BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 18, 2022) – Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet dragster head to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway at the beginning of a revitalization for young team. A breakthrough first win at Seattle in 2019 propelled the third generation drag racer to NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year honors before the COVID-19 pandemic briefly sidetracked his pro career. He is racing a full schedule in the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist dragster for the first time in three years and started the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series off strong with a runner-up finish at the season-opening Winternationals. He has since had a No. 2 qualifying spot at the Virginia Nationals where he also reached the semifinals. He followed up his Virginia performance with another semifinal finish at the New England Nationals, but a series of early race day exits, and poor qualifying performances has dropped the Top Fuel star to 12th in the points standings. “After a few tough weekends, I’m really looking forward to Brainerd. We have hit the reset button in our pits and are going to conditions we are most familiar with. The brain trust at JFR have been putting their heads together to make the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist dragster a real threat this week and I believe it’s going to pay off,” Prock said. “I’m going to be on my game and drive with heart like I know how to do and we are going to see how we fair. We have all the parts of the puzzle to end up with a Wally. We owe it to our crew that has been busting their tails week after week and would love to celebrate in a big way this weekend.” Prock will have his birthday on August 21 and is hoping to celebrate with his second tour victory. In 2019, Prock qualified No. 8 and made it past Scott Palmer and teammate Brittany Force before losing in the semifinals to eventual event winner Leah Pruett. The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals will begin with four qualifying sessions Friday at 2:15 and 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. local time. Eliminations will begin Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event begins with two qualifying shows, Friday at 8:00 p.m. E.T. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will air Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX Broadcasting Network.

BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 18, 2022) – John Force and the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car team enter this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway sitting No. 4 in the points standings. Just six points back from the top three, Force and the PEAK team have been knocking on the door of victory. Off the efforts of a No. 1 qualifying position and victory at the Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, a runner-up finish at Sonoma Raceway, and a runner-up finish just last weekend in Topeka, Kansas at Heartland Motorsports Park, Force has clinched his spot in the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six race playoffs, and a run at his 17th series championship. With just two races until the Countdown begins, a win at Brainerd International Raceway would only help his efforts. “I’ve got a lot of history at Brainerd, done well there. Last weekend, we came in second, had some luck and made some mistakes, but we’re in a good spot. This PEAK team, we’ve got our spot to chase a championship, that’s what it’s all about,” Force said. “Can’t win a championship without winning some races, we’ve come close the last couple weeks, time to capitalize, get the job done. We’ll be good.” John Force has driven to victory at Brainerd International Raceway 11 times in his career, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994-97, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2007 making him the winningest driver at any one event at a single venue (Bob Glidden won the World Finals 11 times but at two different tracks). Force most recently visited the final round in 2012 and 2014. He has started from the No. 1 qualifying position eight times (1990, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2006 and 2014). When he has qualified at the front, he’s gone to the final round in all but one start and won six times. The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals will begin with four qualifying sessions Friday at 2:15 and 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. local time. Eliminations will begin Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event begins with two qualifying shows, Friday at 8:00 p.m. E.T. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will air Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX Broadcasting Network.

OCALA, FL (August 17, 2022) — For the last two and a half months Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster have been posting positive performance results at a championship level. They have moved up from eighth place to fifth place in the Camping World Top Fuel point standings and over the past five races they have avoided first round losses advancing to a final round, a semifinal and three quarterfinal finishes. The second-year driver and team owner is positioned to make a hard push to finish in the top four when the regular season concludes following this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals and the U.S. Nationals Labor Day weekend.

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

“We want to compete and win against the best of the best, which is why we are racing in the Camping World NHRA Drag Racing Series,” said Hart, a two-time Top Fuel national event winner. “Every race we feel like we have a racecar that can qualify at the top of the field and win the race on Sunday. We have come close this season and I know we can get the job done. Our next chance is this weekend in Brainerd which will be another brand-new track for me.”

This season racing on the full NHRA tour for the first time Hart has covered more miles from his homebase in Ocala, Florida, than many of the centrally located teams and drivers cover in multiple seasons. The race in Seattle took him nearly 3,000 miles from Florida and this weekend at Brainerd International Raceway it will be over 1,600 miles from his main business, Burnyzz Speed Shop. The different venues and cities have only motivated Hart to impress new fans and enhance the opportunities for his main sponsor R+L Carriers.

“Every race we are meeting with fans and talking about the great career opportunities R+L Carriers offers across the country,” said Hart. “There several career paths for a wide variety of skill sets and there is on the job training as well. R+L Carriers is a family owned and operated company that I have been blessed to be a part of. The chance to go across the country racing and competing is thanks in large part to R+L Carriers and Technet.”

R+L Carriers guests enjoying Josh Hart hospitality, photo by Auto Imagery

In Hart’s rookie season last year, the former Top Alcohol Dragster driver showed he has the skill and team to race with the best in the business. Hart captured two Top Fuel wins including a win in Charlotte during the NHRA Countdown and in the off-season Hart made a long-term investment in his team to improve and be able to compete for 22 races this season. With the investment came hurdles as the team broke in a new 11,000 horsepower Top Fuel dragster at the beginning of the season.

“We spent a few races chasing some gremlins and we are still a young team overall,” said Hart. “My crew chief Ron Douglas, who is also my business partner, and I have worked together to really keep everyone positive and moving in the right direction. This is a team sport and I might be the one hitting the throttle, but there are ten guys on the starting line that contributed to every win light this R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster turns on.”

This weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals will feature four qualifying runs leading up to Sunday’s eliminations. The team will utilize each pass to put together the best tune-up for success on race day. The qualifying sessions are also an opportunity to earn qualifying bonus points. As the regular season winds down every point will be critical especially with points and half on the line at the U.S. Nationals.

“We want to come off the hauler on Friday and start posting quick runs. The cooler temperatures will be more favorable in Brainerd for sure,” said Hart. “We want to come out strong and keep the pressure on the other teams to keep up with us. This sport is very unforgiving and you can get behind the eight ball pretty quickly. We are moving the right direction and I can’t wait to get back in my racecar.”

The first round of qualifying will begin on Friday afternoon at Brainerd International Raceway and final eliminations will begin on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT.

Gravel and Big Game Motorsports target their first AGCO Jackson Nationals win together this weekend, Aug. 18-20By Nick GrazianoJACKSON, MN (Aug. 17, 2022) – David Gravel had his second Knoxville Nationals win in sight with five laps to go. Then came Donny Schatz.While he had to watch the 10-time World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champion drive away for his 11th Knoxville Nationals title, Gravel didn’t let finishing second diminish his confidence.“You know, it’s one of those things where we’ve had a good past month and a half,” said Gravel, who is on a streak of 17 top-10 finishes in the last 19 races, including three wins. “Our confidence is high. We’re going to hang our heads high, obviously.”Now in his second full year driving the Huset’s Speedway/Jackson Motorplex #2 car for Big Game Motorsports, and working with 2021 World of Outlaws Crew Chief of the Year Cody Jacobs, he and the team have found their stride in time for the stretch of multiple crown jewel events – including the 44th annual AGCO Jackson Nationals, Aug. 18-20.“There’s another big race (Thursday through Saturday for the AGCO Jackson Nationals) at Jackson (Motorplex), then there’s another decent sized race at Skagit (Speedway with the Skagit Nationals) and Gold Cup (at Silver Dollar Speedway) is growing. Then we have the Nationals Open (at Williams Grove Speedway),” Gravel said. “So, there’s still a lot to look forward to in the season. A lot of money to be won.”Gravel has yet to win the Jackson Nationals or a Series event at Jackson Motorplex – owned by his car-owner Tod Quiring and about 30 minutes from the team shop – but still holds an impressive record at the Minnesota track. He hasn’t finished outside the top five in the last six events there, including his second-place finish in the Jackson Nationals last year.Along with targeting marquee wins, he and his team are in the hunt for the championship for the second straight year. He currently sits 68 points behind points leader Brad Sweet entering the Jackson Nationals. Compared to Sweet’s current record this year, Gravel has two more wins, one less top five and is tied for most top 10s this year (41). Where Sweet has been better is consistency.Gravel has had three finishes outside the top 15 this year, while Sweet has had one – at the first race of the season. But with momentum behind him and the boast of a strong Knoxville Nationals run, Gravel and Big Game Motorsports have put themselves in a position to keep the fight going until the championship determining World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte (Nov. 2-5).“Like I said, we’re confident and we’re pretty happy with where we’re at right now,” Gravel said. “We’re in the championship battle so we have to finish off the season strong and we have a lot to race for.”For tickets to the 44th AGCO Jackson Nationals, CLICK HERE.If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every lap live on DIRTVision – either online or by downloading the DIRTVision App.

MECHANICSBURG, PA– AUGUST 17, 2022 – Boom Briggs has seen many scenarios in his Late Model career. However, 2022 brought him a new challenge—owning two cars on the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series.  

As The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet return to Pennsylvania and Ohio with trips to Williams Grove Speedway (Aug. 19), Sharon Speedway (Aug. 20), and Tri-City Raceway Park (Aug. 21), he’s still fighting through adversity. 

Last December, Josh Richards joined Briggs as the second car of the Briggs Transport stable. It’s a last-minute deal that’s had them playing catchup ever since.

“It was kind of a last minute put together deal,” Briggs said. “I think we’re struggling with how fast we put it together. Honestly, we still don’t truly have enough help along with [Josh Richards] going through a camper fire to broken nose to [COVID-19]; it’s not been a very good year.”

Despite the struggles, Boom and his team can find solace in racing close to home this weekend. He’s found success at both Sharon and Tri-City and hopes for a successful show as the Series returns to the Franklin, PA venue for the first time since 2010.

“Back in the day, it used to race really good,” Briggs said. “I did hear they’re bringing somebody else in to do track prep this weekend to make sure we get a good racetrack and a good show. As long as they can get the track slowed down a little bit, I think it’ll be a good race.

“Anytime you got back to a venue you haven’t been to in 10 years, you want to put on a good show and see the track do well with attendance.”

Briggs has more than 300 starts in his World of Outlaws CASE Late Models career, but a trip to Victory Lane has eluded the 51-year-old driver. 

