Austin Prock voted NHRA Road to the Future Award winner
Top Fuel driver joins current John Force Racing teammates as top rookie

DETROIT (Nov. 19, 2019) – Austin Prock checked off nearly all his freshman season goals in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Top Fuel ranks.

A bonus was being voted the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award winner.

Prock accepted the award Nov. 18 at the NHRA Awards Ceremony in Hollywood, California. Past winners of the rookie honor, which was established in 2002, include current John Force Racing teammates Robert Hight and Brittany Force. Continue reading Austin Prock voted NHRA Road to the Future Award winner Top Fuel driver joins current John Force Racing teammates as top rookie →

Chevrolet wins NHRA Manufacturers Cup for record-extending 24th time
Drivers of the Chevrolet Camaro SS, COPO Camaro contribute to success

DETROIT (Nov. 18, 2019) – Chevrolet is the top manufacturer on the drag strip for a record-extending 24th time.

Chevy Racing was awarded the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Manufacturers Cup during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Awards Ceremony Nov. 18 in Hollywood, California.

It is the third consecutive year and fourth time in the past five seasons that the Bowtie Brand has outscored three other manufacturers. Chevrolet first earned the award in 1966, and no other manufacturer has won it more times. GM brands Oldsmobile and Pontiac combined to win 24 titles. Continue reading Chevrolet wins NHRA Manufacturers Cup for record-extending 24th time Drivers of the Chevrolet Camaro SS, COPO Camaro contribute to success →

AUSTIN PROCK NAMED 2019 AUTO CLUB ROAD TO THE FUTURE AWARD WINNER
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2019) — Austin Prock, driver of the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing was named the Auto Club Road to the Future Award, NHRA’s Rookie of the Year Award, winner Monday night at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series awards banquet at the Ray Dolby Theater in Hollywood.

“I am proud of the season this Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team put together. My guys worked their asses off all season long to give me the opportunity to win the Auto Club Road the Future Award. I couldn’t have done it without them,” Prock said. “I would have never been here without John Force and Robert Hight. They gave me the opportunity to fulfill my dream and I owe the world to them. I hope I made them proud.”

Prock, son of three-time championship tuner for Robert Hight’s Auto Club Chevy Camaro SS, Jimmy Prock, made his NHRA Mello Yello professional debut at the 2019 NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona and went onto race a full season in the Mello Yello Series.

Halfway through the tour, at the 16th race of 24, Prock earned his first NHRA professional victory at the Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Seattle, sharing the winner’s circle alongside team owner and NHRA Legend John Force as he earned his milestone 150th career victory. He recorded a career best elapsed time of 3.688-seconds and speed of 334.40 mph in a first-round victory over veteran racer Doug Kalitta at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals.

Prock joins a list of only 10 previous rookies to win in their first season and is the 13th rookie to qualify for the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six race playoffs. Prock is the sixth John Force Racing driver to earn the Auto Club Road to the Future Award, the previous include Tony Pedregon (1996), newly crowned Funny Car champion Robert Hight (2005), Ashley Force-Hood (2007), Mike Neff (2008), Courtney Force (2012) and current Top Fuel teammate Brittany Force (2013).

Dominic Scelzi Preparing for Pair of Non-Wing and Winged Sprint Car Shows to Close Season

Inside Line Promotions – HANFORD, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2019) – Dominic Scelzi has four races on tap next week when the 2019 season wraps up.

Scelzi will pilot his family owned non-wing sprint car Nov. 27-28 at Ventura Raceway in Ventura, Calif., during the 79th annual Turkey Night Grand Prix before they put the wings on for races Nov. 29-30 at Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Ariz., during the Copper Classic with the ASCS Southwest Region.

The two nights at Ventura Raceway will mark his first start in non-wing sprint cars in several years.

