YORBA LINDA, Calif. (Dec. 09, 2022) – John Force Racing announced today a multi-year extension with Chevrolet that will see the iconic Bowtie prominently displayed on the National Hot Rod Association’s championship-winning team’s Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars. “We’re excited to be extending our partnership with Chevrolet and General Motors,” team owner and CEO John Force said. “We have a long history with Chevy, a long successful history and we look forward to continuing that tradition into the future. The support we receive from Chevrolet goes beyond the racetrack. They are part of the John Force Racing family; they help keep us doing what we love and we want to keep winning for them.” The legendary drag racing team and General Motors have had a storied history together. John Force has recorded 77 of his 155 NHRA Funny Car victories in a GM product, including 24 in a Chevrolet (14 Camaro, 10 Lumina). His first NHRA start (1977, Pomona), final round (1979), No. 1 qualifier (1986) were all in a Chevrolet and for his first NHRA victory in 1987 at Montreal, the 16-time champion drove an Oldsmobile. Force’s first win in a Chevrolet came in 1994 on the way to his fourth Funny Car title with 10 wins in 11 finals rounds. After a long hiatus, John Force Racing returned to the Chevrolet fold in 2015. The renewed partnership has produced championships by Brittany Force (Top Fuel) in 2022 and 2017 and Robert Hight (Funny Car) in 2019 and 2017 and a total of 65 victories. “We are proud to continue to partner with John Force Racing,” U.S. Vice President, Performance and Motorsports, Jim Campbell said. “John, Brittany Force, Robert Hight and Austin Prock and their teams are consistently focused on improving performance, delivering wins and vying for championships. We are thrilled to continue to race together in NHRA’s top classes.” This past season, all four John Force Racing drivers visited the winner’s circle. Brittany Force won five races en route to becoming the fourth female multi-time champion in NHRA professional classes and Austin Prock won two Top Fuel races in their Chevrolet dragsters. Prock, the 2019 NHRA Rookie of the Year, finished third in the standings. Hight registered a career-high eight victories, and at St. Louis recorded the team’s 300th win and Chevrolet’s 155th Funny Car victory. John Force, who has made 242 career race day appearances in a Chevrolet race car, won the four-wide event at Charlotte. Points produced by John Force Racing drivers in 22 Funny Car races this season helped Chevrolet secure its record-extending 27th NHRA Manufacturers Cup and sixth in a row. The 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season begins March 10-12 at Gainesville Raceway in Florida. Hight was the No. 1 Funny Car qualifier for the event this past March.

CONCORD, NC (Dec. 9, 2022) – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is set to increase its benefits for full-time teams in 2023 with an increased points fund and available year-end bonus program, and further enhanced with limited flexibility to participate in non-World of Outlaws events without compromising full time benefits.

The Series will introduce the Exclusivity Bonus program in 2023 – administered like a second points fund, in addition to the $1 million championship points fund – to every contracted full-time driver and team owner, based off their points standing, and contract status, at the end of the season (full breakdown below). The Exclusivity Bonus program replaces the 2022 monthly bonus program.

So now, along with the $200,000 points fund for winning the championship, an additional $150,000 is available to the champion through the bonus program – split between the driver and owner – meaning the championship winning team could earn $350,000 in 2023.

“It’s our goal every year to provide drivers and teams with the best possible payouts in Sprint Car racing, so I’m excited to introduce our enhanced bonus program which would allow them to earn one of the biggest payouts in Sprint Car history at the end of the season,” said World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter. “We want to make sure we’re providing the teams that support us with the best opportunities to stay healthy and grow in the sport.”

In addition to the available bonus program, contracted full-time World of Outlaws drivers or teams will now be able to race four non-World of Outlaws nights without restrictions as long as they are outside of 48 hours or a 100-mile radius on either side of a scheduled event.

If a driver or team runs five to eight non-World of Outlaws nights, they will lose their eligibility for the Exclusivity Bonus program but will still be able to contend for the championship and receive the points fund at the end of the year.

If a driver or team runs nine or more non-World of Outlaws shows, they will lose all benefits including the points fund and bonus.

“We listened to the drivers and team owners and put together a lucrative program for 2023 we believe will benefit them greatly,” said World of Outlaws Series Director Carlton Reimers. “It is important to us to make sure we support the teams that help us put on The Greatest Show on Dirt every week.”

There was also $25,000 added to the $1 million championship points fund with second-place increasing to $120,000 and third increasing to $80,000.

Championship Points Fund (Split between driver & team)	Exclusivity Bonus (Split between driver & team)	Combined Total (Split between driver & team)
1.     $200,000	1. $150,000	1. $350,000
2.     $120,000	2. $90,000	2. $210,000
3.     $80,000	3. $60,000	3. $140,000
4.     $70,000	4. $52,500	4. $122,500
5.     $65,000	5. $48,750	5. $113,750
6.     $62,500	6. $46,875	6. $109,375
7.     $60,000	7. $45,000	7. $105,000
8.     $57,500	8. $43,125	8. $100,625
9.     $55,000	9. $41,250	9. $96,250
10.  $50,000	10. $37,500	10. $87,500
11.  $40,000	11. $30,000	11. $70,000
12.  $30,000	12. $22,500	12. $52,500
13.  $25,000	13. $18,750	13. $43,750
14.  $20,000	14. $15,000	14. $35,000
15.  $18,000	15. $13,500	15. $31,500
16.  $16,000	16. $12,000	16. $28,000
17.  $14,000	17. $10,500	17. $24,500
18.  $14,000	18. $10,500	18. $24,500
19.  $14,000	19. $10,500	19. $24,500
20.  $14,000	20. $10,500	20. $24,500
TOTAL: $1,025,000	TOTAL: $768,750	TOTAL: $1,793,750

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars will commence their 2023 season at Volusia Speedway Park during DIRTcar Nationals, Feb. 9-11, with Saturday’s Feature paying a special $20,000-to-win. For tickets CLICK HERE.

READ MORE: 2023 SCHEDULE: 87-Race Slate Features Spring PA Swing, New Tracks, Multiple High-Dollar Crown Jewels

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every lap live on DIRTVision – either at DIRTVision.com or by downloading the DIRTVision App.

CONCORD, NC – December 8, 2022– Chris Madden has earned multiple accolades throughout his dirt Late Model career. But there are a few feats he’s yet to accomplish. 

He’ll have a chance to earn one of those accomplishments in 2023 as the Gray Court, SC driver returns to the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series in search of his first championship.

One of the things that enticed him to come back to the Series next season is the schedule.

“They’ve worked on the schedule and got the number of races down and got it to where it interests me to come back on board,” Madden said. “We can hit up multiple money races, and it doesn’t interfere with each other.”

After a 2022 season where he earned 15 victories, including a win at DIRTcar Nationals and four triumphs worth $50,000, he stated he feels it’s his best chance yet to win the Series championship.

“I’ve always been a fan of the outlaw racing, and I want to get a championship before I decide to hang it up, so we’re going to try to make it happen this year,” Madden said. “I feel like we’ve been on top of our game for the past few years, so hopefully, we can just be consistent and get wins and get us a points championship.” 

Madden begins his fight for a World of Outlaws CASE Late Models championship when the season commences on Jan. 19-21 at Volusia Speedway Park during Sunshine Nationals.

TICKETS: bit.ly/3t4XdJZ

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the ac

Official Release: Methanol Moonshine / Methanol Moonshine U.S.A.

December 9, 2022 

MILDURA, AUSTRALIA / INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (December 8, 2022) – Methanol Moonshine, an Aussie take on an American icon, has a new “Buddy.”

Today, at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show, Methanol Moonshine and NHRA Top Fuel driver Buddy Hull, along with the Buddy Hull Racing team announced that they have entered into a new partnership agreement heading into the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.

The barrel-chested Texan with a penchant for anything and everything fast was dubbed by Methanol Moonshine founder, Wade Aunger, as “the Tony Robbins of Top Fuel” when they first met at ‘the Big Go’ this past September during the NHRA U.S. Nationals.

“I was so impressed with Buddy when Chris Bishop, Methanol Moonshine U.S.A Strategic Partner and the Racing Pro Media founder, introduced us in Indy,” said Aunger. “I knew from the second we sat down with Buddy that Chris had introduced us and brought us together for a reason. Buddy is perpetual motion. He didn’t have his top fuel dragster on track for the event but I could see he was running three-second passes in his mind during our whole conversation. He has a mind like a steel trap and he doesn’t stop thinking about ways to improve his racing program and widen his sphere of influence.”

In many ways Buddy Hull Racing and Methanol Moonshine are kindred spirits (pun intended). Both are bold new players in their respective industries and both have much to gain from merging their ambitions, working together, combining their unique audiences and achieving growth together.

“The excitement and sheer power of NHRA Top Fuel drag racing is beyond comparison on many levels,” added Aunger, “but when you throw a dynamic and committed individual like Buddy Hull into the mix you have a cocktail for something completely left of center and completely wide open. The more I think about this partnership, the more I think it’s divine intervention. Between Buddy, Chris, Methanol Moonshine and I, we all feel we have something very explosive here…….Hull Yeah.” 

As a Methanol Moonshine partner and as a ‘am-a-bad-ass-ador’ for the 2023 NHRA Top Fuel season, Buddy will launch the Moonshine and Motorsports brand into the high-speed & high-performance world of drag racing using his Top Fuel dragster, his image and of course his chiseled chest as platforms to promote the brand and his team.

“After working with Wade (Aunger) over the past few years and getting more familiar with Buddy over that same time frame, I knew that this was a partnership that needed to happen for both parties and would be mutually beneficial for all involved,” said Bishop.  “Buddy has charisma and a level of fan engagement that is second to none and the excitement for Methanol Moonshine is infectious.”

Buddy Hull Racing and Methanol Moonshine will collaborate on a uniquely themed brand of merchandise available exclusively through Buddy’s website and other merchandise avenues.