This weekend, he has the chance to bring hometown fans to their feet as Sharon and Tri-City are less than two hours from his Bear Lake, PA home. Briggs realizes what a win at either of those tracks would mean to him. 

“I always said give me one national win, and I’d be happy,” Briggs said. “To do it at home would mean more than anything, especially at Sharon, which is one of the nicest racetracks in the country.

“I have a lot of history at Tri-City; I passed Robbie Blair there one time to win a race with a couple of laps to go. I love racing there; they just don’t run Late Models there anymore. Either one of those two tracks would be a pretty awesome deal.”

A trip home also means he’ll get to race against his cousin and original Dirty Dozen member Chub Frank. Briggs looks forward to taking on the Series legend and hopes he comes to future events on the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models schedule. 

“Me and Chub race hard together,” Briggs said. “Last Friday night, we went up to [Freedom Motorsports Park] in New York and ran fourth and fifth or whatever and raced together the whole night. 

“It’s a cool deal. We grew up together; we worked together, raced together, and hopefully, I’m trying to get him to go to Davenport next weekend.”

As Briggs and his team battle through another scenario, it only fuels their fire for success. They’ll continue to push for that elusive first win, whether it’s the first national triumph of Boom’s career or Richard’s return to Victory Lane.

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Their search for Victory continues as part of a Pennsylvania-Ohio tripleheader this weekend with the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models at Williams Grove, Sharon, and Tri-City.

TICKETS:

Williams Grove (Aug. 19): bit.ly/3dkXyTW
Sharon (Aug. 20): bit.ly/3QeZJqX
Tri-City (Aug. 21): bit.ly/3pektTY

Aug 16, 2022 | Featured, Julie Nataas, Race Results

Randy Meyer Racing’s Julie Nataas scored her first national event win of 2022 and third of her career this weekend at the 33rd annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by PetArmor after defeating Shane Conway, Jasmine Salinas, James Stevens, and Mike Coughlin. Newcomer Travis Shumake qualified for the field as well and proved himself to be a force behind the wheel of his dragster.

Coming into eliminations, Nataas was qualified No. 10 with a 5.392-second pass at 277.60 mph while Shumake qualified No. 11 with a 5.418, 269.13. 

First round, Travis lined up against Jasmine Salinas for his first round of national event competition. With a .041-second reaction time at the hit, Travis had .039-second advantage over Salinas at the hit. Travis clocked in with a solid 5.456, 263.41 but couldn’t turn on the win light against Salinas’ 5.341, 263.41. Following in the next pair, Julie and competitor Shane Conway had identical reaction times and then it was a battle of who’s horsepower would cross the finish line first. Julie took the win with a 5.326, 276.41 over Conway’s 5.345, 264.03; the margin of victory for Julie being seven feet.

Second round, the heat on track was starting to heat up as it reached almost 130 degrees on the racing surface. Julie had an outstanding .009-second reaction time and used that major starting line advantage to secure a holeshot victory over Jasmine Salinas. Nataas crossed the finish line with a 5.402, 267.59 to Salinas’ 5.382, 265.48.

In the semifinals, Julie used her quickest pass of the weekend to secure a win (5.311, 275.51) over James Stevens’ 5.510, 229.20 and advance herself to her 12th career national event final round.

For the finals, Julie staged up against Mike Coughlin for the first time in eliminations. At the starting line, Julie grabbed .063-seconds advantage over Coughlin and drove it all the way to another holeshot win with a 5.343, 274.61 over Coughlin’s 5.326, 268.76. This victory was her third national event win of her career in Top Alcohol Dragster and her first of the 2022 season.

Chevrolet going for fifth win at World Wide Technology Raceway since 2012

DETROIT (August 17, 2022) – Chevrolet drivers and the rest of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will close the oval-racing season this weekend at one of the Bowtie Brand’s most successful venues on the schedule: World Wide Technology Raceway for Saturday’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500.

The 1.25-mile, egg-shaped oval is a favorite of drivers throughout the series, and especially those in the Chevrolet camp. Chevy-powered teams have won four of the six races at WWTR since INDYCAR returned to the track – formerly known as Gateway Motorsports Park – in 2017 after a 13-year absence.

Chevrolet leads in Engine Manufacturer points on the strength of nine wins and 10 pole positions in 14 races. Two of those wins came in the last short-oval event – the Iowa doubleheader in late July.

“Racing at World Wide Technology Raceway is always a great challenge from the standpoints of both drivers and engineers,” said Rob Buckner, Chevrolet Program Manager for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. “The differences in banking and degree of turn-in on opposite ends of the track is unique from any ovals we’ve run in IndyCar in the V6 era. Although it’s not as short as Iowa, we absolutely can take some of the lessons we learned in our two strong showings there and apply them to this weekend. 

“We’re at that spot in the season where every lap and every point becomes critical in the Engine Manufacturer and Driver championships,” Buckner added. “Any amount of improvement or progress over the course of an event weekend can make the difference between winning and losing a championship. We want to do everything we can to make sure we remain in good position heading to the final two races.”

Will Power, driver of Team Penske’s No. 12 Verizon 5G Chevrolet, leads a crowded Drivers Championship race by six points over Scott Dixon. Another Team Penske driver – Josef Newgarden in the No. 2 PPG Chevrolet, is fourth in points with a series-high four victories this season.

Newgarden (three wins) and Power (one win) have combined for Chevrolet’s four triumphs at WWTR since 2017. The two have finished on the podium each of the last two rounds at the circuit with Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward, No. 5 McLaren Chevrolet, finishing second to Newgarden in the previous two World Wide Technology Raceway events.

Ed Carpenter Racing team owner Ed Carpenter, driving the No. 33 Alzamend Neuro Chevrolet, also has a strong history at the track with a runner-up finish in 2019.

Chevrolet and the NTT INDYCAR Series wind down the 2022 season with the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at 6:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 20. The race will air live starting at 6 p.m. ET on USA, the Peacock streaming service, IndyCar Radio Network affiliates and SiriusXM IndyCar Nation (Channel 160). Live timing and scoring will be available at racecontrol.indycar.com.

BY THE NUMBERS: Chevrolet in INDYCAR

· 1: Chevrolet’s position in the INDYCAR Engine Manufacturer standings after 14 races

· 2: Consecutive front-row starts in the Indianapolis 500 for Rinus Veekay of Ed Carpenter Racing

· 2: Consecutive podium sweeps for Team Chevy at World Wide Technology Raceway – each with the same drivers and finishing order – Josef Newgarden, Pato O’Ward and Will Power

· 3: Victories at WWTR for Team Penkse’s Josef Newgarden including each of the last two years

· 4: Wins at World Wide Technology Raceway for Chevrolet since IndyCar’s return in 2017 – Josef Newgarden (2017, 2020, 2021) and Will Power (2018)

· 4: Consecutive victories by Chevrolet to open the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin won the pole and race at St. Petersburg. Penske teammate Josef Newgarden won at Texas and Long Beach, and Pato O’Ward was victorious at Barber Motorsport Park for Arrow McLaren SP

· 6: Different Chevrolet drivers to win races dating to the start of 2020. Scott McLaughlin was the most recent at St. Petersburg

· 6: Number of Manufacturer Championships in the NTT INDYCAR Series since 2012

· 6: Number of Team Chevy Driver/Entrant championships since 2012

· 14: Consecutive seasons with at least one win by Will Power, including past 11 with Chevrolet. He won at Belle Isle in 2022

· 26: Wins by Will Power since 2012. All have come with Chevrolet, giving him the most of any driver with same manufacturer

· 41: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver

· 104: Chevrolet victories in NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012

· 114: Earned poles by Chevrolet since 2012

· 179: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 17, 2022) – Progressive American Flat Track announced today the addition of the Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale presented by Daytona Dodge to the Progressive Triple Crown.

The Progressive Triple Crown is a unique multi-race challenge that rewards mastery over the sport’s three oval disciplines by paying the Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle rider who collects the most points at three designated event weekends a $25,000 prize.

The Progressive Triple Crown was originally slated to consist of the Progressive Laconia Short Track at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire on June 11, the Progressive Black Hills Half-Mile at Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, South Dakota on August 6, and the Mission Springfield Mile Doubleheader at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois on September 3-4.

However, since the premier-class Main Event at the Progressive Black Hills Half-Mile was called complete shortly after its start and every rider who qualified for the race awarded a single point due to inclement weather, it was decided to designate the Mission Volusia Half-Mile Finale at Volusia Speedway Park in De Leon Springs, Florida on October 15, to stand in as the Progressive Triple Crown’s test of Half-Mile supremacy.

As a result, the already high-profile event will now serve as both the finale to the Progressive AFT season and Progressive Triple Crown, only upping the stakes in what’s taken shape as an incredibly competitive championship fight.

That fight continues this weekend at Cal Expo, in Sacramento, California, with the Mission Legendary Sacramento Mile powered by Law Tigers on Saturday, August 20. Click here to reserve your tickets today.

The Mission Sacramento Mile will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, August 27, at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT, including exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and expert commentary.

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.

PLAINVIEW, NY (August 17, 2022) — With two regular season races remaining on the NHRA schedule Justin Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Energy are looking to secure eight more win lights starting with this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd. Last year Ashley raced to the quarterfinals from the No. 5 qualifier spot in his first visit to Brainerd International Raceway. A return engagement has the 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year eager to chase down the two drivers in front of him in the Camping World Top Fuel point standings. Last weekend Ashley clinched his spot in the Countdown for the second consecutive year and the young driver and team owner knows he will have a great chance to race for his first championship.

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

“You start every season with one goal and that is to win the Top Fuel world championship,” said Ashley, who finished No. 4 last season. “We picked up a win in the first race of the year and have continually improved our performance throughout the season. Going into Brainerd No. 3 in the point standings with a legitimate shot at gaining ground over the final two races of the regular season is a huge testament to the success of our program. Now that we are locked into the Countdown we can simply focus on taking it one round at a time in Brainerd.”

So far this season Ashley, a two-time Top Fuel winner, has matched his career win total, Indy2 Summer Nationals (2020) and Dallas (2021), already this year and raced to two more final rounds. Over the past seven races Ashley has a win (Bristol, Tenn.) and a final round appearance (Epping, New Hampshire) as well as three additional semifinal appearances. The consistency and longevity of his race days has the second-generation driver ready to finish out the regular season.

