HOUSTON (April 19) — This weekend’s 35th running of the NHRA SpringNationals at Houston Raceway Park is the grand finale at the famous Southeast Texas quarter mile strip, placing a lot of significance on the event. Team JEGS championship-winning drag racers Troy Coughlin Jr. and Mike Coughlin are certainly anxious to add their names to HRP’s history book with last-chance wins in their respective categories, Pro Stock and Top Alcohol Dragster. “It’s the last race ever at Houston Raceway Park and I’d love to get my first-ever win in Pro Stock to mark this really special occasion,” said Troy Jr., driver of the JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock entry. “My uncle Jeg won his first Pro Stock race here back in 1997 and went on to win 64 more in the class, including a total of five at this track, so this place has definitely been kind to Team JEGS through the years. “Plus, my dad (Troy Sr.) made his Pro Stock debut here in 1994 and my uncle John won Super Gas here in 1995. There’s lots of history for the sport and for our family at HRP.”

A two-time regional champ in Top Alcohol Dragster, Troy Jr. is bringing an almost-new RJ Race Cars-built Pro Stocker to Houston. In its initial race in Las Vegas three weeks ago, the beautiful hot rod qualified fifth overall and carried Troy Jr. to the semifinals of the four-wide affair. “Mark Ingersoll, Kyle Bates, Ricky Calloway and Kelly Murphy were really pleased with how the car worked in Vegas and now that they’ve had three more weeks to wrench on it, we’re all expecting bigger and better things this weekend. The guys from the engine shop tell me the new powerplants are making good smoke so maybe everything actually will be bigger in Texas. “I’m so ready to break through and get our first Pro Stock win. There’s a ton of people behind this effort, from the entire Elite Motorsports group, to the hundreds of JEGS associates, to my dad, uncles and grandfather, it’s truly an army of support. The best way to express my gratitude is to collect wins, so we’ll continue to push hard.”

Troy Jr. will be joined by his wife Brenna, their daughter Aubrey, his mother Michelle, and his aforementioned uncle Mike, who will be vying for his second Top Alcohol Dragster win in just his third start of the year. After accumulating three North Central Divisional championships through the years — two in Top Sportsman (2007 and 2009) and one in Top Dragster (2019) — Mike stepped up to Top Alcohol Dragster this year with McPhillips Racing, winning the season-opener in Pomona, Calif. “We haven’t changed a thing,” Mike said of his JEGS.com rail. “We got the same people, the same car, the same everything we had in Pomona and Gainesville (Fla., where he reached the semifinals.) Rich and Rich McPhillips Jr., Duke Roney, Don Nolan, Darrell McComas and Tony Collier are the best in the sport and I know the car will be perfect.

“The McPhillips team actually has two victories this year because Matt Cummings won in Belle Rose (La.) the weekend after I won in Pomona with the exact same dragster. Matt and I are splitting the season between us. It’s pretty incredible to see how seamlessly the crew adjusts to so many variables, right down to who’s in the cockpit.” Both Troy Jr. and Mike expressed their thanks and best wishes to the Angel family, the longtime track owners of Houston Raceway Park.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 20, 2022) – Following a trio of races in the southeast that opened the 2022 Trans Am by Pirelli season, Chris Dyson is looking forward to the pair of California races scheduled for this week and next at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Sonoma Raceway. After winning two of those first three races this season, the defending series titlist aims to widen his current narrow lead in the season-championship point standings. “Over the years both of these Bay Area tracks have been good for me and for the family,” Dyson said. “And last season we had a great weekend at Laguna Seca right until a few laps from the finish of the race. And then it all went bad. We aim to have a better race result there this weekend.” Dyson swept last season’s Sonoma race, which was part of the Trans Am West Coast Championship last year and so paid no national championship points. He looked to be on the way to another sweep at Laguna Seca the following weekend, starting on the pole with a track record-breaking qualifying effort and setting fastest race lap. But a late-race full-course with a few laps remaining, while Dyson maintained a comfortable lead, erased his advantage and bunched up the field behind him. Contact on the restart from the pursuing Boris Said knocked Dyson’s #20 ALTWELL Ford Mustang back to a sixth-place finish, his worst result in his championship-winning season. “It feels like we have some unfinished business on the Monterey Peninsula,” Dyson said. “I hope at the end of the race Saturday afternoon I will have taken care of that business. But one thing for sure, Tomy Drissi and the rest of my competitors aren’t going to hand this to us; I’m going to have to work as hard as I can and earn it. Tomy has had some bad luck so far this year, but he was really strong at our last race, Road Atlanta. We were having a great race until the cockpit of his car filled up with smoke. And he still finished second.” Dyson also noted that entertainer and rabid automobile enthusiast Adam Corolla will be joining top competitor Ken Thwaits on the Franklin Road Apparel Showtime Motorsports team. “I was on Adam’s show last month, which was a lot of fun. Now it’s going to be great to have Adam on the track with us. He’s such a brilliant entertainer that I think a lot of people don’t appreciate that he’s a serious driver as well.” Sonoma Next Weekend With A Longtime Friend Dyson’s dominant win last year at Sonoma Raceway was just the most recent chapter in the Dyson family racing history in Northern California wine country. Winning at Sonoma is a long Dyson tradition. Chris’s father Rob drove his Porsche 962 into Sonoma’s winner’s circle in 1986, during the heyday of IMSA’s storied GTP era. The Dyson Racing Team scored two overall Sonoma IMSA WSC wins during the 1990s and in 2003 the team won again en route to Chris Dyson’s first American Le Mans Series championship. “What makes me extra happy about racing at Sonoma next weekend is that my great friend and partner Greg Pickett will be racing iagain in another ALTWELL Ford Mustang,” Dyson said. “The Dyson and Pickett families have been friends – and frequently on-track competitors – for literally as long as I can remember. Sonoma is the home race for Greg’s company ALTWELL, and I scored my first win in ALTWELL colors there with the ALTWELL folks looking on. It was great having Greg there in the winner’s circle as the first person to great me. “I expect to see Greg there in the winner’s circle again this year,” Dyson continued. “The difference is that I’m going to have to race Greg on the track to get there!” Dyson noted that Pickett is one of the legendary drivers in the nearly six decades of America’s longest-running road-racing series. In addition to most recently winning the West Coast Series title four years ago, the ageless veteran is the only driver to win Trans Am races in five different decades! Masaood Looks For Another Successful Pair of West Coast Results For Dyson’s UK-based teammate Humaid Masaood, second-place finishes in both of last year’s West Coast races marked the highlight of a season that was unfortunately curtailed by pandemic-related travel issues. Laguna Seca and Sonoma will mark Masaood’s second and third starts of the 2022 season. “I’m definitely looking forward to these races,” Masaood said. “I was sorry to have missed two of the three races so far this season, but I’m excited to be racing at these two tracks. I know them well, and I know my CD Racing team will have my car in great shape. The competition will be very challenging, but my goal is to make that on step higher on the podium in one of these races. Or both.” Masaood’s #21 Ford Mustang sports the livery of allgram, a decentralized, peer-to-peer (P2P) secure communication platform. Laguna Seca & Sonoma Race Schedules Laguna Seca qualifying is Friday, April 22, 5:15 to 5:30 p.m. PT. The 45-lap (100-mile) race runs Saturday, April 23, with the green flag scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PT (4:05 p.m. ET) Sonoma qualifying is Friday, April 29, 3:55 to 4:10 p.m. PT. The 40-lap (100-mile) race runs Saturday, April 30, with the green flag scheduled for 1:15 p.m. PT (4:15 p.m. ET)

CONCORD, NC – April 20, 2022 – A strong presence of weekly and sanctioned-series racing makes up the DIRTcar Racing calendar this year, including the addition of a ninth division and multiple new UMP Modified series.

The 39th consecutive year of operation for DIRTcar includes changes to regional competition for six of the nine divisions, where drivers race for points in weekly competition against others in the same region. Points fund checks for the top-10 finishers are awarded at season’s end.

Multiple new series have also gone DIRTcar-sanctioned for 2022. Check out the full list of updates below.

Regional Racing

UMP Modifieds continue the precedent set last year with a record 11 regions, comprised of 104 different tracks – 53 of which host competition on a weekly basis. At least one DIRTcar-sanctioned event at six new tracks has been added to the mix for 2022, including the following:

• Natural Bridge Speedway (Natural Bridge, VA) – Appalachia Region
• Lake View Motor Speedway (Nichols, SC) – Deep South Region
• Screven Motorsports Complex (Sylvania, GA) – Deep South Region
• Adams County Speedway (Quincy, IL) – Missouri/Illinois Region
• Benton Speedway (Benton, MO) – Missouri/Illinois Region
• Paducah International Raceway (Paducah, KY) – South Region

Kankakee County Speedway in Illinois has moved out of the Northern Illinois region into the Indiana/Ohio region, as the track draws several weekly competitors from within that region.

The Late Model division stays at five regions with 68 total tracks, two more than last season, 21 of which are weekly venues.

Pro Late Models will keep their two-region division in-tact; a total of 14 tracks constructs the East and West regions. Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL is the one new addition to the Chevy Performance Crate engine division, competing weekly in the West region.

The UMP Sportsman division has also increased to 14 tracks between the East and West regions. Volusia has joined in the West region, as well as Lincoln Speedway in Illinois.

A few changes come to the two-region Stock Car division – Charleston Speedway has been moved from the South region to the North, while Volusia joins the South region for a grand total of 10 tracks.

Sport Compacts maintain a four-region program across 23 tracks. Adams County Speedway joins the list of tracks hosting weekly, while the newly reopened Paducah International Raceway is a new addition that will host specials only.

The Pro Modified and Factory Stock divisions will keep their traditional national points-only championship chase this year; 10 tracks for Factory Stocks and seven for Pro Modifieds.

For the first time since 2018 – a ninth division of weekly racing has joined the DIRTcar family. The motorcycle engine-powered Mod Lites of the United CC Modified Series became a DIRTcar-sanctioned entity in 2021 but have since expanded to include a weekly racing program at several different tracks across the nation, including the Series stops.

