ROSSBURG, OH (Sept. 7, 2023) – Two of Dirt Late Model racing’s brightest young stars triumphed over a field of over 100 DIRTcar Late Model competitors Thursday night at Eldora Speedway.

Hudson O’Neal and Bobby Pierce were the stars of the show in the opening act of the 53rd World 100, taking the checkers by large margins in their respective Twin 25 main events. Both drivers have had success on the big stage at Eldora before – Pierce the 2016 World 100 winner and O’Neal a now three-time prelim Feature winner – and both added to that Thursday with matching $12,000 winner’s checks for their efforts.

Group A Prelim Feature – Hudson O’Neal

Going from the pole, O’Neal was rolling after a top-10 effort in Qualifying and a runner-up finish in his Heat Race. Though on the initial start, outside polesitter Jason Jameson got the better jump and raced into the lead on the opening lap.

A quick caution with two laps complete restacked the field with Jameson opting for the bottom lane for the restart, leaving O’Neal on the top. Jameson once again pulled ahead through Turns 1-2, but O’Neal came right back at him with a slide job in Turn 3.

Pulling ahead with the lead out of Turn 4, O’Neal turned on the afterburners and took off, stretching his lead out to over three seconds at its largest. The 23-year-old Indianan was not challenged the rest of the way as he cruised to his third career World 100 prelim Feature win.

Though he was handily ahead of his opponents, O’Neal’s competitive nature kept him pushing hard through the thick lapped traffic he encountered.

“I was nervous about the lapped traffic and giving them guys a shot to get to me,” O’Neal said. “I just tried to do everything I could to clear them as quick as possible. Any time I felt I got a run on them, I just went ahead and did it.”

Despite team owner Mark Richards’ multi-decade career in motorsports, he’s yet to triumph in Dirt Late Model racing’s biggest event. O’Neal said he’s enjoyed his first full-time season at the controls of the Rocket Chassis house car, and expressed his ambition to get the team their first World 100 victory this weekend.

“To get him a World – he doesn’t even have a globe – for sure, it’d be memorable,” O’Neal said. “It’d probably be the highlight of my career, highlight of his. I don’t know how to explain it; it’d be more than words.”

Feature – Group A (25 Laps): 1. 1-Hudson O’Neal[1]; 2. 12-Jason Jameson[2]; 3. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[5]; 4. 157-Mike Marlar[7]; 5. 18-Shannon Babb[3]; 6. 99-Devin Moran[10]; 7. 8S-Brian Shirley[6]; 8. 1W-Daulton Wilson[12]; 9. 58-Garrett Alberson[20]; 10. 40B-Kyle Bronson[15]; 11. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[11]; 12. 22S-Gregg Satterlee[17]; 13. 17M-Dale McDowell[18]; 14. 19R-Ryan Gustin[13]; 15. 20-Jimmy Owens[9]; 16. 111-Steven Roberts[14]; 17. 19M-Wil Herrington[19]; 18. 2S-Stormy Scott[21]; 19. 42-Matt Sheppard[22]; 20. 7-Ricky Weiss[24]; 21. 71C-RJ Conley[23]; 22. 214-Haiden Cowan[4]; 23. 22-Chris Ferguson[8]; 24. 22X-GR Smith[16]

Group B Prelim Feature – Bobby Pierce

Though he had a bit further to climb to get the lead, Pierce was unfazed in his charge to the front. A spot on the outside of Row 3 started him off, and after the first restart on Lap 2, he was behind only Tim McCreadie and leader Brandon Sheppard.

After winning the slide-job/crossover battle with McCreadie for second on Lap 3, Pierce reeled-in Sheppard within three laps and threw a big slide job of his own on Sheppard to take the lead in Turns 1-2. Sheppard took a look at a slide job to throw back at him in Turn 3, but Pierce was too fast on the top, and drove away with the lead on Lap 6.

“When [McCreadie] slid me back and I crossed him over so easily, I was like, ‘Man the car is really good,’” Pierce said. “’I thought the car was good, so I’m going to try and pass Brandon.’ I passed him and went on. It was like a slot car out there; it was fun to drive.”

From there, it was smooth sailing for the five-time DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion. The Oakwood, IL-native encountered plenty of lapped traffic but was not rattled once, stretching his gap up to almost five seconds in the closing laps as he cruised to victory.

“The car’s been great, it really fits me, and we’re all working super hard pulling lots of hours,” Pierce said. “Everyone’s really motivated to keep getting these wins. We’re not settling is the thing.”

Pierce is the winningest driver in Dirt Super Late Models thus far in 2023, now with 28 Feature wins in nearly 80 Feature starts – an honor he takes pride in as he chases his first win in the event since winning the 2016 edition at 18 years of age.

“I think we’ve got a target on our back for probably being one of the guys to beat,” Pierce said. “It’s a good feeling; hopefully them guys are a little scared.”

Feature – Group B (25 Laps): 1. 32-Bobby Pierce[6]; 2. B5-Brandon Sheppard[2]; 3. 39-Tim McCreadie[3]; 4. 49-Jonathan Davenport[14]; 5. 87-Chris Madden[5]; 6. 25F-Jason Feger[8]; 7. 11H-Spencer Hughes[10]; 8. 11R-Josh Rice[16]; 9. 25-Shane Clanton[11]; 10. 187-David McCoy[1]; 11. 88-Trent Ivey[9]; 12. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[13]; 13. 24D-Michael Brown[4]; 14. 1T-Tyler Erb[19]; 15. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[20]; 16. 10S-Garrett Smith[22]; 17. 4-Brandon Overton[7]; 18. 10-Joseph Joiner[24]; 19. 00F-Carson Ferguson[17]; 20. 23-Cory Hedgecock[23]; 21. 8-Kyle Strickler[21]; 22. 15K-Cody Overton[12]; 23. 1C-Kenny Collins[18]; 24. 114-Jordan Koehler[15]

UP NEXT

The 53rd World 100 continues Friday, Sept. 8, with another Twin 25 program for DIRTcar Late Models, using the same format to accumulate points according to the Every Lap Matterssystem.

Ticket info for Friday and Saturday’s events is available at EldoraSpeedway.com.

The Californian slips by Chase Johnson on Lap 22 for Silver Dollar Speedway winCHICO, CA (September 7, 2023) – California loves Kyle Larson. And Kyle Larson loves California.The Elk Grove, CA native’s talents were shaped by “The Golden State’s” bullrings. And Larson enjoys any opportunity to return to those racetracks. On Thursday night, the opportunity arose for Larson to return to Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA, and for the second year in a row, Larson gave his home state fans a show with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars.Fresh off a Southern 500 win with the NASCAR Cup Series last weekend, Larson flew to California for the opening prelim of the 69th Gold Cup Race of Champions. “Yung Money” lined up sixth for the 30-lap Feature, took the lead on the 22nd circuit, and drove away to the checkered flag for his 10th career win at the quarter-mile.Any win at the historic Silver Dollar Speedway is a special one for Larson. Last year he, Brad Sweet, and Colby Copeland formed SLC Promotions and took the reins of the facility. Their efforts have already restored a measure of Gold Cup’s former glory. And Larson stood proud in Victory Lane in front of an admiring crowd as the atmosphere continues to grow toward feeling like the Gold Cup of old thanks in large part to his passion for the sport.The only part that could make it any better for Larson? If he could stay to chase his third Gold Cup title, but NASCAR duties call.“Thanks to all the fans. I wish I could stay the rest of the weekend but got to get to Kansas tomorrow,” Larson said. “It’s just great to see Gold Cup growing again. It’s awesome. I hope to hear about everybody having fun at the glow party… You get a little FOMO. You wish you could be at two places at once. It’s tough, but I’m fortunate to be here for Wednesday and Thursday. I wasn’t supposed to run tonight, but things changed with my schedule and was able to stay for tonight.”While Larson began the main event back in sixth, it was Kalib Henry and Shane Golobic leading the field to green. But it was neither Henry or Golobic leading the opening lap. Fourth-starting Chase Johnson powered to third entering Turn 1 and went low while the front row starters opted for the high line. Johnson found enough grip to pull by Golobic going down the back straightaway and slide Henry for the lead in Turn 3.Johnson wasted no time pulling ahead after the massive move from fourth to first while Larson quickly began his charge by jumping from sixth to fourth on the opening lap and claiming third on the next circuit.At the front, Johnson drove away and even when first encountering traffic, he sliced through the slower cars to extend his lead. The Penngrove, CA native controlled the first half of the Feature.Right at the halfway point was when Larson roared to life behind the wheel of the #57. The two-time Gold Cup champion began to pressure Henry for second. Then on the 15th lap Larson ripped the top in Turns 1 and 2 to take over the runner-up spot. Once he claimed second, Johnson’s lead began to vanish. On the lap Larson passed Henry, he was 2.047 seconds behind. The next lap he slashed the gap nearly in half to 1.197 seconds. Three laps later it was down to three tenths as he began to show Johnson a nose here and there.On Lap 22 in traffic, the gap he needed opened as Larson ducked under Johnson exiting Turn 2 and cleared him heading into the next set of corners. Johnson tripped up on the cushion in Turn 4, and that was all Larson needed to drive away to the finish line with a four-second lead.While the win will cap Larson’s racing for the week at Gold Cup, he fully intends to keep an eye from afar as the California crown jewel continues to grow again.“I’ll for sure be tuned in on Saturday,” Larson said. “This is a race that I grew up coming to for so long. Won my first ever World of Outlaws race at this track in this event. This facility means a lot to me.”After Johnson’s mistake on the cushion, Shane Golobic was able to roll by to claim the second spot. The pilot of the Matt Wood Racing/NOS Energy Drink #17W finished runner-up to continue his impressive year at Silver Dollar. Golobic is at four wins and two seconds in six starts at the Chico oval. His performance throughout the night earned him enough points to claim one of two lock-in spots for Saturday’s Toyota Racing Dash. Golobic came away happy with his team’s continued speed but wishing he could try the start of the race over.“It just shows how fast this NOS Energy Drink #17W is,” Golobic said. “I didn’t do my job early in the race. You can’t go second to fourth and expect to do anything and let the #57 by early in the race. You’re going to be in trouble. I’ve got to clean that up. Really wish I could do that over to try again, but second is nothing to hang our heads about.”Completing the top three by way of a charge from 11th was Corey Day in the Jason Meyers Racing #14. The Clovis, CA teenager completed an all-California native podium sweep by continuing his recent impressive stretch. Day is up to four consecutive World of Outlaws top fives and three podiums in the last four races. With Larson unable to attend Saturday, Day moved into the other available spot in Saturday’s Dash.“We didn’t really have a good qualifying run there, and that hurt us in points,” Day said. “We needed to perform in that Feature, and that was about as good as I could do with no cautions. Glad we could be good at this place the first time here this year. We got rained out every single time we tried to come up here and race. Happy to run third our first night at this place for the biggest race of the year here.”Logan Schuchart and Brad Sweet rounded out the top five.Day’s efforts also earned him the KSE Racing Hard Charger.Carson Macedo grabbed another Simpson Performance Products QuickTime Award.CASE No.1 Engine Oil Heat Race One went to Andy Forsberg. NOS Energy Drink Heats Two through Four were topped by Sean Becker, Giovanni Scelzi, and Cole Macedo.Dylan Bloomfield won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race was awarded to Chase Johnson. After leading the opening 21 laps, Johnson slipped back to seventh in the final rundown.UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are right back at Chico, CA’s Silver Dollar Speedway on Friday, September 8 for the second prelim of the 69th Gold Cup Race of Champions ahead of Saturday’s $25,000-to-win, $2,000-to-start finale. For tickets, CLICK HERE.If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the racing live on DIRTVision.RESULTS:NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 57-Kyle Larson[6]; 2. 17W-Shane Golobic[2]; 3. 14-Corey Day[11]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart[3]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet[5]; 6. 41-Carson Macedo[8]; 7. 24X-Chase Johnson[4]; 8. 83-James McFadden[7]; 9. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[9]; 10. 17M-Kalib Henry[1]; 11. 3-Kaleb Montgomery[12]; 12. 20G-Noah Gass[10]; 13. 21-Cole Macedo[16]; 14. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield[21]; 15. 6-Tim Kaeding[14]; 16. 92-Andy Forsberg[13]; 17. 7S-Robbie Price[17]; 18. 1-Chance Grasty[22]; 19. 2K-Gauge Garcia[19]; 20. 12J-John Clark[20]; 21. 55D-Dawson Hammes[23]; 22. 87-Ashlyn Rodriguez[24]; 23. 77-Ryan Lippincott[18]; 24. 7B-Sean Becker[15]

