DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 21, 2022) – Progressive American Flat Track will celebrate its fanbase with a special “Fan Appreciation Night” at the Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale II presented by Daytona Dodge on the season’s final day, Saturday, October 15, at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida. The centerpiece of Fan Appreciation Night will be the Mission Happy Hour. Gates will open an hour early to allow the Mission Happy Hour to run from 2:30 p.m. local time up until on-track action kicks off for the evening at 4:00 p.m. During that time, fans will enjoy a rider meet and greet along with a special Q&A hosted by Ralph Sheehen featuring the sport’s greatest athletes. There will also be a variety of special attractions, music, games, prizes, and giveaways. Every attendee will receive a raffle ticket upon entrance and be welcome to take part in the taco eating contest alongside VIPs and past Progressive AFT championships. There will also be yard games to enjoy, including Jenga, Cornhole, and Connect 4. Fans will also have the opportunity to win various prizes, including free Paddock Pass Upgrades, event shirts, food and beverage vouchers, and the chance to eat dinner alongside the riders and crew inside the Mission Hospitality Tent, among other offerings. Additionally, 20 attendees will get the exclusive experience of getting their photo taken at the podium. Progressive AFT fans will also be able to take advantage of a special 50% off discount for the Paddock Pass Upgrade during the session’s opening half hour and then enjoy $5 off all merchandise for the final hour. Additionally, the Halifax Humane Society will be in attendance, complete with ambassador dogs. Fans are encouraged to bring donations, the most pressing items being pet food (wet and dry, dog, cat, and kitten), treats, peanut butter, and laundry detergent. Visit https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3697 to secure your tickets for the Mission Volusia Finale I & II presented by Daytona Dodge today.

BATAVIA, Ohio (September 21, 2022) – Renowned event promoter Carl Short and Portsmouth Raceway Park have unveiled an increased purse structure for the 42nd Annual General Tire Dirt Track World Championship presented by Optima Batteries. The historic event, which set the foundation for high paying crown jewel dirt late model events, will see a more than $30,000 increase in the overall weekend purse. This brings the grand total for the two-day Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event to $238,950.  Over $23,000 has been invested into Saturday night’s main event – allowing for increases to every position from 4th through 26th. The tenth-place finisher in the 100-lap finale will now pay $4,000, an increase of $1,500 from 2021. Each Dirt Track World Championship starter will now earn a minimum of $2,500, up from $2,000 a year ago.  The Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifiers race has also seen a significant purse increase from previous years. The winner of the Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifier will have the choice of taking home $3,000 or starting shotgun on the field of the 42nd Annual General Tire Dirt Track World Championship presented by Optima Batteries. Positions 2nd through 26th in the Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifier have been increased, including a minimum starting pay of $500. “We’ve recognized the rising costs for all racers this season,” said Carl Short. “We wanted to do what we could to help our competitors and alleviate some of the pressure from factors that are beyond anyone’s control.” Advance tickets to the 42nd Annual General Tire Dirt Track World Championship presented by Optima Batteries are available at www.TheDTWC.com.     42nd Annual Dirt Track World Championship A-Main Purse: 1. $100,000, 2. $20,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $8,000, 5. $7,500, 6. $7,000, 7. $6,000, 8. $5,000, 9. $4,500, 10.      $4,000, 11. $3,500, 12. $3,250, 13. $3,000, 14. $2,750, 15. $2,700, 16. $2,650, 17. $2,600, 18. $2,575, 19. $2,550, 20. $2,525, 21. $2,500, 22. $2,500, 23. $2,500, 24. $2,500, 25. $2,500, 26. $2,500 = $215,100 Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifier Purse: 1. $3,000, 2. $2,000, 3. $1,500, 4. $1,250, 5. $1,200, 6. $1,150, 7. $1,100, 8. $1,075, 9. $1,050, 10. $1,025, 11. $1,000, 12. $900, 13. $800, 14. $700, 15. $600, 16. $500, 17. $500, 18. $500, 19. $500, 20. $500, 21. $500, 22. $500, 23. $500, 24. $500, 25. $500, 26. $500 = $23,850

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Bryan Lively (rblively@hotmail.com)

Charlestown, IN (September 20, 2022) – As we draw closer to the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling Nationals this coming weekend, we’ll place our eye on each class before the score is settled at the Diamond of Dirt Tracks, the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri. Some points races have a clear winner while others will go down to the wire for a championship; there is however much to explore within each division regardless of those different situations. The ARP title-sponsored Super Stock Diesel Trucks and Lightweight Super Stock Tractors are textbook examples of two classes with very different stories leading into Wheatland. Both classes are slated to compete in session one at Wheatland on Friday, September 23rd. The ARP Super Stock Diesel Trucks have defending points champ Erik Stacey and the SmokinYa HD Chevy in the lead coming into the Pro Pulling Nationals—but his lead is far from secure. A scant 14 points behind Stacey is the Caretaker Dodge of Chase Eller. While Stacey has used the strength of four wins and four top-five finishes build his resume, Eller has been outside the top five only twice all season. With a cast of highly competitive machines in the class, including former class champ and current third place points holder Kent Crowder and the Scheid Diesel Dodge, this class could be decided on the final hook! For ARP Lightweight Super Stocks, the final result is clear—sort of. It isn’t a matter of Team Chizek taking the points title, it’s a matter of which tractor gets the accolades, as the Considered Armed and Dangerous and Armed and Dangerous-Excessive Force are tied atop the leaderboard coming into this weekend. Those Terry Blackbourn-piloted CaseIH machines will duel it out to declare the champion. The suspense comes from the potential outcome of the third and fourth place spots where the Armed and Dangerous-Deadly Force CaseIH driven by Josh Blackbourn holds a slim 12-point lead on the Field Sobriety CaseIH of Bobby Jones. As unpredictable and exciting as this class can be, that is a race-within-a-race to watch! We highly encourage you to attend this event in person but if you’re unable to attend, the MAVTV studio production crew will be on hand to stream the action live on www.FloRacing.com and for future broadcast on MAVTV. Gates open at Lucas Oil Speedway at 4pm CDT with action starting at 7pm on Friday night and 6pm on Saturday. Ticketing option information is available at www.LucasOilSpeedway.com with discount packages for Seniors and Families.  Join us for this spectacular year-end show, in person or online. In the mean time, follow along with us as we delve further into each class through our social media outlets coming into Championship Weekend!

ENNIS, Texas (September 20, 2022) — Pro Stock legend Greg Anderson and award-winning drag racing publicist Dave Densmore will be recognized as Texas Motorplex Legends during the opening ceremonies of the 37th annual Texas NHRA Fall Nationals. Anderson is the winningest Pro Stock driver in Texas Motorplex history with six Texas Fall Nationals titles, including his historic 99th career win last year. Densmore has been one of the most respected and influential drag racing publicists for over four decades working for the sanctioning body as well as the biggest names in drag racing.

“I have known Dave Densmore my entire drag racing career and no PR person has had a bigger impact on the coverage our sport has received. Greg has won the Texas Fall Nationals more than any other Pro Stock driver in history and has established himself as the best Pro Stock driver in history,” said Billy Meyer, Texas Motorplex co-owner. “Honoring these two men as Texas Motorplex Legends was an easy decision because of their impact at Texas Motorplex but also across the sport of drag racing.”

Anderson’s Pro Stock career took root as a crew member – and then crew chief – for legendary driver Warren Johnson. Anderson was on board at Warren Johnson Enterprises for 12 years and three of Johnson’s six NHRA championships (1992, 1993, and 1995). In 1998, Anderson took the reins of father-in-law Troy Humphrey’s Pro Stock car, and in 2000 he drove part-time and consulted for Pro Stock veteran Mark Pawuk. 

Las Vegas-based Ken Black, along with then-partner George Marnell, added Anderson to their team’s roster as crew chief and part-time driver in 2001, and the chemistry was immediately evident. KB Racing was formed by Black with Anderson in 2002 and since that union Anderson has won 100 Pro Stock national event races and five NHRA Pro Stock world championships. His six titles at the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals (2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2019 and 2021) are most by any Pro Stock driver. Anderson is the winningest driver of all time in the ultra-competitive category of highly horse-powered factory hot rods. 

