The Championship Chase Continues with Megan Meyer’s Runner-Up Finish at Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

Aug 20, 2019 | Featured, Megan Meyer, Race Results
The Championship Chase Continues with Megan Meyer’s Runner-Up Finish at Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

The 2019 Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals held at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota hosted Megan Meyer and teammate Julie Nataas driving for the Randy Meyer Racing Team in the Top Alcohol Dragster category. Megan and her NGK Spark Plugs Dragster with support from former racer John Haley of John Haley #1 Roofer of Minnesota, ultimately lost to the current points leader Shawn Cowie in the final round, but she is still a contender for the National Championship with four races left this season.
Continue reading The Championship Chase Continues with Megan Meyer’s Runner-Up Finish at Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals →

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Road America … In 27 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the 4.7-mile road course, RCR has captured three victories with drivers Brendan Gaughan (2014), Paul Menard (2015) and Michael McDowell (2016). RCR has accumulated one pole award, nine top-five finishes, 11 top-10 finishes, led 89 laps and averages a starting position of 12.0 and finishing position of 12.6. The Welcome, North Carolina, organization has completed 1,297 laps of the 1,311 (98.9 percent) that they have competed.

Welcome Back, Kaz Grala … Kaz Grala will make his fifth NASCAR Xfinity Series start for RCR in the No. 21 Chevrolet Camaro this weekend at Road America. Continue reading RCR Event Preview – Road America →

CORVETTE RACING AT VIR: Ready for an Overall Fight
Second GT-only weekend of IMSA WeatherTech season

• Three races remain in GT Le Mans title chase
• Garcia, Magnussen look for third VIR win in four years
• Gavin, Milner winners of Corvette Racing’s first VIR event

DETROIT (August 20, 2019) – Corvette Racing gets its second shot at overall glory in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship this weekend with an annual visit to Virginia International Raceway. The Michelin GT Challenge at VIR is one of two GT-only weekends in the IMSA championship and is one Corvette Racing has captured twice.

The 3.27-mile, 17-turn road course is a favorite of all four Corvette Racing drivers, and it’s easy to see why. A successful weekend for the program will add to Corvette Racing’s tally of three victories and five podium finishes since 2012. In addition, Chevrolet is the most successful IMSA manufacturer at VIR in the field with seven total victories.
Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT VIR: Ready for an Overall Fight Second GT-only weekend of IMSA WeatherTech season →

EVENT RECAP : Round 6

First things first, we were all thrilled to bring “Big Blue” back into the game! “Baby Blue” will have a comeback outside of Formula Drift very soon! Dan’s following loved tuning into his YouTube channel and Instagram stories to see Big Blue get rebuilt after the wreck in New Jersey. As for Formula Drift’s 2nd year in St. Louis with a new track layout that definitely levelled the playing field. All teams found themselves trying to get the cars set up just right for their drivers to maneuver within the slower and smaller layout this year. Dan became very comfortable pretty quick after a few gear changes. We are still working on breaking through the qualifying scores in order to pair up with lower ranked drivers for Top 32 battle. Dan was out to battle with veteran drifter, Vaughn Gittin Jr. Dan pushed hard and found Vaughn’s Mustang carrying him off track on to a rumble strip completely upsetting the Supra, giving Vaughn the win. All in all, we had a successful Round 6 and are blown away by how fast the season has gone. Round 7 of 8 is only a few weeks away!

We will be on our way to Fort Worth, Texas for ROUND 7 on September 13-14th

Top Fuel — Leah Pritchett, 3.732 seconds, 321.04 mph ARP Car def. Mike Salinas, 4.066 seconds, 235.72 mph.

Funny Car — Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 3.946, 324.28 def. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.947, 319.98.

Pro Stock — Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.597, 209.10 def. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.604, 207.59.

Top Alcohol Dragster — Shawn Cowie, 5.252, 276.80 def. Megan Meyer, Foul – Red Light.

Top Alcohol Funny Car — Shane Westerfield, Chevy Camaro, 5.755, 260.66 def. Doug Gordon, Camaro, 6.148, 220.98.

Competition Eliminator — Jim Greenheck, Chevy Camaro, 7.543, 178.73 def. Shaun Vincent, Chevy S-10, 8.388, 158.11.