The Californian slips by Chase Johnson on Lap 22 for Silver Dollar Speedway winCHICO, CA (September 7, 2023) – California loves Kyle Larson. And Kyle Larson loves California.The Elk Grove, CA native’s talents were shaped by “The Golden State’s” bullrings. And Larson enjoys any opportunity to return to those racetracks. On Thursday night, the opportunity arose for Larson to return to Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA, and for the second year in a row, Larson gave his home state fans a show with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars.Fresh off a Southern 500 win with the NASCAR Cup Series last weekend, Larson flew to California for the opening prelim of the 69th Gold Cup Race of Champions. “Yung Money” lined up sixth for the 30-lap Feature, took the lead on the 22nd circuit, and drove away to the checkered flag for his 10th career win at the quarter-mile.Any win at the historic Silver Dollar Speedway is a special one for Larson. Last year he, Brad Sweet, and Colby Copeland formed SLC Promotions and took the reins of the facility. Their efforts have already restored a measure of Gold Cup’s former glory. And Larson stood proud in Victory Lane in front of an admiring crowd as the atmosphere continues to grow toward feeling like the Gold Cup of old thanks in large part to his passion for the sport.The only part that could make it any better for Larson? If he could stay to chase his third Gold Cup title, but NASCAR duties call.“Thanks to all the fans. I wish I could stay the rest of the weekend but got to get to Kansas tomorrow,” Larson said. “It’s just great to see Gold Cup growing again. It’s awesome. I hope to hear about everybody having fun at the glow party… You get a little FOMO. You wish you could be at two places at once. It’s tough, but I’m fortunate to be here for Wednesday and Thursday. I wasn’t supposed to run tonight, but things changed with my schedule and was able to stay for tonight.”While Larson began the main event back in sixth, it was Kalib Henry and Shane Golobic leading the field to green. But it was neither Henry or Golobic leading the opening lap. Fourth-starting Chase Johnson powered to third entering Turn 1 and went low while the front row starters opted for the high line. Johnson found enough grip to pull by Golobic going down the back straightaway and slide Henry for the lead in Turn 3.Johnson wasted no time pulling ahead after the massive move from fourth to first while Larson quickly began his charge by jumping from sixth to fourth on the opening lap and claiming third on the next circuit.At the front, Johnson drove away and even when first encountering traffic, he sliced through the slower cars to extend his lead. The Penngrove, CA native controlled the first half of the Feature.Right at the halfway point was when Larson roared to life behind the wheel of the #57. The two-time Gold Cup champion began to pressure Henry for second. Then on the 15th lap Larson ripped the top in Turns 1 and 2 to take over the runner-up spot. Once he claimed second, Johnson’s lead began to vanish. On the lap Larson passed Henry, he was 2.047 seconds behind. The next lap he slashed the gap nearly in half to 1.197 seconds. Three laps later it was down to three tenths as he began to show Johnson a nose here and there.On Lap 22 in traffic, the gap he needed opened as Larson ducked under Johnson exiting Turn 2 and cleared him heading into the next set of corners. Johnson tripped up on the cushion in Turn 4, and that was all Larson needed to drive away to the finish line with a four-second lead.While the win will cap Larson’s racing for the week at Gold Cup, he fully intends to keep an eye from afar as the California crown jewel continues to grow again.“I’ll for sure be tuned in on Saturday,” Larson said. “This is a race that I grew up coming to for so long. Won my first ever World of Outlaws race at this track in this event. This facility means a lot to me.”After Johnson’s mistake on the cushion, Shane Golobic was able to roll by to claim the second spot. The pilot of the Matt Wood Racing/NOS Energy Drink #17W finished runner-up to continue his impressive year at Silver Dollar. Golobic is at four wins and two seconds in six starts at the Chico oval. His performance throughout the night earned him enough points to claim one of two lock-in spots for Saturday’s Toyota Racing Dash. Golobic came away happy with his team’s continued speed but wishing he could try the start of the race over.“It just shows how fast this NOS Energy Drink #17W is,” Golobic said. “I didn’t do my job early in the race. You can’t go second to fourth and expect to do anything and let the #57 by early in the race. You’re going to be in trouble. I’ve got to clean that up. Really wish I could do that over to try again, but second is nothing to hang our heads about.”Completing the top three by way of a charge from 11th was Corey Day in the Jason Meyers Racing #14. The Clovis, CA teenager completed an all-California native podium sweep by continuing his recent impressive stretch. Day is up to four consecutive World of Outlaws top fives and three podiums in the last four races. With Larson unable to attend Saturday, Day moved into the other available spot in Saturday’s Dash.“We didn’t really have a good qualifying run there, and that hurt us in points,” Day said. “We needed to perform in that Feature, and that was about as good as I could do with no cautions. Glad we could be good at this place the first time here this year. We got rained out every single time we tried to come up here and race. Happy to run third our first night at this place for the biggest race of the year here.”Logan Schuchart and Brad Sweet rounded out the top five.Day’s efforts also earned him the KSE Racing Hard Charger.Carson Macedo grabbed another Simpson Performance Products QuickTime Award.CASE No.1 Engine Oil Heat Race One went to Andy Forsberg. NOS Energy Drink Heats Two through Four were topped by Sean Becker, Giovanni Scelzi, and Cole Macedo.Dylan Bloomfield won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race was awarded to Chase Johnson. After leading the opening 21 laps, Johnson slipped back to seventh in the final rundown.UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are right back at Chico, CA’s Silver Dollar Speedway on Friday, September 8 for the second prelim of the 69th Gold Cup Race of Champions ahead of Saturday’s $25,000-to-win, $2,000-to-start finale. For tickets, CLICK HERE.If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the racing live on DIRTVision.RESULTS:NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 57-Kyle Larson[6]; 2. 17W-Shane Golobic[2]; 3. 14-Corey Day[11]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart[3]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet[5]; 6. 41-Carson Macedo[8]; 7. 24X-Chase Johnson[4]; 8. 83-James McFadden[7]; 9. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[9]; 10. 17M-Kalib Henry[1]; 11. 3-Kaleb Montgomery[12]; 12. 20G-Noah Gass[10]; 13. 21-Cole Macedo[16]; 14. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield[21]; 15. 6-Tim Kaeding[14]; 16. 92-Andy Forsberg[13]; 17. 7S-Robbie Price[17]; 18. 1-Chance Grasty[22]; 19. 2K-Gauge Garcia[19]; 20. 12J-John Clark[20]; 21. 55D-Dawson Hammes[23]; 22. 87-Ashlyn Rodriguez[24]; 23. 77-Ryan Lippincott[18]; 24. 7B-Sean Becker[15]

EUROPEAN FINALS – FIA/FIM European Drag Racing ChampionshipsSanta Pod RacewayThu.7 – Sun.10 September 2023  Ida Zetterström, Susanne Callin, Jndia Erbacher – three women with one thing in common: they are Europe’s fastest-ever racing drivers.   The trio all drive 10,000-horsepower Top Fuel Dragsters. Finland’s Zetterström holds the European speed record at 321.01mph. Sweden’s Callin is a shade slower at 320.20mph. Switzerland’s Erbacher held the previous record at 318.96mph before the other two topped it at Santa Pod in May.   Now all three return to Santa Pod in a season-ending shootout to settle who will be 2023’s FIA Top Fuel champion. The European Finals will see more than two dozen overseas entrants take on Britain’s finest dragstrip practitioners across a range of two- and four-wheeled European championship title-chases supported by an array of UK national classes.   Free entry to the pits allows a close-up view of all the team mechanics in action. With more than 250 entries, there’s no shortage of activity to see.   In Top Fuel, Malta’s ex-champ Duncan Micallef and Denmark’s Stig Neergaard will battle to uphold male honour in pursuit of their own race-winning ambitions. Gender is irrelevant in drag racing. While circuit racing still struggles to integrate female drivers in a male-dominated scene, women have been taking the fight to men in the straight-line sport for decades. The Zetterström-Callin contest for this year’s FIA crown is just the latest example of female empowerment on the top rung of the sport. Erbacher, Micallef and Neergaard are no longer title contenders but are no less bent on adding another prestigious race win to their tallies and disrupting Zetterström’s and Callin’s showdown for the crown in the process.   Almost as fast and just as loud as the Top Fuel Dragsters, five ground-pounding nitro Funny Cars provide a Swedish opponent, Patrik Pers, for Britain’s high-octane, high-decibel quartet, Kevin Kent, Steve Ashdown, Kevin Chapman and Jason Phelps. Kent returns to the track after a race-winning, record-setting performance (4.187sec/291.25mph) in July.   Fifteen overseas entrants will make the trip to battle Britain’s finest Pro Modified racers in a double-header contest combining rounds of the FIA European and Motorsport UK British championships. Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Estonia are all represented. Two Swedish racers share little mutual affection: veteran Michael Gullqvist has dominated the scene for so long with seven FIA Pro Mod championships under his belt but finds his rule usurped by Jan Ericsson, a comparative newcomer to the class who has scooped the last two championships in a row and leads again this season. Among their compatriots, fan-favourite Fredrik Fagerström brings his unique – indeed eccentric – Chevy truck, a blunderbuss amid a field of rotary cannons. ‘Fast Freddy’ delights the crowds with half-track burnouts and blistering reverses while his 5.9-second, 240mph capability can upset any storied opponent.   On Pro Mod’s home front, Bobby Wallace has been running away all season with the Motorsport UK British championship. Wallace has reached Santa Pod’s last six Pro Mod final rounds, winning four. His only defeats have come in previous combined rounds at the hands of Jan Ericsson. Can Wallace now go one better and take victory ahead of the dominant Swede, or will the British champion-elect’s stellar progress be interrupted early on? With 22 entrants to be squeezed into Sunday’s 16-car eliminations field, qualifying will alone be worth the price of admission.   Overseas entries also compete in the Pro Stock and Top Methanol classes. Top Methanol features Dragsters and Funnies racing together. Supporting them all is a full programme of Sportsman competition.   On two wheels, FIM-Europe competition includes Top Fuel Bikes, SuperTwin Bikes, Pro Stock Bikes and Super Street Bikes. Last time out at Santa Pod in May, Sweden’s Top Fuel Bike champion Rikard Gustafsson twice exceeded 260mph to set a remarkable new European speed record. Similar exceptional performance figures were attained in Super Street Bike when Britain’s race-winner Alan Morrison Jr. topped 230mph.   Alongside the championships, track action includes three spectacular Jet Cars and Graham Sykes’ extraordinary steam-powered ‘rocket’ bike, Force of Nature (yes, powered by steam – boiling water!) which has already clocked sub-7-second, 150mph quarter-mile passes. Away from the track, Santa Pod’s regular programme of family attractions includes Monster Trucks, stunt shows, children’s entertainments, funfair rides and live music.   The European Finals takes place at Santa Pod Raceway, near Wellingborough NN29 7XA, from Thursday 7^th to Sunday 10^th September 2023. Full information can be found at https://santapod.co.uk/european-finals.php and tickets may be booked online at https://santapodtickets.com/ or by telephoning the box office at 01234 782828.  

Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Takes on
Drag Racing’s Biggest Race: NHRA U.S. Nationals

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 30, 2023) – The NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown class that features competition between Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Mustang Cobra Jets and Dodge Mopar Challenger Drag Paks begins their second half of the 2023 season with the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Thirty drivers will be racing for the coveted Wally trophy at the most prestigious drag race in the country starting this Friday. Current Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown points leader Aaron Stanfield is looking to strengthen his 110-point lead with his second win of the season after picking up a victory at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee and No. 1 qualifying position at the season opening Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida.
 
“We have the points lead but there is a lot of racing left,” said Stanfield, who drives the Stanfield Racing Engines Chevy COPO Camaro. “I am looking forward to the U.S. Nationals because it is Indy, you know. I have a lot of confidence in my team and I am getting excited to get back racing in the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series. It will be a busy weekend for sure, but I love racing this class.”

Point leader Aaron Stanfield heads to US Nationals, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

 
Defending event champion and reigning world champion David Barton and his Retail Fixture / Sawmill Auto COPO Camaro enter this weekend’s race looking for a point jump from his No. 11 spot with his first win of the season.
 
