Giovanni Scelzi Earns Career-Best USAC National Result During Western World Championships

Inside Line Promotions – QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. (Nov. 18, 2019) – Giovanni Scelzi scored his career-best USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Series race last Saturday during the final night of the 52nd annual Western World Championships presented by San Tan Ford hosted by Arizona Speedway.

“We got a lot better from Friday to Saturday,” he said. “It’s unique in a midget. It’s tough to get comfortable because I’m so used to racing winged sprint cars. On Saturday in the B Main we were night and day different than we were all weekend. It’s a different kind of racing than I’m used to so it takes time to adjust and compete with the best drivers.” Continue reading Giovanni Scelzi Earns Career-Best USAC National Result During Western World Championships →

Menard Finishes 17th In Final Ride In The No. 21 Mustang

November 18, 2019

Paul Menard closed out his full-time Cup career, and a two-year stint in the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang, with a 17th-place finish in the season-ending Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Menard started 19th after qualifying was cancelled because of rain and the starting line-up set by car owner points. He spent the early portions of the race running around the top 20 and fell a lap down midway through the second stage as the race leaders set a torrid pace in a relatively caution-free race.

When a caution flag did fly with just over 20 laps left to run in Stage Two, crew chief Greg Erwin elected to take the wave-around even though Menard faced an uphill battle to remain on the lead lap while riding on worn tires. Continue reading Menard Finishes 17th In Final Ride In The No. 21 Mustang →

Jack Beckman Drives Dodge//SRT Charger Hellcat to Funny Car Triumph at Auto Club NHRA Finals

· Dodge//SRT Mopar driver Jack Beckman wins Funny Car trophy at 55th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals; finishes 2019 season in second place

· Dodge//SRT Mopar driver Matt Hagan begins day atop Funny Car qualifying ladder, advances to semifinals in Dodge//SRT Charger Hellcat Widebody; finishes third in season standings

· Leah Pritchett starts Top Fuel eliminations as No. 2 qualifier in her HEMI®-powered Mopar Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster; reaches sixth semifinal of 2019 to finish season in fourth place

· John Shaul and Joe Faherty earn Dodge Top Finisher honors in Sportsman classes

· Dodge Garage, a digital content hub for muscle car and race enthusiasts, features highlights from NHRA season

· New @DodgeMoparMotorsports Instagram channel features Dodge//SRT Mopar drivers in NHRA action Continue reading Jack Beckman Drives Dodge//SRT Charger Hellcat to Funny Car Triumph at Auto Club NHRA Finals →

ROBERT HIGHT AND AUTO CLUB END SEASON WITH TOP PRIZE AND RUNNER-UP FINISH AT AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2019) — Robert Hight and the Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro SS team earned their third NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car world championship Sunday when they had a runner-up finish at the Auto Club NHRA Finals. Hight and the Auto Club crew became only the fifth Funny Car team to earn more than two titles. They join the ranks of Don Prudhomme, Raymond Beadle, Kenny Bernstein and John Force. Continue reading ROBERT HIGHT AND AUTO CLUB END SEASON WITH TOP PRIZE AND RUNNER-UP FINISH AT AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS →

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS
AUTO CLUB RACEWAY IN POMONA, CALIFORNIA
RACE RECAP AND DRIVER QUOTES
NOVEMBER 17, 2019

Chevrolet Drivers Clinch Funny Car, Pro Stock Titles

Robert Hight earns third Funny Car title, second in three years
Erica Enders records third Pro Stock championship
Jeg Coughlin Jr. wins Pro Stock race, place second in standings

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2019) – Robert Hight and Erica Enders took different paths to the National Hot Rod association (NHRA) Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, though both reached their desired destination.

Hight earned his second Funny Car world championship in the past three years and third overall, while Enders claimed her third Pro Stock title since 2014 in the Auto Club Finals. Continue reading Chevrolet Drivers Clinch Funny Car, Pro Stock Titles →

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS
AUTO CLUB RACEWAY IN POMONA, CALIFORNIA
NOVEMBER 17, 2019

Robert Hight earns another Funny Car title with Chevrolet
Consistency leads John Force Racing driver to career-best six wins

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2019) – Robert Hight set a goal of winning the 2019 National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Funny Car championship before leaving Auto Club Raceway at the conclusion of the 2018 season.