“I have to thank Billy Meyer and Christie Meyer Johnson for this honor,” said Anderson. “Winning at Texas Motorplex is always special. When they give you that cowboy hat it is pretty cool and the Texas fans are some of the best in the country. I have been lucky to have a lot of success in Texas and last year’s win was one for the record books.”

Densmore’s career in motorsport began as a writer for the Amarillo (Tex.) Globe-News where he covered the NHRA Finals in the 1970s. He moved from the newspaper side to the publicity side when he joined NHRA’s Publicity Department and then formed Denswood Sports Marketing in 1982 with good friend Steve Earwood. His clients have been the sport’s top names including Raymond Beadle, Gary Beck, Kenny Bernstein, Candies & Hughes, John Force Racing, Billy Meyer, Reher & Morrison, and Steve Torrence. Densmore received the prestigious Jim Chapman Award for Excellence in Motorsport Public Relations in 2007.

For over 25 years Densmore was the primary spokesperson for drag racing legend John Force and he worked beside Force as he won sixteen Funny Car championships including ten in a row. Densmore oversaw the publicity efforts for multiple Fall Nationals wins by Force and other drivers including Texans Steve and Billy Torrence. He has continued to be a publicity and public relations consultant for Texas Motorplex as well as co-owners Billy Meyer and Christie Meyer Johnson in recent years.

“I really don’t think I deserve to be a Legend. I have been fortunate to work with some great teams and drivers, but I liked being in the background,” said Densmore. “I remember when Billy opened the Texas Motorplex and it changed the sport. I have been fortunate to see so many great races and celebrate great wins in Ennis. This is a huge honor and I have to thank Billy and Christie for thinking of me.”

The Texas NHRA Fall Nationals will be contested from October 14-16, 2022, with tickets available at www.stampedeofspeed.com. On Friday, October 14, Texas Motorplex will host “Friday Night Live” a full evening of speed, spectacular qualifying action and exhibition runs with over $30,000 offered in low ET bonuses to the pro teams. Saturday and Sunday will be filled with the ground pounding 330 mph racing action from Top Fuel dragster and Nitro Funny Cars along with Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle as part of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series.

Dave Densmore photo courtesy of Richard Shute/Auto Imagery and Greg Anderson photo courtesy of KB Racing for media use only.

Texas Motorplex Legends

2019 – Cory McClenathan

2020 – Tony Schumacher

2021 – Don Prudhomme and Richard Shute

2022 – Greg Anderson and Dave Densmore

M: 214-244-1184E: elon@elonwerner.comTwitter: @elonwer

BATAVIA, Ohio (September 20, 2022) – The stars of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will converge in Brownstown, Ind. this Friday, and Saturday for the 43rd running of the historic Jackson 100. The festivities will kick off on Friday, September 23rd with the “Night Before the Jackson” – featuring a full program of Dirt Draft Hot Laps, Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains, and a 40-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Main. One-year ago, Tyler Erb emerged victorious after a dramatic Night Before the Jackson. On Saturday, another complete show of Dirt Draft Hot Laps, Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains is on tap. Saturday’s 43rd Annual Jackson 100 will be highlighted by a 100-lap, $20,000-to-win finale for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. In 2021, Jimmy Owens claimed a thrilling Jackson 100 victory. The veteran driver swapped the lead with Devin Moran multiple times in the closing laps before taking the checkered flag just .079 seconds ahead. Moran finished second, with Tanner English, Earl Pearson Jr., and Mike Marlar rounding out the top five. Additional bonuses of over $3,000 have been posted, making the event even more lucrative for competitors. Brownstown Speedway is accustomed to thrilling, edge of your seat racing action. This weekend, drivers will be awarded for their hard charging efforts. The Hard Charger Award presented by Dion Deason Racing will pay $500 in Friday’s Night Before the Jackson and $1,000 in Saturday’s 43rd Annual Jackson 100. The driver who tops the speed charts in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Time Trials on Saturday will receive $1,995 – in honor of C.J. Rayburn’s 1995 Brownstown Speedway track championship. The award was made possible by the generous donations from Dion Deason, Jason Grimes, Crystal Kenneda, Kevin Greene, Bobby Wolter Sr., Slicker Graphics, and Wildfire Motors.  Additionally, each of Saturday’s 43rd Annual Jackson 100 Heat Races will award $150 to the winner courtesy of Chris and Amanda Wiese from Freedom Fireworks. All gates will open at 12:00 PM (noon) each day with on track action set to begin at 6:00 PM both days. A Dirt Racing Outreach Service is schedule for Saturday at 2:00 PM in the Pavilion. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is joined by the Indiana Pro Late Models and Modifieds on Friday; with Modifieds and Super Stocks on the card for Saturday. To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.brownstownspeedway.com or call 603-501-0517. Tim McCreadie continues to lead the Lucas Oil National Championship standings. However, after a DNF in last week’s Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals, Brandon Sheppard has closed to within 100-points of the top spot. Ricky Thornton Jr. is third, followed by Hudson O’Neal and Earl Pearson Jr. Garrett Alberson tops the O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year chase. Complete Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series standings are available at www.LucasDirt.com. Track Information:Phone Number: 812-358-5332Location: 476 East CR 100, Brownstown, IN 47220GPS Coordinates: 38.869585, -86.029215Directions: Located on Highway 250 at the Jackson County Fairgrounds 1 mile south-east of Brownstown, IndianaWebsite: www.brownstownspeedway.com Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule:Left Front – Hoosier (90) LM20, Rib (28.5) 1350 or harderRight Front/Left Rear – Hoosier Rib (28.5) 1350Right Rear – Hoosier (29.0) 1350 NRM, (29.0) 1350 NRMW, (92) LM40, (92) NLMT4*Can cut and/or sipe any tire.*Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains*For the A-Main, competitors may use 2 new tires.*Flat tire must be replaced with a used tire of the same compound & construction to retain starting position. Purse Information:Night Before the Jackson (Friday): 1. $10,000, 2. $5,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,700, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,000, 15. $950, 16. $925, 17. $900, 18. $875, 19. $850, 20. $825, 21. $800, 22. $800, 23. $800, 24. $800 = $48,575 43rd Annual Jackson 100 (Saturday): 1. $20,000, 2. $9,000, 3. $5,000, 4. $4,000, 5. $3,500, 6. $2,700, 7. $2,500, 8. $2,300, 9. $2,200, 10. $2,100, 11. $2,000, 12. $1,900, 13. $1,800, 14. $1,700, 15. $1,600, 16. $1,400, 17. $1,300, 18. $1,200, 19. $1,200, 20. $1,200, 21. $1,200, 22. $1,200, 23. $1,200, 24. $1,200 = $73,400  Previous Jackson 100 Winners:2021 – Jimmy Owens2020 – Tim McCreadie2019 – Hudson O’Neal2018 – Bobby Pierce2017 – Scott Bloomquist2016 – Scott Bloomquist2015 – Jonathan Davenport2014 – Scott Bloomquist2013 – Don O’Neal2012 – Jimmy Owens2011 – Scott Bloomquist2010 – Scott Bloomquist2009 – Earl Pearson Jr.2008 – Tim McCreadie2007 – Matt Miller2006 – Don O’Neal2005 – Billy Drake2004 – Don O’Neal2003 – Jim Curry2002 – Billy Drake2001 – Brian Brikhofer2000 – Don O’Neal1999 – Billy Moyer 1998 – Jim Curry1997 – Rick Aukland1996 – John Gill1995 – Jack Boggs1994 – John Gill1993 – Davey Johnson1992 – Billy Moyer1991 – Scott Bloomquist1990 – Scott Bloomquist1989 – Jeff Purvis1988 – Jim Curry1987 – Billy Moyer1986 – Jack Boggs1985 – Kenny Brightbill1984 – Kenny Simpson1983 – Russ Petro1982 – Russ Petro1981 – Paul Crockett1980 – Charlie Swartz