“It was pretty cool to get that Indy win last year. There was some really tough competition out there. The icing on the cake was taking out Bill Skillman to collect that bounty and then going around him in the points,” Barton said. “I have to thank my dad, my wife, the whole Barton team, all the guys at the shop. I’m freaking out a little. It’s Indy. I am looking forward to getting back there and seeing what we can do. We have been off for a while and we have been busy in the shop. It will be an exciting weekend for sure.”
 
Also looking forward to getting back to racing in the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown series is Lenny Lottig. Lottig and his ITI Trailers & Truck Bodies COPO have had one of the better performances of the season with back-to-back victories at the Chicago Route 66 Nationals and the Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals where he was also the No. 1. In addition, he secured a second No. 1 qualifying position of the season at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol.
 
“I’m pretty excited about the season so far. We have those two wins, but we also have three first-round losses. So, we’re hoping to get back into the groove and walk away with a win this weekend. Anything is possible, lots of points on the table this weekend with an extra round of racing,” Lottig said. “We’ve done a lot of testing in the summer break. Any power gains we get at this point with this class is like skinning an onion. We’re looking for sustainable power, getting down the track and finishing the weekend. We’ll attack each round just like it’s the finals. Every competitor is as good as anyone else. We can’t take anything for granted. You don’t know what’s going to happen.”

 Two-time Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown winner Lenny Lottig, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

Racing action at the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals in the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown class begins with qualifying Friday at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. and Saturday at 1:40 and 5:30 p.m. Eliminations begin Sunday with first round at 11:40 a.m. and second round at 3:30 p.m. Eliminations continue Monday with round three at 11:50 a.m., semifinals at 2:05 p.m. and finals at 2:35 p.m.
 
About Flexjet
 
If maintaining performance vehicles is your passion – translate those skills into becoming a Flexjet aircraft maintenance technician (AMT). Explore a career with the world-class Flexjet Maintenance group today.
 
Flexjet, Inc., a global leader in subscription-based private aviation, first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing and is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, is the first and only company to be honored with 24 FAA Diamond Awards for Excellence, upholds an ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating, a 4AIR Bronze Sustainable Rating and is IS-BAO compliant at Level 2. Red Label by Flexjet, a market differentiator, which features the most modern fleet in the industry, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and the LXi Cabin Collection of interiors. To date there are more than 40 different interior designs across its fleet, which includes the Embraer Phenom 300 and Praetor 500, Bombardier Challenger 350, the Gulfstream G450 and G650. Flexjet’s European fleet includes the Embraer Praetor 600 and the Gulfstream G650. Flexjet’s helicopter division sells fractional, lease, and on-demand charter access to its fleet of owned, operated and maintained Sikorsky S-76 helicopters which boast 55,000 hours of safe flying certified by Wyvern and ARG/US and serving locations throughout the northeastern United States, United Kingdom, and southern Florida. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies. For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com or follow us on Instagram @FlexjetInc.

The Series battles at Mississippi Thunder Speedway on Sept. 1, and Deer Creek Speedway on Sept. 2

FOUNTAIN CITY, WI – August 26, 2023 – A final trip to Wisconsin and Minnesota awaits the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series, as drivers prepare for a Labor Day weekend doubleheader. 

The weekend kicks off on Friday, Sept. 1, with a return to Mississippi Thunder Speedway for the Milton Hershey School Back to Class Showdown. Then, the Series heads west to the Land of 10,000 lakes for a stop at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, MN for the Labor Day Duel on Saturday, Sept. 2.  

Both Features are 50-laps, paying $20,000-to-win. 

If you can’t make it to the tracks, you can watch every lap of both event live on DIRTVision.   

Here’s a look at the storylines entering Labor Day Weekend: 

A Step Toward History: With 11 races remaining on the 2023 World of Outlaws CASE Late Models schedule, Bobby Pierce has the chance to make history. The Oakwood, IL, who has 10 wins in 2023, is eight wins away from tying Brandon Sheppard and Josh Richards for the most wins in a single season (18). 

The “Smooth Operator” also moved one step closer to his first Series championship after two wins and a ninth at Davenport Speedway last weekend. Pierce extended his lead over Chris Madden to 116 points, entering two tracks he’s been successful at. 

He scored a World of Outlaws victory at last year’s Dairyland Showdown at Mississippi Thunder and won the Gopher 50 earlier this season at Deer Creek. 

A win this weekend would be his 15th career Series win. 

Dairyland Momentum: In May, the World of Outlaws Late Models battled in split-field Features at Mississippi Thunder, with two drivers grabbing valuable momentum. 

Cade Dillard won one of the Features, besting Pierce and Germfree Rookie of the Year contender Nick Hoffman. If he can repeat that success on Friday, it’ll be his fifth career Series victory. 

The other Feature was won by Sheppard, who has momentum after grabbing a $30,000 win at Davenport – his first win of the season and first World of Outlaws win with Sheppard Riggs Racing. 

Along with his split-field win earlier this season, Sheppard found victory lane at Mississippi Thunder in 2021. And like Pierce, he’s been successful at Deer Creek. He won the last time the Series raced at the Minnesota facility in 2019. 

Sheppard enters the weekend third in points, 22 points behind Chris Madden in second. 

Horns Up for Smokey: Chris Madden debuted a new Longhorn Chassis at Davenport over the weekend and had success with a second and fourth on the final two nights of the Quad Cities 150.  

He brings that momentum into two tracks he’s won at before. 

The Gray Court, SC driver won the Dairyland Showdown finale at Mississippi Thunder in 2021, and scored a Series win at Deer Creek in 2017. 

Madden is aiming for his fourth win of 2023, and 37th of his career. He’s two wins away from tying 2011 Series champion Rick Eckert for sixth on the all-time wins list. 

The Battle For 5th: Entering this weekend, Brian Shirley holds the fifth spot in the Series points standings. However, Tanner English, Nick Hoffman and Kyle Bronson are within striking distance. 

After a runner-up finish on Saturday, English is six points behind Shirley, while Hoffman is 28 points behind Shirley, and Bronson is 32 points back. 

Out of that group, Shirley, Hoffman, and Bronson have each scored a World of Outlaws win in the 2023 season. However, English has been knocking on the door with nine podium finishes. 

Bronson and Shirley also had successful weekends at the Quad Cities 150, earning a top-10 finish each night. 

WHEN AND WHERE  

Mississippi Thunder Speedway (3/8-mile) in Fountain City, WI on Sept. 1
Deer Creek Speedway (3/8-mile) in Spring Valley, MN on Sept. 2 

ONLINE    

Mississippi Thunder Speedway: www.mississippithunder.com

Deer Creek Speedway: www.deercreekspeedway.com

TRACK RECORD 

Mississippi Thunder Speedway: 13.441 by Dennis Erb Jr. on 5/5/22 
Deer Creek Speedway: 13.900 by Tim Fuller on 7/3/14

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

Around the Turn: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models return to Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe, OH for a doubleheader weekend Sept. 29-30. 

FEATURE WINNERS: (14 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-10
2. Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-3
   Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-3
3. Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2
   Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-2
4. Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1
   Cory Hedgecock, Loudon, TN-1
   Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
   Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-1
   Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1
   Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL-1
   Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-1
   Ricky Thornton Jr., Martinsville, IN-1
   Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1

HEAT RACE WINNERS (35 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-16
2. Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-14
3. Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-8
4. Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-7
5. Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-6
6. Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-5
   Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-5
7. Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-4
   Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL-4
   Ricky Thornton Jr, Martinsville, IN-4
   Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-4
   Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-4
8. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-3
   Drake Troutman, Hyndman, PA-3
   Tanner English, Benton, KY-3
9. Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2
   Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-2
   Gordy Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-2
   Max Blair, Centerville, PA-2
   Gregg Satterlee, Indiana, PA-2
   Todd Cooney, Des Moines, IA-2
   Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-2
   Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-2
10. Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-1
    Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1
    Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
    Jensen Ford, Johnson City, TN-1
    Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA-1
    Chris Ferguson, Mt. Holly, NC-1
    Mike Norris, Sarver, PA-1
    Doug Drown, Wooster, OH-1
    Ryan Montgomery, Fairmont, WV-1
    Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, NM-1
    Daniel Hilsabeck, Earlham, IA-1
    Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, NC-1
    Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-1

LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (37 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-5
2. Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, NM-3
   Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-3
3. Mark Whitener, Middleburg, FL-2
   Chub Frank, Bear Lake, PA-2
   Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-2
   Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, NM-2
   Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, NC-2
   Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL-2
   Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-2
   Chad Simpson, Mt. Vernon, IA-2
   Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-2
4. Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-1
   Tanner English, Benton, KY-1
   Mike Norris, Sarver, PA-1
   Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-1
   Ricky Thornton, Jr, Martinsville, IN-1
   Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL-1
   Carson Ferguson, Concord, NC-1
   Garrett Smith, Eatonton, GA-1
   Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, NM-1
   Gregg Satterlee, Indiana, PA-1
   Alex Ferree, Saxonburg, PA-1
   Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-1
   Dan Stone, Thompson, PA-1
   Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-1
   Kip Hughes, Enid, OK-1
   Daniel Hilsabeck- Earlham, IA-1
   Tad Pospisil, Norfolk, NE-1
   Donny Schatz, Fargo, ND-1
   Shane Edginton, East St. Paul, MB-1
   Dustin Sorensen, Rochester, MN-1
   James Rice, Verona, KY-1
   Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-1
   Jake Timm, Winona, MN-1
   Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, CA-1
   Dustin Sorensen, Rochester, MN-1
   Dillon McCowan, Urbana, MO-1
   Matt Lux, Franklin, PA-1
   Cody Laney, Torrance, CA-1

PODIUM FINISHES (19 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Podiums

1. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-16
2. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-10
3. Tanner English, Benton, KY-9
4. Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-7
5. Ricky Thornton Jr., Martinsville, IN-6
6. Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-6
   Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-6
7. Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-4
8. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-3
   Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-3
   Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-3
   Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-3
   Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-3
9. Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL-2
   Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-2
10. Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
    Cory Hedgecock, Loudon, TN-1
    Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
    Max Blair, Centerville, PA-1

FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER (14 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.

1. Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-5
   Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-5
2. Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-3
3. Gordy Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-2
   Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL-2
4. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1
   Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1
   Ricky Thornton Jr., Martinsville, IN-1
   Wil Herrington, Hawkinsville, GA-1
   Tanner English, Benton, KY-1
   Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA-1
   Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-1
   Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-1
   Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1
   Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1
   Todd Cooney, Des Moines, IA-1

SIMPSON RACING PRODUCTS QUICK TIMES (14 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs

1. Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-4
   Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-4
   Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-4
2. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-3
3. Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-2
4. Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-1
   Drake Troutman, Hyndman, PA-1
   Jake Timm, Winona, MN-1
   Mike Norris, Sarver, PA-1
   Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1
   Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1
   Kyle Bronson, Brandon FL-1
   Daniel Hilsabeck, Earlham, IA-1
   Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-1
   Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-1
   Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-1
   
   CASE FEATURE LAP LEADERS (23 Drivers)

1. Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-424
2. Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-139
3. Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-134
4. Tanner English, Benton, KY-82
5. Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-77
6. Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-72
7. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-60
8. Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-55
9. Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-45
10. Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-40
11. Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-33
12. Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-29
13. Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-28
14. Ricky Thornton Jr., Martinsville, IN-25
15. Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL-18
16. Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-15
    Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-15
17. Gregg Satterlee, Indiana, PA-14
18. Cory Hedgecock, Loudon, TN-10
19. Ryan Montgomery, Fairmont, WV-6
    Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-6
20. Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-4
21. Gordy Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-1