Hight, driver of the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS, had come agonizingly close to repeating as the Funny Car titleholder but grudgingly settled for a runner-up finish. Dutiful off-season preparation by co-crew chiefs Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham, the crew and Hight focused on consistency throughout the 24-race campaign this year. Continue reading Robert Hight earns another Funny Car title with Chevrolet →

Austin Dillon and Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 Symbicort Chevrolet Team Cap Off 2019 Season with Strong Run at Homestead-Miami Speedway

“It feels good to cap off the 2019 season with a solid run for everyone at RCR, ECR and our partners and fans. The Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate) Chevrolet was really solid from the start of the race, and it didn’t take long for us to make our way into the top 10. We just got a little too tight at the end of the race to make a run for the top-five. We’ve changed our bodies and everything, just trying to get closer to the competition. We’ve been working really hard and this gives us some good momentum going into 2020. This is the first car we’ve had all year that’s been really competitive at these 1.5-mile tracks. We’ve had some good qualifying efforts, but we were racy tonight and that was good to see. We can build on stuff like this for next year.”
-Austin Dillon

Daniel Hemric Earns 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year Title with 12th-Place at Homestead-Miami Speedway

“It’s been a bittersweet weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with this being my last race with Richard Childress Racing. We battled all year but didn’t always get the finishes we hoped for or deserved, yet my team never laid down or gave up. You want to go out on a high note, and that’s definitely what we did tonight by ending the season with a strong run in the No. 8 myblu Chevrolet. It’s the little things when you have a season like we’ve had that get you over that emotional hump. I passed a seven-time champion on the last lap of a 60-lap run tonight. Those are little victories you find that show there is light at the end of the tunnel in years like this. I’m so proud of my team and the heart they continue to fight with. We also won Rookie of The Year Honors after a really tough battle all year long with Ryan Preece. A lot of really important people in our sport have been able to take these honors home, so I’m going to take pride in the Rookie of the Year title and look forward to the next chapter. I’m very thankful for the opportunity from Richard and Judy Childress, ECR and all the folks back in Welcome, North Carolina, for the last three years. My goal is to get back into the Cup Series full time and I believe I can do that.”

-Daniel Hemric

Season-ending victory in Pomona assures
Jeg Coughlin Jr. of No. 2 ranking for 2019
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 17) — Five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. concluded another impressive season Sunday when the Ohio-based drag racer collected his 63rd class trophy at the 55th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals. Coughlin’s impressive playoff run, which started with an eighth-place ranking six races ago, ended with him trailing only teammate Erica Enders in the final standings by just 21 points. Continue reading Season-ending victory in Pomona assures Jeg Coughlin Jr. of No. 2 ranking for 2019 →

ROBERT HIGHT AND AUTO CLUB CLINCH THIRD NHRA FUNNY CAR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2019) — Robert Hight and the Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro SS team earned their third NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car world championship Sunday when they had a runner-up finish at the Auto Club NHRA Finals. Hight and the Auto Club crew became only the fifth Funny Car team to earn more than two titles. They join the ranks of Don Prudhomme, Raymond Beadle, Kenny Bernstein and John Force.

By the time Hight entered the finals, he only needed to ensure he did not pick up any sort of penalty to clinch the victory. After an epic, crowd pleasing, long burnout, Hight wasn’t able to back the car up giving Beckman a solo run to the race win. En route to the championship victory, Hight entered race day qualified fifth for the Finals, a position that had him facing team owner John Force in the first round. Hight would end the legendary driver’s quest for a 17th championship with the quickest pass of the session, second quickest of race day, 3.945-seconds and 327.82 mph that bettered Force’s 5.234 at 141.97 after tire smoke. In the second round, Hight defeated Shawn Langdon with a 3.976-second pass at 324.75 mph.

In the semifinals, Hight would face championship contender Matt Hagan. Hight powered his Auto Club Camaro to a 3.977-second pass at 324.59 mph outrunning Hagan’s 4.014 at 326.95. The bid into the finals would set Hight up to only need to not be penalized in the finals, meaning as long as he did not cross the center line, hit a cone or the wall or oil down the race track, he would become the 2019 champion. Despite not making the pass, Hight was not penalized and had enough of a points lead to take the 2019 Funny Car title.

