POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2022) – For the 33rd time I her career, Brittany Force took her Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac dragster to the No. 1 qualifying position Saturday at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Robert Hight and the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS team will start race day from No. 2 while Austin Prock landed the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist dragster in third and John Force got the PEAK / BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevy in the show at No. 16. In true David Grubnic and Mac Savage tuning fashion, the Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac dragster laid down a stellar 3.661-second at 333.91 mph to take over the No. 1 qualifying position for the 19th time in their last 31 starts. Like many of her competitors, Brittany Force ran into tire smoke on her first attempt on Saturday to coast to 7.915-seconds. Force will line up with Ron August Jr. in the first round of eliminations. “It feels awesome just to be back out here at my home track, starting a new season with the Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team. I’m excited to be back with all of them, doing what we love. Even better to go No. 1 first race of the season it just pumps all of us up to see what we can do this season,” Force said. “I love it here in Pomona. I grew up here, sitting in the stands watching my dad. So, this is a very special track to me. It’s where my love of drag racing began. I have so many great memories here, standing in the winner’s circle with my dad and my sisters. Standing in my own winner’s circle in 2017 when we won the championship. So to win here at the opening of the season, that’s what we’re going for. That’s why we’re here.” Coming into the second qualifying session, Robert Hight and the Auto Club team ran into tire smoke mid-track to coast to only a 5.934-second pass. The Auto Club Chevy cleaned things up in the final try with a 3.861 pass at 331.36 mph. Despite the improvement from their 3.882 on Friday evening, the Auto Club Chevy will be starting from the No. 2 position to face Jason Rupert round one after being bumped by Ron Capps. “That was a pretty good run today. You know we were lined up to run John in the first round which, not ideal, but it is what it is. I knew Jimmy and Chris would still throwdown. Capps over there, we really gave the fans a show with the header flames lit. It was a good side-by-side qualifying run and probably a pretty good showing of what we’ll get tomorrow during race day with the cooler conditions,” Hight said. “I’m looking forward to it. We want to set the tone for the rest of the year and set it right, like we did in 2019. I think we have the pieces to do it so I’m excited. It’s going to be a good day.” Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist dragster team had their own bout with tire smoke to start Saturday before laying down a solid 3.711-second pass at 331.85 mph to move into the No. 4 spot. “Great end to the day. Made a nice pass, pretty proud of that,” Prock said. “We were trying to run right around there, maybe a little bit quicker. I felt like it was getting a little loose down the track. We should be shaped up pretty well tomorrow. We get to race Clay Millican. I’ve been hungry all weekend. I led the class off the starting line this weekend so far, so if I can keep doing that tomorrow we should be able to go some rounds.” John Force and the PEAK / BlueDEF Chevy made it into the show Saturday with their 4.240-second pass a 216.45 mph early Saturday. The 16-time champion had to pedal his Chevy Camaro during his final try of the day after it rattled the tires before shutting off for a 7.164. Force will face-off with long-time competitior Ron Capps in the first round. “Well, we’re in the show. That’s all that matters,” Force said. “We’ll be okay tomorrow, new day, cooler conditions, we ran good at testing, so we’ll figure it out. Brittany over there with Monster going No.1 and Robert landing the No. 2 spot for Auto Club, Austin Prock he ran good tonight too. We just have to go out, take this BlueDEF Chevy A to B and go some rounds.”

• Dodge//SRT and Mopar get the 2022 National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Camping World Drag Racing series season started with three Dodge Funny Cars and a Top Fuel entry in the top half of the eliminations ladder for the 62nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California
• Defending 2021 Funny Car World Champion Ron Capps drove his Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat to the No. 1 qualifier position for the first national event of the season
• 2021 Funny Car championship runner-up Matt Hagan qualified his new Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat No. 3 for Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) first NHRA event
• Cruz Pedregon qualifies his Snap-On Tool Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car No. 4 for Funny Car eliminations
• Defending Winternationals Top Fuel winner Pruett qualifies her Dodge Power Brokers dragster No. 7 for TSR’s inaugural race 

February 19, 2022, Pomona, California— The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat that won last year’s Funny Car world title kicked off the 2022 National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Camping World Drag Racing Series season at the top of the qualifying timing sheets as driver and new team owner Ron Capps claimed the No. 1 qualifier position for the season-opening 62nd annual Lucas Oil Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California. 

Capps, also the defending Winternationals winner, drove his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat to the provisional No. 3 spot in Friday’s qualifying session, posted the quickest run of the second session, then bettered that with a stout 3.857 second elapsed time lap at 332.43 mph under the lights to secure his 30th career No. 1 qualifier position. He’ll battle the No. 16 seed and fellow veteran racer John Force in the first eliminations round of the year to kick off his 28th NHRA season of competition. 

Last season’s runner-up in the Funny Car championship and three-time (2011, 2014, 2020) NHRA World Champ Matt Hagan launched the new Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) team’s season with a strong Friday evening qualifying run aboard his Dodge Power Brokers machine to provisionally sit No. 2 with 3.886-second pass at 329.344 mph. He repeated the exact same elapsed time lap under the lights in the final qualifying session, clicking off just before the finish line, to secure the No. 3 spot on the eliminations ladder to pair him with No. 14 seed Chad Green.

Two-time Funny Car champ Cruz Pedregon, who is looking to build on a productive 2021 season that saw his team earn two national titles and finish fourth in the championship, took his Snap-on Tools Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat to the fourth quickest time of the second session, then improved on that performance in the cooler evening air with a 3.906 sec./ 325.22 mph run that moved him from the seventh spot to No. 4 qualifier position. The Cruz Pedregon Racing HEMI-powered machine will have lane choice over No. 13 seed Terry Haddock as a first round pairing.

In Top Fuel qualifying, Leah Pruett took her Dodge Power Brokers dragster for its first official qualifying runs with the fledgling TSR team while looking to prepare to defend her 2021 Winternationals win. She took her HEMI-powered machine to the fourth quickest pass of the second qualifying session with 3.768 second elapsed time run at 326.63 mph, then powered to a 3.768 second/ 326.63 mph on her final run to keep her seventh overall placing on the timing sheets. Pruett will face off against No. 10 seed Antron Brown in Sunday’s first elimination round of the new season.

Highlights of qualifying at the Winternationals will air on FS1 this Sunday, February 20, at 7 a.m. Eastern, followed by three hours of elimination rounds coverage on FS1 beginning at 10 p.m. Eastern.

ADDITIONAL NOTES and QUOTES: 

Leah Pruett, Dodge Power Brokers Top Fuel Dragster  

(No. 7 Qualifier – 3.726 seconds at 328.54 mph)

Qualifying 1: 8.425 sec./ 77 mph 

Qualifying 2: 3.768 sec./ 326.63 mph 

Qualifying 3: 3.726 sec. / 328.54 mph  

“This Dodge Power Brokers team has qualified seventh for this first race. We had a little bit of tire shake on Friday night but got that power under control. We ran a 3.726 on our final qualifying session. I’m very much looking forward to eliminations tomorrow. We’ve got [Antron Brown] in the next lane, but we do have lane choice.”

Matt Hagan, Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car  

(No. 3 Qualifier – 3.886 seconds at 313.07 mph)

Qualifying 1: 3.886 sec./ 329.344 mph (2 bonus points for quickest run of session)

Qualifying 2: 5.497 sec./ 128.98 mph 

Qualifying 3: 3.886 sec./ 313.07 mph (1 bonus point for third quickest run of session)

“We had a great qualifying session, ended up No. 3, and had some great runs. Two good night runs, but struggled a bit with our day run when we overpowered the track, but that’s what ( Crew Chief) Dickie Venables does best, he makes a lot of horsepower. Looking to get this Dodge Power Brokers Funny Car car hopefully in the winner circle tomorrow. We have 16 cars to battle it out and we got a great race car. I feel very competent with my life. I feel confident with my lights. I feel confident with what the crew is doing and what Dickie is doing up there on the calls that he’s making. We’re just going to go out there and race our race car and have some fun doing it.”

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

(No. 4 Qualifier – 3.906 seconds at 325.22 mph)

Qualifying 1: No Time (Timing blocks were hit by competitor negating both their times) 

Qualifying 2: 3.969 sec./ 283.13 mph 

Qualifying 3: 3.906 sec./ 325.22 mph 

Ron Capps–NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car

(No. 1 Qualifier – 3.857 seconds at 332.43 mph)

Qualifying 1: 3.903 sec./ 329.84 mph  (1 bonus point for third quickest run of session)

Qualifying 2: 3.923 sec./ 326.40 mph (3 bonus points for quickest run of session)

Qualifying 3: 3.857 sec./ 332.43 mph (3 bonus points for quickest run of session)

“That thing was a rocket ship, I was just hanging on.You start to wonder do you want to go No. 1? Or maybe two or three and stay away from John Force, but this yellow No. 1 hat means a lot. To start my career as a team owner from this position, it’s huge. We know we have what it takes as a team, we know we have the parts, the people. I always say ‘I wouldn’t want to race the NAPA car.’ It’s just a car that always goes down the race track, and it’s tough to beat. It’s great to get the No. 1 and show that we can run with the best of them, but that 92 from Q2 was even more impressive to me, because we did that in the heat, and we were half-a-tenth or so ahead of everybody else. We know we’ll have similar conditions tomorrow. So, to show we can throw down in the heat, and then come back up and do the same thing in cooler conditions, it just instills so much confidence in me.”

