IL)

Jose Parga has now claimed back-to-back DIRTcar Pro Late Model national titles after another dominant season atop the 604 Chevrolet Crate engine-powered division.

The 25-year-old standout backed up his 20-win season last year with another strong slate in 2022, winning 15 Features and holding a 99-point gap in the final standings. He also claimed another track championship at Lincoln Speedway with three Feature wins, and six Feature wins at Macon Speedway.

Other highlights included three victories at Farmer City Raceway and a top-10 finish in points for each of the three tracks he competed at this year.

Pro Modified – Deece Schwartz (Ashmore, IL)

The third generation in Schwartz family racing in Illinois has now made his own mark on DIRTcar history. Twenty-year-old Deece Schwartz is officially DIRTcar national champion of the Pro Modified division, claiming the title for the first time in his career.

Schwartz now follows in the footsteps of grandfather and two-time UMP Modified national champion Denny Schwartz, and father and veteran racer Danny Schwartz, carrying on the family legacy with a national points title of his own.

“It means a lot, seeing everything my dad and grandpa have accomplished, it’s a lot to take on,” Schwartz said. “It’s a challenge for me to be able to go out and put my name out there a lot more like they did.”

The 2022 crown comes with the memory of a lost bid for the 2020 Pro Modified title still in his mind. Schwartz was beaten for the national title that year by 13 points, sending him back to the drawing board for 2021, where he did not play as big a factor at season’s end.

However, Schwartz regrouped with a new car in 2022 and brought the firepower, winning a career-high 17 Features and claiming the Kankakee County Speedway track championship in the process.

“We struggled the first part of the season, and I was just going out and trying to get laps in the new car still, and have fun,” Schwartz said. “In 2020, I definitely lost the fun in the racing. It ate me up too much, and the one thing that dad and grandpa always told me was don’t let it eat you up. Make sure you’re out there having fun, because if not, it’s gonna be the reason you lose points – because you’re not having fun anymore.”

UMP Sportsman – Zach Sasser (Bedford, IN)

The DIRTcar UMP Sportsman national title stays in Indiana for 2022 with Brownstown Speedway track champion Zach Sasser taking home the gold.

Sasser won a fourth-best seven Features in DIRTcar competition – three at Brownstown, three at Bloomington Speedway and one at Rock Crest Raceway. His home track gave him the most fits with the tough competition in the area, but Sasser stayed resilient, clinching his first national championship by 29 points.

“We were doing it the hardest way possible,” Sasser said. “Around our area, Brownstown Speedway has the toughest competition in our class. We were racing there every Saturday night, along with trying to race for DIRTcar points. We felt sometimes, it was harder to win the Brownstown points than national points.”

Stock Car – Zane Reitz (Veedersburg, IN)

Zane Reitz joined Stock Car team owner Mike Alsop for the 2022 season and brought the team their first championship in the division with a dominating performance from April to October.

Reitz, the 19-year-old first-time national champion, won at five different tracks this year, collecting 17 total Feature wins – the most of any driver in the last five-plus seasons. Among the highlights was a season-ending victory in the DIRTcar Street Stock Fall Nationals at Charleston Speedway in October.

For his successes this year, Reitz credits Alsop for his backing and leadership throughout the season and plans on a return to the seat for 2023.

“I can’t thank him enough; it’s an awesome opportunity,” Reitz said. “To be able to work with the group of people we’re working with is amazing. All our drivers are within 20 miles of each other, we’ve all been friends before we were put on the same team, and I think we have some of the best drivers in the nation locally here.”

Factory Stock – Trevor Isaak (Highland, IL)

For the third-straight season, Trevor Isaak sits alone atop the DIRTcar Factory Stock mountain.

It’s his fourth career national championship, one which was clinched by way of 18 Feature wins in the regular season – more than any other driver in the division.

“Hard work and dedication in the garage is the biggest part of it,” Isaak said. “When I show up, my car is 100 percent ready to go every time it hits the track. It’s fine-tooth combed and stuff, make sure there’s no failures to the best of my ability.”

En route to the title, Isaak also clinched a sixth-straight track championship at his home track of Highland Speedway.

Sport Compact – Jacob Owens (North Vernon, IN)

The DIRTcar Sport Compact championship heads eastward for the first time into the state of Indiana and into the hands of 2022 Rock Crest Raceway track champion, Jacob Owens.

Owens won each of the five Sport Compact Features held at Rock Crest this year as part of a 14-win season. Though he tied third-place Trey Duncan in the win column, Owens was more consistent, posting more top-five finishes that made up the difference in points.

“We actually didn’t expect to run for a national championship this year; we just happened to start rolling off some wins around mid-season,” Owens said. “We had bad luck at the beginning of the season, but we turned that around real quick. We started kicking off some wins, and just decided to go for it.”

