Dallas Glenn looking forward to racing at home; Team Chevy drivers atop standings

DETROIT (July 28, 2022) – Dallas Glenn is looking forward to returning home this weekend. The 2021 National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Camping World Drag Racing Series rookie of the year will drive the RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro SS at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington – 20 miles as the crow flies from his boyhood home – for the first time in Pro Stock competition. It will be the NHRA’s first visit to the venue since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and close out the three-race Western Swing that has seen Chevrolet drivers post four victories.“Coming to race Pro Stock for the first time at my old home track is kind of surreal,” said Glenn, who defeated KB Racing teammate Kyle Koretsky earlier this season at Gainesville. “I grew up at this track and Pacific Raceways is a big part of my family. I actually grew up the exit down from the racetrack so if I wasn’t at home, you could find me there. “Racing professionally in front of all the friends and family there will be an experience. We’ve had some early exits the last two races in just some real close races, but I still think we’ve got a winning car this year. I think Seattle would be the perfect race to score our second Wally of the season.”

Chevrolet drivers are atop the standings in three professional categories – Brittany Force in Top Fuel, Robert Hight in Funny Car and Erica Enders in Pro Stock. Through 12 of the 22 scheduled nitro events, Team Chevy drivers have recorded 10 victories. Chevrolet drivers have swept all 10 Pro Stock wins, with Enders pacing the pack with six victories.Force earned her fourth win of the season and first at Sonoma Raceway last week, driving the Flav-R-Pac/Monster Energy Chevrolet dragster. Along the way, she reset her own track Top Fuel speed record three times with a best of 337.75 mph. “We’re coming out of Sonoma strong, and we want to do the same thing in Seattle,” she said.

Team Chevy   points leaders Top Fuel – Brittany Force (4 wins; 4 top qualifiers) Funny Car – Robert Hight (5 wins; 2 runner-up finishes; 3 top qualifiers) Pro Stock – Erica Enders (6 wins; 1 runner-up finish; 3 top qualifiers)

Hight, driving the Automobile Club of Southern California Camaro SS, increased his Funny Car points lead with a semifinal appearance at Sonoma, where he had won the previous three times. He’s won a class-high five races. Hight won at Pacific Raceways in 2017 on the way to the Funny Car championship and is a four-time No. 1 qualifier at the track. John Force, runner-up at Sonoma in the PEAK/BluDEF Platinum Camaro SS, remained fourth in the Funny Car standings as he seeks a record-extending 17th title. Force has won nine times at Pacific Raceways, including 2019 when he corralled his 150th career victory. Austin Prock, driver of the Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet dragster, earned his maiden Top Fuel victory at the track in 2019. No. 1 qualifier Enders, driver of the Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Camaro SS, .upped her Pro Stock points lead with a victory at Sonoma Raceway and denied Greg Anderson of his 100th career Pro Stock win in the process. In 2012, Enders shared the winner’s circle at Pacific Raceways with Courtney Force – the first time two women won at the same event. “Going to Seattle, it was my second win ever and the first time two pro girls won, me and Courtney Force, so that stands out in my mind as well as we head there. Just an amazing day,” Enders said. Anderson, the five-time and reigning Pro Stock champion driving the HendrickCars.com Camaro SS, is seeking to join Force (155) as the only drivers in pro categories with 100 wins. In 2019, after winning the first two rounds of the Western Swing, Anderson was runner-up to Matt Hartford at Pacific Raceways.CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPITTOP FUELBRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, FLAV-R-PAC/MONSTER ENERGY CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (four-time winner this season; points leader): “I’m excited to go back to Seattle, it’s been a while. t’s another track I’ve grown up on and has a lot of memories for John Force Racing. Austin got his first win there the same time my dad won his 150th and then this year it’s the Flav-R-Pac race, my sponsor. I’m excited to see Flav-R-Pac colors painted all up and down the track and proud to stand by such an incredible company. Our team is looking forward to getting back to work and begin qualifying. We’re coming out of Sonoma strong, and we want to do the same thing in Seattle.” AUSTIN PROCK, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONTANA BRAND/ROCKY MOUNTAIN TWIST CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (runner-up at Pomona opener; 2019 winner at track): “I’m happy to be back in Seattle. It’s been a few years since we’ve been here and when I left it was definitely on a high note. It would be really special to keep the reigning champ title for another year. I think we are on the right track to make a statement this weekend. Hopefully that turns into four win lights on Sunday and I can be on the wing celebrating again.” FUNNY CARJOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK/BLUEDEF PLATINUM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 1 qualifier and Charlotte four-wide winner; runner-up at Sonoma; nine-time winner at the track): “Back in Seattle after three years, it’s going to feel good to be back. We’ve missed those fans, I hope they’ve missed us too. It’s the Flav-R-Pac race, Frank Tiegs, he’s waited just as long as us to get this race back. His car is running great over there with Brittany and hopefully we can get a couple more winner’s circle photos with him this weekend. We’re in a good spot. This PEAK team, we have a fast car, it was right there in Sonoma. We’ll see how this weekend goes.” ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (five-time winner this season; points leader): “We are off to a great season so far. This Auto Club team is really working hard, and we need to keep it up. This last half of the season is what’s really important, four races and then we hit the NHRA Countdown. We are going to try and be perfect, come out every run and get down the track, be consistent and try not to make any mistakes. This Chevy is responding to what Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham are doing and we are only getting better.” PRO STOCKERICA ENDERS, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, MELLING PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (six-time winner this season; points leader): “Coming into race day, I know I have the car to beat right now. It’s just it’s the way the cookie crumbles and that will change. I guarantee it. But right now, all I have to do is go up there and do my job and not mess up.” GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (reigning Pro Stock champion; seeking to become second pro driver with 100 wins; runner-up at Sonoma; fourth in standings): “The positive is that KB Racing won (at Denver with Matt Hartford) and we were in the final (at Sonoma) with the HendrickCars.com Chevrolet. We’re coming back. I feel good about it, and we have another chance to finish the Western Swing with a win. I’m going to keep digging and build on this momentum.” CAMRIE CARUSO, CARUSO FAMILY RACING, TEQUILA COMISARIO CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (first season in Pro Stock; No. 1 qualifier and runner-up at Houston): “We have been working really hard with this Tequila Comisario Chevrolet team and we have just had some tough draws on race day. We are a team that has been consistently qualifying in the top half and that makes a difference on Sunday. I know we have the power thanks to Titan Racing Engines and my crew led by crew chief Jim Yates is really good. I am excited to get to a new track and have some new results on the swing.” KYLE KORETSKY, KB RACING, LUCAS OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 1 qualifier at Phoenix; runner-up at Gainesville; third in standings): “Different weather, different atmosphere and my first time racing there as well. I’m looking forward to the third and final race of the Western Swing. We made the semifinals in Sonoma and were looking good but had a mechanical issue about a third of the way down the track, so I’m definitely looking to go rounds this weekend. My goal is not to have Dallas (Glenn) beat me at Seattle.” DALLAS GLENN, KB RACING, RAD TORQUE SYSTEMS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (winner at Gainesville; No. 1 qualifier at Epping; fifth in standings): “Racing professionally in front of all the friends and family there will be an experience. We’ve had some early exits the last two races in just some real close races, but I still think we’ve got a winning car this year. I think Seattle would be the perfect race to score our second Wally of the season.” MASON MCGAHA, HARLOW SAMMONS RACING, HARLOW SAMMONS OF ODESSA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (semifinalist in four of the 10 races): “The last two races we were pretty killer on the tree in the first round and then we eased up in the second round. We just need four consistent runs with good reaction times and elapsed times. That is what we are looking to do in Seattle this weekend. This will be my first time racing in Seattle but I feel pretty good. You want to make the most of qualifying and then just keep it rolling on race day. I am just going to go up there and do my thing. We are sixth in the points we aren’t too far back, but we would like to have a good weekend in Seattle and try to close that gap. We want to win that first race for sure.” CHRIS MCGAHA, HARLOW SAMMONS RACING, HARLOW SAMMONS OF ODESSA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (owns both ends of the track record, set in 2015 on the way to victory): “I am looking forward to Seattle. I switched cars and I am back to my old car and I am going faster. I have lost some mojo but I am going to get it back. I am going to forget the past and focus on this next race. The conditions in Seattle can be really good for our class. It can go either way but we are looking for a good weekend. Racing with Mason is the best. I am looking forward to seeing him get his first win and then I think we will both be in a great spot.”

Second race of 2022 on IMS Road Course can build more momentum in title chase

DETROIT (July 27, 2022) – For the third time this season and second on the road course, Chevrolet teams in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES are headed to Indianapolis Motor Speedway – this time for the Gallagher Grand Prix and the 13th round of this year’s 17-race schedule.

There hasn’t been much to slow down the Chevrolet IndyCar train with nine wins so far and the lead in the Engine Manufacturer Championship. The only thing missing this year for Team Chevy is a win at Indianapolis, which the 10-car contingent of Bowtie-powered teams hope to rectify once the race goes green at noon ET on Saturday (NBC, Peacock, IndyCar Radio).

“It’s always good to go back to Indianapolis,” said Rob Buckner, Chevrolet program manager for INDYCAR. “Although this is our second time this season on the IMS road course, there are a number of obvious differences. It’s a different time of year so the track and air temperature will influence tire performance. We’ll also have different brands of tire rubber on the track throughout the weekend with NASCAR sharing the weekend. 

“None of this is new to us,” he added. “We’ve been able to adapt all year to different track conditions and situations, and this is a big reason we are leading the Engine Manufacturer Championship heading into the home stretch. Our teams have performed well and we’ll all continue working together to maximize any opportunities that come up this weekend.”