“I’m super excited to work with Wade, Chris, and everyone at Methanol Moonshine.  Since we started talking back at Indy, we all just hit it off and did everything possible to work together,” says Hull. “It’s an absolute perfect fit with our team and the look of the car is something special. I can’t wait to launch this partnership into a new gear through our racing program and hopefully make that trip ‘down under’ to race in a dragster there as well”  

For more information, visit https://methanolmoonshine.com.au/ and https://www.buddyhullracing.com/

About Methanol Moonshine:

Methanol Moonshine is an Australian inspired, made in the U.S.A. Moonshine distilled in the heart of the Midwest within the corn fields of Spencer, Iowa.  Initially launched in Australia during the pandemic of 2020, then in the U.S.A. in July 2021, it is a motorsport themed corn whiskey with a tag line that sums up the way you drink it and the way you make life choices – ‘smooth and subtle or a whole lotta trouble!’.

Along with the quickly growing Methanol Moonshine liquor, motorsports fans have quickly adopted the associated apparel brand “Methanol Moonshine Merch” which is also available in both the U.S.A. & Australia.

Learn more about Methanol Moonshine & Methanol Moonshine Merchandise on the following social platforms including Facebook (@methanolmoonshine & @methanolmoonshinemerch), Instagram (@methanolmoonshine) & TikTok (@methanolmoonshine).

About Buddy Hull Racing:

Buddy Hull Racing is based out of Dallas, Texas and was founded at the amateur level in 2008.  Buddy Hull Racing moved to the professional level in 2022 after purchasing the Top Fuel operation from Tim Wilkerson Racing.

Hull’s drag racing roots run deep. His family has been involved in the sport since the late 1950s and has a proud history which Buddy looks to continue.  

Buddy Hull Racings plans for 2023 are rather diverse after adding a nitro Funny Car and a nostalgia TF car into the mix alongside his NHRA Top Fuel dragster. Hull has not announced specific plans for either of the time of this release.  

Learn more about Buddy Hull & Buddy Hull Racing on the following social platforms including Facebook (@buddyhullracing), Instagram (@buddyhull323tf) & TikTok (@buddyhull323tf).  #HullYeah

CONCORD, NC – December 8, 2022 – After a learning curve with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals, Payton Freeman is taking a step forward in 2023. 

The Commerce, GA driver will join the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series next season with one goal—winning Rookie of the Year honors.

Despite his aspirations, he said he knows to expect ups and downs throughout the 11-month season.

“I guess the obvious goal would be to win the Rookie of the Year deal,” Freeman said. “If we can do that, the regular points will shake out where they do. With the Rookie deal there’s going to be ups and downs for sure. So, we just have to try to make the downs the best they can be and capitalize on the opportunities for the ups.” 

Freeman will begin his World of Outlaws CASE Late Models career in the G.R. Smith-owned #22 car, one he’s already familiar with.

In that ride, he competed at the World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte and scored a $22,000 win in the Southern Showcase at Deep South Speedway last month.

Between those races and his second-place finish with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals in 2022, Freeman said he’s excited for what’s to come.

“I’m super excited,” Freeman said. Hopefully, I’ll be able to take the experience that I gained out west with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals this year and apply that along with GR’s (Smith’s) experience and the team’s experience. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get a strong start at Speedweeks and see where it goes from there.”

Freeman’s chase for World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Rookie of the Year begins at Sunshine Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park on Jan. 19-21. 

HEADING TO THE NATIONAL STAGE: Payton Freeman to Battle for World of Outlaws Late Models Rookie of the Year in 2023

CONCORD, NC – December 8, 2022 – After a learning curve with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals, Payton Freeman is taking a step forward in 2023. 

The Commerce, GA driver will join the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series next season with one goal—winning Rookie of the Year honors.

Despite his aspirations, he said he knows to expect ups and downs throughout the 11-month season.

“I guess the obvious goal would be to win the Rookie of the Year deal,” Freeman said. “If we can do that, the regular points will shake out where they do. With the Rookie deal there’s going to be ups and downs for sure. So, we just have to try to make the downs the best they can be and capitalize on the opportunities for the ups.” 

Freeman will begin his World of Outlaws CASE Late Models career in the G.R. Smith-owned #22 car, one he’s already familiar with.

In that ride, he competed at the World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte and scored a $22,000 win in the Southern Showcase at Deep South Speedway last month.

Between those races and his second-place finish with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals in 2022, Freeman said he’s excited for what’s to come.

“I’m super excited,” Freeman said. Hopefully, I’ll be able to take the experience that I gained out west with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals this year and apply that along with GR’s (Smith’s) experience and the team’s experience. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get a strong start at Speedweeks and see where it goes from there.”

Freeman’s chase for World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Rookie of the Year begins at Sunshine Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park on Jan. 19-21. 

BATAVIA, Ohio (December 8, 2022) – Keeping the momentum, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championship format is undergoing a major overhaul in 2023. The new model will be an elimination style format designed to reward the worthiest, battle-tested driver at the end of the season. In addition to the revitalized championship format, more than $470,000 has been added to the championship point fund, bringing the grand total for the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship presented by ARP to just over $1,000,000. Under the new model, the field will be whittled down to a final four drivers through four rounds of eliminations. The remaining four drivers will go into the season finale at Eldora Speedway with an equal chance to win the championship.  After the first round of eliminations, there will be 15 drivers. After the second round, the field will drop to twelve, and following the third round eight drivers will remain. The final round of eliminations will leave only four drivers in championship contention. The four rounds of eliminations are:Round of 15: Sunoco Road to Wheatland: May 27 at Lucas Oil Speedway; 31st Annual Show-Me 100Round of 12: Summit Racing Equipment Super Twelve: July 15 at Lucas Oil Speedway; 17th Annual Diamond NationalsRound of 8: UNOH Great Eight: August 26 at Port Royal Speedway; The Rumble by the RiverRound of 4: Big River Steel Big Four: September 30 at Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway; 35th Annual Pittsburgher Following each round of eliminations, the teams advancing to the next round will be awarded the following cash bonuses:Sunoco Road to Wheatland: 1. $2,500, 2. $1,500, 3. $1,500, 4. $1,500, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,000, 7. $1,000, 8. $1,000, 9. $1,000, 10. $1,000, 11. $500, 12. $500, 13. $500, 14. $500, 15. $500 = $16,000Summit Racing Equipment Super Twelve: 1. $5,000, 2. $1,000, 3. $1,000, 4. $1,000, 5. $1,000, 6. $1,000, 7. $1,000, 8. $1,000, 9. $1,000, 10. $1,000, 11. $1,000, 12. $1,000 = $16,000UNOH Great Eight: 1. $7,500, 2. $1,500, 3. $1,500, 4. $1,500, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,500, 7. $1,500, 8. $1,500 = $18,000Big River Steel Big Four: 1. $10,000, 2. $2,000, 3. $2,000, 4. $2,000 = $16,000 Drivers will continue to earn points at every event throughout the season based on the traditional championship point structure. At the season finale, points for the Big River Steel Big Four drivers will be consolidated. The first of the four drivers to cross the finish line in the 43rd Annual Dirt Track World Championship will be crowned the 2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion.  2023 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Point Fund:1. $200,0002. $150,0003. $125,0004. $100,0005. $75,0006. $60,0007. $50,0008. $45,0009. $40,00010. $35,00011. $30,00012. $25,000Chase Bonuses: $66,000Point Fund: $935,000Total: $1,001,000 “The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has seen tremendous growth throughout its history,’ said Rick Schwallie, Series Director. “We look forward to crowning our 18th National Champion, Tim McCreadie, on Friday night. As we look ahead to our 19th season, we’re ready for an action-packed season that will culminate in our first ever visit to the historic Eldora Speedway. Only twice in our Series history has the championship been contested at the season finale. The Dirt Track World Championship is an event that is worthy of crowning a Champion. Not only will the crown jewel pay $100,000 to win, but now, the race inside the race is worthy of the persona that is the Dirt Track World Championship. For us to be proud of this program, there were two key factors. First, the event needed to be contested at the speedway that dirt late model racing calls home, Eldora. Second, the four finalists contending for a national title needed to be well compensated for their efforts all season. The unwavering dedication of Lucas Oil, our exclusive broadcast partner FloRacing, and our great marketing partners allow us to strive as the elite dirt late model tour.” “We are passionately committed to our involvement in motorsports and the continued growth of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. We are incredibly excited about the new million-dollar point fund and elimination-style championship format for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series – it elevates the drama, the action, the stories, and the passion that fans like us have for these drivers and teams,” said Morgan Lucas, president of Lucas Oil. “Motorsports, and the Late Models series specifically, is in our DNA. Ratcheting up the fan experience and excitement for the sport while celebrating and supporting these tremendous athletes is a win-win. I can’t wait to see how this season shakes out.” The Big River Steel Chase for the Championship presented by ARP kicks off at Golden Isles Speedway with the Super Bowl of Racing on January 25-28. From there, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is back at Bubba Raceway Park for two nights on January 29-30 before heading to All-Tech Raceway, February 2-4. The 47th Annual Wieland Winternationals will close out Speedweeks, February 5-11, at East Bay Raceway Park. For a complete Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series schedule, please visit www.lucasdirt.com.

Tucker Prepares To Join The Largest Professional Team In NHRA For 2023 Season

WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (December 8, 2022) – Having built a reputation for racing anything with wheels, Jerry Tucker is throwing his hat into the Pro Stock ring this year as he joins the largest professional drag racing team in the NHRA, Elite Motorsports. Tucker will pilot the eighth Pro Stock machine to join the Elite Motorsports fleet as they continue to strive for excellence in the competitive and complex category. For more than 30 years, Tucker, a lifelong resident of Lindsay, Okla., has raced everything from Sprint cars to midgets and has been a constant in the world of competitive drag racing. This will be his first foray into Pro Stock, a venture he’s ready to take on with his childhood friend, Richard Freeman, the owner of Elite Motorsports. “Pro Stock is my favorite category, hands down,” said Tucker. “I’ve always wanted to drive one and Elite Motorsports is the best team in the class, so I’m pumped to be joining them. The shift setup – taking off with a clutch on a pro tree – will be challenging but I’m up for it and excited to get started.” Tucker will work on earning his Pro Stock license in January so he’s ready to start the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season with the rest of his fellow Pro Stock competitors in March when the series kicks off in Gainesville, Fla.  “The really cool thing with Jerry is that we grew up together,” said Freeman. “We’ve been family friends our whole lives and he’s drag raced in several different classes. It’s going to be cool to see him have this opportunity to work with our team and learn from them. We are glad to have him.” As Elite Motorsports grows its substantial imprint on the fiercely competitive Pro Stock category, Tucker will join some of the best drivers in the sport today – five-time world champion Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield, Troy Coughlin Jr., and 2017 Pro Stock world champion Bo Butner, as well as The Cuadra Boys – Fernando Cuadra Sr. and his sons, Fernando Cuadra Jr. and Cristian Cuadra.  The 2023 season of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series kicks off in Gainesville at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, March 9-12, 2023.