Mod Lite – Jimmy Smith (Toboso, OH)

DIRTcar’s newest division of weekly racing crowns its second national champion in 2022, and the honors go to United CC Modified Series champion Jimmy Smith.

Though the Mod Lites were sanctioned under the DIRTcar banner in 2021, Smith becomes the first-ever national champion with weekly sanctioned tracks in play. It’s an honor that Smith has worked hard all season for.

“We started in Florida, and it didn’t go as well as we planned,” Smith said. “We changed the motor after having trouble the first couple weeks. We came home and just put our heads together, and we just made sure the car was there every week.”

Smith was the class of the field in 2022, winning a record 15 Features. No other driver in the division won more than nine times.

“Everybody thinks since these cars are little, they’re easy to drive,” Smith said. “I’ve raced Modifieds, and I’ve raced Late Models, but these are probably one of the toughest cars to drive. And the competition from week-to-week – everybody is right there together. I’ve just been fortunate enough the last few years to put myself where we need to be every week.”

The Time Slip

Volume 11, Final Issue

Year in Review

December 2022

2022 was a good year for Brenda Grubbs Motorsports. The year started with a semi final finish in Super Stock at the Belle Rose Divisional. Unfortunately, Brenda went -.001 red against Harvey (Speedy) Emmons. After Belle Rose, the team headed to the Baby Gators where Brenda secured the Stock Class Win in AA/SA for the second year in a row.

A few months later, Brenda found herself paired up again with Harvey (Speedy) Emmons. This time, it was the Super Stock final round at the Houston National Event. Brenda had a great .002 light; however, the car didn’t run the number and Speedy got the win. The final round was special as it was the last NHRA National event at Houston Raceway Park, Brenda’s home track. Houston Raceway Park is also where Brenda secured her first Super Stock NHRA National Event Win, back in 2018.

In July, the team headed to Denver, which is one of Brenda’s favorite tracks as it is where she secured her very first NHRA National Event win. This past summer, Brenda got close to another win, losing in the Stock Semi Finals.

In the fall, the team headed to Indy. This was only the second time racing at Indy and Brenda found success, securing the SS/BA Class Win!

PRI Show

Unfortunately, the team had to miss the PRI Show this year. December is a busy time of year for Bill’s work schedule and Brenda moved to a new job at General Mills. Brenda and Bill missed seeing their partners and thanking them in person for their continued support.

Travels with Brenda’s latest feature was Top Sportsman standout, Vince Hoda and his wife, Super Street racer, Morgan. For Brenda it was an honor to tell the story of a unique husband and wife team.

As always more stories are in development.

2023 Season Starters

Testing Jan/Feb

Bradenton

Belle Rose Divisional

Gainesville Divisional

Gator Nationals

TBD
Feb 24-26

Mar 3-5 Mar 9-12

www.BrendaGrubbsMotorsports.com

www.BrendaGrubbsMotorsports.com bdgrubbs@aol.com

2023

After routine maintenance, the team will kick off the new season with testing at Bradenton before heading to the first divisional race at Belle Rose, Louisiana. A full schedule of 6 national events and 8 divisional events is on the calendar for 2023.

Charlie

Charlie is well loved, both at the racetrack and his home neighborhood.

In this picture, Charlie in his element being loved by children at the neighborhood golf cart Christmas parade.

Merry Christmas

Charlie

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year…. and a big

Thank You!
for your support of Brenda Grubbs Motorsports.

Sent of behalf of BigR Racing DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 20, 2022) – BigR Racing is excited to announce it has signed Cole Zabala to contend for the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKERchampionship during the 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season aboard a Honda CRF450R. Zabala returns to Parts Unlimited AFT Singles competition following a highly successful Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines campaign in 2022. The Illinois native finished fifth in the category’s championship standings, boasting a pair of podium finishes among his seven top-five finishes. Zabala’s performance last season continued his upward trajectory after previously demonstrating his front-running potential in the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles class. That was especially true in 2020 and 2021, which saw him score a combined three podiums and secure a top-ten championship ranking in ‘21. Zabala will be backed by a BigR Racing team that has enjoyed a similar rise in form. Founded by team owner Ron Belt in 2017, the Kansas-based outfit stepped up to the professional ranks in 2022 and immediately proved it belonged with a string top-ten finishes in its debut Progressive AFT season. Eager to build on that strong start and fronted by a proven podium talent in Zabala, 2023 is poised to be yet another landmark season for rider and team. “I couldn’t be more excited to join Ron and his team for the 2023 season back in the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Class,” said Zabala. “Since moving to Mission Production Twins, I always felt that I had unfinished business in AFT Singles to take care of. On this team, there’s so much chemistry because every one of our sponsors has known one another for years. It feels great to be a part of it. I know we have the winning combination to get the job done.” “I have always kept an eye on Cole and his talent,” said Belt. “After we were able to bring Cole in for two races last year the team knew the mission. Mission accomplished… It’s time to go racing!” BigR Racing is supported by several of the sport’s leading sponsors. Mike Vinson of Vinson Construction, Mission Foods, ODI Grips, and Motion Pro are new to the effort in ‘23, joining returning sponsors Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda, Scherb Racing, L&R Racing, SPC Racing, VP Racing Fuel, and LBP.