That has happened more often than not at the 2.439-mile, 14-turn Indy road course. Three different active Chevrolet drivers – Will Power, Josef Newgarden and Rinus VeeKay – have won nine times on that configuration since 2015. Team Penske’s Power, driving the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet, leads all drivers with five Indy road course wins.

On the way to the green flag, the field for the Gallagher Grand Prix will follow a red Corvette Stingray, which will serve as Official Pace Car.

And while on the grounds at IMS, Team Chevy fans can enjoy all that the Chevrolet display, located near Pagoda Plaza, has to offer. Included in the display activities will be a series of Q&A sessions with some of the star Chevrolet drivers.

Friday

· 2:30 p.m.: Team Penske – Scott McLaughlin, Will Power

· 3:00 p.m.: Juncos Hollinger Racing – Callum IIott

· 3:15 p.m.: AJ Foyt Racing – Dalton Kellett, Kyle Kirkwood

· 4:30 p.m.: Arrow McLaren SP – Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist

Saturday

· 10:00 a.m.: Ed Carpenter Racing – Rinus VeeKay and Conor Daly

The Chevrolet Motorsports Display opens at 9 a.m. Friday, 7 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday. Numerous Chevrolet vehicles will be on display – including the 2023 Corvette Z06 and Silverado RV – and fans can register to receive a 2022 Chevrolet Racing T-shirt.

Chevrolet and the NTT INDYCAR Series continue the 2022 season with a return to the Indianapolis road course for the Gallagher Grand Prix at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 30. The race will air live starting at noon ET on NBC, the Peacock streaming service, IndyCar Radio Network affiliates and SiriusXM IndyCar Nation (Channel 160). Live timing and scoring will be available at racecontrol.indycar.com.

BY THE NUMBERS: Chevrolet in INDYCAR

· 1: Chevrolet’s position in the INDYCAR Engine Manufacturer standings after 12 races

· 2: Consecutive front-row starts in the Indianapolis 500 for Rinus Veekay of Ed Carpenter Racing

· 3: Active Team Chevy drivers to win on the Indianapolis road course: Josef Newgarden, Will Power and Rinus VeeKay

· 4: Consecutive victories by Chevrolet to open the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin won the pole and race at St. Petersburg. Penske teammate Josef Newgarden won at Texas and Long Beach, and Pato O’Ward was victorious at Barber Motorsport Park for Arrow McLaren SP

· 5: Victories at the Indianapolis road course for Penske’s Will Power (2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021)

· 6: Different Chevrolet drivers to win races dating to the start of 2020. Scott McLaughlin was the most recent at St. Petersburg

· 6: Number of Manufacturer Championships in the NTT INDYCAR Series since 2012

· 6: Number of Team Chevy Driver/Entrant championships since 2012

· 14: Consecutive seasons with at least one win by Will Power, including past 11 with Chevrolet. He won at Belle Isle in 2022

· 26: Wins by Will Power since 2012. All have come with Chevrolet, giving him the most of any driver with same manufacturer

· 41: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver

· 104: Chevrolet victories in NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012

· 112: Earned poles by Chevrolet since 2012

· 177: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR

KENT, Wash. (July 27, 2022) – John Force and the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS will be looking for their second win of the season as they head to the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, the final event on the famed Western Swing and a facility that played host to a historic victory for the 16-time champion. Other than the Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd, Minn., a race he’s won 11 times, John Force has won most often at Seattle where he’s claimed the Flav-R-Pac Northwest Nationals Funny Car title on nine occasions: 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2014 and 2019. He comes in as the defending champion alongside Top Fuel teammate Austin Prock with whom he shared the 2019 podium with. The victory marked Force’s 150th of his career, a milestone that will be hard pressed to ever be met again. “Back in Seattle after three years, it’s going to feel good to be back. We’ve missed those fans, I hope they’ve missed us too,” Force said. “It’s the Flav-R-Pac race, Frank Tiegs, he’s waited just as long as us to get this race back. His car is running great over there with Brittany and hopefully we can get a couple more winner’s circle photos with him this weekend. We’re in a good spot. This PEAK team, we have a fast car, it was right there in Sonoma. We’ll see how this weekend goes.” Winner of a record 155 NHRA tour events, Force currently is fourth in Camping World points, well positioned to make a run at his 17th series championship once the points are adjusted for the Countdown. In his 47th season on the NHRA pro tour, he is the drag racing record holder in almost every imaginable professional category including championships (16), consecutive championships (10), final rounds (263), race wins (155), round wins (1405) and No. 1 qualifying performances (164).  NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series action at the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways begins with qualifying Friday at 6:45 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 and 4:45 p.m. Eliminations are slated for a 10:30 a.m. start on Sunday. Television coverage of the event begins on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with qualifying shows Saturday at 2:00 p.m. ET and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET. Eliminations will be aired on FOX Broadcasting Network Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

PLAINVIEW, NY (July 27, 2022) — Two races into the Western Swing Justin Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Energy are battling with the elite Top Fuel teams at the top of the point standings. A semifinal finish in Denver and a quarterfinal finish in Sonoma have Ashley sitting in third place with just four races left in the regular season. The team will make their first start at the NHRA Northwest Nationals from Pacific Raceway this weekend.

“The Western Swing is a new experience,” said Ashley, the 2020 Rookie of the Year. “Three races in a row all on the west coast. It’s been about finding a routine that works the best. Between Denver and Sonoma I flew home to spend time with my family and now I am going to stay out on the road with my team until Seattle. I am enjoying the opportunity to race three events in a row at facilities that seem to be more beautiful than the next. I am soaking it all in and learning as much as I can from our great Phillips Connect team.” 

Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Energy, photo by Ron Lewis

Ashley has raced to four final rounds so far this season picking up wins at the season opening Winternationals and the NHRA New England Nationals in Epping, New Hampshire. The consistency of performance has kept the second-year driver and team owner in the top tier of Top Fuel teams. Currently, Ashley is 140 points out of the points lead but with four races remaining including the U.S. Nationals which features points and a half, heading to the top spot is not out of the question. 

“Seattle is like any other race,” said Ashley. “But we are in the final stretch of the regular season so we have to be on our A Game and continue to collect points. We want to close out the swing strong and put ourselves into a good position going into the countdown.”

Prior to the Sonoma Nationals Ashley along with Davis Motorsports and Phillips Connect hosted a golf tournament and dinner to honor Oakdale, California native Eric Medlen. Both events raised $50,000 which was donated to Speedway Children’s Charities of Sonoma in honor of the NHRA rising star and 2006 Sonoma Nationals Funny Car winner who was killed in a testing accident in 2007.

Sonoma Speedway Children’s Charity check presentation, photo by Ron Lewis

“It was amazing to make such a great donation to the Sonoma chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities and it wouldn’t have happened without the support of Phillips Connect and Nordby Signature Homes,” said Ashley. “The Davis Motorsports, Antron Brown Motorsports and Justin Ashley Racing teams all pulled together and did a great thing. We are excited to bring that event back and host it again in 2023.”

This weekend Ashley will fly the familiar colors of Phillips Connect and Vita C Energy along with his associate sponsors Lucas Oil, Toyota, KATO Fastening Systems and a new one race partnership with Ashton Paving from Salem, Oregon. Friday’s Northwest Nationals will begin with one qualifying session under the lights followed by two more sessions on Saturday. The race will begin on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. PT with FOX broadcasting the race nationals beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

KENT, Wash. (July 27, 2022) – Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet dragster team return to Pacific Raceway as the defending champions of the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals. With a win in the 2022 Camping World Drag Racing Series season evading him, Prock is hoping Seattle will be his turning point. Prock upset reigning World Champion Steve Torrence in the final round the last time the Northwest Nationals was contested in 2019. He shared that winners’ circle with boss and teammate John Force, who was the Funny Car winner. Prock’s 2019 win, his first, helped propel the third generation drag racer to NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year honors before the COVID-19 pandemic briefly sidetracked his pro career.  “I’m happy to be back in Seattle. It’s been a few years since we’ve been here and when I left it was definitely on a high note,” Prock said. “It would be really special to keep the reigning champ title for another year. I think we are on the right track to make a statement this weekend. Hopefully that turns into four win lights on Sunday and I can be on the wing celebrating again.” Prock won that 2019 race from a very unassuming No. 12 starting position, beating tour regulars Leah Pruett, Clay Millican and Mike Salinas before stopping Torrence. He enters the final race in the grueling Western Swing in ninth place in Camping World points with just four races remaining before points are adjusted for the six-race Countdown to the Championship.  NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series action at the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways begins with qualifying Friday at 6:45 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 and 4:45 p.m. Eliminations are slated for a 10:30 a.m. start on Sunday. Television coverage of the event begins on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with qualifying shows Saturday at 2:00 p.m. ET and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET. Eliminations will be aired on FOX Broadcasting Network Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

KENT, Wash. (July 27, 2022) – Robert Hight and the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS team continue to impress fans and competitors alike as they chase the best season of Hight’s career. The Auto Club team hope to next put on a show and end up in the winners circle at this weekend’s Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways. Hight won the Northwest Nationals on the way to the championship in 2017 and has been the No. 1 qualifier four times (2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010). The last time the race was contested in 2019, he qualified his Auto Club Chevy Camaro SS No. 5 but lost to teammate and eventual event winner, John Force, in round two. “We are off to a great season so far. This Auto Club team is really working hard, and we need to keep it up,” Hight said. “This last half of the season is what’s really important, four races and then we hit the NHRA Countdown. We are going to try and be perfect, come out every run and get down the track, be consistent and try not to make any mistakes. This Chevy is responding to what Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham are doing and we are only getting better.” Robert Hight and the Auto Club Chevy are the Funny Car points leader on the strength of five wins in 12 events this year and are on par to match, or better, a career best six wins in a single season. Hight is chasing his fourth Funny Car world championship while also looking to hit a milestone 60 career victories, he currently has 58, with 10 events left on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule. NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series action at the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways begins with qualifying Friday at 6:45 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 and 4:45 p.m. Eliminations are slated for a 10:30 a.m. start on Sunday. Television coverage of the event begins on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with qualifying shows Saturday at 2:00 p.m. ET and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET. Eliminations will be aired on FOX Broadcasting Network Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Jul 25, 2022 |

Fiona Crisp will drive Randy Meyer Racing Team’s second championship-winning Top Alcohol Dragster to make her NHRA debuts this weekend, July 28-30, at the Heartland Motorsports Park Lucas Oil Regional race. Crisp who is based out of Sydney, Australia has never competed in the NHRA and recently licensed with Meyer earlier this year.