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION LUCAS OIL NHRA WINTERNATIONALS PRESENTED BY PROTECT THEHARVEST.COMAUTO CLUB RACEWAY IN POMONA, CALIFORMIA FEB. 19, 2022                                                                       Chevrolet drivers qualify No. 1 in Top Fuel and Pro Stock • Brittany Force starts season with 33rd career Top Fuel top honor• Erica Enders takes her Pro Stock Camaro SS to the top in 900th race• Robert Hight qualifies No. 2 in Funny Car in his Camaro SS

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2022) — Qualifying in the three professional categories for the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com showed that Chevrolet teams and drivers are fast and well-positioned for victories in the season opener. Brittany Force claimed her 33rd career No. 1 qualifier honor in Top Fuel – and 11th in the past 14 races – with a blistering run of 3.661 seconds in her Monster Energy Chevrolet dragster on the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona track. “It feels awesome just to be back out here at my home track, starting a new season with the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac team. Even better to go No. 1. First race of the season it just pumps all of us up to see what we can do this season,” said Force, the 2021 championship runner-up who will be seeking her first Winternationals victory.

Four-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders earned the 23rd No. 1 qualifier of her career with a pass of 6.521 seconds at 210.44 mph in the Melling Performance Camaro SS. “She’s very consistent. She responds well to the input my crew chiefs give her. We haven’t scored a whole lot of No. 1 qualifier lately, but it’s a great way to start off the season,” Enders said. Fourteen Camaro SS drivers will be aiming to hold the silver shifter – the trophy created for the winner of the 900th race in Pro Stock history. Bill Jenkins won the first race in the class in the 1970 Winternationals in his big-block Camaro. Reigning Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson will seek his 100th career victory in the class, which would make him the second NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series driver to hit the milestone and fifth overall. Sixteen-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force leads the way with 154 wins. A victory by Anderson, who qualified fourth in the HendrickCars.com Camaro SS, would also tie Bob Glidden (7) for the most in Pro Stock in the Winternationals.  Camrie Carusso, who was a crew member on Enders’ car a few years ago, qualified eighth for her NHRA Pro Stock debut in the PowerBuilt Camaro SS. Race day will mark the second time two female drivers have competed for a Wally in the same event in Pro Stock history.  Robert Hight held the top spot in Funny Car qualifications based on his 3.882-second pass in Q1 until the final run of the third and final session. Hight improved his time to 3.861 seconds in the Auto Club of Southern California Camaro SS and qualified second. John Force qualified 16th in the BlueDEF Platinum Camaro SS.  FS1 will telecast taped eliminations at 10 p.m. ET on Feb. 20.  An interview with Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (33rd of career):HOW GOOD DID THAT LAST RUN FEEL?“It feels awesome just to be back out here at my home track, starting a new season with the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac team. I’m excited to be back with all of them, doing what we love. Even better to go No. 1. First race of the season it just pumps all of us up to see what we can do this season.” IT SEEMS YOU BUILT UP TO THAT RUN.“We were out at Phoenix testing. I think we made nine or 10 runs and it was a little bit of a struggle for us. We learned what we needed to, but we only made one full pass. We were making half-track runs most of the time, and we came out here and struggled on a couple qualifying runs. So, it felt good to have a solid pass down the track going into race day, and at 3.66 that’s pretty outstanding. I’m pumped, I’m excited about it, and I give that up to David Grubnic and Mac Savage and all our guys.” HOW FRUSTRATING WAS IT TO NOT MAKE THAT ONE GLORY RUN AT TESTING?“It was fine. We’re out there to find our routine of things again. Grubnic asked, ‘Brittany, do you need to make full passes?’ I told him I’d love to make a few going into Pomona. I stand by David Grubnic and what he wants to do. We did make one full pass. You want to get back in the feel of things, but honestly getting in the car, warming it up, doing a burnout at 60 feet is all you need. Typically, testing is all over the place with everyone trying to find their groove again. It’s always up and down and never as planned.” WHEN YOU COME UP WITH GREAT CONDITIONS LIKE THIS, DO YOU KNOW GRUBNIC IS GOING TO TAKE YOU TO NO. 1?“He’s really quiet. He has so much going on in his head. He just comes to me and says, ‘I’m not going to say anything.’ I already know what that means. We were in safe with our run last night, so it gave us the opportunity to push and take some chances.” WHAT WOULD WINNING YOUR FIRST WINTERNATIONALS MEAN TO YOU?“This is my home track. I love it here. I grew up here, sitting in the stands watching my dad. So, this is a very special track to me. It’s where my love of drag racing began. I have so many great memories here, standing in the winner’s circle with my dad and my sisters. Standing in my own winner’s circle in 2017 when we won the championship. So, to do it at the opening of the season, that’s what we’re going for. That’s why we’re here.” An interview with Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier ERICA ENDERS, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, MELLING PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (23rd of her career):DO YOU FEEL GOOD GOING INTO RACE DAY?“Absolutely. This is probably the best race car we’ve had in a long time even considering the Countdown last year. We had a goal in the offseason to come out swinging. I think we have something to prove. We got our Chevy Camaro tuned up and to lay down three really consistent runs during qualifying and that gives you confidence heading into race day.” THE 900TH PRO STOCK RACE AND YOU’RE GOING FOR YOUR FIRST WINTERNATIONALS VICTORY. HOW EXCITED ARE YOU?“Tomorrow is very exciting, and I’ll try to focus on keeping it like a normal race. I just go up and try to control every aspect in my lane and try to do the best I can at the starting line, hit my shift points and turn on four win lights. We’ve been fortunate enough to battle it out for awards and it definitely would mean a lot to take that bad boy home.” HOW DO YOU APPROACH TOMORROW?“It’s another goal my team and I had this year. We’re not out here to make friends. We’re going to do our best to put our Melling Performance Camaro in the winner’s circle.” CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPITTOP FUEL:AUSTIN PROCK, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONTANA BRANDS/ROCKY MOUNTAIN TWIST CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (qualified ninth): “Overall, a pretty good start to the weekend. It’s been a while since I’ve driven one of these things, and this is the shortest shut down on the circuit, so you have to make sure you have the laundry out on time. Tomorrow we’ll have a decent baseline and go from there.” FUNNY CAR:JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, BLUEDEF PLATINUM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified 16th): “I’m just glad to be back in a PEAK Chevy, glad to be starting the season. This BlueDEF team is working hard, we’ll be OK. Danny Hood, Tim Fabrisi, we’re looking good for this year.” ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified second): We’ve got to get one run at a time and four on Sunday and then we’ll be excited.” PRO STOCK:GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified fourth): “We came in a little bit too conservative. We tested over at Phoenix and the racetrack just wasn’t that great, so we came in and tried to be safe on that first run yesterday. It was very safe; it just wasn’t quite quick enough and that’s what you get for that. It’s more indicative today of what we can run tomorrow. The car is as fast as anybody. We just lost a couple of qualifying spots because we were a little slack yesterday. It’s going to be a tough year.”  KYLE KORETSKY, KB RACING, LUCAS OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified third): “We’re happy with how everything went. Friday, we started out really strong and ended up No. 3. We’ll get ready for tomorrow.” DALLAS GLENN, KB RACING, RAD TORQUE SYSTEMS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified seventh): “The car is working really good; it’s been good at 60 foot every run. I’m getting the clutch pedal handled, so the (fourth) run was my best light yet. I think the car is making good, clean runs and we’re just going to chip away at it. I think we’ll be good by the end of race day or even next race. The car is there and everything is there. We just have to put it all together.” CAMRIE CARUSSO, CARUSSO RACING, POWERBUILT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified eighth in her first Pro Stock race): “It’s been crazy, it’s been fun and we’ve learned a ton. The PowerBuilt Camaro has been good to me and so has my team. We’ll be ready to bring our A game tomorrow.” MATT HARTFORD, HARTFORD RACING, TOTAL SEAL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (qualified 10th): “(Final run) We needed to get off the bump spot. We’ve not done a very good job this weekend – at least today. Yesterday I thought we made a good run, but we had a fuel that was not correct in a correctly labeled jug, and we got (penalized) for fuel and that put us way behind. The Total Seal/CIP1 Camaro knows how to win rounds, so we’ll go up there and execute tomorrow.”

On-track debut of GR Supra Funny Car Set for Pomona with J.R. Todd and Alexis DeJoria

POMONA, Calif. (February 19, 2022) – The five Toyota Top Fuel dragsters all qualified in the top-10 for Sunday’s NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series kickoff at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. The GR Supra Funny Car will make its inaugural race start with Toyota drivers J.R. Todd and Alexis DeJoria piloting the new bodies.

Toyota Post-Qualifying Recap

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series

Auto Club Raceway at Pomona

Race 1 of 22

TOYOTA TOP FUEL QUALIFYING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Qualifying Position	First Round Opponent
Brittany Force	Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster*	1	R. August Jr.
Justin Ashley	Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	2	J. Maroney
Doug Kalitta	Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	5	T. Schumacher
Steve Torrence	Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	6	D. Foley
Shawn Langdon	DHL Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	8	J. Hart
Antron Brown	Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	10	L. Pruett

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Qualifying Position	First Round Opponent
Ron Capps	NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car*	1	J. Force
Alexis DeJoria	Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	5	J. Campbell
J.R. Todd	DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	8	B. Bode

(*non-Toyota driver)

TOYOTA QUOTES

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

Qualifying Position: 2nd

Following your run in Q1 on Friday night, how did it feel to put down such a fast pass to post the provisional number one qualifier position?

“That run felt great. You have the whole off-season that is relatively quick since it is only two months, but at the end of the day it feels like it has been forever. It is exciting to be able to get back in this Phillips Connect Toyota dragster, to go down there on the first run of the season and go right to the top with a run as good as that in front of our new sponsor. That is exactly what we were looking for.”

DOUG KALITTA, Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

Qualifying Position: 5th

How strong is this Mac Tools Toyota and what are your expectations for tomorrow’s race?

“The Mac Tools Toyota dragster in the third session there was .372 was an 0. So I’m not exactly sure where that puts us, but I feel real good for taking that baby into Sunday. It should be good. I love running at this place. Just a lot of confidence in my team. We’ll up there and hope to have a great day tomorrow.”

How is the communication going with the new crew chief line-up on this race car?