• Blanket Hill Speedway (Kittanning, PA)

• Clarksville Speedway (Clarksville, TN)

• Duck River Raceway Park (Wheel, TN)

• Halifax County Motor Speedway (Littleton, NC)

• Hilltop Speedway (Jackson, OH)

• North Florida Speedway (Lake City, FL)

• Thunderhill Raceway (Summertown, TN)

• 35 Raceway Park (Frankfurt, OH)

• Camden Speedway (Camden, TN)

• Good’s Raceway (Deerfield, OH)

• Middleford Speedway (Seaford, DE)

• Muskingum County Speedway (Dresden, OH)

• Bubba Raceway Park (Ocala, FL)

Late Model Series

• American Late Model Series – A regional Super Late Model tour primarily racing in Michigan and Ohio.
• Allstar Performance Challenge Series – This Michigan-only Super Late Model tour was founded in 2020, racing between promoter Mike Blackmer’s two facilities Tri-City Motor Speedway and Merritt Speedway. The Series has since expanded to include UMP Modifieds and eight other divisions found in the area, as well as the Blackmer-promoted Thunderbird Raceway, I-96 Speedway and Hartford Speedway.
• DIRTcar Summer Nationals – The Midwest’s premiere Super Late Model racing series returns for its 37th consecutive season with the kickoff to the 32-race slate on June 14 at Kankakee County Speedway.
• MARS Racing Series – This Midwestern Super Late Model tour embarks on its 23rd consecutive season this spring with one of the richest schedules in Series history, highlighted by eight races of $10,000-to-win or more and a potential $20,000 champion’s check for the 20-race slate.
• Quicksilver Super Late Model Series – The William Scogin-promoted series remains a Clarksville Speedway-only operation for 2022, now in its second year of competition with a $5,000 points fund check in store for the champion.
• World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series (select events)
• Late Model Night in America (select events)

UMP Modified Series

• Renegades of Dirt – Founded in 2012, this east-coast UMP Modified tour has 24 races scheduled this year with payouts going as high as $10,000-to-win.
• DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals – The companion series to the DIRTcar Summer Nationals, this 32-race tour embarks on its 12th consecutive season in June.
• I-95 Modified Challenge – Like the Summit Modified Nationals, this brand-new new series races alongside the I-95 Late Model Challenge, primarily at County Line Speedway in Elm City, NC.
• Mid-Atlantic Modifieds – A lower-Northeast tour with races primarily in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland.
• Allstar Performance Challenge Series – The sister tour to the Michigan-only Late Model Challenge Series races for winner’s shares as large as $2,500 this year with eight races scheduled.
• Tuckessee Modified Series – This brand-new Modified tour races only in Tennessee and Kentucky with a $3,000 points fund check on the line for the champion of the 20-race slate.

Other Series

• Midwest Big 10 Series (UMP Modifieds, Pro Late Models, Stock Cars) – The Track Enterprises-owned operation has a 10-race schedule for all three DIRTcar divisions in Illinois, racing at Lincoln Speedway, Macon Speedway, Jacksonville Speedway and Fairbury Speedway.

• United CC Modified Series (Mod Lites)

Inside Line Promotions – FRESNO, Calif. (April 19, 2022) – Dominic Scelzi is venturing to Pennsylvania this weekend for a trio of races with the Premier Racing Team.

A pair of Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions races on Thursday at Bloomsburg Fairgrounds in Bloomsburg, Pa., and Friday at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa., kick off the action prior to an unsanctioned race on Saturday at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa.

The tripleheader weekend marks the first time Scelzi will climb behind the wheel of the famed No. 21 sprint car.

“I’m just excited to get out there,” he said. “It’s going to be a new challenge with new race tracks for me. I have about 20 laps at Lincoln in 2019. We rolled in there for a World of Outlaws show and hadn’t see the place before. We didn’t know what to expect and weren’t very good. I’m excited to go there this weekend with a team that’s been there to see what we can do.”

The weekend will mark Scelzi’s first-ever visit to Bloomsburg Speedway and to Williams Grove Speedway.

“A huge goal is to make the show at Williams Grove and I really don’t know what to expect with Bloomsburg,” he said. “I think it’s a pretty new track for everybody.

“This is a bucket-list deal. Brian Monteith is one of my absolute all-time favorite drivers. He was on the edge all the time and I always admired that. He’s one of the best guys that has run in Pennsylvania so it’s special to be able to drive a car he had so much success in.”

SEASON STATS –

10 races, 0 wins, 5 top fives, 7 top 10s, 8 top 15s, 8 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Thursday at Bloomsburg Fairgrounds in Bloomsburg, Pa., and Friday at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa., with the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions and Saturday at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa.

In advance of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race May 1 on the 2.238-mile, 11-turn natural terrain road course at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, DPi championship points co-leader Alex Lynn (No. 02 Cadillac Accessories Cadillac DPi-V.R) and Tristan Vautier (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R), co-driver of the JDC-Miller MotorSports entry that has finished on the podium in all three races, met with the media April 19 via Zoom conference. DPi results: Cadillac Racing at Laguna Seca 2021-20172022 media guide: Historic stats, technical transfer, why we race and more Full transcript (by individual):

ALEX LYNN (No. 02 Cadillac Accessories Cadillac DPi-V.R): YOUR FIRST TIME AT WEATHERTECH RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT, WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU GET THERE?“Obviously, I’ve never been there, which is sort of the situation with most of the tracks this year. It’s a very iconic track. Great scenery, very famous corner and just look forward to driving it.” COMING IN AS THE POINTS LEADER, THERE’S A LOT OF MOMENTUM AROUND BOTH THE 02 AND 01 CADILLACS. CAN YOU PUT YOUR FINGER ON WHY?“I think Chip Ganassi Racing is a great team. It’s been evident for a long time, and now that the program is gaining a lot of momentum and a lot of traction, I think we’re now trying to implement a lot of features going into the future and it’s time to bear fruit for us. It’s still early days so we have to remain very humble and continue working very hard.” IS IT GETTING THINGS JELLED MORE?“I think it’s mainly having two cars working together. I know it’s my first year with Ganassi, but it seems that getting that Ganassi work ethic fully integrated now into this program. Obviously, they came from the Ford, which was a very competitive program for them and one year out and then coming back in with the prototype. I think it took a bit of time to get everything back in sequence with how they would want to run a racing team. They obviously run a very successful INDYCAR team and now it’s really clicking into place with team members really hitting their stride, new personnel coming in and starting to make a difference, new mechanics, engineers that have been promoted with fresh ideas. That’s now starting to bear fruit for us. That’s how I see it coming together at the moment.” ARE YOU LEANING ON THE EXPERIENCE OF EARL OR RENGER (VAN DER ZANDE) OR SEB (BOURDAIS) AND COMING TO GRIPS WITH THESE NEW TRACKS?“Definitely. Having Earl as a teammate is perfect. Not only is he an IMSA champion in GTLM, but also a WEC champion. As a driver having a teammate in your car that has been there and won it, that is helping fast forward my learning procedure at different tracks. Obviously, I won races in ’17 – I was the third driver at that point – and puzzling on Ricky (Taylor) and letting him do all the hard work. Now, when you’re the main driver as well, you have to really fast forward a lot of learning processes to be able to compete straight away. I’m using that as a good launch pad.” LEADING THE POINTS RIGHT OFF AND DOING NEW THINGS, WHAT’S THE VIBE LIKE ON THE TEAM?“I think the vibe is pretty good, but also it’s funny because we came off the back of Sebring that we were fortunate enough to win but the 01 was very competitive and obviously didn’t have the race they wanted. I would say the vibe on the team is very motivated because you have two cars that are really starting to push each other – whether that’s on the pit crew, the drivers, the engineering team. It’s a competitive team. Currently we’re leading but there’s a long way to go. But certainly motivated because you have two cars that want to perform al the time and be right at the front. That’s keeping all the drivers, all the engineers, all the pit crews to really stay on top of their game to be better than one another. That’s how I feel at the moment, very motivated to continue to get better.” WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CONCERN GOING INTO LAGUNA SECA?“It’s pretty similar to Long Beach. On our side, we have to maximize everything. It’s about executing the plans, about executing performance and just a lot of focus. High focus and maximizing every single time you’re on track the game plan of each session and being very meticulous in preparation usually pays dividends come the end when we start talking about championship points. My main focus is high preparation and concentrate on executing everything.”

TRISTAN VAUTIER (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R): YOU’RE OFF TO A STRONG START. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO KEEP THINGS ROLLING?“We had a rocky season with very high highs and very low lows last year, so it’s been good to start on a pretty consistent streak of races. Ending on the podium three races in a row is good and we’re happy because we have started on the right foot and it’s good points. At the same time, we know that to win the championship you do have to be consistent but you have to win races, so we have to win some. We were really disappointed not to win Daytona. We felt like we had a great shot. We were close at Sebring, but have to admit that both Ganassi cars were very strong. In Long Beach, honestly, we were lacking performance. It was that kind of day when you have a fifth-place car and you score a podium, so you leave the track very happy. Kind of like the day before somebody tells you that you’re going to finish third tomorrow, will you take it? OK, where do I sign. We cannot have too many races like that and we are aware of it. Long Beach was a weak race for us performance-wise. We’ve started strong but we know we have to keep stepping up our game and contend for wins. That’s what is going to keep our title chances alive. We need to be consistent, but also be able to be in the hunt for wins.” IT’S EARLY IN THE SEASON, BUT THE CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIP CHASE MAKES FOR DYNAMIC COMPETITION.“I think it’s the nature of the championship. You have six cars, six great operations and great teams, and IMSA has a pretty good handle on the balance of performance right now. Obviously, some tracks favor some cars. The Cadillac is better on certain tracks than the Acura and vice versa. The way the races play out with the yellows, that’s the nature of IMSA racing. Anyone can win every week. Whoever executes perfectly and is on their game has a shot at winning. At the same time, the guy who won the previous weekend if they don’t do everything perfect they can easily be last. It tends to shuffle things very quickly and I think that’s why for the last years every time we’ve see a tight battle until the end because it’s so easy to be last, but you can turn things around very quickly and win.” WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO PUT IN THE BEST LAP POSSIBLE AT LAGUNA SECA?“The track is very unforgiving so it’s just finding that right balance because when it’s time to go it’s time to go. You still have to push and be at the limit, but the track grip is so low that it’s very easy to make mistakes. So, it’s just about finding that right balance between trying to make the most of it without overdriving. There are a lot of condition changes with sand being blown on (the racing surface) sometimes and that can be out of your control.” WITH THE THREE-POINT SEPARATION, HOW DO YOU NOT KEEP THE FOCUS ON WHO’S CLOSEST TO YOU?“I think it’s a bit early in the season to be monitoring your closest rival in the championship. We are three races down, there are seven races to go. You just try to maximize every race with obviously keeping in mind that you are in a championship approach, and you have to be points-focused and points-oriented. But if you spend your time worrying about where the competition is at, especially the way those races play out that things can flip just on a pit strategy, three races into the championship it’s not the right approach. It might be something that you’re going to worry more about with one or two races to go. Maybe, depending on your position, you try to copy what the other guys are doing or do the opposite and kind of gamble. Right now, we have a long way to go to be in the hunt. You try to take it one race at a time.”