Elite Motorsports Pre-Race Preview

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series CONCORD, N.C. (September 20, 2022) – Elite Motorsports, the largest professional race team in the NHRA, is ready to continue the momentum they gained at the first event of the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s version of the playoffs, as they travel to the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway this weekend. The powerful Pro Stock team dominated the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals last weekend at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. Erica Enders won her seventh event title of the season and 40th of her career in an all-Elite final round against her teammate Troy Coughlin Jr. while Bo Butner picked up his first No. 1 qualifier of the season. As they return to zMAX this week, the team is in a great position. Enders is experiencing the best season of her career so far, and pulling out ahead of the competition early certainly helped as the four-time Pro Stock world champion is focused on earning her fifth world title. “We were absolutely thrilled to start the countdown off on the right foot,” said Enders. “As in most sports, momentum is huge for us. We hope to carry that through the remaining five events of the season. We always enjoy running in Charlotte as it serves as a home base for our major sponsors, Gallagher and Peoplease. We have a great race car right now and I’m driving well. So we’re are going to capitalize on that every chance we get.” Every round counts right now as the Pro Stock field is incredibly competitive this year. With Coughlin’s runner-up finish in Reading, he moved up to fourth in the points standings and the talented driver is as focused as ever on making a strong Countdown performance. Bo Butner got a new car a few races ago and clearly that was the change that the former Pro Stock world champion needed. He dominated qualifying at Maple Grove, moving him up a couple spots in the points. Aaron Stanfield has been a consistent performer all week and will be one to watch in the Countdown as his quiet focus and ability to remain calm under pressure will certainly come in handy through the weeks to come. Fernando Cuadra Sr., the patriarch of the fan-favorite Cuadra Boys, debuted a new car in Reading. And his Corral Boots Camaro is in the process of being completely rewired before it rolls through the gate at zMAX Dragway for the second race of the Countdown. His sons, Fernando Jr. and Cristian, have been improving all season and they will definitely be ones to watch as the season continues.

FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon After struggling in the first part of the season, Pro Mod standout Lyle Barnett is coming off a monumental win at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Barnett plans to parlay that momentum into a stellar performance this weekend in North Carolina. zMAX Dragway is the home track for Barnett and he’s looking forward to turning on win lights in front of a hometown crowd. The Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals will take place at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C. September 23-25. ***

Elite Motorsports Stats And Facts For Countdown Contention

The Elite Motorsports team will field seven Pro Stock entries during this week’s Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals in Concord, N.C. The Elite team is the largest in professional drag racing and features Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield, Troy Coughlin Jr., Bo Butner, Fernando Cuadra and his two sons, Fernando Jr. and Cristian. This week’s event in Concord marks the second round of the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six race playoff to determine season champions. All seven Elite cars are in contention for the championship. Four-time world champion Enders is the leader followed by Coughlin (4), Stanfield (5), Butner (9), Cuadra Jr. (11), C. Cuadra (13), Cuadra Sr. (15). Last week in Reading, Erica Enders drove her Melling/Elite Camaro to the 40th Pro Stock win of her career, beating teammate Troy Coughlin Jr. in the final round. Enders has won seven of the 14 events contested so far this season and has appeared in 9 of 14 possible final rounds. There have been 14 Pro Stock events so far this season and Team Elite has won 11 of them. Enders has seven victories while Stanfield and Coughlin each have two. Elite cars have also appeared in final rounds 20 times, as more than once, the final round has come down to two Elite-powered machines.

Erica EndersFour-time world champion Enders is off to the best start of her career with a record of 38-7 during eliminations, Enders has the highest winning percentage (.844) of any NHRA pro this season. With her win in Reading, Enders has now won races at 17 different NHRA facilities. She has two wins at zMax Dragway, earning titles in 2015 and 2018. During her professional career, Enders has competed in 329 races and has 40 victories in 70 final rounds. Her overall win-loss record is 422-238. Enders currently holds both the elapsed time and speed record for the NHRA Pro Stock class with career bests of 6.450-seconds and 215.55 mph.

Troy Coughlin Jr.Troy Coughlin Jr., the driver of the JEGS.com/Elite Motorsports Camaro, finished the regular season as the No. 6 ranked Pro Stock driver. Coughlin recently scored his first professional wins with back-to-back victories in Seattle and Topeka. In addition to his two Pro Stock victories this year, the multi-faceted Coughlin has additional wins in Top Alcohol Dragster, Super Comp, and Super Gas. Coughlin’s father, Troy Sr., is a 15-time national event winner in Pro Stock, Pro Mod, and Super Gas. Including his uncles, John, Mike, and Jeg Jr., the Coughlin family has combined to win 130 national event titles. Coughlin’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.521-seconds and 211.93 mph, set this year in Sonoma and Gainesville, respectively.

Aaron StanfieldStanfield, the driver of the Janac Bros/J3 Energy Camaro, finished the regular season as the No. 2 seed behind Enders thanks largely to victories in Phoenix and Bristol and four runner-up finishes in Pomona, Epping, Norwalk, and Denver. Stanfield is currently No. 5 in the Pro Stock class, 91 points out of first place. Stanfield has a record of 28-12 this season and six of those losses have come against teammate Enders. Stanfield has won six Pro Stock events in 12 career final rounds. He is also a two-time world champion in the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown. All told, Stanfield has 19 career wins in Pro Stock, Factory Stock, Super Stock, and Top Dragster. Stanfield’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.457-seconds and 213.47 mph, both set this year in Gainesville.

Bo ButnerBo Butner is a two-time NHRA world champion in Pro Stock (2017) and Comp Eliminator (2006). He joined the Elite team this season driving the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro. So far in 2022, Butner has a 8-14 round win record in Pro Stock competition. He finished the regular season as the No. 11 ranked driver in the class but moved to No. 9 after a standout performance in Reading. Butner has 29 career national event victories including 11 in Pro Stock. He also has multiple wins in Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Gas, and Super Street to his name. Recently, Butner won back to back events in Indianapolis and Reading in the Super Gas class. Butner’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.475-seconds and 214.28 mph, set in Dallas (2015) and Gainesville (2017), respectively.

The Cuadra BoysThe Cuadra family including Fernando Sr., and his sons Fernando Jr. and Cristian, joined Elite Motorsports this season with their three-car Corral Boots team. Fernando Sr. is a two-time national event runner-up with final round appearances at 2019 races in Reading and Pomona. Cristian Cuadra was the runner-up to Enders at the 2022 Four-Wide event in Las Vegas. All three Cuadra entries will contend for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock title during the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. The Cuadra family has career-best elapsed times of 6.515 (Fernando Jr.), 6.524 (Fernando Sr.), and 6.528 (Cristian) – all of them recorded at the 2022 Gainesville event. Their career-best speeds are 212.13 (Fernando Sr.), 211.43 (Cristian), and 210.73 (Fernando Jr.).

Collectively, the seven Team Elite drivers have combined to win 99 NHRA national event titles across all classes including 59 in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock category.

Cadillac Racing announced Sept. 20 its driver roster for the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season — the first for the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class. Reigning IMSA DPi champion Pipo Derani will co-drive an Action Express Racing-prepared Cadillac V-LMDh car with Alexander Sims, while Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande return as co-drivers of a Chip Ganassi Racing-prepared Cadillac V-LMDh. Sims and Derani met with the media Sept. 20 via Zoom conference. Full transcript (by driver):

