Over $148,000 in total prize money distributed over six nights of racing, up 118 percent from 2022

BARBERVILLE, FL – Jan. 10, 2023 – This February, the “Ironmen” of the DIRTcar Nationals will take on an all-new format and a purse increase for the 52nd edition of the historic Florida Speedweeks tradition.

Since the turn of the century, the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds have consistently brought the highest car count in any division competing to Volusia Speedway Park. With over 100 entrants in each of the past two years, and as many or more expected for 2023, a new event format is in order – one that gives even more drivers a chance to win throughout the week, start the Gator Championship on Saturday and put more money in their pockets.

The DIRTcar UMP Modifieds kick off the first week of DIRTcar Nationals, Feb. 6-11, alongside the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars and the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

PURSE INCREASE

Over $148,000 in prize money will be distributed to competitors over the six days of competition this February – a 118% increase from the 2022 purse – not counting the $100 check given to any driver that does not qualify for the Gator Championship Feature on Saturday night. The new format will showcase six Features a night Monday through Friday and the $5,000-to-win Gator Championship race on Saturday.

On Monday, each Feature will pay $600 to win, Tuesday’s Features will pay $700 to win, Wednesday’s Features will pay $1,000 to win, Thursday’s Features will pay $600 to win, and Friday’s Features will pay $1,000 to win.

NEW FORMAT BREAKDOWN

• Mon-Wed, Feb. 6-8 – The first three days of the six-day grind are all identical in format and put emphasis on drivers gaining as many points as possible over a series of Feature events. In years past, a complete program was conducted with Heats, Last Chance races and a single Feature. This year, only Qualifying and Features will take place on these nights.

Drivers will pill draw at sign-in each night of competition to set the Qualifying order and run three timed laps on the clock. No groups will be assigned; all drivers will Qualify against each other. Each driver’s best lap will be taken to set the six Feature lineups, staggered from fastest-to-slowest.

Once the lineups are set, drivers will race their 20-lap Feature and earn points based on finishing position. Three-straight days of Feature points collected will give everyone a total to be used to set the Feature lineups for Thursday night’s events.

• Thu, Feb. 9 – Similar in style to the former “All Features Night,” drivers will not Qualify and instead be lined up into one of six Features based on point totals from the three previous nights. The top-15 to top-20 (depending on weeklong car count) will make up Feature #1, the next 15-to-20 will follow in Feature #2, and so on. The top-10 starting spots will be inverted.

• Fri, Feb. 10 – It’s time for the Gator Qualifiers. This night will start to solidify the field for the 30-lap, $5,000-to-win Gator Championship event on Saturday night.

Similar to the first three nights, Friday begins with a pill draw to set the Qualifying order. However, the field will be split in half, meaning drivers will Qualify and Feature race against only the cars in their half. Fastest lap times will again set six Feature lineups, staggered, three in each group.

The top-three finishers in each Feature will be locked into Saturday’s Gator Championship; everyone else will have to try again on Saturday to transfer into the main event. The top-two finishers will take part in a redraw on Saturday to set the first 12 spots in the Gator Championship.

• Sat, Feb. 11 – Gator Championship night starts with four Heat Races for any driver not yet qualified for the Feature. The top-two finishers will transfer to the Feature; everyone else will get one final shot in one of two Last Chance Showdown races. Two Last Chance races will be lined-up, taking only the winners into the Feature. Four additional provisionals will make up the final four spots.

Thirty-two cars will start the 30-lap, $5,000-to-win Gator Championship Feature for DIRTcar Nationals immortality. The overall DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator champion will also be crowned on Saturday, based on the driver with the most points collected throughout the entire week.

The bonuses include prize money for the driver that wins the most Features, the driver that wins the most Heat Races and the driver that wins the most Last Chance Showdowns

CONCORD, NC – (Jan. 10, 2023) – Hass Horizontal has partnered with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series, giving drivers three more chances to end the 2023 season with an extra payday.

The company has created three end-of-the-year bonus programs, rewarding drivers who have the most Feature wins, most Heat Race wins and most Last Chance Showdown victories.

At the end of the season, the victor of the Hass Horizontal Feature Winner Jackpot will receive $3,500. The winner of the Heat Money Challenge will receive $1,500. And the winner of the Last Chance Cash will receive $1,500.

“We at Hass Horizontal are happy to be one of the many sponsors for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series for the 2023 season,” said Robert Hass, President and Owner of Hass Horizontal. “We feel it is going to be one of the best seasons ever with the talent they have lined up for 2023. We are glad to be a small part of it.”

Hass Horizontal, headquartered in Houston, TX, specializes in heavy civil construction, boring and tunneling, dewatering systems and hydro/vacuum excavation.

The company’s partnership with the World of Outlaws adds to purse increases and new Winner Circle program introduced in December.

In 2023, the Series will see a more than $780,000 overall championship purse – over a quarter of a million-dollar increase from the 2022 points fund – and more than $1 million available between the points fund and monthly Winner Circle bonus.

The Winner Circle program pays $2,500 a month to each of the top-12 full-time drivers (from February to November) – meaning if a contracted driver runs the entire season and maintains a top-12 points position, they will earn an extra $25,000 by the end of the season. So, now the 2023 champion will earn $175,000 – $150,000 from the points fund (a $25,000 increase from 2022) and an additional $25,000 from the Winner Circle monthly program.

On top of the points fund increase and Winner Circle program, drivers will contend for an overall purse in excess of $3 million spread through the 53-race schedule in 2023, including six events with a weekend purse worth more than $200,000 – two boasting more than $250,000.

“It’s exciting to be able to present such a lucrative package for drivers this year that goes beyond the points fund,” Series Director Steve Francis said. “From increased purses to these new bonuses for Feature, Heat Race and Last Chance Showdown winners, we’re finding ways to support every driver that competes with the World of Outlaws across the board. We have an incredible field of drivers this season and the healthier we can make them the better the Series is for everyone.”

Contending for these prizes will be one of the most stout and exciting rosters of drivers in Series history, including reigning champion Dennis Erb Jr., four-time champion Brandon Sheppard, 2022 Rookie of the Year Tanner English, multi-time DIRTcar Modified champion Nick Hoffman and many more.

READ MORE: World of Outlaws Set To Showcase Exciting New Roster

After taking the top spot as the OIDC champion in 2022, Baggsy and the team are very exited to get back out their and defend their title!

The OIDC is spread over four rounds; 12-13th January 19-20th January 9-10th February 16-17th February

On November 16th 2022 the team shipped the Nissan PS13 and all equipment off to Oman. The PS13 arrived safely in Oman on 31st December 2022 and is now waiting to be reunited with the team, ready for another exiting season!

If you want to keep up to date with the action, you can tune into the livestream, the link will be posted to socials. Keep an eye out!

The new season of “Behind the drift” will be out on our youtube soon!The first episode showcasing the teams trip to Oman for Round 1 of OIDC.

Tickets for Select Rounds on Sale Now!

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 9, 2023) – AMA Pro Racing has confirmed its finalized 18-round schedule for the upcoming 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season. The previously announced provisional schedule laid out an ideally balanced slate in terms of discipline, geography, and pacing. Other key features were visits to venues both historic and new, the alignment of the calendar with multiple high-profile rallies and holiday weekends, and a more compact timeframe that fits all 18 rounds in during motorcycle riding season. The final schedule features five Miles, five Half-Miles, four Short Tracks, and four TTs. The final schedule further solidifies that intent with the confirmation of the return of the Arizona Super TT and the West Virginia Half-Mile. The Arizona Super TT returns following its 2019 debut, joining the entertainment options planned during the weekend of the 29th annual Arizona Bike Week on April 1. The ‘19 event marked the first Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle Main Event win of JD Beach’s career – one that kicked off a run that has seen him score six of seven TTs wins in the years since. On July 1, Progressive AFT will compete in the state of West Virginia for the first time since 2006 with the West Virginia Half-Mile. The event will take place at the scenic West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, W.V. This mountainside 5/8-mile track is both renowned for its high speed and beautiful settings, promising to serve as an incredible stage for the world’s greatest motorcycle dirt track racers next summer. The final 2023 Progressive American Flat Track schedule follows: March 9, 2023 – DAYTONA Short Track I, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL March 10, 2023 – DAYTONA Short Track II, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL March 25, 2023 – Senoia Short Track, Senoia Raceway, Senoia, GA April 1, 2023 – Arizona Super TT, Chandler, AZ April 22, 2023 – Dallas Half-Mile, Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Mesquite, TX May 6, 2023 – Ventura Short Track, Ventura Raceway, Ventura, CA May 13, 2023 – Sacramento Mile, Cal Expo, Sacramento, CA May 27, 2023 – Red Mile, The Red Mile, Lexington, KY                                                                              June 17, 2023 – DuQuoin Mile, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, Du Quoin, IL June 24, 2023 – Lima Half-Mile, Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, OH July 1, 2023 – West Virginia Half-Mile, West Virginia Motor Speedway, Mineral Wells, WV July 8, 2023 – Orange County Half-Mile, Orange County Fair Speedway, Middletown, NY July 22, 2023 – Bridgeport Half-Mile, Bridgeport Speedway, Swedesboro, NJ July 30, 2023 – Peoria TT, Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, IL August 6, 2023 – Buffalo Chip TT, Sturgis Buffalo Chip, Sturgis, SD August 12, 2023 – Castle Rock TT, Castle Rock Race Park, Castle Rock, WA September 2, 2023 – Springfield Mile I, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL September 3, 2023 – Springfield Mile II, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL Tickets for select rounds are on sale now, and the remainder of the rounds will be made available for purchase in the weeks ahead at https://www.americanflattrack.com.