2023 World of Outlaws Late Model Schedule & Winners

1. Thursday, Jan. 19 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Devin Moran (1)
2. Friday, Jan. 20/ Volusia Speedway Park/ Barberville, FL/ Devin Moran (2)
3. Thursday, Feb. 16/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Bobby Pierce (1)
4. Saturday, Feb. 18/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Hudson O’Neal (1)
5. Thursday, April 20/ 411 Motor Speedway/ Seymour, TN/ Cory Hedgcock (1)
6. Friday, April 21/ Talladega Short Track/ Eastaboga, AL/ Tanner English, Kyle Bronson/Brandon Overton*
7. Saturday, April 22/ Talladega Short Track/ Eastaboga, AL/ Brandon Overton (1)
8. Thursday, May 4/Mississippi Thunder Speedway/Fountain City, WI/Brandon Sheppard, Cade Dillard*
9. Friday, May 19/Marion Center Raceway/Marion Center, PA/Ryan Gustin(1)
10. Tuesday, May 23/ Stateline Speedway/Busti, NY/ Nick Hoffman (1)
11. Thursday, May 25/ Sharon Speedway/ Hartford, OH/Chris Madden (1)
12. Friday, May 26/Sharon Speedway/Hartford, OH/Ryan Gustin (2)
13. Saturday, May 27/Sharon Speedway/Hartford, OH/Chris Madden (2)
14. Thursday, June 1/ Farmer City Raceway/Farmer City, IL/Bobby Pierce (2)
15. Friday, June 2/ Tri-City Speedway/Granite City, IL/Kyle Bronson (1)
16. Saturday, June 3/ Paducah International Raceway/Paducah, KY/Brian Shirley (1)
17. Friday, June 23/81 Speedway/Wichita, KS/ Brandon Sheppard, Bobby Pierce*
18. Saturday, June 24/81 Speedway/ Wichita, KS/ Dennis Erb Jr. (1)
19. Sunday, June 25/ Off Road Speedway/ Norfolk, NE/ Bobby Pierce (3)
20. Tuesday, June 27/ Mason City Motor Speedway/Mason City, IA/ Bobby Pierce (4)
21. Thursday, June 29/ Red River Valley Speedway/West Fargo, ND/ Mike Marlar (1)
22. Friday, June 30/ River Cities Speedway/Grand Forks, ND/ Ryan Gustin (3)
23. Saturday, July 1/ I-94 emr Speedway/ Fergus Falls, MN/ Bobby Pierce (5)
24. Friday, July 14/ Ponderosa Speedway/ Junction City, KY/ Mike Marlar (2)
25. Saturday, July 29/ Fairbury Speedway/ Fairbury, IL/ Ricky Thornton Jr. (1)
26. Tuesday, Aug. 1/Boone Speedway/Boone, IA/Bobby Pierce (6)
27. Thursday, Aug. 3/Cedar Lake Speedway, New Richmond, WI/Bobby Pierce (7)
28. Friday, Aug. 4/Cedar Lake Speedway/ New Richmond, WI/Chris Madden (3)
29. Saturday, Aug. 5/Cedar Lake Speedway/New Richmond, WI/Bobby Pierce (8)
30. Thursday, Aug. 24, Davenport Speedway/ Davenport, IA/Bobby Pierce (9)
31. Friday, Aug. 25, Davenport Speedway/Davenport, IA/Bobby Pierce (10)
32. Saturday, Aug. 26, Davenport Speedway/Davenport, IA/Brandon Sheppard (1)

Three nights at Skagit with a $26,000-to-win finale and a Monday trip to Grays Harbor kick off three-week visit to the left coastBURLINGTON, WA (August 29, 2023) – Washington is calling, and the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are here to answer for a new west coast adventure. A nearly 1,500-mile journey will take The Greatest Show on Dirt to Burlington, WA where Skagit Speedway awaits to host the Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals. The three-night tilt (Aug. 31-Sept. 2) concludes with a $26,000-to-win finale. The overall purse over the trio of races at Skagit exceeds $180,000. Then, after a day off on Sunday, the tour travels to Elma, WA’s Grays Harbor Raceway for a Monday night battle on Sept. 4.The four races in five nights signal the start of a three-week stay on the left coast with California waiting to host the nation’s top drivers over the following two weekends. With the ongoing championship battle that has Brad Sweet 56 markers ahead of Carson Macedo, many drivers expected to make their season debut, and major money on the line, the 2023 west coast swing guarantees to deliver plenty of excitement beginning this week in Washington.BUY SKAGIT TICKETSBUY GRAYS HARBOR TICKETSLet’s look at some of the weekend’s top storylines:SHARK ATTACK: Fittingly, as the World of Outlaws head toward the ocean Shark Racing is carrying most the momentum thanks to Logan Schuchart. The Hanover, PA native is fresh off sweeping the weekend in North Dakota for wins four and five of 2023 – hitting 40 wins overall in his career.All signs point toward the speed continuing as Schuchart owns an impressive Skagit résumé. Bobby Allen’s grandson is a three-time winner at the Burlington ova,l including claiming the 2019 Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals title. A fourth win this week would equal him with Donny Schatz as the winningest driver in Series history at Skagit.While Schuchart hasn’t been quite as consistent at Grays Harbor, he did make a 2021 trip to Victory Lane.COAST-TO-COAST: You can’t get much farther apart geographically than Connecticut and Washington, but that hasn’t stopped Watertown, CT native David Gravel from excelling in the Pacific Northwest state.Like Schuchart, he’s a three-time Skagit victor hoping to equal Schatz’s record tally of triumphs. Gravel and his Big Game Motorsports #2 crew are also the defending Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals champions. The 31-year-old hasn’t finished worse than ninth in his last 14 starts at Skagit.Over at Grays Harbor, Gravel is yet to win but he carries a streak of six consecutive top fives there including a trio of podiums highlighted by a runner-up last year.HOME TURF: Neither Robbie Price or Tanner Holmes hail from Washington, but Skagit and Grays Harbor are a pair of tracks that they cut their teeth at while making a name for themselves.Price came from Cobble Hill, BC, Canada. Skagit is home to perhaps Price’s biggest career win when he topped the 2019 Dirt Cup. Last year, he posted a top five with the World of Outlaws on the final night of the Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals. Holmes grew up a state south of Washington in Oregon. The 19-year-old posted a trio of Skagit top fives at this year’s Dirt Cup including a runner-up on the second prelim. The week prior to Dirt Cup, Holmes podiumed with the Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC) at Grays Harbor. Holmes will return to his home region as the driver of the Shark Racing #1T on the World of Outlaws tour.PNW FTW?: The Pacific Northwest has produced its fair share of notable Sprint Car names, and some of the region’s current best intend to test their talents against the best this weekend.The local that consistently stands out best suited to battle with The Greatest Show on Dirt is Trey Starks. Over the last year and a half, the Puyallup, WA native has won a combined 17 times at the two facilities ahead on the calendar – 12 at Skagit and five at Grays Harbor. Starks continues to chase what would be a popular first Series win in front of an admiring home crowd.Former full-time World of Outlaws competitor – Jason Solwold – spends much of his time behind the wheel in his homeland of the Northwest these days. The Burlington, WA native owns three career Series victories, the most recent of which came at Skagit in 2008. One of the region’s rising stars is Arlington, WA’s Jesse Schlotfeldt. He topped Skagit’s season opener this year in 360 Sprint Car competition. With the 410 under the hood, he’s finished in the top five four times including a May 27 podium.HEADIN’ NORTH: In addition to Washington’s strong crop of locals, the Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals and Grays Harbor Raceway are expected to attract some of California’s top talent as some plan to make the long trip northbound on I-5.Back in June, Skagit was the site of Justin Sanders’ biggest career win. The Aromas, CA native led every lap of NARC’s Super Dirt Cup and banked $82,000 in the process. He’s been in the Midwest recently behind the wheel of the Macri Motorsports #39M, but he’ll climb back aboard the Mittry Racing #2X, the ride he won Dirt Cup in, to begin the west coast swing at Skagit.Another former Dirt Cup champ from “The Golden State” – Dominic Scelzi – will tow the Scelzi Motorsports #41 up from California’s central valley. “The Dominator” nearly swept the 2019 Dirt Cup with one runner-up and a pair of wins, and he topped Skagit’s Summer Nationals back in July.Corey Day and the Jason Meyers Racing team are also expected to make the haul up to Skagit. The Clovis, CA phenom claimed both prelims of Dirt Cup earlier this year before capping it with a third-place effort in the finale. Day also won at Grays Harbor with NARC earlier this year.If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action live on DIRTVision.THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCEWHEN AND WHEREThursday-Saturday, August 31-September 2 at Skagit Speedway in Burlington, WAMonday, September 4 at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, WAON THE INTERNETWorld of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Twitter – @WorldofOutlaws Instagram – @WoOSprint Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/monthCURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (52/75 Races):1. 49 – Brad Sweet (6938PTS) 2. 41 – Carson Macedo (-56PTS) 3. 2 – David Gravel (-66PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-268PTS) 5. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-322PTS) 6. 15 – Donny Schatz (-346PTS) 7. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-400PTS) 8. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-528PTS) 9. 3Z – Brock Zearfoss (-908PTS) 10. 7S – Robbie Price (-1322PTS)NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (13 Drivers):10 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2)6 wins – Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49), James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83), Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41)5 wins – Logan Schuchart (Shark Racing #1S)4 wins – Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24), Kyle Larson (Silva Motorsports #57)3 wins – Donny Schatz (Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15)2 wins –Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17)1 win – Buddy Kofoid (CMS Racing #11), Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports #21), Anthony Macri (Macri Motorsports #39), Brian Brown (Brian Brown Racing #21), Gio Scelzi (KCP Racing #18), Spencer Bayston (CJB Motorsports #5)FEATURE LAPS LED (19 Drivers):221 laps – Brad Sweet202 laps – James McFadden195 laps – Carson Macedo193 laps – David Gravel174 laps – Rico Abreu143 laps – Logan Schuchart118 laps – Kyle Larson107 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild102 laps – Donny Schatz93 laps – Buddy Kofoid43 laps – Brent Marks40 laps – Spencer Bayston39 laps – Gio Scelzi24 laps – Brian Brown11 laps – Anthony Macri10 laps – Cory Eliason4 laps – Cole Macedo3 laps – Brady Bacon, Danny Varin1 lap – Austin McCarlSIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (17 Drivers):13 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo9 QuickTimes – David Gravel5 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart3 QuickTimes – Sheldon Haudenschild2 QuickTimes – Anthony Macri, Rico Abreu, Bill Balog, Justin Peck, Gio Scelzi, Brad Sweet1 QuickTime – Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Buddy Kofoid, James McFadden, Jacob Allen, Kyle Larson, Tanner HolmesHEAT RACE WINNERS (39 Drivers):25 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo22 Heat Wins – David Gravel14 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet12 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz11 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild10 Heat Wins – Gio Scelzi, Logan Schuchart, James McFadden, Buddy Kofoid6 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu5 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen, Spencer Bayston4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks, Justin Peck, Cory Eliason3 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, Brian Brown, Bill Balog, Parker Price-Miller2 Heat Wins – Brock Zearfoss, Noah Gass, Kerry Madsen, Robbie Price, Tim Kaeding, Sam Hafertepe Jr.1 Heat Win – Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Mark Dobmeier, Kasey Kahne, Austin McCarl, Lachlan McHugh, Ryan Timms, Tim Estenson, Kyle Larson, Shane Stewart, Lance Dewease, Cole Macedo, Chase Randall, Ian MadsenTOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (42 Drivers):35 Dashes – Carson Macedo34 Dashes – David Gravel31 Dashes – Brad Sweet25 Dashes – Logan Schuchart23 Dashes – Gio Scelzi19 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild, Donny Schatz18 Dashes – James McFadden15 Dashes – Rico Abreu14 Dashes – Spencer Bayston12 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid8 Dashes – Jacob Allen, Brent Marks, Cory Eliason, Brock Zearfoss5 Dashes – Anthony Macri, Justin Peck, Robbie Price4 Dashes – Brian Brown3 Dashes – Danny Dietrich, Parker Price-Miller, Tyler Courtney, Kyle Larson, Kasey Kahne2 Dashes – Garet Williamson, Austin McCarl, Bill Balog, Cole Macedo1 Dash – Freddie Rahmer, Devon Borden, Aaron Reutzel, Brady Bacon, Chad Trout, Dylan Norris, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Shane Stewart, Danny Varin, Tanner Holmes, Justin Sanders, Ian MadsenMICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (32 Drivers):4 LCS Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Spencer Bayston2 LCS Wins – Robbie Price, Parker Price-Miller, Noah Gass, Logan Schuchart, Carson Macedo, Brock Zearfoss, Tim Estenson1 LCS Win – Gio Scelzi, Hunter Schuerenberg, James McFadden, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Timms, Ayrton Gennetten, Kraig Kinser, Freddie Rahmer, Henry Malcuit, Cole Macedo, Aaron Reutzel, Kerry Madsen, Sye Lynch, Cory Eliason, Donny Schatz, Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu, Jacob Allen, Daryn Pittman, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Jamie Veal, Kaleb Johnson, Lachlan McHugh, Tanner HolmesKSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (35 Drivers):4 Hard Chargers – Sheldon Haudenschild3 Hard Chargers – Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, James McFadden, Logan Schuchart, Rico Abreu, Brock Zearfoss2 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz, Danny Dietrich, Justin Peck, David Gravel, Spencer Bayston1 Hard Charger – Gio Scelzi, Robbie Price, Blake Hahn, Buddy Kofoid, Joe B. Miller, Kyle Larson, Hunter Schuerenberg, Kyle Moody, Freddie Rahmer, Skylar Gee, Cole Duncan, Austin Pierce, Brenham Crouch, Tim Kaeding, Jacob Allen, Caden Englehart, Zeb Wise, Carson Macedo, Dale Blaney, Corey Day, Tasker Phillips, Brent Marks, Kaleb Johnson, Tanner HolmesPODIUM FINISHES (23 Drivers):26 Podiums – David Gravel22 Podiums – Brad Sweet16 Podiums – Carson Macedo12 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart11 Podiums – Rico Abreu8 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild7 Podiums – James McFadden, Buddy Kofoid6 Podiums – Kyle Larson5 Podiums – Brent Marks4 Podiums – Spencer Bayston, Gio Scelzi3 Podiums – Brian Brown, Jacob Allen1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Parker Price-Miller, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri, Garet Williamson, Dave Blaney, Tanner HolmesTOP 10 FINISHES (56 Drivers):46 Top 10s – Carson Macedo, Brad Sweet43 Top 10s – David Gravel37 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart, Gio Scelzi34 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild32 Top 10s – Spencer Bayston31 Top 10s – Donny Schatz30 Top 10s – James McFadden24 Top 10s – Rico Abreu21 Top 10s – Buddy Kofoid14 Top 10s – Jacob Allen11 Top 10s – Justin Peck, Brent Marks9 Top 10s – Cory Eliason8 Top 10s – Kyle Larson7 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney, Brock Zearfoss, Kasey Kahne6 Top 10s – Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich3 Top 10s – Anthony Macri, Bill Balog, Tanner Holmes, Justin Sanders2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Blake Hahn, Brady Bacon, Parker Price-Miller, Robbie Price, Zeb Wise, Freddie Rahmer, Cole Macedo, Tim Kaeding1 Top 10 – Devon Borden, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Joe B. Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg, Brandon Rahmer, Chad Trout, Lance Dewease, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Skylar Gee, Cole Duncan, Austin McCarl, Garet Williamson, Chase Randall, Shane Stewart, Dave Blaney, Larry Wight, Dale Blaney, Noah Gass, Rusty Hickman, Corey Day, Kerry Madsen2023 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)1. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)2. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (2)3. Sat, Feb 11* / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / James McFadden (1)4. Sun, March 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1)5. Mon, March 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (3)6. Sat, March 18 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Rico Abreu (1)7. Fri, March 24 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Buddy Kofoid (1)8. Sat, March 25 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Brad Sweet (1)9. Fri, March 31 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / Brad Sweet (2)10. Sat, April 1 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / James McFadden (2)11. Fri, April 7 / U.S. 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)12. Sat, April 8 / 81 Speedway / Wichita, KS / Rico Abreu (2)13. Fri, April 14 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (3)14. Fri, April 28 / Tri-City Speedway / Granite City, IL / David Gravel (4)15. Sat, April 29 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Brady Bacon (1)16. Fri, May 5 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (1)17. Sat, May 6 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (3)18. Wed, May 10 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Anthony Macri (1)19. Fri, May 12 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brad Sweet (4)20. Fri, May 19 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Donny Schatz (1)21. Sat, May 20 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Donny Schatz (2)22. Fri, May 26 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Brad Sweet (5)23. Sat, May 27 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Carson Macedo (2)24. Mon, May 29 / Lawrenceburg Speedway / Lawrenceburg, IN / James McFadden (3)25. Fri, June 2 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / David Gravel (5)26. Sat, June 3 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Carson Macedo (3)27. Fri, June 9 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brian Brown (1)28. Sat, June 10 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (6)29. Fri, June 16 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Gio Scelzi (1)30. Sat, June 17 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)31. Wed, June 21 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Kyle Larson (1)32. Thurs, June 22 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / James McFadden (4)33. Fri, June 23 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Logan Schuchart (2)34. Sat, June 24 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (7)35. Fri, June 30 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Brad Sweet (6)36. Sat, July 1 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / David Gravel (8)37. Sat, July 8 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Carson Macedo (4)38. Tues, July 11 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Kyle Larson (2)39. Fri, July 14 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Carson Macedo (5)40. Sat, July 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Donny Schatz (3)41. Thurs, July 20 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA / David Gravel (9)42. Fri, July 21 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Logan Schuchart (3)43. Sat, July 22 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Rico Abreu (4)44. Sun, July 30 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (10)45. Fri, Aug 4 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Spencer Bayston (1)46. Sat, Aug 5 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Kyle Larson (3)47. Sat, Aug 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson (4)48. Thurs, Aug 17 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / James McFadden (5)49. Fri, Aug 18 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / James McFadden (6)50. Sat, Aug 19 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (6)51. Fri, Aug 25 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Logan Schuchart (4)52. Sat, Aug 26 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Logan Schuchart (5)