“I am so happy with how this Phillips Connect Toyota Vita C Energy team is performing from top to bottom. We didn’t reach our ultimate goal last weekend in Topeka, but we accomplished a lot under some very tough circumstances,” said Ashley. “The conditions in Brainerd will be vastly different than what we’ve been accustomed to racing in this summer. The weather should present our team with a great opportunity to capitalize on a very fast racetrack.”

Ashley’s Top Fuel team has qualified in the top half of the field at every NHRA national event this season except for the Thunder Valley Nationals, an event Ashley won from the No. 14 qualifier position. The last five races Ashley has started from the No. 2 spot three times advancing to the semifinals twice. The solid qualifying performances have equated to additional bonus points but also confidence and favorable match-ups on race day.

“There are no easy rounds in this sport anymore,” said Ashley. “We have had some tough first round races when we know we had a great racecar. You have to be at the top of your game every time you pull up to the starting line whether you are the No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 qualifier. Any driver that qualifies has the skill and resources to win the race every Sunday. I don’t think there has been a more competitive group of Top Fuel teams top to bottom in a long time.”

The cooler temperatures in the forecast also have Ashley anticipating big performance numbers. Over the off-season crew chiefs Mike Green and Tommy DeLago worked to find more power for Ashley’s 11,000 horsepower Phillips Connect dragster and throughout the season the duo has been applying tune-up adjustments. Steady improvement has been seen not only on hot track conditions at the summer races but even the early season events saw Ashley posting some of the quickest runs.

“We really put the time in to build a performance program that would allow us to be competitive when the track is both hot and cold,” said Ashley. “You have to run quick under all conditions if you want to race for the championship. We are doing exactly that and I can’t wait to get to Brainerd then Indy and the Countdown. I have the utmost confidence in this team.”

Ashley and his team will get four qualifying runs this weekend beginning on Friday at 2:15 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. CT. On Saturday the Phillips Connect Vita C Energy dragster will be on track at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Final eliminations will start on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. with the race being broadcast on Fox starting at 2:30 p.m. CT.

TOPEKA, KS (August 17, 2022) — After driving the Randy Meyer owned-and-prepared Visit Topeka Pride Kansas A/Fuel dragster to the No. 11 qualifying position, Travis Shumake fell to Jasmine Salinas in the first round of the 33rd Menard’s Nationals presented by Pet Armor Saturday despite a massive .039 of a second starting line advantage.

The 37-year-old, whose dad Tripp was a two-time NHRA Funny Car event winner in the 1980s, made three solid qualifying runs of 5.418, 5.429 and 5.488 seconds before laying down a 5.456 at 263.41 miles per hour in the first round that brought an early end to his debut as the first openly gay driver to compete in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. 

Travis Shumake in Visit Topeka Pride Kansas TAD, photo by SR Driven Media

With Shumake’s starting line edge, the margin at the finish was a thin .076 of a second.  Despite the early exit, the second-generation driver characterized his national event debut as a major success for himself and the LGBTQ community in a sport already widely-recognized for its diversity.

“We made quite the splash this week here in Topeka and brought plenty of new eyes to the sport,” he said. “Wednesday we put the mayor of Topeka in a dragster (during a pre-race appearance at Topeka’s Evergy Plaza) and that doesn’t happen that often. That is the kind of creativity I am pushing for with partners who are willing to try new things and activate in their community. There were a dozen or so first time NHRA fans who said they came out to track to see me what all the buzz was about. Next race I hope it’s 25. That’s my goal, to continue to bring new people into NHRA drag racing.”

Nevertheless, the first round loss was difficult even though it came against someone with whom Shumake has been close since he first embarked on his drag racing journey.

“I couldn’t think of anyone better to have my first race against and, unfortunately, lose to (than Jasmine),” Shumake said.  “You lose to a close friend, someone who signed your competition license and has been there for you since day one.  I did the best I could.  I had a great reaction time and was first off the line.  I am not leaving here sad.  I have learned so much this weekend and now I am ready for the next race in Reading (PA in September).

“It was great to have so many people in the stands and hearing the announcer making witty banter about our Visit Topeka Pride Kansas dragster.  The divisional race was a good start, but this event definitely felt bigger.  This is the most real feeling I have felt as a racer. This was my best weekend by far with elapsed times and reaction times.”

Shumake will continue to pursue his racing dream with competitive appearances at Reading on Sept. 18, Charlotte, NC, Sept. 25 and Pomona, CA, Nov. 13.

“If I didn’t know that I had opportunities coming my way the rest of the season then maybe there would be a little sadness,” Shumake said of the result, “(but) this is part of how you learn. This is how it goes. To lose to one of the best teams in the category — I think Jasmine is No. 2 or No. 3 in the points, that is not a big loss.”

Qualifying Results

Q1: 5.418 sec, 229.13 mph; Qual. 8

Q2: 5.429 sec, 264.75 mph; Qual. 9

Q3: 5.488 sec, 269.83 mph, Qual. 11

Race Results

First Round

Jasmine Salinas, San Martin, Calif., Weld Racing/Scrappers dragster, 5.341 seconds, 263.41 mph, def. Travis Shumake, New York City, NY, Visit Topeka Pride Kansas dragster, 5.456, 263.41 mph.  

Logan Schuchart Chasing Third-Straight Jackson Nationals Title

JACKSON, MN – August 16, 2022 – The Granddaddy of ‘Em All is officially in the rearview mirror, but The Greatest Show on Dirt keeps marching on this weekend at the Jackson Nationals.

A three-day trip to Minnesota’s Jackson Motorplex brings the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series to town for the 44th annual AGCO Jackson Nationals. Preliminary action on Thursday and Friday leads into Saturday’s $25,000-to-win finale as the Series makes its final stop in Minnesota this season.

Donny Schatz is fresh off an 11th Knoxville Nationals crown and leading the charge into the second half of 2022 aboard his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing Sprint Car machine. He’s joined by championship contenders Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Carson Macedo, Sheldon Haudenschild, and Logan Schuchart as favorites for the win this weekend.

BUY TICKETS HERE (Thur-Sat)

Here’s what to watch for this weekend on DIRTVision.com:

SECOND-HALF SURGE: With an 11th Knoxville Nationals title added to the collection, Donny Schatz now eyes a second Jackson Nationals crown. The 2018 master of Minnesota owns three total wins in Jackson, MN with 11 top-five finishes through 22 Series starts at the track.

The Fargo, ND native currently sits fifth in the championship standings (-184 points) aboard the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, Carquest Auto Parts, Ford Performance #15. It’s a large obstacle to overcome, but the 10-time World of Outlaws champion has proved he’s up for the task. Over the second half of 2021, he earned more points than any other driver and looks to do the same this year with a $175,000 payday last week boosting momentum and confidence.

THREE-PEAT: Logan Schuchart (Hanover, PA) will have a chance to do something never done before in the 44-year history of the AGCO Jackson Nationals this weekend. The Shark Racing #1S pilot has already joined the likes of Jack McCorkell (1980-81) and Terry McCarl (2003-04) as a back-to-back champion of the Minnesota staple, but now he could become the first driver to win three-straight Jackson Nationals.

The DuraMAX Oil, Drydene Performance Products entry is as hot as ever, coming off a week in Iowa where they won the Capitani Classic, won Wednesday’s preliminary night, and charged from 17th to third in Saturday’s Knoxville Nationals finale. All told, the 29-year-old left Knoxville with more than $60,000 in earnings.

He’s currently sixth in the championship standings (-224 points) and ready to make a charge in the second half as he continues to chase his second World of Outlaws win of the 2022 season. Schuchart finished second, then third, and eventually first in Jackson, MN last year, proving he’ll be a threat to make it a three-peat this week.

HOME TURF: For Big Game Motorsports, a trip to the Jackson Motorplex means racing close to home this weekend. The Tod Quiring-owned operation – based out of Windom, MN – will have a quick 30-minute jaunt down the road to Jackson MN to race at another entity owned by Quiring.

The #2 driver, David Gravel (Watertown, CT), has yet to win at Jackson but has always recorded solid results at the 3/8-mile. Through 19 starts, Gravel has earned nine top-five finishes with four podium appearances headlining his winless resume at his boss’ home track.

He matched his career-best of second in last year’s Jackson Nationals and hopes 2022 is the year he delivers a title for Tod Quiring at his own track. Gravel is fresh off a second-place outing at the Knoxville Nationals, which paid out $80,000 and crucial momentum as he continues to sit second in the standings (-68 points) with his first-ever World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship on the line.

BACK TO POINTS: With the Knoxville Nationals in the rear-view mirror, the full-time World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car competitors return to points racing this weekend. The Series still has 26 races remaining this season and entering Jackson, Brad Sweet holds a 68-point advantage with his fourth consecutive championship on the line this season.

The Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #49 left Knoxville a bit disappointed with a ninth-place finish, but they return to one of their strongest tracks this weekend. In his last 15 starts at Jackson, Sweet has never run worse than seventh and owns an average finish of 3.0 with four victories and two Jackson Nationals titles (2017, 2019) to his credit.

All eyes will be on the points battle over the next three months as the Series continues the path to the season-ending World Finals (Nov. 2-5) at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

THE RACE TO 10: Through 51 races, both Carson Macedo (Lemoore, CA) and Sheldon Haudenschild (Wooster, OH) are sitting on eight victories with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series. This weekend’s tripleheader at Jackson presents each with three opportunities to win the race to double-digit wins in 2022.

Macedo is a former winner at Jackson Nationals during preliminary competition in 2019 and recently finished in the top-five of all three nights last year aboard the Jason Johnson Racing #41. Macedo currently sits third in the championship standings (-114 points) with plenty of his best tracks still left on the calendar to close out 2022.

Haudenschild has yet to win at the Jackson, MN venue, but he does own a career-best result of second in IRA competition. The Stenhouse Jr. / Marshall Racing, NOS Energy Drink #17 has finished as high as fourth at Jackson in 2020 and comes into this weekend fresh off a hard-charging 23rd to eighth performance at the Knoxville Nationals.