DENVER, NC (December 20, 2022) — Heading into the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year Camrie Caruso will be one of four drivers racing under the KB Titan Racing banner behind the wheel of a Pro Stock Chevrolet Camaro. The move was solidified this week and will mean one of the brightest stars in the NHRA will have some of the strongest horsepower to make a run for her first NHRA Pro Stock world championship.

“This is an exciting move for me, but it would not be possible without an amazing rookie season learning from Jim Yates and working with Jamie and Toni Yates,” said Caruso who finished the regular season in the Top Ten and qualified for every NHRA national event. “The opportunity to become a team driver for KB Titan Racing was too good to pass up. I want to thank Jim, Toni, and Jamie for everything, and they will always hold a special place in my heart. I am looking forward to making an immediate impact with KB Titan Racing and developing even more as a driver.”

Caruso will continue to have marketing relationships with Powerbuilt Tools, Tequila Comisario, Right Trailers and VP Racing heading into 2023 with marketing specifics set to be announced after the first of the year. Joining KB Titan Racing will allow Caruso to move her focus from team management, driving and sponsor procurement to driving and sponsor retention. The 24-year-old third generation driver was adamant there are still marketing opportunities for the 2023 season and she will be actively pursuing those now that she has landed with KB Titan Racing.

“Last year was an amazing and challenging rookie season and I am looking forward to growing my relationship with Powerbuilt Tools, Tequila Comisario, Right Trailers, VP Racing and some new marketing partners will be announcing soon,” said Caruso, who raced to a final round at the Spring Nationals in Houston. “I learned so much from Jim on the driving side of things and I am looking forward to continuing to develop with the guidance from crew chiefs Rob Downing and Dave Connolly as well as my new teammates Greg Anderson, Kyle Koretsky and Dallas Glenn. I will be heading to testing with the team in January and February which can’t get here soon enough.”

Caruso will continue to receive support and guidance from her father Marc Caruso and grandfather, Joseph “Papa Joe” Caruso. Both men established themselves as fierce competitors and skilled drivers throughout their careers. In addition to the continued leadership input from the Carusos, crew members John Peterson and Mike Smith will also continue to work with the team.

“This opportunity is a game changer for Camrie and her career as a professional driver,” said Marc Caruso. “Initially we were looking for a motor maintenance and servicing agreement with KB Titan Racing and the conversations took a turn that led us to this announcement. I want to personally thank Jim, Toni and Jamie Yates for their expertise, support, and hard work last season. Our success would not be possible without them.”

The KB Titan Racing shop is already humming with activity in preparation for a strong, united push into the 2023 season of NHRA’s Camping World Drag Racing Series. The KB Titan Racing CNC machines have been cutting chips, engine blocks are in the machining process, and cylinder heads are under construction based on the historic team’s fresh and collaborative knowledge. 

“This is an exciting time for all of us,” said KB Titan Racing partner Eric Latino. “The merge of Titan Racing Engines with KB Racing was a substantial move that we believe will prove to be very successful. In her rookie season, Camrie really gained solid footing with the Titan Racing program and began to develop as a driver in this tough class. Now, she’s part of a team with some of the best drivers in the class, and I think we’re going to see even more great things in the future for this young woman. We’re happy to have her on board.” 

The addition of Caruso to the KB Titan Racing Pro Stock team adds another Rookie of the Year winner to their stable of drivers as Camrie joins 2021 NHRA Rookie of the Year Glenn. The young talent will benefit from the driving input and tuning skill of the winningest Pro Stock driver in NHRA history Greg Anderson.

“There are so many positive things happening in the KB Titan Racing camp, and we’re really excited to bring Camrie into the mix,” said Anderson. “She’s proven that she can hold her own, and this is just the beginning. To be part of her career at such an early stage is something we don’t take lightly. We’re looking forward to a bright future with an incredible group of young drivers who will be contributing to the health of this class and this sport for years to come.”   

The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series will begin with the historic Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, March 9-12.

