Category Archives: Uncategorized

Thornton and Sheppard Collect Friday Night Preliminary Wins at Lernerville

SARVER, PA (June 26, 2026) – Ricky Thornton Jr. and Brandon Sheppard each earned $5,000 victories Friday night, winning their respective 25-lap preliminary features at Lernerville Speedway. The twin preliminary features set the lineups for Saturday’s four heat races, which will determine the starting field for the 20th Annual Firecracker 100 presented by Experience Butler County. The crown jewel event will pay $50,000 to the winner. Thornton claimed the opening feature for the 58th LOLMDS victory of his career in one of the season’s most eventful races. Dan Ebert recorded the best Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series finish of his career in second, while two-time Firecracker 100 winner Brandon Overton rounded out the Big River Steel podium in third. Josh Rice finished fourth, and current Midwest Sheet Metal championship points leader Hudson O’Neal completed the top five. O’Neal led the opening 12 laps before slipping in turn four, allowing Thornton – who started fourth – to take over the lead. Rice reclaimed second during the frantic lap-13 action before Overton moved into the runner-up spot on lap 17. Ebert then charged into second with five laps remaining and closed on Thornton in the final laps but came up just short. The victory positions the two-time Firecracker 100 winner for a favorable starting spot in Saturday’s heat races. “I thought we had a really good car,” Thornton said. “We built a new one coming here, and I told (Anthony) Burroughs I didn’t really want to know what was going on – just do what you think we need to do. I felt like our car was really good. Sheppy looked really good around the bottom in the second feature, so I think we’ve still got a little room to improve down there. I was just a little too tight to be as good as he was. Hats off to all the fans for coming out. Hopefully we can get tomorrow’s show in.” Thornton’s winning Koehler Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and backed by Knight’s Companies, Hoker Trucking, Coltman Farms Racing, Capital Waste, Elite Ready Mix, Certified Inspection Services, Strange Oval, SI Towing and Recovery, and Sunoco Race Fuels. Completing the top ten in the first feature were Carson Ferguson, Brian Shirley, Chub Frank, Eric Wilson, and Brenden Smith. In the second 25-lap feature, Brandon Sheppard charged from the seventh starting position and passed Devin Moran for the lead on lap seven, then pulled away to score his 41st career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory. Moran, the defending Series champion, led the opening six laps before Sheppard used the bottom groove to take command. From there, Sheppard steadily extended his advantage, crossing the finish line 2.120 seconds ahead of Moran. Max Blair slipped past five-time and defending Lernerville track champion Michael Norris on the final lap to finish third, while Garrett Alberson rounded out the top five after starting 10th. “It’s one of those deals where, starting that far back, you just go where everyone else isn’t,” Sheppard said. “I knew my car was good no matter where I put it. I was just biding my time and watching where everyone was running. The top was pretty treacherous after seeing guys go over the edge in the first feature, so I didn’t want to go up there unless I absolutely had to. Our car has been really balanced all year, and it was good again tonight. I just messed up both qualifying laps, or we probably would’ve started a little farther forward.” Sheppard’s winning Mark Richards Racing, Rocket Chassis is powered by a Durham Racing Engine and backed by Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, Performance Grading, Petroff Towing, Franklin Enterprises, Sunoco Race Fuels, Gunter’s Honey, Stiles Marine and Maintenance, and Collins Brothers Towing. Completing the top ten in the second feature were Dillon McCowan, Alex Ferree, Tyler Wyant, Gregg Satterlee, and Ryan Montgomery. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Firecracker 100 Presented by Experience Butler County | Night 2Friday, June 26, 2026Lernerville Speedway | Sarver, PA Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Dan Ebert | 16.665 seconds (Overall)Fast Time Group B: Devin Moran | 17.447 seconds Group A Results: Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 93-Carson Ferguson[2]; 2. 60-Dan Ebert[1]; 3. 11-Josh Rice[5]; 4. 17SS-Brenden Smith[3]; 5. 27W-Eric Wilson[8]; 6. 55-Chris Schneider[6]; 7. 93L-Cory Lawler[10]; 8. 10L-Gary Lyle[7]; 9. 9-Breyton Santee[11]; 10. 6M-Matt Martin[9]; 11. 42C-Chad Shearer[12]; 12. (DNS) 33-Josh Ferry Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 71-Hudson O’Neal[1]; 2. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[2]; 3. 76-Brandon Overton[5]; 4. 3S-Brian Shirley[3]; 5. 77-Tyler Dietz[6]; 6. 99B-Chub Frank[4]; 7. 29-Ken Schaltenbrand[7]; 8. 10-Jared Miley[8]; 9. B22-Bump Hedman[9]; 10. 76C-Charles Powell[11]; 11. 0-Ryan Scott[10] Firecracker 100 Presented by Experience Butler County | Night 2 Group A – Feature Finish (25 Laps):Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings1 – 4 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – $5,0002 – 3 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – $3,0003 – 6 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – $2,0004 – 5 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – $1,5005 – 2 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – $1,2506 – 1 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – $1,0007 – 8 – 3S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – $9508 – 12 – 99B – Chub Frank – Bear Lake, PA – $9009 – 9 – 27W – Eric Wilson – Vienna, OH – $85010 – 7 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – $80011 – 14 – 29 – Ken Schaltenbrand – Sarver, PA – $70012 – 16 – 10 – Jared Miley – Pittsburgh, PA – $60013 – 22 – 0 – Ryan Scott – Garland, PA – $60014 – 17 – 9 – Breyton Santee – Conneaut, OH – $60015 – 13 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – $60016 – 18 – B22 – Bump Hedman – Sugar Grove, PA – $60017 – 15 – 10L – Gary Lyle – Hyde Park, PA – $55018 – 19 – 6M – Matt Martin – Indiana, PA – $50019 – 20 – 76C – Charles Powell – Brookville, PA – $50020 – 21 – 42C – Chad Shearer – Leechburg, PA – $50021 – 11 – 55 – Chris Schneider – Lower Burrell, PA – $50022 – 10 – 77 – Tyler Dietz – Saxonburg, PA – $50023 – 23 – 33 – Josh Ferry – Titusville, PA – $0 Group A Race Statistics Entrants: 46Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Carson FergusonMD3 Lap Leaders: Hudson O’Neal (Laps 1-12); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 13-25)Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Margin of Victory: 0.608 secondsHellraizer Jacks Cautions: Charlie Powell (Lap 9); Tyler Dietz (Lap 16); Chad Shearer, Charlie Powell (Lap 17)MyRacePass Series Provisional: n/aFast Time Provisional: n/aEmergency Provisionals: n/aTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Dan Ebert, Brandon OvertonPenske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Dan Ebert, Brandon Overton, Josh Rice, Hudson O’NealBehrent’s One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Dan Ebert, Brandon OvertonPEM 4th Place Feature: Josh RiceDiversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Hudson O’NealWilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Brian ShirleyWehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Ken SchaltenbrandVelocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Ryan ScottXS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Cory LawlerHoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Ryan Scott (Advanced 9 positions)MD3 Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (13 Laps)Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Hudson O’NealO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aPro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Hudson O’Neal | Lap 1 | 17.689 secondsFK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Hudson O’NealVictory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Josh RiceOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Anthony BurroughsARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brandon Overton | 16.1037 secondsTime of Race: 22 minutes 46 seconds Group B Results: Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 99-Devin Moran[1]; 2. 8-Dillon McCowan[2]; 3. 72-Michael Norris[5]; 4. 1-Brandon Sheppard[8]; 5. 40B-Kyle Bronson[9]; 6. 10*-Levi Yetter[3]; 7. 24T-Tyler Wyant[7]; 8. 555-Brock Pinkerous[6]; 9. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[10]; 10. 24-Rick Eckert[4]; 11. J4-John Garvin Jr[11]; 12. 14R-Clay Ruffo[12]
Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 1C-Alex Ferree[3]; 2. 111-Max Blair[8]; 3. 157-Mike Marlar[1]; 4. 22G-Gregg Satterlee[10]; 5. 58-Garrett Alberson[4]; 6. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[9]; 7. 14-Dan Angelicchio[11]; 8. 1D-Braeden Dillinger[2]; 9. 6-Clay Harris[5]; 10. 15K-Lane Snook[6]; 11. (DNS) 48F-Colton Flinner Firecracker 100 Presented by Experience Butler County | Night 2 Group B – Feature Finish (25 Laps):Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings1 – 7 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – $5,0002 – 1 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – $3,0003 – 4 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – $2,0004 – 5 – 72 – Michael Norris – Sarver, PA – $1,5005 – 10 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – $1,2506 – 3 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – $1,0007 – 2 – 1C – Alex Ferree – Saxonburg, PA – $9508 – 13 – 24 – Tyler Wyant – Oil City, PA – $9009 – 8 – 22G – Gregg Satterlee – Indiana, PA – $85010 – 17 – 12M – Ryan Montgomery – Fairmont, WV – $80011 – 15 – 555 – Brock Pinkerous – Ellenville, NY – $70012 – 18 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – $60013 – 12 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – $60014 – 11 – 10* – Levi Yetter – Cabot, PA – $60015 – 6 – 157 – Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – $60016 – 16 – 1D – Braeden Dillinger – Dawson, PA – $60017 – 22 – 48F – Colton Flinner – Allison Park, PA – $55018 – 14 – 14 – Dan Angelicchio – Mt. Pleasant, PA – $50019 – 19 – 24 – Rick Eckert – York, PA – $50020 – 20 – 15K – Lane Snook – Port Royal, PA – $50021 – 23 – 14R – Clay Ruffo – Brookfield, OH – $50022 – 21 – J4 – John Garvin Jr. – Sarver, PA – $50023 – 9 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – $500 Group B Race Statistics Entrants: 46Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Devin MoranMD3 Lap Leaders: Devin Moran (Laps 1-6); Brandon Sheppard (Laps 7-25)Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Brandon SheppardWieland Feature Winner: Brandon SheppardMargin of Victory: 2.120 secondsHellraizer Jacks Cautions: Kyle Bronson (Lap 5)MyRacePass Series Provisional: n/aFast Time Provisional: n/aEmergency Provisionals: n/aTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Brandon Sheppard, Devin Moran, Max BlairPenske Shocks Top 5: Brandon Sheppard, Devin Moran, Max Blair, Michael Norris, Garrett AlbersonBehrent’s One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Brandon Sheppard, Devin Moran, Max BlairPEM 4th Place Feature: Michael NorrisDiversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Garrett AlbersonWilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Alex FerreeWehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Brock PinkerousVelocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Daniel HilsabeckXS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Mike MarlarHoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Ryan Montgomery (Advanced 7 positions)MD3 Most Laps Led: Brandon Sheppard (19 Laps)Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Brandon SheppardMidwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Hudson O’NealO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aPro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Devin Moran | Lap 1 | 17.728 secondsFK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Kyle BronsonVictory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Brandon SheppardOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Danny WhiteARP Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Ryan Montgomery | 16.3334 secondsTime of Race: 10 minutes 05 seconds Firecracker 100 Preliminary Points:Pos – Car # – Driver – Friday Points – Tie Breaker (Fastest Lap in Time Trials)1 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton, Jr. – 250 – 17.0042 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – 250 – 17.9393 – 60 – Dan Ebert – 240 – 16.6654 – 99 – Devin Moran – 240 – 17.4475 – 76 – Brandon Overton – 220 – 17.2646 – 111 – Max Blair – 220 – 18.0547 – 11 – Josh Rice – 210 – 17.2578 – 72 – Michael Norris – 210 – 17.8049 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – 205 – 16.78610 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – 205 – 17.79111 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – 200 – 16.94812 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – 200 – 17.58513 – 3s – Brian Shirley – 195 – 17.17614 – 1C – Alex Ferree – 195 – 17.71215 – 99B – Chub Frank – 190 – 17.23316 – 24 – Tyler Wyant – 190 – 17.90317 – 27W – Eric Wilson – 185 – 17.66918 – 22G – Gregg Satterlee – 185 – 18.20119 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – 180 – 17.09620 – 12M – Ryan Montgomery – 180 – 18.10321 – 29 – Ken Schaltenbrand – 175 – 17.66422 – 555 – Brock Pinkerous – 175 – 17.84623 – 10 – Jared Miley – 170 – 17.82324 – 6 – Clay Harris – 170 – 17.84125 – 0 – Ryan Scott – 165 – 18.07226 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – 165 – 18.127 – 10* – Levi Yetter – 160 – 17.68328 – 9 – Breyton Santee – 160 – 18.24229 – 157 – Mike Marlar – 155 – 17.48530 – 93L – Cory Lawler – 155 – 18.02931 – 1d – Braeden Dillinger – 150 – 17.67332 – B22 – Bump Hedman – 150 – 18.02233 – 10L – Gary Lyle – 145 – 17.61734 – 48F – Colton Flinner – 145 – 17.92835 – 6M – Matt Martin – 140 – 17.84936 – 14 – Dan Angelicchio – 140 – 18.51537 – 24 – Rick Eckert – 135 – 17.79138 – 76C – Charlie Powell – 135 – 18.41939 – 42C – Chad Shearer – 130 – 040 – 15K – Lane Snook – 130 – 17.8841 – 55 – Chris Schneider – 125 – 17.55342 – 77 – Tyler Dietz – 125 – 17.58243 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – 125 – 18.05744 – J4 – John Garvin, Jr. – 125 – 18.20345 – 14R – Clay Ruffo – 125 – 19.00646 – 33 – Josh Ferry – 50 – 17.193 Penske Shocks Heat 1 Line-Up (8 Laps | Top 4 Transfer)Row – Car # – Driver – Hometown – Car # – Driver – Hometown1 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA2 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 3S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL3 – 27W – Eric Wilson – Vienna, OH – 29 – Ken Schaltenbrand – Sarver, PA4 – 0 – Ryan Scott – Garland, PA – 157 – Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN5 – 10L – Gary Lyle – Hyde Park, PA – 24 – Rick Eckert – York, PA6 – 55 – Chris Schneider – Lower Burrell, PA – 14R – Clay Ruffo – Brookfield, OH
Summit Racing Heat 2 Line-Up (8 Laps | Top 4 Transfer)Row – Car # – Driver – Hometown – Car # – Driver – Hometown1 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA2 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 1C – Alex Ferree – Saxonburg, PA3 – 22G – Gregg Satterlee – Indiana, PA – 555 – Brock Pinkerous – Ellenville, NY4 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA5 – 48F – Colton Flinner – Allison Park, PA – 76C – Charles Powell – Brookville, PA6 – 77 – Tyler Dietz – Saxonburg, PA – 33 – Josh Ferry – Titusville, PA
Cool-It Thermo Tec Heat 3 Line-Up (8 Laps | Top 4 Transfer)Row – Car # – Driver – Hometown – Car # – Driver – Hometown1 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY2 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 99B – Chub Frank – Bear Lake, PA3 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 10 – Jared Miley – Pittsburgh, PA4 – 10* – Levi Yetter – Cabot, PA – 1D – Braeden Dillinger – Dawson, PA5 – 6M – Matt Martin – Indiana, PA – 42C – Chad Shearer – Leechburg, PA6 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – –
Simpson Race Products Heat 4 Line-Up (8 Laps | Top 4 Transfer)Row – Car # – Driver – Hometown – Car # – Driver – Hometown1 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 72 – Michael Norris – Sarver, PA2 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – 24T – Tyler Wyant – Oil City, PA3 – 12M – Ryan Montgomery – Fairmont, WV – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL4 – 9 – Breyton Santee – Conneaut, OH – B22 – Bump Hedman – Sugar Grove, PA5 – 14 – Dan Angelicchio – Mt. Pleasant, PA – 15K – Lane Snook – Port Royal, PA6 – J4 – John Garvin Jr – Sarver, PA – –