PLAINVIEW, NY (April 19, 2022) — Four races into the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season has already shown that Justin Ashley and the Phillips Connect/Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Shot team are squarely in the middle of one of the toughest seasons in the category’s history. Each race has not only featured a different winner but in all four cases the final round was composed completely of first time 2022 finalists. All in all, ten different Top Fuel racers have had a shot victory already this season.

Justin Ashley, Phillips Connect/Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Shot, photo by Ron Lewis

Ashley was the first to hoist a trophy taking home his first Winternationals title at the season-opening national event. The win came at the first race of an early relationship with new primary sponsor Phillips Connect. A semifinal finish at the Gatornationals solidified the deal for the remainder of the season. The sponsorship is more than logos on an 11,000-horsepower race car as Ashley has spent time with Phillips Connect employees and joined the company’s involvement in supporting Ukrainian families and refugees. At the Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals Ashley and his team raised over $30,000 for relief funds with donors’ names added to the front wing of his Top Fuel dragster. The initiative is continuing this weekend for the NHRA SpringNationals in Houston.

While this is being billed as the final NHRA national event at historic Houston Raceway Park Ashley is focusing on building on his team’s success and leaving his mark on Texas fans. The third-year pro would also like to keep his round win streak in Texas intact with another four win lights on Sunday.

“The Houston fans are always very passionate about their racing,” said Ashley, who won the last NHRA national event held in Texas, the Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex. “It’s a pleasure getting to interact with them throughout the race weekend. Now that it’s the last NHRA event at Houston Raceway, that interaction and this race as whole becomes that much more significant. Our team has an opportunity to make history.”

It has been two weeks since Ashley strapped into his Phillips Connect Top Fuel dragster and the time off was both a positive and a negative. 

“Ideally you would like to race on consecutive weekends all year long,” said Ashley. “As a driver it helps you stay focused and in a routine. But of course, some time off is healthy because of the opportunity to shift your focus, evaluate and separate yourself from the present moment.”

Between races Ashley is involved in real estate development in New York. He is also continuing to add corporate sponsors and maintain his current relationships with KATO Fastening Systems, Auto Shocker, Lucas Oil, and a host of other brands. 

“Racing and real estate easily get intertwined when you’re in the midst of the season,” said Ashley. “That’s why when you step away from racing for a few weeks and focus more on the real estate business you have a different level of appreciation when you get back to the racetrack. I am looking forward to joining our team in Houston.”

Last year at the SpringNationals Ashley qualified No. 13 but managed an upset win in the first round before bowing out in the quarterfinals. That race was marred by persistent rain showers that only afforded each team one qualifying run before going right into eliminations. The same scenario played out earlier this season at the Gatornationals. Ashley raced to the semifinals for the second year in a row at the iconic event.

“I would love to have as many qualifying runs as possible to gather data and get comfortable behind the wheel before heading into raceday,” said Ashley. “But our Davis Motorsports crew chiefs Mike Green and Tommy DeLago are the best in the business. They have a ton of expertise and experience. This team is in a great position moving forward. The Top Fuel field is tough but everyone on our Phillips Connect/Vita C Shot team is up for the challenge.

Qualifying will begin for the final NHRA SpringNationals at 7 p.m. on Friday. There will be two qualifying sessions on Saturday with final eliminations beginning at 11 a.m. on Sunday. 

HOUSTON (April 19, 2022) — For almost 35 years Houston Raceway Park has been making NHRA history with record setting performances and some of the most exciting racing action in the southwest. This weekend they will host their final NHRA national event and professional drag racing at the track located in Baytown, Texas, just 20 minutes from Houston, will turn on its final winlight Sunday afternoon. Second year Top Fuel racer Josh Hart will be looking to erase the memory of a tough outing when he returns driving his R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster.

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

Last season persistent rain showers washed away two of the three qualifying sessions, so Hart was only given one shot at the track. He qualified No. 7 and lost a tough first round race to Shawn Langdon, who he had previously defeated to win the 2021 Gatornationals. Hart’s R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster lost a motor in dramatic and frustrating fashion for the then rookie driver.

“My only experience in Houston was not good,” said Hart. “I would love to go out on a positive note. You hate to see a track go away but hopefully it is onward and upwards for the series. Having the last race in Houston is awesome and terrible at the same time.”

Since that tough turn of events last season Hart closed out the year with three more semifinal finishes and a win at Caroline Nationals during the NHRA Countdown. The post-Houston success propelled Hart into a Rookie of the Year contention and one of the strongest back-halves of the season in the Top Fuel category. 

Over the off-season Hart’s operation built a new Top Fuel dragster and added components to make his first full-time run for the Top Fuel championship. The 2022 NHRA season has been a continued learning curve for the business owner form Ocala, Florida. Hart opened the season with quarterfinal and semifinal finishes at the Winternationals and Arizona Nationals, respectively. Some early season and new car gremlins have slowed his progress, but he knows this season will be a marathon not a sprint. The two weeks away from the track have been tough to swallow for the competitive Top Fuel driver. 

“This has been two weeks to sit and stew with a lot of should haves and could haves,” said Hart. “Bottom line they don’t call it winning they call it racing. I will go on to the next one and do the best we can in Houston.”

With four races completed the Top Fuel class could not be anymore up for grabs. There have been four different winners and each final round, including the final quad at the Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals has been comprised of completely different drivers. At the beginning of the season there was much talk about this category being hyper-competitive and those predictions appear to be playing out. Less than five rounds of racing separate the top eight drivers, which includes Hart.

“Everyone knew the Top Fuel class would be tough this year,” said Hart. “We have had some success but need to build some consistency. We have two races in a row coming up. This weekend in Houston would be a great chance for us to make a positive move with the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster.”

One area where Hart and his team are making positive strides at every race is through his relationship with R+L Carriers and their at-track presence. Throughout every event Hart and his R+L Carriers team engage with guests and NHRA fans about the diverse career opportunities available right now. R+L Carriers recruiters utilize trackside meet and greets at nearly all NHRA events to speak to interested candidates about the career opportunities which allows fans to enjoy the race day experience up close and hear firsthand from employees about the R+L Carriers career advantages.

Hart will get his race weekend started on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. with the first of three weekend qualifying sessions. Saturday’s qualifying sessions will run at 2:00 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. with final eliminations beginning at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 19, 2022) – The 2022 Progressive American Flat Trackseason resumes this weekend with the inaugural I-70 Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Kansas City on Saturday, April 23 in Odessa, Missouri. The stop at the newly revived I-70 Motorsports Park represents Progressive AFT’s long-awaited return to Missouri, some 17 seasons after the championship last visited Sedalia. To celebrate that return, along with Saturday’s championship round, Kansas City-area fans are invited to come out to the venue on Friday, April 22 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. local time to attend the day’s test session free of admission. The young ‘22 season has already taken on an interesting shape. It was widely expected that the premier Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle class would once again be a battle for supremacy waged by reigning champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) and his great rival, Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750). That has proven true to an extent, as the Indian Wrecking Crew superstars have split the season’s two available wins and are currently separated by a single point atop the championship standings. However, the efforts to level the playing field have yielded early dividends, as five different riders out of a possible six, representing three different manufacturers, have stood upon the podium already in 2022. In fact, it’s Yamaha-mounted JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) who stands as the only rider with a perfect podium record thus far. And his teammate, heralded rookie Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), has proven nearly as successful, and the two threaten to collect race wins in the near future. That sort of parity and unpredictability has added an extra dimension to the season’s title fight, and promises to continue this weekend on a track new to the tour. Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R), who put Harley-Davidson back up on the box in the season opener, Mission Roof Systems teammates Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), and last year’s finale winner, Davis Fisher(No. 67 Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), are just a sampling of the riders with the potential to factor up front this weekend.

Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines Defending Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines king Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07) rebounded like a champion at the Texas Half-Mile following a difficult opener. Despite tricky conditions and a series of stoppages, Texter controlled the Main Event at Texas Motor Speedway to remind everyone exactly why he’s the one brandishing the #1 plate on his machine.  That said, Nick Armstrong (No. 60 Competitive Racing Frames/Lessley Brothers Yamaha MT-07) provided evidence that his virtuoso performance at the opening round was no fluke, logging a fourth-place result as an encore. That result puts him in front of the early-season championship chase heading into Odessa. Meanwhile, a number of the category’s usual suspects – Ben Lowe (No. 25 Helipower Racing/Mission Foods Harley-Davidson XG750R), Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R), Kolby Carlile (No. 36 KC36 Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XG750R), and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Vinson Construction, Viper Air Yamaha MT-07) – have already marked up podium finishes this season. Some others have yet to break into the top three, but it’s likely only a matter of time before the likes of multi-race winners Chad Cose (No. 49 DPC Racing/Voodoo Ranger Harley-Davidson XG750R), Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), and Ryan Varnes (No. 68 Schaeffer’s Motorsports/Rausch Fuel & Oil KTM 890 Duke) make their presences felt in a major way.