“I’ve run two non-wing races in my life,” he said. “I ran a CRA show at Ocean Speedway (in Watsonville, Calif.) in 2013 and a local race at Ventura Raceway in 2014. I ran second in Watsonville and fourth at Ventura. I remember the first time I didn’t feel comfortable, but we were fast. The second time we had motor issues until the main event. I think we started 18 th and ran it to fourth. I’m looking to have fun and enjoy the week with friends and family.”

Scelzi will follow the non-wing sprint car action with a pair of winged sprint car starts at an oval where he last raced in 2017. He placed eighth and 11th, respectively, during the Copper Classic that year.

“We were there in the VanLare car that year and we’ve raced at Arizona Speedway during World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series events once or twice,” he said. “Hopefully it’s a great surface and we can end the year on a high note.”

Scelzi ran into misfortune last Saturday when he drove for Nick McColloch at Keller Auto Speedway. The team timed in eighth quickest during qualifying before a runner-up result in a heat race lined Scelzi up 10 th for the A Main.

“We were all right in qualifying, but were a little snug,” he said. “In the heat race a steering problem started. It was really tight when we were turning right. We tried to help it for the main event, but the steering broke going into turn one on the opening lap.

“It didn’t end the way we wanted, but it was fun to get back together with Nick and Kerry. Maybe some day down the road we can team up together again when it’d work for everyone’s schedule.”

Giovanni Scelzi Earns Career-Best USAC National Result During Western World Championships

Inside Line Promotions – QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. (Nov. 18, 2019) – Giovanni Scelzi scored his career-best USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Series race last Saturday during the final night of the 52nd annual Western World Championships presented by San Tan Ford hosted by Arizona Speedway.

“We got a lot better from Friday to Saturday,” he said. “It’s unique in a midget. It’s tough to get comfortable because I’m so used to racing winged sprint cars. On Saturday in the B Main we were night and day different than we were all weekend. It’s a different kind of racing than I’m used to so it takes time to adjust and compete with the best drivers.” Continue reading Giovanni Scelzi Earns Career-Best USAC National Result During Western World Championships →

Menard Finishes 17th In Final Ride In The No. 21 Mustang

November 18, 2019

Paul Menard closed out his full-time Cup career, and a two-year stint in the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang, with a 17th-place finish in the season-ending Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Menard started 19th after qualifying was cancelled because of rain and the starting line-up set by car owner points. He spent the early portions of the race running around the top 20 and fell a lap down midway through the second stage as the race leaders set a torrid pace in a relatively caution-free race.

When a caution flag did fly with just over 20 laps left to run in Stage Two, crew chief Greg Erwin elected to take the wave-around even though Menard faced an uphill battle to remain on the lead lap while riding on worn tires. Continue reading Menard Finishes 17th In Final Ride In The No. 21 Mustang →

Jack Beckman Drives Dodge//SRT Charger Hellcat to Funny Car Triumph at Auto Club NHRA Finals

· Dodge//SRT Mopar driver Jack Beckman wins Funny Car trophy at 55th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals; finishes 2019 season in second place

· Dodge//SRT Mopar driver Matt Hagan begins day atop Funny Car qualifying ladder, advances to semifinals in Dodge//SRT Charger Hellcat Widebody; finishes third in season standings

· Leah Pritchett starts Top Fuel eliminations as No. 2 qualifier in her HEMI®-powered Mopar Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster; reaches sixth semifinal of 2019 to finish season in fourth place

· John Shaul and Joe Faherty earn Dodge Top Finisher honors in Sportsman classes

· Dodge Garage, a digital content hub for muscle car and race enthusiasts, features highlights from NHRA season

· New @DodgeMoparMotorsports Instagram channel features Dodge//SRT Mopar drivers in NHRA action Continue reading Jack Beckman Drives Dodge//SRT Charger Hellcat to Funny Car Triumph at Auto Club NHRA Finals →