“The new calls are good. And we’re only going to get better. So you know we’ll just keep at it. Looking forward to driving this thing for sure tomorrow.”

SHAWN LANGDON, DHL Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

Qualifying Position: 8th

You were in a must qualify position going into Q3, what happened in the first two qualifying runs and how do you feel about the pass you were able to put down in this session?

“Obviously, we had some mechanical issues on the first two runs. We had a clutch box malfunction and then we had a fitting break that let the clutch fluid out. We just had just some little malfunctions, but we just really went back up there and just really like Q1, there’s a lot left in the car, but it made a good run .374. That should get us in the top half of the field. And we just really kind of had to go back and go back to our testing notes. We got little notes, you know, just from a couple days testing and so we just kind of went to scenarios where you just trust the process and go with your gut instinct, and fortunately it paid off.”

Did you feel like this team finally got to show how strong the car is for this weekend?

“It’s not there yet, but it’s close.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics/United Rentals Chevrolet Team Kick Off 2022 Season With Thrilling Win at Daytona International Speedway

1st

2nd

2nd

“We joined Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series to win, and that’s what we did tonight. I’m so happy for Bennett Transportation & Logistics, United Rentals, Global Industrial and all of the partners at RCR. I worked really well with my spotter, Derek Kneeland, all night. Throughout the race, I kept telling Derek and crew chief Andy Street that I was putting information in the memory bank to remember for late in the race. We timed it perfectly. I was able to drag back and the No. 98 car gave me a heck of a push. We were able to get by. I won at Daytona International Speedway in 2019 with a new team, so it’s cool to join RCR and to win my first race with them. It means so much to me that Andy Street, Danny Lawrence, Richard Childress, and all of the guys at RCR and ECR believe in me. It’s been a fun off-season, and now we get to go race for a championship.” – Austin Hill

Sheldon Creed Races The No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet To Solid Sixth-Place Finish at Daytona International Speedway

6th

4th

9th

“We had a really strong and fast No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet Camaro, so I have to thank everyone at RCR and ECR for all of the work they did in the off season to put us in the best position possible to start off 2022. We ran up front and stayed out of trouble all night. Even after we got behind, we kept pushing and came home with a solid finish. It’s a really great start to the 2022 season for our whole team and I’m excited to keep this momentum going next weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Congrats to my teammate, Austin Hill, coming home with the win at Daytona. On to California.” -Sheldon Creed

The Carpentersville, IL driver held off a hard-charging Chase Junghans for his 10th career Series triumphBARBERVILLE, FL – February 18, 2022 – NASCAR Cup Series Champion Alan Kulwicki once said, “In every aspect of life, have a game plan and do your best to achieve it.” Dennis Erb Jr. knew he had to master Turns 1 and 2 if he wanted a gator. He wasted no time executing his game plan, thundering past Frank Heckenast Jr. in the middle of the Volusia Speedway Park surface.  It’s a lead he’d never relinquish—fending off challenges from Brandon Sheppard and Chase Junghans to score his first World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models win of 2022 Friday night at DIRTcar Nationals. “I mean, we were able to get the lead and roll off through that middle on the start,” Erb said. “We kept going real good and had a good start. After that, the car was working good, and we just had to keep hitting our marks and keep the rest of them behind us.” The path toward his 10th career Series triumph in his 250th start wasn’t clear for the Late Model veteran. Erb and defending champion Brandon Sheppard gave the fans at “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile” an epic battle for the lead around the Feature’s halfway point.  The reigning champion swung high while Erb held his ground on the bottom, gaining enough momentum to pull ahead as a caution came out on Lap 25.  “I saw him out there and started to get a little worried,” Erb said. “I started to try and carry a little more speed through [Turns} 1 and 2. I knew [Sheppard] was pretty much committed up there, so I knew if I could beat him on the bottom, we were in pretty good shape.”  Sheppard faded to fourth at the checkered flag. The four-time Series champion stated he stayed on the top side of the racetrack for too long after Erb pulled away.  “[Erb] was swinging out a little bit wider after he knew I was there,” Sheppard said. “I stayed out there a little bit too long after he got out there ahead of me. I should’ve moved down behind him and kept my left rear tire underneath me.   “Instead, I stayed a little too long, and then I overheated it. I was trying to move around, and it wasn’t as good. After a couple of guys got by me, I was able to get down there and cool my left rear tire off, and I drove back to them.”  Sheppard wasn’t the only driver who tried to dethrone Erb from the lead. Chase Junghans quickly closed on the top spot in the final laps but fell short.   The Manhattan, KS driver used patience early in the race before unleashing speed toward the end.  “I just bided my time and tried not to blow my tires off this thing and keep it under me,” Junghans said. “Those lap cars kind of got in the way at the end, but that’s how it goes. Luckily, we’re just up here getting interviewed.” Once Junghans saw Sheppard’s line ahead of him, his decision to go to the outside paid off, leading to his first podium finish of the season. “I saw Sheppard running the top, and I was like kind of pinching the corner on the bottom,” Junghans said. “So, I said screw it, I’ll go up there, and kind of follow him. I chose his line a little bit, but I’d kind of turn off the top and try to drive straight down the hill, and it seemed like that’s where I’d gain a bunch of ground.” Three-time Series Champion Darrell Lanigan finished third for the second straight night. The Union, KY driver’s car came to life in the final 15 laps, leading him to another top three. “We just gave it all we got,” Lanigan said. “We had a little bit of a chance there, and it was coming back to us a little bit. We just got up on the wheel and tried to make something happen. “I just can’t run where I want to on the racetrack yet, and if we get our car right, I think we’ll be able to run up front.”  Dale McDowell, the leading World of Outlaws CASE Late Models winner in 2022, rounded out the top five.  Dennis Erb Jr.’s game plan worked to perfection Friday night, proving a good start can lead to glory on the racetrack. It’s a start that could position him toward a run at a championship at the end of the season.  UP NEXT: The battle for the “Big Gator” trophy ends Saturday night at Volusia Speedway Park in a 40 lap, $10,000-to-win finale. For Tickets: CLICK HERE. The Super DIRTcar Series will hand out a “Big Gator.”  Devin Moran leads the DIRTcar Nationals standings—37 points ahead of Chris Madden. McDowell and Sheppard are tied for third—54 points behind Moran.  Madden is currently the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models point leader—10 points ahead of Dale McDowell.  CASE Construction Feature (40 Laps): 1. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[2]; 2. 18-Chase Junghans[7]; 3. 29-Darrell Lanigan[4]; 4. 1-Brandon Sheppard[5]; 5. 17M-Dale McDowell[6]; 6. 44-Chris Madden[8]; 7. 16-Tyler Bruening[9]; 8. 71-Hudson O’Neal[17]; 9. 25-Shane Clanton[14]; 10. 9-Devin Moran[20]; 11. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[1]; 12. 81E-Tanner English[11]; 13. 6-Nick Hoffman[22]; 14. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[18]; 15. 11-Gordy Gundaker[30]; 16. 157-Mike Marlar[13]; 17. 111V-Max Blair[21]; 18. 99B-Boom Briggs[26]; 19. 1R-Josh Richards[27]; 20. 45-Kyle Hammer[29]; 21. 89-Ashton Winger[10]; 22. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[16]; 23. 3S-Brian Shirley[23]; 24. 25B-Mike Benedum[15]; 25. B1-Brent Larson[28]; 26. 11H-Spencer Hughes[12]; 27. 10-Garrett Smith[24]; 28. 76-Brandon Overton[3]; 29. 33M-Michael Norris[19]; 30. 19R-Ryan Gustin[25] FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER: Gordy Gundaker [+15]