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER Top honors Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER are seemingly always up for grabs, as the class features a deep pool of both hard-charging youngsters and battle-proven veterans aboard a range of equipment backed with factory support from multiple manufacturers. However, while the list of potential winners extends into the double digits, an early pecking order headlined by the preseason favorites is already starting to take shape. Sophomore ace Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) and his two-time class runner-up teammate, Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE), currently sit first and third in the championship standings. Meanwhile, American Honda teammates Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R) – the riders many would have pegged as the most likely to prevent this year’s title hunt from turning into a factory KTM intrateam affair – are currently ranked second and fourth. While those four expect to continue to jockey for position as the championship campaign develops, a number of others could easily work their way into the mix as well. Trent Lowe (No. 48 Mission Foods/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda CRF450R), Michael Inderbitzin(No. 54 1st Impressions Services of Florida Honda CRF450R), Chase Saathoff (No. 106 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R), Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), and Brandon Kitchen (No. 80 Vance & Hines/Husqvarna Motorcycles Husqvarna FC450), among several others, all have the requisite speed and ability to walk away from I-70 Motorsports Park with the winner’s trophy.

There will be plenty to keep fans entertained off the track as well. Along with numerous vendors, food and beverage options, and the Kids Zone, the high-energy three-piece group Pompous Jack, will be performing their blend of ‘80s rock, blues, and country. And the night will conclude in fitting fashion thanks to a post-event fireworks display. Along with the action at the track on Saturday night and the free test day on Friday, fans are invited to attend the I-70 Half-Mile American Flat Track Rider Meet & Greet at RideNow Kansas City in Olathe, Kansas, where fans can meet their favorite riders and enjoy Mission Foods chips and salsa, on Thursday, April 21, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time. Visit https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3775 to purchase your tickets for the I-70 Half-Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle Kansas City now.  General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $40 and kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Fans who would like seating along the front stretch of the racetrack, including seat-backs in all sections, can select seats in the Reserved Grandstandfor just $10 more. The Indoor Suite Reservation ticket provides exclusive viewing above the grandstand in private, climate-controlled accommodations for $150. Paddock Access Upgrades are available for purchase (and come included with Indoor Suite Reservation tickets), which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the racebikes and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport. Other options include the Party Deck Add-On for fans 21+ and a range of Multi-Day Camping Passes. Gates will open for fans at 3:30 p.m. local time with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT ahead of the evening’s Main Event program. You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities free via Facebook up until Opening Ceremonies. Fans can then purchase access to watch Opening Ceremonies, Semis, Main Events, and podium celebrations via Facebook Paid Online Events for $3.99 if purchased 24 hours or more in advance, or $4.99 if purchased on the day of the event. The I-70 Half-Mile will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, May 1, at 10:00 a.m. ET/7:00 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. How to Watch: FOX Sports and Facebook are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all 18 races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed athttps://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. Viewers can watch livestream coverage of every round in the Facebook mobile app, Facebook desktop site or on the Facebook Watch mobile app. To watch the livestream on TV, fans can download the Facebook Watch TV app, or cast to a TV from the Facebook mobile app. Facebook Watch is available through Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Xbox One.

Erb, Sheppard, Moran, Blair, Richards and more prepare for return to Atomic April 22-23

WAVERLY, OH – April 18, 2022 – An invasion is coming to Ohio as the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models prepare for a double-dip at Atomic Speedway. 

The “Outlaw Invasion” is the first trip to the legendary Buckeye State facility for The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet since 2018 and their first trip to Ohio in 2022.

Drivers have the chance to leave Atomic with a potential $25,000 weekend payday, starting with the 40-lap, $10,000-to-win, CASE Feature on Friday, April 22. Then, another $15,000 is on the line Saturday, April 23, in the 50-lap finale. 

Joining the World of Outlaws at the 3/8-mile track are the Legends and Sport Mods on Friday, and 410 Sprint Cars and Modifieds on Saturday. 

TICKETS: https://bit.ly/3ryhZ4n

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

Here are the top storylines to follow at the Outlaw Invasion:

Chasing Erb: World of Outlaws competitors are used to chasing a Blue Rocket Chassis in the standings, just not current points leader Dennis Erb Jr. He enters the weekend with the lead for the first time in Series history—30-points ahead of reigning champion Brandon Sheppard. 

The Carpentersville, IL driver holds the top spot after a consistent start to 2022. He’s scored a win, three top-fives, and seven top-10s in eight races. 

Erb is one of the drivers in the field with experience at Atomic already in 2022, finishing 10th in last month’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event.  He also has a fourth and sixth-place finish in two races on a 3/8-mile track in 2022—both coming at Cherokee Speedway.

Richards Looks To Rebound: Only two drivers in history have multiple World of Outlaws wins at Atomic Speedway—Tyler Erb and four-time Series champion Josh Richards. 

Richards, aka “Kid Rocket,” won his two races at Atomic in 2015 behind the wheel of the Rocket1 Racing house car. 

The Shinnston, WV, now driving for Series veteran Boom Briggs, hopes to rebound after a tough start with only three top-10s in the first eight races. He enters the weekend seventh in the standings—158 points behind Erb.

Home Delivery: The last time the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models saw Ohio-native Devin Moran, he held a “Big Gator Trophy” at DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. 

This weekend, he returns to Series competition as one of the favorites at a place he’s already found success. One of “The Mailman’s” eight World of Outlaws wins came at Atomic in 2017.

Moran has three top-fives and six top-10’s in Series competition in 2022 and hopes to grab his fourth overall win and win in front of his Ohio fans.

Man on a Mission: Four-time and defending Series Champion Brandon Sheppard has one mission this weekend—grab his first World of Outlaws victory of the season at Atomic Speedway. 

The “Rocket Shepp” has two top-fives and six top-10s in 2022 and hopes to make history at Atomic and claim the potential $25,000 payday. 

Sheppard’s next Series win gives him a piece of World of Outlaws history—tying him for first on the all-time wins list with Josh Richards (78). 

The New Berlin, IL driver, scored a top-five finish at Atomic last month (5th) in a race won by Jimmy Owens.

Heat Seeking Viper: Rookie of the Year contender Max Blair is on a hot streak entering the Outlaw Invasion at Atomic Speedway. 

The Centerville, PA driver has three straight top five finishes, including a victory at last month’s Rock Gault Memorial. That win came at Cherokee Speedway, another 3/8-mile track like Atomic. 

His recent success has catapulted him to third in the standings—38 points behind Erb. Blair also enjoys a 58-point cushion over Tanner English in the battle for Rookie of the Year. 

WHEN AND WHERE

April 22-23, Atomic Speedway in Waverly, OH

ABOUT THE TRACK

Atomic Speedway is a 3/8-mile track
Online – www.atomicspeedway.net 

PREVIOUS WINNERS
2018- Tyler Erb on Sept. 28 and 29
2017- Devin Moran on May 26
2015- Josh Richards on Aug. 21 and 22
2009- Chub Frank on Aug. 22
2008- Rod Conley on May 23
2006- Tim McCreadie on July 22
2005- Jackie Boggs on June 18
1989- Billy Moyer on June 3

TRACK RECORD
12.748 set by Jimmy Owens in 2015. 

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

Around the Turn: The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet travel to Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN for the Bristol Bash April 28-30. 

Feature Winners: (7 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA- 2
2. Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-1
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
   Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-1
   Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1
   Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-1
   Max Blair, Centerville, PA-1

HEAT RACE WINNERS (20 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, GA-6
2. Chris Madden-Gray Court, SC-5
3. Brandon Sheppard- New Berlin, IL-4
4. Max Blair, Centerville, PA-3
5. Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY-2
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-2
   Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-2
   Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, AZ-2
   Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-2
   Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-2
6. Devin Moran-Dresden, OH-1
   Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-1
   Ross Robinson, Georgetown, DE-1
   Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-1
   Mark Whitener, Middleburg, FL-1
   Frank Heckenast, Jr., Frankfort, IL-1
   Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1
   Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-1
   Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, NC-1
   Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1

Last Chance Showdown Winners (16 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Max Blair, Centerville, PA-3
2. Cade Dillard-Robeline, LA-2
   Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2
3. Hudson O’Neal- Martinsville, IN-1
   Logan Martin, Plains, MO-1
   Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1
   Chris Simpson, Oxford, IA-1
   Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-1
   Spencer Hughes, Meridian, MS-1
   Mike Norris, Sarver, PA-1
   Chase Osterhoff, Kankakee, IL-1
   Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-1
   Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA-1
   Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-1
   Anthony Sanders, Spartanburg, SC-1
   Banjo Duke, Sumter, SC-1

PODIUM FINISHES (16 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Podiums

1. Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-4
2. Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2
   Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-2
   Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY-2
   Chris Madden, Gray Court, NC-2
   Max Blair, Centerville, PA-2
3. Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA-1
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
   Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1
   Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-1
   Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1
   Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1
   Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-1
   Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1
   Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1
   Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, NC-1

FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER (8 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.

1. Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1
   Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1
   Tanner English, Benton, KY-1
   Max Blair, Centerville, PA-1
   Gordy Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-1
   Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-1
   Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1
   Carson Ferguson, Concord, NC-1

SLICK WOODY’S QUICK TIME Award (7 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs

1. Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-2
2. Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-1
   Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-1
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
   Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-1
   Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1
   Trent Ivey, Union, SC-1

CASE Feature Lap Leaders (11 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps Led

1. Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-65
2. Max Blair, Centerville, PA-56
3. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-39
   Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-39
4. Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-29
5. Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-25
6. Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-25
7. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-18
8. Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-17
9. Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-15
10. Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-2

2022 World of Outlaws Late Model Schedule & Winners

No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Thursday, Jan. 20 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Dale McDowell (1)
2. Friday, Jan. 21/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Ashton Winger (1)
3. Wednesday, Feb. 16/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Brandon Overton (1)
4. Thursday, Feb. 17/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Dale McDowell (2)
5. Friday, Feb. 18/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Dennis Erb Jr. (1)
6. Saturday, Feb. 19/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Chris Madden (1)
7. Friday, March 25/Cherokee Speedway, Gaffney, SC/Michael Brown (1)
8. Saturday, March 26/Cherokee Speeway, Gaffney, SC/Max Blair (1)

NHRA^® Team Report

NHRA SpringNationals – Houston, Texas

Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and the Snap-on^® “Makers and Fixers” Dodge^® SRT^® Hellcat^® are sitting in fourth place in Funny Car standings as the team headsto Houston Raceway Park for the track’s final race as part of the NHRA circuit. It will be a memorable one for Cruz who had his first nitro Funny Car win in Houston as a rookie in 1992, when he set a national record for the fastest elapsed time in Funny Car history. He claimed another Funny Car victory in Houston in 2013. 