“I’m really excited to be able to work with the Randy Meyer team to make this happen,” said Crisp. “I know it’s a cliche but it really is a dream come true to compete in the NHRA in Top Alcohol. I am feeling a lot of different emotions leading into the weekend but I just want to have fun, stay calm and take it all in. Special thanks to my sponsors, Guarded Group, GT Skips and Vinyl Wraps and Graphics.”

Crisp and teammate Julie Nataas will begin qualifying Thursday, July 28 and will follow on Friday. Eliminations are scheduled for Saturday. (Click here to watch for FREE from NHRA.tv!)

July 27, 2022

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 DEX Imaging team are headed to the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard, an 82-lap, 200-mile race on the infield road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, hoping to build on their successes at the road-course races so far this season. 

In the earlier races at Circuit of the America, Sonoma Raceway and Road America, Burton and the No. 21 team earned points in both Stages and came away with good points totals for the day’s efforts.
 
Indy’s 14-turn, 2.44-mile road course, like most others, has its own distinct characteristics, but Brian Wilson, crew chief of the No. 21 DEX Imaging team, has found success there in the past, including leading Austin Cindric to victory last year in the Xfinity Series.
 
“Indianapolis has a lot of great memories for me personally, both during my time on Team Penske cars racing the oval, as well as our win on the road course last year in the Xfinity series,” Wilson said. “I look forward to the strategy of the road course and intend to continue our streak of solid points days that we’ve had at all road courses this year.”

Wilson said that the rookie Burton is adapting to racing Cup cars while turning left and right on road courses.
 
“Harrison has done an excellent job managing the various strategies in addition to the normal challenges that road courses throw your way,” he said. “The road course at Indianapolis has a unique mix of corners. Historically we’ve had to focus on the braking zones as well as having a stable platform in the car for the sweeping switchbacks. 
 
“I look forward to seeing what challenge we have with this year’s car this weekend.”
 
At Indy, the No. 21 Mustang will carry a special decal honoring the memory of long-time Wood Brothers crew member Mike Hartman, who passed away Monday, July 25^th, at the age of 84.
 
Mr. Hartman worked on the team for 25 years before retiring in 2014.
 
Eddie Wood said it’s fitting that the No. 21 will carry Mr. Hartman’s decal at Indianapolis Motor Speedway since he was a season ticket holder at the Speedway for many years before he joined the race team.
 
Practice for the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard is set for Saturday at 9:35 a.m. followed immediately by qualifying.
 
Sunday’s race is scheduled to start just after 2:30 p.m. with TV coverage on NBC.
 
Stage breaks are planned for Laps 15 and 35. 

KENT, Wash. (July 27, 2022) – With just four races remaining before the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, Brittany Force and the Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy Chevrolet dragster have regained the Top Fuel points lead heading into this weekend’s Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways just outside of Seattle. They look to widen their lead with a win at their primary sponsor’s title race. Heading to Washington for the first time in three years, Force will be trying to win for the fifth time this season, which would be a personal best for the 2017 World Champion. She is coming off a record-setting performance at last week’s NHRA Sonoma Nationals in which she drove her David Grubnic and Mac Savage-prepared dragster to track records of 3.662-seconds and 337.75 mph. She now owns the six fastest speeds in Top Fuel history and nine of the top 10.   “I’m excited to go back to Seattle, it’s been a while,” Force said. “It’s another track I’ve grown up on and has a lot of memories for John Force Racing. Austin got his first win there the same time my dad won his 150th and then this year it’s the Flav-R-Pac race, my sponsor. I’m excited to see Flav-R-Pac colors painted all up and down the track and proud to stand by such an incredible company. Our team is looking forward to getting back to work and begin qualifying. We’re coming out of Sonoma strong, and we want to do the same thing in Seattle.” Surprisingly, Pacific Raceways is one of the very few tracks on which Force has not reached the semifinals since moving up to Top Fuel (she lost to sister Courtney in the Top Alcohol Dragster semis in 2009), has not started from the No. 1 qualifying position and does not own either of the track records. The last time the race was contested in 2019, she qualified second and had a quarterfinal exit.  NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series action at the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways begins with qualifying Friday at 6:45 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 and 4:45 p.m. Eliminations are slated for a 10:30 a.m. start on Sunday. Television coverage of the event begins on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with qualifying shows Saturday at 2:00 p.m. ET and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET. Eliminations will be aired on FOX Broadcasting Network Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

NHRA^® Team Report

NHRA Northwest Nationals 

Pre-Race Report

Holding steady in sixth place in the NHRA Funny Car standings, Cruz Pedregon and team are heading to Seattle with an eye on the prize of a Northwest Nationals win in the Snap-on^® Dodge^® SRT^® Hellcat^®.

“This is a race I’ve had my eye on winning for years, dating back all the way to my alcohol car days back in the late 80s,” says Cruz. “Through the years, we’ve brought some really good cars to the Seattle race but haven’t been able to quite punch it through. So, this year, we’re going to look forward to getting the Snap-on Dodge into the winners’ circle.”

Cheering on Cruz this weekend is local Snap-on franchisee Don Legge, whose name is on the side of the Snap-on Franchise car for the Seattle event. He’ll be joined at the track by family and several loyal customers. Cruz got to meet some of them Thursday when he rode along with Don on his route to meet these makers and fixers where they work. If your profession involves making and fixing in these types of essential businesses, such as keeping vehicles on the road