Super Stock — Brett Speer, Chevy Camaro, 10.162, 126.41 def. Jason DeForrest, Chevy Cavalier, 9.029, 141.88.

Stock Eliminator — Chris Knudsen, Chevy Camaro, 10.608, 121.78 def. Brett Speer, Chevy Nova, 10.649, 115.74.

Super Comp — Gary Stinnett, Dragster, 8.910, 184.77 def. Tyler Bohannon, Dragster, 8.894, 167.49.

Super Gas — Veron Rowland, Olds Calais, 9.876, 162.06 def. Bo Butner, Chevy Corvette, 9.871, 166.17.

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com — Larry Demers, Chevy Cobalt, 7.063, 193.40 def. Curt Fredrich, Camaro, 6.701, 207.66.

Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com — Henry Wiebusch, Dragster, 7.159, 188.07 def. Luke Bogacki, Dragster, 7.369, 177.44.

Top Fuel Harley — Doug Vancil, Weekend, 6.256, 218.12 def. Tii Tharpe, JTR, 6.532, 217.56.

Pro Stock Snowmobile — Glenn Hall, Arctic Cat, 7.938, 161.61 def. Matt Ernst, Suzuki, Foul – Red Light.

Dixon Runs Second for Honda in Rain-Shortened Pocono Event
• Scott Dixon continues championship defense with runner-up finish
• Santino Ferrucci impresses with fourth-place finish
• Opening-lap crash damages Alexander Rossi’s championship effort

LONG POND, Pa. (August 18, 2019) – Avoiding an opening-lap crash that eliminated or delayed five Honda drivers – including championship contender Alexander Rossi – Scott Dixon contended for the race victory throughout today’s ABC Supply Co., Inc. 500 and ultimately finished second in the weather-shortened run at Pocono Raceway.

Today’s second-place result, combined with a win three weeks ago at the Honda Indy 200, moves Dixon within 42 points of championship leader Josef Newgarden, after trailing by 98 points following the Iowa Speedway round in July. Three rounds remain in the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series championship, including the double-points paying finale next month at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Continue reading Dixon Runs Second for Honda in Rain-Shortened Pocono Event →

Pritchett and Capps Double Up for Dodge//SRT Mopar With NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car Triumphs at Brainerd

· Leah Pritchett wins first Wally of 2019 racing the Don Schumacher Racing HEMI®-powered Dodge//SRT Mopar Top Fuel Dragster to victory in Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota

· Dodge//SRT Mopar driver Ron Capps wins third race of 2019 and sixth career triumph at Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

· Tommy Johnson, Jr. reaches 50th career Funny Car final, fifth at Brainerd and fourth of 2019; moves up to No. 2 spot in Funny Car standings

· Matt Hagan earns 35th career No. 1 qualifier, advances to semifinal round driving 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Funny Car

· Dodge//SRT Mopar and Don Schumacher Racing drivers hold four of top six positions in NHRA Funny Car standings

· Kevin Leinart and Dan Zrust pick up Dodge Top Finisher honors

· Dodge Garage, a digital hub for muscle car and race enthusiasts, offers exclusive photo journals with behind-the-scenes action

August 18, 2019, Auburn Hills, Michigan – Leah Pritchett and Ron Capps earned Dodge//SRT Mopar an NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series double up with Top Fuel and Funny Car wins, respectively, in the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota.
Continue reading Pritchett and Capps Double Up for Dodge//SRT Mopar With NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car Triumphs at Brainerd →

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES
ABC SUPPLY 500
POCONO RACEWAY IN LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA
TEAM CHEVY RACE RECAP AND PODIUM FINISHERS TRANSCRIPT
AUGUST 18, 2019

Chevrolet registers eighth victory of the season
Will Power earns third win at Pocono; Josef Newgarden extends points lead

LONG POND, Pa. (August 18, 2019) – Chevrolet drivers made it four for four in NTT IndyCar Series oval races this season as Will Power won the rain-shortened ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway.

Drivers completed 128 of the scheduled 200 laps on the 2.5-mile tri-oval before severe weather ended the race under a red flag.