OCALA, FL (August 29, 2023) — Josh Hart will be racing the red, white and blue TechNet Top Fuel dragster at the Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals when the biggest drag race of the year gets underway August 31 – September 4, from Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. For the third year in a row, Hart will also be kicking off the Brakes for Breasts charity campaign aligned with his primary sponsor TechNet Professional, an elite network of automotive repair shops across North America. During the 69th annual U.S. Nationals Hart, who is currently tenth in the Top Fuel point standing, will begin raising funds for Brakes for Breasts and breast cancer research at the Burnyzz automotive repair and restoration shop in Ocala, Fla., which he and his wife Brittanie own.

 
“I am very proud to be associated with TechNet and the Brakes for Breasts program,” said Hart, a three-time U.S. Nationals winner in Top Alcohol Dragster category. “This program does an amazing job of raising donations for breast cancer research and engaging the thousands of TechNet shops and their customers. I can’t wait to get this TechNet Top Fuel dragster on the track and into the winner’s circle.”
 
Part of the Advance Auto Parts portfolio of brands, TechNet Professional Automotive Service features a network of more than 16,000 repair shops across the U.S. and Canada. TechNet shops are locally owned and focused on delivering exceptional customer care and service. Shops that are part of TechNet Nation employ highly skilled and trained staff while also using quality parts from Carquest, DieHard® batteries and other leading brands. Shops also participate in important charitable initiatives in the communities they serve, such as Brakes for Breasts.
 
“Josh has been an outstanding ambassador of our TechNet brand for several years, and we’re excited to once again feature TechNet on his car as we kick off our Brakes for Breasts fundraising campaign,” said Lauren Beaulieu, Advance’s vice president of professional marketing. “This partnership with Josh and his team is a valuable opportunity to share with race fans how they can support critical research efforts toward finding a cure for breast cancer by donating at their local TechNet shop or online.”
 
On Friday in advance of the U.S. Nationals, Hart will make a special appearance at Apex Automotive in Greenwood, Indiana, to promote his TechNet Top Fuel dragster as well as the Brakes for Breasts program.
 
Hart hopes his efforts with the TechNet Top Fuel dragster and the additional social and media promotion about the Brakes for Breasts program will help raise awareness for the 1 in 8 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. All the funds raised will go towards the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund.
 

OCALA, FL (August 29, 2023) — Josh Hart knows what it feels like to win the biggest drag race in the world. In fact, the team owner and driver from Ocala, Florida, has experienced the rare three-peat at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park capturing the U.S. Nationals Top Alcohol Dragster championship three years in a row from 2017-2019. In 2021 Hart made the jump to Top Fuel on a limited schedule before going all in for every Camping World Drag Racing Series event last year. It has been a wild ride for the unassuming Top Fuel professional who will be flying the red, white, and blue colors of TechNet this weekend in Indianapolis.   “I love racing the U.S. Nationals and I have a lot of great memories of seeing a lot of win light in my Top Alcohol Dragster,” said Hart, who also receives primary sponsorship support from R+L Carriers. “I want to make some new memories with Top Fuel win lights this year. We have done OK at Indy the past two years, but I feel like we are right on the edge of going on a really nice run. Getting a win at the Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals would be a great place to start.”   Last year Hart qualified No. 8 and beat Doug Foley in the first round before losing to Brittany Force in the quarterfinals. In 2021 he had his best qualifying effort, starting race day as the No. 4 qualifier and he took out Buddy Hull and Leah Pruett before dropping a close semifinal race to Force. This season Hart and his TechNet/R+L Carriers team have had a very quick and consistent car they have just come up on the wrong side of some very close races.   “This sport is very humbling,” said Hart. “You can be at the top of the world and then 3.7 seconds later you are loading up your race car and thinking about getting to the airport. I am blessed to be able to do this thanks to R+L Carriers and TechNet but I want to keep pressing to get better. It has been a while since we have stood in a winner’s circle and I would like to get that feeling back in Indy.”   Hart opened the season winning the Pep Boys Top Fuel Allstar Callout race and in May Hart raced to the final round at the Gerber Collision & Glass Rt. 66 Nationals. He has raced to three more semifinals including a great run at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals to wrap up the Western Swing.   “We have had a race car that can go rounds and we have lost a handful of races to the drivers that go on and win the races,” said Hart. “I am ready to get those close wins. We came out strong in 2021 and then we invested in our program in 2022 and have made strides this season. I have to keep reminding myself we are still a relatively young independent team.”   For Hart the challenge to being successful is something he believes he can accomplish. He wants to put himself in a position to compete at the highest level against the toughest opponents. His team culture led by crew chief Ron Douglas is a no-nonsense serious approach that also has a family friendly vibe. Throughout the weekend hospitality guests can be seen enjoying conversations with crew members while Hart’s two children Londyn and Banks are taking in all the sights and sounds.   “R+L Carriers is a family-owned business and so are we,” said Hart. “These crew guys are busting their tails to get us across the country and we want to have fun. When it is time to work, we get after it, but I also want to see a lot of smiles on our faces. We have a really good balance here and heading into the U.S. Nationals we want to have fun and win this race.   Hart and the TechNet Top Fuel team will be on track on Friday night at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Motorsports Park at 7:00 p.m. for their first qualifying run. He will have four more runs, two each on Saturday and Sunday, to grab one of the 16 spots in the race day field. Final eliminations will begin at 11:00 a.m. ET on Monday with the race being broadcast on FS1 and FOX throughout the day.

