No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R qualifies 13th for WEC eight-hour contest in Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain (Nov. 1, 2024) – Having consistent race pace in the desert will be the goal of the No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R team following qualifications for the Bapco Energies Eight Hours of Bahrain. Alex Lynn recorded a best lap of 1 minute, 48.466 seconds during the 12-minute Hypercar session on the 3.36-mile (5.412km), 15-turn Bahrain International Circuit to place 13th in the 18-car field. The result marks only the second time in the eight FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) races that the Chip Ganassi Racing-run hybrid racecar has not advanced to the 10-car Hyperpole qualifying.

Lynn garnered Cadillac Racing’s initial WEC pole at Fuji Speedway last month and overall the No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R posted a solid season average qualifying of 5.5. Lynn will share driving duties in Saturday’s day-night eight-hour race with full-season teammate Earl Bamber and Sebastien Bourdais, who co-drove to the dramatic victory three weeks ago in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Bourdais also joined Lynn and Bamber in the March opener in Qatar in addition to driving in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He last drove at the Bahrain circuit in 2022 in LMP2 in addition to two outings in Formula One. Media resources: Cadillac Racing at Bahrain photosNo. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R 2024 WEC statistics Fourth place at Cadillac Racing’s home race at Circuit of The Americas in early September is the team’s best finish of the season. Now the group seeks to claim its first podium of the season as it concludes its second season of WEC Hypercar competition. The No. 8 Toyota GR010 earned its first pole position of the season in a Toyota lockout of the front row with Brendon Hartley, who will drive for Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing in the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January 2025, behind the wheel.

No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R driver’s viewThe Bapco Energies Eight Hours of Bahrain is scheduled for 2 p.m. (Arabian Standard Time)/7 a.m. (ET) Saturday. Get a unique perspective via the Cadillac in-car stream. Tune inMotorTrend TV will air the race from 6:30-8 a.m. and 2-3:30 p.m. ET in the U.S.. Full streaming will be on the MAX app in the U.S. and the FIA WEC app. Radio Le Mans will also stream coverage of the race.

Post-qualifying driver quotes

Alex Lynn: “Tough day at the office. We’ve been looking for some pace all weekend. We weren’t going to be fighting Toyota or maybe Ferrari, but it’s a long race tomorrow and looking to finish on a high. We have to try to have a clean race and end the season right.”

Both TF Sport Corvettes advance to Hyperpole for second straight race MANAMA, Bahrain (Nov. 1, 2024) – Tom Van Rompuy led TF Sport’s effort in time trials Friday ahead of the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Eight Hours of Bahrain as the team looks to close its first season with the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R in style.

Van Rompuy will start Saturday’s race eighth in the LMGT3 class behind the wheel of the No. 81 Corvette that he shares with Rui Andrade and factory pilot Charlie Eastwood. It marked the sixth time in seven attempts that Van Rompuy advanced out of the first round of qualifying, and his best lap in Hyperpole was a 2:03.125 (98.301 mph). For the second consecutive race, both Corvettes advanced to the 10-car Hyperpole session following Friday’s opening 12-minute qualifying period. Hiroshi Koizumi made it through at Bahrain as he did in his home race at Fuji the last time out. He will start ninth in class following his lap of 2:03.176 (98.292 mph) and will share with Sebastien Baud and Corvette factory driver Daniel Juncadella – all three making their first career starts at Bahrain in any series. The pace of the Corvettes has been strong and consistent since the opening laps of practice. That was evident early, just as it has been for the balance of the summer. Both TF Sport entries each were inside the top-10 in class in each practice, and the No. 82 had three of the 13 fastest individual laps across the three sessions – led by Koizumi, who was second-quickest in Thursday’s night practice. The Eight Hours of Bahrain is scheduled for 2 p.m. Arabian Standard Time / 7 a.m. ET on Saturday. MotorTrend TV will air full and live television coverage from 6:30-3:30 p.m. ET. Full live streaming coverage – including the No. 81 Corvette on-board camera – will be available on the FIA WEC app and the MAX app in the U.S. Radio Le Mans also will stream audio coverage of the race.

TF SPORT POST-QUALIFYING DRIVER QUOTESTOM VAN ROMPUY, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “We have progressed quite well throughout the sessions in the last couple days. In qualifying I struggled to the perfect lap; every lap was a bit of here and a bit of there. We ended up P8 and P9 with both cars, which is good. But I do think we have a really strong car for the race. So maybe we are not fastest on one lap or in qualifying, but I think we are really strong especially in the second stint with our tires. We have eight hours to play for it, so let’s hope we can climb some places tomorrow and end up on the podium.”