“Houston fans and the track hold lots of great memories for me and we’ll miss the fast runs and great crowds here,” says Cruz. “We’ve got the Snap-on Dodge prepped and ready to deliver some memory-making drag racing and show our appreciation and respect for all the good times racers have had here over the track’s 35 years.”

Cruz says the team has been rebuilding and restocking inventory since the last race and is planning on a “win” as a fitting farewell to Houston. For the race, the Snap-on Dodge will once again sport the car body that highlights primary sponsor Snap-on’s call to the Makers and Fixers to share their stories at makersandfixers.com.

April 18, 2022

Despite his lack of experience racing on clay, rookie Harrison Burton and the No. 21 DEX Imaging team came away from Sunday’s Food City Dirt Race with a 20^th-place finish.

Burton who qualified 24th, finished 27^th in the first 75-lap Stage, then ended the second Stage in 24^th.
 
He and the DEX team gained some track position by not pitting after the second Stage, and he was able to run mostly inside the top 20 for the remainder of a race that was stopped twice for rain but would up running the full 250-lap distance.

During one of the rain delays, Burton said in a TV interview that he was “as lost as last year’s Easter egg” trying to figure out dirt racing, but in reality his experiences on this Easter weekend showed that he and the DEX team were learning on the go.
 
He stayed on the lead lap for the entire race and steered his way clear of damage during several close calls on the track. 

“This dirt stuff was really new to me,” Burton said. “I had really nothing to base this weekend off of.
 
“It was a tough one for sure, but I’m proud of the fight and willingness to learn in our group.”
 
Burton moved up one spot in the Cup Series driver points standings to 28^th. He and the No. 21 team now head to Talladega Superspeedway for Sunday’s GEICO 500.

Austin Dillon And The No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet Team Show Dirt Track Racing Prowess Before Early Exit From Bristol Motor Speedway

31st

12th

17th

“We had such a fast Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet, and I love racing on dirt so I just wish we could have been there for the end. Both of our teams were a little worried about our air boxes because we stayed out at the end of Stage 2 instead of pitting. It didn’t work out for the No. 3 team. Too much dirt got into the engine, and we ended up losing the motor. It’s unfortunate because our Chevy was pretty good, and we had a decent restart before it shut down on me. I’m thankful no one ko’d me there. I fell back so fast that I was waiting for somebody to get me big. I tried to hold it straight. I was just completely out of power. I want to congratulate my teammate, Tyler Reddick, on a great race. He drove his butt off, got up there and was good. He didn’t get his win tonight, but if RCR keeps giving us cars like these we both will be in Victory Lane soon.”-Austin Dillon

Tyler Reddick Leads Most Laps of his Career in the No. 8 3CHI Chevrolet Before Last-Lap Spin at Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Race

2nd

3rd

11th

“I’m proud of this Richard Childress Racing team for everything they have done to put me in the position to win this year. I wish we could have got the 3CHI Chevrolet in Victory Lane tonight, but we were able to finish second. The No. 14 car was able to run me back down there, and it didn’t work out for either of us. When you’re racing on dirt, you’re going to go for the move on the final corner. It’s everything that you hope for as a driver in his situation, to be able to battle for the lead on the final corner. I shouldn’t have let him get that close. He ran me back down. It made it really exciting for the fans. I’m disappointed that we couldn’t win, but proud of this team for all of their hard work, and it was great to be able to run up front all race and lead the most laps of my Cup Series career.”-Tyler Reddick

NASCAR CUP SERIES BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY FOOD CITY DIRT RACE TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES & QUOTES APRIL 17, 2022 TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS:POS.   DRIVER2ND    TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 3CHI CAMARO ZL14TH    KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL16TH    ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL18TH    CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 KELLEY BLUE BOOK CAMARO ZL110TH  TY DILLON, NO. 42 FOOD CITY / GAIN CAMARO ZL112TH  DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 TOOTSIES ORCHID LOUNGE CAMARO ZL114TH  JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL118TH  WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL119TH  COREY LAJOIE, NO. 7 NATIONS GUARD CAMARO ZL1 TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS: POS.  DRIVER1st      Kyle Busch (Toyota)2nd     Tyler Reddick (Chevrolet)3rd      Joey Logano (Ford)4th      Kyle Larson (Chevrolet)5th      Ryan Blaney (Ford)
The NASCAR Cup Series season continues next weekend at Talladega Superspeedway with the GEICO 500 on Sunday, April 24 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES AND QUOTES:TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 3CHI CAMARO ZL1 – Finished 2ndTYLER, TALK ME THROUGH TURNS THREE AND FOUR. WHAT TOOK PLACE OVER THERE? WHAT ARE THE EMOTIONS RIGHT NOW? “I don’t think I did everything right, to be honest with you. (Chase) Briscoe was able to run me back down there. Just looking at it, I should have done a little bit better job of just — I don’t know. I shouldn’t have let him get that close. He ran me back down. Worked really hard to do that. I mean, you’re racing on dirt; going for the move on the final corner. It’s everything that as a driver you hope to battle for in his situation. Made it really exciting for the fans, so… It does suck, but we were able to finish second still. I’m being honest. I should have done a better job and pulled away so he wasn’t in range to try to make that move. That’s how I look at it.” KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 – Finished 4th“We had a good No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevy all night. We could have been a lot better, but I still feel like we had a car capable of winning if things played out differently. I think the weather kind of had everyone on the fence on what to do. But either way, it was fun. Getting back up there to the top-five was good. I wasn’t sure if we could get it done restarting 20-something to start the final stage. I had a lot of fun and hopefully next year, we can get our car a little better and run towards the front even more.”  CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 KELLEY BLUE BOOK CAMARO ZL1 – Finished 8thELLIOTT’S THOUGHTS ON THE RACE DURING THE FIRST RAIN DELAY: “Towards the end of that first stage, I feel like I started finally halfway figuring it out and was able to go forward some. A lot of it is just whether you get the bottom or the top. We don’t have to choose, but it’s really unfair regardless of which end you’re on. Unfortunately, those last couple restarts, we had the top. And all kind of at the same time, I felt like I was able to finally make some pace whenever I did get some track position too.  Appreciate everybody on our No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevy this weekend for sticking with it and sticking with me. I’ve struggled. I’m excited to have made some improvements throughout the race.” JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL1 – Finished 14th“Not the day we wanted in our No. 31 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camaro ZL1, but we got a good top 15 out of it. I led the team in the wrong direction for changes and got myself behind a little. Overall, it was a productive weekend. We got a heat race win and ran up front during stage one. I just backed myself into a corner, but I’m proud of this team’s effort.” NOAH GRAGSON, NO. 16 CHEVY TRUCK MONTH CAMARO ZL1 – Finished 27th“We were trying to keep our No. 16 Chevy Truck Month Camaro ZL1 in one piece – that was my main goal. Unfortunately, I had nowhere to go and got caught up in a wreck. I’m thankful for everyone’s hard work on this Kaulig Racing team. Our first couple of races haven’t gone the way we have wanted them to, but we will keep building. The cars are fast, and I’m starting to learn and get better as we go.” AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BASS PRO SHOPS / TRACKER OFF ROAD CAMARO ZL1 – Sidelined due to mechanical failure; Finished 31st“We had such a fast Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet, and I love racing on dirt so I just wish we could have been there for the end. Both of our teams were a little worried about our air boxes because we stayed out at the end of Stage 2 instead of pitting. It didn’t work out for the No. 3 team. Too much dirt got into the engine, and we ended up losing the motor. It’s unfortunate because our No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet was pretty good, and we had a decent restart before it shut down on me. I’m thankful no one ko’d me there. I fell back so fast that I was waiting for somebody to get me big. I tried to hold it straight. I was just completely out of power. I want to congratulate my teammate, Tyler Reddick, on a great race. He drove his butt off, got up there and was good. He didn’t get his win tonight, but if RCR keeps giving us cars like these we both will be in Victory Lane soon.”

Jason Johnson Racing #41 Scores Series-Best Third win of 2022

PEVELY, MO – April 16, 2022 – It took every ounce of muscle and smarts for Carson Macedo to maneuver his way to victory lane on Saturday night at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55.

The Lemoore, CA native officially led all 35 laps aboard the Jason Johnson Racing, Albaugh #41, but it was a wild rollercoaster ride at the tough-to-tame 1/4-mile. Macedo used a remarkable start to go from third-to-first, and then relied on some timely cautions, and every little bit of luck he had to avoid some harrowing moments throughout lap traffic.

Of course, he still had his competition to worry about, too. He split a three-wide moment with Logan Schuchart and Brad Sweet early on and then survived a close call on the final circuit to win it by only 0.523-seconds over Schuchart’s #1S.

“I feel like there was definitely some luck involved tonight,” a relieved Macedo said. “Guys were just bouncing all over the place and you didn’t know which direction they would do. I kept trying to enter as high as I could to turn across the ruts instead of trying to run against them. This is a track that has always had my number. I honestly thought I would be better here, but I’ve struggled quite a bit so this one feels good.”

Macedo’s first triumph at the Pevely, MO bullring marks the 20th of his World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series career. It also brings the JJR #41 to three victories on the 2022 season, making them the winningest team on tour thus far.

“I can’t say enough how thankful I am to be with this Jason Johnson Racing group,” Macedo added. “Actually living my dream and racing against the World of Outlaws every night never ceases to amaze me.”

A much-needed second-place run for Logan Schuchart marks a season-best finish for the DuraMAX, Drydene Performance Products #1S. The Hanover, PA native started pole position and actually snatched the lead back from Macedo on Lap 2 before a caution relegated his move. He spent the majority of the 35-lapper trying to time restarts and capitalize in traffic, but never found the right moment to snooker the #41.

Nonetheless, a runner-up bid and the momentum it brings is big for Schuchart and his Shark Racing crew.

“I thought we might have a shot him,” Schuchart said. “I can tell you we didn’t lose that one from a lack of effort. I was trying my absolute hardest to get that one. He just never gave me the right moment to capitalize on him. It’s been a tough year, so I’m happy to finally get my guys on the front stretch. We’re building some momentum and hopefully we can put this thing in victory lane where it belongs soon.”