CONCORD, NC (Dec. 8, 2022) – After a successful inaugural season, the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota is scheduled for an even bigger campaign in 2023 with 34 races from March-October and a big pay increase for championship chasers.A total of $80,000 is up for grabs in the new championship points fund – an increase of over $42,000 from the 2022 points fund – with $25,000 going to the 2023 Series champion. Additionally, a new tow money program will be implemented.The 34-race grind stretches from March-October, visiting 21 different tracks in 10 different states along the way. It all starts with the Series’ indoor debut at the Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin, IL, on Friday-Saturday, March 10-11, before returning to Oklahoma to cap the season with a three-day weekend at Port City Raceway (Oct. 13) and I-44 Riverside Speedway (Oct. 14-15), where a Series champion will be crowned.VIEW FULL MIDGET SCHEDULEWhile the Xtreme Outlaws’ first campaign on the national level was a success in 2022, newly appointed Series Director Tyler Bachman has put his vision together for the Series’ sophomore season, crafting a schedule that’ll give drivers in more regions the chance to showcase their skills on a national stage in 2023.“Dirt Midget racing is a growing entity in American motorsports, and the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota is proud to drive further into the growth of the division with both a diverse and lucrative schedule for 2023,” Bachman said. “From the kickoff at our first indoor event, to each of the new tracks we’re set to visit next year, it’s a lineup we know both our teams and fans will enjoy.”If you can’t be at the track to see the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota in 2023, you can stream every lap live at DIRTVision.com or on the DIRTVision App with a FAST PASS subscription.EVENT HIGHLIGHTSFederated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 (Pevely, MO) – The Xtreme Outlaw Midgets were first paired with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series at I-55 in August, and will do so again in 2023 not once, but twice. The two Series will first converge on the 1/3-mile oval for a two-day event, Friday-Saturday, April 14-15, also serving as a tune-up before meeting again during the marquee Ironman 55 weekend, Friday-Saturday, Aug. 4-5.In both events, Friday night’s Feature will pay $4,000 to win, while Saturday night’s Feature will pay $5,000 to win.Midget Speedweek (Tue-Sat, Aug. 8-12) – Five races. Five tracks. Five days. For the first time in Series history, a speedweek-style group of races will follow the Ironman 55 weekend in a five-day chase through Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway will lead-off on Tuesday, Aug. 8, followed by visits to Action Track USA (Aug. 9), Linda’s Speedway (Aug. 10), and Bridgeport Motorsports Park on Aug. 12. A track to fill the Friday, Aug. 11 slot will be announced at a later time, as will a separate championship purse for the entire week.Late Model + Midget Duos – The Midgets will also tag-team with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series on two occasions in 2023, starting with the 15th annual Illini 100 at Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, IL, March 30-April 1. A practice day will commence the weekend on Thursday night, followed by two $4,000-to-win shows on Friday and Saturday.The two Series will meet again on the 1/4-mile oval of Davenport Speedway, Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 24-26, as part of the marquee Quad Cities 150 event in Davenport, IA. A pair of $4,000 checks awaits the Midget Feature winners on both nights as the field aims to top the exciting action seen there in 2022.POWRi Co-Sanctioned Events – The Xtreme Outlaws developed a great working relationship with the POWRi National Midget League in its inaugural season and will expand on that partnership in 2023. A total of 13 events will be co-sanctioned by both organizations, including marquee weekends like the Illini 100 at Farmer City, Ironman 55 at I-55, Quad Cities 150 at Davenport, and the championship weekend in Oklahoma.2023 SCHEDULE – * Denotes POWRi co-sanction Friday, March 10 | Southern Illinois Center | Du Quoin, IL | $4,000-to-win Saturday, March 11 | Southern Illinois Center | Du Quoin, IL | $5,000-to-win Thursday, March 30 | Farmer City Raceway | Farmer City, IL | Practice Friday, March 31 | Farmer City Raceway | Farmer City, IL | $4,000-to-win* Saturday, April 1 | Farmer City Raceway | Farmer City, IL | $4,000-to-win* Friday, April 14 | Federated AP Raceway at I-55 | Pevely, MO | $4,000-to-win* Saturday, April 15 | Federated AP Raceway at I-55 | Pevely, MO | $5,000-to-win* Friday, May 5 | Humboldt Speedway | Humboldt, KS | $4,000-to-win Saturday, May 6 | 81 Speedway | Park City, KS | $4,000-to-win Tuesday, May 23 | Millbridge Speedway | Salisbury, NC | $4,000-to-win Wednesday, May 24 | Millbridge Speedway | Salisbury, NC | $5,000-to-win Thursday, June 1 | Tri-City Speedway | Pontoon Beach, IL | $4,000-to-win Friday, June 2 | Wayne County Speedway | Wayne City, IL | $4,000-to-win Saturday, June 3 | Wayne County Speedway | Wayne City, IL | $4,000-to-win Friday, July 21 | TBA | $4,000-to-win* Saturday, July 22 | Southern Illinois Raceway | Marion, IL | $4,000-to-win* Friday, July 28 | TBA | $4,000-to-win Saturday, July 29 | Atomic Speedway | Chillicothe, OH | $4,000-to-win Sunday, July 30 | Brushcreek Mtrsprts Complex | Peebles, OH | $4,000-to-win Friday, August 4 | Federated AP Raceway at I-55 | Pevely, MO | $4,000-to-win* Sat, August 5 | Federated AP Raceway at I-55 | Pevely, MO | $5,000-to-win* Tuesday, August 8 | Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway | Newmanstown, PA | $4,000-to-win Wednesday, August 9 | Action Track USA | Kutztown, PA | $4,000-to-win Thursday, August 10 | Linda’s Speedway | Jonestown, PA | $4,000-to-win Friday, August 11 | TBA | $4,000-to-win Saturday, August 12 | Bridgeport Mtrsprts Park | Swedesboro, NJ | $4,000-to-win Thursday, August 24 | Davenport Speedway | Davenport, IA | Practice Friday, August 25 | Davenport Speedway | Davenport, IA | $4,000-to-win* Saturday, August 26 | Davenport Speedway | Davenport, IA | $4,000-to-win* Friday, September 1 | Paragon Speedway | Paragon, IN | $4,000-to-win Saturday, September 2 | Paragon Speedway | Paragon, IN | $5,000-to-win Friday, September 15 | Jacksonville Speedway | Jacksonville, IL | $4,000-to-win Saturday, September 16 | Red Hill Raceway | Sumner, IL | $4,000-to-win Friday, October 13 | Port City Raceway | Tulsa, OK | $5,000-to-win* Saturday, October 14 | I-44 Riverside Speedway | Oklahoma City, OK | $4,000-to-win* Sunday, October 15 | I-44 Riverside Speedway | Oklahoma City, OK | $5,000-to-win*

Progressive points fund, weekly bonuses and tow money for championship chasers included for 38th season

CONCORD, NC – Dec. 8, 2022 – For its 38th consecutive campaign, the DIRTcar Summer Nationals returns to its familiar five-week format, spread out over a one-month period in June-July 2023.

The Late Models will contest 29 races over 33 days, while the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals are slated for 25 races over the same timeframe – concluding the season with the final two races in the 33rd annual Prairie Dirt Classic at Fairbury Speedway, July 28-29.

It’s a schedule arrangement not seen since 2019 – one Series Director Sam Driggers has tailored himself with both drivers and fans’ interest in mind as DIRTcar Racing prepares to celebrate its 40th year in operation.

“The DIRTcar Summer Nationals has grown into one of the most iconic spectacles in motorsports over the past four decades, and what better way to ring in 40 years of the best weekly dirt track racing in the country than with five-straight weeks of non-stop Late Model and Modified action,” Driggers said. “It’s a layout that recalls the traditional Hell Tour format our fans are used to seeing, and one that our teams will be pleased to race again.”

VIEW FULL SCHEDULE

MARQUEE EVENTS

• Kickoff at Peoria – For the second time in tour history, both tours kick off the 2023 season at the quarter-mile bullring of Peoria Speedway on Wednesday, June 14. Standing as one of DIRTcar’s longest-running weekly venues, the Late Models will tackle Peoria’s high-banked corners for the 23rd time after its debut on the Hell Tour in 2000.

• Herald & Review 100 – Standing as one of the most prestigious events in Midwest motorsports history, Macon Speedway hosts the Late Models and Summit Modifieds in the 43rd running of the Herald & Review 100 on Thursday, July 6. Twenty-two Dirt Late Models will rip around the high-banked, 1/5-mile oval 100 times, battling for one of the most historic titles in Dirt Late Model racing.

• Birthday Race – Both tours will light the candles at Oakshade Raceway on Saturday, July 15, celebrating the silver anniversary of the prestigious Birthday Race. The event, having been run nearly every year since the first in 1999, is another of the most prestigious events on the Summer Nationals schedule. Ohio driver Devin Moran scored his first win in the event last year after his father Donnie did it in the inaugural running, becoming just the second father-son duo in event history to win.

• Modified Prairie Dirt Classic – The Summit Modifieds will take to the Fairbury Speedway on Friday-Saturday, July 28-29, for their annual marquee event in the 33rd running of the Prairie Dirt Classic. Racing adjacent to the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models, a $5,000 check awaits the winner of this special, invite-only event, one which former track champion Mike McKinney captured for the first time in his career this past July.

NEW RACE PLACES

• Randolph County Raceway (Moberly, MO) – With its high banks, long straightaways and sweeping corners, this fast, half-mile oval hosted both tours in 2020. Racing veteran Reid Millard has since taken over ownership of the venue and will host both the Late Models and Summit Modifieds in their second-ever trip on Tuesday, June 20.