A potential $100,000 is on the line at Fairbury SpeedwayFAIRBURY, IL – July 27, 2022 – All eyes are on Central Illinois this weekend for one of the highly anticipated events on the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model schedule. The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet return to Fairbury Speedway in Fairbury, IL, for the 32nd running of the Prairie Dirt Classic, July 29-30. For the second straight season, the 100-lap event will pay $50,000-to-win. However, each lap also pays $500, meaning if a driver leads every lap, they’ll walk away with $100,000 from the 1/4-mile bullring.  The event kicks off on Friday, July 29, with My Place Hotels Qualifying, followed by four 25-lap, $3,000-to-win Prairie Dirt Showdowns to help set Saturday’s field.  On Saturday, July 30, drivers who haven’t transferred to the 100-lap finale will run in three Last Chance Showdowns.  Drivers who don’t transfer from those Last Chance Showdowns have one more chance in the 25-lap Prairie Dirt Shootout, where the winner can take home $2,500 or start the Prairie Dirt Classic.  The 100-lap, $50,000-to-win finale will cap off the night as drivers hope to etch their name into Fairbury Speedway’s history.  Joining the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models for the weekend are the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, who will finish their summer tour with a 40-lap, $5,000-to-win Feature.  If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online or through the DIRTVision App. Here are the top storylines this weekend:  ERB’S TIME TO SHINE: Dennis Erb Jr. is having one of the best seasons of his career. He’s reached Victory Lane five times in World of Outlaws CASE Late Models competition, along with 14 top-fives and 21 top-10s in 26 races.  The Carpentersville, IL driver has previously found success in the Prairie Dirt Classic, winning the event in 2004. He’s also found success on bullrings in 2022. Erb won at Marion Center Speedway with the World of Outlaws and at Spoon River Raceway, another Illinois bullring in May. Erb enters the weekend with a 186-point lead over second-place Max Blair in the chase for the World of Outlaws championship.  ENGLISH LESSON: World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year contender Tanner English may have a leg up on his competition heading into the Prairie Dirt Classic.  The Benton, KY driver already found Victory Lane at Fairbury this season, winning the Pappy and Bob Allen Memorial at the 1/4-mile bullring in June. If he can find Victory Lane again at the Illinois facility, it would be a career-defining moment for the Bluegrass State competitor.  He’s also closing the gap on Max Blair in the battle for Rookie of the Year—only eight points behind the Centerville, PA driver entering the weekend.  OPERATING FOR VICTORY: Bobby Pierce has won some of dirt Late Model racing’s most notable events. However, one event has eluded the Oakwood, IL driver — the Prairie Dirt Classic.  The “Smooth Operator” has knocked on the door to Victory Lane twice in the previous two events, finishing second to Kyle Larson last year, and finishing third after a thrilling battle with Brandon Sheppard for the win in 2019.  A Prairie Dirt Classic win would also be the sixth win for the Pierce family, as his dad Bob has won the event five times.  If Pierce wins at Fairbury this weekend, it’ll be his third World of Outlaws win of the season — his last coming on June 3 at Tri-City Speedway (IL).  THE STARS OF FAIRBURY: When the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models head to the Prairie Dirt Classic, they’re battling some of the best drivers Late Model racing has to offer and also a stout field of Fairbury track regulars. Ryan Unzicker, from El Paso, IL, currently leads the track’s points standings entering the weekend and already has a World of Outlaws top five this season (Tri-City). Unzicker has three wins at Fairbury in 2022 so far. A couple of drivers battling Unzicker who have also won at Fairbury in 2022 are hometown driver McKay Wenger, and Manhattan, IL driver Mike Spatola, who scored a World of Outlaws victory last season at Farmer City Raceway.  Along with those three names is veteran campaigner Kevin Weaver in his patented #B12 car. The Gibson City, IL driver won the Prairie Dirt Classic in 1991.  BEWARE OF ILLINOIS: While Fairbury Speedway boasts a stout field of drivers, that’s not all Illinois has to offer. An Illinois driver has won 16 of the 31 Prairie Dirt Classics, most recently Brandon Sheppard in 2019.  Out of the Prairie State drivers projected to run this weekend’s event, Shannon Babb has more wins than any other driver, with three. Sheppard, who makes his return to World of Outlaws CASE Late Models competition with Rocket1 Racing this weekend, has won the event twice.  Jason Feger, from Bloomington, IL, has also won the event, finding Victory Lane in 2012.  DAVENPORT’S DOMINANCE: Perhaps no driver enters the Prairie Dirt Classic with more momentum than Jonathan Davenport.  The Eldora Million winner has already won $73,000 this week, including his $20,000 Hawkeye 50 triumph at Boone Speedway.  “Superman” has also found success at Fairbury, winning the Prairie Dirt Classic in 2015. A win on Saturday would be his fourth World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Feature win of the season.  WHEN AND WHEREFriday-Saturday July 29-30 at Fairbury Speedway in Fairbury, IL ABOUT THE TRACKFairbury Speedway is a 1/4-mile semi-banked dirt ovalONLINE – Fairbury Speedway: www.fairburyspeedway.com   PREVIOUS WINNERS2021 – Kyle Larson on July 31 2019 – Brandon Sheppard on July 27 2018 – Devin Moran on July 28 2017 – Brandon Sheppard on July 29 2016 – Josh Richards on July 30 2015 – Jonathan Davenport on July 25 2014 – Tim McCreadie on July 26 2013 – Shannon Babb on July 27 TRACK RECORD12.143 set by Kyle Strickler on 9/15/20On the Internet World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Series Twitter – Twitter.com/WoOLateModels – @WoOLateModels Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOLateModels – @woolatemodels Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsLateModelSeries YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month Around the Turn: The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet travel to Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, WI for the 35th Annual USA Nationals August 4-6.  Feature Winners: (15 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsDennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-4Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-3Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA- 2 Max Blair, Centerville, PA-2 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-2 Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-2 Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-2Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-1 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1 Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1 Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-1 Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-1 Ricky Weiss, Headingley, MB-1 Jared Miley, Pittsburgh, PA-1 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1 Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-1Heat Race Winners (44 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsBrandon Sheppard- New Berlin, IL-8 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-8Chris Madden-Gray Court, SC-7 Brandon Sheppard- New Berlin, IL-7 Max Blair, Centerville, PA-7Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, GA-6 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-6 Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-6Devin Moran-Dresden, OH-4 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-4Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-3 Gordy Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-3 Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-3Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY-2 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-2 Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, AZ-2 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-2 Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-2 Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-2 Rick Eckert, York, PA-2 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-2 Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-2 Tanner English, Benton, KY-2Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-1 Ross Robinson, Georgetown, DE-1 Mark Whitener, Middleburg, FL-1 Frank Heckenast, Jr., Frankfort, IL-1 Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-1 Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, NC-1 Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1 Josh Rice, Verona, KY-1 Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1 Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, NM-1 Chad Simpson, Mt. Vernon, IA-1 Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-1 Spencer Hughes, Meridian, MS-1 Jeff Rine, Danville, PA-1 Gregg Satterlee, Indiana, PA-1 Rick Eckert, York, PA-1 Josh Richards, Houston, OH-1 Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1 Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL-1 Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, AR-1 Daryn Klein, Trenton, IL-1 Logan Martin, West Plains, MO-1 Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-1 Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1Last Chance Showdown Winners (38 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsMax Blair, Centerville, PA-3Cade Dillard-Robeline, LA-2 Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2 Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA-2 Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-2 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-2 Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-2 Jake Timm, Winona, MN-2 Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-2 Tanner English, Benton, KY-2Hudson O’Neal- Martinsville, IN-1 Logan Martin, Plains, MO-1 Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1 Chris Simpson, Oxford, IA-1 Spencer Hughes, Meridian, MS-1 Mike Norris, Sarver, PA-1 Chase Osterhoff, Kankakee, IL-1 Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-1 Anthony Sanders, Spartanburg, SC-1 Banjo Duke, Sumter, SC-1 Steve Casebolt, Richmond, IN-1 Austyn Mills, Cincinnati, OH-1 Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL-1 Andy Bond, Coolville, OH-1 Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, NM-1 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1 Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-1 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-1 Shaun Jones, Shermansdale, PA-1 Ryan Montgomery, Fairmont, WV-1 Chad Myers, Hempstead, MD-1 Mason Zeigler, Chalk Hill, PA-1 John Garvin, Sarver, PA-1 Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, NM-1 Trevor Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-1 Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, NM-1 Brad Seng, Grand Forks, ND-1 Chad Mahder, Bloomer, WI-1Podium Finishes (32 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – PodiumsDennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-10Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-6Max Blair, Centerville, PA-5Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-4 Josh Richards, Houston, OH-4 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-4 Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-4 Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-4 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-4Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-3 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-3 Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-3 Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-3Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2 Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY-2 Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-2Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA-1 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1 Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-1 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1 Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-1 Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1 Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, NC-1 Josh Rice, Verona, KY-1 Tanner English, Benton, KY-1 Stormy Scott-Las Cruces, NM-1 Jared Miley, Pittsburgh, PA-1 Gregg Satterlee, Indiana, PA-1 Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, AR-1 Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL-1 Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-1 Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-1Fox Factory Hard Charger (19 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.Tanner English, Benton, KY-5Gordy Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-3Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-2Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1 Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1 Max Blair, Centerville, PA-1 Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-1 Carson Ferguson, Concord, NC-1 Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1 Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-1 Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1 Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, NM-1 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1 Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-1 Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-1 Jordan Bauer, St. Jacob, IL-1 Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL-1 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1 Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, WI-1Quick Times (16 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTsShane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-4Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-2 Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-2 Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-2 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-2 Max Blair, Centerville, PA-2Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-1 Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-1 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1 Trent Ivey, Union, SC-1 Josh Rice, Verona, KY-1 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-1 Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA-1 Logan Martin, West Plains, MO-1 Tanner English, Benton, KY-1 Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1CASE Feature Lap Leaders (26 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps LedMax Blair, Centerville, PA-123Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-119Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-99Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-80Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-66Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-65Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-61Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-60Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-59Ricky Weiss, Headingley, MB-54Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-39Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-31Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, AR-28Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL-27Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-27Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-25Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-24Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-22Jared Miley, Pittsburgh, PA-20 Rick Eckert, York, PA-20Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-16Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-15Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-14Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-11Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-10Spencer Hughes, Meridian, MS-12022 World of Outlaws Late Model Schedule & WinnersNo./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins) 1. Thursday, Jan. 20 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Dale McDowell (1) 2. Friday, Jan. 21/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Ashton Winger (1) 3. Wednesday, Feb. 16/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Brandon Overton (1) 4. Thursday, Feb. 17/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Dale McDowell (2) 5. Friday, Feb. 18/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Dennis Erb Jr. (1) 6. Saturday, Feb. 19/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Chris Madden (1) 7. Friday, March 25/Cherokee Speedway, Gaffney, SC/Michael Brown (1) 8. Saturday, March 26/Cherokee Speedway, Gaffney, SC/Max Blair (1) 9. Friday, April 22/Atomic Speedway, Waverly, OH/Tyler Erb (1) 10. x, April 23/Atomic Speedway, Waverly, OH/ Brandon Sheppard (1) 11. Friday, April 29/ Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN/Jonathan Davenport (1) 12. Saturday, April 30/Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN/Ricky Weiss (1) 13. Thursday, May 5/Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI/Bobby Pierce (1) 14. Friday, May 6/Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI/Jonathan Davenport (2) 15. Saturday, May 7/Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI/Mike Marlar(1) 16. Thursday, May 19/Bloomsburg Fair Raceway/Bloomsburg, PA/Max Blair (2) 17. Friday, May 20/Marion Center Raceway/Marion Center, PA/Dennis Erb Jr. (2) 18. Saturday, May 21/Port Royal Speedway/Port Royal, PA/Jared Miley (1) 19. Saturday, May 29/Sharon Speedway, Hartford, OH/Ryan Gustin (1) 20. Friday, June 3/Tri-City Speedway, Granite City, IL/Bobby Pierce (2) 21. Friday, June 24/Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, Pevely, MO/ Dennis Erb Jr. (3) 22. Saturday, June 25/Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, Pevely, MO/Dennis Erb Jr. (4) 23. Sunday, June 26/Jacksonville Speedway, Jacksonville, IL/Brandon Sheppard (2) 24. Friday, July 15/River Cities Speedway/ Grand Forks, ND/ Shane Clanton (1) 25. Sunday, July 16/Red Cedar Speedway/ Menomonie, WI/Mike Marlar(2) 26. Monday, July 25/Boone Speedway/Boone, IA/Jonathan Davenport(3)

The World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: 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) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Fox Factory (Hard Charger Award), MSD, My Place Hotels, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Swift Springs, and Wrisco–Wieland Metal Services (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including Dirt Car Lift, Capital Race Cars, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, FIREBULL, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, Rocket Chassis, and Sea Foam.

Nick Hoffman, Mike Harrison, Tyler Nicely, Michael Ledford and more part of 65-car entry list

FAIRBURY, IL – July 26, 2022 – The biggest event on the DIRTcar Summit Racing EquipmentModified Nationals calendar caps off its 12th season in operation this Friday-Saturday, July 29-30 in the 32nd annual Prairie Dirt Classic.