CHICAGO, IL (August 29, 2023) — For TJ Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster team, the Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals is business as usual. The second-generation driver, who raced to the Top Fuel final round in 2020 at the famed Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, is confident that he has the skills and the car to get the job done.   “We are coming into this race with several wins already under our belt this season, including rounds in Indy,” said Zizzo, who is a resident of Chicago. “Every time we are on the track, our goal is to qualify to the best of our ability based on the conditions. From there, we go out on race day ready to have fun and win rounds.” TJ Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster, photo by Auto Imagery  Zizzo’s confidence derives from his team’s strong debut this season, despite being out of the competition since 2021. At Zizzo’s hometown race, the Gerber Collision & Glass Rt. 66 Nationals, he raced into the field as the No. 16 qualifier and upset the No. 1 qualifier in the opening round, having run his personal best elapsed time of 3.712 seconds at 329.99 mph. Zizzo also defeated his second round opponent before bowing out in the semifinals.   “Our success is attributed to our new equipment and the fact that our Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster is running some of the best parts its ever had,” said Zizzo. “Driven by the exceptional leadership of Mike Kern, our team works our tails off at the shop every chance we get, even when we aren’t actively racing.”   The new race car joining Zizzo’s fleet is a courtesy of Don Schumacher, NHRA Hall of Fame driver and team owner. Prior to this addition, Zizzo and his team were limited by their budget, repurposing quality parts to prepare for competitions against better-funded teams. Although they managed to make a commendable effort and saw flashes of success, the team has elevated their game with the updated Top Fuel dragster.   “After competing in St. Louis in 2021, we knew we had to make a change in order to keep up with the best in the sport,” said Zizzo. “We put in our best effort with our older equipment and car, but Don’s offer to build a new car was the necessary catalyst to take our team to the next level.” TJ Zizzo, driver of the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster, photo by Auto Imagery  Despite the new equipment in his team’s arsenal, it was not easy for Zizzo to recommit to racing. As the owner and operator of a thriving auto body and paint business outside of Chicago, he had maintained a quality team of crew members, but needed to invest in building a race team. With the support of his family, his team and long-time partners, particularly Rust-Oleum, Zizzo and his team crafted a race crew that maximizes their overall competitiveness.   “Our team’s dedication and positivity is constant, no matter the obstacles we face,” said Zizzo. “Beyond our team, we are supported by incredible partners who understand what we are all about. I am thrilled to be back on the track and look forward to continued success this season.”   Zizzo will return to the track for Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals from August 30 to September 4. His team will participate in five qualifying sessions starting on Friday night. The contested race on Monday will be broadcasted nationally on FS1 and FOX.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 29, 2023) – It all comes down to this. One of most competitive and engaging championship battles in the history of Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, has been waged over 16 rounds with its two leading protagonists producing a combined 28 podiums and 13 wins. And yet, with just the series’ crown jewel event – the Mission Springfield Mile I & II presented by Drag Specialties – remaining to determine the victor, the separation at the top is a single point. While 2023 has witnessed two of the greatest single-season performances in the 70-year history of the Grand National Championship, only one rider will be crowned the Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle champion this Labor Day weekend when the season wraps up with a decisive doubleheader at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois, on Saturday September 2, and Sunday, September 3. This year’s title fight has it all. The #1 plate has been vigorously defended by one of the most decorated riders of all time in Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750), who is looking to add to his slam dunk Hall of Fame résumé. By contrast, an incredible campaign has been mounted by one of the most promising riders to emerge in decades, Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), who is in contention to secure the first of what could one day prove to be multiple premier-class championships. The championship fight is equally compelling from team and equipment standpoints with the factory Indian Motorcycle squad and its purpose-built FTR750 racer in position to earn a seventh consecutive title. Meanwhile, Estenson Racing is aiming to deliver Yamaha its first undivided Grand National Championship in nearly half a century with its production-based MT-07 DT. Another feature this showdown boasts in no short supply is a list of potential spoilers, anyone of whom could tip the balance in either direction. That possibility is only magnified by the venue, which tends to produce extremely close and unpredictable racing; In the most recent ten Springfield Miles, eight have been decided by less than a second. Of those eight, six have featured at least three riders within a second of victory, four with four or more, two with seven or more, and one with a full ten racers taking the checkered flag within a second of the winner. Spearheading the spoilers are two-time Grand National Champion Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 790 Duke) and two-time Springfield Mile winner Brandon Robinson(No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750). And like Bauman and Robinson, JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) have each stood upon a Mile podium at least once in the past two seasons and rank inside this season’s championship top six. Seventh-ranked Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Wally Brown Racing/JMC Racing KTM 790 Duke) and eighth-ranked Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing/2 Wheelz KTM 790 Duke) also merit special attention. Due to an injury suffered by Jesse Janisch, Vanderkooi will compete aboard the WBR KTM Duke that debuted with a podium on a Mile a season ago. Meanwhile, the younger Bauman has previously finished on the podium at the Springfield Mile, coming within 0.149 seconds of victory in the aforementioned epic 2019 contest in which ten riders were still in contention for the win as they exited the final corner. Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER Reigning class champion Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) enters this weekend’s finale in a commanding position and the heavy favorite to successfully defend his Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER crown. Kopp boasts a 35-points advantage built upon seven race wins with just 50 points left in play. That puts him within striking distance of not only joining Dallas Daniels as just the second rider to claim back-to-back titles in the class, but both match and surpass Daniels’ single-season wins record with a weekend sweep. Kopp has already eliminated the title hopes of all his challengers save the Estenson Racing duo of Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha). While Brunner and Drane would need plenty of skill and luck to catch the leader, they also need to remain cognizant of how the standings stack up behind them. Six riders are still in the mix for championship runner-up honors, with Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F), Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), and Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) also maintaining at least mathematical possibilities of finishing second overall. Among that grouping, Drane and Lowe split the wins in the season’s prior three Miles. Meanwhile, Saathoff finished second twice and third once, while Whale, Gauthier, and Brunner racked up a combined four top fives. Several other gifted pilots will look to end their seasons on a high note, including regular frontrunners Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450) and James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450). There will be plenty to keep fans entertained at the track, including the Kids Zone, a CAT heavy equipment simulator, expansive food and beverage options, and free motorcycle parking. And following Saturday’s Main Events, fans are invited to attend the Springfield Mile Post-Race Party presents by Progressive featuring the high-energy live music of the Brandy Kristin Band. Angela Savage will serve as the weekend’s Grand Marshal. Savage is the daughter of the late David “Swede” Savage, a former Grand National Championship competitor who lost his life 50 years ago in a crash suffered while battling for the lead in the 1973 Indy 500. General Admission Bleacher tickets are just $30 (kids 12 and under free), and there are a variety of upgraded ticket options to select from, including the VIP Ticket, which includes a reserved seat in the grandstand of choice, food, beverage, and pit pass for $150. Pit Pass Upgrades are also available for purchase for non-VIP tickets, which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport. Fans who purchase Saturday and Sunday tickets will receive a $5 discount at checkout. To reserve your tickets today, visit: Mission Springfield Mile I: https://www.tixr.com/groups/meespromotions/events/springfield-mile-i-61209Mission Springfield Mile II: https://www.tixr.com/groups/meespromotions/events/springfield-mile-ii-61313 Gates will open for fans at 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT) both days with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. ET (11:30 a.m. PT). For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv. FOX Sports coverage of Mission Springfield Mile I & II presented by Drag Specialties featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere back-to-back on FS1 on Sunday, September 10, starting at 10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT).

Dynamic Online Drag Racing Bracket
Competition Launched for Fans at U.S. Nationals

DALLAS (August 29, 2023) — The excitement and madness of predicting who will win the U.S. Nationals is being placed into the hands and keyboards of NHRA fans starting this weekend with the launch of Drag Race Bracket Bonanza (DRBB), the first dynamic bracket competition for drag racing fans. When the fields are set on Sunday night for the 69th U.S. Nationals fans can head to the Drag Race Bracket Bonanza website on either their phone or laptop and make their picks round by round for all four professional classes. Points will be earned with every correct pick until there is one overall event winner at the conclusion of the race on Monday. Category winners for Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will also be recognized.
 
“This was an idea I have been thinking about and talking to people within the sport for a couple years. Drag Racing has the excitement and drama of the college men’s basketball tournament every national event and we should be capitalizing on that excitement to give our fans more chances to root for their favorite drivers,” said Elon Werner, Creator of Drag Race Bracket Bonanza and Founder of Werner Communications. “My goal is for Drag Racing fans to fill out their brackets and encourage their non-drag racing friends to try their luck. Drag Racing is unpredictable and the excitement of seeing your favorite driver win rounds should be recognized and celebrated.”

DRBB has been in development since before the 2023 Western Swing and over the past five races a group of beta testers have been playing DRBB and working out a variety of issues unique to Drag Racing and dynamic gameplay. Fans will be able to fill out their brackets on Saturday night when the fields are set and the window will remain open until the engines are fired in the first pair of Top Fuel dragsters to start the first round of eliminations on Sunday or, in the case of the U.S. Nationals, on Monday.   After every round, drivers will advance and points will be allocated to each participant until there are four winners crowned at the end of the race. Participants will earn points race-by-race with a chance for one person to be crowned overall Countdown Drag Race Bracket Bonanza champion.
 
“My goal is to have people get excited about following and participating in the national events beyond just watching them on TV or following on social media,” said Werner. “Drag Race Bracket Bonanza is designed to give fans bragging rights and get them involved in the races like never before. I also want to give casual fans a way to follow the races and our drivers. This will be a work in progress, and we will be improving the site every race. There are so many elements we had planned to add but I just felt now was the time to get something going instead of just talking about an idea.”
 
Beyond the U.S. Nationals, Drag Race Bracket Bonanza will continue with the Reading Nationals, the Carolina Nationals, the Midwest Nationals, the Texas Fall Nationals, the Nevada Nationals, and the World Finals in Pomona. Fans will be able to fill out their brackets on Saturday night when the fields are set, until the first pair of Top Fuel dragsters start before the first round of eliminations on Sunday. After every round drivers will advance and points will be allocated to each participant until there are four winners crowned at the end of the race. Participants will earn points race by race as well as the chance for one person to be crowned overall Countdown Drag Race Bracket Bonanza champion.

CHICAGO (August 28, 2023) — The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway was a tough outing for Funny Car team owner and driver Chris King and his Howards Cams/Competition Parts Dodge Funny Car team. During the two days of qualifying the team severely damaged a motor battling to make the 16-car field. The team had plans to race in the 69th Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park this weekend but the start-up team ran out of time to get their equipment in race ready shape for the biggest drag race of the season. King will be attending the race and fulfilling his sponsor and fan event obligations but will not be racing.

 
“It is just so disappointing to not be able to race at the U.S. Nationals,” said King, who qualified No. 14 earlier this season at the Mile-High Nationals. “We were making strides on the performance side at Denver and Topeka, but Brainerd really set us back. My whole goal this year, which I didn’t talk about too much, was to get our program competitive so we could maybe make an impact at Indy and get the attention of more sponsors. That isn’t going to happen on the track, so I am going to go and do all the fan events I committed to and make the most of a bad situation.”
 
King will be one of many drivers attending the Cruz Pedregon Open House and Car Show (462 Southpoint Circle, Brownsburg, IN) on Thursday, August 30 at 7 p.m. ET for a free driver and celebrity autograph session. The event starts at 5:30 p.m.  and drivers will start signing at 7:00 p.m.  On Friday King will also be signing at the DSR Performance Block Party (1681 E. Northfield Drive, Brownsburg, IN) benefiting Riley Children’s Hospital at noon ET. The Funny Car driver and team owner has several other private events on his schedule and will be at the race as well.

Chris King and Howards Cams/Competition Products Dodge Funny Car, photos by Innovation Creative Experts

 
“I made some commitments to meet with the fans and I definitely want to honor those promises,” said King. “You always want to be racing but Indy is a huge event for the fans and the sport so if I can still be a part of it, I don’t want to miss that chance. I am evaluating what my team’s next move is. Right now the focus is getting all the pieces in place to continue to chase this dream. I am not going to give up.”
 
King raced three races in 2021 and took 2022 off to build his program and look for a road map to success on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. This season the fireman and professional driver has competed in four NHRA national events including Chicago and Denver, Topeka (KS), and Brainerd. The goal all season was to qualify and build up data for an enhanced schedule in 2024.
 

DALLAS (August 28, 2023) — The 69th Dodge power Brokers U.S. Nationals, August 31-September 4, will have a prize purse of $2 million, hundreds and hundreds of competitors from all over the globe and one passionate, high-energy HULL’K themed Top Fuel dragster driven by Dallas entrepreneur Buddy Hull. The businessman from Texas has turned his Methanol Moonshine/Renegade Race Fuels 11,000-horsepower land rocket into an eye-catching homage to one of the biggest superheroes in the known universe. The idea came to Hull as an effort to attract young kids and bring more casual fans into the sport.

 
“I just love doing cool things and trying to introduce new people to NHRA drag racing,” said Hull. “We are going to run this design a couple races and hopefully have some fun and put some smiles on some faces. I can’t thank all my sponsors for supporting this idea. Indy is the biggest race of the year and we wanted to make a bit of a splash.”
 
Hull has been working on growing his program since the 2021 season and every year the third generation drag racer had made progress. The biggest leap he took was adding veteran crew chief Mike Guger to his program at the beginning of this season. With Guger’s wealth of experience and keen eye Hull’s operation has been steadily improving and this weekend he feels as confident as ever that the team could turn a corner with improved performance and success on race day.
 
“We got off to a rough start at the beginning of the season and had to sort a few things out,” said Hull. “In Topeka we made some really good runs and most importantly we didn’t hurt anything. These race cars can do a lot of internal damage to themselves because we run them right on the ragged edge. Mike has a great handle on how hard he can push to get great times. With five qualifying runs we are planning on making the most of the weekend and get into the show for Monday.”

 Mike Guger (far left) talks with Buddy Hull (far right) about tune-up prior to run, photo by Ron Lewis Photography

In addition to the season long sponsors backing Hull his marketing team has put together a handful of regional deals for the U.S. Nationals. This weekend the team is getting support from Fletcher Chrysler, Rush on Main, and Green Street Pub. The team will be supporting each of these businesses with decals on the race car, social media promotion and additional appearances throughout the weekend. They will also be included in the team’s PA script that is used over the weekend.
 