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

Thursday-Saturday, August 18-20 at Jackson Motorplex in Jackson, MN

ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series
Twitter – @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – @WoOSprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries
YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (51/77 Races):
1. 49-Brad Sweet (6,470 PTS); 2. 2-David Gravel (-68 PTS); 3. 41-Carson Macedo (-114 PTS); 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild (-150 PTS); 5. 15-Donny Schatz (-184 PTS); 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart (-224 PTS); 7. 83-James McFadden (-356 PTS); 8. 5-Spencer Bayston (-372 PTS); 9. 1A-Jacob Allen (-616 PTS); 10. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss (-688 PTS).

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (15 Drivers):
8 wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Stenhouse Jr. / Marshall Racing #17
8 wins – Carson Macedo, Jason Johnson Racing #41
5 wins – David Gravel, Big Game Motorsports #2
5 wins – Brent Marks, Murray-Marks Motorsports #19
4 wins – Kyle Larson, Kevin Kozlowski/Paul Silva #57
3 wins – Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne Racing #49
3 wins – Donny Schatz, Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #15
3 wins – Jacob Allen, Shark Racing #1A
2 wins – Spencer Bayston, CJB Motorsports #5
2 wins – Giovanni Scelzi, KCP Racing #18
1 win – Logan Schuchart, Shark Racing #1S,
1 win – Brock Zearfoss, Zearfoss Racing #3Z
1 win – Brian Brown, Brian Brown Racing #21
1 win – Buddy Kofoid, Crouch Motorsports #11
1 win – Lance Dewease, Don Kreitz Jr. Racing #69K

FEATURE LAPS LED (30 Drivers):
207 laps – Brad Sweet
185 laps – Carson Macedo
165 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
151 laps – David Gravel
119 laps – Kyle Larson
109 laps – Brent Marks
99 laps – Donny Schatz
78 laps – Jacob Allen
66 laps – Spencer Bayston
61 laps – Giovanni Scelzi
52 laps – Brian Brown
46 laps – Tyler Courtney
41 laps – Logan Schuchart
31 laps – Buddy Kofoid
26 laps – Sam Hafertepe Jr.
23 laps – Kasey Kahne
22 laps – Brock Zearfoss
15 laps – Justin Peck
14 laps – James McFadden
13 laps – Cory Eliason
13 laps – Rico Abreu
9 laps – Dominic Scelzi, Brady Bacon
8 laps – Anthony Macri, Riley Goodno
7 laps – Kerry Madsen
5 laps – Lance Dewease
1 lap – Corey Day, Aaron Reutzel, Austin McCarl

QUICKTIME AWARDS (20 Drivers):
8 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo
6 QuickTimes – David Gravel
4 QuickTimes – Brad Sweet
3 QuickTimes – Sheldon Haudenschild*, Giovanni Scelzi*
2 QuickTimes – Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart, Spencer Bayston, James McFadden, Jacob Allen, Rico Abreu, Justin Peck
1 QuickTime – Aaron Reutzel, Cory Eliason, Sam Hafertepe Jr, Buddy Kofoid, Brent Marks, Kerry Madsen, Daryn Pittman, Anthony Macri
* Denotes New Track Record

HEAT RACE WINNERS (46 Drivers):
19 Heat Wins – David Gravel
16 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
13 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet
12 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz
11 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen
10 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart
9 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, James McFadden
5 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu, Giovanni Scelzi, Kerry Madsen
4 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston, Brock Zearfoss, Kraig Kinser, Aaron Reutzel, Brian Brown
3 Heat Wins – Kasey Kahne, Tyler Courtney, Cory Eliason, Kyle Larson, Hunter Schuerenberg
2 Heat Wins – Austin McCarl, Justin Peck, Brent Marks, Marcus Dumesny
1 Heat Win – Sam Hafertepe Jr, Dominic Scelzi, Corey Day, Anthony Macri, Justin Whittall, Ian Madsen, Parker Price-Miller, Buddy Kofoid, Mark Dobmeier, Mitchel Moles, Brooke Tatnell, Riley Goodno, Matt Juhl, Jack Croaker, Paige Polyak, Carson McCarl, Sye Lynch, Daryn Pittman, Danny Dietrich, Devon Borden, Larry Wight

DIRTVISION FAST PASS DASH APPEARANCES (51 Drivers):
29 Dashes – David Gravel
27 Dashes – Brad Sweet
26 Dashes – Carson Macedo
20 Dashes – Donny Schatz, Spencer Bayston
19 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart
18 Dashes – Jacob Allen
16 Dashes – James McFadden
10 Dashes – Rico Abreu
9 Dashes – Giovanni Scelzi
8 Dashes – Kraig Kinser
7 Dashes – Brock Zearfoss, Kyle Larson
6 Dashes – Cory Eliason
5 Dashes – Kasey Kahne, Aaron Reutzel, Brent Marks
4 Dashes – Kerry Madsen, Brian Brown, Tyler Courtney, Anthony Macri
3 Dashes – Danny Dietrich, Justin Peck
2 Dashes – Dominic Scelzi, Corey Day, Hunter Schuerenberg
1 Dash – Sam Hafertepe Jr, Colby Copeland, Tanner Carrick, DJ Netto, Brady Bacon, Matt Campbell, Justin Whittall, Ian Madsen, Cole Duncan, Parker Price-Miller, Austin McCarl, Matt Juhl, Buddy Kofoid, Scotty Thiel, Robbie Price, Zeb Wise, Ayrton Gennetten, Darin Pittman, Jeff Halligan, Lance Dewease, Devon Borden, Larry Wight, Danny Varin, Marcus Dumensy

MICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (30 Drivers):
4 LCS Wins – James McFadden
3 LCS Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart, Ayrton Gennetten
2 LCS Wins – Spencer Bayston, Brock Zearfoss, Noah Gass, Kerry Madsen, Rico Abreu, Anthony Macri
1 LCS Win – Donny Schatz, Mitchell Faccinto, Sam Hafertepe Jr, Brent Marks, DJ Foos, Christopher Bell, Austin Pierce, Jake Blackhurst, Robbie Price, Giovanni Scelzi, Scotty Thiel, Josh Schneiderman, Brian Brown, Lachlan McHugh, Justin Whittall, Chase Dietz, Brandon Rahmer, Jordan Thomas, Joe B. Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (25 Drivers):
9 Hard Chargers – Sheldon Haudenschild
5 Hard Chargers – Logan Schuchart
3 Hard Chargers – David Gravel, Carson Macedo, Donny Schatz, Noah Gass
2 Hard Chargers – James McFadden, Brock Zearfoss, Anthony Macri
1 Hard Charger – Spencer Bayston, Kraig Kinser, Jason Sides, Rico Abreu, Sam Hafertepe Jr, Tanner Thorson, Alan Krimes, Devon Borden, Greg Wilson, Travis Philo, Kyle Larson, Russell Borland, Aaron Reutzel, Scotty Thiel, Freddie Rahmer, Larry Wight

PODIUM FINISHES (30 Drivers):
17 Podiums – Brad Sweet
16 Podiums – Carson Macedo
13 Podiums – David Gravel, Sheldon Haudenschild
12 Podiums – Donny Schatz
9 Podiums – Logan Schuchart, Kyle Larson
8 Podiums – James McFadden
7 Podiums – Brent Marks
5 Podiums – Brian Brown
4 Podiums – Spencer Bayston, Jacob Allen
3 Podiums – Giovanni Scelzi, Rico Abreu
2 Podiums – Aaron Reutzel, Corey Day, Buddy Kofoid, Anthony Macri
1 Podium – Brock Zearfoss, Kraig Kinser, Kasey Kahne, Cory Eliason, Sam Hafertepe Jr, Justin Peck, Parker Price-Miller, Riley Goodno, Tyler Courtney, Danny Dietrich, Lance Dewease, Paulie Colagiovanni

TOP 10 FINISHES (54 Drivers):
41 Top 10s – Brad Sweet, David Gravel
37 Top 10s – Donny Schatz
36 Top 10s – Carson Macedo
35 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
33 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
27 Top 10s – James McFadden, Spencer Bayston
21 Top 10s – Jacob Allen, Giovanni Scelzi
16 Top 10s – Rico Abreu
14 Top 10s – Brock Zearfoss, Kyle Larson
11 Top 10s – Brent Marks
9 Top 10s – Anthony Macri
8 Top 10s – Cory Eliason
7 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Brian Brown, Tyler Courtney
6 Top 10s – Justin Peck
5 Top 10s – Kasey Kahne, Kerry Madsen
4 Top 10s – Hunter Schuerenberg, Danny Dietrich
3 Top 10s – Kraig Kinser, Buddy Kofoid, Scotty Thiel, Lance Dewease
2 Top 10s – Noah Gass, Dominic Scelzi, Corey Day, Sam Hafertepe Jr, Larry Wight, Danny Varin
1 Top 10 – Shane Golobic, DJ Netto, Carson Short, Tanner Thorson, Greg Wilson, Cole Duncan, Cale Thomas, Cole Macedo, Mark Dobmeier, Parker Price-Miller, Riley Goodno, Ayrton Gennetten, Zeb Wise, Jeff Halligan, Devon Borden, Freddie Rahmer, Paulie Colagiovanni, Lachlan McHugh, Marcus Dumensy, Daryn Pittman