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

POMONA, Calif. (Feb 18, 2022) – Robert Hight and the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS team are the provisional No. 1 qualifiers Friday at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Brittany Force handled the Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac dragster to the No. 3 qualifying position and Austin Prock took Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist to No. 8 while John Force and the PEAK BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SS team did not record a time after making contact with the centerline and a timing block. It should be no surprise that Robert Hight and his Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham led Auto Club Chevy team came out of the box swinging for the fences. After pushing the envelope at testing and being the first to lay down a full clean pass, being quickest of the night in their first qualifying attempt at Auto Club Raceway was to be expected. Hight handled his Auto Club Chevy to a stout 3. 3.882-second pass at 330.39 mph to hold off the 18-car Funny Car field. “I’m very excited. We tested well last week so I couldn’t wait to get here and see if we could do it again at Pomona,” Hight said. “Jimmy Prock – you can tell when he’s confident. He’s not in that box all the time, he’s not making a lot of last-minute changes. He didn’t spend a lot of time back there tweaking things. He just went off what he had from Phoenix when we made a lot of good runs, and I think there’s more left so I’m looking forward to it. We’ve got to get one run at a time and four on Sunday and then we’ll be excited.” Brittany Force, in her Monster Energy livery, closed out Friday night qualifying with a 3.722-second pass at a 332.10 mph, the fastest pass of the session and third quickest earning her a bonus qualifying point. “First run of the season back in Pomona and we ran a 3.722 and we picked up a point. That’s a great way to start. We’ll just keep building on it for tomorrow and get ourselves ready for race day,” Force said. “I’m happy to be back with my entire Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team. It’s a new season, it’s a new start, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can do.” Back in competition after nearly two years, Austin Prock, with his stand-out tandem of crew chiefs Joe Barlam and Rahn Tobler, made a promising pass of 3.794-seconds at 289.94 mph after the 2019 rookie of the year had a cylinder out and lifted off the throttle down-track. “Overall, a pretty good start to the weekend. It’s been a while since I’ve driven one of these things, and this is the shortest shut down on the circuit, so you have to make sure you have the laundry out on time,” Prock said. “I lifted just at the 660-foot count so we were down on ET and mph a little bit but it was actually a blessing in disguise because we kicked the rods out of the thing. If we wouldn’t have had it drop a hole a 500-feet, it probably wouldn’t have flushed the bones out of it. Tomorrow we’ll have a decent baseline and go from there.” Things got loose down track for John Force and the BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevy team. After leaving the starting line clean, the Chevy hotrod made a move to the centerline, crossing over and hitting a timing block, disqualifying his run. “Well made a mess of that. It was moving all over the place. Luckily, we have two more runs tomorrow and we’ll make them count. I’m just glad to be back in a PEAK Chevy, glad to be starting the season,” said Force. “This BlueDEF team is working hard, we’ll be okay. Danny Hood, Tim Fabrisi, we’re looking good for this year. All of us are. Robert quickest with Auto Club, Brittany running good over there with Monster and the Prock kid getting things done with Montana Brand and Rocky Mountain Twist.” Qualifying at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona continues Saturday with sessions at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations are slated for Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the season opening event will be aired on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with a qualifying show on Sunday at 7 a.m. ET and eliminations on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2022) – Coming off a second place finish for the 2021 NHRA Camping World championship, Brittany Force and the Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac Top Fuel dragster team have some unfinished business as they head to the season-opening Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Crew chiefs David Grubnic and Mac Savage took full advantage of testing at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park just outside of Phoenix. They tested various engine combinations looking to add to the performance they had in 2021. With nine planned shutoff attempts that showed quality early numbers including .816-seconds at 60 ft. and 2.075 at 330 ft, the Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team are sure to be championship frontrunners. “There’s a lot of momentum going into this season. We got to put a number two on our car. That number two, I’m very proud of that,” said Force. “This Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team worked hard to get there – it wasn’t easy. Based off how we did last season, we feel good coming into this season. We have a strong team, strong car. We have two new additions to the team, and out at testing, they’ve done great, so I’m excited to see what we can do.” Force has been the No. 1 qualifier each of the last two years at the Winternationals event and is the track record holder for speed at 336.23 mph (Feb. 9, 2020). She is trying this year to become the fifth different John Force Racing team driver to win the season-opener after her dad John Force, her sister Courtney, Robert Hight and Tony Pedregon. Force is competing for her first win at the season opener but has a notable win at the season-ending Auto Club Finals at Pomona from 2017, her championship year. “I’m excited to be back at Pomona. The off-season went by quick, but that’s what we want,” Force said. “We’re ready to get back out there with our team and our car doing what we love. And we’re hoping to start the season strong – chase down that number one qualifier and go out on race day, go some rounds and win this thing.” Qualifying at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona begin Friday with a session at 4:30 p.m. before continuing Saturday with sessions at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations are slated to start Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the season opening event will be aired on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and begin with two qualifying shows, Friday at 10 p.m. ET and Sunday at 7 a.m. ET, while eliminations will be on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.

POMONA, Calif. (Feb 17, 2022) – There are few teams in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series that are more eager for the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals and the start of the 2022 season than the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS of Robert Hight. Despite a 2021 season that consisted of two wins and two No. 1 qualifying positions, Hight, an intense competitor, was not satisfied with the No. 8 finishing position.  At pre-season testing outside of Phoenix, the Auto Club team made a statement as the first to make a full pass at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. The championship crew chief tandem of Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham wasted no time going to 1,000 feet in 3.911-seconds at 323.11 mph in their first attempt on Thursday morning. The three-day performance from the Auto Club team was nothing but promising heading into the Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. “We’re definitely ready to get the season started. We didn’t like how we left things at the end of last year and we’re ready to start the fight to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” said Hight. “This Auto Club team has been working hard all off-season, we put in the work at testing and now it’s time to really get going, we’re ready to get this season started.” Hight has taken the Auto Club Chevy Funny Car to six final rounds in 17 career appearances at the Winternationals with wins in 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2019. He started from the No. 1 position in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2019 and, in addition to his four wins, was runner-up in 2007 and 2018. Hight is also the track record holder for Funny Car speed at 336.99 mph (Feb. 11, 2018). “I love coming to Pomona. Start of the season, Winternationals, clean slate, it’s a home race for John Force Racing and we’re at an Auto Club track,” said Hight. “I’m ready to start racing, get in the Auto Club Chevy and start competing. Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham, I know they’re ready too, they really poured themselves into this car over the break. Time to put it all together and see what happens. I’m definitely excited.” Qualifying at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona begin Friday with a session at 4:30 p.m. before continuing Saturday with sessions at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations are slated to start Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the season opening event will be aired on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and begin with two qualifying shows, Friday at 10 p.m. ET and Sunday at 7 a.m. ET, while eliminations will be on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2022) – Starting his 47th year on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series tour, John Force, the 16-time champion and 154 event-winner, has nothing left to prove, except that he still loves it. Force and his PEAK / BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SS team enter the season opening Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals after surging to three wins and a fifth-place finish in 2021, a position they intend to improve on in 2022. At pre-season testing outside of Phoenix, Force led his four-car team with a series of four back-to-back runs in the 3.8s over the final two days of testing. The Danny Hood and Tim Fabrisi tuned PEAK BlueDEF team laid down a 3.889-second pass at 321.88 mph on Friday followed by a 3.888 at 327.51. The momentum continued into Saturday with an impressive 3.836 at 335.4 Saturday morning and, in the heat of the day, a 3.890 at 326.16 to close out their test session. “It was great being back out at testing. Back with that PEAK BlueDEF team and Danny Hood and Tim Fabrisis. It has me excited for this season,” said Force. ‘We ran really well, consistent and that’s what we’re looking for with this Chevy hotrod. I’m feeling like everything is getting figured. Great to have Austin Prock back with Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist, Brittany looks good with Monster and Flav-R-Pac, Robert with Auto Club and bringing on Powers Solar. I just can’t wait to race. It’s why I’m here. I just love it.” Coming to a racetrack where no one has won more races than him, Force has every reason to be excited. Force has raised the trophy 16 times overall on the track he calls home, seven times in the Winternationals (1991, 1993, 1997, 2002, 2010, 2012 and 2014), eight times in the Auto Club Finals and once in a special event, the NHRA’s 50th Anniversary race contested in 2001. His record at the Winternationals also includes four runner-up finishes, the most recent in 2020, and 10 No. 1 qualifiers. The only event in which he has more No. 1 starts is the U.S. Nationals (12).  “This place is home. It’s my history. I grew up here,” Force said. “I love racing at Auto Club Raceway. We get things started here and then we wrap them up here. We haven’t had a chance to do that the last couple years so this feels good, feels normal. I’m excited. I’m looking to get this PEAK BlueDEF Chevrolet in the winners circle, get the season started off right.” Qualifying at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona begin Friday with a session at 4:30 p.m. before continuing Saturday with sessions at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations are slated to start Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the season opening event will be aired on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and begin with two qualifying shows, Friday at 10 p.m. ET and Sunday at 7 a.m. ET, while eliminations will be on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.

18th

10th

N/A

“I was hoping we could defend our duel win from last year tonight but we kept our Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 undamaged, and that is a win in itself. We didn’t have much help during the race, but we were able to work with my brother, Ty Dillon, quite a bit and really learned a lot that we can apply to the DAYTONA 500 on Sunday. It was good to lead a few laps in our Chevy. We didn’t get enough fuel during our green-flag stop so we had to make a second stop late in the race, and ended up 18th. Overall, I think we have a hot rod and I’m excited for Sunday’s DAYTONA 500!” – Austin Dillon

Tyler Reddick and the No. 8 3CHI Chevrolet Team Find Speed, Stay Consistent in Duel at Daytona

8th

8th

N/A

“It was a productive night for our No. 8 3CHI Chevrolet. I feel like our car has got good speed. We’re able to make pretty good moves whenever we need to but it certainly seems like the nature of the draft is going to turn out to be quite different than what us drivers are used to. We’re going to spend tonight, tomorrow leading into practice and the practice on Saturday breaking it down and trying to figure out what our approach needs to be so that when it comes time to drop the green flag on Sunday for the DAYTONA 500 we’re going to do the best thing for speed and the best thing for our race in general. We’ve got work to do but we’ve got the best people around to do it. I’ve got a great teammate in Austin Dillon and great companions in our satellite organizations so I’m looking forward to working with them as well to have a successful race on Sunday. I can’t wait to see our 3CHI Chevy on track, it’s going to be a good one!” -Tyler Reddick

Devin Moran grabs fourth straight podium finish, leads Big Gator Points

BARBERVILLE, FL– February 17, 2022 – Only one word describes Dale McDowell’s 2022 season—emotional. 

Less than a month after the Chickamauga, GA driver opened the season with a win at Sunshine Nationals, he backed it up with another one Thursday night at Volusia Speedway Park.

McDowell outran Devin Moran and Darrell Lanigan in the final 10 laps to earn his first Gator trophy since 2018. Tears fell from the “Mac Daddy’s” eyes in Victory Lane, at a loss for words for his recent accomplishments—including his triumph against cancer.   

“We came down here in January to see if we were worthy of coming back, and it’s been a dream come true,” McDowell said. 

The veteran driver earned a $10,000 check and his 14th career World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series win, tying him for 14th all-time with Tim Fuller.

Despite his success in 2022, it’s a position McDowell never thought he’d be in after his off-track battle.   

“I’ve been through a lot, and I have a lot of help behind me and support,” McDowell said. “It’s pretty emotional because I’ve been through a good bit, but I’m just happy to be here.”

While McDowell held the lead in the final 21 laps, Rookie of the Year contender Kyle Hammer led the first 19.

The Clinton, IL driver lost the lead to McDowell on a Lap 20 restart and dropped back to fifth before spinning in Turns 3 and 4, ending his night. 

Even though he finished 27th, Hammer gained a boost of confidence racing against some of the top Late Model drivers in the country. 

“We started really bad here in the beginning of the week,” Hammer said. “So, to be able to come where we were to here is just awesome for our team, a huge confidence booster. 

“I feel like we actually know what we’re doing in the slick now.”