CHARLIE EASTWOOD, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “The week has been good so far. The pace has been hard to understand. For everyone the tire degradation is significant. Nobody has gone to a double-stint but already there is five to six seconds of deg over a double-stint. Managing that is going to be key. Obviously getting both Corvettes in Hyperpole is great. If anything we’ve lacked a little bit of pace when the tires are brand new, but we’ve been very strong when they have been old. It’s an eight-hour race. I’d rather have a car that’s better on older tires than on one lap. So I think we are in a pretty good spot.”

HIROSHI KOIZUMI, NO. 82 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “The first three practices Thursday and Friday were really good, so maybe I used up too much for qualifying! But I am happy and very much looking forward to the race. We haven’t confirmed our driving plan yet but I’m very hopeful for a good result for the team.”

DANIEL JUNCADELLA, NO. 82 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s my first time here, and the track is quite interesting. Tire degradation is going to play a massive role in the race, which is exciting. I like those kind of conditions where as a driver you can make a difference by implementing some different driving styles. The Corvette has been super-rapid this week. My teammates were really good today and the team did a great job with the car setup. I’m excited to see where we stand tomorrow.”

 CONCORD, NC (November 1, 2024) – When Hank Davis found himself knocking on the door of his first American Sprint Car Series National Tour victory night after night in July, TwoC Racing crew chief Wayne Johnson made the following prediction:

“Keep learning and doing what you’re doing, the wins will start coming. And when they do, it’ll be just like Sam [Hafertepe Jr.] or [Seth] Bergman. It won’t be just one, it’s going to be multiple.”

As it turns out, he was on to something.

While you didn’t have to be Nostradamus to expect Davis to find his groove in the second half of the season, the competitiveness of the No. 2C machine as of late has exceeded even Davis’ own goals. His three wins and seven podiums since his maiden victory at Electric City Speedway are more than any other driver in both categories.

That recent hot streak has them sitting atop the National Tour Owners standings with four races remaining in the season, 50 points ahead of the Hill’s Racing Team No. 15H. It could be considered fitting that Hafertepe is the driver Davis finds himself battling for the title, as all three of his wins this year have come with Hafertepe finishing in the runner-up spot.

However, Davis said he doesn’t place any extra emphasis on beating the five-time National Tour champion on a nightly basis, compared to every other car on the track.

“At the end of the day, it’s just another race car,” Davis said. “Yeah, he might be right on my tail in that deal, but at the end of the day it’s just another car I’ve got to pass, and I feel like we’ve shown that we can do it. I try not to let myself get too worried about that because I know that we’ve proven we can beat anyone out there.”

With nearly a full season under his belt as a full-time Sprint Car driver, what’s been his biggest area of improvement since joining TwoC Racing in May?

“Just racecraft,” Davis said. “There’s things that I didn’t do before, and now with Wayne beating down my throat certain things and how you have to race to win. And now I feel like I’m finally getting the hang of it and understanding my own racecraft.”

Davis may have been in contention for wins long before he finally broke through in Montana, finishing fourth at Rush County Speedway and third at Dodge City Raceway Park in his debut weekend in the car, but Johnson agreed that the difference between then and now is night and day.

“At first we tore up some cars, but it’s just a learning process,” Johnson said. “He’s a quick learner, he kind of got that out of his system real quickly. More than anything, just the consistency. I wasn’t sure what we would get with him being a rookie, but it’s pretty impressive to me.

“The first [win] is always the hardest one. After the first one, they come a little easier. Just his confidence level being a young kid, after winning a couple races I think he realized, ‘Hey, I can win these races at this level.”

A potential Owners title would also be key to propelling TwoC Racing into 2025, which will bring a return to full-time World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car competition with Cole Macedo behind the wheel. And for Johnson, his success in his first season as a full-time crew chief gives him plenty of reasons to be optimistic about taking on The Greatest Show on Dirt in his new role.

“It’s helped my confidence a lot, just because I was always a driver-mechanic, I worked for myself,” Johnson said. “So, I wasn’t really sure I could be a crew chief and make it happen, but it sure has improved my thought process moving into next year being a crew chief at the Outlaw level.”

Of course, Macedo’s arrival means Davis is a free agent for the 2025 season, making each race night all the more important as the 21-year-old looks to impress potential car owners and secure his future as a Sprint Car driver. He’ll get a major opportunity to do that next weekend at The Dirt Track at Charlotte when he makes his World of Outlaws debut at the World of Outlaws World Finals in the No. 17GP for Michael Dutcher Motorsports.