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY
FORD ECOBOOST 400
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT
NOVEMBER 17, 2019

DANIEL HEMRIC EARNS 2019 MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR TITLE

HOMESTEAD, FL (November 17, 2019) – Daniel Hemric, driver of the No. 8 Camaro ZL1, clinched the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors after a 12th-place finish in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. With the title, Hemric is now the 19th different Chevrolet driver to win the award in NASCAR’s premier racing series since 1972. He joins the list of recognizable Chevy-powered names, including Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Jeff Gordon.

“We are proud of Daniel Hemric for winning the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year title,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet’s U.S. Vice President of Performance and Motorsports. “Daniel is a talented driver, teammate, and class act. We are excited that he won this award and we look forward to more great things from him in the future.” Continue reading DANIEL HEMRIC EARNS 2019 MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES ROOKIE OF THE YEAR TITLE →

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY
FORD ECOBOOST 400
TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
NOVEMBER 17, 2019

TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL FINISHING RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
8th Austin Dillon, No. 3 Symbicort Camaro ZL1
9th Alex Bowman, No. 88 Nationwide Camaro ZL1
12th Daniel Hemric, No. 8 myblu Camaro ZL1
13th Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1
15th Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Camaro ZL1

TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL FINISHING RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
1st Kyle Busch (Toyota)
2nd Martin Truex, Jr. (Toyota)
3rd Erik Jones (Toyota)
4th Kevin Harvick (Ford)
5th Joey Logano (Ford)

UNOFFICIAL FINAL PLAYOFF RANK (Following Round 10 of 10)
POS. DRIVER
1. Kyle Busch (Toyota)
2. Martin Truex Jr. (Toyota)
3. Kevin Harvick (Ford)
4. Denny Hamlin (Toyota)

This concludes the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series will kick off with Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 16, 2020 at 2:30 P.M. ET. Live coverage can be found on FOX, MRN, and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Homestead–Post Race →

Still a few chances left for top qualifier
Jeg Coughlin Jr. to win 2019 Pro Stock title
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 16) — After a stellar two days of professional qualifying where he led three of four sessions and gained a massive 14 bonus points, Jeg Coughlin Jr. brings his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro into the final day of the season with a few chances to win a sixth Pro Stock world championship. Continue reading Still a few chances left for top qualifier Jeg Coughlin Jr. to win 2019 Pro Stock title →

Richard Childress Racing Caps off 50th Anniversary Celebration with NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver’s and Owner’s Championships

Tyler Reddick and the No. 2 Tame the Beast Chevrolet Team Win at Homestead-Miami Speedway En Route to RCR’s Series’ Leading Fifth Title

“It was just an incredible effort by all of the guys at Richard Childress Racing. Our Tame the Beast Chevrolet was really good in practice and qualifying. The car allowed me to move around on the race track early in the run. I have to give it to our competition. They caught up to us on the short run. At the end of the night, when push came to shove, we went to the fence and we got it done. We got around the No. 00 and the No. 20 at the end to pull out the championship. It’s my first championship with RCR and my second championship overall. It’s just an absolute blast to run in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and go back-to-back as series champion. Hat’s off to Team Chevy and all those guys for working on this Chevrolet, and all the guys at ECR for giving us great power. Richard Childress believed I could be a champion before I ever won my first championship, and it means a lot to be able to capture RCR’s fifth Driver’s Championship in the NASCAR Xfinity Series to cap off their 50th Anniversary Celebration.”

-Tyler Reddick

Matt Hagan Keeps Building Momentum, Grabs Funny Car No. 1 Qualifying Position for Dodge//SRT Mopar in 2019 NHRA Season Finale Continue reading Matt Hagan Keeps Building Momentum, Grabs Funny Car No. 1 Qualifying Position for Dodge//SRT Mopar in 2019 NHRA Season Finale →

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS
AUTO CLUB RACEWAY IN POMONA, CALIFORNIA
QUALIFICATIONS RECAP
NOVEMBER 16, 2019

Three Chevrolet Drivers Take Aim at Championships
Robert Hight, Brittany Force and Erica Enders primed for title runs
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 16, 2019) – As the three Chevrolet championship contenders predicted, their National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) title aspirations will be determined on the final day of the season.

Robert Hight (Funny Car), Brittany Force (Top Fuel) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) will aim to add hardware to their trophy cases Nov. 17 in the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway.