Santa Ana, California [January 6, 2023] — Follow the tire smoke and it will lead you to the NMRA’s season opener in Orlando, Florida. With the series celebrating its silver anniversary in 2023, it was only fitting to bring something a little extra special to the festivities courtesy of Vaughn Gittin Jr. and his band of merry Fun-Havers that will join the party on Saturday, March 4th.  “We’re thrilled to kick off NMRA’s 25th Anniversary season at Orlando Speed World, a venue that offers not just a proven drag strip but a drift pad that expands the possibilities for the event this year and moving forward,” Steve Wolcott, Co-Founder of NMRA, said. “Including Fun-Havers like Vaughn, Chelsea, and Shane is certain to offer even more for Ford fans to love.” The move to a new facility featuring a custom drift pad opened up the possibility of bringing amazing tire-shredding action and leveraging the full capabilities of Orlando Speed World. Vaughn Gittin Jr. and his Team RTR lead driver in the Formula Drift series, Chelsea DeNofa, will perform drift exhibitions, meet their fans at the track, and more. The duo will also further support a special Ford Drift Invitational on the Orlando Speed World drift pad.

Along with Vaughn and Chelsea, Shane England and his Fun-Haver backed Big Kahuna monster truck will be on hand meeting and greeting fans at the NMRA Spring Break Shootout.  “We’re pumped to bring some untraditional fun to the NMRA season opener in Orlando. Chelsea and I will be drifting door to door and we also have a grudge to settle with our Fox-bodies on the drag strip,” Vaughn said. “Shane is excited to debut his all-new Big Kahuna monster truck with a new look and you know plenty of Nitto tires will be burnt down on the drift pad. We’re looking forward to seeing all the fellow Fun-Havers out there!”

Vaughn and Chelsea won’t be the only Fox Mustang pilots on the property, thanks to another new feature in Orlando — the new Fox Body Reunion. Co-hosted by the organizer behind the massive Foxtoberfest show, Foxy Events, this celebration of Fox-platform machines will bring them together with a dedicated car show section, drag racing and more. And, while Vaughn and company will keep fans entertained on the drift pad, the Spring Break Shootout will also deliver traditional heads-up and index all-Ford drag racing, including the thrilling Renegade speedsters and 8.60 Street Race machines, along with the massive True Street field. For more on the must-attend NMRA Spring Break Shootout and the full Holley NMRA Ford Nationals’ 25th Anniversary season, visit NMRAdigital.com.

Six-Race Series Visits Volusia, Port Royal, Williams Grove and Lincoln in March with a $20,000 purse to be split between three driversBARBERVILLE, FL (Jan. 6, 2023) – The Low-E Insulation FL to PA Spring Showdown will be more lucrative than originally planned as the company has doubled the purse for the early-season six-race series.Utilizing the standard World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series points system, the top-three points earners during the stretch from Volusia Speedway Park (March 5-6), Port Royal Speedway (March 10-11), Williams Grove Speedway (March 17), and Lincoln Speedway (March 18) will earn $10,000 for first, $6,000 for second, and $4,000 for third.The company, which offers distribution locations near racing fans in Scranton, PA, and Orange Park, FL, will also serve as the official sponsor of Qualifying for The Greatest Show on Dirt in 2023.”It’s exciting to give Sprint Car fans an added storyline to follow with the FL to PA Spring Showdown,” said Tom Miller, president of Low-E Insulation. “The dirt racing community in both areas is incredibly passionate, so we’re excited to not only grow our involvement with the Series but with the drivers, the tracks, and the fans as well. We’re excited to see who can come out on top.”Beginning at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL, the six-race series starts with a “Bike Week” special on Sunday and Monday, March 5-6. Six of the 2022 full-time World of Outlaws drivers have already won at Volusia, led by the two champions Donny Schatz (14 wins) and Brad Sweet (6 wins). The return to “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile” comes three weeks after DIRTcar Nationals, meaning Volusia will host a record five World of Outlaws races in 2023.Driving from the Sunshine State to the Keystone State, teams will head north along the east coast and find two weeks of racing against the Pennsylvania Posse – something never done before in the month of March.Port Royal Speedway welcomes the World of Outlaws for the first of four shows on Friday and Saturday, March 10-11. Over the last 10 Series events at “The Speed Palace,” wins have been split with four to the invaders, four to the Outlaws, and two to the Posse – including Anthony Macri’s dominant weekend sweep of the Nittany Showdown last fall.On Friday, March 17, Williams Grove Speedway will expand its record as the most-visited track in Series history by hosting the first of seven World of Outlaws races with a one-night battle in Mechanicsburg, PA. Among active drivers, the winningest stars at the paperclip half-mile are Donny Schatz (21), Lance Dewease (17), David Gravel (8), Brent Marks (3), Carson Macedo (2), and Danny Dietrich (2).On Saturday, March 18, Lincoln Speedway takes center stage with the first of two stops in Abbottstown, PA this season. Since returning to “The Pigeon Hills” in 2012, the Series has hosted 12 races and it’s been a perfect six-six split between the Outlaws and the Posse. The most recent winner is Jacob Allen, who claimed an emotional first-career win at his home track last spring aboard the Shark Racing #1A.”Anytime you can bring new sponsors into the sport it’s a great thing, especially when they’re committed to helping the racers,” said reigning World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year, Spencer Bayston, who drives for Pennsylvania-based CJB Motorsports. “There’s room for improvement for us at Volusia, but I know Barry [Jackson] is super comfortable at those Pennsylvania tracks and the #5 unloads extra-fast out of the box when we’re close to the shop. This will be an exciting little mini-series to get the year going.”Prior to the FL to PA Spring Showdown, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series officially begins the 2023 season at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL with the 52nd DIRTcar Nationals on February 9-11. Tickets are available for purchase HERE.If you can’t make it to the event, the entire 2023 season will be live on DIRTVision – available either online or through the DIRTVision App.

Drellos plans to run his Late Model at Sunshine Nationals and his Big Block Modified at DIRTcar Nationals

BARBERVILLE, FL (Jan. 6, 2023) – Demetrios Drellos is venturing south to Volusia Speedway Park four weeks earlier than usual this year.

Drellos, the Big Block Modified star from Queensbury, NY, will step back behind the wheel of his 604 Late Model for the DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park, Jan. 18-21.

It’ll be Drellos’ second appearance in his #111 Late Model after making his debut in the division during the Battle in Barberville at Volusia in December.

“It’s such a different experience,” he said. “Just the way you race is totally different with dirty air and where you need to position your car around people when you race and how you have to make runs. It’s a totally different style of racing. Some people have mastered it. Obviously, I haven’t come close to getting used to it. But it is a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to get back in it.”

Drellos was fastest in opening night practice during the Battle in Barberville, but a poor qualifying run but him behind when it came to race night. He managed a seventh-place finish in the 30-lap Feature.

With that experience under his belt, Drellos said he and his team should be able to come back with a more aggressive approach to race with the DIRTcar Pro Late Models.

“There will be a tone of cars down there,” he said about the Late Model Palooza-sized field Sunshine Nationals attracts. “A lot of heavy hitters in that 604 class, a lot of guys coming to run it. You know, I think we’re just going to go down there with the mindset that if we can make the shows, that’ll be good for us. We’re definitely going to race. We’re not driving 20 hours not to race. I’ll bend some sheet metal if we have to. We’re going to do what we need to do to race.”

The New Yorker has been racing Modifieds for six years with a Super DIRTcar Series win under his belt. However, he’s yet to pick up a win at Volusia. With plans to run with the Super DIRTcar Series again during the 52nd DIRTcar Nationals, Feb. 15-18, Drellos said while his Big Block and Late Model are vastly different, running Sunshine Nationals will still help him prepare to chase a Big Gator championship.

“I think we’ll have a better idea of what the track is going to do,” he said. “We only run the Big Block at Volusia five times a year, so if I get to hit the track four more times than everyone else, I feel that will help me. I don’t care if it’s in a golf cart. It’s like home track experience a little bit.

“I’ll understand what the track is going to do throughout the night a little bit. That’s the big thing with Volusia. The more times you see it and what’s going to happen with that racetrack, if you can have better notes, I don’t care what it is, if you’re just watching the race, you’ll be better. I’m sure it’ll help me when I bring the Modified back.”

The biggest difference between the Big Block and the Late Model is how much dirty air comes into play with the Late Model. When he runs up on someone going into a turn with a Big Block, he said, he can stay on their bumper through the turn. In a Late Model, it feels like dropping a snowplow as the car pushes up a lane in the turn.

“I didn’t expect how much dirty air would come into play,” Drellos said. “But at Volusia, where the speeds are so fast, it does come into play. In the Big Block it doesn’t affect you that much, maybe 10 to 15 percent but with [the Late Model] it’s 80 percent.

“You could have all the grip in the world when you’re going around by yourself, but the second you get within 15 feet of a car in front of you it’s like your front tires are on ice. You’re going to push toward the outside of the car in front of you. It’s like you just jumped the whole lane until you get your nose back into clean air.”

Knowing that now, Drellos is eager to take what he learned into Sunshine Nationals for another round of Late Model racing at Volusia.

“We’ll come prepared a little bit better,” he said. “See where we were lacking when we came down in the early night track. We figured out, ‘OK, this is what we messed up on, we’ll make some adjustments to that.’ We’ll talk to a lot of people about getting the right tire stagger for there. Volusia is a different animal, compared to any track. The only people that go good at Volusia are people that live near there and go there on a consistent basis. It’s a totally different ball game for everyone.”

The DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals will showcase one of the biggest fields in Late Model racing, featuring the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models. DIRTcar Pro Late Models and 602 Late Models. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision.

CONCORD, NC – Jan. 5, 2023 – The Mid-South’s premier Super Late Model tour is going racing under the DIRTcar Racing banner in 2023.