2022 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:
No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Thur, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Donny Schatz (1)
2. Fri, Feb. 11 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
3. Sat, Feb. 12 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)
4. Fri, March 4 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)
5. Sat, March 5 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Carson Macedo (1)
6. Fri, March 11 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, CA / Giovanni Scelzi (1)
7. Sat, March 12 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, CA / Kyle Larson (1)
8. Fri, March 18 / Merced Speedway / Merced, CA / Carson Macedo (2)
9. Fri, March 25 / Bakersfield Speedway / Bakersfield, CA / Giovanni Scelzi (2)
10. Sat, March 26 / Perris Auto Speedway / Perris, CA / David Gravel (2)
11. Tues, March 29 / Vado Speedway Park / Vado, NM / Brad Sweet (1)
12. Sat, April 2 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / Brent Marks (1)
13. Sat, April 9 / Lake Ozark Speedway / Eldon, MO / Jacob Allen (1)
14. Fri, April 15 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Carson Macedo (3)
15. Sat, April 23 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Carson Macedo (4)
16. Fri, April 29 / Bristol Motor Speedway / Bristol, TN / Logan Schuchart (1)
17. Sat, April 30 / Bristol Motor Speedway / Bristol, TN / Spencer Bayston (1)
18. Wed, May 11 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Jacob Allen (2)
19. Sat, May 14 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brent Marks (2)
20. Tues, May 17 / Bridgeport Motorsports Park / Swedesboro, NJ / Sheldon Haudenschild (3)
21. Fri, May 20 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Kyle Larson (2)
22. Sat, May 28 / Atomic Speedway / Waverly, OH / Sheldon Haudenschild (4)
23. Mon, May 30 / Lawrenceburg Speedway / Lawrenceburg, IN / Sheldon Haudenschild (5)
24. Fri, June 3 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Carson Macedo (5)
25. Fri, June 10 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brent Marks (3)
26. Sat, June 11 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brian Brown (1)
27. Fri, June 17 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (6)
28. Sat, June 18 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (7)
29. Wed, June 22 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Spencer Bayston (2)
30. Thur, June 23 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Buddy Kofoid (1)
31. Fri, June 24 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Carson Macedo (6)
32. Sat, June 25 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Sheldon Haudenschild (8)
33. Fri, July 1 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Jacob Allen (3)
34. Sat, July 2 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Brock Zearfoss (1)
35. Sat, July 9 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Carson Macedo (7)
36. Tues, July 12 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Kyle Larson (3)
37. Wed, July 13 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / David Gravel (3)
38. Thur, July 14 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Brent Marks (4)
39. Sat, July 16 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / David Gravel (4)
40. Sat, July 16 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Brent Marks (5)
41. Wed, July 20 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA / Kyle Larson (4)
42. Fri, July 22 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Lance Dewease (1)
43. Sat, July 23 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brad Sweet (2)
44. Sat, July 30 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (5)
45. Sun, July 31 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / Donny Schatz (2)
46. Fri, Aug. 5 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Carson Macedo (8)
47. Sat, Aug. 6 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (3)
48. Wed, Aug. 10 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville Raceway / Logan Schuchart (NP)
49. Thur, Aug. 11 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville Raceway / Jacob Allen (NP)
50. Fri, Aug. 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville Raceway / Rico Abreu (NP)
51. Sat, Aug. 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville Raceway / Donny Schatz (3)

Batavia, OHIO (August 16, 2022) – The nation’s elite dirt late model drivers will chase a $50,000 top prize this weekend at Batesville Motor Speedway in the 30th Annual COMP Cams Topless 100 – Presented by Nutrien Ag Solutions. The crown jewel event – co-sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the COMP Cams Super Dirt Series Presented by Lucas Oil – offers a unique perspective of dirt late models without a roof. The topless aspect gives spectators an up-close look, as drivers wrestle their 800+ horsepower machines around the lightning-fast, 3/8-mile oval. In 2021, a close and dramatic finish saw Hudson O’Neal barely edge ahead of Jonathan Davenport at the finish line. After taking the white flag Davenport went low in turn one for the lead briefly as O’Neal crossed over to regain the top spot heading down the back stretch. Davenport made one last-ditch effort sliding in front of O’Neal as the two headed to the checkers. O’Neal would cross over Davenport, beating him to the finish line by just 0.116 seconds. Brandon Overton, Tim McCreadie, and Jimmy Owens completed the Top-5 finishers. This year’s action kicks off on Friday night with a complete program of Dirt Draft Hot Laps, Allstar Performance Time Trials, B-Mains, and a 30-lap, $5,000-to-win main event. Drivers will earn points in Friday’s preliminary events that will determine the lineups for Saturday night’s finale. The Top-16 in points will be locked into the A-Main, while everyone else will start in a B-Main.  On Friday, the pit gate will open at 3:00 PM CT, general admission gate at 4:30 PM CT, with a driver’s meeting slated for 7:00 PM CT. Hot Laps are set to begin at 7:30 PM CT.  Saturday’s festivities will kick off with Dirt Draft Hot Laps at 7:30 PM CT, followed by B-Mains for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series/ COMP Cams Super Dirt Series Presented by Lucas Oil competitors. The 100-lap, $50,000-to-win, COMP Cams Topless 100 – Presented by Nutrien Ag Solutions will cap off the weekend. On Saturday, the pit gate will open at 4:00 PM CT, main gate at 4:30 PM CT. There will be a driver’s meeting at 7:30 PM CT. Tim McCreadie continues to lead the Lucas Oil Championship Standings, and sports the Midwest Sheet Metal orange spoiler. Brandon Sheppard is second, followed by Ricky Thornton Jr., Hudson O’Neal, and Tyler Erb.  Track Information:Batesville Motor SpeedwayPhone Number: 870-251-0011Location: 5090 Heber Springs Road, Locust Grove, AR 72550Directions: Eight miles west of Batesville, at the junction of SR 14 & SR 25, located on Heber Springs Rd.Website: www.batesvillemotorspeedway.com Tire Rules:Friday, August 19thLeft Front – Hoosier Rib (28.5) 1350 or harderRight Front/Left Rear – Hoosier Rib (28.5) 1350Right Rear – Hoosier (29.0) White Dot 1600 NRM, (29.0) White Dot 1600 NRMW*Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials, Heat Races, and A-Mains.*For the A-Main, competitors may use a new right rear tire.*Flat tire must be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position. Saturday, August 20thLeft Front – Hoosier Rib (28.5) 1350 or harderRight Front/Left Rear – Hoosier Rib (28.5) 1350, (28.5) White Dot 1600Right Rear – Hoosier (29.0) White Dot 1600 NRM, (29.0) White Dot 1600 NRMW*For the B-Main, competitors may use 4 new tires.*For the A-Main, competitors may use 4 new tires.*Flat tire must be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position. Purses:Friday, August 19th1. $5,000, 2. $3,000, 3. $2,000, 4. $1,500, 5. $1,250, 6. $1,000, 7. $950, 8. $900, 9. $850, 10. $800, 11. $700, 12. $600, 13. $600, 14. $600, 15. $600, 16. $600, 17. $550, 18. $500, 19. $500, 20. $500, 21. $500, 22. $500, 23. $500, 24. $500 = $25,000 Saturday, August 20th1. $50,000, 2. $20,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $8,000, 5. $7,000, 6. $6,000, 7. $4,500, 8. $4,000, 9. $3,800, 10. $3,600, 11. $3,400, 12. $3,200, 13. $3,000, 14. $2,500, 15. $2,400, 16. $2,300, 17. $2,200,18. $2,100, 19. $2,000, 20. $2,000, 21. $2,000, 22. $2,000, 23. $2,000, 24. $2,000, 25. $2,000, 26. $2,000 = $154,000 Previous Topless 100 Winners:2021 – Hudson O’Neal2020 – Jimmy Owens2019 – Chris Madden2018 – Rained Out2017 – Scott Bloomquist2016 – Rained Out2015 – Shannon Babb2014 – Jimmy Owens2013 – Terry Phillips2012 – Steve Francis2011 – Scott Bloomquist2010 – Jared Landers2009 – Jimmy Owens2008 – Tim McCreadie2007 – Jimmy Mars2006 – Scott Bloomquist2005 – Billy Moyer2004 – Dale McDowell2003 – Shannon Babb2002 – Billy Moyer2001 – Scott Bloomquist2000 – Jimmy Mars1999 – Scott Bloomquist1998 – Wendell Wallace1997 – Billy Moyer1996 – Bill Frye1995 – Billy Moyer1994 – Freddy Smith1993 – Tony Cardin About COMP Cams:For more than 35 years, the COMP Cams mission has never changed: to produce the highest-performing products possible, provide customers with superior service, and to lead the industry in technological development. While the COMP Performance Group has grown to multiple companies and hundreds of employees, we still retain the competitive spirit and desire to be the very best that has positioned COMP Cams as the absolute leader in valve train components. To learn more about COMP Cams, visit: www.compcams.com. About Nutrien Ag Solutions:As the largest producer of potash by capacity and one of the world’s largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate, Nutrien provides the three key nutrients growers need to produce healthier, more abundant crops. Their Ag-Retail operations supply key products and services directly to growers – including crop nutrients, crop protection, and seed, as well as agronomic and application services – to help meet the world’s ever growing-demand for food and fiber. To learn more about Nutrien Ag Solutions, visit: www.nutrien.com or www.nutrienagsolutions.com.

About Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt SeriesFounded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series showcases the talents of the top dirt late model drivers from across the country. In 2022, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction 65 events across 18 states, including some of the biggest marquee events in the industry, providing dirt slinging, sideways, door-to-door racing action lap after lap.  The series receives national exposure through a television package filmed, produced and edited by Lucas Oil Production Studios. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events will be streamed live on MAVTV Plus, with broadcasts on MAVTV Motorsports Network.   The in your face excitement of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is second to none in motorsports. For more information, including the latest news, tour schedule, driver information, and more, visit the official website at: www.LucasDirt.com.

NHRA^® Team Report

NHRA Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals – Brainerd

Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and team are buckling down for Brainerd, still seventh in the NHRA Funny Car standings and honing a strategy to capitalize on the new Snap-on^® Dodge^® SRT^® Hellcat^®.

“I had a great conversation with the team after Topeka about our plans for Brainerd,” Cruz says. “We had one of the best cars there last year, so we’re going back to our notes and looking at everything that got us to the finals in 2021. We’ve definitely dropped off a bit here at this point in the season, but this is a new car and it’s going to take some time to get the bugs worked out. It has some differences from the previous car, like even the seatbelts are updated. But, overall it’s a good learning curve for us and we’ll get things sorted out and be ready for the countdown.”

On the side of Cruz’s car this week is the name of Snap-on Nitro Franchisee Mark Hokanson. Mark will be here at the track Sunday and says after Funny Car, he really enjoys watching Pro Stock cars. When he’s not in his mobile store calling on local auto shops, he says you’ll find him water skiing.