Uncategorized

Thornton and Sheppard Collect Friday Night Preliminary Wins at Lernerville

June 29, 2026 ARP Trish

Thornton and Sheppard Collect Friday Night Preliminary Wins at Lernerville

Uncategorized

John Force Racing–FRIDAY RECAP – NORWALK Race 10 of 20

June 26, 2026 ARP Trish

Photography: John Force Racing / Auto Imagery / Gary Nastase

JFR POSTS STRONG DAY 1 NUMBERS AT NORWALKQualifying moved up six hours due to evening rain forecast in Norwalk area

FRIDAY RECAP – NORWALKRace 10 of 20

Photography: John Force Racing / Auto Imagery / Gary Nastase

JFR POSTS STRONG DAY 1 NUMBERS AT NORWALKQualifying moved up six hours due to evening rain forecast in Norwalk area

NORWALK, Ohio (June 26, 2026) – All four John Force Racing teams took advantage of unseasonably cool temperatures to post solid qualifying runs Friday for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals after a strong chance of rain in the Norwalk area forced NHRA officials to move up the day’s qualifying sessions by six hours. The two Friday sessions were originally scheduled for 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET but were eventually run at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Alexis DeJoria and the Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car team made two solid runs, going 3.947 seconds at 331.53 in Q1 (second quickest of the round) and a quicker 3.918 seconds at 330.63 mph in Q2, which was good enough for third quickest of the day. Josh Hart and the Speedmaster team posted the fifth-quickest Top Fuel time with a Q2 run of 3.803 seconds at 332.34 mph after dropping a cylinder in Q1. Jordan Vandergriff put the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car into the sixth spot with a Q2 run of 3.936 seconds at 329.18 mph after smoking the tires in Q1. Jack Beckman and the PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car team smoked the tires in Q1 but came back in Q2 with a solid run of 3.945 seconds at 327.59 mph to grab the No. 8 spot. Qualifying sessions for Sat., June 27, are scheduled for 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Quote from Jack Beckman, PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car: “Dan and Tim (crew chiefs Hood and Fabrisi) made a blood pact, after just flat getting outrun in the second round at Bristol, that we need to be more aggressive. And in Q1, we were a little too aggressive which put us in a doubly odd position. The right lane’s much smoother. The left lane has a pretty noticeable bump at 150 feet and that’s where we were going to have to make our Q2 run. We also had to be the first pair out so we didn’t have the benefit of watching any of the other cars. The track was cooling down by the minute as we rolled out there for Q2 so, to make sure we got past that bump, we launched and then slowed the clutch down going over the bump. Once the PEAK Chevy got over the bump, let me tell you, I could feel it. Once the car settled, we accelerated but it’s like a sprinter stutter stepping. You never recover the lost momentum but we knew that would happen. After the Q1 stumble, I’m actually very satisfied with our 3.94. If the cloud cover comes back tomorrow, we’ll definitely have a chance to push harder.” Quote from Alexis DeJoria, Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car: “The Friday sessions went really well for our Bandero Café team. On the first run, we qualified second with a 3.94-second run and earned two bonus points. On the second run, they tuned it up a bit. We were the second-to-last pair so we got to see all the cars in front of us and they were running really good numbers. So, we went out and ran a 3.91 or 90. We dropped to third but still walked away with another bonus point for a total of three today. The rain stayed away and we feel really good going so far.” Quote from Josh Hart, Speedmaster Top Fuel Dragster: “On Day 1 at Norwalk, the Speedmaster team set out to get fresh data and qualify in the Top 5. Mission accomplished. We are sitting fifth and ready to whip this car back into shape for tomorrow. The rain delay right before we made our run through us a curve. I mean, you get hyped up and you’re ready to go to the starting line every time. When something like that happens, it’s hard not to let it deflate your sails a little bit. So, you sit there, you try to stay calm, maybe loosen your belts a little bit so you can breathe, but you don’t you don’t have control over it. There’s nothing anybody can do. You just wait it out. And then when they say, fire them up, you try to get the same thing going on inside your mind or you try to get your mind right, go up there and go A to B. I’m focusing on hitting my driving weight so it’s good to sit inside the car and smolder a little bit. They might feed me tonight.” Quote from Jordan Vandergriff, Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car: “The Cornwell Quality Tools team definitely picked up from Q1 with that 3.936-second run. I haven’t looked at the numbers too closely, but if you look at our 60-foot to 330 time, I think they’re gonna be almost identical. I think we pushed a little too hard in Q1 so we pulled it back a little, maybe too much. Most importantly, the 3.936 is very impressive for this team. We wanted to get down the racetrack in that right lane and we did. So, thank you to Cornwell’s Quality Tools for a great week, introducing me to everybody at the headquarters, at the distribution center, and at the manufacturing plant. So many awesome and great people and I am so happy to represent them.” TV ScheduleTelevision coverage includes qualifying action on Sunday, June 28, from 12 – 2 p.m. ET on FS1, leading into eliminations from 5:30 – 9 p.m. ET on FOX.

Uncategorized

Wood Brothers Racing–Sonoma advance

June 25, 2026 ARP Trish

Uncategorized

THE MONTH AHEAD: Marquee Race Weekends Bookend July World of Outlaws Calendar

June 25, 2026 ARP Trish

CONCORD, NC (June 25, 2026) – The second half of the 2026 season is already here, and it starts with a huge month of racing in the heat of summer.

The month of July for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision begins with a three-day celebration of America’s 250th birthday, and it ends with the two biggest races of the season. In between is a three-race trip back east to a pair of northeastern staples.

Here’s a look at what’s ahead:

Deer Creek Speedway | NAPA Auto Parts Gopher 50 (July 2-4): The World of Outlaws is in the middle of a three-week tour of the upper Midwest, and it’s all building toward one of the tour’s signature events.

The Gopher 50 returns to Deer Creek on Independence Day weekend, with three full programs on tap. The weekend opens with a pair of $10,000-to-win shows on Thursday and Friday before the stakes are raised on Saturday with $40,000 up for grabs.

In addition to the racing, fans can expect plenty of off-track entertainment to celebrate the holiday weekend. A concert will take place in the B-Main Bar Commons immediately following Friday’s race featuring Old Country Boys, while the weekend will also include fireworks, midway giveaways, autograph sessions and more.

Last year’s Saturday finale was lost to rain, but the first two nights included plenty of tight racing, with Bobby Pierce and Nick Hoffman picking up the wins. Pierce enters next week’s race having won the last two completed Gopher 50s in 2023 and 2024, making him one of two full-time Outlaws with a Gopher 50 trophy, the other being Tim McCreadie (2010).

Stateline Speedway | Rick Briggs Memorial powered by Dave Warren Powersports (July 8): There won’t be any time to rest after a long weekend at Deer Creek, because teams have four days to make the 850-mile tow over to New York for a midweek visit to Stateline Speedway.

The Busti, NY facility is appearing on the World of Outlaws schedule for the first time since 2023, when Nick Hoffman broke through for his maiden Series victory. This year’s race will hold extra meaning for everyone in the region, as it honors one of its heroes, Rick Briggs.

Boom Briggs will be on hand at his father’s race making his return to the driver’s seat for the first time since the opening weeks of the season in Florida. He’ll also be doing it in his dad’s colors, as Briggs will run a red No. 95 tribute wrap on his Briggs Transport Racing machine at Stateline.

Sharon Speedway | Battle at the Border (July 10-11): Following an off day on Thursday, the World of Outlaws will make its annual midsummer visit to Sharon for a two-night event.

The Hartford, OH oval hosted its first World of Outlaws race as part of the Series’ revival season in 2004, and has been part of every season since 2021. It also holds the distinction of being one of only four tracks in the nation to welcome the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the Super DIRTcar Series in 2026 alongside Volusia Speedway Park, Mansfield Speedway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

Last year, Bobby Pierce won the opener on Friday and was leading on Saturday until Mike Marlar got by him and went on to score his only national Late Model victory of 2025.

Fairbury Speedway | Prairie Dirt Classic (July 24-25): Late July in Illinois means one thing – it’s Prairie Dirt Classic time.

The biggest event on the World of Outlaws schedule packs the entire dirt Late Model universe into the small town of Fairbury, IL, for a weekend culminating with a 100-lap battle around one of America’s best bullrings. Teams come from across the country with the sole goal of driving two blocks down South Third Street to the Bank of Pontiac after the race on Saturday night.

The past two editions of the race have seen a pair of Illinois favorites break through in their home state’s biggest race. In 2024, it was Bobby Pierce clearing Nick Hoffman on the final lap to finally end his years of shortcomings in the PDC. Then, in 2025, Brian Shirley held off Brandon Sheppard at the end to earn the biggest win of his career.

Cedar Lake Speedway | USA Nationals (July 30-Aug. 1): What’s the best way to follow up a crown jewel? With another crown jewel a week later.

Cedar Lake’s biggest event made its debut during the inaugural season of the World of Outlaws in 1988, and the USA Nationals has been a cornerstone of the Series ever since. The winners list is filled with legends of the past and present, including names like Billy Moyer, Scott Bloomquist, Dale McDowell, Darrell Lanigan, Jimmy Owens, Jonathan Davenport and Bobby Pierce.