Power, who started fifth in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet based on entrant points when inclement weather canceled qualifications, recorded his third victory at “The Tricky Triangle” since the NTT IndyCar Series returned in 2013. He was also runner-up in 2018. Continue reading Chevrolet registers eighth victory of the season →

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES
ABC SUPPLY 500
POCONO RACEWAY IN LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER POST-RACE QUOTES
AUGUST 18, 2019

WILL POWER, NO. 12 VERIZON TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET (race winner; 36th career victory; third win in four years at Pocono Raceway):

TELL US ABOUT THE WIN.
“I had a few issues during the race but we just kept coming back. Full credit to the team. We had a great car and we just kind of hung there and saved fuel and when it was time to go, I went. I was so determined and I really wanted to win. This is my 13th year in a row of winning races and I have been thinking about that. I just wanted to win a race for Verizon and these guys who have worked their butts off all year and just haven’t had the results.”
Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Pocono–Post Race →

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS
BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY IN BRAINERD, MINNESOTA
POST-RACE RECAP AND DRIVER QUOTES
AUGUST 18, 2019

Chevrolet picks up Pro Stock victory at Brainerd

Jason Line wins at home track for 49th Pro Stock win
Robert Hight takes Funny Car points lead into the U.S. Nationals
Brittany Force is No. 1 Top Fuel qualifier for fifth time this season
BRAINERD, Minn. (August 18, 2019) – Jason Line claimed his first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) national event victory at Brainerd International Raceway in 1992 and picked up another Sportsman win at the venerable Minnesota racetrack in ’97.

But nothing beats standing on the winner’s stage after securing his first Pro Stock victory at his “home track.” The native of Wright, Minnesota, defeated No. 2 qualifier Erica Enders, driving the Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro SS, in the final of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.

“I’m elated. I’m elated for the folk at Summit and everybody on our team. It’s been a tough go,” said Line, who drove the Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS to his 49th career Pro Stock victory. Continue reading v →

ROBERT HIGHT ONE STEP CLOSER TO CLINCHING
FIRST REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 18, 2019) — Leaving the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway with a 179-points lead, Robert Hight and the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car team will only need to qualify at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals to secure the No. 1 position in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six race playoffs.

It would be the first time in his 15-year career that Hight has won the regular season championship and the fifth time a John Force Racing driver has secured the title. Team namesake John Force held the No. 1 spot going into the Countdown in 2010 and 2014, former driver Mike Neff in 2011 and Courtney Force in 2018. Continue reading ROBERT HIGHT ONE STEP CLOSER TO CLINCHING FIRST REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP →

Troy Coughlin Jr.’s semifinal finish in
Top Dragster tops Team JEGS’ weekend
DELAWARE, Ohio (Aug. 18) — Troy Coughlin Jr. raced his JEGS.com bracket dragster to a semifinal finish in the Top Dragster category at this weekend’s Northeast Shootout at Cecil County Dragway. The finish was the best of the three Team JEGS drivers in competition, with Jeg Coughlin Jr. bowing out in the second round of Pro Stock in Brainerd, Minn., and Troy Jr.’s sister Paige exiting in the first round of Super Comp at Cecil County.

The fifth of seven races on the Division 1 schedule, the Northeast Shootout didn’t feature Top Alcohol Dragster, allowing Troy Jr. to swap his JEGS.com McPhillips Racing rail out in favor of his trusty bracket hot rod. His mail goal was to help Paige, but when she lost earlier than expected, Troy Jr. was able to concentrate solely on his endeavors.

“I had a blast this weekend,” Coughlin said. “I’ve raced Top Dragster before but this is the first time the class this year. I think what made it so fun was the fact I wasn’t up here racing for points, it was all about enjoying myself.

“It was great to go four rounds and if not for a red-light, I may have made it to the finals. What was even better was remembering to always have fun. When you’re able to just relax, smile and enjoy yourself 100-percent, you don’t even think about pressure. Everything comes naturally and your body just reacts and does what it does without you even thinking about it.”

Troy Jr. currently is ranked third overall in national points for Top Alcohol Dragster and is second in the East Region standings. Sister Paige usually races in Division 3, where she is ranked fourth overall. She’s also leading the way in JEGS Allstars points in her class.

Both Troy Jr. and Paige will race again next weekend at the Battle at the Beech in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Troy will be back in his Top Alcohol Dragster and also will compete in Super Comp, while Paige will remain in Super Comp.