Sent of behalf of G&G Racing Southern California (December 19, 2022) – Kolby Carlile and G&G Racing have teamed up for the 2023 season in the Progressive American Flat Track Mission SuperTwins class. After four successful years with the Yamaha MT-07 in the Mission Production Twins class, including two championship-winning seasons, G&G Racing is pleased to return to the premier class for 2023, with Carlile. Also, G&G Racing is happy to continue their partnership with Yamaha Racing for 2023 making this their eighth season together. G&G Racing would like to thank our sponsors who help make this happen: Yamaha Racing, Yamalube, bLU cRU, JMR, Twisted Development, Graves Sports, AIM, Fontana Radiators, Metalartopia, Motion Pro, Race Tech, Rosa Plates, Mission Foods and Roof Systems of Dallas.

Jim Roach – Yamaha Racing Department Manager for YMUS“Yamaha Racing is excited that the G&G Racing Team is making the transition from the Mission Production Twins class to the Mission SuperTwins class.  Having won two Production Twins Championships, it is now time to take the next step.  The addition of Kolby Carlile, a Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Champion who won his Singles Championship on a Yamaha, will allow the team to continue to battle for Championships.  Yamaha Racing is looking forward to the start of the racing season!” L.J. Gronek – G&G Racing Team Owner“We are excited to welcome Kolby to the team and look forward to a fun and competitive year. Kolby still has the fire and desire to win races, plus has experience with the Yamaha MT-07. Also, we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Yamaha Racing.” Kolby Carlile – G&G Racing“I am so exhilarated to team up with G&G racing going into my tenth season as a professional racer. I have spent a lot of time battling with these bikes since 2019, so I know what they are capable of. We were able to do a test in California, and I liked the bikes as well as working with LJ and John (Gronek). I have vast experience with the Yamaha MT-07, and that is going to translate into this year. The guys at G&G are very relaxed and give me a fun, no-pressure atmosphere which will allow me to excel at my job. “My career hasn’t been the easiest the past few years injury-wise, but I am putting all my attention into taking care of my body and doing all I can to be the best racer I can be this year. I can’t wait to get things going in March.”

BARBERVILLE, FL (Dec. 19, 2022) – The new era of the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series begins at Volusia Speedway Park during the fourth annual DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals, Jan. 18-21.The three-day event – with a practice session on Thursday, Jan. 18 – will open the 2023 season for the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models, which will feature the return of Dennis Erb Jr. and Heather Lyne as the look to defend their title, an increase in purse money and one of the most exciting fields in Series history.Continuing the tradition of being a Late Model Palooza – seeing some of the biggest Late Model fields in the country – Sunshine Nationals will also feature 602 Late Models and the DIRTcar Pro Late Models all three nights.TICKETS: CLICK HEREHere’s what you’ll see:MORE MONEY: Sunshine Nationals will open the 2023 season for the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models with a bang, featuring two $8,000-to-win Features between Thursday and Friday night’s races, and then cap off the event with a $20,000-to-win finale on Saturday.The event boasts a $160,000 purse overall for the World of Outlaws between the three Features, meaning not only will the winner walk away with big money, but drivers throughout the field will also earn solid paydays. This is on top of the quarter of a million dollars added to the overall 2023 championship purse and new Winner Circle program.NEW & FAMILIAR FACES: The 2023 class for the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. Along with the return of last year’s stars like reigning champion Dennis Erb Jr., Rookie of the Year Tanner English, Max Blair, Ryan Gustin, Gordy Gundaker, Boom Briggs and Brent Larson, the Series will welcome multiple new high-profile names.Multi-time DIRTcar UMP Modified champion Nick Hoffman will drive the #9 for Tye Twarog and contend for the Rookie of the Year title against Payton Freeman, Todd Cooney and Dustin Walker. And multi-time World of Outlaws winner Chris Madden is bringing his #44 machine back to the Series full-time.BIG WINS: Sunshine Nationals will set the stage and tone for the 2023 season and did so in a big way in 2022. After four months out of a race car due to battling cancer, Dale McDowell made the most of his return and parked his #17m Late Model in Victory Lane – his 13th World of Outlaws win of his career.The event also gives the opportunity for 602 and Pro Late Model drivers to share the same stage as the World of Outlaws and become local heroes. Last year, Middleburg, FL’s Mark Whitener became one of those drivers, winning the opening night for the Pro Late Models.With three nights of racing in 2023, Sunshine Nationals is setting up to be another exciting Late Model Palooza.EVENT INFO: CLICK HEREIf you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every all the action live on DIRTVision.

The World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Case Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Fox Factory (Hard Charger Award), MSD, My Place Hotels, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Swift Springs, and Wrisco–Wieland Metal Services (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including Dirt Car Lift, Capital Race Cars, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, FIREBULL, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, Rocket Chassis, and Sea Foam.Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.