The race’s level of prestige reached new heights starting last year when the Saturday purse was raised to $100,000-to-win. Ryan Gustin became the ultimate benefactor from that change, as he drove a flawless race to collect the biggest payday of his career.

Find tickets and more information for every World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision event in 2026 by clicking here.

Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

THE MONTH AHEAD: Marquee Race Weekends Bookend July World of Outlaws Calendar

CONCORD, NC (June 25, 2026) – The second half of the 2026 season is already here, and it starts with a huge month of racing in the heat of summer.

Here’s a look at what’s ahead:

Sharon Speedway | Battle at the Border (July 10-11): Following an off day on Thursday, the World of Outlaws will make its annual midsummer visit to Sharon for a two-night event.

Last year, Bobby Pierce won the opener on Friday and was leading on Saturday until Mike Marlar got by him and went on to score his only national Late Model victory of 2025.

Fairbury Speedway | Prairie Dirt Classic (July 24-25): Late July in Illinois means one thing – it’s Prairie Dirt Classic time.

Cedar Lake Speedway | USA Nationals (July 30-Aug. 1): What’s the best way to follow up a crown jewel? With another crown jewel a week later.

Find tickets and more information for every World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision event in 2026 by clicking here.

Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/latemodels/the-month-ahead-marquee-race-weekends-bookend-july-world-of-outlaws-calendar/

Uncategorized

‘YOU BECOME BROTHERS’: How Kofoid, Buswell, Knotts, Tyra Formed Roth Motorsports Powerhouse

June 25, 2026 ARP Trish

NEW RICHMOND, WI (June 25, 2026) – Success in Sprint Car racing is so much more than pairing a talented driver with a capable car.

Listen to any of Michael “Buddy” Kofoid’s interviews, and you’re guaranteed to hear him thank not only Dennis and Teresa Roth for the opportunity to drive for their team, but also Dylan Buswell (crew chief), Nate Knotts (car chief), and Gage Tyra (tire specialist) for their efforts on the car.

The trio and Kofoid are the group on the road every week for Roth Motorsports with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series. This team has put all the right pieces in place and become one of the best teams in the sport. Since Kofoid joined forces with Roth, he’s amassed 28 victories with The Greatest Show on Dirt, including a Series-leading eight so far in 2026.

Walk by the No. 83 trailer at any race, and you’ll never find spirits low. This team wins plenty and has fun doing it. But perhaps even more importantly, they don’t hang their heads when a race doesn’t go their way.

“I’ve always said that if I’m around people that want it as bad as me or more, then I feel like I’m in the right place and that we’re going to be successful,” Kofoid explained. “I feel like I’ve gathered that from all of them from the beginning and as long as I’ve known them. I feel like we believe in each other and the positivity is always there. They just work so hard. I’ve just become a lot closer and we all hang out, and I feel like we don’t really get tired of each other. We always just want to be better. I think to a certain degree, you have to have fun because it’s so hard and you’re around each other so much, so you can’t really have a negative interaction because I feel like it just snowballs. We’ve all been really good to each other and understand what we need.”

Kofoid’s journey from the bullrings of California to national stardom is well-documented, but how did the other three in the group connect to grow into one of the sport’s powerhouses?

Buswell hails from Australia and is the son of Sprint Car mechanic Kim Buswell. Dylan started spending summers in the United States helping whoever he could before returning home. Then came a pivotal 2019 when he got a shot to work for Big Game Motorsports with Kerry Madsen behind the wheel.

“I came over really just to help him out at first, then fell in love with working on the road over here and working for a big team,” Buswell said. “At the end of that, I decided I didn’t want to go home.”

Buswell found his way to Roth Motorsports when Aaron Reutzel was the driver in 2021. He then moved over to KCP Racing for a stint before returning to Roth midway through 2023 with Kofoid. Fast forward three years, and Buswell is the leader of this charismatic group performing at the sport’s highest level.

“It all starts with attitude,” Buswell said. “And these guys have a great attitude. They show up to work every day in a good frame of mind and ready to work and learn. That makes my job a lot easier when you have guys show up like that every day.”

Knotts comes from Dover, DE and grew up going to Sprint Car races with his father in Pennsylvania. He was never hands-on in the sport until finishing high school and deciding to give it a shot. Keith Kunz Motorsports was hiring for their Midget operation, Knotts reached out, and one thing led to another. Now, at 23 years old, Knotts is living out a dream.

“I saw that they (KKM) were hiring, so I just emailed them just being as green as you can be with no experience,” Knotts recalled. “Luckily, I got the job there, which obviously led me to meeting Buddy. I worked there for a year, but ultimately, I wanted to go Sprint Car racing. Midgets weren’t really what I really wanted to do. But I was still working on a race car, so I was perfectly okay with it, and they got my foot in the door.

“It’s kind of unreal. Going through the year you don’t really understand what you’re accomplishing while you’re accomplishing it until the year’s over and you get to look back and think of what you were able to do. I try to not take it for granted, which is really easy to do. It’s really cool to grow up watching the Roth car forever. I was obviously a fan of the sport before I was ever involved.”

Tyra’s path began on the coast opposite of Knotts as he calls Granger, CA home. His father, Tyrone, worked with two-time Series champion Jason Meyers before heading to another famed west coast operation, Tarlton Motorsports. Gage began to help his dad when he was only a teenager, and the pit area could see this kid had work ethic. It wound up earning him a spot working with Roth and Buswell before Kofoid arrived as Tyra hit the road with the team in 2021 with Aaron Reutzel behind the wheel.

“My dad told me that Roth needed a tire guy,” Tyra said. “So, when I was 17, I left, and I just took a role in learning from Aaron and Dylan. It was a good year to learn and grow. I was 17 and turned 18 that year. I learned and got better. I worked with Kasey Kahne and got to meet a lot of people. It was a cool experience.”

Austin McCarl came calling the following year as Tyra wound up working with Country Builders Racing during a successful 2022. It wasn’t much longer before he wound up back at Roth and made a comfortable home with perhaps the most storied Sprint Car team from his home state.

“It is very surreal for me because, being from California, I grew up watching this car with TK (Tim Kaeding) and everybody who drove it, Bubba DeCaires, all these people who got a chance to drive this car,” Tyra said. “It’s an honor to be able to say I’ve been a part of a team with such a long history and be able to win as much as we have and be in contention for a championship.”

Team manager Todd Ventura assembled this crew and watched the magic unfold. Kofoid is already the second-winningest driver with the World of Outlaws in Roth Motorsports history and closing in on Danny Lasoski’s tally of 41. They’ve established themselves as annual contenders to give Dennis Roth his first title with the Series. And they have fun doing it.

“We spend a full year together most of the time, so you become brothers,” Tyra said. “I love these guys. We do anything for each other. We work hard and get our jobs done. When we’re at the track, we’re just trying to have fun.”

Kofoid and the Roth crew continue their pursuit of a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship this weekend in New Richmond, WI at Cedar Lake Speedway’s Federated Auto Parts Independence Spectacular. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

‘YOU BECOME BROTHERS’: How Kofoid, Buswell, Knotts, Tyra Formed Roth Motorsports Powerhouse

NEW RICHMOND, WI (June 25, 2026) – Success in Sprint Car racing is so much more than pairing a talented driver with a capable car.

Kofoid’s journey from the bullrings of California to national stardom is well-documented, but how did the other three in the group connect to grow into one of the sport’s powerhouses?

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/you-become-brothers-how-kofoid-buswell-knotts-tyra-formed-roth-motorsports-powerhouse/

Uncategorized

Unfinished Business: Dalton Gauthier Returns to Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield

June 25, 2026 ARP Trish

Dalton Gauthier (No. 79) racing for Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield. [Photo: Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield]

Unfinished Business: Dalton Gauthier Returns to Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield

Dalton Gauthier (No. 79) racing for Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield. [Photo: Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield]

Posted on behalf of Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 25, 2026) — Dalton Gauthier Returns to Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield, Presented by Fairway Ford, Chevy, GMC, and JMC Motorsports for Lima Doubleheader Weekend.
Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield is excited to announce the return of Dalton Gauthier (#79) for the Lima doubleheader weekend this Friday and Saturday in Lima, Ohio, with support from presenting sponsors Fairway Ford, Chevy, GMC, and JMC Motorsports.
Gauthier made his first appearance with the Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield program in 2024, stepping in for team owner and rider Johnny Lewis. In his debut race aboard the Royal Enfield, he delivered an impressive podium finish, showcasing his adaptability and the program’s potential.
As the team prepares for the Lima Half Mile, Gauthier’s presence becomes even more crucial with rookie Evan Renshaw (#95) unable to compete this weekend. The team is eager to capitalize on Gauthier’s experience and past success as they aim for their first podium finish of the season.
“Dalton proved his capabilities during his first stint with us, stepping onto the podium in his very first race,” said Johnny Lewis. “As we head into Lima, we’re focused on securing a strong finish. Dalton is more than capable of helping us achieve that goal.”
The Lima doubleheader presents a prime opportunity for Gauthier to capitalize on his familiarity with the Royal Enfield platform. Currently, he sits just six points outside of eighth place in the championship standings, despite only one top ten finish on a development motorcycle earlier this season. With a double header weekend ahead, the team is optimistic about climbing the rankings.
Gauthier’s return adds proven race-winning experience and renewed momentum to the Moto Anatomy X Royal Enfield team as they look to make a mark at Lima.

Uncategorized

Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Heads to Lernerville Speedway This Weekend

June 25, 2026 ARP Trish

Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Heads to Lernerville Speedway This Weekend

BATAVIA, Ohio (June 25, 2026) – The battle for the 2026 Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup continues this weekend as the stars of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing make their annual pilgrimage to one of dirt racing’s most prestigious events — the Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway. Lernerville Speedway will host the third stop of the Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup, a season-long championship within the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series that rewards excellence in the sport’s biggest and richest events. Drivers competing full-time with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will accumulate points at all Crown Jewel Cup events paying $50,000 or more to win throughout the season. The driver with the highest point total at the conclusion of the series will earn a $15,000 bonus at the year-end awards banquet. Second place in the standings will receive $3,500, while third place will earn $1,500. “Every Crown Jewel Cup event carries tremendous significance because these are the races every driver wants to win,” said Wayne Castleberry of FloSports. “The Firecracker 100 is one of the most prestigious events on our schedule, and Lernerville Speedway always provides a tremendous stage for championship-caliber racing.” For the latest news, results, and championship standings from the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing, please visit LucasDirt.com. 2026 Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup ScheduleMay 16 – Eagle Raceway | Eagle, NE | $50,000 (Canceled)May 23 – Lucas Oil Speedway | Wheatland, MO | $75,000 (Bobby Pierce)June 27 – Lernerville Speedway | Sarver, PA | $50,000July 18 – Shelby County Speedway | Harlan, IA | $53,000August 8 – Florence Speedway | Union, KY | $75,000August 15 – Batesville Motor Speedway | Batesville, AR | $50,000August 29 – Port Royal Speedway | Port Royal, PA | $50,000September 19 – Knoxville Raceway | Knoxville, IA | $75,000September 26 – Brownstown Speedway | Brownstown, IN | $50,000October 3 – Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway | Imperial, PA | $50,000October 10 – Eldora Speedway | Rossburg, OH | $50,000October 17 – West Virginia Motor Speedway | Mineral Wells, WV | $100,000 2026 Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Standings (as of May 23)Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points1 – 32 – Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 2502 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 2303 – 49 – Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 2204 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 2105 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 2056 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 2007 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – 1958 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 1909 – 22F – Chris Ferguson – Mt. Holly, NC – 18510 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 18011 – 3s – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 17512 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – 17013 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 16514 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – 16015 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 155

Uncategorized

Sam Hafertepe Jr. Not Sweating ASCS Winless Streak, Focused on Another Belleville Sweep

June 25, 2026 ARP Trish

BELLEVILLE, KS (June 25, 2026) — Sam Hafertepe Jr. is back in familiar territory this season, rising to the top of multiple categories with the American Sprint Car Series. But one key stat is still missing after 11 races for the current Series points leader – a win.

This is the longest the Sunnyvale, TX native has gone into a full season with ASCS without a win since his first full year on tour two decades ago.

The six-time Series champion isn’t sweating just yet, though. He’s had speed, but been plagued by things out of his control.