After qualifying fifth overall at the 32nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, Jeg Jr. looked sporty in a first-round defeat of Kenny Delco Sunday morning. He launched his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro first by .029 seconds and never looked back, crossing ahead of Delco with his best pass of the meet — 6.596 at 206.51 mph to Delco’s 6.612 at 208.36 mph.

Entering Round 2 with lane choice over Derek Kramer, Jeg Jr. and his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro teammates were expecting more of the same, but a slight trip-up at the start resulted in a close loss, with Jeg Jr.’s 6.610 at 206.48 mph not quite enough to beat Kramer’s 6.599 at 208.65 mph.

“We had a good run in Round 1 and really didn’t feel the need to change anything for the quarterfinals,” Jeg Jr. said. “But we just didn’t quite have it that round. The car kind of chugged through first gear and felt sluggish so I grabbed second as quickly as I could and it ran really well from that point on. Unfortunately, that little bog at the start cost us our chance.”

Jeg Jr. completes the regular season Aug. 29-Sept 2 at the 65th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.

NARC NEWSLINE – August 18, 2019, By Jim Allen … And just like that …, BAMM! …, we’re at the halfway point of the King of the West by NARC Fujitsu Sprint Car 60th Anniversary season. Ten races down and nine to go! It has been more than interesting up to this point and with some special events on the horizon, that status promises to get elevated a few more notches. Continue reading NARC Newsline – August 18, 2019 →

Baja Ridgeline Race Truck Runs Second in Vegas to Reno
• Baja Ridgeline Race Truck leads until delayed by fuel issue, recovers to finish second
• Honda Off-Road Racing Team continues 2019 win-and-podium streak
• Podium result adds to class victories in Parker 425, Mint 400 and Baja 500

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (August 18, 2019) – The Honda Off-Road Racing Team continued its string of 2019 success this weekend, adding a second-place finish in the “7200” class for unlimited V6-powered trucks in the General Tire Casey Folks Vegas to Reno off-road race to the three victories already recorded at off-road events this year.

A part of the Best In The Desert series of off-road races, the “V2R” point-to-point race is the longest event of its type in the United States. The 550-mile run features a unique set of challenges, including hot ambient temperatures – as high as 110 degrees F – substantial elevation changes and the constant potential of sudden, strong rain storms. The course is also known for several high-speed sections, as well as stretches of deep silt and thick dust that can make overtaking difficult.
Continue reading Baja Ridgeline Race Truck Runs Second in Vegas to Reno →

Menard Finishes 23rd At Bristol

August 18, 2019

Paul Menard and the No. 21 Menards/Knauf Insulation team struggled to overcome an early flat tire and wound up finishing 23rd in a drama-filled Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

With a strong Bristol crowd looking on, Menard started 25th and maintained his position through the first 70 laps before a flat tire sent him to pit road for an unscheduled, green-flag pit stop.

In a harbinger of things to come, a caution flag that could have saved him lost laps flew just after Menard returned to the track two laps down in 27th place.

He and the crew of the No. 21 Mustang regained one of the lost laps, and for much of the race after that he’d battle for the Free Pass position only to lose it before a caution flag would fly.

Menard did manage to avoid several accidents that occurred just ahead of him, but once he fell two laps in arrears, the opportunities to rejoin the lead lap were limited and he ended the race five laps in down.

Eddie Wood said he was glad to see the electric atmosphere return to Bristol Motor Speedway but was sorry his team didn’t have the run it was looking for.

“We’ve run well at Bristol the past few years, but tonight just wasn’t our night,” he said. “It was frustrating, but we’ll regroup over the off week and try to come back strong at Darlington.”

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Off Road Chevrolet Team Show Never-Give-Up Attitude at Bristol Motor Speedway Despite Early Misfortune

“I thought we did a good job with the balance of our Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Off Road Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 so I’m not sure why we cut a tire. The balance of the race car was better than anything else we’ve had. It was early in Stage 1 and I didn’t really have much warning. We started to get tight off of the corners but the right-front tire went down really suddenly at the start finish line and I just tried to hold on. We might have been able to save it if the No. 48 car didn’t hit my rear but he just had so much momentum going and it was all over at that point. We scraped the wall with the right-side of our Chevy pretty bad and spent the rest of Stage 1 and the majority of Stage 2 in the garage making repairs to the suspension. That basically ruined our day but this Richard Childress Racing team never gives up so we went back out and finished the race, albeit multiple laps down. I hate that we couldn’t be more in contention today for Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Off Road and our friend Johnny Morris.”