Brad Sweet added another layer to his championship pedigree by salvaging a third-place finish to collect his Series-best seventh podium and 13th consecutive top-10 run aboard the Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #49.

“It was a tricky track with some rough spots tonight, Sweet noted. “I’m just happy to bring it home in third after so many close calls. It’s hard to dictate what the car was gonna do and I was just hanging on at times. Sometimes it’s about surviving these deals and we did that tonight.”

Sheldon Haudenschild was arguably the show of the night in his Stenhouse Jr. / Marshall Racing, NOS Energy Drink #17. Following a flip while running fourth on Lap 5, the Wooster, OH native went to the work area and completed major repairs with the help of several other teams, and returned to the track running 20th. He then ensued to storm through the field and charge all the way back to finish an impressive fourth place.

James McFadden rounded out the top-five after crafting his own impressive drive by hustling from 11th-to-third in only 15 laps. The Alice Springs, NT, AUS native was a consistent frontrunner in the Roth Motorsports #83 but faded late in the going to collect a fifth-place effort.

Closing out the top-10 at I-55 was California’s Rico Abreu, Connecticut’s David Gravel (KSE Hard Charger), Indiana’s Spencer Bayston, North Dakota’s Donny Schatz, and Pennsylvania’s Jacob Allen.

NOS NOTEBOOK (I-55 Raceway, 4/16/22)

Carson Macedo’s 20th career World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series victory puts him in a tie with the late Greg Hodnett for 30th on the All-Time Wins List. Macedo’s third victory of 2022 makes him and Jason Johnson Racing the winningest team thus far through 14 of a scheduled 82 events this season.

Rico Abreu collected his first Slick Woody’s Cornhole Company QuickTime Award of the season, and the 12th of his World of Outlaws career by circling I-55 in 10.372 seconds. NOS Energy Drink Heat Race wins went to Abreu (31st career), Schuchart (91st career), Allen (39th career), and Macedo (64th career).

Schuchart scored his first DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash win of the season to claim the pole position, while Kerry Madsen topped his first MicroLite Last Chance Showdown.

Five drivers made their season debut with the World of Outlaws on Saturday night at I-55 with two drivers – Derek Hagar, 17th, and Joe B. Miller, 21st – qualifying for the main event.

UP NEXT (Fri) – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series heads to Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, IL next Friday, April 22, and Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN next Saturday, April 23. After that, the Bristol Bash takes center stage with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series joining The Greatest Show on Dirt at The Last Great Colosseum on April 28-30. Fans can BUY TICKETS HERE, or watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.

NOS Energy Drink Feature Results (35 Laps) – 1. 41-Carson Macedo [3][$10,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1][$6,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$3,500]; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$2,800]; 5. 83-James McFadden [11][$2,500]; 6. 24-Rico Abreu [7][$2,300]; 7. 2-David Gravel [17][$2,200]; 8. 5-Spencer Bayston [5][$2,100]; 9. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$2,050]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$2,000]; 11. 18-Giovanni Scelzi [15][$1,600]; 12. 19AZ-Tanner Thorson [22][$1,400]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [10][$1,200]; 14. 24W-Garet Williamson [24][$1,100]; 15. 3-Ayrton Gennetten [20][$1,050]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$1,000]; 17. 9JR-Derek Hagar [12][$1,000]; 18. 73-Scotty Thiel [19][$1,000]; 19. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [9][$1,000]; 20. 83JR-Kerry Madsen [21][$1,000]; 21. 51B-Joe B-Miller [23][$1,000]; 22. 21-Brian Brown [18][$1,000]; 23. 8-Aaron Reutzel [13][$1,000]; 24. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [14][$1,000]. Lap Leaders: Carson Macedo 1-35. KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-David Gravel[+10]

NEW Championship Standings (After 14/82 Races): 1. Brad Sweet (1,970); 2. Carson Macedo (-48); 3. David Gravel (-48); 4. Sheldon Haudenschild (-72); 5. James McFadden (-120); 6. Donny Schatz (-122); 7. Giovanni Scelzi (-136); 8. Logan Schuchart (-136); 9. Spencer Bayston (-166); 10. Jacob Allen (-204).

April 16, 2022

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 DEX Imaging team got off to a relatively slow start on the dirt at Bristol Motor Speedway but have shown steady improvement as the race weekend rolls on.

In Friday’s opening practice, Burton, who had never raced a Cup car on dirt, was 36^th fastest. His best lap was at 87.024 miles per hour.

The second and final practice session saw him move up to 29^th on the speed charts, with a best lap at 85.478 mph.  He was 26^th fastest in the 10-consecutive-lap category. 

On Saturday, Burton lined up ninth, at the back of the field, for the fourth 15-lap qualifying race as starting spots were determined by a random draw.

As the laps wound down, he took eighth place from Cody Ware, then passed Aric Almirola with two laps to go to finish seventh.

His finishing position, added to the points he earned for the two passes, put him in 24^th place for the start of Sunday night’s 250-lap Food City Dirt Race.

The green flag is set to fly just after 7 p.m. Eastern Time with TV coverage on FOX.

NASCAR CUP SERIES BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY FOOD CITY DIRT RACE TEAM CHEVY LINEUP APRIL 16, 2022 TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-10 STARTING LINEUP:  POS.   DRIVER3rd     TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 3CHI CAMARO ZL1 5th      KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM ZL16th      JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL1 7th      TY DILLON, NO. 42 FOOD CITY / GAIN CAMARO ZL1 8th      ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 9th      CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 KELLEY BLUE BOOK CAMARO ZL1            TOP-FIVE UNOFFICIAL QUALIFYING RESULTS: POS.  DRIVER1st      Cole Custer (Ford)2nd     Christopher Bell (Toyota)3rd     Tyler Reddick (Chevrolet)                                                  4th      Chase Briscoe (Ford)5th      Kyle Larson (Chevrolet) ·       Four, 15-lap qualifying heat races will determine the starting lineup for the main event. The lineup for the heat races are determined by random draw, performed in the order of team owner points.  ·       The lineup for the NASCAR Cup Series 250-lap Food City Dirt Race is determined by an accumulation of passing and finishing points.  ·       Following the NASCAR Cup Series qualifying races, six Camaro ZL1’s have locked-in top-10 starting spots for tomorrow’s event.  ·      FOX will telecast the NASCAR Cup Series 250-lap Food City Dirt Race live at 7 p.m. ET Sunday, April 17. Live coverage can also be found on PRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

NASCAR CUP SERIES BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY FOOD CITY DIRT RACE TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT APRIL 16, 2022 KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1, met with the media in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session at Bristol Motor Speedway. Press Conference Transcript:  KYLE, OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE A DEEP DIRT BACKGROUND. GIVE US A REVIEW OF YOUR TWO PRACTICES YESTERDAY AND HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT GOING INTO THE HEATS THIS AFTERNOON.“I was pretty sad after first practice. Our car was not handling very good at all, but you know after second practice I was really proud of my team because they did a really good job with adjustments between the sessions. I felt like we were really competitive the second time and the balance was much closer. I was happy about that. The track was pretty good. Probably as good as it could be I thought. We felt like we could run all over the track and slide around which was fun. The heats will be, I assume, pretty fast paced, and go by quickly. Probably a little hard to pass, but still a long race for tomorrow. The heats aren’t extremely important in my eyes.” EVERYONE SEEMS TO THINK THAT YOU’RE THE ONE THAT’S ADVISING NASCAR AND BRISTOL ON WHAT THEY NEED TO BE DOING AND TRACK PREP. BUT THEN ON SIRIUS YOU SAID YOU REALLY HADN’T TALKED TO THEM THAT MUCH. WHAT’S BEEN YOUR INVOLVEMENT SINCE LAST YEAR?“The only person I’ve talked to about track stuff is Steve Swift and that’s just when I am here. Like when I was here for the late model races just throughout the night, I would be like hey I think, and he’s got a really good understanding anyways, but I think just maybe hearing from me or helps verify. Just like hey I think the top needs a little bit of moisture right now to help it survive or help it be racy, just stuff like that. I mean even yesterday during practice after first practice I told them hey you need to water and pack the apron. Stuff like that. He has been the only one that I’ve talked to.” DOES HE LISTEN TO YOU?“Yeah, I think so. It seems like everything that he’s done, I’m sure a lot of the times he’s already got it a part of his plan to do that anyways. He’s done a really good job. I feel like everybody has here. I feel like the surface has been much better than it was last year.” HAS THAT TOP CUSHION OPENED UP ANYMORE IN THE TRACK THAT YOU SAW IN PRACTICE AND DO YOU EXPECT GUYS TO BE RUNNING THAT LINE?“It’s hard to say now. I mean the track is totally different and fresh from where it was in practice yesterday. Now we’ll just have to wait and see how the track develops during these truck heats. It’s hard to predict the future with dirt.” WAS IT OK IN PRACTICE?“I thought the track was really good. It got slick from top to the very wall. There’s no cushion here, but we just kind of chased the moisture up the track until it got to the wall, which was fun. I thought all the lanes were pretty equal. It should make for a good race.” THERE’S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT WHAT FUTURE CUP SCHEDULES MIGHT LOOK LIKE, MAYBE A STREET RACE, MORE DIRT, ETC. HOW WOULD THE SCHEDULE BE DIFFERENT IF YOU HAD A LOT MORE INPUT INTO IT OR HAD THE MAJOR INPUT INTO IT? WHAT WOULD THE SCHEDULE BE LIKE?“I don’t think it really matters I guess what I would think. Really, I am cool with a street course and stuff like that. I don’t know. I mean, I think everybody assumes my opinion would be to race dirt every weekend, but no I don’t think Cup cars should be on dirt. That’s the only change I would make is not race on dirt.” HOW DO YOU VIEW YOUR SEASON TO THIS POINT?“It’s been a struggle so far. I feel like our racecar is close. I feel given different circumstances if we execute a little bit better and get that little bit better track position, we could have some totally different races. Here lately it’s just been a lot of mistakes on my part, so that’s been frustrating when it’s on you. I feel like that’s also the easiest thing to fix is when it’s yourself. I feel like phoenix we blew up, but we were competitive. Atlanta we were competitive and got in a wreck. COTA we were competitive, and I just did a really bad job on the restarts and then got myself in the hornet’s nest and didn’t do a good job. Richmond we were ok and got a better finish than we deserve and then last week we were clawing our way to get some good track position and right when we did, I sped on pit road. Like I said, a lot of mistakes on my part here lately, which has gotten me frustrated. I’ve got a really great race team with really great leadership with Cliff (Daniels) and everybody. I know we’ll be able to get through it, we just got to keep working hard and keep fighting and staying positive.” WE’VE BEEN TO A VARIETY OF TRACKS. DO YOU HAVE A GOOD FEEL FOR THE CAR NOW THAT KIND OF FEEL THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE CAR NEEDS TO GO FAST? DO YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF COMFORT LEVEL YET?“Yeah, I think I don’t feel like it drives way different so that comfort feel is not hard to find. I feel like as we’ve gotten racing more it’s maybe just the way the schedule is laid out, it’s gotten really hard to pass and that makes executing that much more important. That’s where I feel like I haven’t done a good job. You look at your guys who are winning and they’re just executing really good races and maintaining their track position all race long. That starts from practice through qualifying and into the race, where I haven’t done a good enough job to be challenging for wins yet consistently like we were. Just got to do a little bit more work on my part and just be a little bit better and we’ll be right there.” WHAT’S THE RISK OF GOING UP TOP THIS WEEKEND, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE WITH THE NEW CAR A LOT OF TOE LINK AND ISSUES IN THE REAR? WHAT’S THAT KIND OF RISK AND BALANCE?“I don’t know. I mean, I think when the track gets to where it was yesterday and dusty kind of on entry the risk is higher. If the track’s got some moisture on entry the risk, to me, isn’t quite as much because it’ll hold you a little bit better with the grip up there. Obviously, you always want your car handling good to where you can go anywhere, and the safest part of the track is further away from the wall. A lot of times you can find a lot of speed up there, so just like any pavement race you definitely have to weigh the risk versus reward.”