2023 World of Outlaws Campaign Begins with Opening Five Races in Barberville, FL

BARBERVILLE, FL – December 16, 2022 – The countdown currently sits at less than 60 days until the 52nd annual DIRTcar Nationals begins at Volusia Speedway Park.

The traditional trip to Florida in February again begins with two nights of the All Star Circuit of Champions (Feb. 7-8) followed by the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series on Thursday-Saturday, February 9-11.

It marks the first of five consecutive shows for The Greatest Show on Dirt at the Barberville, FL 1/2-mile – with the Series slated to return for a Daytona Bike Week special three weeks later on Sunday-Monday, March 5-6.

BUY TICKETS HERE

With the prestigious DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator Championship and an expanded $20,000-to-win, $1,500-to-start finale purse on the line, fans can expect to see the biggest and best names in Sprint Car Racing battling for the gator trophies at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile.”

Decided with a points system used across all five nights of racing, the Big Gator Championship goes to the most consistent driver of the week. Last year, David Gravel (2017, 2022) joined Daryn Pittman (2013, 2015, 2019) and Brad Sweet (2016, 2020) as the only multi-time champions since the switch to a “Big Gator” was made in 2012. Other winners in that timeframe include Logan Schuchart (2021), Donny Schatz (2018), Paul McMahan (2014), and Sammy Swindell (2012).

In 2022, the DIRTcar Nationals featured all separate winners for the first time since 2014 as Donny Schatz (Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #15), Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr. / Marshall Racing #17), and David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2) split three World of Outlaws wins to kickstart the year.

Schatz, a 10-time Series champion, returns to Volusia as the winningest Sprint Car driver in DIRTcar Nationals history with 22 wins to his credit. The Fargo, ND native hopes to start 2023 the same way he ended 2022 – back-to-back wins in the Ford Performance, Advance Auto Parts #15 – with more Victory Lane appearances.

Among active drivers, four-time and defending World of Outlaws champion Brad Sweet is closest to Schatz with eight DIRTcar Nationals wins on his resume. The Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #49 team could join Schatz and “The King” Steve Kinser in the five consecutive titles club in 2023.

The 2021 Big Gator Champion, Logan Schuchart, is a three-time winner himself at Volusia Speedway Park. The Shark Racing star returns to the scene in 2023 fresh off the winningest season in team history with a combined nine Series wins from him and his teammate/uncle, Jacob Allen.

David Gravel and Carson Macedo, both championship podium finishers in back-to-back years now, have made DIRTcar Nationals breakthroughs since aligning with their respective new teams at Big Game Motorsports and Jason Johnson Racing.

Additional stars with former Volusia Speedway Park wins include Sheldon Haudenschild, Aaron Reutzel, Jason Sides, Kerry Madsen, Wayne Johnson, Kraig Kinser, and Kasey Kahne, all of who are likely to contend for another when the gators come to play in February.

If you can’t make it to the event, the entire 2023 season will be live on DIRTVision – available either online or through the DIRTVision App. 

DIRTcar Nationals – Sprint Car Winners:

22 wins – Donny Schatz
19 wins – Danny Lasoski
8 wins – Brad Sweet
6 wins – Daryn Pittman, Joey Saldana, Steve Kinser
5 wins – Craig Dollansky
4 wins – Dave Blaney
3 wins – Logan Schuchart, Terry McCarl, Kenny Jacobs, Gary Wright, Keith Kauffman, Rocky Hodges
2 wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, David Gravel, Jason Johnson, Greg Hodnett, Sammy Swindell, Jeff Shepard, Lance Dewease, Dale Blaney, Frankie Kerr, Robbie Stanley, Bobby Davis Jr.
1 win – Carson Macedo, Aaron Reutzel, Shane Stewart, Jason Sides, Jason Meyers, Kerry Madsen, Chad Kemenah, Stevie Smith, Wayne Johnson, Kraig Kinser, Fred Rahmer, Kasey Kahne, Billy Pauch, Kevin Gobrecht, Jac Haudenschild, Joey Allen, Steve Stambaugh, Jimmy Sills, Doug Wolfgang, Tim Green