ROBERT HIGHT AND AUTO CLUB END SEASON WITH TOP PRIZE AND RUNNER-UP FINISH AT AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2019) — Robert Hight and the Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro SS team earned their third NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car world championship Sunday when they had a runner-up finish at the Auto Club NHRA Finals. Hight and the Auto Club crew became only the fifth Funny Car team to earn more than two titles. They join the ranks of Don Prudhomme, Raymond Beadle, Kenny Bernstein and John Force. Continue reading ROBERT HIGHT AND AUTO CLUB END SEASON WITH TOP PRIZE AND RUNNER-UP FINISH AT AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS →

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS
AUTO CLUB RACEWAY IN POMONA, CALIFORNIA
RACE RECAP AND DRIVER QUOTES
NOVEMBER 17, 2019

Chevrolet Drivers Clinch Funny Car, Pro Stock Titles

Robert Hight earns third Funny Car title, second in three years
Erica Enders records third Pro Stock championship
Jeg Coughlin Jr. wins Pro Stock race, place second in standings

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2019) – Robert Hight and Erica Enders took different paths to the National Hot Rod association (NHRA) Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, though both reached their desired destination.

Hight earned his second Funny Car world championship in the past three years and third overall, while Enders claimed her third Pro Stock title since 2014 in the Auto Club Finals. Continue reading Chevrolet Drivers Clinch Funny Car, Pro Stock Titles →

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS
AUTO CLUB RACEWAY IN POMONA, CALIFORNIA
NOVEMBER 17, 2019

Robert Hight earns another Funny Car title with Chevrolet
Consistency leads John Force Racing driver to career-best six wins

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2019) – Robert Hight set a goal of winning the 2019 National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Funny Car championship before leaving Auto Club Raceway at the conclusion of the 2018 season.

Hight, driver of the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS, had come agonizingly close to repeating as the Funny Car titleholder but grudgingly settled for a runner-up finish. Dutiful off-season preparation by co-crew chiefs Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham, the crew and Hight focused on consistency throughout the 24-race campaign this year. Continue reading Robert Hight earns another Funny Car title with Chevrolet →

Austin Dillon and Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 Symbicort Chevrolet Team Cap Off 2019 Season with Strong Run at Homestead-Miami Speedway

“It feels good to cap off the 2019 season with a solid run for everyone at RCR, ECR and our partners and fans. The Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate) Chevrolet was really solid from the start of the race, and it didn’t take long for us to make our way into the top 10. We just got a little too tight at the end of the race to make a run for the top-five. We’ve changed our bodies and everything, just trying to get closer to the competition. We’ve been working really hard and this gives us some good momentum going into 2020. This is the first car we’ve had all year that’s been really competitive at these 1.5-mile tracks. We’ve had some good qualifying efforts, but we were racy tonight and that was good to see. We can build on stuff like this for next year.”
-Austin Dillon

Daniel Hemric Earns 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year Title with 12th-Place at Homestead-Miami Speedway

“It’s been a bittersweet weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with this being my last race with Richard Childress Racing. We battled all year but didn’t always get the finishes we hoped for or deserved, yet my team never laid down or gave up. You want to go out on a high note, and that’s definitely what we did tonight by ending the season with a strong run in the No. 8 myblu Chevrolet. It’s the little things when you have a season like we’ve had that get you over that emotional hump. I passed a seven-time champion on the last lap of a 60-lap run tonight. Those are little victories you find that show there is light at the end of the tunnel in years like this. I’m so proud of my team and the heart they continue to fight with. We also won Rookie of The Year Honors after a really tough battle all year long with Ryan Preece. A lot of really important people in our sport have been able to take these honors home, so I’m going to take pride in the Rookie of the Year title and look forward to the next chapter. I’m very thankful for the opportunity from Richard and Judy Childress, ECR and all the folks back in Welcome, North Carolina, for the last three years. My goal is to get back into the Cup Series full time and I believe I can do that.”