“We have sponsors that want national and regional exposure, but I think it is important to also reach out to the local companies and give them a chance to participate,” said Hull, who owns several businesses. “These small companies get the same treatment and opportunities at the U.S. Nationals and we appreciate their support. This is an expensive endeavor so every area we can save money just makes our team stronger. We can invest in other areas if we can get a sponsorship deal for a tow vehicle or get our meals catered. I am thankful for the support from Fletcher Chrysler, Green Street Pub and Rush on Main.”
 
In 2021 Hull made his first appearance at the Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals and it was an experience the driver will not forget. He qualified No. 13 and lost in the first round to Josh Hart but he took away a lot of positives and it motivated him to come back. This season Hull has been working towards a successful weekend at Indy.
 
“My rookie season we learned so much and racing Indy that year was so cool,” said Hull. “This place has so much history and you have so many teams competing for 16 spots. Honestly just making the field that year was a big deal. This year the competition will be even more fierce, but I love the challenge.”
 
Leading up to the race Hull will be attending several free fan events including the Cruz Pedregon Open House on Thursday, August 31 at 7 p.m. and the DSR Open House benefiting Riley Children’s Hospital on Friday, September 1 at noon. Hull and a number of other NHRA professional drivers will be signing autographs and posing for photos with fans.
 
“The fans are why we are out here so getting to spend time with them leading up to the race is awesome,” said Hull. “I want to meet as many fans as possible and let them know how much we appreciate their support. At the track I work on the car, but I always try and sign for anyone and we give away a pretty good number of used parts. There is nothing better than putting a smile on someone’s face at the racetrack.”
 
Hull and the Methanol Moonshine/Renegade Race Fuel HULL’K Top Fuel dragster will be on track for the first time Friday night at 7:00 p.m. ET. The team will get two qualifying runs on Saturday and two more on Sunday to grab one of the 16 spots in the field. Final eliminations will start at 11:00 a.m. ET on Monday with the race being broadcast on FS1 and FOX.
 

MOORESVILLE, NC (August 28, 2023) — In a season with multiple high points, second rear Pro Stock driver Camrie Caruso is looking to the Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals, August 31-September 4, as her chance to once again rise to the occasion. The 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year has won at the highest level, picking up her first Pro Stock win at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, and she followed that up in May with a victory at the first Pro Stock Allstar Callout race in Chicago. Racing the Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro with power by KB Titan Racing the third-generation drag racer is ready for a return visit to the biggest race of the year in Indianapolis.

Camrie Caruso and Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, photo by Innovation Creative Experts

 
“The U.S. Nationals is the biggest race of the year, and it leads right into the Countdown, so you want to build some positive momentum,” said Caruso, who has also won in Top Alcohol Dragster. “The competition has been so tough this year we really want to make some good runs in qualifying so we can give ourselves the best chance on race day. I am excited about getting five qualifying sessions because I think we can get a lot of good data for this Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro team.”
 
Last year Caruso raced in her first U.S. Nationals and the young driver was not overwhelmed even though she did not have a tremendous qualifying effort. After multiple runs she entered race day as the No. 11 qualifier but she stepped up her performance game winning her first round match-up with veteran Aaron Stanfield before dropping a close race to multi-time world champion Erica Enders in the quarterfinals. The experience of racing in Indy left an impression on Caruso.
 
“You try and think of every race as being the same, but Indy definitely has a different feel,” said Caruso. “Last year during my rookie year we had a lot going on and honestly Indy was a long race. I feel a lot more confident this year. I am with KB Titan Racing which has been great. I have a better idea of what to expect from a longer race weekend. I really feel good about our chances. We had a good race in Brainerd and just lost a close race to Kyle (Koretsky) in the second round.
 
This season Caruso has seen her driving and reaction times improve and her Tequila Comisario Camaro is consistently a top-half qualifier. The margin for error in the Pro Stock category is razor thin. There will be over 16 Pro Stock teams vying for spots in the field so a strong start on Friday in qualifying is the first goal for Caruso and her team that also gets support from DENSO, Powerbuilt Tools, Big Jeff Audio and VP Racing Lubricants.

NHRA^® Team Report

NHRA Nationals – Indianapolis

Pre-Race Report

It’s “go” time for the event deemed the “Big Go” and Cruz Pedregon and team are ready to race in their own backyard and home track of Indianapolis Raceway Park. With solid performance and recent quarter-final finish as motivation, the team is looking forward to the game-changer runs they need with the Snap-on^® “Makers and Fixers” Dodge^® SRT^®Hellcat^® to move up in the NHRA Funny Car standings. 

“We’ve come a long way in a short amount of time, so now it’s time for us to test the limits of what the Snap-on Funny Car can do. And the U.S. Nationals is the perfect place to do it,” Cruz says. “Knowing we missed advancing in the last race by the slimmest margin tells me the car is ready and we have it in us as a team to advance.” 

Fans arriving by air for the race will be seeing multiple Cruz Funny Cars this weekend if they travel through the Indianapolis airport. A Snap-on Funny Car will be on display there for the next two weeks. As a special kick-off to the weekend, the team will be starting another of Cruz’s cars on August 28 at the PRI (Performance Racing Industries) building in Speedway, Indiana. Cruz will also host an Open House for fans at his shop, located at 462 Southpoint Circle in Brownsburg, on Thursday, August 31^st beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event will include a car show, food trucks, and autograph session with professional drivers. 

Being a part of the world’s largest drag race makes the tribute on the side of Cruz’s car even more relevant by honoring all the “Makers & Fixers” who will be in attendance. The Makers & Fixers Instagram handle features a bubble dedicated to racing and provides a showcase for motorsports fans to see some of the winning images of those active in the sport through photos that have been uploaded to makersandfixers.com. 

DAYTONA, FL – August 28, 2023 – Chris Buescher won Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway as Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing finished 1-2 with co-owner/teammate Brad Keselowski finishing second. This race marked the end of the regular NASCAR Cup Series season and set the field for the 2023 playoffs. Six Ford Performance drivers advanced to the playoffs including Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski from RFK Racing, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney from Team Penske, Kevin Harvick from Stewart-Haas Racing, and Michael McDowell from Front Row Motorsports.

“Congratulations to Jack, Brad, Scott, Chris, and everyone at Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing on the race win at Daytona,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Chris and Brad raced well together throughout the race to secure the win and are carrying momentum into the playoffs.”

“It’s so awesome. So proud to get Fifth Third Bank in Victory Lane here with this Ford Mustang. What a heck of a push from Brad in those closing laps for that entire restart. We lined up and worked to get connected. We hardly came disconnected those last couple of laps and it was a little squirrely at times, but that’s what we work so hard to execute superspeedway racing for two years now. We’ve been so close. We’ve been within the last five laps of so many of these things to finally get it done here tonight is special,” commented Buescher.

Saturday’s 400-mile race started with seven Ford Performance drivers in the top-10 including Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe and Aric Almirola that started on the front row. Pole-winner Chase Briscoe led a race-high 67 of 163 laps. A large wreck on the last lap of Stage 2 collected 16 cars but Brad Keselowski was able to drive through to take the stage win. Another wreck on lap 156 forced the scheduled 160 lap race into overtime with RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski out front. Brad Keselowski locked bumpers and provided a push to his teammate to secure the win for the #17 team.

A total of five Ford Performance drivers finished in the top 10: RFK Racing teammates Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski in P1 and P2, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Aric Almirola in P3, Team Penske’s Joey Logano in P5, and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick in P9.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series also raced at Daytona on Friday night. Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer finished in P5 while RSS Racing’s Ryan Sieg finished in P6. Both the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series head to Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina this weekend.

35 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 454 WINS – 417 POLES

MARSTONS MILLS, Massachusetts (August 28, 2023) – As they say in racing, there are a million ways to lose, but only one way to win. The Follow A Dream Team nearly tasted victory this past weekend at New England Dragway. At only the second race of the season, prospects for a Wally were looking good Saturday night after uncooperative weather drowned out the track on Friday. With only one qualifying round on Saturday yielding The Dream Team a 5.71 at 260 mph, they found themselves in fourth place on the ladder, and heading into the semi finals against a strong competitor, Matt Gill.  Victory came late Saturday night as funnycars under the stars lit up the New Hampshire sky. The team erupted in cheers as Phil Burkart Jr roared past Matt Gill’s racecar besting his 5.69 at 263 mph with a 5.56 at 264 mph. The rain on Friday pushed the finals to Sunday, and the team was able to rest easy Saturday night knowing they had cleared the semis, and would be heading into finals the next day. Anticipation was running high as confidence filled the Follow A Dream team pit area. Tuner Anthony Terenzio, and Tuning Consultant Rich Bozzelli, were all but certain of a smooth, strong pass down the track for the finals. With brand new uniform shirts and a positive attitude The Dream Team made their way to the staging lanes. Heartbreak came quickly for the team as shute failure forced a loss before the racecar even left the starting line. Wayne Morris clinched the win with a 5.58 at 259 mph.  Team owner Jay Blake was disappointed, but not dismayed, “Racing is a lot like life, it’s not about how many times you get knocked down, its about how many times you get back up, and get back out there.”  ‘Getting back out there’ is exactly what The Dream Team plans to do. They are already back at the race shop and getting the car ready to head out to their only National race of the season at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, PA on September 15th where they’ll once again try to capture that elusive Wally.

Funnycars under the stars on Saturday night

Lukas VanGelder, Lead Clutch Tech, and and Scott “Ozzie” Osborn, Lead Engine Tech secure Driver, Phil Burkart into the racecar before his pass

Follow A Dream Tuning Consultant Rich Bozzelli inspects the racecar

Posted By: Mary Lendzion Aug 27, 2023

WRITTEN BY MARY LENDZION
PHOTOS BY RUDY ROUWEYHA

When rain fell with force and flooded the Summit Motorsports Park grounds in Norwalk, Ohio, the day before the 22nd Annual Mickey Thompson NMCA All-American Nationals presented by Sick the Mag, August 25-27, the panic was palpable. 

Racers and race fans wondered whether this second-to-last event on the series’ annual tour might be canceled, but officials from the series and the track put their heads together and plotted a path forward.

Because of their extreme effort, racers from across the country pulled into America’s Racetrack and served up some of the most compelling competition thus far during the 2023 season.

“After all of the adversity our teams faced at the beginning of the week, it was gratifying to see the first pair of cars stage on our starting line,” said Evan Bader, Summit Motorsports Park Track Manager. “Our teams wanted, more than anything, to be able to produce this event for the racers, despite the downpours we had the day before, and pass after pass, we were grateful we were able to do that.”

In the eye-popping and exhilarating world of VP Racing Lubricants Xtreme Pro Mod, Scott Wildgust flat-footed to a head-turning 3.64 in his Camaro to set the pace among his fellow racers in qualifying. He made it to the final round of eliminations to take on points leader Ty Tutterow, who took the trip to the NMCA Winner’s Circle with a 3.66 over Wildgust’s 4.56.

Mark Pawuk piloted his Challenger to a commendable 7.66 to top the list of qualified racers in Holley EFI Factory Super Cars, and the Ohio-based racer went all the way to the win with a stout 7.67 and a slightly quicker reaction time against AJ Berge, who is holding down third-place in points and posted a 7.66 in his equally impressive Challenger. For his exceptional efforts, Pawuk is taking home an extra $10,000 thanks to the Direct Connection Contingency Program, whch is available to Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak racers.

ARP Nitrous Pro Street points leader David Fallon Jr. tripped the timers at 4.23 in his Camaro to see his name at the top of the qualifying sheet, and he kept sailing from there to meet fellow Michiganian Nicole Liberty in the final round of eliminations. Fallon Jr., with a .017 reaction time and a 4.28, earned a slight holeshot win over Liberty, who stopped the clocks at 4.26.



Racers with nitrous, turbos, and superchargers set sail in Edelbrock Xtreme Street, and Martin Connelley of Salyersville, Kentucky, who is currently leading points in the category, clocked a 4.56 to claim the lead qualifying spot in his Mustang. All eyes were on him and Robert Cook to see who would collect the win in the final round of eliminations, and the board flashed 4.71 and the win light in Connelley’s lane while Cook went through at 4.88.