“I really don’t think about it, but I would like to say its motivation,” Davis said regarding the uncertainty of his future plans. “I don’t want to worry about trying to run second, I just want to go try and win the race so that people can’t deny it. You can’t deny it at that point if I win a bunch of races. We haven’t won as many as I would like to, but we’ve definitely been one of the most consistent cars throughout the year, and definitely the most consistent in my life.”

As for his elevator pitch to the Sprint Car world, Davis is happy to let the stat sheet and the highlight reel do the talking.

“I don’t know how you consider yourself as a driver, you kind of have to let what you’ve done speak for that,” Davis said. “We’re going to have a good time if I’m around. I don’t come from a whole lot of money, but we know how to have a good time and enjoy it. Maybe we can get someone to bite on that.”

Davis will wrap up his rookie season on the National Tour at Tulsa Speedway (Thursday, Nov. 14) and Creek County Speedway (Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16). Tickets will be available at both tracks on race day, while DIRTVision will stream every lap live for those unable to make it to the track.

CONCORD, NC (Oct. 31, 2024) — The ninth annual World Short Track Championship kicked off at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Thursday night with the opening round of on-track activity for all 532 entries in the 10-division program.

Following practice sessions for all cars, four divisions took to the track for the first Championship Feature events of the weekend. Here’s how each played out:

Mario Gresham Opens Ninth World Short Track Championship With Pro Late Model Triumph

By Matt Skipper

Mario Gresham opened up the ninth annual World Short Track Championship as his way to make up significant ground from problems suffered at the start of Thursday’s program.

Dealing with carburetor problems in his Qualifying session, the Rome, GA driver’s worries were withdrawn when he got to work in the Crate Racin’ USA Fox Factory Pro Late Model Feature by leading every lap to win at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

Madison, AL driver Dalton Dowdy brought the field to the opening flag of the Feature but lost the lead immediately as Winchester, VA driver Davin Kaiser and Gresham flew by on the top side of the track.

Kaiser got clear of Dowdy down the backstretch, while Gresham was stuck next to him. Going into Turn 3, Gresham slung his No.21 Late Model down to the bottom to edge Kaiser to the line on the opening circuit.

Gresham kept the momentum rolling to clear Kaiser as Ellenville, NY driver Brock Pinkerous followed his tire marks to take over second place.

While “Bam Bam” used any open space around the 0.4-mile surface to close the distance, Gresham extended his lead to over two seconds on the 14-year-old driver.

Taking the checkered flag of the World Short Track Championship in a caution-free race, Gresham wheeled his way to victory in Thursday’s main event as he looks to mirror the drive in Friday’s Heat races for the Pro Late Models.

“I knew we had to go early,” Gresham said. “I think we qualified dead last for tomorrow, the carburetor wouldn’t run and had some problems. I was hoping to race to make sure everything was good on it. But once we made it through the first lap, I knew we were ok. The car was really good tonight.”

Pinkerous went on to finish the night in second, and Tyrone, GA driver Jody Knowles finished on the podium in a climb from an eighth-place starting spot.

Salisbury, NC driver Colby Quick finished fourth with an 11-position climb from a 15th-place beginning. Lake Elmo, MN’s Matthew Larson – son of World of Outlaws CASE Late Models competitor Brent Larson – finished his night by climbing up four positions for a fifth-place result.

UP NEXT: The Crate Racin’ USA Fox Factory Pro Late Models return to the racetrack on Friday, Oct. 27, for the second day of the ninth annual World Short Track Championship at The Dirt track at Charlotte.

For tickets to the World Short Track Championship, CLICK HERE.

Feature (15 Laps): 1. 21-Mario Gresham[4]; 2. 555-Brock Pinkerous[5]; 3. 66-Jody Knowles[8]; 4. 5-Colby Quick[15]; 5. 8-Matthew Larson[9]; 6. 22W-Jimmy Webb[11]; 7. 6-Dillon Brown[12]; 8. 24-Jacob Brown[7]; 9. 515-Bubba Roling[16]; 10. 22T-Jimmy Thomas[6]; 11. 11K-Davin Kaiser[3]; 12. 18G-Ricky Greene[14]; 13. 88D-Dalton Dowdy[1]; 14. P4-John Price[13]; 15. 98-Matt Dooley[10]; 16. 2S-Layton Sullivan[18]; 17. (DNS) 47-Gavin Cowan; 18. (DNS) 23-Beckham Malone; 19. (DNS) 00R-John Ruggiero Jr; 20. (DNS) 127-Austin Yarbrough; 21. (DNS) G4-Trent Ivey

Donovan Lussier Opens Ninth World Short Track Championship with DIRTcar Sportsman Feature Win

Fifteen Feature wins. An Airborne Park Speedway track championship. And now, a Feature win at The Dirt Track at Charlotte for Donovan Lussier.