The COMP Cams Super Dirt Series embarks on its 17th consecutive season in March, and for the first time in its history, will operate as part of the DIRTcar family.

All 30 Series events on the 2023 schedule will earn any participating driver points in DIRTcar Late Model national and regional point standings and will require drivers to conform to DIRTcar Late Model technical rules.

The Series, which began operation in 2007, holds races primarily around its home state of Arkansas and has since expanded to include events in Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Texas. Brian Rickman, of Columbus, MS, captured the $10,000 Series championship in 2022, becoming the first driver from the State of Mississippi to win the regional Super Late Model points title.

Several DIRTcar Racing legends have made appearances in COMP Cams Victory Lane, including four-time UMP Modified national champion Jimmy Owens, 2002 DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion Scott Bloomquist and National Dirt Late Model Hall-of-Famer Billy Moyer. More recently, a new generation of rising stars have carried the circuit to new heights – two-time Series champion Logan Martin, 2022 runner-up Kyle Beard, and two-time Feature winner BJ Robinson, among others.

The growth of the Series and reaching new drivers across the nation was a core value at the forefront of the decision to join DIRTcar this year. Drivers from locations more northward will now have easier access to participating in COMP Cams Series events, knowing they don’t have to make wholesale changes to their cars to conform to different rule packages.

Series Director Chris Sullivan had taken note of Hoosier Racing Tire’s new universal Late Model tire compounds for 2023 and recalled his past conversations with DIRTcar Director Sam Driggers about the opportunity for the pairing, and the two reached an agreement.

“Sam and I had talked for a couple years about the possibility of, one day, this happening,” Sullivan said. “With the tire rules changing and the opening happening, it just sorta all worked out together.

“It was about, one – tire availability. Plus, when we go to a show, [drivers] would have to buy different tires just to be able to race with us one time, not counting our regulars. Now that we’re on this national tire rule, it made it easier for us to be able to make that switch.”

Though this will not be DIRTcar’s first Texarkana-area series sanctioning, it could potentially be the most impactful in the modern era. Sullivan’s professional relationship with Driggers formed over the years when brother Jack Sullivan competed with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.

“It’s a matter of respect, teaming up with DIRTcar to present a professional setting for [the Series and drivers],” Sullivan said. “I think we’ll be able to work well with them. They are one of the top [sanctioning bodies] in the country, so to be able to work hand-in-hand with them, Steve Francis with the World of Outlaws, and of course Sam – we’ve known Sam for a long time – I just think it allows us to be able to present something great for our racers.”

Driggers echoed Sullivan’s sentiments and is looking forward to working with the Series, as DIRTcar prepares to celebrate a milestone weekly racing season and its 40th anniversary in 2023.

“We’re excited to bring the COMP Cams Super Dirt Series and the new faces of the Mid-South region into the DIRTcar family,” Driggers said. “Forty years into DIRTcar’s history books, and the growth of our Late Model driver base and broadening of our reach throughout the country is just as important today as it was years ago. Regulars of the COMP Cams Series will now have even greater access to competing in more DIRTcar-sanctioned events without having to worry about changing their cars to conform to technical specifications.”

The COMP Cams Super Dirt Series begins its 2023 campaign with a two-day trip to Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, LA, on March 10-11. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit the Series at COMPDirt.com.

DETROIT (Jan. 4, 2023) — Cadillac Racing enters a new era of prototype sports car racing with the competition debut of the Cadillac V-LMDh in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Three Cadillac V-LMDh race cars will attempt to secure the pole Jan. 22 for the 61st edition of the race on Jan. 28-29. Action Express team manager Gary Nelson and Chip Ganassi Racing director of operations Mike O’Gara participated in a Zoom media conference hosted by IMSA with the other team leaders to preview the season. Transcript of Nelson and O’Gara sections of the Q&A:

WHAT HAS THE UNDERTAKING BEEN LIKE FOR THE TEAM TO LAUNCH THIS PROGRAM AND HOW HAS IT COMPARED TO PREVIOUS LAUNCHES?Mike O’Gara: “It’s been a huge undertaking and most of the folks on this call have been living in the same world that we have for the last six to 12 months with ramping up this program. In the 30-year history of Chip Ganassi Racing, we’ve been fortunate to be part of a lot of different vehicle launches, whether that’s been for INDYCAR, Indy Racing League or Champ Car or the Ford GT program. This one is by far the most intense, the most complex and, honestly, the most exciting for the company. I think the timelines we’ve been holding to have been difficult with supply chain issues, trying to put adequate miles on the cars to be ready and the level of complexity of the cars with the hybrid system and the other control systems. It’s just more than we’ve ever undertaken before. An added complexity is going to race this car in two different series on two different continents. We have one eye on getting our WEC program up and running, getting a facility over there, appropriate personnel and equipment as well. That adds another layer of complexity, but everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing is excited and looking forward to representing Cadillac around the world. It’s a great time of us.” YOU’VE HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCES WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT RACE CARS. HOW DOES THAT PLAY INTO THIS NEW CAR?Gary Nelson: “This new car, to me, is such a great challenge. My whole career in racing I’ve always wanted the trophy that’s hardest to get. They are always harder when you don’t have a logbook or set-up book or all the other things ready to go when you get to the track. We’re going to create pretty much from a blank sheet of paper a program that we’re expecting to win the Daytona 24 hours. We know everybody has all the same challenges and issues, and I think it’s the most pumped up I’ve been for many years to try to get all these little things all to line up and get that car to go 24 hours and be at the front at the end. That’s going to be one of the biggest challenges. The hybrid, the different rules, the new car, the way of doing the pit stops, everything is much easier when you go to a 24-hour race and you’ve got some muscle memory from other races in the past. Here, it’s all new and I’m looking forward to getting a shot at that trophy.” WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE KEYS TO GETTING TO THE FINISH?Gary Nelson: “Probably, the reliability of all of the new components. We have a lot more things that go by wire now. Where we used to have manual shift, we went to shift by wire and paddle shift and then we went to throttle by wire. And multiply that by four or five other different components on the car that are now going through a computer. So, probably electronics will be the focus on trying to make sure all of those computers do what they’re supposed to do.”Mike O’Gara: “My first prototype race was in 2004. Back then in the earlier days of Grand Am it was who could recover from a mistake or failure quickest, and the cars evolved to a point where they were pretty reliable. So, then, it was who could go the fastest for 24 hours without making a mistake. I feel like we’re coming back full circle from the early days of Grand Am. It’s who’s going to be reliable, and if you’re not reliable who can recover from some issue the quickest. We’ve all puta lot of miles on these cars, but until you race them in anger and start banging wheels you’re not going to see all the issues. It’s going to be not only survival of the fittest but who can recover from any issues the quickest.” WHEN WILL WE SEE A REPRESENTATIVE UNDERSTANDING OF PACE?Mike O’Gara: “To get the handling dialed in and the tire durability we’re never just putting around. I think qualifying is the first time you’ll see 10-10ths out of everyone.” WITH A ONE-TEAM APPROACH UNDER THE CADILLAC RACING BANNER, HOW HAS THAT BROUGHT THE TWO TEAMS TOGETHER?Gary Nelson: “It’s been a pleasure working with Mike and his group. I think we’ve advanced the technology a lot quicker because with each test we’ve done one group would test one series of items and the other another set. We were organized on who was doing what and we would get together at the end of each day – or sometimes part way through the day – and say, ‘We were having a little trouble with this part. You might want to check it on your car’ or ‘We just learned this change made a big difference. You might want to try it on your car.’ We’ve had that back and forth discussion and I welcome it very much.”Mike O’Gara: “It’s definitely been a learning experience for both teams and, quite honestly, a bit of a culture shift for Chip Ganassi Racing. We always pride ourselves on how we communicate internally. At the Indy 500 last year we have five race cars that were all capable of running at the front, so sharing info is what we do. But we haven’t often shared info outside of this building. But I think it’s gone amazingly well so far, sharing info with not just Action Express but with our GM Powertrain partners, with Dallara, with Michelin. It takes a village, and so far I think the partnership with AXR has gone really well. We’re figuring out who is better at what things and we divide and conquer. Hopefully, that will show in a couple of weeks.” HOW DOES THAT WORK INTO RACE WEEKENDS? ARE YOU GOING TO BE SHARING SIMILAR LEVELS OF INFORMATION OR ON YOUR OWN?Mike O’Gara: “I think a big part of winning this race is reliability, so we’re going to be huddling up constantly. Especially with car issues and things like that. We work closely with Dallara on set-up stuff, so the cars will all be mechanically identical and then we’ll go race on Saturday and Sunday to see out of all of us who can get it done.”Gary Nelson: “We have such common connections with the GM Powertrain folks, the Bosch folks, the Williams folks, the Dallara folks. If we learn something we want to make sure that the other Cadillacs know it and if they learn something they pass it to us because at the end we want a Cadillac to win the Daytona 24. I’d like it to be our Cadillac, but we still want a Cadillac to be in the winner’s circle.” WHAT HAVE YOU HAD TO ADD IN EQUIPMENT, PERSONNEL, EXPERTISE IN MOVING FROM DPI TO LMDH?Gary Nelson: “The first part was training on how to work with the high-voltage system of the MGU – the hybrid system – so a lot of training, a lot of safety procedures. And every new car takes new equipment – the set-up equipment is different. They don’t even fit in the trailer the same, so everything takes a bit of adjustment whenever you bring in a new platform. Over the years, that has gotten so much better with the companies that provide the equipment that we need. Personnel-wide, we’ve probably increased our group 20 percent with the folks working on the car. When we were a one-car team in DPi, we could pretty much take everything in one hauler to the racetrack. Now, we’re a one-car team going into ’23 and we have two haulers and a trailer to get everything to the racetrack. So, somehow we have a lot more equipment than we had in the past.” WILL SPECTATORS SEE A BIG DIFFERENCE ON THE TRACK BETWEEN THE GTP CARS AND LMP2 CARS?Mike O’Gara: “There should be enough of a performance differential that the GTP cars should clearly be quicker. There will be some challenges. The braking systems are quite different between a GTP car and a P2, so I think our car will be a lot better under braking but top speeds may be similar. It will make for some interesting racing, but I fully expect a GTP car to the at the top of the podium.” WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE FOR YOUR DRIVERS TO LEARN THE HYBRID SYSTEM AND ARE THERE ANY LIMITATIONS?Mike O’Gara: “Once you get rolling, it’s pretty much like any other race car. It’s starting it and launching it and diagnosing issues are where some of the challenges have been. We’re lucky enough to have drivers who have raced in Formula E, that have raced a Porsche P1 car, so those guys have helped the others who have never driven a hybrid or anything electrified before. It’s a manual that’s pretty thick on not necessarily on driving the car but procedures for starting it or restarting it or if you see a red light what to do. The race car is the race car but it’s all these other control systems that make it unique from what we’ve done before.” IS THE HYBRID SYSTEM A BIGGER TOOL THAN WHAT YOU’VE HAD IN THE PAST FOR FUEL MILEAGE?Mike O’Gara: “That’s one of our goals at the Roar to learn more about how to manage our fuel. It’s not a tank of fuel anymore, it’s a virtual fuel tank and the car fuel in addition to the energy you spend. It’s figuring out what’s the best use of deploying the hybrid power with the ICE engine. There is refueling time that has to be factored in, so I think you’ll see from many teams long runs to figure out energy per stint and the best combination. It’s no longer a knob for fuel trims. It’s a few knobs, a couple of switches and many a paddle or two that affect all it. We’re leaning every time that car leaves the pit box.” HOW DIFFICULT WILL IT BE TO KEEP THE HYBRID UNIT FULLY CHARGED GIVEN THE LACK OF BRAKING AT DAYTONA?Gary Nelson: “Even though there are not as many turns as a traditional road course, at Daytona the top speed has to be scrubbed off so much going into the Bus Stop and going into Turn 1 and then through the infield that you regenerate a lot more than you would imagine when you look at a road course with a lot of braking zones. Those are shorter braking zones, so we’re on the brakes pretty hard. I didn’t hear that in any of the engineering meetings if that was an issue.”  HOW MANY 24-HOUR RACES HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN AND WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO MAKING THOSE CRITICAL DECISIONS AT THE END?Gary Nelson: “My first 24-hour that I was involved in in the pits was 2007 and I’ve been to every one since. I’ve stayed up all night in almost all of them. I have a motorhome that I can sneak off to and get a few hours of sleep, but I only do that if things are going smooth. Hopefully, this year I’ll get a few hours sleep but I’m prepared if not to stay up all night.”Mike O’Gara: “Most since 2004 with a few Le Mans races in there. The key for me to stay awake and alert is to have a car that’s running at the front and competing for a win. There’s nothing worse in an endurance race than to have an issue at the beginning and run around at the back all day and night.”