Gettysburg Clash and Morgan Cup Highlight First of Three Pennsylvania Trips

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA – April 16, 2022 – Sprint Car Racing’s favorite rivalry – the World of Outlaws vs. the PA Posse – returns next month.

Pennsylvania fans will see The Greatest Show on Dirt bring 15 full-time stars to face their impressive crop of local competitors on nine occasions this season, and it starts with a three-race swing through the Keystone State in the middle of May.

The battle begins with the DuraMAX / Drydene Gettysburg Clash at Abbottstown, PA’s Lincoln Speedway on Wednesday, May 11, and continues with the annual Morgan Cup at Mechanicsburg, PA’s Williams Grove Speedway on Friday and Saturday, May 13-14.

BUY LINCOLN TICKETS (5/11)
BUY WILLIAMS GROVE TICKETS (5/13-14)

The three-race, four-day stretch begins at Lincoln’s 3/8-mile in Abbottstown, where the Outlaws and the Posse have evenly split the last 10 shows, five-to-five. More impressively, we’ve seen 10 different drivers win the last 10 Series events at the Pigeon Hills oval.

For the Outlaws, Brad Sweet, Sheldon Haudenschild, David Gravel, Donny Schatz & Daryn Pittman have taken down wins. For the Posse, Lance Dewease, Freddie Rahmer, Greg Hodnett, Stevie Smith & Danny Dietrich have defended the home turf.

Brent Marks of Myerstown, PA is as “true Outlaw” as they come in Central Pennsylvania, but he gets the nod for being a Posse member considering his platinum status. The eight-time World of Outlaws winner already scored a big $20,000 payday against the Series in Texas, and now looks to score another one at home. The former National Open champion has multiple wins at Williams Grove – including last summer – but still eyes his first Lincoln victory against the Series after losing a heartbreaker last year.

Danny Dietrich, of Gettysburg, PA, will be going for his third DuraMAX / Drydene Gettysburg Clash victory after winning back-to-back in 2012-13. The five-time World of Outlaws winner currently leads Lincoln Speedway points with wins in March and April of this year.

Another Posse star to watch is Anthony Macri of Dillsburg, PA, who earned one of his five World of Outlaws podium finishes at the track last year. He’s the only driver thus far to score wins at both Lincoln and Williams Grove in 2022. The 22-year-old is still chasing that elusive first-career win with the Series.

It’s been a slow start to 2022 for the Kreitz Racing #69K, but you know Lance Dewease will be a major threat when the Outlaws come to town next month. The Fayetteville, PA native rides a six-year streak of multiple podium finishes with all of them coming in his home state. However, it hasn’t been since 2019 that the 17-time World of Outlaws winner stood in victory lane with the Series. The 103-time Williams Grove winner and 42-time Lincoln winner looks to change that next month.

When it comes to the Outlaws, Donny Schatz undeniably leads the charge to Williams Grove. He’s scored 21 of his 303 victories at the Mechanicsburg 1/2-mile, making it the winningest track of his legendary career. The six-time National Open champion already has one with the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, Ford Performance, Carquest #15 at this point in 2022.

David Gravel of Watertown, CT is always a polarizing figure at Williams Grove, but nonetheless, he’s one of the hottest drivers in recent times at the track with eight of his 71 career wins coming there. He’s proven his Big Game Motorsports #2 team is a championship contender and looks to get his first WGS win with Cody Jacobs on the wrenches next month.

Carson Macedo of Lemoore, CA has quickly figured out Williams Grove in the Jason Johnson Racing #41. He won twice last year – including the $75,000 National Open – and became the first man since Sammy Swindell in 1997 to win twice at WGS, Eldora, and Knoxville in a single season. With another month until his next Posse showdown, Macedo currently runs third in World of Outlaws points with two wins to his credit.

Sheldon Haudenschild, along with Schatz & Gravel, is one of only three full-time Outlaws to own Series wins at both Lincoln and Williams Grove. He joined his dad Jac Haudenschild on the WGS All-Time Win List last year and currently has two victories in 2022 aboard the Stenhouse Jr. / Marshall Racing, NOS Energy Drink #17.

Brad Sweet of Grass Valley, CA finally tamed Lincoln Speedway last year, and now one of his biggest goals left in the sport is to get that Williams Grove win. The three-time and defending World of Outlaws champion has made 52 attempts at the Mechanicsburg 1/2-mile with only six top-five finishes, a career-best of third, and an average finish of 12.2.

A foursome of Pennsylvania-based Outlaw teams will return to familiar territory next month with Hanover’s Shark Racing, Carlisle’s CJB Motorsports, and Jonestown’s Zearfoss Racing all heading home. Brock Zearfoss is the only of the four to score a World of Outlaws win at either track, winning his first-career Feature with the Series at Williams Grove in 2017. Along with Zearfoss, James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83) is also a one-time winner at the track with his sole victory coming in 2017 as well.

Logan Schuchart has been close a handful of times and hopes next month’s DuraMAX / Drydene Gettysburg Clash is the time to park his DuraMAX, Drydene #1S in victory lane. While he’s still chasing his first win of 2022, teammate and uncle Jacob Allen has knocked out the Jason Johnson Classic and scored a popular second-career World of Outlaws win in his throwback #1A.

Hailing from Lebanon, IN, Spencer Bayston pilots the CJB #5 for Chad Clemens and Barry Jackson of central Pennsylvania. The 23-year-old has won at both venues (Midgets at Williams Grove, All Stars at Lincoln), but now he’ll return to the area as part of the Outlaws vs. Posse rivalry.

Other local names to watch include Williams Grove points leader Dylan Norris, Lucas Wolfe, Steve Buckwalter, Devon Borden, Dylan Cisney, TJ Stutts, and Chase Dietz, among many more.

LINCOLN SPEEDWAY WINNERS (24 Races):

12 wins – Steve Kinser
4 wins – Bobby Davis Jr, Sammy Swindell, Steve Smith
3 wins – Bobby Allen
2 wins – Danny Dietrich, Mark Kinser, Stevie Smith
1 win – Andy Hillenburg, Bill Brian Jr, Brad Doty, Brad Sweet, Cris Eash, Daryn Pittman, Dave Blaney, David Gravel, Don Kreitz Jr, Donny Schatz, Fred Rahmer, Freddie Rahmer, Greg Hodnett, Lance Dewease, Rick Ferkel, Sheldon Haudenschild

WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY WINNERS (224 Races):

38 wins – Steve Kinser
21 wins – Donny Schatz
18 wins – Mark Kinser
15 wins – Sammy Swindell
14 wins – Lance Dewease
9 wins – Fred Rahmer, Greg Hodnett
8 wins – David Gravel, Don Kreitz Jr.
6 wins – Bobby Allen, Bobby Davis Jr, Daryn Pittman, Stevie Smith
4 wins – Dave Blaney
3 wins – Doug Wolfgang, Jason Meyers, Keith Kauffman
2 wins – Brent Marks, Carson Macedo, Chad Layton, Cody Darrah, Craig Dollansky, Cris Eash, Danny Dietrich, Danny Lasoski, Jac Haudenschild, Johnny Herrera, Paul McMahan, Shane Stewart, Tim Shaffer
1 win – Aaron Reutzel, Andy Hillenburg, Bill Stief, Brad Doty, Brian Leppo, Brock Zearfoss, Doug Esh, Giovanni Scelzi, James McFadden, Jason Johnson, Jason Solwold, Jeff Swindell, Jim Edwards, Joey Saldana, Kevin Gobrecht, Kyle Larson, Lynn Paxton, Mark Smith, Ron Shuman, Sheldon Haudenschild, Terry McCarl

NASCAR CUP SERIES BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY FOOD CITY DIRT RACE TEAM CHEVY POST-PRACTICE APRIL 15, 2022