The 20-year-old from St-Denis-sur-Richelieu, QC, made the 1,000-mile trip south to the famed dirt track in Concord, NC, to compete in the World Short Track Championship for the first time in his career and wasted little time making his mark, scoring the win in Thursday night’s VP Racing DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Feature.

Lussier took the green flag from outside Row 3 in the 15-lap main event. Working the middle lane around the 4/10-mile oval, Lussier advanced four spots in the opening lap to move to second and set his sights on leader and fellow Quebec-native Jeffrey Lapalme.

The two crossed the start/finish line less than 0.2 seconds apart. Lussier charged hard into Turn 1 and used the momentum from the fast middle groove to pull ahead of Lapalme at the exit of Turn 2.

Lapalme dove deep into Turn 3 in an effort to defend the spot but could not outmuscle Lussier’s speed. Lussier then completed the pass out of Turn 4 and crossed the stripe to lead Lap 2.

From there, it was smooth sailing for Lussier out front as he led the rest of the distance unchallenged to claim his first career DIRTcar Sportsman Series win in his first-ever appearance at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

“Starting on the outside there helped me,” Lussier said. “I didn’t know if the groove was good, but once I passed a couple cars, I knew I could stick right there in the middle and slide up on exit and be good and fast.”

Lapalme held on to finish second while David Rogers completed the podium in third. Cody Ochs drove from eighth on the starting grid to finish fourth while Savannah Laflair rounded out the top five.

UP NEXT

The VP Racing DIRTcar Sportsman return to action at The Dirt Track at Charlotte on Friday, Nov. 1, with a round of Heat Races which will set a portion of Saturday’s Championship Feature lineup.

Tickets for the event are on sale at DIRTcar.com/WorldShortTrack and will be available at the track on race day. If you can’t be there to watch in person, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

RESULTS

Championship Feature (15 Laps): 1. 61L-Donovan Lussier[6]; 2. 88-Jeffrey Lapalme[1]; 3. 44-David Rogers[2]; 4. 02-Cody Ochs[8]; 5. 16X-Savannah Laflair[4]; 6. 165K-Karston King[3]; 7. 52-Jessica Power[5]; 8. 14-Payton Talbot[14]; 9. 80-Joshua Jock[20]; 10. 32C-Carter Crooker[10]; 11. 49-Chris Jakubiak[19]; 12. 38JR-Jason Parkhurst Jr[9]; 13. 01-Zachary Buff[18]; 14. 26-Derrick McGrew[17]; 15. 10-Darin Gallagher[12]; 16. 35T-Cameron Tuttle[13]; 17. 23-David Dickey[16]; 18. 20X-Kevin Ridley[15]; 19. 6W-Kyle Whitney[11]; 20. 57-Ray Hall Jr[7]

ON THE HAMMER: Kyle Hammer Holds on for DIRTcar UMP Modified Championship Feature Victory
Hammer begins World Short Track Championship Week with an impressive win

By Alex Nieten

Kyle Hammer put the hammer down on Thursday night at The Dirt Track at Charlotte as the ninth World Short Track Championship came to life.

The Clinton, IL-native entered the Summit Racing Equipment DIRTcar UMP Modified Championship Feature hungry for his first win of the year. A front row starting spot put that opportunity within his grasp, and Hammer capitalized.

A strong first lap allowed Hammer to get the lead early before things got a little dicey in traffic late, but ultimately he held on and led every lap on his way to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Victory Lane.

“I felt like we were pretty good there,” Hammer said. “Until one time in Turn 4, I thought I was knocking the wall down, lost the air off the nose behind one of the lapped cars and went sliding across the track. But I felt like we were good. I don’t know how far we were ahead. I think we have a good car and something to work on.”

Hammer became the seventh different winner of the DIRTcar UMP Modified Thursday Championship main event. He’s the first from the “Land of Lincoln” to top the event.

Pole-sitter Gary Dillon got the initial jump out of Turn 4 when the green flag waved on the 15-lapper, but Hammer ripped the top side of Turns 1 and 2 to lead down the back straightaway. Michael Leach slipped by Dillon in Turns 3 and 4 to snag the runner-up spot.