No. 31 Cadillac V-LMDh will feature longtime Action Express Racing partner

DETROIT (Dec. 15, 2022) — Cadillac and Whelen Engineering have agreed to a sponsorship extension that will see the company’s familiar logo prominently displayed on the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh race car campaigned by Action Express Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Since 1952, the Whelen Engineering Company has been a global leader in the design and manufacturing of reliable and powerful warning lights, white illumination lighting, sirens, controllers and high-powered warning systems for automotive, aviation and mass notification industries.“Whelen has been racing a Cadillac DPi in the IMSA’s top prototype class since 2017. The combination of Action Express Racing and Cadillac Racing has proven to be a very successful alliance for us as evidenced by our winning the Team and Driver Championships in 2018 and 2021,” said Sonny Whelen, Executive Vice President. “Today we couldn’t be more proud to continue along with Action Express Racing to join Cadillac Racing’s effort to develop and campaign their new groundbreaking hybrid racing platform that we will compete with in the IMSA GTP class. This exciting new program will demonstrate cutting-edge development and execution as the cars hit the track for the first time at the January 2023 Rolex 24 in Daytona. Many thanks to Cadillac and AXR for the opportunity to be involved in this exceptional project.”In the IMSA Daytona Prototype international (DPi) era from 2017-2022, the New England-based company was the primary sponsor of Action Express Racing’s No. 31 Cadillac DPi-V.R that recorded eight victories and Team and Driver championships in 2018 and 2021. Partnering with Action Express Racing in 2015, the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Chevrolet Corvette DP won Team and Driver championships in 2016.

“Cadillac is proud of the on-track success we’ve accomplished since collaborating with Whelen Engineering in 2017,” said Global Cadillac Vice President Rory Harvey. “We look forward to continuing this incredible working relationship as we begin the 2023 season in the Cadillac V-LMDh.” Cadillac Racing, which amassed three Manufacturer Championships and a manufacturer-best 27 wins in DPi competition, will compete in IMSA’s Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2023 with the Cadillac V-LMDh. Codeveloped by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis manufacturer Dallara, the Cadillac V-LMDh features an all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V-8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan, which will generate more than 670 horsepower from the combined output of its engine and hybrid powertrain. The V-LMDh will serve as Cadillac’s first hybrid prototype race car.

Pipo Derani, the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship DPi Driver champion with Action Express Racing and Cadillac, and Alexander Sims will drive the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh in the nine GTP races.  Both drivers have logged significant miles on a variety of U.S. racetracks and provided critical feedback as Cadillac Racing continues development of the hybrid race car for competition. They will be joined by versatile driver Jack Aitken for the four IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races in 2023, starting with the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29 at Daytona International Speedway. Action Express Racing has an unrivaled record in IMSA competition, claiming 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Team and Driver championships, as well as securing the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 North American Endurance Championships titles.

Camrie Caruso is a seasoned competitor but racing Pro Stock for the first time during the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series was a whole new experience for the third generation drag racer. Over the course of the season Caruso experienced the usual highs and lows and she looks back and also forward to an even better 2023 season.

Looking ahead to next season how confident are you?

“I know what to expect now. And I’m not going to be as nervous. And we’re gonna go testing and build on what we already have. This season I learned something at every track and next year I will have a comfort level I didn’t have this year.”

Camrie Caruso, 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

Next year there will be a new facility with the return of Chicago. How do you feel about that?

“I’m excited. I’ve never raced Chicago before. I love going to new tracks. Chicago is a great market for our fans and our marketing partners. I am looking forward to racing there.”

There are a lot of young competitors in Pro Stock and in 2023 there could be some more new faces. How excited are you about the health of the category?

‘I think it makes it more special. And there’s more cars and people fighting for qualifying spots. You have to work for it, so it means more. I know that we’re going to have a race every round of qualifying. I take a lot of pride in the fact we qualified for every race this season with our Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car. I know it was great for our sponsors like Tequila Comisario, Powerbuilt Tools and Sand Haulers of America.”

Was there a moment that surprised you or that you didn’t expect to happen?

“I think if I had to pick a top three, it was qualifying number one in Houston, the final at Houston against Erica and qualifying at every race. I always thought that we could do it, but it’s a lot harder said than done. I look at the Houston race as a highlight but also something we want to do more of. I know we will have a team that can run at the top and win rounds.”

Houston 2022 final round, Caruso vs. Enders, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

What was your favorite first-time racetrack this year?

“I liked Sonoma. You had the boardwalk in San Francisco. That was really cool and that facility was really nice.”

How did you like the Western Swing?

“It was surprising. I rode in the rig for the Western Swing. And I was like, ‘Oh, this is really far out there.’ Seeing that part of the country was cool and also spending time with my crew guys. I think stretches of races like the Western Swing make our sport really interesting.”

Can you compare your two races at Pomona?

“It was crazy. It was like two different seasons. The Winternationals was just a blur and then at the end of the season at the Auto Club Finals I couldn’t believe the season was over. I was way more comfortable at the last race of the season. It was also really neat to be presented with the Rookie of the Year trophy on Saturday.”