Devin Moran crossed the line second, earning his fourth DIRTcar Nationals podium. The “Mailman” leads the battle for a “Big Gator” trophy but wants a little gator to go with it. He stated he needed to start closer to the front to do that.  

“We found some stuff in our Heat Race, and I felt like we were really, really good,” Moran said. “We’ll put that in our Qualifying setup tomorrow and hopefully start on the front row of the [Heat Race], and maybe we can start up front in one of these Features.

“We may not have passed the best car, but we’ve passed plenty of cars this week. We’ll just keep after it.” 

Darrell Lanigan crossed the line third after starting 12th. The three-time Series champion stated he’s improving each night, especially in his ability to drive through the field.   

“We’ve got our car close now,” Lanigan said. “It’s pretty balanced when we can drive in traffic.”

Chris Madden finished fourth, adding to his Series points lead—12 points ahead of McDowell. It’s the Gray Court, SC driver’s third top-five in four races. And 2021 World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Rookie of the Year Tyler Bruening rounded out the top five. 

Dale McDowell’s 2022 season has been an emotional ride he never expected. “The Mac Daddy” is taking things one race at a time, embracing every win as it comes. 

“I’m just completely blessed,” McDowell said. 

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models return to Volusia Speedway Park for another day of action at DIRTcar Nationals along with the Super DIRTcar Series. 

CASE Construction Equipment Feature (40 Laps): 1. 17M-Dale McDowell[4]; 2. 9-Devin Moran[9]; 3. 29-Darrell Lanigan[12]; 4. 44-Chris Madden[3]; 5. 16-Tyler Bruening[18]; 6. 58-Mark Whitener[5]; 7. 89-Ashton Winger[14]; 8. 81E-Tanner English[13]; 9. 1-Brandon Sheppard[15]; 10. 40B-Kyle Bronson[23]; 11. 39-Tim McCreadie[11]; 12. 157-Mike Marlar[17]; 13. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[16]; 14. 111V-Max Blair[29]; 15. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[6]; 16. 25-Shane Clanton[20]; 17. 18-Chase Junghans[24]; 18. 11H-Spencer Hughes[21]; 19. B1-Brent Larson[27]; 20. 1R-Josh Richards[30]; 21. 99B-Boom Briggs[26]; 22. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[22]; 23. 11-Gordy Gundaker[28]; 24. 8-Kyle Strickler[7]; 25. 19R-Ryan Gustin[25]; 26. 10-Garrett Smith[10]; 27. 45-Kyle Hammer[2]; 28. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[8]; 29. 32-Chris Simpson[19]; 30. 76-Brandon Overton[1] FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER: Max Blair [+15]

‘Racing’s Biggest Party’ is set for its biggest year yet as the celebration continues each month, including a 50th Super DIRT Week trophy tour

OSWEGO, NY – Feb. 18, 2022 – Momentum for one of the most historic weeks in dirt Modified history is already building as NAPA Super DIRT Week celebrates its 50th anniversary in October at Oswego Speedway. The special week comes with a refined schedule loaded with new and exciting elements for fans and drivers.

From Sunday to Sunday, Oct. 2-9, a plethora of activities for fans has been planned throughout the City of Oswego, amongst the races for the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds, DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman and DIRTcar Pro Stock.

One of the biggest updates for the 50th-anniversary event is adjusting the times and days for the four division’s main events. The Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds and DIRTcar Sportsman will race on Sunday, with the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 starting at 5pm (ET). The DIRTcar 358 Modifieds and the DIRTcar Pro Stocks will run on Saturday under the lights, with the Salute to the Troops 150 starting at 6pm. The divisions have also been grouped together during the week for their practice, time trials and qualifying heat races.

While the first pages of the Super DIRT Week history book were written in 1972 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse with Big Block Modifieds, Racing’s Biggest Party is set to be the biggest ever in 2022 at Oswego Speedway – including a charity golf tournament, parties led by a DJ every night from Wednesday to Saturday at the Island Stage just outside the pits plus live entertainment on Saturday, huge fireworks on Friday, and the fan-favorite autograph session with the Top 30 qualifiers on Sunday.

In addition, past champions will also be honored during the event, with a special race and autograph session on Thursday, Oct. 6, following qualifying for DIRTcar 358 Modifieds and Pro Stocks. More details on this event will be revealed as the date draws closer.

Also, throughout the season, a new custom 50th NAPA Super DIRT Week Billy Whittaker Cars 200 trophy will tour the State of New York with the 50th anniversary Ford Mustang Pace Car for fans to see.

The celebration for the 50th NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week is already well underway. Every Wednesday leading up to the event week in October, a driver is revealed from the fan-voted list of the Top 50 Greatest Super DIRT Week Drivers. So far, 17 drivers have already been made public at SuperDIRTWeek.com.

Get your tickets to the 50th NAPA Super DIRT Week, HERE.

Check out the biggest highlights of the 2022 50th NAPA Super DIRT Week schedule:

Sunday, Oct. 2
– Kickoff Party at Lighthouse Lanes next to Oswego Speedway

 Monday, Oct. 3
– Super DIRT Week 50 Charity Golf Tournament at Radisson Green Golf Course

Tuesday, Oct. 4
– Fan Cornhole Tournament
– (New Date) Weedsport Speedway NAPA Super DIRT Week Kickoff Party – DIRTcar 358 Modifieds & DIRTcar Pro Stocks

Wednesday, Oct. 5
– City of Oswego Car Parade & City Hall Announcement
– Practice for Big Blocks, 358 Modifieds, Sportsman and Pro Stocks
– Brewerton Speedway Hurricane 75 – DIRTcar 358 Modifieds & DIRTcar Sportsman
– Live entertainment at the Island Stage

Thursday, Oct. 6
– Driver/Fan/Officials Cornhole Tournament
– DIRTcar Pro Stock & DIRTcar 358 Modified Practice and Time Trials
– DIRTcar Pro Stock & DIRTcar 358 Modified Qualifying Heat Races
– 50th NAPA Super DIRT Week Past Champions Autograph Session & Race (More information to come)
– Live entertainment at the Island Stage

Friday, Oct. 7
– Driver/Fan/Officials Cornhole Tournament
– Super DIRTcar Series & DIRTcar Sportsman Practice and Time Trials
– Super DIRTcar Series & DIRTcar Sportsman Qualifying Heat Races
– FIREWORKS
– Live entertainment at the Island Stage

Saturday, Oct. 8
– Driver/Fan/Officials Cornhole Tournament
– DIRTcar Pro Stock 50 @ 4pm (ET)
– DIRTcar 358 Modified Salute to the Troops 150 @ 6pm (ET)
– Live entertainment at the Island Stage

Sunday, Oct. 9
– Super DIRTcar Series Top 30 Autograph session
– DIRTcar Sportsman Chevrolet Performance 75 @ 3pm (ET)
– Super DIRTcar Series Billy Whittaker Cars 200 @ 5pm (ET)

FULL 2022 SCHEDULE

Day-Date        Time                Event

Sun. Oct. 2      
8AM-10AM                 Will Call Open at Guest Services on Albany Street
3PM-8PM                   Kickoff Party at Lighthouse Lanes next to Oswego Speedway
10AM-5PM                 Early Load-in for Campers, Platinum Teams and participants of the Fulton 200

Mon. Oct. 3      
9AM-5PM                   Will Call, Tickets, Camping, Parking and Pit Pass sales open
9AM-5PM                   Grounds Open for Camper Parking – Reservations & Credentials                                            Required
12PM (Noon)              50^th Anniversary NAPA Super DIRT Week Charity Golf Tournament                                        (Radisson GC)
10AM-5PM                 Tech Inspection open for ALL Divisions at Tech Tent

Tues. Oct. 4     
9AM-Midnight             Will Call, Tickets, Camping, Parking and Pit Pass sales open

9AM-6PM                    ALL Divisions Pit Parking open through Gate 6
9AM-6PM                   Grounds Open for Camper Parking – Reservations & Credentials                                           Required
10AM-6PM                 Tech Inspection open for ALL Divisions at Tech Tent
12PM (Noon)              Fan Cornhole Tournament
7PM                            Weedsport Speedway–Super DIRT Week Kickoff Party-DIRTcar 358                                      Modifieds & DIRTcar Pro Stocks

Wed. Oct. 5    
7AM-Midnight             Will Call, Tickets, Camping, Parking and Pit Pass sales open

8AM                            ALL Divisions Pit Parking open through Gate 6

8AM                            Tech Inspection open for ALL Divisions at Tech Tent

12PM (Noon)              City of Oswego Parade & City Hall announcement
2PM-4:30PM               Super DIRTcar Series, DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman,                                        and DIRTcar Pro Stock Practice
7PM                             Brewerton Speedway – The Hurricane 100 – DIRTcar 358 Modifieds                                       and DIRTcar Sportsman
8PM-Midnight              ISLAND STAGE: Party with DJ

Thurs. Oct. 6   
7AM-Midnight             Will Call, Tickets, Camping, Parking and Pit Pass sales open
8AM                            Tech Inspection open for ALL Divisions at Tech Tent
11AM                          Drivers Meeting – DIRTcar Pro Stocks
11:30PM                     Drivers Meeting – DIRTcar 358 Modifieds
12PM (Noon)              DTD Live
12PM (Noon)              Grandstands Open
12PM (Noon)              Driver/Fan/Official Cornhole Tournament in The Island
2PM-8PM                    Tickets and Parking sales open at Gates 1 & 2
2PM                            DIRTcar Pro Stock Practice
2:30PM                       DIRTcar 358 Modified Practice
3:30PM                       DIRTcar Pro Stock 50 Time Trails (Top 6 Locked)
5PM                            DIRTcar 358 Modified Salute to the Troops 150 Time Trials (Top 6                                         Locked)
6:30PM                       NAPA SUPER DIRT WEEK Past Champions Autograph Session