In Dart NA 10.5, where awe-inspiring naturally aspirated engines are celebrated, Pennsylvanian John Langer pushed to a 7.72 in his classic Trans Am to lead 15 of his fellow racers in qualifying. But his fellow Pennsylvanian, Richie Nye, who is in third place in points behind tough competitors Joe Clemente and Dwight Ausmus, arrived in the final round of eliminations with Ed Brady. Nye took flight with a 7.20 after Brady timed out on the starting line.

Charlie Booze Jr., known for piloting a Ford-powered car, was in the cockpit of the Duncan Family’s Camaro for Chevrolet Performance Stock presented by Scoggin Dickey Parts Center competition at this event. He made himself feel at home by hauling to a 9.79 to lead qualifying. Booze Jr. stayed in the game and got to the final round of eliminations, where he raced points leader Kevin Lumsden. Booze Jr. beat Lumsden with a 9.84 to Lumsden’s 9.87.

As the 2022 Micro Strategies Stock Eliminator champion, Dave Swanson knows that focus is essential, from start to finish, at every race. He showed that ability at the 22nd Annual Mickey Thompson NMCA All-American Nationals presented by Sick the Mag, where he led qualifying with a 7.94 on a 9.40. However, Scott Libersher and Mike Pustelny pushed to the final round of eliminations, and Libersher won with a 9.34 on a 9.36 after Pustelny went red.

Jeff Myers jetted to an 8.84 on a 10.05 to lead qualifying in Micro Strategies Super Stock Eliminator, but holding on all weekend and winding up in the final round of eliminations were Randall Running and Brad Ross. Running won with a 9.41 on a 9.39 to Ross’ 10.47 on a 10.45.

Tennessean Ron Tiller parked his Coronet on a 9.503 on a 9.50 to lead qualifying in Quick Fuel Technology Nostalgia Super Stock, and four rounds later, he faced David Horton, who turned on the red light but won as Tiller ran into trouble and wasn’t able to complete his pass.



Cool classic cars commanded attention in Erson Cams Nostalgia Muscle, where Geary Bates ran right on his 11.00 index to lead qualifying. In the fifth and final round of eliminations, Dan Sisson secured the event win with a 10.28 on a 10.25 over Noah Winters, who was 10.78 on a 10.75.

Nearly 60 racers signed up for MagnaFuel Open Comp, and they all knew that every racer would be incredibly competitive on the tree and the top end of the track. Among them was Jim Johnson, whose .002 reaction time landed him in the lead spot in qualifying in his Mustang. However, after five rounds, Dennis Corn and Dale Boyer were in the final round of eliminations, and Corn won and wheeled to a 9.12 after Boyer rolled the beams.

There is no doubt that Brian McHattie came to this race dialed in, as he dashed to a 10.001 on a 10.00 to lead qualifying in LME Street King presented by Chevrolet Performance, but the final round belonged to Kurt Anderson and current class champion Cody Poston. It was anyone’s race on the starting line, but Poston picked up the win with an 8.98 on a 9.00 against Anderson, who broke out by more with a 10.45 on a 10.50.

Neil Goin gunned to a 12.01 on a 12.00 to lead qualifying in Proform Rumble presented by Chevrolet Performance, but Nicholas Massengale and Emily Forgey went all the way to the final round of eliminations. There, Massengale muscled to the win with a 14.31 when Forgey broke out. 

There was an especially enviable mix of cars in NMCA TorqStorm Superchargers True Street, and that was apparent as racers headed out of the track for their 30-mile cruise and blasted down-track on three back-to-back passes. Dan Sharp secured the overall win with a 7.82 average in his Chevy II, while Adam Kemmer was the runner-up with a 9.25 average in his Nova SS. Other notable performances came from winners Kimberly Walter (9-second), Dominik Post (10-second), Chad Schwemley (11-second), Steve Hanson (12-second), Seth Lindner (13-second), Tyler Thornburg (14-second), and Mike Baker (15-second).



Drivers of Chargers, Challengers, and other fast fan-favorite cars came together for the Dodge // Mopar HEMI Shootout, which grows at each event. At Summit Motorsports Park, Thomas Falk, who made the journey from Virginia, was the winner with an 8.73 average, and Jon Sipple was the runner-up with an 8.85 average. Jess Richards earned the 9-second win, Gordon Paden pushed to the 10-second win and Trevor Hilbert traveled to the 11-second win. Other standouts were Josie Roush-McClenaghan, a multi-time winner who was victorious again with the 12-second win, as well as Rich Sprinzl, the 13-second winner, Dana Baker, the 14-second winner, and Brandon Ross, the 15-second winner. 

The eight quickest drivers in the Dodge // Mopar HEMI Shootout earned entry into the exciting HHP Racing HEMI Quick 8 on Sunday, and among them were Thomas Falk and Mike England. The racers were close on the tree, but Falk picked up the win with an 8.56 on an 8.55 in his Challenger and England was the runner-up with a 9.65 on a 9.55 in his Hellcat.

The COPO Camaro Shootout presented by COPO Parts Direct was a popular feature in Norwalk. In the COPO Parts Direct COPO Battle, Clarence Harding, who was .039 on the starting line and 9.42 on a 9.38 at the finish line, defeated Matt Butter, who broke out with a 9.62 on a 9.63. And, in the Scoggin Dickey Parts Center COPO NA, Rich Rinkie bettered Cliff Hynson with a 9.13 to Hynson’s 9.22

The Watson Racing Cobra Jet Showdown always brings out some of the most beautiful and well-built cars in the country, and among them at this event were those belonging to Richard Rodgers and Jason Dietsch. Rodgers, from Michigan, and Dietsch, from Ohio, met in the final round of eliminations. There Rodgers raced to the win with an 8.74 on an 8.67 over Dietsch and his 9.01 on an 8.95.

The NMCA vs. Buckeye Stock/Super Stock All-Stars class was a 32-car class made up of the top points leaders in the NMCA Micro Strategies Stock Eliminator and Super Stock, and Buckeye Stock/Super Stock Drag Racing classes. Standout racers Doug Duell and Randy Eakins found themselves in the final round of eliminations, and Duell defeated Eakins with a 10.42 on a 10.41 to Eakins’ 10.24 on a 10.19.

Gabe Gunion and Rod Lenhart were the last pair of competitors in Bracket Open, and Gunion, in his cool green Fairmont wagon, wrapped up the win with a good reaction time and a lifting 8.15 on an 8.06 over Lenhart, who broke out with a 6.98 on a 7.02 in his classic Mustang.



Tom Bailey’s Sick the Mag Drive & Drive Invitational presented by Gear Vendors was a fast and fun feature of this event. It saw eight select racers compete against each other in a random chip draw, four-round shootout. The two racers with the most wins out of four rounds were Kyle Bemount and Chuck Stefanski in their turbocharged Trans Ams. In their race, Bemount blasted to a 4.92 and the win over Stefanski and his 5.23. Also, a huge hit was Tom Bailey’s brand-new Durango, which debuted at a racetrack this weekend.

Jaden Dietsch and Sydnie Turner met for the final round of eliminations in Dietsch Trailer Sales Jr. Street, and while Turner had the better reaction time, Dietsch won the double-breakout race with a 9.29 on a 9.35 to Turner’s 9.53 on a 9.61.

In addition to all of the racing action, guests were able to see some commanding cars in the car show and impressive items in the manufacturers’ midway. 

The NMCA heartily congratulates the winners, and thanks race fans and sponsors for their continued support.

The chase to the championships in the Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals series will heat up even more at the last event of the year, the 22nd Annual NMCA World Street Finals presented by Chevrolet Performance, September 21-24 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indiana.

For stories, photos, results, and more content throughout the year, check out NMCADigital.com and RacePagesDigital.com

 
Plainview, NY (August 28, 2023) — The biggest race of the year will have the eyes of the entire drag racing universe on a Top Fuel class led by 11-time Top Fuel winner and 2023 Top Fuel point leader Justin Ashley. The six-time winner in 2023 driving the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster will be looking to win the Dodge Power Broker U.S. Nationals for the first time and duplicate a feat his Funny Car driving father, Mike Ashley accomplished in 2007.

 Justin Ashley and Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster race to semis in Brainerd, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

“You’re excited for any race but there’s something special about the U.S. Nationals,” said Ashley. “That’s the one that everyone wants to win. That’s the race that cements your legacy in this sport and we want to win that race. It’s a grind because of the five qualifying sessions, because of the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty challenge and then race day on Monday. It really takes a team effort from the beginning of the weekend through the end of the weekend, so that’s a special one. It’s really an exciting way to end the regular season then shift our focus to the countdown.”
 
This will be Ashley’s fourth U.S. Nationals and the team owner and driver will be looking to improve on his two previous semifinal finishes. As a rookie in 2020 Ashley qualified No. 13 and he beat Billy Torrence, the defending 2019 champion Doug Kalitta before losing to Shawn Langdon in a wild pedalfast. Last year as the No. 2 qualifier Ashley defeated Langdon and Torrence again before losing to eventual U.S. Nationals winner Toyota teammate Antron Brown.
 
“We have had some memorable races at the U.S. Nationals and would love nothing more than to add a win and join my father as a U.S. Nationals champion,” said Ashley. “We’ve had close rounds of racing before, but I fully expect this year to take the cake. The depth and quality of the Top Fuel field is so good that races are consistently decided by only thousands of a second.   There are no easy rounds and that will be on full display in Indianapolis.”
 
This season Ashley has been at the top of his game more times than not. Through fourteen races Ashley has won six times in seven final round appearances with an additional semifinal appearance at the most recent Lucas Oil NHRA national in Brainerd, Minnesota. His 31-8 win record is by far the best in the Top Fuel category and he has the best average reaction time in Top Fuel. Heading into the final regular season race Ashley is poised to make another serious run at the Camping World Top Fuel world championship.
 
“All our success so far this season can be attributed to the team,” said Ashley. “It’s been a true team effort both on and off the racetrack. That includes Mike Green and Tommy DeLago tuning the car, the crew guys working on it, and our partners like Phillips Connect, Toyota, Lucas Oil, Mac Tools, Strutmasters.com, Impact and KATO supporting us.  We have a long way to go before accomplishing the ultimate goal but I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to work so closely with this special group.”   
 
On Saturday Ashley will be racing in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge for the eight time, a record for Top Fuel and all the professional classes. He has won 18 championship points and earned $54,000 winning five times overall. The race will be contested during the qualifying sessions on Saturday and Ashley will face his Brainerd semifinal opponent Leah Pruett.
 
They have raised the purse for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge so there will be $15,000 on the line for the Top Fuel winner,” said Ashley. “But more importantly points are available and the NHRA fans will get to experience more eliminations style racing. This has been a great program and Mission Foods has been an unbelievable asset within our sport. I hope it comes back next season.”
 
Leading up to the U.S. Nationals Ashley will be participating in several free fan events. On Thursday night Ashley will be attending the Cruz Pedregon open house in Brownsburg, Indiana, signing autographs with many of his fellow competitors at 7:00 p.m. and on Friday he will be attending the Don Schumacher Racing open house to benefit Riley Children’s Hospital signing autographs at noon.
 
“The U.S. Nationals is our Super Bowl so there are a lot of fun events for our fans leading up to the race,” said Ashley, one of the rising stars on the NHRA tour. “As a representative of Phillips Connect it’s important that I make myself available while also ensuring that I am mentally and physically prepared to compete a high level. Five qualifying sessions and a Monday raceday requires a lot of focus so finding the right balance between racing, events and everything in between will be a key to finding success.”
 
Ashley leads the Top Fuel points with 1,133 total points and he has a 101-point lead over second place driver Steve Torrence. It will be a battle between these two drivers for the No. 1 seed heading into the Countdown there are 195 total points on the line for the U.S. Nationals. A solid race day for Ashley will lock up the top seed for the six-race dash to the championship.
 
“One of our goals at the beginning of the season was to head into the Countdown as the No. 1 seed,” said Ashley. “We control our own destiny going into the U.S. Nationals which is all you can ask for. Our approach will not change. We will take one round at a time beginning in qualifying and run our very best. If we take care of our business the points will take care of themselves.”
 
Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel team will be on track on Friday night at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Motorsports Park at 7:00 p.m. for their first qualifying run. He will have four more runs, two each on Saturday and Sunday, to grab one of the 16 spots in the race day field. Final eliminations will begin at 11:00 a.m. ET on Monday with the race being broadcast on FS1 and FOX throughout the day.