Hight, the points leader after all but one of the 23 event, used a 3.895-second pass at 330.55 mph in the fourth qualifying session to move from 14th to the No. 5 qualifier spot. Hight takes a 38-point advantage into the final race of the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship.

Hight, driver of the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS, will face teammate and 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force, who qualified 12th in the PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS, in the first round of eliminations. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Pomona–Qualifications →

Chevrolet Clinches 20th Bill France Performance Cup
Award Recognizes Manufacturer Championship in NASCAR Xfinity Series

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – (November 16, 2019) – With Tyler Reddick’s victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Chevrolet clinched the Bill France Performance Cup in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS). The 2019 achievement marks the 20th time the Bowtie Brand has captured this prestigious honor, more than any other manufacturer.

The triumph also marks the fifth time Camaro SS has earned the award since becoming Chevrolet’s flagship in the Xfinity Series in 2013. The Camaro SS has earned 77 NXS victories since its debut.

“Chevrolet is honored to win the 2019 Bill France Performance Cup in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the 20th time,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President of Performance and Motorsports. “Every point matters during the season and this achievement is the result of a lot of dedication, hard work and persistence exhibited by all of the Chevy team owners, drivers, crew chiefs, engineers and team members.”

Capping off the regular season, Chevrolet placed more contenders in the Playoffs than any other manufacturer with seven drivers and teams in the running for this year’s title.

Five different Team Chevy drivers were victorious during the season: Tyler Reddick (6 wins), Justin Allgaier (1 win), Michael Annette (1 win), Ross Chastain (1 win), and AJ Allmendinger (1 win). A multitude of Team Chevy members contributed to this special award with valuable points throughout the 33-race season.

Menard To Make Final Cup Start From 19th Place

November 16, 2019

In his final practice session as a full-time Cup driver, Paul Menard wheeled the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang around Homestead-Miami Speedway with a best lap at 166.446 miles per hour.

That put him 12th on the speed chart for an abbreviated practice session, but he’ll start Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 from 19th place after qualifying was cancelled because of rain on Friday and the starting line-up set by car owner points.

Eddie Wood said he feels good about the speed of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang heading into Sunday’s season finale.

“Paul and [crew chief] Greg [Erwin] seemed happy with the car,” Wood said. “We’re all hoping for a good run for Paul’s last race as a full-time Cup driver.

“No matter how things work out in the race, it’ll be a bittersweet day for us all. Having a driver retire while driving our car is a rare thing for us.”

Sunday’s race will be Menard’s 471st in NASCAR’s elite division. Only nine drivers in Sunday’s line-up have more starts than Menard.

Menard has a chance to finish the season with the most laps completed and most miles run this season. His 9,951 laps are second only to Joey Logano’s 9,954, and his miles run, 13,315.79, also are second to Logano, who has 13,339.23.

CAMARO SS POWERS TYLER REDDICK TO CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY
Wins Second Consecutive NASCAR Xfinity Title

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (November 16, 2019) – Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 2 TAME the BEAST Chevrolet Camaro SS, claimed the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) championship with a victory in the season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The title is the second consecutive for Reddick, and fifth in the division for Richard Childress Racing. It also marks Chevrolet’s 21st Driver’s Championship since the inception of the series in 1982. Continue reading CAMARO SS POWERS TYLER REDDICK TO CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY →

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY
FORD ECOBOOST 400
TEAM CHEVY POST-PRACTICE NOTES
NOVEMBER 16, 2019

TOP TEAM CHEVY PRACTICE RESULTS:
7th CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1
8th KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 CREDIT ONE BANK CAMARO ZL1
14th ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CAMARO ZL1
16th DANIEL HEMRIC, NO. 8 MYBLU CAMARO ZL1
17th CHRIS BUESCHER, NO. 37 HONEY NUT CHEERIOS CAMARO ZL1 Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Homestead–Practice →

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY
FORD ECOBOOST 400
TEAM CHEVY OEM PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
NOVEMBER 16, 2019

JIM CAMPBELL, CHEVROLET U.S. VICE PRESIDENT OF PERFORMANCE AND MOTORSPORTS, met with members of the media as part of an OEM panel at Homestead-Miami Speedway to discuss the 2019 season, the anticipation of the debut of the Camaro ZL1 1LE in 2020, and more. Transcript: Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Homestead–Jim Campbell →