BATAVIA, Ohio (January 4, 2022) – The Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup returns in 2023, adding a worthwhile bonus to an already lucrative season on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. The mini-series within the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series schedule consists of sixteen (16) events that pay $30,000 or more to the winner. Drivers with perfect attendance on the tour will earn points in these sixteen (16) events based on their respective finishes. The driver that earns the most points at the sixteen (16) Crown Jewel Cup events will be crowned the Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Champion – earning a $15,000 cash bonus at the year-end awards banquet. The drivers who finish second through fifth in the Crown Jewel Cup standings will earn $6,000, $4,000, $3,000, and $2,000 in cash, respectively for a total point fund of $30,000 for these sixteen (16) events. “We want to thank Arizona Sport Shirts for their continued support of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series,” stated Wayne Castleberry, Sales and Marketing for Lucas Oil. “Arizona Sport Shirts has and continues to play an important role in the growth of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. The Crown Jewel Cup program is a great compliment to the point fund and other contingencies that will be awarded in 2023.” “Our partnership with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is a validation of our continued commitment to dirt late model racing,” said Gerald Newton, Sr. VP of Operations at Arizona Sport Shirts. “We’re thrilled to support programs like the Crown Jewel Cup that add even more excitement to the tour.” Arizona Sport Shirts will continue to have a presence onsite at all series events with the Official Merchandise Trailer, along with their extensive online store: https://www.gottarace.com/collections/lucas-oil-late-model-dirt-series About Arizona Sports Shirts:Founded more than four decades ago, Arizona Sport Shirts has provided bold, unique, and effective apparel for race teams, businesses, and special events. Today, Arizona Sport Shirts continues its commitment to providing cutting edge apparel and merchandise found nowhere else. More information on Arizona Sport Shirts, including online ordering details, is available at: www.ArizonaSportShirts.com. 2023 Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Schedule: Sat. May 13 – Fairbury Speedway – Fairbury, IL – $30,000Sat. May 27 – Lucas Oil Speedway – Wheatland, MO – $50,000Sat. Jun. 3 – West Virginia Motor Speedway – Mineral Wells, WV – $50,000Sat. Jun. 17 – Smoky Mountain Speedway – Maryville, TN – $50,000Sat. Jun. 24 – Lernerville Speedway – Sarver, PA – $50,000Sat. Jul. 1 – Muskingum County Speedway – Zanesville, OH – $30,000Sat. Jul. 8 – Deer Creek Speedway – Spring Valley, MN – $50,000Sat. Jul. 22 – Huset’s Speedway – Brandon, SD – $53,000Sat. Aug. 12 – Florence Speedway – Union, KY – $75,000Sat. Aug. 19 – Batesville Motor Speedway – Batesville, AR – $50,000Sat. Aug. 26 – Port Royal Speedway – Port Royal, PA – $50,000Sun. Sep. 3 – Tyler County Speedway – Middlebourne, WV – $30,000Sat. Sep. 16 – Knoxville Raceway – Knoxville, IA – $50,000Sat. Sep. 23 – Brownstown Speedway – Brownstown, IN – $30,000Sat. Sep. 30 – Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway – Imperial, PA – $30,000Sat. Oct. 21 – Eldora Speedway – Rossburg, OH – $100,000

The Des Moines, IA driver will join the 2023 Rookie Class when the season starts at Sunshine Nationals

CONCORD, NC – January 4, 2023 – Todd Cooney is preparing for an opportunity he won’t forget in 2023. 

As the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models get ready for their season opener on Jan. 18-21 during Sunshine Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park, he’ll join the field as a Rookie of the Year contender—all while igniting his passion for racing.

“Late Model racing is my passion,” Cooney said. “I live, eat, and breathe racing. I live for this stuff and it’s what I work for.”

Work commitments and health issues kept the Des Moines, IA, driver from living out his dream in the past. However, that changes in 2023 as Cooney’s ability to work from the road allows him to run a national tour.

“About five years ago, I had a lot of health issues, and I’m at the point where I don’t necessarily be on-site to work,” Cooney said. “I can do some of my work from the road now. It’s always been a dream to do this stuff, and it’s my first opportunity to be able to go do it. I have great guys that work for me, and they basically said go live your dream and have fun.”

While Cooney will battle for Rookie of the Year, he’s no stranger to success. He’s found Victory Lane three times at one of Iowa’s most prestigious events—the IMCA SuperNationals at Boone Speedway.

Despite his success at Boone, where the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models will compete in August, he understands what to expect when the season begins.

“We’ve won (IMCA) SuperNationals three times,” Cooney said. “Then I got sick, and Ricky (Thornton Jr.) won it for me twice. So, we’ve won it five times.

“But as far as the racing goes, there’s no comparison between what I’ve done in the past and what I’m getting ready to get into. So as far as the experience goes, it’s going to be new for me.”

Boone isn’t the only track Cooney has experience at on the 53-race schedule. He also raced at Volusia—a place he started visiting as a kid.

“I’ve been going to Volusia since I was seven years old with my dad,” Cooney said. “We go for (DIRTcar Nationals) every year, and I don’t miss a race. I don’t care if it’s the Sprint Cars, Late Models; I go to every race at Volusia. I’ve just always loved the place.”

“We did decent there with the Limited (Late Model) stuff, and we went in there last year (at DIRTcar Nationals) and sucked,” Cooney said. “We tried to go into last year prepared, but because of the shortage of parts, shortage of this, and shortage of that. Honestly, we weren’t as prepared as we should’ve been.”

That experience at “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile” gave him a new perspective on what’s to come at Sunshine Nationals.

“Something I learned is that when you go into one of these deals with the World of Outlaws, you better have your shit together,” Cooney said. “That was a big learning curve last year, and it’s still a big learning curve.”

Cooney won’t let the opportunity to live out his dream go to waste when he straps in his Longhorn by Wells at Sunshine Nationals. He said he feels it’s only a matter of time before he is ready to contend.

“From where I’m coming from, we’re just working-class people, and we’re going to go try to race,” Cooney said. “I think with a little time, we’ll be in the game.”

The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models kick off their 2023 season at Volusia Speedway Park during Sunshine Nationals Jan. 18-21. They’ll be joined by the DIRTcar Pro Late Models and 602 Late Models, making the event a True Late Model Palooza.