DETROIT (Dec. 14, 2022) — GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser participated in a Zoom media conference hosted by IMSA with the three other manufacturer LMDh project leads. After nearly two years of preparation, including five months of on-track development encompassing more than 20,000 kilometers, the Cadillac V-LMDh will make its competition debut Jan. 28-29 in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Three Cadillac V-LMDh race cars will attempt to secure the pole Jan. 22 for the 61st edition of the race. Transcript of Laura Wontrop Klauser Q&A:

YOU’VE BROUGHT THE CHIP GANASSI RACING AND ACTION EXPRESS RACING TEAMS UNDER ONE UMBRELLA AS CADILLAC RACING. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW THAT PROCESS HAS GONE?“This program in general has really rallied all of us to work together – even across the OEs. We had such compressed timelines. We have a brand-new hybrid spec system in the car. The chassis are all new for all of us, so we had to pull resources together to get to the point where we had running cars at Daytona last week and as we prepare for the Rolex. So, it’s the same approach for the teams. If we try to be off on different islands, we would be unable to compete once we got to the Rolex. We had to work together. We had to swap parts back and forth to make sure cars were running. We had to share learnings and, I think, necessity can be the best tool that you can have in your toolbox because there really was no other option to get this program done than to collaborate. That has driven the message, and what I think has been great is seeing the results of the collaboration, seeing the ability to get the test program more done by having the two teams helping us and running two cars instead of running one car. The benefits are coming in. We still have a huge mountain to climb and constantly pushing that rock up the hill. Thankfully, we’re all rallying behind the rock together – depending on which rock we’re pushing that day. So, it’s nice to have people standing next to your right and left while you’re trying to do something incredible.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PRINCIPAL CHALLENGE IS AHEAD OF THE ROLEX 24?“Parts management has been a struggle; to get enough parts and to make sure that the quality is what we need. Especially with fielding three cars, we want to make sure we have everything for primaries, we have spares and then, God forbid something happens in the Roar, we have backups for backups. Some of it we’re probably going to get just before and some we might not have backups for backups. Really, just having enough parts to field the cars successfully and working with the supply chain. Of course, Christmas makes things a little tricky, too. Trying to get things this time of year is a challenge, but we have a full team on it and working through it.” HAVE THERE BEEN ANY UNIQUE CHALLENGES OR SURPRISES TO GET EVERYTHING TO WORK SEAMLESSLY?“The sheer amount of code and software that has been written to run this car is daunting. We cannot have enough software engineers working right now because everything on the car is connected. Things that we never had to worry about influencing each other in the past with the DPi or other race programs, now if one thing is slightly off it’s not going to run or turn or brake or whatever it needs to do. The importance of making sure that all the calibrations are correct and then the safety critical component of that to make sure that everything is correct is huge. Working through all of that has probably been the biggest mountain once we had all the parts on the car to test. This whole program has been a challenge.” HOW DID YOU GET TO THIS POINT WITH YOUR ENGINE PACKAGE?“Like everyone, we did not have much time to make a decision and move on for with what we wanted to do with this car. A lot of it is leaning on the experience that we’ve had for decades racing at GM – both Chevrolet and Cadillac – especially with the DPi and the eight cylinder. As quickly as we could, we did some engine packaging studies for multiple engines, and after we reviewed what we were trying to do, the criteria and the performance requirements for this platform, for us and our experience it made sense to carry forward with the V8 architecture. This is a new engine for this car, but leaning heavily on experience and architecture of V8 engines that we have across the portfolio. No regrets, especially as we look to our trip overseas to run in the WEC. I think we’re bringing America pretty loud and strong with our Cadillac and we’re proud of that.” HOW DO YOU SEE THE EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN THE HYPERCAR AND THE LMHD CAR FOR THE WEC?“In terms of the two platforms racing against each other, there’s been so much work that has gone into that, countless technical working groups meetings, discussions, lots of decisions that were made to try to bring parity between the two platforms. The effort has been put forward to make it happen correctly. Did we miss something? Maybe. There’s always that one thing that once you worry about all the bigger things then the little things become big things. I really applaud the effort from the two sanctioning bodies as well as the manufacturers. This is definitely a team sport to figure out how to get all these cars together so they can race in parity.” HAS IT BEEN MORE OF A CHALLENGE FOR YOUR BRAND THAN YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOING IN?“I still have a lot of growing and experiences ahead in my career. I can’t wait to compare whatever the next challenge is to this one, because this one has been incredible. And it’s been incredible what we’ve done in a short period of time with all of the economic factors in the world that have influenced how everyone is running their businesses these days. Labor shortages, supply chain. They are real and they impact us every day. We have brought on some incredible young people to our program that are just blowing us away with what they are able to do. If you say, ‘Hey, we have this problem to solve. Figure it out,’ and then give them the freedom and the ability to do what they think is right, it’s been awesome. It really is the future. It’s seeing how we can mesh people with 20-plus years of experience in racing with new people who have more experience in this new software and everything we’re bringing onboard. You can see the mature and the up and coming working together and how they are learning from each other. It’s given us a great opportunity to just grow what our motorsports family is in terms of everyone who is working one the cars and the types of people being part of this.”