“I feel like we’ve been about the best car every night on paper, we just don’t have the wins to add up,” Hafertepe said. “That’s part of racing sometimes, you can have the fastest car, but if things don’t go your way, they won’t go your way. That’s how the year’s been, we just had lots of small things add up. We haven’t raced enough to really get in a good rhythm either, so the schedule is going to pick up soon and start racing more consistently, and that’ll definitely help a team like us.”

Fortunately for Hafertepe, the next event on the ASCS schedule is one he swept both races at last year – The Big One at Belleville High Banks (June 26-27). The victories also helped kick off a five-race winning streak for him.

It bodes well as the 88-time Feature winner faces a summer of marquee ASCS events at high-speed tracks like Belleville, including August events at Knoxville Raceway for the Xtream powered by Mediacom 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank, and Big Sky Speedway for the Harvey Ostermiller Memorial.

“When we prepare to race, we’re preparing to win,” Hafertepe said. “Over time, it’s going to happen, it’s kind of inevitable that we’re going to win one with ASCS. I feel like this weekend will be as good a chance as any to go win, and that’s what we’ll try to do. At the end of the day, we’ve won 88 of them, and I tell people all the time, ‘You don’t forget how to win if you’ve won that much.”

Though Hafertepe hasn’t won with ASCS in 2026, he’s scored two POWRi Outlaw 410 Sprints triumphs in the year at Lake Ozark Speedway and Creek County.

“We’ve already won two other races this year with (POWRi),” Hafertepe said. “On those nights, things did fall our way and worked well for us. It just so happens that in the ASCS races we’ve ran this year, things didn’t go our way. Honestly, to still be in the points lead after all that, it’s a testament to how good our team is and how resilient we are, and how we make the most out of every situation we’re handed.

“I think because I’ve raced for so long, we’ve been in about every situation you can imagine. Going through all the years we’ve raced, there’s plenty of ups and downs. Even as many races as we’ve won, you still lose a lot more. So, I always tell everyone you have to keep the mindset of preparing every night the same, and you can’t get down because you haven’t won a race.”

Hafertepe leads the championship standings by 22 points over Matt Covington and 23 points over Seth Bergman. While it’s a tighter differential than he’d like to see, it’s not changing his approach.

“I feel like when you’re in a tight points battle, your window of what you’re gonna change is a lot smaller because you’re gonna go with stuff that you know,” Hafertepe said. “You generally don’t want to go outside of the box, and you go with the sure thing that is going to work. It might not help you win, but it might keep you in the ballgame. Then, when you’re in a huge points lead, you’ve got the freedom to try a few things, which leads to you getting better because now the notebook’s bigger.”

With several big-money events coming up, including The Big One, which pays $10,000 to the winner on Saturday, Hafertepe and his Hill’s Racing Team are eager to put their winless streak to bed and add a few more big checks and prestigious trophies to their collection.

“Once the schedule starts playing out, my eyes are always on the prize at Knoxville,” he said. “It’s the one big 360 race that I’ve never won. I mean, of all the races that we go to after this, visiting (Big Sky) is another big-paying show that we haven’t had a good showing at. My crew guys are getting better, they’re starting to be able to get all their stuff handled without me giving a lot of direction, which makes it easier on me. The whole deal will fall together, and we’ll be back to winning a bunch of races.”

Sam Hafertepe Jr. Not Sweating ASCS Winless Streak, Focused on Another Belleville Sweep BELLEVILLE, KS (June 25, 2026) — Sam Hafertepe Jr. is back in familiar territory this season, rising to the top of multiple categories with the American Sprint Car Series. But one key stat is still missing after 11 races for the current Series points leader – a win.

This is the longest the Sunnyvale, TX native has gone into a full season with ASCS without a win since his first full year on tour two decades ago.

The six-time Series champion isn’t sweating just yet, though. He’s had speed, but been plagued by things out of his control.

Though Hafertepe hasn’t won with ASCS in 2026, he’s scored two POWRi Outlaw 410 Sprints triumphs in the year at Lake Ozark Speedway and Creek County.

Hafertepe will try to sweep The Big One again at the 1/2-mile Belleville High Banks on Friday-Saturday, June 26-27. Joining the American Sprint Car Series for the two nights in Belleville will be the Malvern Bank ASCS Midwest Region presented by Hoosier.

Uncategorized

Drane Aims to Rule the Roost at Lima Doubleheader

June 25, 2026 ARP Trish

KICKER AFT Singles line up for a heat race at Nashville Short Track. [Photo: Scott Hunter for AMA Pro Racing]Download high-resolution photo from AMA Pro’s Digital Asset Management system

Drane Aims to Rule the Roost at Lima Doubleheader

KICKER AFT Singles line up for a heat race at Nashville Short Track. [Photo: Scott Hunter for AMA Pro Racing]Download high-resolution photo from AMA Pro’s Digital Asset Management system

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 25, 2026) – The emerging stars of Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, will continue to highlight the bright future of the sport when the KICKER AFT Singles and AFT ProSport 450 classes resume their respective clashes at the Allen County Fairgrounds, host of the Super.com Lima Half-Mile I & II presented by Drag Specialties, in Lima, Ohio, on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27. All Aboard While it took nearly a half season for the championship outlook to take shape, you can almost feel reigning KICKER AFT Singles champion Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) building up that trademark freight train-like momentum at this point. With three victories on the year and a 20-point title advantage, the Australian comes into the venue that has defined his power more than any other poised to truly seize control. Drane first burst onto the Progressive AFT scene with a stunning runner-up debut at Lima back in 2022. He’s only furthered his mastery over the challenging pea-gravel circuit in the time since. In that first race, Drane finished second to current Mission AFT SuperTwins title leader Kody Kopp by some four seconds. In 2023 – Drane’s first full season in the series – he came second to Kopp again, this time by a margin of two-and-a-half-seconds. In 2024, Drane beat Kopp by nearly a half-second. And last year, the Estenson Racing Yamaha star completely dominated the proceedings, winning both the final leg of the Mission Triple Challenge and Saturday’s Main Event by over five seconds. Should Drane repeat that sort of form with another Lima sweep, he’ll not just extend his lead to more than a full race’s payment of points, he’ll overtake Kopp for the all-time KICKER AFT Singles wins record. He’d also make a compelling argument regarding the wisdom of Estenson Racing granting him a handful of premier-class wild cards entries down the stretch this season. En Garde That same weekend Drane made his runner-up debut in ‘22, Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) backed up his first-career KICKER AFT Singles podium with a second, finishing third to Kopp and Drane at Lima. He’s also continued to excel at the track, notching up four podiums in five-career attempts. He’s been embroiled with a heated rivalry with Drane over that time, as the two have traded wins, paint, and barbs over the years. Trevor Brunner (No. 21 KMA Racing/March Equipment Yamaha YZ450F) has largely been in that same orbit as well, despite opening his KICKER AFT Singles career a couple years earlier and then spending one season away garnering Mission AFT SuperTwins Rookie of the Year honors.But Brunner has been a regular frontrunner as well, winning races in all six of his seasons in the class, including this one. This year, however, has threatened to upset the power dynamic with a potential changing of the guard taking effect. As Saathoff continues to seek his first victory of the year, and Brunner comes to Lima following a pair of disappointing outings, second-year ace Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) has claimed two wins and a runner-up over the last four races, leaping up past both in the points in the process. Tadman, Saathoff, Drane won’t want to spend too much time arguing over second place, however. Drane is still the primary target, and all three will need to come up huge this weekend if they hope to slow him down. Santero Watch The Lima doubleheader will provide two more chances for Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) to at last get his first career Progressive AFT victory. Fifth-ranked Santero has been knocking on the door for nearly two full seasons at this point. This weekend presents a real opportunity for Santero, considering he finished as the runner-up in last year’s Mission Triple Challenge overall results. Similarly, sixth-ranked Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) continues to hunt his first pro podium, an accomplishment that has only narrowly eluded him for multiple weeks on end. Porter made his Progressive AFT debut here last year and did so in impressive fashion, collecting a top-five result in his very first weekend. Young Brucks Turner Racing teammates Tadman and Porter are far from the only first- and second-year riders making waves. Rookie Jack Brucks (No. 113 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) has finished inside the top ten in five of his seven starts, including three finishes of sixth or better. His ascendent teammate, Jett Katarzy (No. 117 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), is even newer on the scene, having recently graduated from AFT ProSport 450 success. Despite transitioning from the amateur ranks up to the pros midseason, Katarzy has lived up to the team’s name by making the Main Event in his first two attempts. Meanwhile, Ryder Reese (No. 41 Fasthouse/Smoking Butcher Coffee KTM 450 SX-F FE) andSkylar Sentell (No. 60 R&D Racing/Hoffer Performance KTM 450 SX-F) – who both first broke into the KICKER AFT Singles top ten at Lima a year ago – have continued to work their way up the order more regularly as they accumulate valuable experience. And keep an eye on Dylan Cunningham (No. 252 Scott Stump/Joel Laub KTM 450 SX-F), who comes into Lima having converted his first two Main Event qualifications into consecutive top-ten finishes. Keeping Up with the Joneses Meanwhile, the field is stocked up with established runners hoping to reassert themselves.The likes of Justin Jones (No. 91 Fairway Ford Chevy GMC Yamaha YZ450F), Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F), Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R Racing/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R), Evan Kelleher (No. 31 Schaeffer’s Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F), and Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Eisenhard Racing/Pags Powersports KTM 450 SX-F) have all enjoyed their moments this season, but it’s been a minute since any of them really pushed for podium contention. Perhaps this will be the weekend one (or more) of them reminds the usual suspects exactly what they’re capable of on their day. No Sleep Till DuQuoin The all-new AFT ProSport 450 class will make one last appearance this season as the nation’s top amateurs make their final preparations before heading to DuQuoin, Illinois, from July 5-10 for the 2026 Roof Systems AMA Flat Track Grand Championship. The class has helped raise the profile of a number of heralded prospects, including race winners Sam Drane (No. 7 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), Adam Costan-Wood (No. 88 Turner Racing Honda CRF450R), Bayne Nantz (No. 313 Nantz Bros Racing KTM 450 SX-F), and the aforementioned Katarzy.Will another rising star add their name to that list and carry some extra momentum into DuQuoin? Three-Day Weekend Fans will have plenty to keep them entertained beyond the world-class on-track excitement. There will also be music, a bouncy house for kids, numerous vendors, and plenty of food and beverage options, along with extensive motorcycle parking. And spectators are invited to get the party started a day early, as Thursday at the track will spotlight the future stars of the sport with a AMA-sanctioned Mission Foods CTR Showcase Event, which will feature the 450 Road to AFT clash that will set the grid for Saturday’s AFT ProSport 450 season finale. Act Fast to Save Your Cash General Admission Bleacher tickets are just $45 each night (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult GA ticket) with Reserved Grandstand and Premier Reserved Grandstand tickets priced at $55 and $60, respectively. Meanwhile, fans who purchase a two-day ticket will save $5. The Pit Pass add-on ($40/day) provides fans a chance to get an up-close look at the race bikes and meet the riders and their teams. Fans looking to take things to the next level can choose the VIP Experience add-on ($150 per day or $280 for two days, seats included) to gain access to a climate-controlled VIP room with a catered meal, five alcoholic beverages, and a Pit Pass. Camping is also available at the Allen County Fairgrounds. The camping sites, which are accessible off Harding Highway and include water and electric hookups, are available on a first-come, first-served basis at $50 per night (Wednesday night through Saturday night). To purchase Lima Half-Mile I tickets, click HERE. To purchase Lima Half-Mile II tickets, click HERE. And to save $5 by purchasing Friday and Saturday tickets together for the Super.com Lima Half-Mile I & II, click HERE. Gates will open for fans at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 6:40 p.m. ET (3:40 p.m. PT) on Friday. On Saturday, Gates will open at 2:30 p.m. ET (11:30 a.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies slated for a 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) start. For more information, ticket purchases, and updates, visit www.limahalf-mile.com or call 419-991-1491

Uncategorized

Pierce Extends Win Streak to Three With Second I-94 Triumph

June 25, 2026 ARP Trish

FERGUS FALLS, MN (June 24, 2026) – The northern swing couldn’t be going any better for Bobby Pierce.

The trip started with a wire-to-wire win at 141 Speedway in Wisconsin. Pierce then traveled over to Minnesota for a night at Ogilvie Raceway, where he outran Jonathan Davenport, Nick Hoffman and several others for a second-straight win.