GBARBERVILLE, FL (Jan. 3, 2023) – With Florida-based Germfree joining as the title sponsor, the inaugural Southern Sprint Car Shootout is set to bring fans an exciting new event, Jan. 26-28.For the first time in 18 years, the United Sprint Car Series will return to Volusia Speedway Park for the doubleheader weekend to open its 2023 season.The best 360 Sprint Car drivers in the country and beyond will gather in Barberville, FL for a $3,000-to-win prize Friday, Jan. 27, and then an impressive $5,000 top prize on Saturday, Jan. 28. There will be an open practice on Thursday, Jan. 26.Continuing its support for Volusia Speedway Park – which it will do throughout 2023 as the track’s preferred BioTech partner – Germfree joined as the event’s title sponsor looking to enhance the event and further reach fans.“We’re excited to partner with this inaugural event and continue to support Volusia Speedway Park and the racing community,” said Jessica Miller of Germfree. “Working with Volusia has created a tremendous opportunity to educate race fans about our company. We can’t wait for everyone to enjoy the Germfree Southern Sprint Car Shootout.”The United Sprint Car Series’ inaugural visit came in 2001 and was won by former World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series driver Terry McCarl. The Series was also a part of Volusia’s DIRTcar Nationals in 2004 with the World of Outlaws Late Models.Tyler Clem, of St. Petersburg, FL, has already locked himself into the event by winning the Sprint Car race during the Battle in Barberville in December.“That’s a big deal,” Clem said. “You never know what can happen in Qualifying… It’s a cool deal we’re getting to do this.”Joining them during the weekend will be Street Stocks on Friday and Thunder Stocks on Saturday – both competing for $1,000 paydays.The full list of former USCS winners at Volusia include, McCarl (2001), Sport Allen (2001), Kenny Adams (2003 x2, 2004, 2005), Joey Saldana (2004), Chad Kemenah (2004) and Terry Gray (2004).Tickets will be available at the track. If you can’t make it, you can watch Friday and Saturday night’s event live on DIRTVision.

Volusia Speedway Park — The World’s Fastest Half Mile — has been in operation for racing since 1968. The track was originally built by Benny Corbin as a way for dirt racing to grow in the Volusia County area. He owned the facility until 1982. Today, World Racing Group owns and operates Volusia Speedway Park, which plays host to the prestigious DIRTcar Nationals, Sunshine Nationals and Dale & Emil Reutimann Memorial in addition to its weekly racing program.

No Qualifying on Wednesday, Qualifying moves to Thursday-Friday

CONCORD, NC – Dec. 30, 2022 – This January, the biggest dirt Late Model event in Florida is undergoing the biggest change since its inception with a new format for two divisions.

The fourth annual DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park, Jan. 18-21, puts the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series, the DIRTcar Pro Late Models and the 602 Late Models on the same stage for a true Late Model Palooza.

With rapidly growing car counts among the three popular divisions, all-new formats have been established for the DIRTcar Pro Late Models (in conjunction with the Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series) and local 602 crate engine Late Model division to enhance the overall program. The World of Outlaws will run their normal program each night, highlighted by a $20,000-to-win Feature on Saturday.

DRIVER REGISTRATION
PRO/602 LATE MODEL COMPETITOR GUIDE

The new format focuses on the accrual of points over a series of Qualifying Features on Thursday and Friday, lined up by Hot Lap/Qualifying times on each night. Those points totals will lock the top-20 drivers into the Championship Features on Saturday and take an additional number of drivers in from the Last Chance Showdowns.

The DIRTcar Pro Late Models will contest a 30-lap, $10,000-to-win Championship Feature on Saturday, while the 602 Late Models will battle 20 laps for $3,000-to-win. Each day’s procedures under the new format are detailed in the sections below.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

An evening of practice for all three divisions will take place from 6-9pm before racing gets underway Thursday night. This is an optional session and is not required of drivers to participate.

Thursday-Friday, Jan. 19-20

Every driver in the DIRTcar Pro Late Model and 602 Late Model divisions will draw at sign-in and be seeded into one of two Hot Lap/Qualifying groups in their respective division. Drivers will qualify against only the other drivers in their group, putting a maximum of eight cars on the track at a time for two timed laps.

Each driver’s best time will be used to set that night’s Qualifying Feature lineups, staggered from fastest-to-slowest. The number of Qualifying Features for each division will be determined by car counts.

After Hot Lap/Qualifying, both divisions will then contest their set Qualifying Features – 20 laps, $1,500-to-win each for Pro Late Models and 15 laps, $1,000-to-win, for 602 Late Models. Each driver will earn points according to their finish in the Qualifying Features, giving everyone a final points total after the completion of Friday’s events.

The top-20 drivers in the standings will be locked into Saturday’s Championship Feature, while everyone else will be staggered into a Last Chance Showdown event on Saturday.

Saturday, Jan. 21
A redraw will take place to set a portion of the Championship Feature lineups within the top-20 cars locked-in via points; the details of which will be explained at Saturday’s drivers meeting.

Last Chance Showdown events will take another determined number of cars into the Championship Feature, followed by the addition of provisional starters at officials’ discretion. Once the lineups are set, the Pro Late Models will run 30 laps for $10,000-to-win, while the 602 Late Models will contest 20 laps for a $3,000 grand prize.

Every driver who starts at Last Chance Showdown or Feature will earn points toward the overall standings on Saturday, awarding the driver with the most points after the Championship Features with a special trophy as DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals champion of their respective division.

Tickets for the fourth annual DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals are on sale now at WorldofOutlaws.com. If you can’t be at the track, catch all the action live on DIRTVision with a FAST PASS subscription.

Canadian Officially Set to Contend for Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year in 2023DECEMBER 28, 2022 – The first contender for the 2023 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award has arrived, and his name is Robbie Price.After contesting a partial season with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series in 2022, the Cobble Hill, British Columbia native officially announced today his intent to return to the tour full-time in 2023 aboard the Sides Motorsports #7S.”I’m really excited to do the full deal finally,” Price told SPEED SPORT. “It’s been a while since someone from the Northwest has been out on the tour. I want to be able to run the whole deal and nobody from where I’m from has run the tour, let alone 90% of the tracks we go to, so Jason is the perfect fit for us. I’ve always wanted to run the Outlaws deal and that’s something I can finally put on my resume now.””We’re excited to have Robbie back with the team and look forward to him taking another step forward as we return to some tracks that he saw for the first time last year,” Jason Sides said to SPEED SPORT. “It’s tough to show up to a new track and be competitive right off the bat against the World of Outlaws. We saw improvement on some of the tracks we went back to compared to his debut, so we’re focused on continuing that development.”Qualifying for 34 NOS Energy Drink Features in 2022, Price continually improved throughout the year with his first career top-five finishes coming in back-to-back weeks at North Dakota’s Red River Valley Speedway and Washington’s Skagit Speedway.”Seat time is the biggest thing and one thing that is the hardest to get,” Price continued. “I had a lot of fun last year and I felt like we started to piece together some solid runs. I’m hoping that we start the year off with the momentum we had toward the end. I’m really focused on getting better on the big tracks and focusing on running well on smaller tracks where I’m naturally more comfortable.”Fresh off winning the Crew Chief of the Year Award, “Double Down” Jason Sides himself confirmed he won’t return to full-time racing in 2023, but does plan to get back behind the wheel for a few races. His primary focus will be continuing to assist in Price’s learning curve with The Greatest Show on Dirt.”It’s been tough being out of the seat since May,” Sides added. “I’m not planning on running full-time next year, but I’ll be there for some events. I’m excited for this role as a car owner watching an up-and-coming driver like Robbie embark on his first full season with the Outlaws. I’ll log some laps here and there, too.”Price will be trying to join Series regulars Spencer Bayston (2022), James McFadden (2021), Carson Macedo (2019), Sheldon Haudenschild (2017), Brad Sweet (2014), David Gravel (2013), Kraig Kinser (2004), and Donny Schatz (1997) as the newest Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year. His car owner, Jason Sides, also won the award in 2003, 20 years prior to Price’s attempt in Sides’ own #7S.His rookie campaign with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will officially begin on February 9-11, 2023 with the 52nd DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL – another new track for the 24-year-old gasser. Tickets are available for purchase HERE.If you can’t make it to the event, the entire 2023 season will be live on DIRTVision – available either online or through the DIRTVision App.Photo – Chris Owens

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: NOS Energy Drink (Official Energy Product), Case Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include ACME Trading, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, KSE Racing Products (Hard Charger Award), Micro-Lite LLC, MSD, My Place Hotels; manufacturer sponsors include Dirt Car Lift, FIREBULL, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, and Sea Foam.