ALEXANDER SIMS YOU’VE HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH GM ON THE CORVETTE SIDE. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH THE CADILLAC V-LMDH?“I’m super-excited about this opportunity. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind situation since Le Mans, which ended in disappointment when things were going the right way for us with Corvette. Speaking to (GM sports car racing program manager) Laura (Wontrop Klauser) after the race about how things went and she put us in touch with Action Express and conversations went pretty positive from the start. I was able to get over to Atlanta to do a test with Pipo and the team. It was a short day in the DPi car, but it was a wonderful thing to drive. Everything went well thankfully, and we were able to agree to things for next year, which is an absolute dream come true from my point of view. I’m really looking forward to the challenge. I’m joining an incredibly experienced group of people at Action Express – a group of engineers and Pipo who have had success in the past – and hopefully I can learn quickly from them and slot in and do a decent job.” HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT PUTTIG YOUR SOLE FOCUS ON SPORTS CAR RACING AFTER DOING FORMULA E?“I’m really looking forward to it. I don’t think I shied away from the fact that Formula E has been an interesting time for me, but ultimately concluded that it’s not the championship that fits with me in a sporting sense. I couldn’t get my head around it and ultimately didn’t want to be there anymore and wanted to get back to IMSA racing. To be in this position to basically get exactly what I wanted and be racing in the top class for the first time is genuinely a dram come true. I loved the two years that I did in IMSA – the most enjoyable form of racing that I’ve done. The rules format tends to keep you in the races if you’re struggling, if you’ve had issues there are so many times where you can get back in the race after a hiccup. And even if you’re in a strong position and you’re fast, it’s unlikely that you’re ever just going to sail away for two hours ahead of the field. There’s always going to be safety cars, there’s always going to be close racing to keep you on your toes.” ARE YOU NOW EXCLUSIVE TO GM OR DO YOU STILL HAVE A DEAL WITH BMW?“That’s yet to be fully decided, but my absolute main focus is going to be IMSA with Cadillac.” WERE YOU PURSUING THIS AS YOUR PRIMARY FOCUS?“This has been my sole focus, honestly. This year and last year that I raced with Corvette was a great introduction to the GM Racing program. All the people on it were a joy to work with. Obviously, the teams are different but the people at the top are the same and to be able to continue working with them is my goal.” WAS MAKING THE MOVE TO THE TOP LEVEL A PRIORITY FOR YOU?“Honestly, it wasn’t the main priority when deciding to leave Formula E. The priority was to get back to racing that I enjoyed, which was racing in IMSA. If that were in GT or prototypes, the same fulfillment in that criteria would have been there. When prototypes were discussed, the opportunity for a race driver is pretty exciting to run in the top class of any championship. It’s been a while since I’ve driven a prototype. I drove LMP2 in ALMS and a few WEC races quite a few years ago. The more higher downforce driving is something that’s not too far away from my current situation, but obviously driving in Formula E is somewhat different. To get back to higher downforce, fast racing where you’re generally always going to be the leader in terms of speed of class, not having to look into your mirrors always – which is a little bit of a challenge in a GT car – is going to be nice and focus forward. I’m going to need that focus because things come up pretty fast in these cars; they’re super quick. It’s a bit of an adjustment period in these test days we’ve got, but that’s the reason why we’ve got them and I’ll get up to speed for the first race.” ARE THERE SOME THING YOU LEARNED IN FORMULA E THAT MIGHT BE ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE LMDH CAR?“In terms of not getting my head around it, it’s just in terms of being able to achieve top performance consistently. With four years in Formula E with two different manufacturers, I’ve gone through quite an extensive development process with both of them. Understood quite a few things about the systems that are used in Formula E, which probably gives me just a decent technical base knowledge. I’m under no illusions that LMDh GTP racing is not Formula E. Hybrid systems have some similarities to a full electric drive, but there’s not the same as well. They have their own set of challenges. I’m not coming into this that I know all and can teach people how to do their jobs. I guess it just helps when some engineers are having discussions about various systems and the way some things work, I guess I have a bit of a head start and might the basics of how things are working. There are a lot of challenges. You don’t stop learning. So far, it’s proven useful at times to have some knowledge of electric drive systems.” HOW HAS PIPO HELPED YOU DURING TESTING?“It’s one of those things where you’re never quite sure until you start driving, and I tend to have a bit of self-doubt sometimes. Although I raced at a decent level ion F3 some years back, driven GTs and Formula E, I was thinking I hope this comes back to me quickly. Thankfully, it all did. It’s not like I’m a sorted, polished driver in every aspect in high downforce racing just yet but the basics are coming back. Pipo has been really helpful in being able to ask and giving honest answers about some of the challenges and whatever hurdle I’m facing during testing. It generally tends to be small things, but it’s small things that we have to focus on to optimize our performance to be right at the front which is what we want to do.” ANY MEMORABLE COMPETITIVE RACES AGAINST EACH OTHER IN F3?“I couldn’t believe when we looked back at the Vallelunga race that I couldn’t remember racing (Derani). We must not have been together on track. But I do remember Macua, following (Derani) for far too many laps not being able to pass. That was quite frustrating.”

PIPO DERANI HOW EXCITED ARE YOU TO WELCOME ALEX TO THE TEAM AND GET GOING WITH THE CADILLAC V-LMDH?“Alex has been a guy that I raced against in Formula 3, so we’ve known each other for a little while. Lots of respect, so whenever his name showed up and when he tested it definitely was a no-brainer. Whenever the team asked what I thought about him, I said, ‘Yeah, go for it. He’s very good.’ I think he’s going to help us a lot over the development of the new car with his electric and hybrid experience. That’s a plus as well, having Alex come on board with so much experience. We’ve started testing already the new car and it’s great to see you can develop basically from scratch and put your input into every single detail of what’s going to possibly be the most exciting time in endurance racing over the next few years. Looking forward to it. We have one more race with the DPi, so I’m going to be looking to enjoy. It’s a car that has had so much success. It’s a car that has given me one Sebring win, one Petit, an overall championship and an endurance championship, so it was a great time in my career to have had the chance to drive the Cadillac DPi-V.R. Trying to enjoy the last race at Petit, which is a very special race and nice track to be at for a farewell drive – if I can put it like that. Trying to enjoy that moment and very much looking forward to what the future brings. Me and Alex have had a little experience already driving and going testing with the new car and so far whatever we share has been very positive. And it’s good we can get to do that in a non-pressure environment and get to learn each other, what we want from each other and what we can improve on to become a strong pairing of drivers for the Action Express Cadillac GTP program next year.” HOW ARE YOU ADJUSTING TO THE VARIETY OF CO-DRIVERS?“I think it’s going to be great to have Alex onboard. Over the last three years before the beginning of this year it was pretty straightforward with Felipe (Nasr). We developed a relationship form the very beginning testing and even before the season of 2019 started. That relationship as a racing partner just evolved over the three years, and it got to the point where it was very good. I think once you start that relationship from the very beginning, it’s easy to develop and improve as a pair for the better result. It’s definitely much harder to do that in the middle of the season like I had to do this year. It’s not ideal. Looking to the future now with Alex joining us and be able to be involved in the development and testing from the beginning like we have already, it’s just going to help. By the time we get to Daytona, I’m sure it’s going to be smooth, and we’ll be thinking only about performance. At the moment, I think it’s been going very well and we’re already into that phase of our relationship. His driving style is in a way similar to mine, which is a help. We seem to get more or less the same things from the car to go quick and it’s been quite a pleasure to be sharing and learning from him as well things he’s going to bring on to the program from experiences he’s had from other series. And I’m sure from his side as well getting a little updated to the high downforce cars, which I’ve been driving over the last four years. So, I think it’s a plus and plus that we can use from each other and be strong from the very beginning of next season. I’m looking forward to that. Whatever happened over the course of 2022 was not ideal. But, nevertheless, in difficult moments I was always focused on trying to do the best I could for the team, and I believe I was able to do that. Now looking forward to the future.” HOW CAN YOU HELP OR DOES ALEX NEED TO BE BROUGHT ALONG MORE QUICKLY IN GETTING UP TO SPEED WITH THE PROTOTYPES?“I think it’s more fine tuning. He’s been driving Formula E, which doesn’t have as much downforce. He was brought up racing Formula 3 in Europe, where it’s a very high downforce car and the driving style is very similar to the DPi and the new Cadillac V-LMDh GTP car. Really, the first test he was asking a couple of things. But you can see that the guy who’s had the formation he’s had in his early days definitely pays dividends whenever he jumps into a high downforce car. It’s almost like riding a bicycle. It took him just a couple of laps and he was up there already. I think he wanted to ask me a few questions just to make me feel important. He’s been doing great. He’s got it pretty much sorted.” ANY MEMORABLE COMPETITIVE RACES AGAINST EACH OTHER IN F3?“There’s a funny story we were discussing. 2013 wasn’t an easy year for my team, but I was telling Alex that I had a strong weekend at Vallelunga in Italy. Actually, that was the strongest weekend I had all year. We had three races per weekend back then and I had two podiums and started on the front row over a 32-car grid or something. He said, ‘No way, that was my strongest weekend as well.’ We checked and found pictures of us sharing the podium twice on that same weekend. And in Macau, where I think we finished one after another in 2013. It’s good pictures to have.”