• Benton Speedway (Benton, MO) – The 1/4-mile oval took on new management in 2022 and will host the Late Models for the fourth time in tour history on Thursday, June 29. The Modifieds will make their debut while the Late Models make their first appearance since 1997.

• Lake Cumberland Speedway (Burnside, KY) – The second and final date in Kentucky comes on Sunday, July 2, when the tours debut at Lake Cumberland. The 3/8-mile, red clay oval is poised to be a great cap to the third week of racing on tour.

• Hartford Motor Speedway (Hartford, MI) – For the fifth time in tour history, the Late Models will take on this 3/8-mile oval on Friday, July 14, in a $10,000-to-win event, alongside the Modifieds. Billy Moyer Jr. and Nick Hoffman took home the checkered flags there in 2017 – the last time both tours appeared at Hartford on the same date.

• Wayne County Speedway (Orrville, OH) – In the final Late Model event on the schedule, Wayne County will make its schedule debut on Sunday, July 16. The race helps to set the stage for the Summit Modified championship before the tour heads back to Illinois to cap-off the season.

PURSES, PAYOUTS, BONUSES

The progressive points fund scale, seen in the past two seasons, again outlines the payout for Late Model championship chasers at season’s end. Starting with a $25,000-to-win minimum, every race completed after 25th race will tack an additional $2,000 onto the champion’s check, creating a possible $33,000 payout to accompany the 2023 tour crown. A $5,000 champion’s check is on the line for the Summit Modified champion, taking each driver’s best 12 finishes into account for the points standings.

Friday and Saturday Late Model events will feature the traditional $10,000-to-win purses with $5,000-to-win races during the week, while the Summit Modifieds will battle for a $1,500 check most nights. One exception to this pattern comes on Wednesday, July 12, when both tours return to the 1/4-mile oval of Shadyhill Speedway in Indiana to take part in a $10,000-to-win Late Model and $3,000-to-win Modified midweek special.

Cash bonuses for the top-10 in Late Model points will also be distributed at the end of each week, as well as a tow money bonus for drivers with perfect attendance through every 500 miles traveled from track-to-track.

Don’t miss a moment of the action this summer – buy a ticket at the gate of a track near you or watch every lap of every race live with a FAST PASS subscription to DIRTVision.

COMBINED 2023 TOUR SCHEDULES

Date           Day                    Track                                  City, State                   To-Win (LM/Mod)

June 14      Wednesday        Peoria Speedway                Peoria, IL                     $5,000/$1,500

June 15      Thursday            Kankakee Co. Speedway      Kankakee, IL                $5,000/$1,500

June 16      Friday                Tri-City Speedway               Pontoon Beach, IL        $10,000/$1,500

June 17      Saturday            Fairbury Speedway              Fairbury, IL                  $10,000/$2,000

June 18      Sunday               Sycamore Speedway           Maple Park, IL              $5,000 (LM only)

June 19      Monday             OFF

June 20      Tuesday             Randolph County Raceway  Moberly, MO               $5,000 (LM only)

June 21      Wednesday        Davenport Speedway          Davenport, IA              $5,000 (LM only)

June 22      Thursday            Spoon River Speedway        Canton, IL                    $5,000/$1,500

June 23      Friday                Fayette Co. Speedway         Brownstown, IL            $10,000/$1,500

June 24      Saturday            I-55 Raceway                      Pevely, MO                  $10,000/$1,500

June 25      Sunday               Lincoln Speedway               Lincoln, IL                    $5,000/$1,500

June 26      Monday             OFF

June 27      Tuesday             Adams Co. (IL) Speedway     Quincy, IL                    $5,000/$1,500

June 28      Wednesday        TBA

June 29      Thursday            Benton Speedway               Benton, MO                $5,000/$1,500

June 30      Friday                Paducah Int’l Raceway         Paducah, KY                $10,000/$1,500

July 1         Saturday            Clarksville Speedway           Clarksville, TN              $10,000/$1,500

July 2         Sunday               Lake Cumberland Spdwy     Burnside, KY                $5,000/$1,500  

July 3         Monday             OFF

July 4         Tuesday             TBA

July 5         Wednesday        Red Hill Raceway                 Sumner, IL                   $5,000/$1,500

July 6         Thursday            Macon Speedway                Macon, IL                    $5,000/$1,500

July 7         Friday                Farmer City Raceway           Farmer City, IL             $10,000/$1,500

July 8         Saturday            Highland Speedway             Highland, IL                 $10,000/$1,500

July 9         Sunday               Tri-State Speedway             Haubstadt, IN              $5,000/$1,500

July 10        Monday             OFF

July 11        Tuesday             TBA

July 12        Wednesday        Shadyhill Speedway            Medaryville, IN            $10,000/$3,000

July 13        Thursday            Butler Motor Speedway      Quincy, MI                  $5,000/$1,500  

July 14        Friday                Hartford Motor Speedway   Hartford, MI                $10,000/$1,500

July 15        Saturday            Oakshade Raceway             Wauseon, OH              $10,000/$1,500

July 16        Sunday               Wayne Co. Speedway          Orrville, OH                 $5,000/$1,500

July 28        Friday                Fairbury Speedway              Fairbury, IL                  $500 (Mods only)

July 29        Saturday            Fairbury Speedway              Fairbury, IL                  $5,000 (Mods only)

Legendary NASCAR Race Team Introduces revamped stylized No. 8 and Announces Key Partners Heading into 2023 Season: MERCH AVAILABLE NOW!   WELCOME, N.C. (December 8, 2022) – French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr famously wrote “plus ca change, plus c’est la même chose”. Roughly translated to “The more things change, the more they stay the same”, the Frenchman’s words in 1849 have a lot of merit for Richard Childress Racing and Kyle Busch heading into their inaugural season together in 2023. RCR introduced today the stylized No. 8 that will adorn the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion’s Chevrolets in 2023. The revamped stylized No. 8 was personally designed by Busch and his team with input from Richard Childress and RCR. Fans can prepare for the 2023 season by gearing up with newly-released merchandise, which is available now at https://store.rcrracing.com/ and kylebusch.com. The revised number honors the past while embracing the future and the new era that Busch’s presence brings to the 54-year-old organization, essentially merging one of the NASCAR industry’s most storied teams with one of the sports’ most successful modern era drivers. Although the driver and number will look much different beginning in 2023, much of RCR’s No. 8 program will look very much the same in true “the more things change, the more they stay the same” form. Key members of the team, including crew chief Randall Burnett and spotter Derek Kneeland, return to their roles with the organization. What’s more, the team’s sponsor lineup will be very similar to what RCR fans have recognized on track in years’ past. Familiar brands such as Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, 3CHI, Alsco, Lenovo and BetMGM will return to the No. 8 team in 2023, comprising a multi-sponsor lineup of corporate partners who will continue to build on the business successes they have captured in prior seasons with RCR. “Our business relationships are paramount to our organization and we’re proud to confirm that our primary partners on the No. 8 team will be returning to RCR in 2023,” said Torrey Galida, president of RCR. “Their commitment to our organization is a testament to our team’s collaborative approach and the value it has delivered to so many great brands.” Both Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Alsco Uniforms are teasing their 2023 program by unveiling their paint schemes today. Additional paint schemes will be released in the coming weeks. For more information and all that is going on at RCR, visit rcrracing.com.

Cadillac V-LMDh logs miles at racetrack hosting IMSA’s first race of GTP class

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 8, 2022) — The 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-opening event is in January, but perceptively deceiving because it’s only six weeks away. The swiftly approaching Roar Before the Rolex 24 on Jan. 20-22 – prologue to the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona — will mark the competition debut of the three Cadillac V-LMDh entries in the new Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

During a Dec. 6-7 IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona International Speedway, excitement for the dawn of a new era of prototype racing intermixed with a business-as-usual approach as Cadillac Racing, technical partners and team personnel continued to work through on-track development objectives and periodically addressed acute issues inherent in the technical complexities of the new hybrid race car. All three Cadillac V-LMDh race cars turned laps at the same test for the first time during six day/night sessions totaling 18 hours on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn road course. “We’ll be racing a 24-hour race in a few short weeks, and I’d say we’ll never feel 100 percent ready but we’re ready to tackle the race and we race to win,” GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser said. “Development of the Cadillac V-LMDh has been an intense process, but an extremely rewarding one.” The Cadillac V-LMDh has logged more than 20,000 kilometers (more than 12,500 miles) since on-track development began in early July at U.S. racetracks on the 2023 IMSA schedule.

Multi-Race, Multi-Year Agreement with Richard Childress Racing Includes Strategic Content and Marketing Elements Designed to Increase Brand Awareness and Preference  WELCOME, N.C. (December 8, 2022) – Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, the casual dining restaurant known for homemade American classics at affordable prices, will sponsor Kyle Busch and the No. 8 team beginning in 2023, Richard Childress Racing announced today. As part of the multi-race, multi-year agreement, RCR will provide strategic content, marketing and communications plans around their primary partnership on Kyle Busch’s No. 8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.  “We’ve loved partnering with RCR and the No. 8 race team since our debut into the sport three years ago, and we’re just getting started,” said John Felton, Senior Director of Marketing for Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. “We’re excited to welcome Kyle Busch and Rowdy Nation to the Cheddar’s family, and we look forward to celebrating many wins to come.” With more than 180 restaurants across 28 states, Cheddar’s serves American classics and homestyle comfort food in a feel-at-home atmosphere. Guests get a lot, for not a lot with homemade entrees like hand-breaded Chicken Tenders, homemade Chicken Pot Pie and slow-smoked Baby Back Ribs so big, they almost fall off the plate. To kick off a memorable meal, every guest is welcomed with a warm Honey Butter Croissant on the house.  “Both Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Richard Childress Racing share a natural theme of scratch-made items, whether it be a casual, homestyle meal or components for high-performance race cars,” said Torrey Galida, president of Richard Childress Racing. “Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen has been particularly successful at leveraging their race team partnership to increase brand affinity and purchase consideration, and our entire team is looking forward to building on the already strong strategic content, marketing and communications programs we have partnered together on.” Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen’s multi-year program with RCR will also include an off-track element with a variety of activations at restaurant locations across the country, including a continuation of their successful show car program. For more information and all that is going on at RCR, visit rcrracing.com. About Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen:Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is the homestyle casual dining restaurant where guests always Get a lot. For not a lot™. The restaurant offers a variety of scratch-made meals and generous portions served up in a warm, welcoming atmosphere – all at an unbelievable price. After being welcomed with a signature Honey Butter Croissant on the house, guests can enjoy signature entrées like hand-breaded Chicken Tenders, homemade Chicken Pot Pie and Fall-off-the-Plate Baby Back Ribs. Cheddar’s operates more than 170 restaurants in 28 states and employs more than 15,000 friendly and passionate team members. For more information or to locate the nearest restaurant, visit Cheddars.com. Fans can like or follow Cheddar’s on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About Richard Childress Racing:Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 16 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018). Its 2023 NASCAR Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch (No. 8 Chevrolet) and 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner and 2018 Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Chevrolet). RCR fields a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series program with Sheldon Creed (No. 2 Chevrolet) and Austin Hill (No. 21 Chevrolet).