BATAVIA, Ohio (December 28, 2022) – What is being anticipated as the biggest season to-date for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is now less than one month away. The 2023 season kicks off with a busy Georgia-Florida Speedweeks – featuring 13 events and three practice nights, at four unique venues, over the course of 17 days. The 2023 Georgia-Florida Speedweeks will run from January 25 through February 11 with visits to Golden Isles Speedway, Bubba Raceway Park, All-Tech Raceway, and East Bay Raceway Park. The action will get underway on Wednesday, January 25, with an open practice at Golden Isles Speedway, in Brunswick, Ga. followed by three nights of racing. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series teams compete for $10,000 on January 26, $12,000-to-win on January 27, and on Saturday, January 28 a record setting amount for Golden Isles Speedway, $25,000-to-win. To find more information, please visit www.gisdirt.com.  The momentum continues to Bubba Raceway Park, the oldest continuously running racetrack in the state of Florida, for two nights of racing in Ocala, Fla. Sunday, January 29 and Monday, January 30 teams will vie for a pair of $10,000-to-win events. For more information, visit www.bubbaracewaypark.com.  After two days off, teams then take the action back North approximately one hour, to Lake City, Fla. All-Tech Raceway has a practice on Thursday, February 2 followed by two nights of racing, starting on Friday, February 3 paying $12,000-to-win while Saturday, February 4 will show a top prize of $15,000. Additional information can be found at www.alltechraceway.com.  From there, the Georgia-Florida Speedweeks will wrap up at the famed “Clay by the Bay”, East Bay Raceway Park, in Tampa, Fla. The 47th Annual Wieland Winternationals kicks off with an open practice on Sunday, February 5, followed by six nights of racing.  Monday and Tuesday, February 6 and 7, teams will compete for $5,000-to-win. Wednesday, February 8 will see drivers gunning for $7,000 in top prize money. On Thursday, February 9 the winner’s prize increases to $10,000 before the stakes get even higher on Friday, February 10, with teams competing for a $12,000 paycheck. The week will end on Saturday, February 11, boasting a $15,000 top prize. For more information, please visit www.ebrp.co.  The Georgia-Florida Speedweeks will kick off the season-long Big River Steel Chase for the Championship presented by ARP – and the more than $1,000,000 in point fund money to be paid out at season’s end. The 2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion will take home an industry record $200,000.  To learn more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, visit www.lucasdirt.com.  2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Georgia-Florida Speedweeks Schedule:Wed. Jan. 25 – Golden Isles Speedway – Brunswick, Ga. – PracticeThurs. Jan. 26 – Golden Isles Speedway – Brunswick, Ga. – $10,000 Fri. Jan. 27 – Golden Isles Speedway – Brunswick, Ga. – $12,000 Sat. Jan. 28 – Golden Isles Speedway – Brunswick, Ga. – $15,000 Sun. Jan. 29 – Bubba Raceway Park – Ocala, Fla. – $10,000 Mon. Jan. 30 – Bubba Raceway Park – Ocala, Fla. – $10,000 Thurs. Feb. 2 – All-Tech Raceway – Lake City, Fla. – PracticeFri. Feb. 3 – All-Tech Raceway – Lake City, Fla. – $12,000 Sat. Feb. 4 – All-Tech Raceway – Lake City, Fla. – $15,000Sun. Feb. 5 – East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Fla. – PracticeMon. Feb. 6 – East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Fla. – $5,000Tues. Feb. 7 – East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Fla. – $5,000Wed. Feb. 8 – East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Fla. – $7,000Thurs. Feb. 9 – East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Fla. – $10,000Fri. Feb. 10 – East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Fla. – $12,000Sat. Feb. 11 – East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Fla. – $15,000

CLASS OF 2023: World of Outlaws Set to Showcase Exciting New Roster

Dennis Erb Jr. begins his title defense Jan. 18-21 at Volusia Speedway Park during Sunshine Nationals

CONCORD, NC – December 28, 2022 – As the calendar turns to 2023, the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series’ roster is building to have one of the most exciting group of drivers in the sport.

Currently, 14 drivers will start their quest for the 2023 championship when the season kicks off at Volusia Speedway Park during Sunshine Nationals, Jan. 18-21. Three nights of action are on tap at The World’s Fastest Half Mile, including a $20,000 finale on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Among the 14 competitors are returning champions, the winningest driver in Series history, rising stars and talented rookies.

Here’s a look at who will make up the roster when the 2023 season begins:

Dennis Erb Jr. | 2022 Series Champion | Carpentersville, IL

Dennis Erb Jr., along with his crew chief Heather Lyne – who became the first championship winning female crew chief in a national dirt racing series – are back to defend their title.

Through a season of consistency, and four victories, they claimed their first World of Outlaws title this year. 

READ MORE: Dennis Erb Jr, Heather Lyne Turn Years of Hard Work into First World of Outlaws Championship

With a World of Outlaws championship on their resume, Erb and Lyne – who is also a two-time Series Crew Chief of the Year (2021, 2022) – plan to build off that and grow their legacy with the Series further.

If the dynamic duo can do it again, they would join Billy Moyer, Josh Richards and Brandon Sheppard as the only champions to win in back-to-back years.

Brandon Sheppard | 4X Champion & Winningest Driver | New Berlin, IL

Brandon Sheppard is the most accomplished driver in World of Outlaws CASE Late Models history with four championships and 81 victories (most all-time). But in 2023, his quest for a record fifth championship comes with changes.

For the first time on tour, Sheppard won’t be driving for Rocket1 Racing – the car he drove to his four titles. Instead, he’ll pilot the #B5 for Sheppard-Riggs racing—a joint effort between himself and Scott Riggs, who Tanner English drove for last season.

He’s also made a chassis switch for 2023, moving from a Rocket to a Longhorn Chassis.

If the New Berlin, IL driver can win the championship again, he’ll break a tie with Josh Richards for most all-time.

Tanner English | 2022 Rookie of the Year | Benton, KY

Reigning World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Rookie of the Year Tanner English is back for more in his second season on tour—hoping to build on his three-win campaign and second-place finish in 2022 points. 

READ MORE: Tanner English Aims for More Success in Second World of Outlaws Campaign

However, the Benton, KY driver has made some changes for next season, as he now drives for the Shawn and Lisa Martin-owned Viper Motorsports in a black #96 car.

English will return to a Longhorn Chassis when the season starts in January, hoping to carry his momentum from last season into 2023 and his first World of Outlaws CASE Late Models championship.

Chris Madden | Gray Court, SC

One of the top Late Model drivers in 2022 has returned to the Series to chase the championship in 2023. Chris Madden, who finished second to Sheppard in 2021, is searching for his first Series title.

READ MORE: Chris Madden Aims for 2023 World of Outlaws Late Models Championship

Madden scored four victories when he last ran the tour full-time and hopes to grab momentum at Volusia Speedway Park, where he scored his lone Series win of 2022.

“Smokey” enters his 2023 campaign after a 15-win season, including four victories worth $50,000 or more.

Nick Hoffman | Mooresville, NC

Nick Hoffman will race for a national Late Model championship for the first time in his career when he joins the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models in 2023 with Tye Twarog Racing.

READ MORE: Nick Hoffman Joins World of Outlaws Late Models with Tye Twarog Racing

Hoffman, who’s racked up five DIRTcar Summit Equipment Modified National Championships, will have a learning curve in his Rookie of the Year campaign, driving a Longhorn Chassis for the first time.

He’s made 17 starts with the Series so far, picking up two top fives and five top 10s – his best finish is fifth (twice).

He’ll be one of four drivers chasing Rookie of the Year honors in 2023. And while many are used to seeing him in a blue #2 Modified – which he’ll still run from time to time – they’ll have to get used to seeing him in a blue #9 Late Model.

Max Blair | Centerville, PA

Another driver making a change in 2023 is Max Blair, who battled English for Rookie of the Year honors last season.

Coming off a two-win season, Blair will now be part of the Briggs Transport stable as a teammate to Series veteran Boom Briggs.

READ MORE: Max Blair Teams Up with Boom Briggs for 2023, Reflects on 2022 Season

The Centerville, PA driver hopes his knowledge from his first year on the road will help him vault two spots higher in the standings to claim his first Series title.

Boom Briggs | Bear Lake, PA

For the second consecutive season, Boom Briggs and his Briggs Transport team will have two cars on the road, this time with Max Blair as his teammate in 2023. 

The veteran driver from Bear Lake, PA, is still in search of his first World of Outlaws Late Models victory, an accomplishment that’s eluded him in his time on tour. 

Briggs has 53 chances to take the checkered flag, including a hometown trip to Stateline Speedway, where he scored a top five the last time the Series visited the Busti, NY facility in 2021.

Ryan Gustin | Marshalltown, IA

Ryan Gustin broke through for his first two World of Outlaws CASE Late Models victories in 2022 and hopes to turn that momentum into a 2023 championship run. 

“The Reaper” was in contention for many victories throughout the season before a string of bad luck kept Gustin out of Victory Lane on multiple occasions throughout the year.

Gustin will also have a change to his team in 2023, as long-time crew chief Brett Ladehoff is coming off the road. He filled that position with Taylon Center, who recently spent time as the crew chief for Hudson O’Neal and Ricky Thornton Jr.

Brent Larson | Lake Elmo, MN

Brent Larson returns to the World of Outlaws in 2023, coming off a personal best fifth-place finish in the season standings.

The Lake Elmo, MN driver, narrowly missed his first career win last season at Cedar Lake Speedway when he finished second to Mike Marlar on night one of the USA Nationals in August. He also improved his average finish by four positions.

Larson hopes he’ll continue to take strides forward and build on his fifth-place finish and hopes to grab that elusive first checkered flag.

Gordy Gundaker | St. Charles, MO

Gordy Gundaker faced many ups and downs throughout his rookie season with the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models. However, a late momentum charge has him optimistic heading into 2023 and the season-opener at Sunshine Nationals.

READ MORE: Gordy Gundaker Prepares for Second Season with World of Outlaws Late Models

Despite only grabbing 10 top-10s in the 2022 season, three came over the final six races.

With more experience under his belt, Gundaker is another driver aiming for his first career Series win. He has the chance to do it at home in June when the Series visits Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, IL, a facility promoted by his parents.

Todd Cooney | Des Moines, IA

Todd Cooney will join Nick Hoffman in the Rookie battle and Gustin as another driver from Iowa on tour in 2023.

Cooney, who’s yet to make a World of Outlaws CASE Late Models start, will join the Series at Volusia Speedway Park during Sunshine Nationals—where he’s found success. The Des Moines, IA driver, scored a top 10 in a DIRTcar Pro Late Model at the event in 2021.

He’s spent most of his career racing around Iowa, including three IMCA Super Nationals Late Model wins at Boone Speedway, home of the Hawkeye 50.

He also scored three wins in two different Series in 2021. Two with the Haulin’ with Hoker Trucking Super Late Model East Series at Cresco Speedway and Manquoketa Speedway and one with the Malvern Bank Super Late Model West Series at Shelby County Speedway.

Dustin Walker | Polk, MO

After suffering a stroke in 2020, Dustin Walker will be living a dream in 2023, joining the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models full-time.

It’s a bucket list item for him and one he hopes to turn into a successful rookie season.