The next stop was the first World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision race in three years at I-94 emr Speedway, a place where he won back in 2023. The 2026 edition ended with the same result, as the Oakwood, IL native parked the No. 32 in Victory Lane for the 13th time this season in World of Outlaws competition.

His wins at 141 and Ogilvie both came from the Bilstein Pole, but Pierce had a little more work to do on the start this time from the fourth starting spot. Pierce made quick work of Hoffman on the opening lap to get to third, but out front, it was a battle between youth and experience. The front row featured 21-year-old Super Late Model rookie Dallon Murty racing for the lead with 53-year-old Tim McCreadie, who has competed in the division for as long as Murty has been alive.

That tussle was interrupted on Lap 3 for a flat left-rear tire on Eli Johnson’s car, and Pierce took advantage of the restart to blast past McCreadie up high in Turn 2. One lap later, Murty got his first chance to experience Pierce’s signature deep slider for the lead from the driver’s seat. That moved Pierce up to the top spot, which he never relinquished for the rest of the race.

Murty started to drop back through the field, but McCreadie and Hoffman both kept Pierce in sight as the 40-lapper progressed, all while racing each other hard for second. Hoffman was ahead when the final caution flew with two laps left, but he didn’t have anything for Pierce on the final sprint to the finish.

“I saw Nick was running the bottom, and I really didn’t get a very good restart on the last one,” Pierce said. “Feel like I kind of spun the tires, the uke tire placement was a bit hard to grab that last bit of traction on the bottom there. Kind of protected a little bit in Turn 1, probably made it look a little exciting there for a second until I got that cushion blast off the corner.”

The win was the 55th of Pierce’s World of Outlaws career, putting him 19 behind Darrell Lanigan in third on the all-time wins list. It also continued Pierce’s personal summer of money. Starting at the Dirt Late Model Dream, Pierce has gone on a run of seven wins in his last eight starts, winning a total of $216,500 in the past 22 days.

Hoffman made it three-straight podiums to start the northern swing in second ahead of McCreadie in third, who earned his 200th World of Outlaws top five.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision heads up to Grand Forks, ND for the annual visit to River Cities Speedway on Friday, June 26. Get your tickets in advance by clicking here.

Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every race live on DIRTVision.

RACE NOTES:

Bobby Pierce set the Dirt King Simulators Fastest Hot Lap.

Bobby Pierce won the Simpson Quick Time Award.

Nick Hoffman won Heat 1.

Dallon Murty won STAKT Products Heat 2.

Bobby Pierce won Keyser Manufacturing Heat 3.

Tim McCreadie won Jarrett Rifles Heat 4.

Dennis Erb Jr. won the Last Chance Showdown.

Dallon Murty won the Bilstein Pole Award.

Trey Mills won the FOX Factory Hard Charger Award.

Trey Mills won the MD3 Rookie of the Race Award.

Nick Hoffman was the WELD Racing Second-Place Finisher.

Tim McCreadie was the WIX Filters Third-Place Finisher.

Ryan Gustin was the ARP Fourth-Place Finisher.

Tyler Erb was the MSD Fifth-Place Finisher.

Trey Mills was the Swift Springs Sixth-Place Finisher.

Cody Overton was the Penske Racing Shocks Seventh-Place Finisher.

Daulton Wilson was VP Racing Fuels Eighth-Place Finisher.

Dustin Sorensen was the Lifeline Ninth-Place Finisher.

Sam Mars was the COMP Cams 10th-Place Finisher.

Jonathan Davenport was the Quarter Master 11th-Place Finisher.

Ethan Dotson was the Cometic Gaskets 12th-Place Finisher.

Dallon Murty was the Quarter Master 13th-Place Finisher.

Jake Timm was the ARP 14th-Place Finisher.

Logan Zarin was the Arizona Sport Shirts 18th-Place Finisher.

Feature (40 Laps): 1. 32-Bobby Pierce[4]; 2. 9-Nick Hoffman[3]; 3. 9M-Tim McCreadie[2]; 4. 19R-Ryan Gustin[5]; 5. 1-Tyler Erb[7]; 6. 14-Trey Mills[14]; 7. 97-Cody Overton[13]; 8. 58V-Daulton Wilson[6]; 9. 19-Dustin Sorensen[11]; 10. 28M-Sam Mars[10]; 11. 49-Jonathan Davenport[9]; 12. 74X-Ethan Dotson[8]; 13. 13-Dallon Murty[1]; 14. 22*-Jake Timm[12]; 15. B1-Brent Larson[19]; 16. 20TC-Tristan Chamberlain[18]; 17. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[17]; 18. 1Z-Logan Zarin[15]; 19. 8-Matthew Larson[22]; 20. 7-Ross Robinson[16]; 21. 1E-Amelia Eisenschenk[24]; 22. 55E-Eli Johnson[20]; 23. 16-Tyler Bruening[23]; 24. 15-Laela Eisenschenk[21]

Pierce Extends Win Streak to Three With Second I-94 Triumph

FERGUS FALLS, MN (June 24, 2026) – The northern swing couldn’t be going any better for Bobby Pierce.

Hoffman made it three-straight podiums to start the northern swing in second ahead of McCreadie in third, who earned his 200th World of Outlaws top five.

Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every race live on DIRTVision.

RACE NOTES:

Bobby Pierce set the Dirt King Simulators Fastest Hot Lap.

Bobby Pierce won the Simpson Quick Time Award.

Nick Hoffman won Heat 1.

Dallon Murty won STAKT Products Heat 2.

Bobby Pierce won Keyser Manufacturing Heat 3.

Tim McCreadie won Jarrett Rifles Heat 4.

Dennis Erb Jr. won the Last Chance Showdown.

Dallon Murty won the Bilstein Pole Award.

Trey Mills won the FOX Factory Hard Charger Award.

Trey Mills won the MD3 Rookie of the Race Award.

Nick Hoffman was the WELD Racing Second-Place Finisher.

Tim McCreadie was the WIX Filters Third-Place Finisher.

Ryan Gustin was the ARP Fourth-Place Finisher.

Tyler Erb was the MSD Fifth-Place Finisher.

Trey Mills was the Swift Springs Sixth-Place Finisher.

Cody Overton was the Penske Racing Shocks Seventh-Place Finisher.

Daulton Wilson was VP Racing Fuels Eighth-Place Finisher.

Dustin Sorensen was the Lifeline Ninth-Place Finisher.

Sam Mars was the COMP Cams 10th-Place Finisher.

Jonathan Davenport was the Quarter Master 11th-Place Finisher.

Ethan Dotson was the Cometic Gaskets 12th-Place Finisher.

Dallon Murty was the Quarter Master 13th-Place Finisher.

Jake Timm was the ARP 14th-Place Finisher.

Logan Zarin was the Arizona Sport Shirts 18th-Place Finisher.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/latemodels/pierce-extends-win-streak-to-three-with-second-i-94-triumph/

Uncategorized

DEJORIA SEEKS NORWALK WIN TO CAP STRONG FIRST HALF

June 24, 2026 ARP Trish

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 24, 2026) – The June 26-28 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports in Norwalk, Ohio, marks the halfway point of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule and Alexis DeJoria can just feel that her first win in the Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car is right around the corner.

DeJoria, in her first season with 24-time NHRA championship winning John Force Racing, has seen a career resurgence in just the year’s first nine races. She’s already been to two final rounds (Gainesville and Chicago), won the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge at Chicago, qualified five times in the Top 8 (giving her first-round lane choice) and earned more round wins (11) after eight races than she did all of last season.

The six-time NHRA Funny Car event winner has every reason to believe No. 7 can happen this weekend and knows her Mike Neff/Jonnie Lindberg-led Bandero Café team is up to the task.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after nine of 20 races are: 1. Ron Capps, 691; 2. Matt Hagan, 667; 3. J.R. Todd, 634; 4. Jordan Vandergriff, 619; 5. Jack Beckman, 589; 6. Chad Green, 561; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 524; 8. Spencer Hyde, 459; 9. Austin Prock, 437; 10. Daniel Wilkerson, 391.

Quotes

How do you assess the Bandero Café team’s performance going into the halfway point of the season?

“The first half of the season for the Bandero Café Chevy Funny Car team has been good. We’ve made a few final rounds, had some Top 5 qualifying positions, and earned a Mission Foods “Too Fast Too Tasty” Challenge win in Chicago. My John Force Racing teammates have all completed the task at hand and made it to the winner’s circle so that’s all we’re missing now and I can just feel it happening every time we go to the racetrack.”

You’re currently seventh in the point standings but is that something you pay attention to or is it all about the next round of competition?

“I definitely pay attention to points standings. It’s important to stay in the Top 5 in the first half of the regular season and there’s just six more races before we start the Countdown so we’re focused on moving up.”

What are your memories of racing at Norwalk?

“I’ve had some some good showings at Norwalk so I’m looking forward to getting back there. I even won a “Night Under Fire” event in 2022 against my current boss John Force. The fans are great and I’ve always wanted to win one of those ice cream scoops.”

How did you spend the off weekend after three in a row?

“The off weekend fell on my mother’s birthday and Father’s Day this year so I got to celebrate both of my parents. I chartered a 92-foot schooner and took my family and friends on a day cruise around Newport and Jamestown, Rhode Island for her birthday celebration. We swam in the ocean and ate tons of fresh seafood and drank champagne. It was glorious.”

Weekend Appearances

DeJoria will be signing autographs Sat., June 27, from 10:30-11 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools display in the midway.

Track Schedule

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 6 and 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, June 26, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 27, at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 28.

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on Sunday, June 28, from 12 – 2 p.m. ET on FS1, leading into eliminations from 5:30 9 ET on FOX.

Race Results

Alexis DeJoria	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2012 (FC)	DNQ	N/A	18^th	0-0
2013 (FC)	1^st round	Loss to J. Gray	13^th	0-1
2014 (FC)	1^st round	Loss to C. Head	10^th	0-2
2015 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat T. Johnson Jr Loss to D. Worsham	12^th	1-3
2016 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat J. Beckman Loss to C. Force	12^th	2-4
2017 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat D. Worsham Loss to R. Hight	7^th	3-5
2018	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2019	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2020 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2021 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat P. Lee Beat M. Hagan Lost to C. Pedregon	6^th	5-6
2022 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat P. Lee Lost to R. Hight	6^th	6-7
2023 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat P. Lee Loss to B. Alexander	4^th	7-8
2024 (FC)	1^st round	Loss to C. Green	8^th	7-9
2025 (FC)	1^st round	Loss to D. Richards	6^th	7-10

Wins: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Record: 7-10

2026 Results

DEJORIA SEEKS NORWALK WIN TO CAP STRONG FIRST HALF

The six-time NHRA Funny Car event winner has every reason to believe No. 7 can happen this weekend and knows her Mike Neff/Jonnie Lindberg-led Bandero Café team is up to the task.

Quotes

How do you assess the Bandero Café team’s performance going into the halfway point of the season?

You’re currently seventh in the point standings but is that something you pay attention to or is it all about the next round of competition?

What are your memories of racing at Norwalk?

How did you spend the off weekend after three in a row?

Weekend Appearances

DeJoria will be signing autographs Sat., June 27, from 10:30-11 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools display in the midway.

Track Schedule

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on Sunday, June 28, from 12 – 2 p.m. ET on FS1, leading into eliminations from 5:30 9 ET on FOX.