Fairbury Speedway hosts the Summit Modifieds with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series for the seventh time in event history, dating back to 2015, when the Modifieds contested only a 30-lap Feature each night. The format was reshaped in 2017 to its current state, which includes Hot Lap/Qualifying and four $500-to-win Showdown Features on Friday night, transferring the top-four finishers to Saturday’s Feature.

Saturday consists of Hot Laps and two Last Chance Showdown races for any driver not yet qualified, taking the top-two finishers from each into the Feature. Four provisional starters will be added to fill the final four spots before the field rolls to the track for the 40-lap, $5,000-to-win Summit Modified Prairie Dirt Classic finale.

Sixty-five of the best DIRTcar UMP Modified drivers in the nation are scheduled to compete in the Fairbury crown jewel event. See below for the complete driver roster.

Current Summit Modified points leader Nick Hoffman has officially clinched his fifth tour championship with 12 wins in 15 starts this season. He’ll join DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Model champion Bobby Pierce in a special championship crowning during opening ceremonies on Friday night, honoring both drivers’ accomplishments on the Hell Tour this year as they hoist their fifth career championship trophies.

Tickets are available for purchase online at FairburySpeedway.com or at the gate on race day. If you can’t be at the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision.

Here are the drivers to watch for and the storylines to follow this weekend:

THREE-PEAT? – Two-time and defending Summit Modified Prairie Dirt Classic champion Nick Hoffman returns to the seat of his NOS Energy Drink/Elite Chassis #2, seeking his third-straight win in the event finale.

Hoffman, the now five-time Summit Modified champion from Mooresville, NC, has the most PDC Modified wins total with five between all Showdown (2017, 2019, 2021) and finale Features (2019, 2021), and will be among the favorites to win again this weekend after a regular-season Summit Modified victory at Fairbury in June.

Like last year, Hoffman is also scheduled to have an entry in the World of Outlaws CASE Late Model portion of the PDC, this year piloting the Allstar Concrete/Barry Wright Race Cars #2 house ride for the team from Cowpens, SC.

RECLAIM THE THRONE – For two years, Mike Harrison reigned supreme over the Summit Modifieds in the PDC. For the last two, he’s watched another hoist the big money check from the pits. This weekend, the one and only six-time Summit Modified champion returns to Fairbury to reclaim what was once rightfully his.

Harrison, the seven-time DIRTcar UMP Modified national champion from Highland, IL, won the 2017 finale in a thriller over Mike McKinney and Nick Hoffman to claim his first Modified PDC title. He returned to Victory Lane the following year, coming from seventh to clinch back-to-back event titles and the 2018 Summit Modified points championship. Since then, he’s suffered two DNFs in the event, while Hoffman has walked away with both $5,000 checks.

Harrison has taken on Hoffman three times this season in Summit Modified competition, all which Hoffman got the upper hand. But Harrison’s record speaks for itself. With 12 total wins in DIRTcar competition this season and a No. 6 ranking in the nation, this is set to be one of the most anticipated UMP Modified matchups of the year.

OWENSBORO’S VERY OWN – Fairbury Speedway during Prairie Dirt Classic time has, overall, been good to Tyler Nicely, but not good enough to admit him to Victory Lane when big money is on the line. That could change this weekend.

Since his victory in the 2015 Saturday night finale, Nicely, of Owensboro, KY, is tied with Allen Weisser for the most top-five finishes without a win in the 40-lapper at three and has finished third in the last two PDC finales.

He’s currently the No. 2-ranked driver in the nation with seven wins on the season and will be among the favorites to win his first $5,000 check this weekend.

YOUTH IS KING – 2020 FALS Cup champion Michael Ledford comes into the Prairie Dirt Classic as the current track points leader with three Feature wins – most of any driver.

The 17-year-old wheelman from Pontiac, IL, was forced to take a provisional in last year’s event after missing the transfer cutoff in a Last Chance Showdown. But as the No. 14-ranked driver in the nation this year, he’s been tested several times and pulled-out a win to stay on top at Fairbury Speedway.

VETERAN PRESENCE – For the first time in his star-studded career, multi-time national touring Dirt Modified champion Jason Hughes will strap into a DIRTcar UMP Modified and attempt to qualify for Fairbury’s most prestigious Modified event.

Hughes, of Watts, OK, is slated to pilot a Josh Carroll-owned #24J Hughes Racing Chassis in the event. Carroll also owns Harrison’s #24H, built by Hughes, which could make for a lethal combination on the track come Saturday.

SO CLOSE – If there’s one driver in the field that Fairbury owes a win in the PDC, it’s Allen Weisser.

He’s been runner-up to Nick Hoffman in each of the last two Summit Modified PDC finales and came home fourth in 2018 after starting on the pole. He came all the way out of a Last Chance Showdown last year to finish second, falling short once again.

Weisser, of Peoria, IL, is currently the No. 15-ranked driver in the nation with seven total victories this year, including one at Fairbury on May 28.

DENVER, NC (July 26, 2022) — After two back-to-back NHRA national events on the west coast Pro Stock rookie Camrie Caruso understands the tough demands a driver must endure to compete at the highest level of drag racing. The 24-year-old who resides in Denver, North Carolina, has battled the mountains of Colorado and the challenging racing surface of Sonoma as she heads to the final stop of the historic Western Swing, the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceway, outside of Seattle. Racing the Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro with enhanced support from NGK backed Shop Squad, Caruso will be looking for a strong finish on the swing to match her hot start to the season. 

“We have been working really hard with this Tequila Comisario Chevrolet team and we have just had some tough draws on race day,” said Caruso, who raced to the No. 1 qualifier spot at Houston. “We are a team that has been consistently qualifying in the top half and that makes a difference on Sunday. I know we have the power thanks to Titan Racing Engines and my crew led by crew chief Jim Yates is really good. I am excited to get to a new track and have some new results on the swing.”

Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, photo by Auto Imagery

Throughout the season Caruso has been steadily improving in all facets of her driving. Before the season started the team worked extensively on a consistent burnout and staging routine. As they moved into the season Caruso has made a concentrated effort to improve on her reaction times.  Last weekend in the first round she unloaded a .023 reaction time in the first round which combined with her quickest run of the weekend was the kind of combination that will win the Tequila Comisario team rounds the rest of the season. Overall Caruso has taken the approach of highlighting the positives and moving on to the next challenge.

“We did everything right in the first round at Sonoma we just had a tough opponent in Dallas Glenn,” said Caruso, runner-up at the SpringNationals in Houston. “If we would have been in the top half of the field, I think we could have gone some rounds. This class is very tough, but I have a lot of confidence in my abilities and my team. I have never raced at Pacific Raceway so I am looking forward to a new track and seeing what we can do.”

In her rookie season as not just a driver but also a team owner Caruso has balanced the on-track and off-track responsibilities like a seasoned veteran. She has brought on new marketing partners throughout the season and most recently announced a five-race program with Tequila Comisario and NGK’s Shop Squad that started at the Mile-High Nationals and will continue through the U.S. Nationals. Both companies are prominent on her race car and being hosted in the Caruso Family Racing pit area. They join an impressive list of supporters that includes GESI, Powerbuilt Tools, VP Racing Lubricants, and Sand Haulers of America 

Additionally, throughout Shop Squad’s five-race run as major associate marketing partner automotive professionals can visit:  www.shopsquadonline.com to register for this unique program. Using code RACE22 pros can sign up for a chance to win a Solo Stove with NGK conducting one drawing per month. Through ten races Caruso has started from the top half of the field seven times. The combination of a quick race car as well as a steadily improving driver has made the Caruso Family Racing operation a tough team to beat in 2022.

“Camrie has been improving with every race and that is very impressive,” said Yates, Tequila Comisario crew chief and two-time Pro Stock world champion. “She has absorbed a ton of information and every race there is new information and experiences to work into our program. We are ten races into the season and right in the middle of a tough battle for the championship. I could not be more proud of her accomplishments so far and I know we have more great things ahead of us.”

With only three races left before the Countdown begins Caruso is focused on making the most of every Friday and Saturday qualifying sessions and elimination rounds on Sunday. She currently sits in eighth place only two points out of seventh and most importantly less than three rounds from sixth place. When the playoffs begin and the points are reset Caruso will be in a prime position to race for her first Pro Stock world championship.

Caruso and the rest of the Pro Stock class will have one qualifying run on Friday followed by two more sessions on Saturday to start the Northwest Nationals. The final eliminations will begin at 10:30 a.m. local time with the race broadcast on FOX starting at 4 p.m. ET.

OCALA, FL (July 26, 2022) — There are nearly 3,000 miles between Top Fuel championship contender Josh Hart’s homebase in Ocala, Florida and Pacific Raceway in Kent, Washington. To be precise the distance is 2,995 miles, which if Hart was driving his 11,000 horsepower R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster it would take him a lifetime of runs but only a little over 12 hours of 3.7 second passes. This weekend at the NHRA Northwest Nationals Hart will be looking to make three clean qualifying runs and four strong passes on Sunday to collect his first win on the Western Swing. Through the first two races Hart has collected a semifinal finish in Denver and a quarterfinal finish last weekend in Sonoma. The new experiences have been a welcome challenge to the second year Top Fuel professional.

“The Western Swing has been a beautiful experience just seeing these tracks. I feel very blessed. I am glad to be going rounds for sure. This is our first full season on the NHRA tour and we are making the most of it,” said Hart, a two-time Top Fuel winner in 2021. “We didn’t race every event last season and this year I decided to make a commitment to racing for the championship. I have a great team led by crew chief Ron Douglas and our marketing partners R+L Carriers and Technet provide us the opportunity to be as competitive as anyone out here. Our goal is to represent them to the highest level and perform on the track.”