READ MORE: Dustin Walker Crosses Off Bucket List Item with World of Outlaws Campaign

Walker will hit the road alongside his daughter when the season starts next month and said he hopes to finish top 12 in points at the end of the year.

He made two starts with the World of Outlaws in 2022, and spent most of his season racing around the Midwest—his best finish a second at Midway Speedway in Lebanon, MO.

Logan Martin | West Plains, MO

Logan Martin, from West Plains, MO, will join the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models for the first time in 2023, hoping to grab Rookie of the Year honors.

In his 12 starts with the Series, Martin found his best success with the Series in 2021 when he had a top-five and two top 10s at Boone Speedway – which the Series will return to on Tuesday, Aug. 1, for the Hawkeye 50.

He also set fast time in 2022 during an event at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 last June.

Payton Freeman | Commerce, GA

After a solid second-place finish with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals in 2022, Payton Freeman joins a national tour for the first time with the World of Outlaws Late Models.

The Commerce, GA driver, will battle for Rookie of the Year honors behind the wheel of the G.R. Smith-owned #22 car. He already scored a win for the team in November, when he grabbed the $22,000 prize in the Southern Showcase at Deep South Speedway.

Freeman hopes his experience in the Midwest will give him an advantage throughout the season, as he’s one of the drivers aiming for their first career Series victory.

These 14 drivers will begin an 11-month, 53-race grind on Jan. 18-21 when the Series opens the 2023 season at Volusia Speedway Park during Sunshine Nationals. Joining them at Volusia are the DIRTcar Pro Late Models and 602 Late Models as part of a Late Model Palooza.

(12/27/22) Sacramento, CA … The Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC), sanctioning bodies and sprint car race promoters throughout California and the left coast have agreed to implement a fire suppression system rule in 2023.  Effective May 1, 2023, all sprint cars will be required to run a fully functional system meeting a SFI 17.3 specification.

The safety-enhancing rule was discussed in depth with representatives of all major sanctioning bodies and dirt tracks at the Reno RPM Workshop and all agreed on the date moving forward.  This includes the Sprint Car Challenge Tour, Kings of Thunder, Skagit Speedway and all tracks on the 2023 NARC 410 sprint car schedule.

The equipment specifications mirror what most major sprint car sanction bodies are requiring during the 2023 season.

A complete breakdown of the rule will be published in the NARC rulebook in early January.  Listed below is the baseline for the rule:

1. A fire suppression system that meets the SFI 17.3 specification must be installed and functional in all race cars at all times when competing at Northern Auto Racing Club events after May 1, 2022.
2. The fire suppression system must include a thermal trigger and a manual trigger.  Both triggers must be mounted in the driver’s compartment. The thermal trigger must be in the lower area of the drivers compartment forward of the seat near the area of the fuel pump. The manual trigger must be mounted within reach of the driver on the forward left-hand side of the cockpit. A minimum of one nozzle must be mounted in the lower area of the cockpit forward of the seat.
3. The DOT approved cylinder manufactured of aluminum or steel must be securely mounted to the frame per the manufacturer’s instructions. The cylinder must have a minimum capacity of five-pounds.
4. The system must be fully charged and display a legible and valid SFI 17.3 and manufacturer label, easily viewable at any time by NARC and/or race track officials. Cylinders that are beyond useful certification date must be inspected, serviced and re-labeled by the manufacture.
5. If a nozzle is connected to the cylinder with a line, the line must be steel or steel reinforced and must be triggered at the end of the line.

(NOTE:  SFI is a certification that demonstrates that the manufacturer certifies the racing equipment has been laboratory tested to meet or exceed SFI safety specifications. This gives consumers and sanctioning bodies a way to differentiate a certified product from one that is untested.)

Approved Manufacturer’s:

Lifeline Fire & Safety USA

Safecraft Safety Equipment, Martinez, CA

Safety Systems Inc. (Firebottle), Ft Myers, FL

Spa Technique Inc. Indianapolis, IN

Rose has a Big Block and Small Block Modified he hopes to run in 2023, along with the full World of Outlaws Sprint Car tour

BARBERVILLE, FL (Dec. 27, 2022) – Bill Rose will add another center-steer vehicle to his resume of race cars in February as he plans to make his Big Block Modified debut at DIRTcar Nationals.

After running his Sprint Car the first week of the event at Volusia Speedway Park (Feb. 6-11), he’ll climb aboard his new Teo-built Modified with the Super DIRTcar Series during week two (Feb. 15-18).

“I’ve been looking forward to it,” Rose said. “I’ve always wanted to run one. Billy Pauch had tried to get me hooked up with some people to run one and it just never came about. I started piecing one together.”

And not just one. Two.

Through the process of building one car, Rose found himself with another. He plans on making one his Big Block car, while the other will be his Small Block car.

“I went up to Teo’s for some parts and ended up buying another one from them,” Rose said with a chuckle.

He doesn’t have specific plans for the Small Block yet. Maybe run it later this year, if at all. But the Big Block he hopes to run at DIRTcar Nationals and a few more times throughout the year – especially when the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series runs through Pennsylvania and New York.

His hope is to catch some of the weekday Modified events in between World of Outlaws races and bring the Big Block – potentially the Small Block – to Weedsport Speedway in the summer when the Modifieds are paired with the World of Outlaws for the Empire State Challenge Weekend, July 29-30.

If all goes well throughout the year, he’ll also run with the Super DIRTcar Series during World Finals in November at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

DIRTcar Nationals will be his first time sitting behind the wheel of a Big Block Modified. While he knows there’ll probably be a learning curve, he hopes his Silver Crown experience will be of assistance.

“To me, they remind me of a Silver Crown car in a way,” Rose said. “The only thing is, they have them to where they’re rolling over on the right front big time and raising up on the left rear like the Late Models do now. Silver Crown don’t do that. So, that’s going to be a little bit different for me. But I think they’re still going to drive about the same. If you watch them, they stay straight as hell. That’s what you have to do with Silver Crown cars, especially on the miles.”

The other challenge for the Plainfield, IN native is logistics. First, it’s the logistics of location. With the majority of the Big Block and Small Block events being in the Northeast, Rose plans to leave his Modifieds with a friend in region. The second is the logistics of help.

Most of the time, it’s he and Amanda Hoegsted working on the cars in the shop and at the track. And for Rose, his Sprint Car program will still be top priority. He said if he can hire a couple more guys to help take care of his Sprint Car, that’ll free him up to try other things.

After the 2023 Chili Bowl, Rose said all of his Midget program will be sold off. But along with his Winged Sprint Car and new Modifieds, he still has a Silver Crown car and a Non-Wing Sprint Car at his shop.

“I don’t do anything else,” Rose said. “Amanda asked, ‘Are we going to go do anything else?’ I said, ‘I don’t know what else to do.’”

His plan is to run the full World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series schedule again in 2023. After what he called his “worst year” in 2022, Rose said he’s coming back with a new car and better engine package.

“I got my ass handed to me last year,” Rose said. “But I learned, and I learned more toward the end of the year. Last year, I was so far behind because of losing a year of racing because of my shoulder (injury). The motors were worn out and I just wanted to get through the end of the year.

“The new cars are different from what I had last year. Motors, I got better motors. That’s huge. I had good motors, but I didn’t realize how much better I needed them. So, we worked on that program. Will we set the world on fire? Who knows? But I should be a whole lot better than what I was. I’m looking forward to it because I know what we’re doing.”

The sky is the limit for his new Modified program. If the stars align in the future, Rose said he could see himself attempting events like Super DIRT Week at Oswego Speedway. But for now, he’ll take his white #6 Big Block Modified to Florida and continue to grow his eclectic resume of race cars.

“Billy (Pauch) told me I was stupid last year when I told him I bought [a Modified],” Rose said with a chuckle. “He goes, ‘You live in Indiana, why the hell would you do that? And I said, ‘I don’t know, I’ve just always wanted to do it.’”

To see Rose and the rest of the World of Outlaws and Super DIRTcar Series stars at DIRTcar Nationals, CLICK HERE for tickets.