The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model champion could walk away with $175,000 between the 2023 championship payout and monthly Winner Circle program

CONCORD, NC (Dec. 7, 2022) – The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series is raising the stakes for full-time drivers with an increased points fund and introduction of a new Winner Circle monthly program.

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 overall 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. And looking through the field, this new program means the driver that finishes seventh in points could earn $75,000 (between the championship purse and Winner Circle program) and the driver that finishes 12th in points could still walk away with $60,000 (between the championship purse and Winners Circle program).

“Along with presenting race fans the best shows with the best drivers, it’s our continued commitment to present the best points fund and payouts to the drivers who commit and support the World of Outlaws throughout the year,” said World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter. “I’m excited to present an increased championship purse and the new Winner Circle program, offering our drivers the biggest payouts in Series history.”

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.

“Between the championship purse, Winner Circle program and increased purses throughout the field, we’ve worked hard to make sure we’re presenting an overall program that benefits the drivers from the first race to the end of the season,” said World of Outlaws CASE Late Model Series Director Steve Francis. “These are the biggest purses in Series history that are sure to make 2023 one of the biggest seasons in the history of the World of Outlaws Late Models.”

The 2023 World of Outlaws CASE Late Model season will commence with the Sunshine Nationals, Jan. 18-21, at Volusia Speedway Park – with a $160,000 overall purse for the event. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the event, you can watch every lap live on DIRTVision – either at DIRTVision.com or by downloading the DIRTVision App.

FULL 2023 CHAMPIONSHIP PURSE
1 – $150,000
2 – $100,000
3 – $85,000
4 – $75,000
5 – $65,000
6 – $55,000
7 – $50,000
8 – $47,000
9 – $43,000
10 – $40,000
11 – $37,000
12 – $35,000

The Centerville, PA driver earned two wins in his Rookie season with the World of Outlaws Late Models

CONCORD, NC – December 7, 2022 – Max Blair finally achieved his dream of running a national tour when he joined the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series in 2022. However, when the Centerville, PA driver unloads his Rocket Chassis at Volusia Speedway Park during Sunshine Nationals on Jan. 19-21, it comes with a change of scenery.

Earlier this year, Series veteran Boom Briggs announced Blair would join the Briggs Transport team in 2023—positioning the two Keystone State drivers as teammates.

For Blair, it’s a new atmosphere he’s excited about, primarily because of who he gets to work with.

“I’m excited. I can’t wait,” Blair said. “So far, working with Boom and Steve (Briggs) has been awesome. Working with Chub (Frank) has been awesome. When I shared the news, one of the coolest things growing up where I grew up in this little part of the country, I’m now getting the chance to run on a national tour with Rob Blair and Chub Frank in my corner. 

“That’s a pretty awesome thing for someone who grew up where I did.”

While a new team means some changes for Blair, some things will remain the same for the 32-year-old driver. 

His dad Rob also returns to the crew in 2023—a tandem that began when Max started racing. 

“I wouldn’t do it if Dad wasn’t with me,” Blair said. “We’ve done this together my entire life, and that’s the only way I know how to do it. I don’t think I would be able to do it if he wasn’t with me for multiple reasons. When me and Boom talked, that was the first thing we talked about. 

“I get to keep Trey (Armel) with me too. Last year was his first year going out on the road as a crew guy, and he’s learned a ton. He’s come a long, long way, and I’m excited. I can’t wait to get going.”

With a little more than a month until the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models season begins, Blair hopes to build off his third-place finish in the 2022 standings. 

Despite having two wins, 11 top-fives, and 26 top-10s, he stated he felt he could’ve been better after grading his season.

“Let’s go with a B,” Blair said. “I’m pretty happy with it. I mean, I ran third in points my first year, but we just had to be a little bit better there in the final stage of the year, and we could’ve come away with a rookie title and second. 

“I feel like I kind of let my guys down. We could’ve finished strong toward the end, but we kind of picked it back up at the end before Charlotte, but we weren’t consistent enough in the second part of the year.”

Even though he came up short in his bid for Rookie of the Year against Tanner English, he’s still excited for what’s to come in 2023—as he continues to sustain his dream no matter the scenery around him.

“I’m excited,” Blair said. “I’ve seen a lot of the places before and understand the grind a little bit more, maybe going into last year. Like I said, I raced a lot before. We just didn’t travel as much. The biggest thing we had to get used to was just driving up and down the road so much.”

Blair begins his tandem with Boom Briggs when the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models kick off their 2023 season at Volusia Speedway Park for Sunshine Nationals on Jan. 19-21. 

Longhorn Chassis Tops Miller Multimatic Chassis Builder’s Challenge

BATAVIA, Ohio (December 6, 2022) – The North Carolina-based Longhorn Chassis ruled the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series once again, winning the Miller Multimatic Chassis Builder’s Challenge for the second consecutive season. The Miller Multimatic Chassis builders challenge awarded points to over 30 unique chassis manufacturers in 2022. Points were awarded to the highest finishing driver of each manufacturer after every Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series A-Main.  Overall, Longhorn Chassis registered victories in 30 of the 2022 season’s 56 A-Main events and boasted six of the top ten drivers in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship standings. The Longhorn Chassis army was led by Tim McCreadie and the Paylor Motorsports team, who’s consistency brought them the tour’s $150,000 title and second consecutive championship. Longhorn Chassis will be recognized during the December 9th championship awards banquet at Lucas Oil Stadium. The top chassis manufacturer in 2022 will receive a new Miller Multimatic welder along with a $250 certificate from Summit Racing Equipment.

(12/5/2022) Sacramento, CA… The NARC 410 Sprint Cars are set for another busy campaign in 2023 with the unveiling of a 24-race schedule for the West Coast’s best drivers and teams as the series enters its 63rd season of racing.

For the second straight year NARC will visit all three states that comprise the West Coast at tracks as far south as Bakersfield and all the way up north nearly to the Canadian border. Overall, 13 different facilities are on the calendar.

Teams will compete for more than $800,000 in prize money throughout the entirety of the schedule, plus another $50,000 in product and cash awards up for grabs.  Shares of a lucrative championship points fund will also be on the line.

March-ing Into Chico

The season opener will see the revitalization of a historic, fan-favorite race.

On March 18th the series kicks off the 2023 campaign with the return of Mini Gold Cup at Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway.

Originally starting in 1987, the Mini Gold Cup has been a spring staple in California but took a brief hiatus after the 2019 edition. Throughout its history, the event has alternated between NARC and World of Outlaws sanctioning. With the 2023 edition being a NARC event, it again gives locals a shot at Mini Gold Cup glory and placing their name alongside some legends of sprint car racing.

The Classics

The state of California has established a handful of “Classic” races that have become fan-favorites, and per usual some of those coveted events have found a home on the NARC schedule.

The first of five Classics on the calendar is on the second weekend of April and will be the third edition of the Anthony Simone Classic at Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford on April 8th. The night honors the versatile driver known as “Mr. Excitement” and offers a $10,000 payday to the winner.

The very next weekend will be another lucrative event as Tulare’s Thunderbowl Raceway will host the second Dennis Roth Classic. As a nod to Roth’s iconic car, the feature winner will again be awarded $8,300. The Roth Classic has grown by a day for 2023 and will showcase two nights of racing on April 14th and 15th with the winner of the latter taking home the big check.

The wildly popular Peter Murphy Classic is set for May 12th and 13th and will take place at the site of the two aforementioned Classics. Night one will be at Thunderbowl Raceway with Keller Auto Speedway taking center stage for the $11,000 to win finale. Like last year, NARC will be joined by the Sprint Car Challenge Tour both nights.

Another one of the most anticipated races of the campaign can be found in July as the Howard Kaeding Classic continues as a summertime staple. Unlike recent years, the event will now feature two nights of the NARC 410 Sprint Cars at Ocean Speedway as opposed to 410s only partaking on the final night. “The HK” is slated for July 14th and 15th.

On August 26th the series heads to Stockton Dirt Track for the Champions Classic. After a cancellation this year due to the tire shortage, teams will be eager for its return and to fight for a $6,000 payday by visiting victory lane.

A Busy Road To Dirt Cup

For the second straight year NARC will hit the Road to Dirt Cup, but this year’s edition will include a few more stops and double as the Fastest Four Days in Motorsports.

In lieu of making a pair of trips to the Pacific Northwest like in 2022, the series will make one extended journey to make logistics easier on the teams.

The four straight nights of action begins on Thursday, June 15th at Central Point, Oregon’s Southern Oregon Speedway. The next night it’s up to Douglas County Dirt Track in Roseburg, Oregon, a track that was converted from pavement to dirt over the off-season under the new promotional leadership of Roseburg Racing Promotions. Night three is a visit to Lebanon, Oregon’s Willamette Speedway, where Justin Sanders set a new track record when NARC invaded last year. And the Road to Dirt Cup meets an end at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington on June 18th.

Overall, the trip promises to provide four fantastic nights of racing at four different facilities and will feature a special bonus to any driver that can sweep all four events.

Dirt Cup

After a wildly successful 2022 Jim Raper Memorial Super Dirt Cup, NARC will again support the West Coast crown jewel as it enters its second year of a return to 410 sprint cars at Burlington, Washington’s Skagit Speedway.

The Dirt Cup will again feature a trio of nights (June 22nd – 24th) with the final night’s winner taking home a whopping $50,000.