7:30PM                       Openining Ceremonies – Thursday Night Thunder

                                                       DIRTcar Pro Stock 50 – 10-lap Qualifying Heats

                                                       NAPA SUPER DIRT WEEK Past Champions Race

 DIRTcar 358 Modifieds Salute to the Troops 150 – 20-lap 
 Qualifying Heats

9PM-Midnight             ISLAND STAGE: Party with DJ

Post Race                   DTD Live

Fri. Oct. 7       

7AM-Midnight             Will Call, Tickets, Camping, Parking and Pit Pass sales open
2PM-8PM                    Tickets and Parking sales open at Gates 1 & 2          

10AM                          Inspection opens for ALL Divisions at Tech Tent                   

11AM                          Drivers Meeting – DIRTcar Sportsman

11:30AM                     Drivers Meeting – Super DIRTcar Series

12PM (Noon)              Grandstands Open

12PM (Noon)              Driver/Fan/Official Cornhole Tournament in The Island

1PM-2PM                    Super DIRTcar Series and DIRTcar Sportsman Load-in

2PM                            DIRTcar Sportsman Practice

2:45PM                       Super DIRTcar Series Practice

4PM                            DIRTcar Sportsman Chevrolet Performance 75 Time Trials (Top 6                                 Locked)

5:15PM                       Super DIRTcar Series Billy Whittaker Cars 200 Time Trials (Top 6                                 Locked)   

6:30PM                       Track Quiet     

6:30-7:30PM               DTD Tent: DTD Live
6:30-7:30PM               ISLAND STAGE: DIRTVision Studio
7:30PM                       Opening Ceremonies – Friday Night Lights

DIRTcar Sportsman Chevrolet Performance 75 – 15-lap Qualifying Heats

Super DIRTcar Series Billy Whittaker Cars 200 – 25-lap Qualifying Heats     

Post-Race                    FIREWORKS

Post-Race                    ISLAND STAGE: DTD Live

9PM-2AM                     ISLAND STAGE: Friday Night Bash with DJ

Sat. Oct. 8

7AM-Midnight              Will Call, Tickets, Camping, Parking and Pit Pass sales open 

9AM-7PM                    Tickets and Parking sales open at Gates 2

9AM-7PM                    50^th Running of NAPA Super DIRT Week Ticket & Camping 
                         Renewals available at Gate 2

9AM                            Tech Inspection open for ALL Divisions at Tech Tent

11AM-12PM                DTD Tent: DTD Live

11AM                           ISLAND STAGE: Chapel Service

11AM                           Drivers Meeting – DIRTcar Pro Stocks

11:30AM                      Drivers Meeting – DIRTcar 358 Mods

12PM (Noon)              Grandstands Open

12-2PM                       ISLAND STAGE: DIRTVision Studio

12PM (Noon)              ISLAND: Ms. Motorsports Andre Cap Photo shoot presented by Area                           Auto Racing News

12PM (Noon)               Driver/Fan/Official Cornhole Tournament in The Island

12PM-7PM                  Tickets and Parking sales open at Gate 1

2PM                             DIRTcar Pro Stock Last Chance Showdowns – 10 laps

2:30PM                        DIRTcar 358 Modified Last Chance Showdowns – 15 laps

3PM                             DIRTcar 358 Modified Salute to the Troops 150 Drivers Meeting

4PM                            DIRTcar Pro Stocks 50

5:30PM                       DIRTcar 358 Modified Salute to the Troops 150 Opening Ceremonies

6PM                            DIRTcar 358 Modified Salute to the Troops 150

Post-Race                    ISLAND STAGE: DTD Live

8PM-10PM                  ISLAND STAGE: Saturday Night Bash with DJ’s

10PM-1:30AM             ISLAND STAGE: Live Entertainment

1:30AM                       ISLAND STAGE: DJ

Sun. Oct. 9     

7AM-5PM                   Will Call, Tickets, Camping, Parking and Pit Pass sales open 

9AM-6PM                    Tickets and Parking sales open at Gates 2

9AM-6PM                   50^th Running of NAPA Super DIRT Week Ticket & Camping 
                        Renewals available at Gate 2

10AM                          Drivers Meeting – DIRTcar Sportsman

10AM-11AM               ISLAND STAGE: DTD Live

10:30AM                     Drivers Meeting – Super DIRTcar Series

11AM-6PM                 Tickets and Parking sales open at Gate 1

11AM                          Grandstands Open

11AM                          ISLAND STAGE: Chapel Service

12PM (Noon)              Super DIRTcar Series Top 30 Autograph Session

1PM                            DIRTcar Sportsman Last Chance Showdowns – 12 laps

2PM                            Super DIRTcar Series Last Chance Showdowns – 15 laps

3PM                            DIRTcar Sportsman Chevrolet Performance 75

4:30PM                       Super DIRTcar Series Billy Whittaker Cars 200 Opening Ceremonies

5PM                            Super DIRTcar Series Billy Whittaker Cars 200

Post-Race                   ISLAND STAGE: DTD Live

Mon. Oct. 10               Rain date

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2022) – The wait is finally over for Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist Top Fuel dragster team. Prock heads to the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona more experienced, more confident and eager to put his mark on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Fuel category. Making his return with new crew chief duo Joe Barlam and Rahn Tobler, Prock heads to the season opening Winternationals after a successful test session at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park just outside of Phoenix. The 2019 rookie of the year had an impressive final day of testing with a 3.73-second pass at 327 mph in the heat followed by a stout 3.685 at 333.66 mph in the afternoon under slightly cooler conditions. “We had some bugs to work out in testing with new crew chiefs, new crew and obviously I sat out almost two years,” said Prock. “After Saturday’s runs, I’m looking forward to Pomona. We made two really solid passes, everyone did a really great job. Huge thanks to Joe Barlam and Rahn Tobler for working hard and all my crew guys; they’ve busted their ass for about four weeks working every day with long nights.” Auto Club Raceway at Pomona is one of the few tracks Prock has more experience at. He made his professional drag racing career debut and picked up his first-round win at the facility in 2019 and then in 2020, before the pandemic hit, Prock raced his way to the final round. “Headed into Pomona, I’m really looking forward to it. This is probably my favorite track on the circuit just because of all the history there and that’s where I got my start as well,” said Prock. “I’m definitely rolling in there with a lot more laps under my belt and good passes. I’m really looking forward to rolling in there and seeing what we can do. I think we’ve got a great shot at going for a win in Pomona and all year long. We put a great team together and have excellent crew chiefs, and as long as I can drive good, I think we’ll be going for some Wallys quite often.” Qualifying at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona begins Friday with a session at 4:30 p.m. before continuing Saturday with sessions at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations are slated to start Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the season opening event will be aired on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and begin with two qualifying shows, Friday at 10 p.m. ET and Sunday at 7 a.m. ET, while eliminations will be on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 17, 2022) – Progressive American Flat Trackannounced today a year-over-year increase of more than $800,000 in available contingency awards to set a new record total for the 2022 season. Combined, riders in all three Progressive AFT classes are eligible for more than $3,100,000 in contingency awards.

The Progressive American Flat Track Contingency Award Program is designed to reward teams and riders based on results in events and the championship with cash awards from companies with approved products.

The total funds available for each class are as follows:

• $1,752,850 for Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle
• $657,200 for Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines
• $742,650 for Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

“With more than $3,000,000 on the line in 2022, there is no doubt that the drama and excitement will be at an all-time high at every step of the 69th season of America’s Original Extreme Sport,” said Gene Crouch, COO of Progressive American Flat Track. “We’d like to thank all of the partners that have pledged their support for the paddock this year. Their support amounts to a direct investment in the teams and riders that put on the incredible racing each weekend, and for that we are truly thankful.”

The grand total of $3,152,700 is $810,050 more than was offered in 2021. This increase was achieved with class-by-class increases of more than $200,000 each, with riders in the premier Mission SuperTwins class enjoying a boost of over $300,000 alone.

OEMs participating in the 2022 Progressive American Flat Track Contingency Award Program include Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husqvarna, Indian Motorcycle, Kawasaki, KTM, and Yamaha.

Other participating brands include Arai Helmet, Dunlop Motorcycle Tires, S&S Cycle, Vance & Hines, Mission Foods, Parts Unlimited, Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda and Mobile View.

The contingency payout for the 2022 Progressive American Flat Track season can be viewed at https://members.amaproracing.com/xml/ft/AMAP-FT-25-ContingencyList.pdf. In addition to the payouts listed on the competitor page, riders are eligible for event and year-end bonuses for the Mission Production Twins Challenge, Mission #2Fast2Tasy Challenge, Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Dash for Cash and Mobile View Rookie of the Year, totaling a combined $200,300.

To help riders take home as many contingency dollars as possible, Progressive AFT has created online Contingency Guidelines, which are available in the Competitor Information section on AFT’s website and can be accessed via the following links:

• Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle Contingency Guidelines
• Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines Contingency Guidelines
• Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER Contingency Guidelines

Progressive AFT will kick off the 2022 season with the Mission Volusia Half-Mile I & II doubleheader during Daytona Bike Week on Thursday, March 10 and Friday, March 11 at Volusia Speedway Park. Secure your tickets to the season opener now at https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3666.

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 Mission Volusia Half-Mile I & II will premiere back-to-back on FS1 on Sunday, March 20, starting at 11:00 a.m. ET/8:00 a.m. PT.

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 at https://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.

February 17, 2022

In his first qualifying attempt since taking the wheel of the No. 21 Motorcraft/DEX Imaging Mustang, rookie Harrison Burton advanced to the second round of qualifying for the Daytona 500 and wound up with the 10^th best time. He also was the fastest rookie in qualifying.

Burton’s lap at 179.508 miles per hour in the second round means he’ll start fifth in the second of two Duel qualifying races Thursday night. (In Daytona 500 qualifying only the top two drivers secure their starting spots for Sunday’s race.)