R+L Carrier Top Fuel dragster, photo by Auto Imagery

This season started slower than Hart would have liked but he was impressed with how his team pulled together and worked through some new car growing pains. The past five races have seen a combination of strong qualifying efforts and race day performances. Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster raced to the final round of the Norwalk Nationals and the semifinals of the Mile-High Nationals, two dramatically different races that challenge crew chiefs and teams. Last weekend a quarterfinal finish kept Hart in the thick of the Top Fuel Top Ten sitting in fifth place.

“The regular season is about winning races and positioning your team for the Countdown,” said Hart. “We are still working towards the wins but sitting in fifth place is a good spot with four more races left before the Countdown starts. We can have a good race in Seattle then Topeka and Brainerd. There are points and half in Indy so we can move up with some good races. I am looking forward to the challenge.”

The new venues of the Western Swing have afforded Hart the chance to race at some new tracks but also spend time with new fans. The Mile-High Nationals and Sonoma Nationals were well attended races that were incredibly close to sell-out NHRA events. The new fans meant a new chance for Hart and his R+L Carriers team to talk about career opportunities with guests and spectators which is one of the team’s major missions with their racing program.

“Every race we talk with guests and fans about the different careers R+L Carriers offers,” said Hart. “We aren’t just looking for over the road truck drivers. There are all sorts of jobs all over the country that are great opportunities for people to start life changing careers. We promote the website careers.rlcarriers.com on the side of my Top Fuel dragster and people can head to that website and change their lives with a great job with R+L Carriers.”

The battle for the Top Fuel championship will be a test of wills and Hart is looking forward to proving himself in the toughest drag racing arena in the world. He has steadily moved up the drag racing ranks through the sportsman classes, winning multiple times in Top Alcohol Dragster before making the move last year to Top Fuel. The rookie season campaign of 12 races was a success and now Hart is ready to see his name alongside of previous champions.

“You always want to see if you stack up against the competition and I am a very competitive person. Ron gives me the confidence I need. He told me a while back that I don’t get to worry until he worries and even then I can’t worry. You take your race car up there and you try and make the most of every run,” said Hart. “My time in Top Fuel has had its challenges and we are learning every race. I have a great team around me and I think we are moving in the right direction. Seattle will be a good test for us and we are up to the challenge. I have to thank R+L Carriers, Technet and all our marketing partners for putting me in a position to chase this dream.”     

The Northwest Nationals will begin on Friday with one round of qualifying followed by two sessions on Saturday. The R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will be working to be as high as possible on the qualifying sheet for Sunday’s elimination rounds which will begin at 10:30 p.m. PT. The NHRA national event will be broadcast nationally on FOX beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

DAVENPORT, IA (July 26, 2022) – Davenport Speedway will hold a historic event this August when the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models are paired with the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets presented by Toyota for the Quad Cities 150 presented by Hoker Trucking.

The Late Models will race three straight nights (Thursday to Saturday, Aug. 25-27) around the 1/4-mile track with Saturday’s finale paying $30,000 to win, while the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets – in conjunction with POWRi – will join them Friday and Saturday.

This will be the seventh year the World of Outlaws CASE Late Model visit the Iowa track, and the debut of the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets Series at the track – along with POWRi. In total the event will boast a more than $200,000 purse.

TICKETS: https://bit.ly/3BfC1Gx

QUAD CITIES 150 LATE MODELS – Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 25-27
Track: Davenport Speedway (1/4-mile)
Location: Davenport, IA
Latest Winner: Devin Moran

Notables: The last time the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models visited Davenport Speedway, Devin Moran traded wins with four-time and defending Series champion Brandon Sheppard during the triple header event. Moran won the first, then Sheppard the second. During the finale, Moran came back in epic proportions to claim the $30,000 prize.

Iowa-native Ryan Gustin, who picked up his first career World of Outlaws victory this season, will be on the hunt to write his name in the history books as a Quad Cities 150 winner and bring home a home state win.

Dennis Erb Jr. will look to be strong all three nights to hold on to his points lead in his quest for his first World of Outlaws title, while two Rookie of the Year contenders try to reel him in. However, those rookies, Max Blair and Tanner English, are in their own battle for the Rookie of the Year title. While Blair started to run away with the title, English has closed the gap, excelling on quarter-mile tracks this year.

QUAD CITIES 150 XTREME OUTLAW – Friday-Saturday, Aug. 26-27
Track: Davenport Speedway (1/4-mile)
Location: Davenport, IA
Latest Winner: TBD

Notables: The Xtreme Outlaws Midget Series presented by Toyota, with POWRi, will be the first national Midget series to race at Davenport Speedway since 1984.

To this point, the Series has run three events – two at Millbridge Speedway and one at Jacksonville Speedway. History was made in its last two events with Taylor Reimer and Jade Avedisian winning their first national Midget races and becoming the first back-to-back female winners in a national dirt racing series.

Gavan Boschele became the inaugural winner of the series and Zach Daum is the current Series points leader – 44 points ahead of Bryant Wiedeman.

Two more winners will be crowned before Davenport at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 during the Ironman 55 weekend, Aug. 5-6. Then the Quad Cities 150 will kick off the second half of the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets’ inaugural season.

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch the entire event live on DIRTVision – either online or by downloading the DIRTVision App.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 26, 2022) – While the opening nine rounds of the 2022 Progressive American Flat Track seasonplayed out on oval dirt tracks of all sizes, the second half will kick off on Saturday, July 30, with the first TT. And it’s not just any TT, it’s the World Famous SC2 Peoria TT presented by Country Saloon. Set in the Peoria Motorcycle Club’s scenic natural amphitheater inPeoria, Illinois, and boasting history and tradition that’s nearly unrivaled across two-wheeled sport, the Peoria TT easily ranks among the most prestigious races on the Progressive AFT slate. Reigning Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) has accomplished almost every possible goal in his Hall-of-Fame-worthy career, but victory at the Peoria TT has proven just outside his grasp. While Mees has finished as the race’s runner-up on multiple occasions, he’ll enter this year’s 75th edition of the fabled race as the underdog. Despite his vast skill and past success, Mees will be faced with perhaps the most stacked premier-class Peoria TT field in recent memory. His three closest championship rivals all carry high hopes into Peoria. Second-ranked Briar Bauman (No. 3 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) won the race in 2019 and enters the weekend riding high after two consecutive victories. Third-ranked Dallas Daniels(No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) is the home track hero who scored his first career professional win at the venue in dominant fashion. And fourth-ranked JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) won last year’s Peoria TT by more than three seconds to claim his fourth win of the series’ most recent five TTs. If the opposition didn’t look formidable enough already, “King” Henry Wiles (No. 17 Willy Built Kawasaki Ninja 650) is set to make his Progressive AFT return this weekend. Wiles is the most successful rider in the race’s history, assembling an incredible 14-race win streak from 2004-2018. Other riders who could have say include ‘19 race runner-up Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) and last year’s fourth-place finisher, Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), not to mention the Mission Production Twins Challenge entrants, who have the potential to prove particularly potent in Peoria. Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines Chief among the aforementioned group is Mission Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines title leader Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R). Janisch’s three-prior undercard Peoria TT victories is what earned him his shot on the Vance & Hines XG750R initially with the team in need of an injury replacement as it headed to the venue a year ago. Janisch has since shed his reputation as a TT specialist with the sort of all-around excellence required to build a title lead in a season thus far absent of TTs, but that discipline-specific expertise remains. A year ago, Janisch finished third in his first-ever ride on the bike. He’s much more at home aboard it now and should only prove that much more formidable. And he’ll need to be in order to overcome last year’s winner and second-place finishers, Dan Bromley (No. 62 Vinson Construction/Viper Air Yamaha MT-07) and Ben Lowe (No. 25 Mission Foods/Roof Systems Yamaha MT-07). With Janisch expecting to make hay, the weekend will be of equal importance to defending champion Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07), who currently sits on point out of first. Others who could make his life difficult include the returning Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650) and Cole Zabala (No. 51 Memphis Shades/Corbin/Vinson Yamaha MT-07), who have each previously demonstrated impressive TT chops. Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER The Peoria TT will be the ultimate test of Kody Kopp (No. 12 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE)’s recent Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER invincibility. Kopp certainly has the skill to extend his four-race win streak in Peoria, flashing front-running pace a year ago before ultimately finishing down in ninth position. The 17-year-old has taken his game to another level in ‘22, and as such, he’s expected to be a serious player. However, he’ll be contending with a field anxious to bring his run of unmitigated success to a halt, led by the likes of last year’s Peoria TT winner Max Whale(No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-FFE) and 2017 DAYTONA TT winner Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 American Honda/Progressive Insurance CRF450R). The race also traditionally presents an opportunity for some riders ranked outside the top ten to work their way into the mix, including teammates Ferran Cardús (No. 377 Roof Systems of Dallas/Bullet Strong Racing Honda CRF450R), who finished on the podium a year ago, and Jacob Lehmann (No. 14 Roof Systems of Dallas/Bullet Strong Racing), who was triumphant here back in 2014. Visit https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3695 to reserve your tickets today. General Admission tickets are just $35 with kids 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult. There’s also the VIP Admission ticket that includes access to theTurn 1 VIP Lounge available for $125 (all ages). Gates will open for fans at 10:00 a.m. ET/6:00 a.m. PT with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT ahead of the day’s race program.You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities on FansChoice.tv. FansChoice.tv provides free-to-view livestreaming of Practice and Qualifying. FansChoice.tv subscribers will then be able to watch the drama unfold from Opening Ceremonies through the Semis, Main Events, and podium celebrations. FansChoice.tv offers two subscription options, granting unlimited access to premium AFT content. Monthly subscriptions start at just $7.99, while a six-month subscription is available for $44.99.