If you’re one of Mark’s customers from the area or a professional who makes and fixes things, Cruz’s primary sponsor, Snap-on, is asking those in essential businesses to share your stories at makersandfixers.com.

·       Chevrolet has recorded wins in 14 of the last 15 NASCAR Cup Series road course races, including a streak of the past 10.        > The win streak dates back to May 2021 when Chase Elliott delivered Chevrolet its milestone 800th all-time win in NASCAR’s premier series at Circuit of The Americas.  ·       Six drivers from four different Chevrolet teams have contributed to the manufacturer’s 10 consecutive NCS road-course wins:

Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet:(Circuit of The Americas; May 2021)(Road America; July 2021) Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet:(Sonoma; June 2021)(Watkins Glen; August 2021)(Charlotte ROVAL; October 2021)

Chevrolet All-Time Wins Leadersat Watkins Glen International 4  Jeff Gordon (’97-’99, ’01)4  Tony Stewart (’04-’05, ’07, ’09)2  Chase Elliott (’18-’19) 1st Chevy Win @ WGI: Buck Baker, Aug. 4, 1957Most Recent Chevy Win @ WGI: Kyle Larson, Aug. 8, 2021

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet:(Indianapolis Road Course; August 2021) Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet:(Circuit of The Americas; March 2022) Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet:(Sonoma Raceway; June 2022) Tyler Reddick, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet:(Road America; July 2022)(Indianapolis Road Course; July 2022) ·       Chevrolet has 61 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins on road courses – starting with Buck Baker at Watkins Glen International in 1957. There have been 154 road-course races in Cup history dating back to 1949. ·    Three of the five first-time NASCAR Cup Series winners in 2022 are Chevrolet drivers, with all three recording their first career NCS wins on a road course circuit:      Ross Chastain – Circuit of The Americas (March 2022)     Daniel Suarez – Sonoma Raceway (June 2022)     Tyler Reddick – Road America (July 2022) ·    All behind the wheel of a Chevrolet, Chase Elliott has recorded seven road-course victories in his NASCAR Cup Series career, the most of all active NCS drivers.   > Elliott ranks third on the NCS all-time road course wins list behind NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon (nine wins, all with Chevrolet) and Tony Stewart (eight wins).   > Elliott’s victories have been recorded at five different road courses, a series record.

“We are proud of the competitive performance that our drivers and teams have demonstrated to deliver Chevrolet 10 consecutive NASCAR Cup Series road-course victories,” said Dr. Eric Warren, Chevrolet Director of NASCAR Programs. “From time spent in the simulator to our partnership with the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School, Chevrolet strives to provide opportunities and resources for its drivers to continually improve their skills behind the wheel. With six drivers from four different Chevrolet teams contributing to this streak of victories, the on-track results are a testament to the work our drivers are putting in on and off the track to enhance their road racing abilities.”   –Eric Warren, Chevrolet Director of NASCAR Programs, on Chevrolet’s road course racing success

A potential $30,000 weekend payday is up for grabs with weekend sweepMECHANICSBURG, PA – AUGUST 16, 2022 – For the final time in 2022, the Northeast region awaits the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series for three nights of action. Three 40-lap, $10,000-to-win Features, are on tap and a potential $30,000 payday if a driver can sweep the weekend.  A trip to the iconic Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, PA, kicks off the tripleheader on Friday, Aug. 19, as the Series makes its fifth stop at the facility. The track’s 410 Sprint Car division is also on the card at the half-mile oval.  TICKETS: bit.ly/3dkXyTW Then, The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet return to Sharon Speedway in Hartford, OH, for the Battle at the Border on Saturday, Aug. 20. Joining the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models that night is the Econo Mods.  TICKETS: https://bit.ly/3QeZJqX The three-night weekend finishes with the Series’ first stop at Tri-City Raceway Park in Franklin, PA, since 2010, on Sunday, Aug. 21. The track’s Mini Stocks will also be a part of the highly anticipated return of the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models.  TICKETS: https://bit.ly/3pektTY If you can’t make it to the tracks, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App.  Here are the top storylines this weekend:   TIME IS RUNNING OUT: When the Series travels to Williams Grove, only 18 events remain on the 2022 schedule. Time is running out for Max Blair and Tanner English if they want to catch Dennis Erb Jr. in the chase for the championship. Erb enters the weekend 164 points ahead of English and 184 points ahead of Blair.  In three races in Pennsylvania this season, the Carpentersville, IL driver has a win at Marion Center Raceway, a second at Bloomsburg Fair Raceway, and a ninth at Port Royal Speedway. He also finished fourth when the Series visited Sharon in May.  BLAIR’S BACKYARD: Even though time is running out for Blair in the battle for the Series championship, he has a chance to cut English’s 20-point lead in the race for Rookie of the YearThe Centerville, PA driver returns to his home turf this weekend, racing at three tracks where he’s found success.  Blair has two non-Series wins at Tri-City, along with top-10s at Williams Grove and Sharon within the last year.  TRI-CITY BULLDOG: Of the full-time drivers on the tour, Shane Clanton, the 2015 Series champion, has two Series victories at Tri-City. The “Georgia Bulldog” scored his wins at Tri-City in 2006 and 2008.  He’s also been successful at Sharon Speedway recently, as he narrowly missed a win at the Ohio track in May, finishing second after leading most of the Feature.  SHARON TAKEOVER: No driver has been better at Sharon Speedway in the last two seasons than Ryan Gustin.  The Marshalltown, IA driver has made both of his starts at the 3/8-mile facility count with a first and second.  Gustin scored his first career World of Outlaws CASE Late Model Feature win in May, finding redemption after a second-place finish to 2021 NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Larson last August.  OVERCOMING THE TRUTH: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Model Series drivers have their hands full anytime they travel to the Northeast, as several regional stars hope to keep them out of Victory Lane.  One of those drivers is Gregg Satterlee, of Rochester Mills, PA, who won at Williams Grove last season, and enters the weekend with momentum after a win at Hagerstown.  The Pennsylvania star has found success in World of Outlaws competition over the last two seasons on half-mile tracks, including his win at Williams Grove and a second at Port Royal Speedway in May.  Satterlee also has two top-10 finishes at Sharon Speedway in the last two seasons – an eighth and a 10th.   THE MAILMAN RETURNS: Williams Grove Speedway kicks off a six-race World of Outlaws stretch for Devin Moran, as he plans on joining the Series this weekend and at Davenport Speedway for the Quad Cities 150 (Aug. 25-27).  Despite having five top-10s in 10 starts with the Series in 2022, he’s yet to find Victory Lane.  He hasn’t finished better than fifth in the four races he’s started outside of Volusia Speedway Park this season. However, one of those fifth-place finishes was at Sharon on Memorial Day weekend. If the Dresden, OH driver takes the checkered flag, it’ll be his ninth career Series triumph and fifth in the last two seasons.  WHEN AND WHEREFriday, Aug. 19, Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, PA / TICKETS: bit.ly/3dkXyTWSaturday, Aug. 20, Sharon Speedway in Hartford, OH / TICKETS: https://bit.ly/3P6EBTn  Sunday, Aug. 21, Tri-City Raceway Park in Franklin, PA / TICKETS: https://bit.ly/3pektTY ABOUT THE TRACKWilliams Grove Speedway is a 1/2-mile semi-banked track  Sharon Speedway is a 3/8-mile track Tri-City Raceway Park is a 1/2 -mile dirt ovalONLINE – Williams Grove Speedway: https://www.williamsgrove.com  Sharon Speedway: https://www.sharonspeedway.com   Tri-City Raceway Park: https://tri-cityracewaypark.com   PREVIOUS WINNERSWilliams Grove Speedway: 2021- Gregg Satterlee on Aug. 20 2020- Brandon Sheppard on Aug. 21 2019 – Brandon Sheppard on Aug. 16 1988 – Larry Phillips on April 22 Sharon Speedway: 2022- Ryan Gustin on May 28 2021- Kyle Larson on Aug. 21 2019- Brandon Sheppard on Aug. 30 2010- Darrell Lanigan on July 29 2009- Tim Fuller on July 25 2008- Donnie Moran on July 26 2007- Chub Frank on July 28 2006- Rick Eckert on July 8 2004- Davey Johnson on June 26 Tri-City Raceway Park: 2010- Darrell Lanigan on Sept. 5 2009- Tim Fuller on Sept. 6; Steve Francis on Sept. 5 2008- Shane Clanton on Aug. 31; Steve Francis on Aug. 30 2007- Dan Stone on Sept. 2; Steve Francis on Sept. 1 2006- Shane Clanton on Sept. 4; Chub Frank on Sept. 3 2005- Rick Eckert on Sept. 4 TRACK RECORDS Williams Grove Speedway: 19.500 by Jason CovertSharon Speedway: 14.842 by Brandon Sheppard on April 21, 2017Tri-City Raceway Park: 17.385 by Max Blair on May 23, 2021  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 travel to Davenport Speedway in Davenport, IA for the Quad Cities 150 presented by Hoker Trucking Aug. 25-27. Three nights of high-octane action highlight the event, joined by the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota.  Feature Winners: (15 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsDennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-4 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-4Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-3 Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-3Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA- 2 Max Blair, Centerville, PA-2 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-2Ashton 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 Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-1HEAT RACE WINNERS (48 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsBrandon Sheppard- New Berlin, IL-9Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-8 Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-8 Chris Madden-Gray Court, SC-8Max Blair, Centerville, PA-7 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-7Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, GA-6 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-6Devin Moran-Dresden, OH-4 Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-4Gordy Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-3 Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-3 Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-3Darrell 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 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-2 Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-2 Tanner English, Benton, KY-2 Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-2 Garrett Smith, Eatonton, GA-2Ross 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 Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-1 Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA-1 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1 Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-1 Jake Timm, Winona, MN-1 Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, WI-1Last Chance Showdown Winners (41 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsMax Blair, Centerville, PA-3Cade Dillard-Robeline, LA-2 Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2 Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA-2 Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-2 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-2 Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-2 Jake Timm, Winona, MN-2 Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-2 Tanner English, Benton, KY-2Hudson 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 Trevor Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-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-1PODIUM FINISHES (32 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – PodiumsDennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-10Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-8Max Blair, Centerville, PA-5 Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-5 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-5Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-4 Josh Richards, Houston, OH-4 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-4 Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-4 Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-4 Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-4Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-3 Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-3 Tanner English, Benton, KY-3Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2 Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY-2 Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-2Kyle 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 Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-1 Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-1 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER (19 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.Tanner English, Benton, KY-6Gordy Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-3Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-2Hudson 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 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-1QUICK TIMES (17 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTsShane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-4Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-2 Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-2 Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-2 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-2 Max Blair, Centerville, PA-2Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-1 Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-1 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1 Trent Ivey, Union, SC-1 Josh Rice, Verona, KY-1 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-1 Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-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-1CASE Feature Lap Leaders (26 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps LedJonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-169Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-161Max Blair, Centerville, PA-123Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-119Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-99Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-80 Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-80Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-66Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-65Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-60Ricky Weiss, Headingley, MB-54Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-39Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-31Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, AR-28Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-27 Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-27Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-25Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-24Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-22Jared Miley, Pittsburgh, PA-20 Rick Eckert, York, PA-20Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-16Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-15Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-14Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-11Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-10Spencer Hughes, Meridian, MS-12022 World of Outlaws Late Model Schedule & WinnersNo./ 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)

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

2007 Formula One Champion Readies for First NASCAR Cup Series Start

Concord, North Carolina – After years of dreaming, months of planning and a few days to get the driver ready, Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 makes its debut Sunday with 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Räikkönen driving the No. 91 Recogni/iLOQ Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the NASCAR Cup Series race on the road course at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. Räikkönen becomes the first driver to join the team’s PROJECT91 program announced in May by Trackhouse Founder and Owner Justin Marks.