OCALA, FL (September 20, 2022) — Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will head to zMax Dragway on a mission to defend their 2021 title and battle their way to the top of the Top Fuel Countdown field. The second race of the NHRA Countdown, the Betway Carolina NHRA Nationals, is one that Hart is all too familiar with thanks to his rookie season victory just over a year ago. Hart qualified No. 7 and raced his way through Alex Laughlin in the first round and then three Countdown contenders Mike Salinas, Justin Ashley and Brittany Force to earn the second Top Fuel victory of his young career. The win was significant because Hart was wrapping up his rookie season racing only half of the national events and taking on teams fighting for the championship.

“We have learned a lot this season and we are still a young team,” said Hart. “The success we had in my rookie year was not a fluke and we have a championship caliber group. Thanks to R+L Carriers, TechNet and all our sponsors I am living my dream of racing against the best Top Fuel teams in the world. We are going to keep proving that we belong. Charlotte is a great facility and I can’t wait to get back there and start turning on win lights.”

R+L Carriers Top Fuel, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

This season Hart invested in a new dragster and additional parts to make a run at the full schedule and the Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Fuel championship. With crew chief Ron Douglas making the tuning calls and Hart continuing to develop as a top-tier driver the R+L Carriers team has been in the mix throughout the season. They entered the Countdown as the No. 5 seed but an early exit at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in Reading last weekend was a setback to their championship pursuit. The determined and focused Hart, who built several businesses most notably Burnyzz Speed Shop in Ocala, Florida, from an initial nest egg of $300, is undeterred with five races remaining in the playoffs.

“We didn’t start the Countdown the way we planned but this R+L Carriers team isn’t hanging our heads,” said Hart. “We won this race last year and I have a lot of confidence we can do that again. We have to start making up rounds, but I truly believe anything is possible. Our goal is to make quick runs starting on Friday night and start chipping away at the points lead.”

Prior to the rare early loss in Reading Hart had advanced out of the first round in the previous seven consecutive races including a runner-up finish at the Norwalk Nationals and a semifinal finish at the Mile High Nationals, one of the toughest races on the tour for a young team. Throughout this first full-time season Hart has had the support of R+L Carriers as well as TechNet. At the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis Hart raced a pink Brakes for Breasts Top Fuel dragster to raise aware for breast cancer research. Fans and supporters can visit their local TechNet repair shop to give or get up to $40 on their qualifying brake service. Learn more about the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund. All the funds raised will go towards the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund.

At the races Hart continues to promote career opportunities with primary sponsor R+L Carriers. Throughout the weekend Hart hosts R+L Carriers employees and guests as well as fans interested in learning about the diverse jobs available across the country with a family owned and operated company that has been in business over five decades. The stability of his marketing partnerships combined with a team that is improving every race has Hart excited about the next five races of the playoffs and his championship aspirations.

“My goal is to race the best of the best and win races and championships,” said Hart. “Every race we put all our efforts into making the quickest runs possible and give everything we can on the track. In the pits we want to make sure our guests are having a good time and the NHRA fans are getting a great experience. I love to meet new fans across the country. It will be cool to be back in Charlotte as the defending event winner. A lot of people talked to us in the spring when we were here for the four-wide race and I hope to see them back in a couple days. This is the time of year when the racing is even more exciting.”

Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will have three qualifying sessions this weekend to earn a spot in the 16-car field. The race will start at noon ET on Sunday with Fox broadcasting the race nationals. Fans can check their local listings for air times.

PLAINVIEW, NY (September 20, 2022) — Justin Ashley will be returning to the track where his professional career started this weekend for the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals. The second-generation driver has made huge strides in his young career and he will enter this weekend’s race as the Top Fuel points leader and most recent Countdown race finalist. Driving the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Energy for the eighteenth time this season Ashley brings momentum and confidence to zMax Dragway just outside of Charlotte.

“Charlotte is one of the most beautiful facilities on the NHRA Tour” said Ashley, a two-time Top Fuel winner in 2022. “It is the Bellagio of drag strips for good reason and the perfect track for a playoff race. I raced to the semifinals at this event during my debut in 2019 and to be returning a few years later with the points lead during the Countdown speaks volumes of our team and partners.”

Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Energy, photo by Ron Lewis

Throughout his history at the fall NHRA national event Ashley has consistently performed well reaching the semifinals in 2019 and 2021. This season before his runner-up finish last weekend at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Ashley had raced to five semifinals in the previous six races. That high level of performance had him sitting in third place when the playoffs started and he moved to the top of the category last Sunday with wins over Jeff Chatterson, Doug Kalitta and Mike Salinas before losing a close final to Austin Prock. 

“Our Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster has been running great all season. Dustin Davis, Mike Green, and Tommy DeLago have assembled an outstanding team with a winning culture. Crew chiefs Mike and Tommy have invaluable experience and make the perfect tandem no matter the circumstances or conditions surrounding each race. We have been qualifying very well and stacking those important round wins on race day.”

Ashley won the Bristol national event as the No. 14 qualifier but since that race he has never started a Sunday lower than No. 7 and on six occasions he has been the No. 3 or No. 2 qualifier. The quick runs on Friday and Saturday have added weight thanks to the qualifying bonus points and the recalibrated Top Fuel points. Ashley and his Phillips Connect Vita C Energy team added three bonus points at the Pep Boys Nationals which combined with his seven points as No. 2 qualifier was a solid ten point cushion going into race day.

“The qualifying bonus points add up quickly and they could be the difference in winning the Top Fuel championship or falling just shy of the ultimate goal,” said Ashley. “Every run is significant and we would like to collect as many points as we can. There are 20 rounds of racing left in the season. Charlotte will be an opportunity for us to hold onto the points lead and hopefully add some distance on the field.”

The Phillips Connect Toyota opened the season with a win at the Winternationals positioning Ashley in the points lead after the first race. A rare first round loss at the Arizona National moved the team into second and throughout the season Ashley has never been lower than fourth place shuffling positions with Brittany Force, Salinas and four-time champions Steve Torrence. Last Sunday both Force and Torrence exited the race in the second round with Salinas bowing out in the semis. Ashley’s hold on first place is close but the four-time Top Fuel national event winner and nine-time finalist doesn’t feel any added pressure.

“I always put a healthy amount of pressure on myself at every race,” said Ashley. “This is my second time to be in the Countdown and I continue to learn the importance of managing the highs and lows. It’s critical to stay linear throughout the process. It is easier said than done but we have a great team that has championship winning experience. This weekend will be another exciting race and I can’t wait to get back on the track.”

Friday night will feature one round of Top Fuel qualifying along with the rest of the Camping World Drag Racing Series competitors under the lights. Two rounds of professional qualifying will take over Saturday with the quickest 16 race cars battling for the win on Sunday starting at noon ET.

NHRA^® Team Report

Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals – Concord, NC

Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and team are headed to Charlotte after a quarter-finals finish at Maple Grove and a very special tour of the Pentagon Monday, Cruz’s birthday. After the visit, the team made time to address clutch issues on the Snap-on^® Dodge^® SRT^® Hellcat^® before hitting the road to zMAX Dragway.

“The clutch wear caused the car to be a little too aggressive, so we’ve logged that into our system and made the needed adjustments,” Cruz says. “The Countdown is our playoffs, so anything can happen. It took us a while this season, but we’ve put down some solid runs and are finally coming into our own. We’re feeling good about what the Snap-on Dodge will do this weekend.” 

The Snap-on Nitro franchisee on the side of Cruz’s car this week is a tribute to the late Bob Davis. Bob was with Snap-on 51 years…so long that it became a family business. His son Wayne, who will be with us at the track this weekend, has been with Snap-on 29 years. Wayne’s brother and son have also been a part of the Snap-on team. Wayne has another longtime commitment outside his franchise and that is to the Army Reserves where he will have served 27 years when he retires from its ranks. 