Series points leader Dennis Erb Jr. extends lead with runner-up finish

BOONE, IA – July 25, 2022 – The term “faster than a speeding bullet” has been used to describe Superman since the 1940s. It’s only fitting that Jonathan Davenport lived up to that tagline Monday night at Boone Speedway. 

“Superman” wasted no time getting to the front, blasting off from his fourth-place starting position to take the lead from Tyler Bruening on Lap 3. From there, he cruised through the final 47 laps to win the Hawkeye 50—his third World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series win of 2022. 

The Blairsville, GA, driver stated he had a good feel of the track right before he took the green in the $20,000-to-win Feature. 

“The car was really, really good from where we unloaded off the trailer,” Davenport said. “We just made some good, educated guesses since we couldn’t put the finger on what this place reminded us of. We were just going back and forth to three or four different tracks and trying to put everything together.

“I just was feeling the track before we took the green and that there was a little more grip up in the crumbs. There wasn’t quite a cushion, but there were some crumbs up top and some grip there.”

Davenport was surprised how quick the surface changed in just a few laps—a change leading to his pass for the lead. 

“It slicked off in like one lap; it was crazy,” Davenport said. “We just happened to turn to the bottom, and [Bruening] went right through that slick and about looped it.

“We were fortunate to get by him, and we just kind of cruised from there.”

The victory is Davenport’s 13th World of Outlaws CASE Late Models win of his career. 

However, while “Superman” flew away from the field, several drivers contended for the runner-up spot. 

Several crossovers and slide jobs highlighted the battle, eventually won by current Series points leader Dennis Erb Jr.  

The Carpentersville, IL driver powered on the inside lane to grab second and started reeling in Davenport in traffic before a caution with 10 laps to go.

Erb wasn’t sure how the track would react to his Rocket Chassis at the start of the race. 

“I was worried for a little bit, but then it kept getting a little bit better,” Erb said. “The car worked good down there, so we just kind of stayed down in there and just needed to get it a little bit better on entry to make the car stick a little bit better. 

“I was just happy to start eighth and get to second.”

Erb extended his points lead to 186 points over second-place Max Blair, who finished 10th. 

Mike Marlar, the 2018 Series champion, crossed the line third. He passed Bruening in the closing laps to grab his fourth straight World of Outlaws podium. 

The Winfield, TN driver was pleased with how racy the Boone Speedway surface was. 

“The racetrack was great tonight,” Marlar said. “We got to race all over, top, bottom, middle, everywhere. I couldn’t ask for a better race surface.

“I was able to pack it in with the crumbs up there, and actually it stayed pretty clean up there. So, I kept rolling it out there, and probably my best shot of the race was late. I was catching up with Dennis toward the end, so definitely, the outside was working.”

Bruening, the 2021 World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Rookie of the Year, finished fourth—his second top five in a row with the Series. 

The Decorah, IA driver stated he was happy for a good run in his home state against a stout field of Late Model competitors. 

“People just don’t realize how good these guys are until you see them in person and race against them,” Bruening said. “I’m honored to race against them and compete against them and be competitive enough to put our car up there in the top five and be battling for a potential win there.

“I didn’t need either of those cautions, to be honest with you. I was in a good rhythm; I was hitting my marks really good, and I was kind of working my way back to [the front].”

Bobby Pierce, who won at Boone in 2021, rounded out the top five. 

The Oakwood, IL driver made a late charge on the final restart to leave Iowa with a strong finish.  

“The track kind of transitioned to, you know, how you had to run the bottom a certain way,” Pierce said. “I was really good down there if I ran it just perfectly, but I just didn’t have much traction anywhere else.”

Davenport’s efficiency Monday night a Boone made him look as though he was “faster than a speeding bullet.” That speed showed no matter when he unloads at a World of Outlaws CASE Late Models event his competitors need to be at the top of their game to become his kryptonite.

UP NEXT: The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet head to Fairbury Speedway in Fairbury, IL, for the 32nd Running of the Prairie Dirt Classic, paying $50,000-to-win.  

Richard Childress Racing at Pocono Raceway … In 173 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Pocono Raceway, Richard Childress Racing has earned two wins, both by Dale Earnhardt. In 1987, Earnhardt rallied from a 16th-place starting position to win, one of 11 victories he would claim during the season. Earnhardt won again in 1993, edging Rusty Wallace for the victory. RCR and Earnhardt won the Cup Series championship in both seasons where the team won at Pocono. The Welcome, N.C., based team has 16 top-five and 57 top-ten finishes at the ‘Tricky Triangle.’  RCR In the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Pocono … Since the NASCAR Xfinity Series began competing at Pocono Raceway in 2016, RCR has made 15 starts at the 2.5-mile track. Tyler Reddick owns the best finish by an RCR entry, a second-place finish in 2019. RCR has had at least one driver claim a top-10 finish in all six races at Pocono. The team has racked up four top-five and 10 top-10 finishes entering Saturday’s race.  Introducing the Carolina Cowboys … Driven by the same passion for performance that guides his race team, Richard Childress’ latest endeavor brings Professional Bull Riding to the Carolinas. The Carolina Cowboys represent Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in the PBR Team Series, an elite new league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing in games beginning in July 2022. The team is operated by Richard Childress Racing with 2018 Daytona 500 Champion Austin Dillon serving as General Manager. Don’t miss the Carolina Cowboys inaugural “Cowboy Days” Home Stand September 9-11 at Wake Forest’s Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Tickets are on sale at PBR.com and Ticketmaster. Catch the Action … The Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 at Pocono Raceway will be televised live on Saturday, July 23 beginning at 5 p.m. ET on USA and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.  Follow Sunday’s Action at Pocono … The M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 at Pocono Raceway will be televised live on Sunday, July 24 beginning at 3 p.m. ET on USA and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

This Week’s BREZTRI AEROSPHERE™ (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Pocono Raceway … Austin Dillon has 16 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Pocono Raceway. He has one NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Pocono, a 10th-place effort in 2019. He has made four Truck Series starts at the 2.5-mile speedway, scoring a top-10 finish in each race. Dillon won the Truck Series race at Pocono in 2014, leading the most laps (23 of 64).  BREZTRI AEROSPHERE™ (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) Sponsors the No. 3 at Pocono … BREZTRI is an AstraZeneca product and the sponsor of No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Pocono Raceway with Austin Dillon. You can learn more at breztri.com. AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:Talk about Pocono Raceway. It’s an interestingly shaped track with just three turns.“Pocono is a fun, fast track, and I’m excited to get there in a Next Gen Chevrolet. We’re going to do everything we can to win and lock ourselves into the NASCAR Playoffs. At Pocono Raceway, speed is definitely carried through Turn 2 and through Turn 3 to the start-finish line. I think those are the most important corners. Of course, every corner is important, but Turns 2 and 3 are a little bit more important because it’s the flat end of the track.”

This Week’s Sheetz Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Pocono Raceway … Tyler Reddick will be making his fifth NASCAR Cup Series start at Pocono Raceway this weekend. Reddick has one top-10 finish in four previous races at the 2.5-mile Pennsylvania speedway, a ninth-place effort in 2021. He scored two top-10 finishes in two previous NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Pocono, highlighted by a second-place effort in 2019. Reddick has three Truck Series starts at Pocono, highlighted by a third-place finish in 2015. With his victory at Road America Reddick has qualified for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs for the second consecutive season.  Why The Sheetz Not? … Sheetz will be the primary sponsor of the Richard Childress Racing No. 8 Chevrolet driven by Reddick this weekend at Pocono. This is the first time the Altoona, Pennsylvania, based company has partnered with a NASCAR team.  About Sheetz, Inc. … Established in 1952 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Sheetz, Inc. is one of America’s fastest-growing family-owned and operated convenience store chains with more than 23,500 employees. The company operates over 640 store locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina. Sheetz provides an award-winning menu of M•T•O® sandwiches and salads, which are ordered through unique touch-screen order point terminals. All Sheetz convenience stores are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, Sheetz is committed to offering employees sustainable careers built on an inspiring culture and community engagement. For more information, visit www.sheetz.com or follow us on Twitter (@sheetz), Facebook (www.facebook.com/sheetz) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/sheetz). TYLER REDDICK QUOTES:What are your expectations for how the Next Gen car will perform at Pocono?“Man, there are a lot of unknowns. I’ve talked with a lot of drivers about how the testing went. The Tunnel Turn is probably faster than it’s ever been, driving even faster than you ever have into Turn 1, there’s a lot of things that have just upped the stakes at the Tricky Triangle. It’s going to be an eye-opening weekend. We’re going to have to learn really fast. It’s another one of those tracks where we’re only going to get so much practice and very similar to how road courses have been with the length of the lap that we run at Pocono we’re only going to get a few number of laps to get familiar with the car that you have and then try to make some good adjustments on our Sheetz Chevrolet going into qualifying. It’s going to happen quick for us on qualifying and practice day.” What has been the biggest challenge for you at Pocono?“More than anything is kind of what has been haunting us most of this season which is trying to close out the entire race. With this Next Gen car all the little details matter more and more, whether it’s pit road or restarts, it’s all very critical. This Next Gen car has brought the entire garage closer together. The competition is closer than it’s ever been. You just have to go out there and manage your race. You’ve got to give it 100 percent but you can’t cross that line and so for me it’s something that we’ve been fighting and trying to get better all year long. It’s great to go to Road America and win like we did because we know we can have a perfect day. That’s what it will take to win Pocono and that’s what we’re going to try to do.”