-Austin Dillon

Daniel Hemric Battles to 12th-Place Finish with Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol

“We worked hard during practice on Friday and made a few changes to the initial setup of our Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet that Luke Lambert and the guys had success with in the past at Bristol Motor Speedway. I feel like that effort on Friday really helped us on Saturday during the race when the top of the racetrack came in, especially in Turns 3 and 4. At the start of the race, we rolled by a couple of cars and thought we’d be okay but as soon as we got in clean air our Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet was way too loose, which made it hard to make speed on the bottom. We worked all night to get our Chevy tightened up and the handling would come to me if we could get a heat cycle on the tires. The race pace was so fast that it was a challenge to stay on the lead lap, but we had some things fall our way from time to time to get the free pass. If I had another corner or two, I think I could have passed the No. 6 car for 11th, but I’m just proud of everyone on the Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet team for never giving up and bringing home the finish that we did.”

-Daniel Hemric

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
BASS PRO SHOPS NRA NIGHT RACE
TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
AUGUST 17, 2019

TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
5th Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hooters Spirits Camaro ZL1
6th Kyle Larson, No. 42 Credit One Bank Camaro ZL1
9th Kurt Busch, No. 1 Monster Energy Camaro ZL1
12th Daniel Hemric, No. 8 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Off Road Camaro ZL1
14th Bubba Wallace, No. 43 United States Air Force Camaro ZL1

TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
1st Denny Hamlin (Toyota)
2nd Matt Dibenedetto (Toyota)
3rd Brad Keselowski (Ford)
4th Kyle Busch (Toyota)
5th Chase Elliott (Chevrolet)

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series takes a break next weekend and resumes on Sunday, September 1 at 6 p.m. ET with the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Live coverage can be found on NBCSN, the NBC Sports Gold App, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Post Race →

BRITTANY FORCE GOES NO. 1 AND CLINCHES SPOT IN
NHRA COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 17, 2019) — Brittany Force and the Carquest Filters dragster team earned the No. 1 qualifying spot and a guaranteed spot in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship Saturday at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. Her legendary father, John Force, moved into the No. 3 spot with the PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil / Lighting Chevy Camaro SS team, Robert Hight and the Automobile Club of Southern California team are starting race day from the No. 4 position, and rookie Austin Prock is ninth with his Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist dragster. Continue reading BRITTANY FORCE GOES NO. 1 AND CLINCHES SPOT IN NHRA COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP →

Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s consistent Camaro cruises into Brainerd eliminations in fifth slot
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 17) — Five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. survived another night in Brainerd International Raceway’s infamous Zoo campground, as well as four rounds of professional qualifying, and managed to lock up the fifth rung on the elimination ladder of this weekend’s 32nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s consistent Camaro cruises into Brainerd eliminations in fifth slot →

Pocono Qualifying Cancelled Due to Weather
• Rain, low ceiling result in cancellation of IndyCar Series qualifying
• ABC Supply 500 field set by team-owner points
• Championship contenders Alexander Rossi to start second, Scott Dixon fourth

LONG POND, Penn. (August 17, 2019) – Low cloud cover, followed by rain showers, forced race officials to cancel qualifying Saturday at Pocono Raceway for Sunday’s ABC Supply Co., Inc. 500.

A scheduled one-hour morning practice session was scrubbed when overcast skies and a low ceiling prevented the required medical helicopter from flying to Pocono. A brief but heavy rain shower then soaked the 2.5-mile Pocono tri-oval, leading to the cancellation of qualifying.

As a result, the starting order for the 22-car NTT IndyCar Series field will be set by owner points, with last year’s race winner, Alexander Rossi, starting second to points leader Josef Newgarden. Defending series champion Scott Dixon will start fourth.

Later in the afternoon, the track dried sufficiently for the series to run a two-hour practice session, with Honda drivers claiming three of the top four positions, led by Dixon in second at 215.761 mph, with rookie Santino Ferrucci third at 215.377 mph and Rossi fourth at 215.373 mph.

Television coverage of Sunday’s 200-lap race, the second and final 500-mile race of the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season, starts at 2 p.m. EDT on the NBC Sports Network.