-Daniel Hemric

Season-ending victory in Pomona assures
Jeg Coughlin Jr. of No. 2 ranking for 2019
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 17) — Five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. concluded another impressive season Sunday when the Ohio-based drag racer collected his 63rd class trophy at the 55th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals. Coughlin’s impressive playoff run, which started with an eighth-place ranking six races ago, ended with him trailing only teammate Erica Enders in the final standings by just 21 points. Continue reading Season-ending victory in Pomona assures Jeg Coughlin Jr. of No. 2 ranking for 2019 →

ROBERT HIGHT AND AUTO CLUB CLINCH THIRD NHRA FUNNY CAR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2019) — Robert Hight and the Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro SS team earned their third NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car world championship Sunday when they had a runner-up finish at the Auto Club NHRA Finals. Hight and the Auto Club crew became only the fifth Funny Car team to earn more than two titles. They join the ranks of Don Prudhomme, Raymond Beadle, Kenny Bernstein and John Force.

By the time Hight entered the finals, he only needed to ensure he did not pick up any sort of penalty to clinch the victory. After an epic, crowd pleasing, long burnout, Hight wasn’t able to back the car up giving Beckman a solo run to the race win. En route to the championship victory, Hight entered race day qualified fifth for the Finals, a position that had him facing team owner John Force in the first round. Hight would end the legendary driver’s quest for a 17th championship with the quickest pass of the session, second quickest of race day, 3.945-seconds and 327.82 mph that bettered Force’s 5.234 at 141.97 after tire smoke. In the second round, Hight defeated Shawn Langdon with a 3.976-second pass at 324.75 mph.

In the semifinals, Hight would face championship contender Matt Hagan. Hight powered his Auto Club Camaro to a 3.977-second pass at 324.59 mph outrunning Hagan’s 4.014 at 326.95. The bid into the finals would set Hight up to only need to not be penalized in the finals, meaning as long as he did not cross the center line, hit a cone or the wall or oil down the race track, he would become the 2019 champion. Despite not making the pass, Hight was not penalized and had enough of a points lead to take the 2019 Funny Car title.

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY
FORD ECOBOOST 400
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT
NOVEMBER 17, 2019

DANIEL HEMRIC EARNS 2019 MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR TITLE

HOMESTEAD, FL (November 17, 2019) – Daniel Hemric, driver of the No. 8 Camaro ZL1, clinched the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors after a 12th-place finish in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. With the title, Hemric is now the 19th different Chevrolet driver to win the award in NASCAR’s premier racing series since 1972. He joins the list of recognizable Chevy-powered names, including Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Jeff Gordon.

“We are proud of Daniel Hemric for winning the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year title,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet’s U.S. Vice President of Performance and Motorsports. “Daniel is a talented driver, teammate, and class act. We are excited that he won this award and we look forward to more great things from him in the future.” Continue reading DANIEL HEMRIC EARNS 2019 MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES ROOKIE OF THE YEAR TITLE →

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY
FORD ECOBOOST 400
TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
NOVEMBER 17, 2019

TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL FINISHING RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
8th Austin Dillon, No. 3 Symbicort Camaro ZL1
9th Alex Bowman, No. 88 Nationwide Camaro ZL1
12th Daniel Hemric, No. 8 myblu Camaro ZL1
13th Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1
15th Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Camaro ZL1

TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL FINISHING RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
1st Kyle Busch (Toyota)
2nd Martin Truex, Jr. (Toyota)
3rd Erik Jones (Toyota)
4th Kevin Harvick (Ford)
5th Joey Logano (Ford)

UNOFFICIAL FINAL PLAYOFF RANK (Following Round 10 of 10)
POS. DRIVER
1. Kyle Busch (Toyota)
2. Martin Truex Jr. (Toyota)
3. Kevin Harvick (Ford)
4. Denny Hamlin (Toyota)

This concludes the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series will kick off with Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 16, 2020 at 2:30 P.M. ET. Live coverage can be found on FOX, MRN, and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Homestead–Post Race →