Last year the race attracted more than 40 competitors as promoters Peter Murphy and Kevin Rudeen restored a ton of prestige to one of the most historic events on the left-coast.

*On Tuesday, June 20th there will be a Dirt Cup Tune-Up race at Skagit, but it will not be a NARC event.

Making History

A pair of historic races with winners lists that read like a California Hall of Fame will again be a part of the NARC campaign with many drivers hungry to add their names in one of those coveted slots.

The 32nd Annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial Race will occur on June 3rd at the scenic Placerville Speedway, marking the third straight year the El Dorado County track has hosted one of the most prestigious races in California.  With lap money and other awards, this show features one of the largest one-day purses of the year.

The season finale will see a historical race enter another decade of existence as Stockton Dirt Track hosts the 40th Tribute to Gary Patterson on November 4th.

And More

A few other racetracks and events help complete the 2023 schedule.

Petaluma Speedway has a pair of dates with the Salute to First Responders set for May 20th and the Salute to Baylands Raceway Park scheduled for July 8th.

The second race of the season will be the fourth annual Asparagus Cup on April 1st at Stockton Dirt Track with the SCCT joining the card.

Silver Dollar Speedway’s second and final NARC race of 2023 will be on April 29th as the series will again partake in the David Tarter Memorial.

The fourth edition of the Morrie Williams Memorial will be run on September 30th at Keller Auto Speedway. The unique event will again showcase a twin-20 lap features to conclude the evening.

NARC will make its lone trip to The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park on October 28th for the Halloween Spectacular.

NARC 410 Sprint Cars 2023 Complete Schedule

March 18: Silver Dollar Speedway (Chico, CA) – Mini Gold Cup

April 1: The Stockton Dirt Track (Stockton, CA) – Fourth Annual Asparagus Cup w/SCCT

April 8: Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford, CA) – Anthony Simone Classic ($10,000 to win)

April 14: Thunderbowl Raceway (Tulare, CA) – Dennis Roth Classic

April 15: Thunderbowl Raceway (Tulare, CA) – Dennis Roth Classic ($8,300 to win)

April 29: Silver Dollar Speedway (Chico, CA) – David Tarter Memorial

May 6: RAIN DATE

May 12: Thunderbowl Raceway (Tulare, CA) – Peter Murphy Classic w/SCCT

May 13: Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford, CA) – Peter Murphy Classic ($11,000 to win) w/SCCT

May 20: Petaluma Speedway (Petaluma, CA) – Salute to First Responders

June 3: Placerville Speedway (Placerville, CA) – 32nd Annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial

June 15: Southern Oregon Speedway (Central Point, OR) – Fastest Four Days in Motorsports/Road to Dirt Cup

June 16: Douglas County Dirt Track (Roseburg, OR) – Fastest Four Days in Motorsports/Road to Dirt Cup

June 17: Willamette Speedway (Lebanon, OR) – Fastest Four Days in Motorsports/Road to Dirt Cup

June 18: Grays Harbor Raceway (Elma, WA) – Fastest Four Days in Motorsports/Road to Dirt Cup

June 22: Skagit Speedway (Burlington, WA) – Super Dirt Cup

June 23: Skagit Speedway (Burlington, WA) – Super Dirt Cup

June 24: Skagit Speedway (Burlington, WA) – Super Dirt Cup ($50,000 to win)

July 8: Petaluma Speedway (Petaluma, CA) – Salute to Baylands Raceway Park

July 14: Ocean Speedway (Watsonville, CA) – Night One of the 13th Annual Howard Kaeding Classic

July 15: Ocean Speedway (Watsonville, CA) – Night Two of the 13th Annual Howard Kaeding Classic

July 29: OPEN

August 26: The Stockton Dirt Track (Stockton, CA) – Champions Classic ($6,000 to win)

September 30: Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford, CA) – Morrie Williams Memorial Twin-20s w/SCCT

October 28: The Dirt Track at KCRP (Bakersfield, CA) – Halloween Spectacular

November 4: The Stockton Dirt Track (Stockton, CA) – 40th Annual Tribute to Gary Patterson w/SCCT

November 5: Championship Awards Celebration at Brookside Country Club (Stockton, CA)

Inside Line Promotions – FRESNO, Calif. (Nov. 21, 2022) – Dominic Scelzi will wrap up the 2022 season this week at a two-day sprint car event at Merced Speedway.

The action at the bullring in Merced, Calif., runs Tuesday and Wednesday.

“It’s tiny, one of the smallest places in California,” Scelzi said. “I love it. It reminds me of Grand Forks (in North Dakota). I’ve been there when the track is really wet and when it’s really dry. I think I’ve raced there five times since they reconfigured it. We’ve ran second I think three times and third once when I tried to be the hero going for the win.”

Scelzi posted an eighth-place result at the track in March.

“I feel as confident as ever rolling in there this week,” he said. “There will be a bunch of good drivers. I’m excited for the challenge and hopefully we can run well.”

Scelzi is coming off back-to-back ASCS Southwest Region victories in Arizona during his most recent weekend of competition. The two wins give him 11 trips to Victory Lane this season.

“We are happy to achieve double digits in the win column this year and hopefully we can add another one or two this week,” he said. “I think ending the season on a positive note is huge as everyone works hard throughout each offseason. We’d love to keep the momentum rolling.”

SEASON STATS –

58 races, 11 wins, 31 top fives, 41 top 10s, 48 top 15s, 51 top 20s

UP NEXT – 

Tuesday and Wednesday at Merced Speedway in Merced, Calif.

BARBERVILLE, FL – Nov. 19, 2022 – One start, one win. Not a bad record at Volusia Speedway Park for one of DIRTcar UMP Modified racing’s newest breakout racers, Ethan Dotson.

After breaking an 11-year-old track record in Qualifying Friday night, Dotson continued his display of speed into Saturday night, taking the lead five laps into the 50-lap Feature and driving the rest of the way unchallenged to secure the $7,000 check and his first career Emil & Dale Reutimann Memorial Feature win.

Dotson, the 23-year-old Longhorn Chassis house car driver from Bakersfield, CA, credited his crew and leaders for the efforts they put in to prepare and assist throughout his first race weekend at the historic half-mile oval.

“We got lucky on practice night,” Dotson said. “We tweaked on stuff and made it really good. I’ve got a lot of good help – [lead engineer] Kevin Rumley, all the guys back at the shop that I can call and ask questions to. That all helps a bunch.

“I had [team owner] Steve [Arpin] here this weekend helping, and it just makes my job super easy whenever I’ve got people like that to be able to watch the car and help me whenever I make a mistake.”

Coming from fourth on the starting grid, Dotson made his way to second behind early race leader Brandon Kinzer in three laps. After crossing the line to complete Lap 4, Dotson threw a big slide job on Kinzer into Turn 1 and made it stick, taking the lead away for good. It was then he hit the boost and drove away from the field, opening-up an advantage of over two seconds before the race’s second caution on Lap 12.

From that point forward, Dotson began opening advantages of over four, five or even six full seconds in a small handful of laps after each proceeding restart, quickly distancing himself from the rest of the field.

Not once did Dotson let any of his competitors even come close to catching him throughout the night. The field went green on the final restart with 15-to-go, and by the time Dotson passed under the checkered flag, he was already sifting through lapped traffic again – 4.5 seconds ahead of runner-up Ashton Winger.

“I just wish Hoffman was here, and Strickler and some other guys,” Dotson said. “It’d be cooler to beat those guys here. They’ve run so many laps here.”

Chasing Dotson the hardest was Winger, making his UMP Modified debut in the Jeff Mathews Motorsports No. 33W. The young Super Late Model pilot from Senoia, GA, started on the front row but had to work his way back into a podium spot in the early going.

He slipped back to fifth at one point but made the most of a restart on Lap 15, shooting up the running order to second with a move down low on Chris Arnold to snag the spot and defending it the rest of the way home to lock-up $3,000 in prize money.

“When [Arnold] picked the top, it put me on the top, and then I got to third,” Winger said. “We set our race car up to run the middle-to-bottom, and the racetrack just allowed that top to be there the whole time.

“When you could enter on that top, I definitely think I just had to overdrive and would make a couple more mistakes. That’s a little bit how Chris [Arnold] got by me – I kinda got lost in the racetrack and made a couple mistakes.”

Arnold came home with the final podium spot after chasing down Winger for the entire second half of the race. It’s a new personal-best finish for the driver from Matoaca, VA, topping his previous best of fourth last year.

“I think I probably had a second-place car; I was kinda running Ashton down at the end,” Arnold said. “Overall, I’m happy. Fourth last year and third this year, it’s only got to go forward from here.”

RESULTS

UMP Modifieds Feature (50 Laps): 1. 00-Ethan Dotson[4]; 2. 33W-Ashton Winger[2]; 3. 99A-Chris Arnold[5]; 4. 09-Michael Leach[15]; 5. 33M-Jeff Mathews[9]; 6. 72-Todd Neiheiser[3]; 7. 24-Zeke McKenzie[6]; 8. 54-Jason Jack[23]; 9. J82-Treb Jacoby[20]; 10. 2D-Devin Dixon[7]; 11. 14-Mavrick Varnadore[24]; 12. 00B-Buzzie Reutimann[21]; 13. 18-Eric Moon[26]; 14. 25-Jason Altiers[16]; 15. 24B-Dillon Buhr[19]; 16. 3S-Josh Sanford[29]; 17. 6B-Dave Baldwin[17]; 18. 2A-Matt Altiers[25]; 19. (DNF) 18X-Brandon Kinzer[1]; 20. (DNF) 00D-David Reutimann[14]; 21. (DNF) 11Z-Zane Oedewaldt[28]; 22. (DNF) 17G-Nevin Gainey[8]; 23. (DNF) 15-Hunter Gustafson[12]; 24. (DNF) 99R-Ryan Rackley[30]; 25. (DNF) 64-Austin Sanders[18]; 26. (DNF) 33G-Seth Geary[27]; 27. (DNF) 51-Dalton Lanich[10]; 28. (DNF) 205-Travis Varnadore[11]; 29. (DNF) 2J-Troy Johnson[13]; 30. (DNF) 2-Joshua Kunstbeck[22]