Race Results

Alexis DeJoria	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2012 (FC)	DNQ	N/A	18^th	0-0
2013 (FC)	1^st round	Loss to J. Gray	13^th	0-1
2014 (FC)	1^st round	Loss to C. Head	10^th	0-2
2015 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat T. Johnson Jr Loss to D. Worsham	12^th	1-3
2016 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat J. Beckman Loss to C. Force	12^th	2-4
2017 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat D. Worsham Loss to R. Hight	7^th	3-5
2018	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2019	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2020 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2021 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat P. Lee Beat M. Hagan Lost to C. Pedregon	6^th	5-6
2022 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat P. Lee Lost to R. Hight	6^th	6-7
2023 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat P. Lee Loss to B. Alexander	4^th	7-8
2024 (FC)	1^st round	Loss to C. Green	8^th	7-9
2025 (FC)	1^st round	Loss to D. Richards	6^th	7-10

Wins: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Record: 7-10

2026 Results

Event	Qualify	Round by Round	Round Record	Points Position
Gainesville	11	Beat Cruz Pedregon, Spencer Hyde, J.R. Todd; lost to Chad Green	3-1	2
Phoenix	12	Lost Jordan Vandergriff	3-2	6
Pomona1	7	Beat Dave Richards; lost to Ron Capps	4-3	7
Charlotte	5	Won 1^st Quad; lost 2^nd quad	5-4	6
Valdosta	10	Beat Cruz Pedregon, Matt Hagan; lost to J.R. Todd	7-5	6
Chicago	12	Beat Spencer Hyde, Dave Richards, Matt Hagan; lost to Chad Green	10-6	6
Maryland	7	Lost to Ron Capps	10-7	6
Epping	3	Beat Cruz Pedregon; lost to Ron Capps	11-8	7
Bristol	2	Lost to Jordan Vandergriff	11-9	7

Uncategorized

HART HAS UNFINISHED BUSINESS AT NORWALK

June 24, 2026 ARP Trish

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 24, 2026) – Josh Hart knows what it’s like to make it to the final round of NHRA Top Fuel competition at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park but not pop the champagne cork afterward so that’s exactly what he and the Speedmaster team intend to do during the June 26-28 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

The Ocala, Fla.-based driver kicked off 2026 with a win at the NHRA season-opener in Gainesville, Fla., so he’s already experienced victory in his first year behind the wheel for John Force Racing. A key motivation to do so again this weekend in Norwalk is the sting of making his third career final round there in 2022 but not completing the task in a rain-delayed final round against Mike Salinas.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel point standings after nine of 20 races are: 1. Shawn Langdon, 920; 2. Doug Kalitta, 806; 3. Leah Pruett, 693; 4. Tony Stewart, 533; 5. Antron Brown, 517; 6. Josh Hart, 500; 7. Maddi Gordon, 499; 8. Billy Torrence, 466; 9. Justin Ashley, 419; 10. Clay Millican, 365.

Quotes

Norwalk marks the halfway point of the season so what are your thoughts on the team’s first-half performance?

“I would say we’re learning more and more every day. We’re not where we want to be but I think everybody knows that. We expect to qualify in the Top 5 in every race no matter what. We expect to win every race and we’ve struggled the last couple. Now it’s time to get serious.”

Are you thinking about the point standings at this point of the season or is it just each round individually?

“Yes, absolutely. You can say what you want but everybody’s paying attention. There is still a regular season championship to win. We want to claw our way to at least the No. 3 spot, and that’s a tall feat. There are a lot of moving pieces. I don’t know if, mathematically, that’s possible, but we’re going to try to win the next couple of races going into Indy. And I think we have a really good shot at doing that. I also think that we will have a really good shot at getting our speed record back.”

Talk about what that speed record means to you, to have the fastest race car in the sport.

“David Grubnic and John Collins (crew chiefs) are probably not as excited about that as they lead on. They’re more worried about elapsed times and winning races. I want it all. For me to be able to say that I am piloting the fastest car in the world is something that’s on my bucket list this year. I think that we started off strong and we’ve gotten off that path, but I’m very confident we’ll find our way back.”

What are your memories of your runner-up finish at Norwalk in 2022, where you made your third career final-round appearance?

“It was the perfect storm against us. We had the car. We had the driver. Everything was in our favor, and then the rain came. I remember when the rain came, I walked by Salinas’s pit and watched them freshen up their car. I think they even put a new bullet in it. So, when we got the opportunity to run the final, I felt like that was a move we should have made and we didn’t do it. We just fell short in every column so we’d love nothing more to to win that race this weekend. “

What did you do with the off weekend after three races in a row?

“I got all my T’s crossed and I’s dotted at Burnyzz. I worked my tail off at the office and then I did not leave the house for three days. I stayed in my little safe place with my family spent as much time as I possibly could squeeze out of it. And now I’m back in the saddle.”

Weekend Appearances

Hart will be signing autographs Sat., June 27, from 10:30-11 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools display in the midway.

Track Schedule

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on Sunday, June 28, from 12 – 2 p.m. ET on FS1, leading into eliminations from 5:30 9 ET on FOX.

Race Results

Norwalk	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2021 (TF)	1^st round	Loss to J. Ashley	10^th	0-1
2022 (TF)	Runner-up	Beat S. Massey Beat A. Prock Beat B. Force Loss to M. Salinas	4^th	3-2
2023 (TF)	2^nd round	Beat S. Massey Loss to B. Force	6^th	4-3
2024 (TF)	DNQ	N/A	17^th	4-3
2025 (TF)	2^nd round	Beat S. Massey Loss to J. Ashley	9^th	5-4

Wins: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Record: 5-4

2026 Results

HART HAS UNFINISHED BUSINESS AT NORWALK

Quotes

Norwalk marks the halfway point of the season so what are your thoughts on the team’s first-half performance?

Are you thinking about the point standings at this point of the season or is it just each round individually?

Talk about what that speed record means to you, to have the fastest race car in the sport.

What are your memories of your runner-up finish at Norwalk in 2022, where you made your third career final-round appearance?

Weekend Appearances

Hart will be signing autographs Sat., June 27, from 10:30-11 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools display in the midway.

Track Schedule

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on Sunday, June 28, from 12 – 2 p.m. ET on FS1, leading into eliminations from 5:30 9 ET on FOX.

Race Results

Norwalk	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2021 (TF)	1^st round	Loss to J. Ashley	10^th	0-1
2022 (TF)	Runner-up	Beat S. Massey Beat A. Prock Beat B. Force Loss to M. Salinas	4^th	3-2
2023 (TF)	2^nd round	Beat S. Massey Loss to B. Force	6^th	4-3
2024 (TF)	DNQ	N/A	17^th	4-3
2025 (TF)	2^nd round	Beat S. Massey Loss to J. Ashley	9^th	5-4

Wins: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Record: 5-4

2026 Results

Event	Qualify	Round by Round	Round Record	Points Position
Gainesville	1	Beat Dan Mercier, Tripp Tatum, Antron Brown, Doug Kalitta	4-0	1
Phoenix	10	Beat Justin Ashley, lost to Leah Pruett	5-1	2
Pomona1	2	Beat Cameron Ferre, lost to Tony Stewart	6-2	4
Charlotte	4	Lost in 1st quad	6-3	5
Valdosta	9	Lost to Leah Pruett	6-4	5
Chicago	4	Beat Justin Ashley, Tony Stewart, lost to Shawn Langdon	8-5	5
Maryland	7	Lost to Clay Millican	8-6	5
Epping	3	Beat Rit Pustari; Lost to Billy Torrence	9-7	4
Bristol	6	Lost to Doug Kalitta	9-8	6

Uncategorized

JUST ONE ITEM ON BECKMAN’S BIRTHDAY WISH LIST

June 24, 2026 ARP Trish

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 24, 2026) – With a NHRA Funny Car 75^th anniversary diamond Wally now firmly in their possession, Jack Beckman and the PEAK SQUAD turn their attention to the June 26-28 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Raceway Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

Beckman & Company earned their first win of the season two weeks ago at Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway against John Force Racing teammate Jordan Vandergriff for the rain-delayed final round of the New Hampshire event the week before. Despite the unexpectedly long wait, the 38-time NHRA Funny Car event winner, whose birthday is this Sunday, sits fifth in the point standings and sees a second consecutive trip to winner’s circle as the ultimate birthday present.

Quotes

What’s your assessment of the PEAK team’s performance as we reach the halfway point of the season this weekend?

“I think it’s a fair statement to say we struggled more than we thought we were going to. Even though we qualified No. 1 at Chicago, we still didn’t have our consistency and then Tim and Dan (crew chiefs Fabrisi and Hood) found something in the clutch. Since that time, I think we pretty well buttoned up what the issue was with our PEAK Chevy SS. That said, we left Maryland very frustrated after setting low ET in the semifinals with what I still think is the run of the year relative to conditions but losing in the final round. But we got right back in the final round of Epping, then had to wait a week to complete that in Bristol. We were able to lock it up in Bristol and get our first win of the year. I just think that is so important, on a conscious and subconscious level, for the team, for John, for PEAK, and especially for the PEAK SQUAD. You know that you’re capable of winning, but sometimes that’s just an elusive goal, and we now know that we have done it and there is no greater motivator for a win than a previous win so we got that one in the books.”

Do points come into play at this point in the season or are they always in play?

“The answer is yes to all the above. You’re pushing hard every qualifying run for the bonus points. You want a trophy every time you go to a race so you push hard. But, with the Countdown reset, being at the top of the points board after Indy isn’t remotely as critical as it once was. Our goal is to win races and stay within striking range. The Countdown’s gonna tighten things up. The strategy is very different. You better have a deep parts inventory. You better have validated all your backup blowers, clutch, hardware, chassis, and anything that may need to be replaced during the course of a race without having the luxury of testing it. We’re still gonna continue to test things during qualifying during the regular season races and get serious on Sunday about just pushing as hard as we can. We’re doing that because, come time for the Countdown, you’re done testing stuff. It is all about maximizing round wins out there.”

“We have a strategy to win the world championship so the tactics you employ to do that is win races and put yourself in it in a good position points-wise. We also have a shorter term strategy to win races and the tactics for doing that is qualify high and make a lot of consistently quick runs. We qualified first, first, second, and third the past four races. Nobody’s looked as good as us in qualifying. Our goals are to represent our sponsors well, win races and put on a great show for the fans, and the PEAK SQUAD is getting closer and closer to that bullseye.”

You have three wins and a runner-up finish in 14 starts at Norwalk so is there any particular moment that stands out?

“Norwalk is almost always on my birthday weekend and this year my birthday will be Sunday. I cannot possibly think of a better present to myself, and for me to give a better present to the PEAK SQUAD, than to accompany all of them to winner’s circle, stand next to our Chevy SS at the end of race day holding that 75th anniversary Wally. It felt so awesome to actually feel that diamond Wally for the Epping win. They’re special this year. Every single one I’ve ever earned is special but the killer ones are the limited edition ones. They’re just killer and we all want more.”

Were you able to take any time away on the weekend to do something fun?

“Last week I worked Tuesday through Sunday and this week I’ll work Monday through Wednesday, so that will be nine straight days and then back on an airplane for Norwalk. There are times when I’m getting in the race car and think about how hot and humid it is but pushing hard at work makes me appreciate driving the PEAK Chevy even more.”

Weekend Appearances

Beckman will be signing autographs Sat., June 27, from 10:30-11 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools display in the midway.

Track Schedule

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on Sunday, June 28, from 12 – 2 p.m. ET on FS1, leading into eliminations from 5:30 9 ET on FOX.

Race Results

Norwalk	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2007 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat J. Force; lost to C. Pedregon	5^th	1-1
2008 (FC)	1^st round	Lost to C. Pedregon	5^th	1-2
2009 (FC)	Winner	Beat B. Bode, J. Head, J. Force, B. Tasca	6^th	4-2
2010 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat J. Head; lost to D. Worsham	3^rd	5-3
2011 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat B. Tasca; lost to R. Capps	10^th	6-4
2012 (FC)	1^st round	Lost to R. Capps	13^th	6-5
2013 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat C. Pedregon, J. Force; lost to J. Gray	9^th	8-6
2014 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat B. Tasca, D. Worsham; lost to R. Capps	8^th	10-7
2015 (FC)	Winner	Beat J. Force, R. Hight, T. Wilkerson, C. Force	11^th	14-7
2016 (FC)	1^st round	Lost to A. DeJoria	5^th	14-8
2017 (FC)	Winner	Beat C. Pedregon, M. Hagan, T. Johnson Jr, R. Hight	9^th	18-8
2018 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat T. Wilkerson; lost to M. Hagan	11^th	19-9
2019 (FC)	Runner-up	Beat J. Lindberg, S. Langdon, T. Johnson Jr; lost to B. Tasca	4^th	22-10
2020 (FC)	NHRA Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2021	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2024 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2025 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat C. Green; lost to M. Hagan	4^th	23-11

Wins: 3 (2009, 2015, 2017)

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Record: 23-11

2026 Results

JUST ONE ITEM ON BECKMAN’S BIRTHDAY WISH LIST

Quotes

What’s your assessment of the PEAK team’s performance as we reach the halfway point of the season this weekend?

You have three wins and a runner-up finish in 14 starts at Norwalk so is there any particular moment that stands out?

Weekend Appearances

Beckman will be signing autographs Sat., June 27, from 10:30-11 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools display in the midway.

Track Schedule

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on Sunday, June 28, from 12 – 2 p.m. ET on FS1, leading into eliminations from 5:30 9 ET on FOX.