This Week’s Whelen Engineering Chevrolet Camaro SS at Pocono Raceway … Sheldon Creed will make his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Pocono Raceway this weekend. During his time in the NASCAR Truck Series, Creed made three starts at Pocono and accumulated two top fives and two top-10 finishes.  Whelen Celebrates 70 Years … From a small garage workshop in Connecticut in 1952 to a worldwide leader in emergency warning equipment today, Whelen Engineering continues to push the boundaries of innovation. As we mark our 70th anniversary, we’re proud to continue our founder’s mission of making it safer for those who serve and protect. Whelen has been manufacturing in America for 70 years—we never left, and we’re here to stay. About Whelen … Whelen Engineering is a family-owned company with a pioneering spirit and a passion to protect the lives of those who protect and serve others. The company mission is to provide industry-defining safety solutions around the world, while creating a community of problem-solvers who are inspired to push boundaries and continue our legacy of delivering ground-breaking innovation. As a global leader in the emergency warning industry, Whelen has been trusted to perform since 1952, when George Whelen III invented the first rotating aviation beacon. Whelen now encompasses two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Connecticut and New Hampshire with over 750,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space and the largest design staff in the industry. Every part of every Whelen product is proudly designed and manufactured in America. We embrace quality as our foundation, we celebrate innovative engineering in every product we produce. SHELDON CREED QUOTE:Are you excited to make your debut at Pocono Raceway this weekend?“I’m very excited for the race at Pocono this weekend. I’ve had some good results there in a truck and finished third in my last two starts and I also led some laps. I also have solid results at Pocono in the ARCA Menards Series. I never finished outside the top 10 in four races and finished runner-up in the last two ARCA races I ran. We had a strong weekend at New Hampshire last weekend and I hope we can keep building on our speed this weekend.”

This Week’s Global Industrial Chevrolet Camaro SS at Pocono Raceway … Austin Hill will make his second NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Pocono Raceway on Saturday. In his first and only Xfinity Series start at the track, he started 15th and finished 25th. During his time in the Truck Series, Hill made six starts at Pocono and tallied two top-five and two top-10 finishes.  About Global Industrial Company … Global Industrial Company (NYSE:GIC), through its operating subsidiaries, is a value-added industrial distributor. For more than 70 years, Global Industrial has gone the extra mile for its customers and offers more than a million industrial and MRO products, including its own Global Industrial exclusive brands. With extensive product knowledge and a solutions-based approach, Global Industrial helps customers solve problems and be more successful. At Global Industrial, “We can supply that®.” Double Duty at The Tricky Triangle … In addition to competing in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race, Hill is scheduled to compete in the NASCAR Truck Series race on Friday night. He will pilot the No. 7 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports. You can watch the Truck Series race on Friday, July 23 on FOX. AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:Are you excited for this weekend’s race at Pocono and how are you preparing?“I’ve had some success at Pocono Raceway before and I had a chance at a win in the Truck Series a few times so I’m really excited to get back there this weekend. I have laps around Pocono in an Xfinity car from last year and that does mean something, especially when you’re a rookie. Being able to go to a place where I have been in an Xfinity car before is always beneficial because it’s seat time. My team and I have been putting a lot of work into the simulator recently and we’re looking forward to getting to the track and putting it all to the test. We’ve been trying to find some speed that we’ve been missing the last few races and at bigger tracks and I think we’ve got the strategy down. I’m looking forward to the race!”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 22, 2022) – Don’t miss the televised premiere of Round 9 of the 2022 Progressive American Flat Track season. The Mission Port Royal Half-Mile presented by Appalachian Harley-Davidson will air on Saturday, July 23, at 9:30 a.m. ET (6:30 a.m. PT) only on FS1.

Michigan regulars Finley, Marcoullier P2-P3, Freeman fourth in pursuit of first win

QUINCY, MI – July 21, 2022 – Billy Moyer Jr. has gone through his ups-and-downs racing part-time on the DIRTcar Summer Nationals trail this season, but he and his team’s hard work and perseverance finally earned them a win Thursday night at Butler Motor Speedway.

“It’s good to finally get a win; It feels really good,” Moyer told DIRTVision Pit Reporter Heather Debeaux in Victory Lane. “I love it up here in Michigan.”

He’d been as close as third and finished as far back as 22nd in 14 Summer Nationals starts this season, but Moyer stuck with it and decided to finish out the schedule in Michigan. It paid off immediately, earning the Arkansan his third tour victory in the state of Michigan in the first race of the week.

In short, Moyer dominated, leading all 40 laps en route to his 10th career Hell Tour victory and first since 2017. A threat of rain was in the area throughout the evening, forcing a hurry-up program that eliminated Heat Races from the program and instead took transfers from Qualifying. Moyer was quickest in Group 3 and redrew the outside pole, which allowed him to momentum around the top side and grab the lead at the drop of the green.

Though several caution flags flew throughout the Feature, nothing seemed to be able to break Moyer’s concentration. He fended off race-long pressure from Michigan regulars Chad Finley and Dona Marcoullier, and even a push from Hell Tour rookie Payton Freeman, who’s still hot on the trail for his first win with the schedule winding down.

On restarts, he was flawless, never once letting those behind him get a chance to make a pass for the lead. All of this, while navigating the fast, 3/8-mile oval with steering issues.

“The rack’s going out on this thing, I don’t know what was going on,” Moyer said. “I couldn’t steer the greatest. This Longhorn [Chassis] was really good, if it wasn’t for that… we probably wouldn’t have won.”

With the laps winding down, Freeman was neck-deep in a battle for fourth with Eric Spangler, which he won to come across the line with his fourth top-five in the last six races. Finley and Marcoullier held their spots on the podium, giving them each a shot of momentum heading into weekly venues Tri-City Motor Speedway on Friday and Merritt Speedway on Saturday.

UP NEXT

The DIRTcar Summer Nationals is back in action Friday, July 22 at Tri-City Motor Speedway in Auburn, MI. If you can’t be at the track, watch every lap live on DIRTVision.

ABBREVIATED RESULTS (view full results)

Feature 40 Laps | 00:27:24.047

1. 21-Billy Moyer Jr[2]; 2. 42-Chad Finley[1]; 3. 6M-Dona Marcoullier[5]; 4. F1-Payton Freeman[3]; 5. 27-Eric Spangler[9]; 6. 38-Thomas Hunziker[11]; 7. 31AUS-Paul Stubber[4]; 8. 21B-Rich Bell[6]; 9. 14G-Joe Godsey[15]; 10. 14R-Jeff Roth[13]; 11. 71-Rusty Smith[20]; 12. 23NZ-Mick Quin[16]; 13. 91-Rusty Schlenk[12]; 14. 30-Mark Voigt[10]; 15. 55-Michael Archer[21]; 16. 22F-Nicholas Fenner[22]; 17. 07-Rylee Knoll[7]; 18. 20-Jim Plotts[17]; 19. P33-Josh Robertson[19]; 20. 06-Jarrett Rendel[18]; 21. 16-Garrett Wiles[8]; 22. 20C-Chad White[14]

FAST AS LIGHTNING: Reeve Wins First Career Summit Modified Feature at Butler

With lightning flashes in the distance and rain starting to fall over Butler Motor Speedway Thursday night, Kevin Reeve drove across the finish line under the checkered flags, a winner with the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals for the first time in his career.

Starting fourth on the grid after a chart-topping effort in Hot Lap/Qualifying Group 1, Reeve wasted no time on drive up through the podium, already passing for second by Lap 5.

Already out front was last week’s first time Summit Modified Feature winner Chad Bauer, who was cruising away from the field before a couple cautions slowed his pace and erased his gap.

Reeve, of Hanover, MI saw an opportunity on a Lap 14 restart. Knowing the race was already past the halfway point and could therefore be declared official at any point if the rain came, he drove hard into Turn 1 and gave Bauer a big run to his inside.

“As the race progressed, you could see the bottom was a little better than the top,” Reeve said. “I watched the Late Model race, and most of the guys were on the bottom. So, I said we’ll try it on the bottom and see what happens, and it stuck.”

And stick it did, as Reeve powered by on the low side to take the lead for good down the backstretch.

“I was watching the lightning off the backstretch, and I said, ‘If it gets bigger, we’re gonna worry about it then,'” Reeve said. “I figured if we just ran some laps, we’d be fine. Then we had that one caution on Lap 8 and another on Lap 14.

“I said, ‘You know what, it’s time to go if we’re going to go because if they cancel it, it’s done now, halfway through.’”

Reeve led the rest of the way to become the 76th different winner in Summit Modified history, while Bauer, Todd Sherman, Steve Shellenberger and Josh Lolmaugh completed the top-five.

UP NEXT

The DIRTcar Summit Modifieds are back in action Friday, July 22 at Tri-City Motor Speedway in Auburn, MI. If you can’t be at the track, watch every lap live on DIRTVision.

ABBREVIATED RESULTS (view full results)

Feature 25 Laps | 00:13:20.465

1. 117-Kevin Reeve[4]; 2. 19B-Chad Bauer[2]; 3. 65-Todd Sherman[5]; 4. 29-Steve Shellenberger[1]; 5. 25-Josh Lolmaugh[6]; 6. 8C-Corey Bevard[3]; 7. 9PG-Percy Gendreau[8]; 8. 3W-Dylan Woodling[13]; 9. 45-Robby Henderson[9]; 10. 5D-David VanGuilder[14]; 11. 81-Rick Swartout[11]; 12. 86-Louis Miller[15]; 13. 55D-Casey Keyosky[18]; 14. 74M-Manix Furqueron[12]; 15. 9C-Troy Cattarene[10]; 16. 9-Garrett Rons[20]; 17. 22M-Deuane Morley[21]; 18. 11-Tyler Morehouse[16]; 19. 1-Brian Przeporia[22]; 20. 17N-Dillon Nusbaum[7]; 21. 55-Justin Matson[17]; 22. (DNS) 54-Zachary Hawk