UMP Mod Last Chance Showdown 1 (10 Laps): 1. 00B-Buzzie Reutimann[2]; 2. 54-Jason Jack[5]; 3. 2A-Matt Altiers[4]; 4. 33G-Seth Geary[16]; 5. 3S-Josh Sanford[10]; 6. 12-Robert Gast[13]; 7. 117-Clinton Gillen[1]; 8. 17-Patrick Vareika[7]; 9. 60-Jim Manka[12]; 10. 11Z-Zane Oedewaldt[8]; 11. 23B-Ethan Boomsma[6]; 12. (DNS) 97-Mitch Thomas; 13. (DNS) 4M-Tim Monroe; 14. (DNS) 34-Rob Giffen; 15. (DNS) 27G-Jason Garver; 16. (DNS) 57P-Zach Permann

UMP Mod Last Chance Showdown 2 (10 Laps): 1. 2-Joshua Kunstbeck[1]; 2. 14-Mavrick Varnadore[2]; 3. 18-Eric Moon[3]; 4. 2C-Ronnie Chance[9]; 5. 80-Paul Shead[8]; 6. 27-Jason Floyd[13]; 7. 11P-Charlie Phillips[17]; 8. (DNF) 99R-Ryan Rackley[7]; 9. (DNF) 99-Justin Haley[14]; 10. (DNF) M41-Steve Maisel[4]; 11. (DNF) 57-Fletcher Mason[6]; 12. (DNF) 29C-Joey Cotterman[11]; 13. (DNF) 3D-Makayla Tyrrell[10]; 14. (DNS) 8-Trevor Senterfitt; 15. (DNS) 3-Tony Campbell; 16. (DNS) 222-Cory Hupp; 17. (DQ) Z06-Garret Stewart[5]

Fifty-lap, $7,000-to-win finale goes green Saturday night on DIRTVision

BARBERVILLE, FL – Nov. 18, 2022 – In a field 54 cars deep, 20 of the best DIRTcar UMP Modified drivers at Volusia Speedway Park are now locked into Saturday night’s main event – the ninth annual Emil & Dale Reutimann Memorial.

Four individual, 15-lap Showdown Features hit the track Friday night after a round of Qualifying laps, locking the top-five finishers into the Feature and taking the top-two to the redraw on Saturday.

A matured track record was broken and four different home states went to Victory Lane, setting the stage for a redraw, Last Chance Showdown and 50-lap, $7,000-to-win Feature Saturday night – shown live on DIRTVision.

Showdown Feature #1

He’s been a count-on driver for February’s DIRTcar Nationals roster. But this fall, Zeke McKenzie decided to make the trip southward once more from his home in Warsaw, IN, for his first appearance in the Reutimann Memorial, and it’s already paid dividends.

McKenzie made the most of his quick Qualifying lap, topping all of Group A and going on to dominate Showdown Feature #1 by leading all 15 laps to cash-in on the $500 bonus.

“I’m just so happy for the opportunity,” McKenzie said. “John Carpenter gave me the opportunity to drive his car in the last few weeks, and we work really well together.”

He wheeled the Minnesota team-owned car to Volusia Victory Lane for the first time in his career after getting the jump on the start, never once faltering on the restarts. He held off a hungry Brandon Kinzer in the final laps to bag the victory and a spot in Saturday’s redraw.

Showdown Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 24-Zeke McKenzie[1]; 2. 18X-Brandon Kinzer[3]; 3. 33M-Jeff Mathews[5]; 4. 2J-Troy Johnson[2]; 5. 6B-Dave Baldwin[8]; 6. 117-Clinton Gillen[11]; 7. (DNF) 97-Mitch Thomas[4]; 8. (DNF) 54-Jason Jack[6]; 9. (DNF) 33-Kenny Mihalik[7]; 10. (DNF) 17-Patrick Vareika[14]; 11. (DNF) 4M-Tim Monroe[9]; 12. (DNF) 34-Rob Giffen[12]; 13. (DNF) 12-Robert Gast[10]; 14. (DNS) 57P-Zach Permann

Showdown Feature #2

Todd Neiheiser did something all 53 of his opponents could not Friday night – represent the home state of Florida in Victory Lane.

Neiheiser, the UMP Modified veteran racer from Panama City, FL, bagged his first career Showdown Feature victory leading flag-to-flag, ripping the high side around the half-mile oval and fending off pressure from Nevin Gainey behind him in the final laps.

“It was pretty easy,” Neiheiser said. “I went around the high side. I was going to stay up there because it looked pretty good.”

Gainey started fourth and fell back to sixth in the early going but climbed his way back to second in only six laps. He spent remainder of the race chasing down Neiheiser but was unable to get the momentum necessary on the bottom to make the pass and settled for second, punching his ticket into Saturday’s redraw with Neiheiser.

Showdown Feature 2 (15 Laps): 1. 72-Todd Neiheiser[1]; 2. 17G-Nevin Gainey[4]; 3. 205-Travis Varnadore[5]; 4. 09-Michael Leach[2]; 5. 24B-Dillon Buhr[7]; 6. 00B-Buzzie Reutimann[8]; 7. 2A-Matt Altiers[3]; 8. 23B-Ethan Boomsma[10]; 9. 11Z-Zane Oedewaldt[11]; 10. (DNF) 3S-Josh Sanford[6]; 11. (DNF) 60-Jim Manka[9]; 12. (DNS) 27G-Jason Garver; 13. (DNS) 7G-Seth Geary

Showdown Feature #3 – Ethan Dotson

Ethan Dotson turned several heads across the DIRTcar UMP Modified world this year and may have turned a few more Friday night, breaking an 11-year-old track record in Qualifying and going on to a 4.5-second victory in the third Showdown Feature.

The first-year UMP Modified talent from Bakersfield, CA, had never turned a single lap around the half-mile facility before practice on Thursday night. His second laps around on Friday night proved to be the fastest turned in a UMP Modified in track history, smashing Clint Bowyer’s previous record from 2011 by almost a half-second at 17.031.

“Breaking the track record is pretty cool, I’ve never done that before,” Dotson said. “Crate racing my whole life, you don’t get a lot of chances to have a track record. That was cool to be able to do that, especially at this place – holds a lot of Mod races.”

Armed with a starting spot inside Row 1 for his Showdown, Dotson took off in a hurry, opening up a near six-second advantage on second-place Chris Arnold before the race’s first caution just past halfway. That did not rattle the 23-year-old, however, as he took off again on the restart and towed out to a 4.5-second gap on Arnold before the checkered flag, punching his ticket into Saturday’s redraw.

“The redraw is what it is – if you can’t win from the first few rows, you probably weren’t good enough to win anyway,” Dotson said. “I think if we just go, and draw second row honestly, and are able to keep a good pace with them, and not wreck in lapped traffic, I think we’ve got a good shot at it.”

Showdown Feature 3 (15 Laps): 1. 00-Ethan Dotson[1]; 2. 99A-Chris Arnold[2]; 3. 51-Dalton Lanich[4]; 4. 00D-David Reutimann[3]; 5. 64-Austin Sanders[5]; 6. 2-Joshua Kunstbeck[6]; 7. 18-Eric Moon[7]; 8. Z06-Garret Stewart[11]; 9. 99R-Ryan Rackley[8]; 10. 2C-Ronnie Chance[9]; 11. 29C-Joey Cotterman[10]; 12. 27-Jason Floyd[12]; 13. 3-Tony Campbell[13]; 14. (DNF) 11P-Charlie Phillips[14]

Showdown Feature #4 – Ashton Winger

Not many dirt track racers in the country can say they’ve won in their first competitive start in a UMP Modified, but Ashton Winger now can.

The 22-year-old Super Late Model regular from Senoia, GA, recently teamed up with Florida racing veteran and former Reutimann Memorial winner Jeff Mathews and decided to give the Modified a try for the occasion. His debut went well, Qualifying sixth-fast in his group and driving from third to the win in the final Showdown Feature to stake his claim into the big show Saturday.

“These cars are a ton of fun to drive, and there’s a lot of awesome people that have come by and helped me,” Winger said. “Jeff’s done an awesome job. I’ve got my cousin Will here, Wyatt, Bob’s been working his ass off. Nick [Hoffman] has come down and been a big help.”

NASCAR Cup Series regular Justin Haley jumped out to the early lead with Devin Dixon and Winger in tow before breaking a distributor on Lap 2, cutting the power to his Elite Chassis No. 99 as he slowed to a stop and brought out the caution. This led to a mad dash into Turn 1 on the ensuing restart between Winger and Dixon.

“I was kinda focused on racing Devin, and I actually felt like we were pretty even, and then I looked up and saw Justin broke,” Winger said. “We had that restart, and I think Devin just made a mistake getting into Turn 1 – I don’t think I was a whole lot better than him.”

Dixon appeared to bobble slightly on the high side, which opened the door just enough for Winger to slip by with the lead on the bottom. It was the move that made him $500 richer and a first-time winner in a DIRTcar UMP Modified, as he led every lap the rest of the way.

Showdown Feature 4 (15 Laps): 1. 33W-Ashton Winger[3]; 2. 2D-Devin Dixon[2]; 3. 15-Hunter Gustafson[5]; 4. 25-Jason Altiers[4]; 5. J82-Treb Jacoby[8]; 6. 14-Mavrick Varnadore[7]; 7. M41-Steve Maisel[9]; 8. 57-Fletcher Mason[12]; 9. 80-Paul Shead[10]; 10. (DNF) 3D-Makayla Tyrrell[6]; 11. (DNF) 8-Trevor Senterfitt[13]; 12. (DNF) 99-Justin Haley[1]; 13. (DNS) 222-Cory Hupp

CONCORD, NC (Nov. 18, 2022) – Walk into Bundy Built and you can’t miss it.

Residing atop the tallest toolbox in the center of the 3,000 square-foot shop, a Mona Lisa amongst silver tools and plastic bottles, is the inaugural 2022 Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota championship trophy.

Mesmerized by the hardware, Bundy Built Motorsports team owner John “Bundy” Mitchell asked, “You know the best part about it?”

“It’s not with one of the high-dollar teams. It’s here, in our little shop. That’s f**king cool.”

The road to that accomplishment was far from linear. More like a mountain side rally. Twists and turns came up regularly. A near death experience came into play. But overall, there was a passionate team at every segment, eager to help push Mitchell’s dreams into reality.