PROJECT91’s goal is to expand the organization’s international reach by fielding a NASCAR Cup Series entry for renowned international racing drivers. Marks thought of the idea years ago when he was a part-time driver in NASCAR and full-time competitor in sports car racing. He announced the project and Räikkönen’s involvement in May. Räikkönen arrived in America on Aug. 9 and worked at the team’s shop in North Carolina. He spent time on the Chevrolet computer simulator on Aug. 10, then joined in a driver orientation in an older version of a Cup Series car at Virginia International Raceway for two hours on Aug. 11.

“As a company we have worked hard to get Kimi ready,” said Marks. ”He has adapted very quickly so far. I know he will be quick. Our job is to help Kimi learn the rules specific to NASCAR to make sure that doesn’t bite us. But everyone knows how much talent he has and its shown on the simulator and at the test.”

Trackhouse Racing – a division of Trackhouse Entertainment Group – now fields the No. 99 and the No. 1 Chevrolets for Daniel Suárez and Ross Chastain. The Trackhouse drivers have combined to win three races in 2022 and will join in the 2022 NASCAR playoffs that begin Sept. 3 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Räikkönen retired from Formula One in 2021 after competing with the Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus and Alfa Romeo teams since he started in 2001. The native of Espoo, Finland won 21 races and stood on 103 podiums in his F1 career.

His Formula One highlight came in 2007 when he won the F1 World Driving title for Scuderia Ferrari. This will not be his first venture in the NASCAR world. He competed in the Xfinity and Truck Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May 2011.“Without the experience there (in 2011) doing the truck and (now Xfinity) Series, I probably wouldn’t have been that interested in doing this,” said Räikkönen.

“But, knowing what to expect in NASCAR and this being a road course, I’m looking forward to this. There should be a lot of good close racing. Maybe on the road course we will have a good chance to try to do something.”Marks said Räikkönen’s entry at Watkins Glen is the only PROJECT91 race planned for 2022 but expects more races in 2023 with additional drivers. Marks visited Räikkönen’s Zurich home in Switzerland in February to discuss PROJECT91.Sunday’s race in Watkins Glen begins at 3 p.m. EDT & 7 p.m. GMT Räikkönen and Marks will be in the Watkins Glen media center at 9:30 a.m. EDT Saturday morning for media availability. Click here for NASCAR broadcaster in each country

Kimi Räikkönen, Driver of the No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro

How did Justin Marks convince you to do this?“At first I wasn’t really looking into this in a serious way. Obviously, we had more talks about how it would work, where the race would be and all sorts of things. It was just one race so it made sense for all of us as a family. I enjoyed it when I had my few races there (2011). Hopefully I’ll have a good race and good fun. There are new cars there and I have never been at the track and things like that, but I am sure we can figure it out quickly.”Watch Kimi Räikkönen discusses his first day driving a NASCAR Cup Series Car at Virginia International Raceway.

Will your Formula One and road course experience be an advantage Sunday?“I don’t think so. It’s a new track for me and the cars are completely new. F1 cars are completely different. Looking at how these new cars are in NASCAR it compares more to Australian V8s. We will go and see how it is. I’m sure we will do fine.”

Trackhouse Racing Teammate Daniel Suárez on Räikkönen

You joined Kimi Räikkönen on the Chevrolet simulator and at Virginia International Raceway last week. What are your impressions?“Yeah, it was good, it was short.  But it was good and I felt like Kimi….I have been trying to learn as much as I can from him because he is an amazing race car driver. But I believe a race car driver is great not just because of driving, I think it is just everything else around him. How he thinks and how open or closed minded he or she is.  And in this case he is having a great time, and he is not just here to have fun, but he is here to be a competitor and wants to do well. So, its been a lot of fun to work with him the last few days and I am really looking forward to seeing what he can do next week.”

How will he do in Watkins Glen? “I think he is going to be fast. The speed is there and the racing part is going to be a process because it doesn’t matter how much you practice in the simulator, doesn’t matter how many tests you do – the racing part is the racing part. Its different and he doesn’t know all these drivers. He doesn’t know how they race, he doesn’t know how aggressive they are, so that part is going to take a little bit. You can bring the best driver in the world and it is going to take some time in the racing part. I think (as far as) the speed, I think he is going to be good.”Do you think pit stops will be an issue?“That is part of the racing part I am talking about. Racing, restarts, taking care of your tires, taking care of your brakes, pit stops….like that part of the racing is what it takes to win races. That is the part I feel like is going to be a process for him.  Just because he has never done it before. With that being said, he did pit stop practice a couple of days ago and he did well.  There was a couple of things he was doing and I told him, ‘hey, you need to do this this way, you need to do this different, because the transmission works this way and you have to use your blower’. I tried to guide him as much as I can and I really feel he is trying to prepare himself as good as he can.  If I was going to do a race in Europe one day, I wish I could prepare myself the way he is doing it.”

Watch Justin Marks Talk About Kimi Räikkönen and PROJECT91

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series™, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour™), one local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series™) and three international series (NASCAR Pinty’s Series™, NASCAR Mexico Series™, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series™). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

     No. 91 Trackhouse Team Roster Founder: Justin Marks, Rocklin, CaliforniaPresident: Ty Norris, Sumter, South CarolinaDriver: Kimi Räikkönen, Espoo, FinlandCrew Chief: Darian Grubb, Floyd, VirginiaCar Chief: Gary Putnam, Vernon, ConnecticutSpotter: Keith Barnwell, Hudson, North CarolinaEngine Builder: ECR Engines, Welcome, North CarolinaEngine Tuner: Jason Watkins, Ridgeway, VirginiaFueler: Ryan Dextrase, Wichita Falls, TexasFront Tire Changer: Jacob NelsonRear Tire Changer: Justin Fiedler, Milwaukee, OregonJackman: Aslan Pugh, Wilmington, DelawareTire Carrier: Brendan Foley, Baltimore, MarylandEngineer: Zac Brown, Eolia, MissouriMechanic: Bret Gipson, Park Forest, IllinoisMechanic: Eric Hoyle, Asheville, North Carolina. Truck Driver: Dan Collins, Columbus, Ohio

Notes of Interest

Trackhouse founder Justin Marks competed in six Cup Series races with a best finish of 12th-place in the 2018 Daytona 500. He made 35 starts in the Xfinity Series posting a win, three top-five and seven top-10s. He won the Xfinity Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Aug. 13, 2016 driving for Chip Ganassi Racing. Marks competed in 39 races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series posting four top-10s and capturing two pole awards. He started eighth and finished 31st at Mid-Ohio on July 9, 2022.He joined four co-drivers in winning the 2009 Rolex 24 in the GT division.Justin Marks

Before turning a wheel in 2021, Trackhouse Racing became one of the more popular teams in NASCAR when it announced GRAMMY® Award-winning global superstar Pitbull had become a partner. Not only is he an active partner on the Trackhouse executive team, but Pitbull also serves as a brand and philanthropic ambassador. The Trackhouse team won the 2021 NASCAR Diversity Team Award. Marks won the 2022 “Byrnsie Award” from Fox.

RICHMOND, VA – August 15, 2022  – Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick secured his second consecutive victory this season by winning the NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on Sunday, becoming the first driver to win back-to-back races so far this season. This victory marked Harvick’s 60th career win in the NASCAR Cup Series, fourth at Richmond, and Stewart-Haas Racing’s 95th win overall.

“Congratulations to Gene, Tony, Rodney, Kevin, and everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing on the win at Richmond,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Kevin and Rodney carried the momentum from last week’s win at Michigan and executed their plan throughout this race for the win!”

“The cars have been running good week in and week out, and you see that we have a lot better understanding of what’s going on with how we adjusted on the car after the first run and were able to get our car handling a lot better. I think as it got dark, the racetrack really came to our Mobil 1 Ford Mustang. Just got to thank Mobil, Busch Light, GearWrench, Hunt Brothers, Rheem, Ford, Xfinity, Morton Buildings, E-Z-Go, everybody who helps Stewart-Haas on this 4 car,” commented Harvick.

Sunday’s 400-lap race saw a battle between strategy and execution on long green flag runs. There were five cautions in the race for a total of 28 laps. Team Penske’s Joey Logano took charge in the middle of the race, leading a total of 222 of 400 laps and winning Stage 2. Stage 3 started with an incident involving four cars, bringing out the fourth caution of the race. Logano held off the lead early in the stage until Harvick completed the race-winning pass on Lap 334. Harvick was able to hold off a hard-charging Chris Buescher who was looking for his first win of the season along with Christopher Bell. Harvick fought through lapped traffic on the final lap of the race and crossed the finish line 0.441 seconds ahead of second place, securing his second consecutive win this season.