The St. Charles, MO driver looks forward to the fun and benefits that will come with racing with his close-friend and fellow Longhorn driver Nick Hoffman in 2023

CONCORD, NC – December 14, 2022 – Gordy Gundaker faced many ups and downs during his rookie season with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series. However, his final upswing of the 2022 season led to a confidence boost that has him eyeing more success as he prepares for his second season on tour.

The St. Charles, MO driver, finished seventh in the Series standings, scoring four top-fives and 10 top-10s—three of them coming in the final six races of 2022 during the October Kansas-Missouri swing.

While he hoped he’d have better finishes throughout the season, Gundaker said he knew there would be a learning curve with running on a national tour.

“It’s kind of how I was hoping our whole year would go,” Gundaker said. “But that’s part of learning and being out on the road with those guys. It wasn’t always going to go as planned, so it was nice to end the year on a high note and know we’re competitive and can always be upfront with all those guys.”

The next time Gundaker hits the track in his #11 car is the 2023 Series opener during Sunshine Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park on Jan. 19-21. 

He’s hoping that momentum from the end of the season will lead to a successful 2023 start at The World’s Fastest Half-mile.

“I think it’s going to be a big confidence booster going into Volusia,” Gundaker said. “Obviously, the first few weekends there and in March, knowing we’ve got good race cars, and the right equipment and everything we need to succeed, we just need to go out there and perform.

“By the end of the year, we really worked on our stuff. We worked with Jason Durham, (Stormy Scott’s new Crew Chief),and him coming back to Penske’s (shocks) is big for me, our team, and Longhorn (Chassis) in general.”

Gundaker won’t be the only Longhorn on tour in 2023, as both Nick Hoffman and Payton Freeman released their plans to run with the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models next season, along with a returning Tanner English.

READ MORE: A NEW CHALLENGE: Nick Hoffman Joins World of Outlaws Late Models with Tye Twarog Racing

Hoffman and Gundaker already have a close bond as the two have been friends for years. Their friendship will be a key benefit for Gundaker, having someone to share information with during the 11-month season grind.

“Nick is one of my best friends, and we’ve been best friends for a really long time,” Gundaker said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun just going up and down the road and hanging out, but obviously, it’ll be beneficial for both of us.

“We’re going to be in Longhorn cars and be able to share information and work off each other and feed off each other.”

That information will only help the 30-year-old driver, who admits he’s still learning the ropes of the different types of tracks the Series races on—especially on half-miles.

Before last season, Gundaker’s experience on those tracks was minimal. But he said he’s starting to get a better grip on how to be successful. 

“I think the track time is going to be massive, and also a bunch of the half-miles I got to go to that I haven’t really raced on,” Gundaker said. “I only really raced on half-miles five or 10 times throughout my career before last year, so now I doubled that. By the time I got to Charlotte, I understood a lot more about the air and how you need to race those places aggressive at times, and others not so aggressive. 

“The more I get on those, the better I get. I think by the time we get to Volusia and Sunshine Nationals; we’re going to open some eyes.”

Gundaker hopes his knowledge and experience will continue him on a forward path, no matter the ups and downs he’ll face during the 53-race schedule.

The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models kick off their 2023 season at Volusia Speedway Park for a Late Model Palooza during Sunshine Nationals on Jan. 19-21, also featuring 602 Late Models and DIRTcar Pro Late Models. 

Santa Pod Raceway is pleased to announce its calendar of events for 2023. Please find a copy of the schedule attached.   The full schedule runs from January to December, with public spectator attractions taking place from March.   The Championship Drag Racing season – featuring national and international competition for cars and motorcycles – begins with Easter weekend’s Festival of Power. The opening and closing rounds of the FIA and FIM European Championships take place over May’s Spring Bank Holiday weekend (The Main Event, 26-29 May) and the second weekend in September (European Finals, 7-10 September).   Other key drag races include the big-money shootout known as The Doorslammers (19-21 May) and Europe’s premier historic event, Dragstalgia (7-9 July).   A range of festivals, modified car shows, specialist and family events includes the giant Volkswagen festival, Bug Jam 36 (21-23 July), and the USC weekend (Ultimate Street Car, 4-6 August). Several weekends host two and even three events concurrently, taking full advantage of Santa Pod’s extensive acreage and vast, paved paddock area.