Cruz’s primary sponsor, Snap-on, appreciates those who are dedicated to these roles of keeping us safe at home and on the road. If you’re one of the Makers and Fixers among us here at the track or online, Snap-on hopes you’ll share your story at makersandfixers.com.

Dennis Erb Jr. leads Tanner English by 104 points in championship standings 

RINGGOLD, GA – September 20, 2022 – A battle of epic proportions looms for the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series as they prepare to wage war on the Tennessee-Georgia border.

For the first time, The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet head to Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, GA, for the inaugural Stateline Showdown on Sept. 23-24.

The weekend kicks off on Friday, Sept. 23, with a 40-lap, $10,000-to-win Feature. Then, on Saturday, Sept. 24, the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models return to fight for $20,000 in a 50-lap finale.

One driver could leave the Peach State with $30,000 if they sweep the weekend.

TICKETS: bit.ly/3Bgfnxl

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

Here are some of the storylines to watch this weekend:  

The Final 10: When drivers arrive at Boyd’s Speedway for the Stateline Showdown, only 10 races remain in the 2022 season.

Dennis Erb Jr. has held the points lead since March and enters the weekend with a 104-point advantage over second-place Tanner English.

Both drivers bring momentum into Boyd’s as they each come off a top-10 finish at Fairbury Speedway last week.

While neither driver has a victory on a 3/8-mile track this season, both have found success. Erb has nine top fives, while English has three on tracks that size.

Max is Heating Up: Despite his Pennsylvania roots, Max Blair has succeeded in the Southeast so far in 2022.

The Centerville, PA driver found Victory Lane the last time $20,000 was on the line on a 3/8-mile red clay surface (Cherokee).

Like his championship rivals, Blair also has momentum entering the weekend. He scored a win and a runner-up finish at Eriez Speedway last weekend. He also finished third the last time the Series was in action at Smoky Mountain Speedway.

Blair hopes to make up ground on English in the Rookie of the Year battle. He trails the Benton, KY driver by 76 points with 10 races left.

Reaping the Benefits: Erb, English, and Blair aren’t the only drivers bringing momentum into the Stateline Showdown.

Shane Clanton, from Zebulon, GA, and Ryan Gustin, from Marshalltown, IA, have found Victory Lane in the past few weeks at iconic racetracks.

“The Reaper” won a “Chasing the Dream” Feature at Eldora—his first triumph at the Ohio venue. Clanton, meanwhile, found Victory Lane twice winning at Knoxville and Kokomo.

Gustin’s lone Series win in 2022 came on a 3/8-mile track—a $20,000 victory at Sharon Speedway on Memorial Day weekend.

Smoke on the Water: Chris Madden hasn’t entered World of Outlaws CASE Late Models competition often in 2022, but he’s been successful when he does.

In 10 starts with the Series this season, the Gray Court, SC driver has one win, seven top fives, and nine top 10s.

“Smokey” finished second in his last World of Outlaws appearance at USA Nationals—a track similar in size to Boyd’s.

A victory this weekend would be his 34th career Series triumph, breaking a tie with Tim McCreadie for eighth all-time.

Look Out for the Mac Daddy: A trip to the Peach State means Georgia driver Dale McDowell will pay the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models a weekend visit.

The veteran driver from Chickamauga, GA, has two Series victories this season—both at Volusia Speedway Park.

McDowell has experience at Boyd’s, despite not entering an event at the track in 2022. However, he found success in 2021, finishing second and third in two Southern All-Star events.

WHEN AND WHERE

Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, GA TICKETS: bit.ly/3Bgfnxl

ABOUT THE TRACK

Boyd’s Speedway is a 3/8-mile-high banked clay oval

ONLINE 
Boyd’s Speedway is a http://www.boydsspeedway.com 

TRACK RECORDS

Boyd’s Speedway: 
12.890 by Austin Dillon on July 28, 2015  

On the Internet
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Series
Twitter – Twitter.com/WoOLateModels – @WoOLateModels
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOLateModels – @woolatemodels
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsLateModelSeries
YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month

Around the Turn: The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet continue their tour of the Southeast with a return to Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC on Friday, Sept. 30 for the Mike Duvall Memorial. Then, the Series heads South to Senoia Raceway in Senoia, GA to finish the weekend on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Feature Winners: (19 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-4
   Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-4
2. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-3
   Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-3
3. Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA- 2
   Max Blair, Centerville, PA-2
   Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-2
   Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-2
   Tanner English, Benton, KY-2
4. Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-1
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
   Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1
   Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-1
   Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-1
   Ricky Weiss, Headingley, MB-1
   Jared Miley, Pittsburgh, PA-1
   Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1
   Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-1
   Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-1
   Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-1

HEAT RACE WINNERS (51 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-12
2. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-10
3. Brandon Sheppard- New Berlin, IL-9
4. Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-8
   Chris Madden-Gray Court, SC-8
5. Max Blair, Centerville, PA-7
   Devin Moran-Dresden, OH-7
6. Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, GA-6
   Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-6
7. Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-5
   Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-5
8. Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-4
9. Gordy Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-3
   Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-3
   Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-3
   Tanner English, Benton, KY-3
10. Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY-2
    Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-2
    Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, AZ-2
    Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-2
    Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-2
    Rick Eckert, York, PA-2
    Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-2
    Garrett Smith, Eatonton, GA-2
    Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-2
    Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-2
11. Ross Robinson, Georgetown, DE-1
    Mark Whitener, Middleburg, FL-1
    Frank Heckenast, Jr., Frankfort, IL-1
    Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-1
    Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, NC-1
    Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1
    Josh Rice, Verona, KY-1
    Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1
    Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, NM-1
    Chad Simpson, Mt. Vernon, IA-1
    Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-1
    Spencer Hughes, Meridian, MS-1
    Jeff Rine, Danville, PA-1
    Gregg Satterlee, Indiana, PA-1
    Rick Eckert, York, PA-1
    Josh Richards, Houston, OH-1
    Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1
    Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL-1
    Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, AR-1
    Daryn Klein, Trenton, IL-1
    Logan Martin, West Plains, MO-1
    Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1
    Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA-1
    Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1
    Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1
    Jake Timm, Winona, MN-1
    Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, WI-1
    Jared Miley, Pittsburgh, PA-1
    Kent Robinson, Bloomington, IN-1
    Chris Ferguson, Mt. Holly, NC-1

Last Chance Showdown Winners (45 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Max Blair, Centerville, PA-4
2. Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-3
   Tanner English, Benton, KY-3
3. Cade Dillard-Robeline, LA-2
   Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2
   Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA-2
   Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-2
   Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-2
   Jake Timm, Winona, MN-2
   Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-2
   Trevor Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-2
4. Hudson O’Neal- Martinsville, IN-1
   Logan Martin, Plains, MO-1
   Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1
   Chris Simpson, Oxford, IA-1
   Spencer Hughes, Meridian, MS-1
   Mike Norris, Sarver, PA-1
   Chase Osterhoff, Kankakee, IL-1
   Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-1
   Anthony Sanders, Spartanburg, SC-1
   Banjo Duke, Sumter, SC-1
   Steve Casebolt, Richmond, IN-1
   Austyn Mills, Cincinnati, OH-1
   Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL-1
   Andy Bond, Coolville, OH-1
   Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, NM-1
   Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1
   Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-1
   Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-1
   Shaun Jones, Shermansdale, PA-1
   Ryan Montgomery, Fairmont, WV-1
   Chad Myers, Hempstead, MD-1
   Mason Zeigler, Chalk Hill, PA-1
   John Garvin, Sarver, PA-1
   Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, NM-1
   Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, NM-1
   Brad Seng, Grand Forks, ND-1
   Chad Mahder, Bloomer, WI-1
   Chris Ferguson, Mt. Holly, NC-1
   Mckay Wenger, Fairbury, IL-1
   Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-1
   Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1
   Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1
   Garrett Smith, Eatonton, GA-1
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
   Kyle Hardy, Stephens City, VA-1
   Andy Boozel, Clymer, NY-1
   Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-1
   Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-1
   Chad Finley, St. Johns, MI-1
   Sam Seawright, Fort Payne, AL-1

PODIUM FINISHES (33 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Podiums

1. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-10
2. Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-8
3. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-7
   Max Blair, Centerville, PA-7
4. Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-6
   Tanner English, Benton, KY-6
5. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-5
   Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-5
   Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-5
6. Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-4
   Josh Richards, Houston, OH-4
   Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-4
   Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-4
   Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-4
7. Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-3
8. Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY-2
   Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-2
   Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-2
   Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-2
9. Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA-1
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
   Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-1
   Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1
   Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-1
   Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1
   Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, NC-1
   Josh Rice, Verona, KY-1
   Stormy Scott-Las Cruces, NM-1
   Jared Miley, Pittsburgh, PA-1
   Gregg Satterlee, Indiana, PA-1
   Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, AR-1
   Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL-1
   Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1
   Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-1
   Chris Ferguson, Mt. Holly, NC-1

FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER (20 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.