THE JOURNEY
When Mitchell began that journey, Midget racing was never the destination. Car racing wasn’t even on his radar.

Growing up in Chattanooga, TN, Mitchell developed a passion for dirt bikes around 10 years old. He tried racing them, but it didn’t take long for him to realize he didn’t have the funding, (or the talent, as he said) to make that dream a reality.

Instead, he turned to working on them. Unable to hire someone to do the work for him, he had to learn on his own. Eventually, he made it a skill and became good enough that others started paying him to work on their bikes – all before he turned 16.

Through his little business, Mitchell met fellow Tennessean Nathan Ramsey – now a World Supercross champion. The two sparked a friendship and Mitchell became Ramsey’s go-to mechanic for his bikes – a relationship that would launched Mitchell into his wild journey.

Ramsey got hired to ride for the Factory Suzuki team and because of Mitchell’s stellar reputation as a dirt bike mechanic, specifically for Ramsey, they got called to the team together. The next day, they moved from Tennessee to California.

After a year with Suzuki, Ramsey got hired by Kawasaki to join the pro circuit and, again, brought Mitchell with him. In their four years with Kawasaki, the duo brought the team a championship in 1999.

Then, Mitchell got the rare opportunity to help develop a new engine when Ramsey went from Kawasaki to Yamaha (the two had been so successful together that Ramsey made sure it was in his contract that where he went, Mitchell could go with him).

“Yamaha was the first to build a four-stroke engine,” Mitchell said. “Back then, everything was two-stroke. Nathan was known to be a really good test rider. So, Yamaha hired him to test the four-stroke. I got to go to Yamaha with him to test it. The way it works in Japanese culture, they send a team of five engineers to live in America for the entire season to go to all the races and support the new projects. So, I got to work with these engineers on this bike.”

Eventually, Honda entered the ring with their own four-stroke engine and stole Ramsey and Mitchell from Yamaha to help develop it. So, Mitchell got to work with another set of five engineers on perfecting 250cc and 450cc engines.

“I got a really cool head start into, basically, F1-type four-stroke engine technology,” Mitchell said.

Then, in the early 2000s, a twist in the road. A new opportunity emerged. Mitchell was hired by Coy Gibbs – Joe Gibbs’ son – to work in Joe Gibbs Racing’s motocross vertical, building engines, establishing an amateur motocross team and basing it all off a retail business.

TWO TO FOUR WHEELS
After 20-plus years of living in California, Mitchell moved his family to Mooresville, NC – NASCAR land. However, he’d never seen a NASCAR race (and to this day has never been to an asphalt race).

His first day on the job, the first person that walked through the door was Mike McLaughlin – who won multiple NASCAR Xfinity Series races for JGR and is in the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame.

“Coy is like, ‘Whatever you do, take care of this guy. Treat him like gold,’” Mitchell said. “Of course, I didn’t know anybody. I was still living in a hotel room.”

And while McLaughlin was looking for help with his CR125 motorcycle engine, it wasn’t for a dirt bike. It was for his son Max’s kart he was racing at Millbridge Speedway – a 1/5-mile dirt oval.

Knowing nothing about the car or dirt oval racing in general, McLaughlin invited Mitchell and his son, Ethan, out to Millbridge to see what it’s all about. From there, Mitchell and McLaughlin grew to become best friends and Ethan sparked an interest in racing at Millbridge.

With an abundance of resources at Joe Gibbs Racing, Mitchell turned the business into one of the biggest vendors for Outlaw Kart engines, selling them around the world.

“They completely took off,” Mitchell said. “They dominated everything. That’s when Coy was like, ‘Dude, I’m giving you a business.’ It didn’t go toward the motorcycle direction; it went more toward Outlaw Karting and other stuff. So, he was like, you can have the whole thing.”

Not wanting to be in the retail business anymore and seeing what Mitchell built their program into, Gibbs paid Mitchell and the two employees under him three months’ salary and gave him all the tools and equipment from the shop to help him set up his own business. Gibbs’ only request was he couldn’t use the Joe Gibbs Racing name.

“Someone said, ‘Well, it’s all going to be built by Bundy now. Just call it Bundy Built,” Mitchell said. “All the sudden, Bundy Built was created.”

The business continued working on engines for motocross and supercross teams – and continues to today, including riders like motocross star Josh Hill – along with engines for dirt oval racing, now highlighted by Midget engines.

NEW VENTURE
Ethan rose through the ranks at Millbridge, along with Max. When it came time to move up to a bigger class, Max found his way into the Big Block Modifieds – currently a full-time Super DIRTcar Series driver for Heinke-Baldwin Racing – while Ethan searched.

He ran a couple races in a UMP Modified, including a race at the World Short Track Championship for Nick Hoffman. And got to try a Crate Late Model. Neither fit his style.

It was dirt Midget racing that finally piqued his interest.

“I didn’t know anything about Midgets,” Mitchell said. “That was so far out of my league.”

They bought a $9,000 car that came with everything but a motor. And with a high dollar on the top-tier Midget engines, Mitchell decided to build one himself.

“I was taking all the money the business was making and sinking it into this $9,000 Midget,” Mitchell said. “Mainly the motor. I was trying to save up money and trying to figure out what we were going to do. Every night I was reading, studying four-cylinder motors, deep dive into the engineering of them all.

“I knew we had kind of an advantage over most engine builders because we are double overhead cam, four valve specialists. That’s what I got taught by those engineers.”

While initially based off a Honda engine, Mitchell engineered something that’s become his own creation – a true Bundy Built engine.

“It made like 365 (horsepower) to the rear wheels on Engler (Machine & Tool) and Cozzolino’s (Motorsports) dynos up in [Indianapolis],” Mitchell said. “And both guys, Cozzolino and Engler were both like, ‘Holy shit, this dumb redneck, this guy’s got some f**king juice!’”

The car sat for a year, before the father-son duo had everything in place to attempt their first Midget race. They were able to test it a couple times at Millbridge and with the confidence it would hold together, they planned their trip: the Kokomo Smackdown in 2018.

“I was like, ‘OK, first race, here we go!’” Mitchell said. “That was obviously a mistake.”

Knowing nothing about the cars, Mitchell tried setting the car up with the set up blocks placed under the frame. It wasn’t long until he realized there was an error, seeing his car sitting much lower than all the others.

Then, when Ethan went to make laps, the motor was only turning 6,000rpm, rather than the 10,000 number it should’ve been reaching. They tried gear combination after gear combination to no avail. Again, with help from others, they realized they had the wrong rear end in the car.

Each year, their knowledge grew. Their cars ran better, and their engines continued to perform. However, still on a limited budget, hindering the speed of their growth. With the help of Dennis Kiser, who manages the finances of the shop, the business never went in debt – even during times Kiser said he wasn’t sure if they could continue the Midget program.

The business stayed successful and with the Midget program building steam, it attracted the likes of Zach Daum, who went from only wanting to buy to motor to driving a second car for the team and bringing them the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series championship.

“We showed up, got our ass whipped, came home and made changes,” Mitchell said. “Then, we went racing, got our ass kicked, came home and made changes. Went racing, got our ass kicked, came home and made changes. Now, we have a championship.”

However, before the season started, there was a grave uncertainty if Mitchell – and the team – would be around to see it.

XTREME YEAR
In December, Mitchell suffered a heart attack that nearly killed him and left him out of commission for several months. Just now, in November, he said he feels he’s finally back to a state where he be maneuverable and have a coherent conversation.

When he went down, that left Ethan, now 20 years old, and Kiser to keep the business stable and run a Midget team – along with the help of volunteering crew members Brian Garlow and Chad Johnston.

“Dad’s heart attack… going through something like that, almost losing somebody, I think it changes a person,” Ethan Mitchell said. “I think it changed me for the better, I believe, made me grow up a lot quicker than I was expecting to. When he was down, obviously, Dennis here at the shop, and myself, had to step up and keep the business rolling, along with others that put in a lot of hours of work to keep the business afloat while my dad was down. On top of that, me and our helper guy, Brian, he’s been a big help, as well, helping me go racing without dad.

“It’s tough having to go through that. But, at the end of the day, it makes you appreciate a lot more and not take as much for granted and I think I’m a more knowledgeable person because of it. I had to learn more about chassis setup and more about life in general… All the little things you take for granted like a tight bolt. ‘Here, Dad, come help me. Come loosen this bolt for me.’ Well, when your dad ain’t there to loosen the bolt for you, you have no option but to loosen it yourself.”

As much as the credit is given to Daum for wheeling the car to a title, Mitchell also gives a lot of credit for the championship to Ethan, who also ran the Xtreme Outlaw tour. He helped lead the team all year, making sure they got from race to race with two cars, and while Daum worked on the car during the race nights, Ethan and Brian did most of the wrenching and maintenance throughout the week.

Though Ethan didn’t find Victory Lane and its not his name on the $10,000 championship check, the amount of work he put into making sure they could bring the championship trophy home to sit on top of their tallest toolbox is still a triumph he’ll always cherish.

“I’m equally invested in Zach’s car as I am my own,” Ethan said. “Zach will meet us at the race track and I’ll let him do his own thing at the race track, but as far as actual work that goes into his car and my own car, and the equipment, that’s all me and Brian here at the shop. I’m heavily invested in his championship I’d say. I felt proud about it, we could bring home the championship and get the win at Port City (Raceway). I was super pumped.

“Even though it wasn’t myself who got the win and the championship, I was equally proud to be the team owner I’d say.”

Looking at the large checks hung on the shop wall and then back at the championship trophy in the middle of the small shop, surrounded by a bare Midget chassis, parts and engines waiting to be assembled, the years, the sacrifices, the endless hours of work and the triumphs all flood together for Mitchell.

“I’ll start crying, I told you I’m an emotional person,” he joked when asked what it means.

“I worked my f**king nuts off,” Mitchell said. “So did my son. He endured a lot. My business endured a lot. I spent 18 hours a day for four years trying to figure out how to make a Midget go around a racetrack.

“It is something I am super proud of. I felt like I stepped into something that I had no idea about. And I literally was jumping up and down, stomping on my own dick. Just way over my head. Like, you have no business here whatsoever. But I wasn’t going to give up. I just wanted to do it. And we’ve done it.”