Still a few chances left for top qualifier
Jeg Coughlin Jr. to win 2019 Pro Stock title
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 16) — After a stellar two days of professional qualifying where he led three of four sessions and gained a massive 14 bonus points, Jeg Coughlin Jr. brings his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro into the final day of the season with a few chances to win a sixth Pro Stock world championship. Continue reading Still a few chances left for top qualifier Jeg Coughlin Jr. to win 2019 Pro Stock title →

Richard Childress Racing Caps off 50th Anniversary Celebration with NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver’s and Owner’s Championships

Tyler Reddick and the No. 2 Tame the Beast Chevrolet Team Win at Homestead-Miami Speedway En Route to RCR’s Series’ Leading Fifth Title

“It was just an incredible effort by all of the guys at Richard Childress Racing. Our Tame the Beast Chevrolet was really good in practice and qualifying. The car allowed me to move around on the race track early in the run. I have to give it to our competition. They caught up to us on the short run. At the end of the night, when push came to shove, we went to the fence and we got it done. We got around the No. 00 and the No. 20 at the end to pull out the championship. It’s my first championship with RCR and my second championship overall. It’s just an absolute blast to run in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and go back-to-back as series champion. Hat’s off to Team Chevy and all those guys for working on this Chevrolet, and all the guys at ECR for giving us great power. Richard Childress believed I could be a champion before I ever won my first championship, and it means a lot to be able to capture RCR’s fifth Driver’s Championship in the NASCAR Xfinity Series to cap off their 50th Anniversary Celebration.”

-Tyler Reddick

Matt Hagan Keeps Building Momentum, Grabs Funny Car No. 1 Qualifying Position for Dodge//SRT Mopar in 2019 NHRA Season Finale Continue reading Matt Hagan Keeps Building Momentum, Grabs Funny Car No. 1 Qualifying Position for Dodge//SRT Mopar in 2019 NHRA Season Finale →

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS
AUTO CLUB RACEWAY IN POMONA, CALIFORNIA
QUALIFICATIONS RECAP
NOVEMBER 16, 2019

Three Chevrolet Drivers Take Aim at Championships
Robert Hight, Brittany Force and Erica Enders primed for title runs
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 16, 2019) – As the three Chevrolet championship contenders predicted, their National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) title aspirations will be determined on the final day of the season.

Robert Hight (Funny Car), Brittany Force (Top Fuel) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) will aim to add hardware to their trophy cases Nov. 17 in the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway.

Hight, the points leader after all but one of the 23 event, used a 3.895-second pass at 330.55 mph in the fourth qualifying session to move from 14th to the No. 5 qualifier spot. Hight takes a 38-point advantage into the final race of the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship.

Hight, driver of the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS, will face teammate and 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force, who qualified 12th in the PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS, in the first round of eliminations. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Pomona–Qualifications →

Chevrolet Clinches 20th Bill France Performance Cup
Award Recognizes Manufacturer Championship in NASCAR Xfinity Series

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – (November 16, 2019) – With Tyler Reddick’s victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Chevrolet clinched the Bill France Performance Cup in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS). The 2019 achievement marks the 20th time the Bowtie Brand has captured this prestigious honor, more than any other manufacturer.

The triumph also marks the fifth time Camaro SS has earned the award since becoming Chevrolet’s flagship in the Xfinity Series in 2013. The Camaro SS has earned 77 NXS victories since its debut.

“Chevrolet is honored to win the 2019 Bill France Performance Cup in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the 20th time,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President of Performance and Motorsports. “Every point matters during the season and this achievement is the result of a lot of dedication, hard work and persistence exhibited by all of the Chevy team owners, drivers, crew chiefs, engineers and team members.”

Capping off the regular season, Chevrolet placed more contenders in the Playoffs than any other manufacturer with seven drivers and teams in the running for this year’s title.

Five different Team Chevy drivers were victorious during the season: Tyler Reddick (6 wins), Justin Allgaier (1 win), Michael Annette (1 win), Ross Chastain (1 win), and AJ Allmendinger (1 win). A multitude of Team Chevy members contributed to this special award with valuable points throughout the 33-race season.