1. Tanner English, Benton, KY-7
2. Gordy Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-4
3. Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-2
   Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-2
4. Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1
   Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1
   Max Blair, Centerville, PA-1
   Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-1
   Carson Ferguson, Concord, NC-1
   Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1
   Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-1
   Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1
   Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, NM-1
   Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1
   Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-1
   Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-1
   Jordan Bauer, St. Jacob, IL-1
   Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL-1
   Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1
   Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, WI-1
   Chris Simpson, Oxford, IA-1
   Eddie Carrier Jr., Fairmont, WV-1
   Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-1
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1

QUICK TIMES (17 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs

1. Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-4
2. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-3
   Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-3
   Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-3
3. Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-2
   Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-2
   Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-2
   Max Blair, Centerville, PA-2
4. Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-1
   Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-1
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
   Trent Ivey, Union, SC-1
   Josh Rice, Verona, KY-1
   Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1
   Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA-1
   Logan Martin, West Plains, MO-1
   Tanner English, Benton, KY-1
   Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1
   Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-1
   Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-1

CASE Feature Lap Leaders (30 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps Led

1. Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-169
2. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-161
3. Max Blair, Centerville, PA-123
4. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-119
5. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-112
6. Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-106
7. Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-99
8. Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-80
9. Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-78
10. Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-65
11. Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-60
12. Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-56
13. Ricky Weiss, Headingley, MB-54
14. Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-47
15. Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-40
16. Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-34
17. Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-31
18. Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, AR-28
19. Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-27
    Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-27
20. Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-25
21. Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-24
22. Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-22
23. Jared Miley, Pittsburgh, PA-20
    Rick Eckert, York, PA-20
24. Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-15
25. Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-14
26. Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-10
27. Tanner English, Benton, KY-9
28. Spencer Hughes, Meridian, MS-1

2022 World of Outlaws Late Model Schedule & Winners

No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Thursday, Jan. 20 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Dale McDowell (1)
2. Friday, Jan. 21/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Ashton Winger (1)
3. Wednesday, Feb. 16/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Brandon Overton (1)
4. Thursday, Feb. 17/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Dale McDowell (2)
5. Friday, Feb. 18/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Dennis Erb Jr. (1)
6. Saturday, Feb. 19/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Chris Madden (1)
7. Friday, March 25/Cherokee Speedway, Gaffney, SC/Michael Brown (1)
8. Saturday, March 26/Cherokee Speedway, Gaffney, SC/Max Blair (1)
9. Friday, April 22/Atomic Speedway, Waverly, OH/Tyler Erb (1)
10. x, April 23/Atomic Speedway, Waverly, OH/ Brandon Sheppard (1)
11. Friday, April 29/ Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN/Jonathan Davenport (1)
12. Saturday, April 30/Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN/Ricky Weiss (1)
13. Thursday, May 5/Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI/Bobby Pierce (1)
14. Friday, May 6/Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI/Jonathan Davenport (2)
15. Saturday, May 7/Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI/Mike Marlar(1)
16. Thursday, May 19/Bloomsburg Fair Raceway/Bloomsburg, PA/Max Blair (2)
17. Friday, May 20/Marion Center Raceway/Marion Center, PA/Dennis Erb Jr. (2)
18. Saturday, May 21/Port Royal Speedway/Port Royal, PA/Jared Miley (1)
19. Saturday, May 29/Sharon Speedway, Hartford, OH/Ryan Gustin (1)
20. Friday, June 3/Tri-City Speedway, Granite City, IL/Bobby Pierce (2)
21. Friday, June 24/Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, Pevely, MO/ Dennis Erb Jr. (3)
22. Saturday, June 25/Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, Pevely, MO/Dennis Erb Jr. (4)
23. Sunday, June 26/Jacksonville Speedway, Jacksonville, IL/Brandon Sheppard (2)
24. Friday, July 15/River Cities Speedway/ Grand Forks, ND/ Shane Clanton (1)
25. Sunday, July 16/Red Cedar Speedway/ Menomonie, WI/Mike Marlar(2)
26. Monday, July 25/Boone Speedway/Boone, IA/Jonathan Davenport(3)
27. Saturday, July 30/Fairbury Speedway/Fairbury, IL/Brandon Sheppard(3)
28. Thursday, Aug. 4/Cedar Lake Speedway/ New Richmond, WI/ Mike Marlar (3)
29. Saturday, Aug. 6/Cedar Lake Speedway/Blairsville, GA/Jonathan Davenport (4)
30. Friday, Aug. 19/Williams Grove Speedway/ Mechanicsburg, PA/Shane Clanton (2)
31. Saturday, Aug. 20/Sharon Speedway/Hartford, OH/Devin Moran (1)
32. Thursday, Aug. 25/Davenport Speedway/Davenport, IA/Jason Feger (1)
33. Friday Aug. 26/Davenport Speedway/Davenport, IA/Tanner English (1)
34. Saturday, Aug. 27/Davenport Speedway/Davenport, IA/Tanner English (2)
35. Friday, Sept. 2/Smoky Mountain Speedway/Maryville, TN/Jimmy Owens (1)

Experience, continuity mark roster for two Cadillac V-LMDh cars in new prototype class

Alexander Sims (left) will join Pipo Derani in an Action Express Racing-prepared Cadillac V-LMDh for the 2023 season.Sebastien Bourdais (left) and Renger van der Zande will co-drive a Chip Ganassi Racing-prepared Cadillac V-LMDh.

DETROIT (Sept. 20, 2022) – Four drivers with a passion for victory will seek to continue Cadillac’s rich heritage of winning on the racetrack in an exciting new era of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship prototype racing. Competing in the nine-race Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) schedule for 2023 in the all-new Cadillac V-LMDh race car:

Renger van der Zande and Sebastien Bourdais, who have co-driven the No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R to three victories this season in the top level of IMSA competition, will continue as teammates in a Chip Ganassi Racing-prepared Cadillac V-LMDh..Reigning IMSA DPi Driver Champion Pipo Derani will be paired with multi-faceted British driver Alexander Sims in the sister Cadillac V-LMDh prepared by Action Express Racing. Additional drivers for the two Cadillac Racing GTP entries for long-distance races on the 2023 IMSA schedule, which begins with the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29, will be announced later. Cadillac will also compete in the Hypercar class of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2023 as the sole U.S.-based manufacturer. Drivers of the Cadillac V-LMDh entry will be announced later for the schedule that includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  The WEC season begins March 17 with the 1,000 Miles of Sebring in Florida. “The new GTP class is set to create some of the most exciting competition in decades,” said Rory Harvey, Vice President Global Cadillac. “We look forward to seeing our world-class driver lineup in the Cadillac V-LMDh and we welcome Alexander Sims to Cadillac.”