Motivate, Inspire, Educate
OnTrackTM

FOLLOW A DREAM’S MISSION has always been to educate
children and adults on the power of positive thinking,
self-determination, and teamwork through motorsports.
After over twenty years of inspiring and motivating the
masses, Jay Blake says there is still work to be done. “It’s a
mission that never ends,” Jay says with an easy smile. “I like
to say, ‘with education, there is no finish line.’ I am always
humbled to hear that my story has helped someone else;
it’s incredible to witness the lives we have touched and
the impact we have made. It drives me, it inspires me, and
it energizes me to keep promoting the power of positive
thinking. These five tools really work!”
The five tools that Jay is talking about are a positive
attitude, education, passion, determination, and teamwork.
They are the basis for Jay’s speech and presentation,
designed to encourage and motivate audiences to pursue
their dreams.
After a presentation at Cape Cod Academy in June, the
teacher and long-time friend Juliana Jarvis praised the
charismatic speaker. “I’ve known Jay for over ten years, and
he has come to many events I have hosted for students. He
has a gift for connecting with people of all ages.”
After Spring visits to Granite Academy and The Victor
school, Michael Capobianco, English Teacher at Granite
Academy, echoed Juliana’s sentiments. “Jay Blake spoke
volumes about persistence, gratitude, and growth at one
of our school’s assemblies. His delivery, both engaging
and compelling, featured a sampling of comic relief as
he navigated difficult topics. With a focus on personal
responsibility and team-based support, Blake’s message
resonated with our audience and inspired us all.”
Granite Academy and The Victor School are a part of
Justice Resource Institute which offers a broad range of
specialized schools and unique programs for students
from diverse backgrounds. Blake indeed has a knack for
reaching students, especially those that may not fit the
typical mold.
After a trip to the Carroll Center, a specialized school
for the blind in Newton Massachusetts, Jay reminisced
Continued next pageabout his time there learning to live as a completely blind
man, “When I first arrived here, I was newly blind and
filled with fear, I could never have imagined what I have
accomplished. It’s amazing what can be done when you
believe in yourself and don’t let your fear stop you.”
Jay brings his race car to The Carroll Center every year
and even fires it up to give the students an idea of what
the 4000-plus horsepower engine sounds like. Cheers
and applause broke out from the crowd surrounding Jay
and his race car as it roared to life. Not only thrilling the
students and their instructors but physically representing
what they can accomplish in their lives if they don’t limit
themselves. Jay told his mostly blind audience, “Do not let
your fear stop you; let your dreams drive you.”
Students are often impressed by Jay’s abilities despite his
blindness, but it is his determination and passion that really
impresses his audience; Daniel, a young automotive student
from Madison Park Vocational Technical, Boston’s only
public Vocational Technical School, remarked, “I think his car
is fantastic, and his presentation is impressive too, it’s kind
of an emotional and moving presentation because it shows
that even though he has a disability, it doesn’t stop him from
doing what he loves. It’s the most fantastic thing ever!”
After a packed high school presentation on Cape Cod,
Dennis-Yarmouth student Daniel Springer reflected on Jay’s
visit in a journal entry he shared with us. “That Jay Blake
guy came to speak at school today. He was super inspiring
and really motivating. I am not really into cars, and I don’t
know anything about racecars, horsepower, or all that stuff.
But his story was super interesting.
I think it convinced everyone in the
audience that you can do anything.”
Jay’s speaking engagements
aren’t limited to the Bay State;
Blake has taken his motivational
and inspirational presentation
nationwide. 2022’s speaking
schedule included stops in Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Rhode
Island, and more. At Reading Muhlenberg Vocational
Technical school in Pennsylvania, a disabled girl with
bright, cheerful eyes asked Jay for a hug, saying, “You are
incredible. I always thought that my disability would keep
me from doing what I wanted to do growing up. After
seeing your presentation, I realized I don’t have to give up
on any of my dreams.” Jay embraced the young girl and
reminded her to never give up.
Mr. Blake is certain when he is
asked about his organization
and its mission, “The racing
is my dream, and to be
successful on the track means
the world to me. But, when
I return to my Creator, it will be the lives I have touched
and the people that I have inspired that will matter, not the
races we won, and I am grateful to be able to do what I do.”
Scan this code to donate to
Follow A Dream or to see how you
can volunteer to help us make a
difference. Or visit us at
www.followadream.org.
Want our newsletter emailed to you?
Let us know! Just email us at jay@followadream.org
Motivate, Inspire, Educate — Continued
“It’s amazing what can be done
when you believe in yourself and
don’t let your fear stop you.”Funnycar
Report
The
Follow A Dream
Funnycar Team
Phil Burkart
Driver
Jay Blake
Crew Chief
Anthony Terenzio
Tuner
Rich Bozzelli
Tuning Consultant
Scott “Ozzie” Osborn
Lead Engine
Technician
Anthony Mondi
Assistant Engine
Technician
Lukas VanGelder
Lead Clutch and
Transmission
Technician
Joe Driscoll
Assistant Clutch
Technician
Tom Wanders
Chef and Team
Support
Rachel McMahon
Public Relations
and Social Media
Coordinator
With Special Thanks to
David Lariviere
Alan Hadfield
Will Wallace
Scott VanGelder
David Carlson
Wyatt Kubicke
David Thornton
Andrew “Oggie” Pesek
Jack Rodgers
Daphne Irwin
THE 2022 SEASON didn’t end in victory
for the Follow A Dream Funny Car Team.
However, no one can complain about landing
in second place after more than two years
without a single run down the track. The
Dream Team came out of a two-year drought
ready to win, and they came incredibly
close to clinching the Eastern Region
Championship.
After losing primary sponsorship, the Covid-19
pandemic hit, leaving the funnycar parked
for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. However,
the team was anxious to get back onto the
track and put some pent-up energy to good
use. They did generate power and lots of
horsepower, too! The team rounded out the
season with two wins, and two runner-ups out
of seven regional races, and finished second in
the Eastern Region Championship.
They returned strong, winning their first race of
the year at Atco Dragway in April. Team owner
Jay Blake was ecstatic, and the team was fully
charged. But, unfortunately, after the season-
opening win, the Follow A Dream Team lost its
second race. The Dream Team was knocked
out in their first round of eliminations at Cecil
County Dragway in Maryland due to some
unusual transmission failure.
After fixing the issue, the team packed up and
headed to one of their favorite tracks, Maple
Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania. The Follow
A Dream crew rebounded from the broken
transmission but ultimately lost after a tough
round in the semifinals.
At the fourth race of the year, Funnycar Driver
Phil Burkart was able to drive the racecar
into the winner’s circle once again. The
Follow A Dream Team celebrated capturing
their second win of the season. This time at
Lebanon Valley Raceway in West Lebanon,
New York, also Phil’s home track.
August brought another tough loss in the
finals at Atco raceway in New Jersey. Still, the
team was confident in the car’s performance
and hopeful for a win at the race team’s home
track in New Hampshire. But, unfortunately,
New England Dragway didn’t produce a Wally.
The Dream Team was able to get the car to
the final round once again, but victory slipped
away at the last moment.
In September, the Dream Team headed
to The Maple Grove Nationals, the only
National event on the schedule this season.
The Pep Boys Nationals was the perfect
platform for Follow A Dream to help promote
their long-term racing partner and former
primary sponsor, Permatex’s new endeavor,
PermatexTraining.com. Unfortunately, the
team lost in the quarterfinals. Still, Jay and
the team were happy to have had another
chance to try and clinch the elusive Maple
Grove Wally and to help our racing partner
showcase their new training website.
The team headed home filled with confidence
and ready to prepare for the next race in
Virginia. Expectations were high as Team
Tuner Anthony Terenzio, and Team Tuning
Consultant Rich Bozzelli had been working
hard to pull .40s out of the 4000-plus
horsepower racecar.
Heartbreak and disappointment hit the Dream
Team harder than a tropical storm when
the race in Virginia was canceled at the last
minute due to hurricane Ian. Nevertheless, the
Dream Team unloaded the already packed
transporter and tried to come to terms with
losing their final chance to race for The
Eastern Region Championship.
Team owner Jay Blake tried to lift the spirits
of his disheartened team. He reminded them
that he was still incredibly proud of all the
hard work and effort that went into their
almost-championship run. “After over two
years on the sidelines, we’ll take second
place. Everyone on this team has worked
tirelessly to make this season successful. We
got this far because of all your hard work and
sacrifice. We were a threat to win at every
race we attended this year. Next year, we will
win every race we attend!”

EVANS, GA. – Two-time NHRA Pro Modified champion Stevie “Fast” Jackson underwent surgery on Monday, December 19, 2022, to repair damage to his neck following multiple high-speed crashes dating back to 2008. Doctors have said he could be sidelined for up to six months while healing. 
“They went in there and reconstructed my spine, basically,” Jackson said from his home in Evans, Ga. “A portion of the discs had moved into the spinal column and compressed the spinal cord. They went in there, took the discs out, grafted some bone, removed some bone, fused some bone, put in a titanium cage, screwed me together.”
Jackson admitted he has been up and about since the procedure and said it didn’t take long to realize he’s not as invincible as he thought. 
“Four days removed right now, right now it feels like I’ve been in a fight with Macho Man Randy Savage,” Jackson admitted. 
Jackson said he’d had a clue for the last decade or so that he was more injured than he was willing to admit. During the 2022 NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., he could no longer ignore the situation. 
“When I got into the race car in Brainerd this year, I pulled my helmet on just like I had done a thousand times before. It sent a sharp pain all the way through the heel of my other foot, and my left hand went numb. I haven’t had feeling in my left hand since July of this year. I knew that I needed to get it looked at.
Jackson still tried to avoid having surgery. He went to doctor’s appointments and even did physical therapy. Nothing seemed to fix the problem leaving him with no other alternative but surgery to repair the damage. 
“I started having a decline in motor skills, and reflexes on the right side of my body, to where, when you check your reflexes with the little hammer, and your left leg jumps far, but your right leg barely moves, that’s kind of a bad deal,” Jackson said. 
 “I met with a bunch of neurosurgeons, neurologists, and orthopedic surgeons, and we figured we need to do this right now. I was going to try to put off another season, but it ended up being a need-to-get-it-fixed-right-now deal.”
Jackson had developed a regimen of pain management over the years, even after his crash in 2018 during the final round of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, which revealed he’d further aggravated his pre-existing injuries.
“When I wrecked in 2018, in Charlotte, they did a CAT scan and MRI on my neck and showed me an area where the disc had exploded and was compressing the spinal cord,” Jackson explained.” I thought I would have to have it done at that point. But through physical therapy, exercise, and working out, I was able to get it to a manageable level.”
Jackson admits he’s been tasked with challenging scenarios throughout his career, but remaining idle while his body heals might be the toughest he’s ever faced.
“It’s killing me, man,” Jackson admitted. “Everybody’s planning, going to run at US Street Nationals and all these other races coming up, and I don’t know when I’ll be back in the car. I spoke to Scotty Cannon about this, and he didn’t have this surgery, but it was a similar type of surgery for a different part of his back. He told me the mistake he made was jumping in the car too fast. Everybody I’ve talked to has told me to wait. So while it’s hard, I’m going to wait till they clear me. I do not want to have to do this again.
“The doctors gave me a 90% chance of full recovery. That’s really good as long as I follow the steps they want me to do. I’d much rather be out of it for a while and then get to come back and be as good as I was than to rush back into it and have to do this again.”