In the opening round Burton was one of two Ford drivers to advance to the second round. His lap at 179.501 mph was eighth best on the speed chart in that session.

Eddie Wood said Burton’s strong start to Speedweeks should help the youngster as he heads into the rest of the week.
 
“I think it will take a load off his mind,” Wood said.
 
The 60-lap, 150-mile Duel qualifying races, which will set the starting lineup for the 500, kick off with the first race at 7 p.m. Thursday. The second Duel, Burton’s race, is set to start at 8:45 p.m., with TV coverage on FOX Sports 1.
 
The Daytona 500 is scheduled to start just after 2:30 p.m. on Sunday with TV coverage on FOX.

CHEVROLET AT POMONA What: Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.comWhen: Friday, Feb. 18-Sunday, Feb. 20Where: Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, CaliforniaTV: FS1 will telecast taped eliminations at 10 p.m. ET Sunday, Feb.20                                                                       Team Chevy enters season ready to challenge for titlesNHRA Winternationals returns to its traditional place in the schedule DETROIT (Feb. 17, 2022) – Chevrolet teams and drivers in three professional categories and two Sportsman classes are looking forward to the 2022 National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) season beginning with the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com.

The Feb. 18-20 event marks the return of Auto Club Raceway at Pomona (California) as the traditional season-opening venue. Chevrolet begins pursuit of its 27th Manufacturer Cup – and sixth in a row – while reigning and five-time Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson seeks his 100th career victory in the 900th race in the class. The Chevrolet contingent in Pro Stock welcomes first-year driver Camrie Caruso to the competition and the return of Rodger Brogdon and 2017 champion Bo Butner to a full-season schedule. Austin Prock, the 2019 NHRA Rookie of the Year, returns to John Force Racing for a full season of Top Fuel competition. Many Chevrolet drivers tested last week in Arizona to prepare for season. Sixteen-time Funny Car champion John Force made an early statement that he’ll be a title contender with a run of 3.836 seconds at 335.4 mph in the BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SS. “Four runs in the 3.8s for this PEAK Chevy, that’s really something, that makes you feel good going into the season opener,” he said. “I feel good being out here, I want to race, that’s why I’m here. I’m ready to get going.” CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPITTOP FUELBRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY/FLAV-R-PAC CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (12-time No. 1 qualifier in 2021; runner-up points; won at Topeka and advanced to four other final rounds): “(After testing last week) It’s good to be back with my Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team. We made nine runs throughout the three days. It was a little bit of a struggle, but we are testing a lot of different things. Our early numbers were great and we’re happy overall with how our testing went and we’re ready to get to Pomona.” AUSTIN PROCK, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONTANA BRAND/ROCKY MOUNTAIN TWIST CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (2019 Rookie of the Year returns to full-time competition): “(After testing last week) We had some bugs to work out the first two days; we have new crew chiefs, new crew and obviously I sat out almost two years. I’m really looking forward to Pomona. I’m getting more comfortable every lap and starting to become myself again. Everyone did a really great job. Huge thanks to Joe Barlam and Rahn Tobler and all my guys for really working hard these past four weeks.” FUNNY CARJOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, BLUEDEF PLATINUM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (three-time winner and three-time No. 1 qualifier in 2021; placed fifth in points; seven-time winner of event): “(After testing last week) It’s great to back out here, back in the seat, back with my team, Danny Hood, Tim Fabrisi, all these young kids, it was a good couple of days. I’m feeling like everything is falling back into place. The problems, they’re figuring themselves out. feel good being out here, I want to race, that’s why I’m here. I’m ready to get going.” ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (three-time Funny Car champion; won two races in 2021; placed seventh in standings): “(After testing last week) It was great being back out in the Auto Club Chevy, back with my team, Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham. We had to put in some hard work but ultimately we’re ready to get this season started. We don’t want a repeat of last year and we’re all on the same page. I think it’s going to be a good year. Jimmy coming out right away with a full pass, that’s how you know, he’s confident. We had some good runs, learned some things and now it’s time to get things going. I’m excited.” PRO STOCKGREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (2021 class champion; class all-time wins leader; seeking to become fifth driver with 100 wins): “Every year when you go into Pomona, at least me, I’m very apprehensive and ask myself, ‘What have the other teams found?’ We’ve had almost three months to find some gains – and we’ve worked awfully hard – but you have no idea until you get to the first race what the other teams have done. You can only control what you’ve done to prepare. I know we’re going to be every bit as good or better than last year, and I have my hands full trying to beat my own team cars. The competition out there is incredible; the talent level is incredible. I’ll be looking forward to seeing how we stack up.” DALLAS GLENN, KB RACING, RAD TORQUE SYSTEMS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (2021 NHRA Rookie of the Year; recorded xx wins; placed third in points): “We’re about to hit the road to Pomona after a very successful test session in Phoenix. We made 13 runs in the RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro in two days, and we got some really good data for the first race of the season.” KYLE KORETSKY, KB RACING, LUCAS OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (collected first Pro Stock win at Charlotte2 in 2021; advanced to four final rounds; placed fourth in points): “We had a great outing testing in Phoenix. The car was pretty much the same as we left off. It was fast and everyone was happy. The guys at the shop worked hard in the offseason and found more power like they always seem to find. I think for Q1 at Pomona we’re going right to the top. We’re ready for the new season. I’m excited.” MATT HARTFORD, TOTAL SEAL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS: “We didn’t end the season the way we wanted, so we knew we needed to test (at Wild Horse Pass) and be ready for Pomona, because it’s going to be a grueling season with all these new people coming in. (Arizona, second race of season) Is our hometown race and we’ll have a lot of friends and family and a lot of the employees come down, so it’s really important that we get to have a race in our hometown.” TROY COUGHLIN JR., ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JEGS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (placed sixth in 2021 points; advanced to one final round): “We want to set a routine, starting right now at this weekend’s race, where we create a winning attitude with a winning car. As a driver, I need to be as competitive as I can be without being too emotional. There’s a long season ahead and there will be lots of twists and turns. It’s up to me to find the right path and try to be at my best at all times.” CAMRIE CARUSO, CARUSO FAMILY RACING, POWERBUILT TOOLS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (making Pro Stock debut at Pomona): “I am excited to enter a class that has so many amazing competitors, no matter who I line up against in the first round it will be such a huge memory for me. (Testing last week in Arizona) It was good to get used to running beside other Pro Stock competitors before the Winternationals. You don’t want that completely new experience at your first race.” BO BUTNER, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JOHNSON’S HORSEPOWERED GARAGE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (2017 Pro Stock champion; returns full time after two-year hiatus): “Back from retirement again. Can’t wait. I was at the point where I was one of the younger to middle guys. Now, (at 47) I’m one of the older guys. I can’t wait to get back out and go head-to-head with Greg (Anderson) and that (KB Racing) team and go head-to-head with some of these young people. I wish them all success, but I can tell you it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever tried to do on a consistent basis and to try to turn on win lights. I was told that before and I laughed, but I believe it now.”

McDowell regroups to finish second, Madden claims third BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb 16, 2022 – Ashton Winger and his new crew at Gambler Transport Motorsports set out on the Florida-Georgia Speedweeks trail this past month with a goal in mind of winning races. Their new team bond shined bright Wednesday night at Volusia Speedway Park, as they dominated the postponed DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals Feature from January to close out the opening night for the World of Outlaws CASE Late Model Series at the 51st DIRTcar Nationals. Winger grabbed the lead on the opening lap and ran for the hills, opening a gap to the rest of the field behind him. A few quick caution flags slowed his momentum and forced him to play defense on restarts, which cost him the lead at one point. Chris Madden, of Gray Court, SC, got a great jump on a Lap 6 restart and made a move for the lead to Winger’s inside down the backstretch, holding the advantage through Turns 3-4 and officially taking control at the stripe. But Winger was brilliant on the top, zooming right back by the 2018 Big Gator champion to regain the lead. “I had to aim for them holes for traction,” Winger, of Hampton, GA, said. “When I tried to back my corner up, I’d push, and I’d have to use the brake pedal to turn and go hopping down here.” The green stayed out until just after halfway, when a spinning Daulton Wilson brought out the caution and restacked the field, putting Madden and Dale McDowell right on Winger’s tail for the restart. McDowell, the winner on Friday afternoon of the Sunshine Nationals in January, got a better run through Turns 1-2 on the restart and took second from Madden as they began the second half of the 40-lap event. The veteran from Chickamauga, GA, held the spot all the way through the checkers, rebounding from a spin in the regularly scheduled DIRTcar Nationals Feature earlier in the program. He and Madden were battling for second when they came together in Turn 2, leaving McDowell in a loop right in front of the field. He retired the #17m immediately after, giving him a 21st-place finish, but regrouped over the break and bagged the runner-up. “I got turned around there, and I wasn’t overly thrilled about that,” McDowell said of the incident in the previous Feature. “But for us to have a top-three in this event, it definitely helps.” Madden held-off Devin Moran in the final laps to claim third. He’s said before that caution flags don’t usually help him, and losing the runner-up spot to McDowell on the restart showed he’s still got some work to do if he wants to contend for a Gator trophy later this week. Still, a solid podium finish showed he’s not far off. “We’ve gotta get to the lead, that way we won’t have these situations we’re in with these cautions,” Madden said. “We just need to get the corner fixed. I know we can race on it a little better than what we’ve been doing.” Back out front, Winger was on cruise control in traffic, driving across the line with a gap of just over two seconds on the field to claim the $10,000 Sunshine Nationals check and fourth World of Outlaws Feature win of his career. “I felt that I got in a pretty good rhythm there with about 15 or so to go,” Winger said. “With about seven-to-go, I felt that I killed my tires, and I couldn’t get by them lapped cars like I wanted to.” UP NEXT Late Model Week at the 51st DIRTcar Nationals continues with more World of Outlaws CASE Late Model Series action on Thursday, Feb. 17, at Volusia Speedway Park. Buy a ticket online, at the gate, or stream all the Late Model action alongside the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds live on DIRTVision. RESULTS (view full results) Feature (40 Laps): 1. 89-Ashton Winger[1]; 2. 17M-Dale McDowell[2]; 3. 44-Chris Madden[4]; 4. 9-Devin Moran[6]; 5. 71-Hudson O’Neal[7]; 6. 7-Ross Robinson[3]; 7. 40B-Kyle Bronson[16]; 8. 1-Brandon Sheppard[8]; 9. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[20]; 10. 1R-Josh Richards[11]; 11. 81E-Tanner English[26]; 12. 111V-Max Blair[18]; 13. 16-Tyler Bruening[21]; 14. 36-Logan Martin[17]; 15. 45-Kyle Hammer[28]; 16. 14M-Morgan Bagley[22]; 17. B1-Brent Larson[25]; 18. 11-Gordy Gundaker[27]; 19. 99B-Boom Briggs[24]; 20. 8-Kyle Strickler[12]; 21. 18D-Daulton Wilson[15]; 22. 97-Cade Dillard[19]; 23. 29-Darrell Lanigan[5]; 24. 3S-Brian Shirley[9]; 25. 32-Chris Simpson[29]; 26. 25-Shane Clanton[13]; 27. 19R-Ryan Gustin[23]; 28. (DNS) 6-Kyle Larson; 29. (DNS) 20-Jimmy Owens; FOX Factory Hard Charger – 81E-Tanner English (+15)