Race Results

Norwalk	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2007 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat J. Force; lost to C. Pedregon	5^th	1-1
2008 (FC)	1^st round	Lost to C. Pedregon	5^th	1-2
2009 (FC)	Winner	Beat B. Bode, J. Head, J. Force, B. Tasca	6^th	4-2
2010 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat J. Head; lost to D. Worsham	3^rd	5-3
2011 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat B. Tasca; lost to R. Capps	10^th	6-4
2012 (FC)	1^st round	Lost to R. Capps	13^th	6-5
2013 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat C. Pedregon, J. Force; lost to J. Gray	9^th	8-6
2014 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat B. Tasca, D. Worsham; lost to R. Capps	8^th	10-7
2015 (FC)	Winner	Beat J. Force, R. Hight, T. Wilkerson, C. Force	11^th	14-7
2016 (FC)	1^st round	Lost to A. DeJoria	5^th	14-8
2017 (FC)	Winner	Beat C. Pedregon, M. Hagan, T. Johnson Jr, R. Hight	9^th	18-8
2018 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat T. Wilkerson; lost to M. Hagan	11^th	19-9
2019 (FC)	Runner-up	Beat J. Lindberg, S. Langdon, T. Johnson Jr; lost to B. Tasca	4^th	22-10
2020 (FC)	NHRA Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2021	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2024 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2025 (FC)	2^nd round	Beat C. Green; lost to M. Hagan	4^th	23-11

Wins: 3 (2009, 2015, 2017)

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Record: 23-11

2026 Results

Event	Qualify	Round by Round	Round Record	Points Position
Gainesville	9	Lost to Jordan Vandergriff	0-1	11
Phoenix	2	Lost to Daniel Wilkerson	0-2	10
Pomona1	8	Beat Jim Campbell; lost to J.R. Todd	1-3	10
Charlotte	6	Advanced Rounds 1 & 2; runner-up to Ron Capps	3-4	8
Valdosta	11	Lost to Matt Hagan	3-5	8
Chicago	1	Beat Chris King; lost to Matt Hagan	4-6	8
Maryland	1	Beat Joe Morrison, J.R. Todd, Jordan Vandergriff; lost to Austin Prock	7-7	7
Epping	2	Beat Phil Burkart Jr., Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, Jordán Vandergriff	11-7	5
Bristol	3	Beat Jeff Arend; lost to Daniel Wilkerson	12-8	5

Uncategorized

VANDERGRIFF EAGER TO SUCCEED DESPITE PRESSURE

June 24, 2026 ARP Trish

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 24, 2026) – The pressures of being a fulltime NHRA Funny Car driver are exactly what Jordan Vandergriff thrives on and the added responsibility of doing so just an hour northwest from primary sponsor Cornwell Tools’ corporate headquarters merely fuels his competitive fire heading into the June 26-28 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

The 31-year-old Atlanta-based driver has quickly and successfully adapted in just nine races from his role the past two seasons as an on-camera reporter for the NHRA on FOX broadcasts and fill-in driver to a race-winning driver of an 11,000-horsepower nitromethane-burning Funny Car owned and operated by John Force, the winningest driver in National Hot Rod Association history.

There were big shoes for Vandergriff to fill at the start of the season and those shoes are feeling pretty comfortable as the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series nears the halfway point this weekend.

Quotes

What’s your overall assessment of your team going into the halfway point of the year?

“It’s pretty crazy to be entering the halfway point of my rookie year in Funny Car with John Force Racing and Cornwell Quality Tools. It feels like it’s flown by and I think we’ve done really well. Being a brand new team, with a brand new crew chief duo of Chris Cunningham and Jason Bunker, a whole new team, and me as a rookie driver to be fourth in the points within striking distance of first, is better than we all expected. If we can keep this up, we’re going to have a shot at the championship.”

“We find ourselves fourth in the points with a completely new team and we’re only behind J.R. Tood, Matt Hagan and Ron Capps. Those are three big names that have won championships and know what they’re doing. Being the new guy, it’s an honor to be mentioned that high up with them. We’re fourth in the points even with my rookie mistakes though I’ve tried to minimize them as much as possible. I think it speaks to how good this team is. The Cornwell Quality Tools team is carrying me and I’m doing all I can to support their efforts. To be fourth is exactly where we deserve to be right now and if these next few races go great, we’ll have our eyes on the regular season championship.”

Are you thinking about the importance of racing in the backyard of your Cornwell Tools, your team’s primary sponsor?

“Cornwell Quality Tools is based in Wadsworth, Ohio, only about an hour from Norwalk, so it’s like their home race. I’m going to spend the week there in meetings and visits with everybody at Cornwell. I know how much Cornwell Quality Tools, loves the Norwalk race and we will have a bunch of people from Cornwell at the track so you want to make them all happy. There’s a little added pressure but I love the pressure.”

Though this is your first race to compete in at Norwalk, you have been there on the TV side so is there anything that stands out from previous visits?

“Going to Norwalk, it’s such a huge deal for the Bader family. They put on a great show and the fans there love drag racing. In my mind, it’s one of the major races. You want to get the ice cream scoop for winning the big event in front of some great fans. You just know that going into Norwalk, it’s gonna be a great show.”

How did you spend the weekend off after three races in a row?

“After the three-race swing wrapped up in Bristol. I just didn’t have enough time on the road, I guess, so I drove up to the race shop in Indy for a couple days. I spent some time at the shop and we made some changes to the race car that I’m really excited about to debut in Norwalk. I got to spend a couple days with the guys at the shop. They were on the road for three weeks straight so the least I could do was head up there and spend some time with them and thank them for all their hard work. It was a good time. I spent a couple days up there and then drove back to Atlanta and relaxed for a few days. Now I’m in Cleveland to do some media and then a couple days with the Cornwell Quality Tools folks.”

Weekend Appearances

Vandergriff will be signing autographs Sat., June 27, from 10:30-11 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools display in the midway.

Track Schedule

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on Sunday, June 28, from 12 – 2 p.m. ET on FS1, leading into eliminations from 5:30 9 ET on FOX.

2026 Results

VANDERGRIFF EAGER TO SUCCEED DESPITE PRESSURE

Quotes

Are you thinking about the importance of racing in the backyard of your Cornwell Tools, your team’s primary sponsor?

Though this is your first race to compete in at Norwalk, you have been there on the TV side so is there anything that stands out from previous visits?

How did you spend the weekend off after three races in a row?

Weekend Appearances

Vandergriff will be signing autographs Sat., June 27, from 10:30-11 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools display in the midway.

Track Schedule

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on Sunday, June 28, from 12 – 2 p.m. ET on FS1, leading into eliminations from 5:30 9 ET on FOX.

2026 Results

Event	Qualify	Round by Round	Round Record	Points Position
Gainesville	8	Beat Jack Beckman, John Smith; lost to Chad Green	2-1	4
Phoenix	5	Beat Alexis DeJoria, lost to Matt Hagan	3-2	7
Pomona1	3	Beat Daniel Wilkerson, Chad Green; lost to Ron Capps	5-3	5
Charlotte	2	Won 1st quad; lost in 2^nd quad	6-4	5
Valdosta	3	Beat Jeff Arend, Spencer Hyde, Hunter Green, Ron Capps	10-4	4
Chicago	10	Lost to Chad Green	10-5	5
Maryland	4	Beat Dave Richards, Chad Green; lost to Jack Beckman	12-6	5
Epping	2	Beat Jeff Arend, Chad Green, J.R. Todd; lost to Beckman	15-7	4
Bristol	13	Beat Alexis DeJoria; lost to Ron Capps	16-8	4

Uncategorized

Bauman Eyes History at Lima Half-Mile I & II

June 24, 2026 ARP Trish

Briar Bauman (No. 3) and Dallas Daniels (No. 1) practicing at Nashville Short Track. [Photo: Scott Hunter for AMA Pro Racing]Download high-resolution photo from AMA Pro’s Digital Asset Management system

Bauman Eyes History at Lima Half-Mile I & II

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 23, 2026) – The 2026 Grand National Championship will reach and exceed its midpoint at a doubleheader event of particular prestige and consequence – the Super.comLima Half-Mile I & II presented by Drag Specialties – at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio, on Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27. Featuring the Mission Triple Challenge format on Friday and a conventional slate on Saturday, Rounds 8 and 9 of the ‘26 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, are destined to have massive implications on this year’s remarkably tight Mission AFT SuperTwins title fight. Points of/and Pride VIctory at the fabled Lima Half-Mile ranks as among the most coveted for any motorcycle dirt tracker – aspiring or established. Its pea-gravel battlefield and fervent fanbase makes for a unique atmosphere, which is only enhanced by the monumental challenge the venue presents. There’s a reason the winningest riders at Lima also happen to be the winningest riders in the history of the sport, full stop. Seven of Scott Parker’s 94 career premier-class wins were taken here, as were five of (Lima co-promoter) Jared Mees’ 78 and four of Chris Carr’s 78. It’s not enough to be fast at Lima, a racer must also be fanatically fit and supremely focused to have any shot at winning, which makes the accomplishment that much more rewarding. Two-time Grand National Champion Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Jacob Construction/Parts Plus Harley-Davidson XG750R) is all of those things, a fact made evident by his Lima track record. Bauman is tied with Carr for third in career Lima victories with four, and, quite remarkably, he’s done so on four different makes of racebike – Kawasaki, Indian, KTM, and Harley-Davidson. Should he claim one more this weekend, he’ll move into a tie with the legendary Ricky Graham for fifth all-time in total premier-class victories at 39. And if he sweeps the weekend, he’ll move past Graham in career wins and into a tie with him for the most-ever consecutive premier-class victories at six straight. While it’s hard to bet against Bauman, his Mission AFT SuperTwins rivals have their own reasons to be optimistic coming into the weekend. Reigning class king Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) has won two of the last three races here, including last year’s 1-2-1 conquering of the Mission Triple Challenge. It’s to Daniels’ credit and his adversaries’ peril that he has been just a tick off most of the season and yet is still just ten points back in the title fight. However, neither Bauman nor Daniels lead the way as the season approaches its midpoint. That status is claimed by rookie phenom Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R). Kopp has earned the position via six finishes of first or second in the year’s first seven races. However, both of his wins came in the 2026 double opener in DAYTONA more than three months back. The Latus Motors Harley-Davidson ace will be looking to change that this weekend in Lima – a personal favorite of his like DAYTONA – and a track where he previously registered a pair of blowout wins in KICKER AFT Singles competition. Second (Half) Chance While Kopp, Bauman, and Daniels are locked into a 10-point championship clash, no other rider is within even 50 points of third. It’s perhaps a bit harsh to suggest everyone else’s seasons have gone off the rails, but it’s fair to say they haven’t gone exactly to plan either. As the Lima Half-Mile represents both the end of the season’s first half and the start of its second, the weekend is as good a time as any for a new beginning for this talented collection of potential spoilers. Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke) came into ‘26 with legitimate hopes of making this a four-way title fight. Unfortunately, he’s been held back in large part by poor luck despite routinely showing the outright speed to run up front. Kopp’s win in early March was also the last time Fisher has been on the box. That’s a long time for a rider of Fisher’s caliber. Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods Honda CB750 Hornet) hasn’t enjoyed the breakthrough season both desired and expected after last year’s second-half flourish. The Indiana native scored two sixths at Lima last year – which matched his best finish to that point in the year before he really kicked things up a notch down the stretch. Perhaps a repeat is in order. OTB Racing teammates Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) and Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) have struggled to make as strong an impression as they would have liked due to injury, misfortune, and a simple lack of form. However, the team has started to find its way as of late, Bender in particular. He’s steadily marched his way up the order, going from DNQ to 16th to 14th to 12th (twice), to fourth last time out. Bender also came home fourth at Lima a year ago and will be looking to continue his upward trajectory this weekend. Rookie Evan Renshaw (No. 95 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) has had to scrape and claw just to make the Mains, an indication of just how deep the current field is. However, now with a half season of premier-class duty under his belt to acclimate to the bike and the competition, he’s poised to settle in and allow his natural ability to shine through. Others have their own stories of mixed first-halfs, including the likes of Chad Cose (No. 49 Parker Racing/Pro Roofing Yamaha MT-07), Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Roof Systems KTM 790 Duke), Hunter Bauer (No. 24 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07), and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Parts Bros/D&D Cycles/Fairway Ford Aprilia Tuareg 660). The primary exception may be Aidan RoosEvans (No. 26 FRA Trust Advisors Harley-Davidson XG750R), who probably couldn’t have asked for a much smoother start to his premier-class career. While outside of title contention, RoosEvans has reeled in five top-six results, including a first official Progressive AFT podium at the Silver Dollar Short Track. RoosEvans also has Lima expert Jeffrey Carver, Jr., in his corner, which could give him an edge this weekend. Part-Time Runners Things haven’t gone exactly to plan for Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Lisa Niner Racing Suzuki GSX-8S) either. He took a pretty heavy fall in the season’s opening weekend and sat out the next few races. Bromley has since returned to (part-time) action and has it in him to make waves this weekend in Ohio. A year ago, he was seriously quick on the Suzuki at Lima, notching up a combined fourth (4-4-5) in the Mission Triple Challenge. Bromley is set to compete on Saturday before completing his season in his home state at the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile on July 11. The season has been less kind still to another Pennsylvanian in Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R), who is out for the remainder of the season as he recovers from the injuries he sustained in Ventura. That’s a tough beat for the Mission Roof Systems outfit on a weekly basis but particularly so at Lima, where Robinson has won twice previously. They’ve got the best possible replacement in place, however, in Jarod VanDerKooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R), who finished on the podium here back in 2021. Three-Day Weekend Fans will have plenty to keep them entertained beyond the world-class on-track excitement. There will also be music, a bouncy house for kids, numerous vendors, and plenty of food and beverage options, along with extensive motorcycle parking. And spectators are invited to get the party started a day early, as Thursday at the track will spotlight the future stars of the sport with a AMA-sanctioned Mission Foods CTR Showcase Event, which will feature the 450 Road to AFT clash that will set the grid for Saturday’s AFT ProSport 450 season finale. Act Fast to Save Your Cash General Admission Bleacher tickets are just $45 each night (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult GA ticket) with Reserved Grandstand and Premier Reserved Grandstand tickets priced at $55 and $60, respectively. Meanwhile, fans who purchase a two-day ticket will save $5 (General Admission $65, Reserved $85, and Premier Reserved $95). The Pit Pass add-on ($40/day) provides fans a chance to get an up-close look at the racebikes and meet the riders and their teams. Fans looking to take things to the next level can choose the VIP Experience add-on ($150 per day or $280 for two days, seats included) to gain access to a climate-controlled VIP room with a catered meal, five alcoholic beverages, and a Pit Pass. Camping is also available at the Allen County Fairgrounds. The camping sites, which are accessible off Harding Highway and include water and electric hookups, are available on a first-come, first-served basis at $50 per night (Wednesday night through Saturday night). To purchase Lima Half-Mile I tickets, click HERE. To purchase Lima Half-Mile II tickets, click HERE. And to save $5 by purchasing Friday and Saturday tickets together for the Super.com Lima Half-Mile I & II, click HERE. Gates will open for fans at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 6:40 p.m. ET (3:40 p.m. PT) on Friday. On Saturday, Gates will open at 2:30 p.m. ET (11:30 a.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies slated for a 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) start. For more information, ticket purchases, and updates, visit www.limahalf-mile.com or call 419-991-1491