TEAM CHEVY: TOP-20 IN NASCAR CUP SERIES FIRST PRACTICE1st      TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 3CHI CAMARO ZL1 4th      JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL1 6th      RICKY STENHOUSE JR., NO. 47 KROGER / IRISH SPRING CAMARO ZL1 7th      ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 ADVENT HEALTH CAMARO ZL1 9th      TY DILLON, NO. 42 FOOD CITY / GAIN CAMARO ZL1 11th    CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 KELLEY BLUE BOOK CAMARO ZL1 12th    AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BASS PRO SHOPS / TRACKER OFF ROAD CAMARO ZL1 16th    KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 18th    ERIK JONES, NO. 43 FOOD CITY / TIDE CAMARO ZL1 20th    DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 TOOTSIES ORCHID LOUNGE CAMARO ZL1  ·       The NASCAR Cup Series is participating in two (2) 50-minute practice sessions, where Tyler Reddick, No. 8 3CHI Camaro ZL1, was the fastest overall in first practice.  ·       Tyler Reddick’s fastest lap was 20.017 seconds, at a speed of 89.924 mph.  ·       Four, 15-lap qualifying heat races will determine the starting lineup for the main event. The lineup for the heat races are determined by random draw, performed in the order of team owner points. 
·       FOX will telecast the NASCAR Cup Series 250-lap Food City Dirt Race live at 7 p.m. ET Sunday, April 17. Live coverage can also be found on PRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 3CHI CAMARO ZL1, met with the media after the NASCAR Cup Series first practice as the fastest driver in today’s first practice session. Press Conference Transcript:  YOU WERE THIRD IN THE 10-LAP AVERAGE. DOES THAT MEAN ANYTHING OR IS THE TRACK GOING TO BE SO DIFFERENT ON SUNDAY THAT WHATEVER WE LOOK AT TODAY, WE SHOULDN’T READ TOO MUCH INTO IT?“It’s going to be different, like the way it was different last year for this race. From practice to the race was a huge difference. But we’re going to be running this race at night on Sunday. This track holds moisture better. There are just a lot of factors that will play into that. 
The track is going to be different, but I can’t really foresee what it’s going to be like. We kind of have to wait and see how the track is prepped. Certainly, it’s just going to take a lot longer to get to where it did at the end of our practice there when we’re racing under nighttime conditions and the sun isn’t really beating down on the racetrack.”
WHAT WOULD YOUR RECOMMENDATION BE TO MAKE THE TRACK BETTER; AND REALISTICALLY, HOW MANY GROOVES DO YOU THINK YOU’LL HAVE TO RACE ON SUNDAY?“Well, with this car, from what I saw as it transitioned and as it changed – in dirt racing, the line is going to be different just about every single lap as the track changes. I think there is going to be a point in time, in the beginning of the race certainly, where one lane is going to be more dominant than the other. We saw it in Truck practice a little bit – you’re going to have options as the track really starts to widen out; as the middle wears away and the tacky dirt kind of burns off. 
I think there is going to be a lot of lane choices, based off of just where this tires’ grip is and where the power in this car is, horsepower-wise. But a lot of these things just depend on what the weather does Saturday and how much that really dictates what we can and can’t do to this track Sunday getting ready for our race.”

NASCAR CUP SERIES BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY FOOD CITY DIRT RACE TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT APRIL 15, 2022

RICKY STENHOUSE JR., NO. 47 KROGER / IRISH SPRING CAMARO ZL1, met with the media in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Bristol Motor Speedway. Press Conference Transcript: 
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR OVERALL THOUGHTS HEADED INTO THIS WEEKEND?“I think everybody’s looking forward to it. We learned a lot last year, which obviously probably went into everybody’s preparation for this year. I think Goodyear learned a lot. SMI and the track learned a lot, and NASCAR as well just trying to make a good show even better. Switching it to night should be beneficial for some of those things. Looking forward to this practice session and getting some long runs in with these tires. Obviously, last year we had to cut our segments down to 50 laps with having too soft of a tire for the track conditions and our cars. Now, we feel the tire is hard enough that it won’t just burn it off, but I think you could maybe get too much wheel spin and get some blistering. We’ll have to pay attention to that in this practice session. Always looking forward to coming to a racetrack when you don’t really know the conditions. I feel like coming to Bristol or going to any asphalt track you know exactly what you are going to get for the most part. Here, we’re all starting this practice session with the unknown of what track conditions are going to be like and that’s fun for me.”
CAN YOU TELL ANYTHING FROM JUST WHAT YOU’VE SEEN ON THE TRACK NOW AND DOES IT LOOK ANY DIFFERENT THAN LAST YEAR?“I mean the turtles are a little bit smaller, which obviously kind of killed left fronts last year and body panels. I think those being a little bit smaller will definitely help. A little less banking at the bottom is something that I am hoping will kind of bring the middle portion of the racetrack in. I don’t feel like the very top of the racetrack will ever come in, but if the bottom does get slow enough and we’re capable of running the middle where there is a little bit more banking. Watching some of the late model races from the last couple weeks, toward the end of their 30 or 35 lap races, the middle portion of the racetrack was definitely the faster way around. There was a handful of guys that found it and made up a lot of spots. It gives us hope that maybe that can happen for us. Watching the video of Friesen running around here, I feel like he ran the middle really fast. You’ll have to see once the track conditions start changing if that line goes away or not. All in all, again watching from the previous two weeks everything that they’ve done it looks like they’ve got the racetrack really smooth. I don’t know if you’ll see as many holes in the racetrack, which on one hand I’m kind of bummed about because I thought the holes were a lot of fun last year and challenging and kind of tricky the way you hit them. Also, that created more dust as well, so the smoother the racetrack the less dusty it will be as well.”
WITH THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEKEND TALLADEGA, IS THERE A SENSE OF URGENCY OR MORE OF A SENSE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU GUYS WITH THE WAY THINGS HAVE STARTED THIS YEAR?“Yeah, let’s say a little bit of both. Definitely looking forward to these two weeks, knowing that I feel like we’ve got a really good shot to win here or next weekend. We’ve really struggled on the short track races so far this year and I feel like we’ve learned a lot over the Phoenix, Richmond, and Martinsville, but you never know until you go back to another short track. So, for us, we’re trying to gather as much data as we can as a single-car team and I’m trying to give as much feedback as I can to kind of speed our process up of learning. I feel like we’ve done a good job of that, it’s just obviously the bigger teams are still quicker to get that information figured out. Been a bummer on the short tracks, but then again on the mile and a half and superspeedways I’ve been really confident in the racecars my guys have been bringing me. we’re going to continue to work on that, but definitely a sense of urgency and excitement in the next two weeks.”
IS IT FRUSTRATING THAT YOU UNDERSTAND DIRT AND YET DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY GOOD AT DIRT WILL HAVE AN ADVANTAGE OR DO YOU FEEL LIKE STILL BECAUSE OF THE NEW CAR AND THIS TRACK, THAT IT’S A WHOLE DIFFERENT ANIMAL?“I think for me if the track stayed prepped with moisture in it and you had a cushion to run on and things like that, that yeah maybe your dirt experience could help you a little bit. I think as you saw last year, really the cars with the most grip kind of like any track you go to still have the advantage and still had the best shot at winning. We’re going to try and get our car handling as best we can in this practice session, because whether you have a ton of dirt experience or not you know the car’s still going to play a massive role in who wins this race.”
AT THE START OF SEASON, YOU GOT PAIRED UP WITH TAB BOYD AS YOUR SPOTTER AND YOU’VE GOTTEN A FEW RACES UNDER OUR BELT, WHAT KIND OF THINGS CAN TAB BRING? OBVIOUSLY, HE’S WORKED WITH A LOT OF DRIVERS IN THE PAST.“Yeah, he’s got a lot of success on all different racetracks and championships and wins. I think for me, man right off the bat we really hit it off. Both southern guys, which is nice. He puts a lot of effort in. he comes to the shop for our meetings, takes notes and we talk throughout the week to kind of go over game plans for that weekend. Like you said, he’s got a lot of experience from other drivers and kind of knows what to look for. I felt like this year some of the biggest things is just trying to keep me pumped up and trying to keep my head in the game. If we’re struggling or even if we’re running good, making sure he’s giving me all that information, been a huge asset for us for sure.”
WITH THE NEXT GEN CAR THIS YEAR, WHAT BENEFITS DO YOU SEE THAT IT HAS HERE ON THIS DIRT TRACK THAT YOU DIDN’T HAVE WITH LAST YEAR’S CAR?“I guess I’ll probably have to wait and see when I get out there, but I definitely think a wider tire is more suitable for this car on a dirt track compared to what we had last year. Other than that, I’m not 100% sure. Obviously, a lot of the short tracks we’ve been down shifting and things like that. I don’t really know or think that’ll come into play, but I guess you never know. We really haven’t expected it at some of the racetracks we’ve done it in. I think some of the steering components could be a little bit more beneficial for how quick we’re going to have to be turning the wheel left and right. Definitely some cool things about this racecar that’s been a benefit at other places, and I feel like it’s been putting on really good shows for the most part. I think the body that we have on this car will definitely help some of the racing. Last year, I felt like if we banged fenders a little bit here people would get tire rubs and cut tires and I don’t think you’ll see that as much this year which could make the race even better.”
YOU REFERENCED EARLIER JUST ABOUT BEING A SINGLE-CAR TEAM, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN YOUR CUP CAREER YOU’VE BEEN A SINGLE-CAR TEAM. I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT IN THE OFF SEASON YOU THOUGHT IT WAS AN ADVANTAGE WITH THE TESTING, BECAUSE YOU GOT ALL OF THE TRACK TIME, BUT WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES NOW WITH NOT HAVING THAT INFORMATION TEAMMATE TO RELY UPON AND SOMETHING YOU HAVEN’T EXPERIENCED IN YOUR CUP CAREER?“I think on one hand I still think there’s a few advantages of being able to get parts and pieces and be prepared to come to the racetrack and focusing on our car. Then I think on the flip side of that, we’re kind of finding out on the fly is we can only run really one setup throughout the weekend. We do have a little short practice session, but it’s tough to get massive changes in in that period of time or after qualifying going into the race. That’s been, for us, when you have other teams with four cars and can run four different setups you just learn at a quicker pace. So, you know I thought coming into the season it was going to be a hey well everybody kind on start on a similar playing field, but I think maybe now you’ll see that towards the end of the year once all the teams have more data because their not making new parts and pieces for our car. That was kind of always a struggle with I feel like some of the bigger teams is you would never really be able to catch up, because they were always developing new parts and pieces. Now we have the same parts and pieces, which is encouraging knowing that hey their making their car go that fast with these same tools. We’re just trying to gather as much data as we can, and you know my guys are doing a really good job of giving me something different to work with. I’m excited to continue that.”