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

The Evans, GA driver passed Dale McDowell on a restart en route to his 19th career World of Outlaws winBARBERVILLE, FL – February 16, 2022 – Brandon Overton’s clock was ticking Wednesday night. As the laps wound down at Volusia Speedway Park, so did the life of the engine inside his Longhorn Chassis. Luckily for “Big Sexy,” his clock didn’t strike midnight. The engine held up long enough to take the checkered flag for his second career DIRTcar Nationals win.  Overton wasn’t sure he’d make it to the end in the last few laps—holding his breath and hoping the engine stayed together. All of this while Devin Moran lurked behind him.    “I was looking, and I could see it smoking, and I knew it’s got to be over pretty soon,” Overton said. “I was just getting it so tight down there I was just holding it to the floor. I could tell it was dying; it was just muffling out.  “Hell, there ain’t nothing you can do; it’s already done its damage.” Before the engine started to blow, Overton’s car came to life in the second half of the race. The Evans, GA driver, took advantage of a caution for then race-leader Kyle Strickler and powered around Dale McDowell for the top spot.  Overton put the car anywhere he wanted to, thanks to wholesale changes made to his Late Model throughout the week. “We’ve changed everything on this thing every single night, every single Feature we’ve ran,” Overton said. “The new body rules and stuff kind of has us in a little box, and we just got to figure it out. “I had a pretty good package with the way everything was, and it changed a little bit. We just have to keep working; that’s what makes this fun.” The DIRTcar Nationals win is Overton’s 19th World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Model Series triumph—tying him with Jimmy Owens. It’s a win that may not have happened without Kyle Strickler’s lousy luck.  The Mooresville, NC driver dropped out while leading with 25 laps to go. He stated it was a problem his team found on Tuesday—one they hoped to fix before the Feature.   “We had drivetrain issues [Tuesday],” Strickler said. “The yoke pulled off the rear end, but everything felt good today. I thought we had a really good car and broke a lower jackshaft in the rear-end. “I’m not sure if it had to do with last night or not, but the car was good and it’s just part of it.” Devin Moran continued his hot streak to start the season, scoring his third trip to the DIRTcar Nationals podium with a second-place finish.  The Dresden, OH driver stated he thought he had a shot at winning before he saw Overton’s engine start to expire. “I felt like I was catching him before that,” Moran said. “I don’t know if it’s because his engine was getting worse and worse. “I wasn’t going to slide him in Turns 3 and 4 because I knew I was too far back. But I wanted to at least run a different line if he did blow up.”  Moran’s consistency puts him on a path toward his second straight “Big Gator” trophy—as he leads the week-long standings on the strength of three podiums.  Reigning Series Champion Brandon Sheppard passed more cars than anyone Wednesday, earning the Fox Factory Hard Charger award. “The Rocket Shepp” crossed the line third after switching to a backup car and starting 25th.   After he didn’t qualify through his Heat Race, the Rocket1 Racing team decided to switch cars—one that paid off. “My team just comes thru in tough times like we had today,” Sheppard said. “It was really just a mutual agreement to switch cars, and it worked out. All of our cars are good. We were just missing something on that other one.” Hudson O’Neal finished fourth, his second top-five finish of the season. Three-time Series champion Darrell Lanigan rounded out the top five.   Brandon Overton didn’t only win a “Gator,” but a race against time. It shows the clock hasn’t struck midnight on Overton’s success against the best Dirt Late Model racing has to offer.   UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series returns to Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17 for their second night of DIRTcar Nationals, along with the Super DIRTcar Series. For tickets to the event: CLICK HERE. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App. CASE Construction Feature (40 Laps): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[8]; 2. 9-Devin Moran[9]; 3. 1-Brandon Sheppard[25]; 4. 71-Hudson O’Neal[7]; 5. 29-Darrell Lanigan[4]; 6. 44-Chris Madden[2]; 7. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[13]; 8. 1R-Josh Richards[27]; 9. 81E-Tanner English[18]; 10. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[6]; 11. 1T-Tyler Erb[23]; 12. 44B-Colten Burdette[15]; 13. 111V-Max Blair[20]; 14. 16-Tyler Bruening[21]; 15. B1-Brent Larson[12]; 16. 6S-Blake Spencer[22]; 17. 11-Gordy Gundaker[14]; 18. 99B-Boom Briggs[28]; 19. 14M-Morgan Bagley[29]; 20. 39-Tim McCreadie[11]; 21. 17M-Dale McDowell[5]; 22. 10-Garrett Smith[10]; 23. 45-Kyle Hammer[30]; 24. 89-Ashton Winger[16]; 25. 3S-Brian Shirley[17]; 26. 8-Kyle Strickler[1]; 27. 25-Shane Clanton[24]; 28. 157-Mike Marlar[3]; 29. 97-Cade Dillard[19]; 30. 19R-Ryan Gustin[26] Fox Factory Hard Charger Award: Brandon Sheppard [+22}.

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

NASCAR CUP SERIES DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY DAYTONA 500 FEBRUARY 16, 2022

CHEVROLET CAPTURES TENTH CONSECUTIVE DAYTONA 500 POLEKyle Larson, Alex Bowman on the Front RowDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 16, 2022) – Reigning NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) Champion Kyle Larson picked up where he left off: at the top of the leaderboard. The Team Chevy driver laid down a lap of 49.68 seconds, at a speed of 181.859 mph, in his No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1 to mark Larson’s first-career Daytona 500 pole. In the Next Gen Camaro ZL1’s points-paying debut in the NCS competition, Chevrolet has topped the qualifying leaderboard for the tenth-consecutive year to secure the pole position and lead the field to the green in the 64th running of the Daytona 500. 
“Anytime you are really proud of your team to get a pole here because this is the littlest it has to do with us drivers; qualifying at superspeedways,” said Larson. “Just a huge thank you to the engine shop at Hendrick Motorsports. Everybody who’s had a part in touching these vehicles; whether it be on the computer, engineering, or just hands on. It’s really neat; just awesome the speed in our HendrickCars.com Chevy. Hopefully this is the beginning of a really good weekend.”
Joining his Hendrick Motorsports teammate on the front row of the Daytona 500 will be Alex Bowman, who was second quick in his No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1. The front row feat puts Bowman’s name in the NASCAR history books as the only driver in the series’ history to sit on the Daytona 500 front row for five consecutive seasons (2018-2022). The Bowtie Brand has now swept the Daytona 500 front row 20 times in the event’s history, including 10 of the past 12 years.
“It just says so much about Hendrick Motorsports and all these guys,” said Bowman. “Congrats to the 5 on getting the pole. It’s cool to have the record, but I feel like Greg Ives (Crew Chief) and my race team should be the ones that get the credit for that record. The driver doesn’t really have much to do with it, but glad I didn’t mess it up for them and really happy for Ally and Chevrolet. Cool to be a part of it.”
Larson’s pole win gives Chevrolet its 30th pole award for “The Great American Race”; its 52nd pole win at Daytona International Speedway; and the manufacturer’s 724th pole in NASCAR’s premier series. The ten-year pole-winning streak extends Chevrolet’s record of the most of any manufacturer at Daytona. The 29-year-old California native’s pole win gives Hendrick Motorsports its 15th Daytona 500 pole, the most of all teams in the NASCAR Cup Series. 
The top-10 in the first round of qualifying moved onto the second and final round in the race for the front row starting spots, with six of those top-10 being Camaro ZL1’s. William Byron, No. 24 Axalta Camaro ZL1, was third fastest; and Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Camaro ZL1 was fifth, to give Hendrick Motorsports four of the top-five in the qualifying results. Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain, No. 1 Advent Health Camaro ZL1, was seventh; and Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Tootsies Orchid Lounge Camaro ZL1 was ninth to round out the Team Chevy top-10 on the qualifying speed chart. 
Noah Gragson will make his NASCAR Cup Series points-paying debut after locking his No. 62 Beard Oil/South Point Camaro ZL1 into Sunday’s 40-car field by speed. The 23-year-old Team Chevy driver’s impressive lap gives Beard Motorsports its fifth start in the Daytona 500 and the team’s 18th-career NCS start. 
With the front row set, all eyes turn to tomorrow’s two 60-lap, 150-mile Bluegreen Vacation Duels at Daytona to determine the remaining starting lineup of the Daytona 500. FS1 will telecast the Duels on Thursday, February 17, kicking off under the lights at 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage can also be found on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.