Uncategorized

MARK PAWUK LOOKS TO DEFEND TITLE AT HOME TRACK IN FLEXJET FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN

June 24, 2026 ARP Trish

MARK PAWUK LOOKS TO DEFEND TITLE AT HOME TRACK IN
FLEXJET FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN

Norwalk, OH – June 24, 2026 – Two weeks ago Ohioan Mark Pawuk, the two-time and reigning Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world champion, showed flashes of improvement racing to the semifinals at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn. This weekend Pawuk along with a host of Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge factory stock competitors will be looking to stop 2026 points leader Jonathan Allegrucci who has won the past three national events in a row. Pawuk and his 2026 Empaco backed Dodge Charger will head to Summit Motorsports Park where he took the title last year after two previous runner-up finishes.

“I finally got my ice cream scoop last year,” said Pawuk, of the custom ice cream scoop the track presents to all race winners. “That was on my bucket list, and I would love nothing more than to go back and run well this weekend. That scoop is 100 percent a display piece. If I stuck it in a gallon of ice cream, it would sink to the bottom it’s so heavy. That’s one of my prized possessions. Norwalk is the best track in the country.”

Mark Pawuk will look to race back into the Norwalk winner’s circle this weekend in Norwalk,
Photo credit: Auto Imagery/Gary Nastase

For Pawuk, the racing experience is more than the performance on the track. He runs Empaco Equipment Corporation out of Richfield, Ohio. Since 1978 they have been providing quality construction, maintenance and service for the petroleum storage and dispensing industry. Beyond Empaco, his racing operation has enjoyed successful marketing relationships with several Ohio-based companies.

“One thing that is special about Norwalk is a lot of my employees come out and support me,” said Pawuk. “They support me all year long while I’m away at the races, so I give them the opportunity at Norwalk to come out and spend a day with us. I think it’s pretty cool to host them and thank them for all their hard work. All my great sponsors are from the Ohio area including Mr. Heater, Ohio Cat and Ohio Peterbilt. Our big news this week is we just added Matco Tools for this race.”

While Pawuk will be looking to get back on track, Allegrucci will be focused on maintaining his historic winning streak. Only one other driver, Leah Pruett in 2018, has won three Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series national events in a row and no driver has ever won four in a row. The driver from Scotts Township, Pa., has captured wins at the 4-Wide Nationals, the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals and most recently at the Thunder Valley Nationals.

“This still feels like a dream coming true,” said Allegrucci, of his three-race win streak. “I can’t thank everyone enough who makes this happen. Everyone at KSR Racing – in and out of the shop – to everyone at home that helps while we’re gone, and everyone that comes to the track to make it all possible. It takes so many people to get us to and from the races. I am proud to be a part of this class and race with some of the great people we have met. I am especially excited to see Raymond Nash and the Underdawg Team having so much success.”

After capturing his third win in a row this season Jonathan Allegrucci was all smiles two weeks ago in Bristol, photo credit Auto Imagery/Gary Nastase

MARK PAWUK LOOKS TO DEFEND TITLE AT HOME TRACK IN
FLEXJET FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN

Norwalk, OH – June 24, 2026 – Two weeks ago Ohioan Mark Pawuk, the two-time and reigning Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world champion, showed flashes of improvement racing to the semifinals at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn. This weekend Pawuk along with a host of Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge factory stock competitors will be looking to stop 2026 points leader Jonathan Allegrucci who has won the past three national events in a row. Pawuk and his 2026 Empaco backed Dodge Charger will head to Summit Motorsports Park where he took the title last year after two previous runner-up finishes.

“I finally got my ice cream scoop last year,” said Pawuk, of the custom ice cream scoop the track presents to all race winners. “That was on my bucket list, and I would love nothing more than to go back and run well this weekend. That scoop is 100 percent a display piece. If I stuck it in a gallon of ice cream, it would sink to the bottom it’s so heavy. That’s one of my prized possessions. Norwalk is the best track in the country.”

Mark Pawuk will look to race back into the Norwalk winner’s circle this weekend in Norwalk,
Photo credit: Auto Imagery/Gary Nastase

For Pawuk, the racing experience is more than the performance on the track. He runs Empaco Equipment Corporation out of Richfield, Ohio. Since 1978 they have been providing quality construction, maintenance and service for the petroleum storage and dispensing industry. Beyond Empaco, his racing operation has enjoyed successful marketing relationships with several Ohio-based companies.

“One thing that is special about Norwalk is a lot of my employees come out and support me,” said Pawuk. “They support me all year long while I’m away at the races, so I give them the opportunity at Norwalk to come out and spend a day with us. I think it’s pretty cool to host them and thank them for all their hard work. All my great sponsors are from the Ohio area including Mr. Heater, Ohio Cat and Ohio Peterbilt. Our big news this week is we just added Matco Tools for this race.”

While Pawuk will be looking to get back on track, Allegrucci will be focused on maintaining his historic winning streak. Only one other driver, Leah Pruett in 2018, has won three Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series national events in a row and no driver has ever won four in a row. The driver from Scotts Township, Pa., has captured wins at the 4-Wide Nationals, the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals and most recently at the Thunder Valley Nationals.

“This still feels like a dream coming true,” said Allegrucci, of his three-race win streak. “I can’t thank everyone enough who makes this happen. Everyone at KSR Racing – in and out of the shop – to everyone at home that helps while we’re gone, and everyone that comes to the track to make it all possible. It takes so many people to get us to and from the races. I am proud to be a part of this class and race with some of the great people we have met. I am especially excited to see Raymond Nash and the Underdawg Team having so much success.”

After capturing his third win in a row this season Jonathan Allegrucci was all smiles two weeks ago in Bristol, photo credit Auto Imagery/Gary Nastase

As the points leader and most recent winner, Allegrucci is also protecting the Flexjet Bounty which has swelled to $3,000 to the driver that can defeat his Ford Mustang Cobra Jet on race day. So far Allegrucci has a 13-round win streak heading into the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals.

Joining Pawuk in the chase to defeat Allegrucci is Thunder Valley Nationals runner-up Raymond Nash, driver of the Team Underdawg Racing Dodge Challenger. In Bristol, Nash earned his first career No. 1 qualifier and competed in just his second career final round coming up short against Allegrucci. For Nash and his family-run team, competing at this national level is a welcome challenge and dream come true.

Qualifying will get underway on Friday for the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. On Saturday one more round of qualifying at 10:30 a.m. will set the 16-car field. The Fords, Chevrolets and Dodges will roll into the first round of eliminations on Saturday evening and wrap up with three more elimination rounds on Sunday. For information on the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals visit www.nhra.com.

Flexjet Bounty Program

Gatornationals (Gainesville, Fla.)
$1,000 bounty collected by Jonathan Allegrucci, defeated Mark Pawuk (2025 Flexjet world champion)

NHRA 4-Wide Nationals (Charlotte, N. C.)
$1,000 bounty collected by Raymond Nash, defeated Ricky Hord (2026 Gatornationals winner)

Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals (Chicago, Illinois)
$1,000 bounty was not claimed with Allegrucci’s victory

Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals (Bristol, Tenn,)
$2,000 bounty was not claimed with Allegrucci’s victory

2026 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Results

Gainesville – Ricky Hord, winner; David Janac, runner-up
Charlotte – Jonathan Allegrucci, winner; Jason Dietsch, runner-up
Chicago – Jonathan Allegrucci, winner; Jason Dietsch, runner-up
Bristol – Jonathan Allegrucci, winner; Raymond Nash, runner-up

Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Point Standings
1. Jonathan Allegrucci       430
2. Raymond Nash             339
3. David Davies II              237
4. Richard Hord                 224
5. Lee Hartman                 214
6. Matthew Hartman          211
7. David Janac                  210
8. Jason Dietsch                209
9. Scott Libersher              196
10. Doug Duell                  184

2026 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Schedule

Sept. 2-7: 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis

Sept. 17-20: Inaugural Dodge NHRA Great Lake Nationals, Martin, Mich.

Oct. 2-4: 15th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, St. Louis

Oct. 14-18: 41st annual Texas NHRA Fall Nationals, Dallas

Uncategorized

THE MONTH AHEAD: July Brings Lucrative Summer of Money Stretch

June 24, 2026 ARP Trish

CONCORD, NC (June 24, 2026) – The busiest stretch of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season is almost here, with July on the horizon.

After teams get the Fourth of July off to enjoy the holiday, a hectic span of nearly non-stop Sprint Car racing is set to begin.

The Greatest Show on Dirt will take on 13 races in 24 days at eight tracks in five states and one trip across the border into Canada. A big chunk of the action is part of the Summer of Money as six of the nights are dishing out at least $20,000 to the winner, including one six-figure payday.

WATCH EVERY LAP ON DIRTVision

Let’s look at where to find the World of Outlaws in July:

Hartford Speedway | Pure Michigan Showdown (July 9): Mother Nature didn’t play nice in June when the World of Outlaws planned on returning to Michigan, but, fortunately, an available slot on the calendar means it’ll happen to open July’s slate. Hartford Speedway’s Pure Michigan Showdown will bring The Greatest Show on Dirt back to “The Great Lakes State” for the first time since 2019 and ignite the busy stretch.

Two-time and defending Series champion David Gravel topped the two most recent visits to Hartford. Those were with CJB Motorsports (2017) and Jason Johnson Racing (2019), and he’ll look to add another with Big Game Motorsports.