For the media IMSA will host a Zoom conference call with Derani and Sims at 3 p.m. ET today. 2023: IMSA GTP driver bios        IMSA GTP driver photos2022: Cadillac DPi-V.R results at Michelin Raceway Road AtlantaFor 2023: Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing honors tracks

Codeveloped by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis manufacturer Dallara, the Cadillac V-LMDh race car 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 is mated to the LMDh spec energy recovery system to serve as Cadillac’s first hybrid prototype. Sims, 34, from London, will make his IMSA prototype racing debut at Daytona International Speedway in the Cadillac V-LMDh but already is a member of the GM family. Sims was the third driver in a Chevrolet Corvette C8.R entry in 2021 for the Rolex 24 At Daytona — finishing second in the GTLM class to the sister Corvette — the Twelve Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the season-ending Petit Le Mans. He recorded the fastest race laps in class at Le Mans and the Petit Le Mans. He rejoined the No. 64 Corvette team in June at Le Mans, where the entry earned the pole in the GTE Pro class. Sims recorded five victories and nine podium finishes in 25 IMSA GTLM races in 2017-18. “I’m excited to be racing back in IMSA full time and to be driving the Cadillac V-LMDh. It’s an impressive piece of kit. I had a good couple of years with Corvette doing some GT racing, which brought me back to the IMSA paddock,” said Sims, who competed against Derani in Formula 3. “It’s racing that I absolutely adore. The format of the racing, the competitiveness, the tracks that we go to are brilliant. “To be stepping across within the GM family to Cadillac in the top tier of racing with Action Express, which is a championship-winning team, is exciting for me.” Derani, who clinched the 2021 driver title on the final laps of the Petit Le Mans, has posted six wins in the Cadillac DPi-V.R since joining Action Express Racing for the 2019 season. Overall, Derani has made 59 starts in IMSA prototype competition since 2016. “As a driver, it’s a fantastic opportunity to be a part of a program of the future of endurance racing. To join Cadillac as a factory driver is a dream come true,” Derani said.Sims and Derani recently participated in development sessions of the Cadillac V-LMDh at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and Watkins Glen International. Van der Zande has registered eight IMSA victories in a Cadillac DPi-V.R since 2018 and is completing his first season sharing the seat with Bourdais. Bourdais, the four-time INDYCAR champion, has four wins in a Cadillac DPi-V.R, including the Twelve Hours of Sebring in 2021 with JDC-Miller Motorsports. Bourdais has driven to four pole starts this season in the No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R. “The development has started on the new car and we’re trying to take it to as many places as possible and I’ve been I’ve been a part of that since the beginning,” Bourdais said. “It’s something I very much enjoy, developing a new car, it’s a bit like a new baby. You kind of put your mark on it and give your feedback and dream to develop it in a way where you feel one with the car. We have a very strong base and Cadillac and Dallara have done a great job. It’s a very exciting program and a very exciting new era for endurance racing.” Five Cadillac DPi-V.R entries – including cars driven by Bourdais, van der Zande and Derani — will seek to win the Oct. 1 Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta to conclude the DPi era. The Cadillac DPi-V.R has recorded 27 victories – tops among all manufacturers – in the six seasons covering 58 races heading into the final event of the season.

What they’re saying

Renger van der Zande: “I’m really excited to stay with Chip Ganassi Racing and Cadillac where I’ve been driving since 2018. These are the brands I’ve been with for a long time and it’s where I feel very comfortable because we have the same goals and mentality of how to approach racing and how to win. “I’m thrilled to stay with Seb. We had a full season together and we complement each other very well on and off track in terms of cooperation so that’s something where it’s a very automatic and a pleasure to continue working with him. “It’s a new era coming up with Cadillac’s V-LMDh where we’re taking on big fights against other manufacturers who have been at it for a long time and competing in Le Mans each year. We’re trying to go in there and win it with an all-new car and technologies. It’s an amazing project to be part of from the beginning. Everybody is super motivated to develop the car, work on the systems, work on the team, get the right people in place because it’s a bit of a bigger project than the DPI was and there’s a lot more to it with everything being new. There’s a lot to figure out but it’s really cool to see the energy within the team to move forward and we’re part of history here.”

Sebastien Bourdais: “I’m super happy to be back with Chip Ganassi Racing and the Cadillac racing program. It’s super exciting times for endurance racing in general so I couldn’t be happier to keep the relationship going. The cars are really cool and the competition is going to be really high across multiple championships and series. “I think Renger and I complement each other really well. It’s been a very fruitful relationship and we get along really well. I think our driving styles are somewhat different, but we very easily find the common ground on setups and if one of us doesn’t feel super, super strong, we always feel safe because we know the other one can carry the load. That’s a very, very good thing in a partnership with a teammate like that. Our relationship is only going to build and get stronger and I can’t wait to take it to the next level and win many more races with him. “The LMDh cars have quite a bit more power, a bit less downforce and a bit more weight. Overall, I think it’s going to be very close as far as the times are concerned compared to the DPIs. We’ll have great battles and really close racing, so I can’t wait to get going.”

Pipo Derani: “As a driver, it’s a fantastic opportunity to be a part of a program of the future of endurance racing. To join Cadillac as a factory driver is a dream come true. “I’ve been with Action Express Racing since 2019 and we’ve developed a great relationship in terms of knowing each other really well, working together and understanding from each other what we need to succeed. It’s a big pleasure to be staying on with Action Express and a big pleasure to be representing the Cadillac brand that has given me most of my wins and championships in the DPi era.  “To be moving on to a bigger step and representing the brand as a factory driver starting in 2023 is great and a story that continues to grow into great things. “I hope we can continue to achieve fantastic results and to keep Cadillac on the top step where it belongs. Alexander has lots of experience with electric and hybrid vehicles, which will add a lot to our team. We don’t have the luxury with the development of the new car to go through an adaptation time. We need to hit the ground running and Alexander will allow us to do just that.”

Alexander Sims: “I’m excited to be racing back in IMSA full time and to be driving the Cadillac V-LMDh. Over the last couple of years with Corvette I’ve gotten to know (GM sports car racing program manager) Laura Klauser and others within the GM motorsports family, and they have been brilliant to work with. To be able to continue that relationship while now working day in and day out with Action Express is a great feeling and I’m looking forward to the future.  “My last few years have been in Formula E, so from a technical perspective I hope I can bring some of that experience into this hybrid era of sports car racing. I’ve looked up to Pipo for many years in the level of racing that he’s been able to win in. It’s a lovely opportunity for me to be getting back to the racing that I love and doing alongside him. We raced in F3 together, so we’ve always been battling against each other, and I’ve always had a deep respect for what he does. “Really looking forward to working with him. To be able to have a solid testing program is important from an engineering and technical perspective, but just as important from the human side is to spend some time getting to know each other in less pressure situations.”

BRISTOL, TN – September 19, 2022 – Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing’s Chris Buescher claimed his second career NASCAR Cup Series victory following Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol, closing out the first round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and becoming the 19th different winner this season. This win marks the 138th win with Jack Roush as car owner, and first under newly formed Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing with Brad Keselowski as driver/owner.

“Congratulations to Jack, Brad, Chris, Scott, and everyone at Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing on the win at Bristol,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Chris and Scott executed their plan throughout this race, including the last 2-tire stop for a well-deserved checkered flag.”

“We had a really fast Fastenal Mustang. Just so proud of everybody. We knew we had a good race car after practice and didn’t quite get the job done in qualifying, but what a race car. It’s just special. Get RFK in Victory Lane for the first time, and we had great race cars. Brad had really good speed, too,” commented Buescher.

Aric Almirola with Stewart-Haas Racing started Saturday’s 500-lap race from the pole with teammate Chase Briscoe beside him on the front row and 4 other Ford Performance drivers in the top 10: Ryan Blaney with Team Penske in P6, Kevin Harvick with Stewart-Haas Racing in P7, Austin Cindric with Team Penske in P9, and Brad Keselowski with Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing in P10. Brad Keselowski won Stage 1 of the race to score his first stage win of the season, leading a total of 109 laps. The race, one of the season’s toughest, saw mechanical issues across the playoff grid and made the cut line for the playoffs a movable target throughout most of the race. Buescher made a 2-tire pit stop on lap 439, moving him from fourth to first and maintained the lead for the final 61 laps of the race. Buescher took the checkered flag with a .458 second lead over second place.

Ford Performance teammates Cole Custer with Stewart-Haas Racing finished in P8, Kevin Harvick with Stewart-Haas Racing finished in P10, Michael McDowell with Front Row Motorsports finished in P11, Brad Keselowski with Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing finished in P13, and Chase Briscoe with Stewart-Haas Racing finished in P14. Moving on to the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 are Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, and Chase Briscoe.

Riley Herbst with Stewart-Haas Racing finished P5 and Ryan Sieg with Ryan Sieg Racing finished P10 in Friday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300 at Bristol. Both drivers will move on to the Xfinity playoffs. The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs continue next Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway with the first race of the Round of 12 while the Xfinity Series begins its first playoff round on Saturday.

33 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 437 WINS – 395 POLES

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.