Ford Performance teammates Chris Buescher with Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing finished in P3, Joey Logano with Team Penske finished in P6, Aric Almirola with Stewart-Haas Racing finished in P8, and Ryan Blaney with Team Penske rounded out the top-10 finishing in P10.

NASCAR Cup returns to action next weekend with the Go Bowling at the Glen at Watkins Glen International on Sunday, August 21st while the Xfinity Series returns from a one-week break and races at Watkins Glen on Saturday, August 20th.

33 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 435 WINS – 393 POLES  *Photos courtesy of NASCAR Media & Getty Images

About Roush Yates Engines   Roush Yates Engines is a leading-edge engine development company based in Mooresville, NC consisting of two state-of-the-art facilities – Roush Yates Engines and Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions, a world class AS9100 Rev D/ISO 13485 certified CNC manufacturing facility. The company’s core business includes designing, building and testing purpose-built race engines.    Ford Performance in partnership with Roush Yates Engines is the exclusive engine builder of the NASCAR FR9 Ford V8 engine and Ford Mustang 5.2L V8 engine, used in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series.   With an unparalleled culture of winning and steeped in rich racing history, Roush Yates Engines continues to follow the company’s vision to lead performance engine innovation and staying true to the company’s mission, provide race winning engines through demonstrated power and performance.   3 Series – 83 Races – 24 Drivers

Nashville, TENNESSEE – August 8, 2022 – The TA2 Music City Grand Prix has already become one of the most popular events in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli Championship calendar and the second annual running of the Nashville event didn’t disappoint. It was an exciting race that saw the Franklin Road Apparel drivers battle hard and gain track position before late incidents cost the Tennessee outfit a few places in the shadow of the checkered flag. Cameron Lawrence went into the race in P8 in the Drivers’ Championship with 119 points and the Texas based pilot qualified the No. 6 Franklin Road Apparel Showtime Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in P10 in a time of 1:32:110. He improved his position early on the street circuit to claim P8 for most of the race before losing a few places late on to finish in P12. Nevertheless the 14 points he picked up for finishing in P12 put him on 133 for the season and kept him in the Top 10 in P9 in the provisional points table. Meanwhile Team Principal Ken Thwaits, who is much less familiar with the TA2 car, had a difficult time getting clean track in qualifying and started his No. 4 Mike Cope Camaro in P30.  Ken had improved his position to P21 with some smooth driving when misfortune struck with just over ten minutes of track time remaining. Ken hit a wall on the exit to Turn 2 and the vehicle was wedged against the wall, trapping the driver in the car. Fortunately, Ken was okay but the yellow cautionary flag that the incident drew was still in place when the race finished. SpeedTour TV reporter Ben Cissell interviewed Franklin Road crew chief Gary Selix in the pit lane who explained, “This place is really hard on brakes, and we knew it was going to be a brake war coming here. The brakes started fading on him and so he was trying to roll the corners a bit, but that corner just got away from him. We will be back next year. Franklin Road!” he said defiantly. The weekend at his home venue did have a very worthwhile silver lining for Ken, and it was nearly gold. Franklin Road Apparel were co-sponsors of the Connor Mosack driven No. 28 Chevrolet Camaro which finished in P2 in the race. Mosack was extremely fast all weekend. He set the fastest lap in the race in 1:31:882 and held the lead through multiple restarts, but eventual winner Crews was never far behind. On Lap 23 Crews got by him and the final yellow flag meant the Charlotte based driver was denied another chance to get the pass. Nevertheless, Mosack was magnanimous in defeat when he spoke after the race, “It’s an unbelievable weekend. It’s so good to have Open Eyes on the car, Nacarato Truck Centers, and Franklin Road Apparel. It’s tough to be this close to the win again this year. I led a lot of laps both years, and unfortunately, couldn’t get it done. I wish we’d had the chance for the race to finish under green. Overall, it was still a great weekend for us and hopefully we can be back and win it next year.” “It’s been a great weekend,” stated Showtime boss Ken Thwaits. “It could have gone better for me personally but Franklin Road powers on. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of my TA car at the Glen!” Today’s action from Nashville can be seen on the prestigious CBS Sports Network on Saturday August 13 at 7:30pm ET with an encore presentation at 1:00am the following morning. TA2 drivers will be back in action next month, September 7 to 11, when the muscle car series reassembles at the legendary Watkins Glen for Round 10. That race is sponsored by Franklin Road Apparel and Ken will be back in the more familiar surroundings of his TA Class car with his sights set firmly on another podium finish.

BROOKLYN, MI – August 8, 2022  – Ford Performance and Roush Yates Engines won their eighth straight NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway with Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick in the FireKeepers Casino 400. This was Harvick’s 59th career NASCAR Cup Series victory and his series-leading sixth at Michigan. Ford retained the Michigan Heritage Trophy, presented to the winning manufacturer at the 2-mile track.

“For sure there is a lot of extra attention when we come here from the executives in our company, having all the employees here so we’ve spent a lot of time with the teams this week leading up to this weekend to let them know how important it is and to ask our Ford teams to work together, whether it’s the drivers or the crew chiefs, but Doug Yates has also been working really hard in the engine shop. This is definitely a horsepower track and he brought a little extra this weekend and it definitely paid off,” commented Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance.

“Congratulations to Ford Performance, Gene, Tony, Rodney, Kevin, and everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing for the strong finish to make it 8 wins in a row at Michigan,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “We have always strived to finish strong at Michigan and this year was no exception. We are thankful for the continued leadership and commitment from Ford Motor Company and honored to power these Mustangs.”

“I’m just really proud of everybody on our Busch Light Apple Ford Mustang. They’ve been digging all year long trying to make these Mustangs run faster. Our guys have done a good job in trying to take what we have, maximize it and do the things that we need to do. I’m just really proud of everybody at Stewart-Haas Racing. Everybody who doubted us doesn’t know us,” commented Harvick.

After a brief rain delay, Ford Performance teammates Joey Logano and Austin Cindric from Team Penske started the FireKeepers Casino 400 from P4 and P5. There were seven caution periods for a total of 36 laps and twenty-two of the 37 drivers finished on the lead lap. A nine-car pileup on lap 25 damaged or eliminated several of the leading cars. The 4 leaders underwent a huge shakeup in the final stage of the race when 2 of the front-leading cars made contact and another received a penalty on pit road. Harvick took the lead on the race’s final restart on Lap 163 and did not relinquish it, finishing the race 4-seconds in front of second place. With 3 regular season races remaining, Harvick adds to the list of 15 different drivers in the playoffs.

Ford Performance teammates Joey Logano with Team Penske finished in P4 while Ryan Blaney with Team Penske finished in P5.

Riley Herbst with Stewart-Haas Racing finished P9 in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series New Holland 250 at Michigan.

Nate Stacy and Luca Mars with Kohr Motorsports started Saturday’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Road America from the pole, while Sheena Monk and Kyle Marcelli from JG Wentworth Racing by PF Racing finished P6. IMSA returns August 27th with the Virginia Is For Racing Lovers Grand Prix at Virginia International Raceway.

NASCAR Cup returns next week with the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway while the Xfinity Series takes a one week break and returns to action on August 20th at Watkins Glen.

DALLAS, TX (August 8, 2022) — Top Fuel driver and team owner Buddy Hull, will return to the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series this weekend during the Menards Nationals presented by Pet Armor at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kansas. The second year driver will once again pilot the Vertex Roofing and General Contractors with support from  associate sponsors DFW RV Center, Lucky’s Diesel Shop, CamperLife Superstore, Roof 4 Vets and 1st Class Graphics. Hull has qualified for each event he has entered in 2022 including the season opening Winternationals in Pomona, California, and the Spring Nationals in Houston, Texas. This weekend’s event will be Hull’s sixteenth professional start in Top Fuel, one of the most extreme and exciting categories in all of motorsports.

“It has been an awesome summer, but I am tired of looking at my race car in the shop,” said Hull, during an interview on CompetitionPlus.com Power Hour podcast. “I want to see the race car sitting next to the trailer in the pits. I want to see my race car being towed to the staging lanes.”

The young team is still coming together on Hull’s own timeline and the aspiring full-time professional driver knows he must develop marketing relationships as well as team management skills to be successful. Hull has built several successful businesses including Vertex Roofing and General Contractors, so he is leaning on that experience as well as his passion for following his dreams.

“I became very good at being on the phone with tracking down race car parts and making sure the team has everything we need to get the car back together. I am very hands on,” said Hull. “We don’t have any full time help here at the shop. We spent our summer acquiring a bunch of new parts. Tim Wilkerson’s guys built us a few new sets of heads. The chase to get parts is the real deal. We have a lot of friends and they have stepped up and helped us out. I am thankful to all those people and there are too many to thank. It has been a blessing to know there are people that want to see me back out there racing. Without their help we wouldn’t be able to do it. We have no junk in our inventory.”

While Hull is not a regular on the series, he has steadily developed a strong fan following when he does hit the track. His existing fans are very supportive, and Hull also is a master at developing new fans and welcoming people to the sport of NHRA drag racing.

“It is all about the show. In the end we are out there to entertain people,” said Hull. “It is the race cars but also our personalities as drivers and entertainers. I want to get out there with the fans and have fun. I want to let them know yes, we go over 320 mph but we are just people too. If you want to do this too there is a way for you to do it if you work hard enough. I hope to inspire many people to do what I am doing. That is my life’s goal to show people if I can do it, you can do it. I truly believe if you want something bad enough you can do it.”

The passion Hull exudes in his pits also carries over to his marketing partners and supporters. Coming into this season Hull had a plan on his racing schedule and the young team owner has had to deal with a number of hurdles to keep his program on track. He relies on a handful of dedicated part-time crew members and he continues to cultivate marketing relationships that will blossom in the future.

“I am overly thankful for the sponsors that are on my race car,” said Hull. “Without them that is one more thing I would have to be concerned about in terms of providing for my team. I want to do this the very best way I can and I want to win. That is why I get out of bed every day because I want to win. Racing five or six times every year in Top Fuel isn’t going to cut it for me. My plan is to learn how to be a team owner and continue to improve as a driver and grow my team. We have some big irons in the fire. I am not going anywhere. You will see us out there fully funded. I am not quitting.”