Hammer wasted no time growing his advantage north of a second in the opening circuits, but it wouldn’t be an easy cruise to Victory Lane as lapped traffic became a factor late. With four laps remaining, Leach cut Hammer’s lead down under seven tenths of a second as Hammer fought dirty air.

Right when the margin between first and second tightened, Hammer managed to clear a couple lapped cars just in time and was able to drive away to victory and start his World Short Track Championship on a high note. Michael Leach and Will Krup completed the podium after Krup fended off a late surge from Cole Falloway.

A little further back, three-time Summit Racing Equipment DIRTcar UMP Modified Championship Feature winner, Kyle Strickler, put on a show. The “High Side Tickler” charged all the way from the tail of the field (20th) to a top five without the help of a caution.

UP NEXT: The Summit Racing Equipment DIRTcar UMP Modifieds are back in action at Charlotte on Friday, Nov. 1 with Heat Races before Last Chance Showdowns and their $4,000-to-win finale on Saturday. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, don’t miss a lap on DIRTVision.

RESULTS:

Championship Feature (15 Laps): 1. 45-Kyle Hammer[2]; 2. 00-Michael Leach[3]; 3. K9-Will Krup[4]; 4. 66-Cole Falloway[5]; 5. 8-Kyle Strickler[20]; 6. 12R-Ty Rhoades[8]; 7. 18-Charlie Mefford[11]; 8. 8A-Austin Holcombe[6]; 9. 5-Jonathan Taylor[14]; 10. 82-Gary Dillon[1]; 11. 88-Matt Crafton[18]; 12. 35-Carder Miller[19]; 13. 21-Taylor Cook[13]; 14. 7-Evan Taylor[10]; 15. 44-Dave Hess Jr[7]; 16. 84-Ryan Toole[17]; 17. 25-Greg Belyea[12]; 18. 6-Ryan Ayers[9]; 19. (DNS) 5T-Drake Troutman; 20. (DNS) 31G-Stephen Pedulla

Slater Baker Wins DIRTcar Pro Stock Feature on Opening Night of Ninth World Short Track Championship

In his first career appearance at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Slater Baker is taking a trophy from the World Short Track Championship back home to Gloversville, NY.

The 27-year-old Capital Region driver scored his first career DIRTcar Pro Stock Series win Thursday night, leading every lap of the MSD Pro Stock main event from the pole of the starting grid.

Baker was forced to survive several restarts en route to the win. In his own words, “It was just stay up front, and don’t let them by.”

Originally scheduled for 15 laps, an incident in Turn 3 brought out the red flag with 8 laps complete, prompting officials to declare the race official due to time constraints.

UP NEXT

The MSD DIRTcar Pro Stocks return to action at The Dirt Track at Charlotte on Friday, Nov. 1, with a round of Heat Races which will set a portion of Saturday’s Championship Feature lineup.

Tickets for the event are on sale at DIRTcar.com/WorldShortTrack and will be available at the track on race day. If you can’t be there to watch in person, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

RESULTS

Championship Feature (8 Laps): 1. 9B-Slater Baker[1]; 2. 75-Gary Silkey[2]; 3. 54S-Zachary Sorrentino[3]; 4. 771-Jim Duncan[5]; 5. 09-Shawn Perez Sr[6]; 6. 63-Ryan Crellin[7]; 7. 72G-Denis Gauvreau[9]; 8. 48-Jocelyn Roy[10]; 9. 6C-Brian Carter[4]; 10. 4M-Jordan Modiano[8]; 11. 2H-Luke Horning[13]; 12. 2-Pete Stefanski[17]; 13. 8L-Marc Lalonde[16]; 14. 09J-Shawn Perez Jr[18]; 15. 28-Philip DeFiglio[15]; 16. 57W-Joe Wilson[11]; 17. 9-Shane Henderson[14]; 18. 921-Eric Jean Louis[12]; 19. 17-Marc Peladeau[19]; 20. 177-Chris Stalker[20]

October 31, 2024

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are headed to Martinsville Speedway, the home track of their team owners, the Wood Brothers from nearby Stuart, Va.

The Motorcraft/Quick Lane team is always highly motivated to perform well at Martinsville, given the Wood family’s association with the track. It was at Martinsville back in 1953 that Wood Brothers founder Glenn Wood made his and the team’s debut on the elite NASCAR circuit now known as the Cup Series.

Sunday’s Xfinity 500 will be Burton’s sixth Cup start on the challenging, paper-clip-shaped oval, and it will be the 127thMartinsville start for the Wood Brothers.

This weekend many fans will watch from the Glenn Wood Tower as Burton and interim crew chief Grant Hutchens campaign the No. 21 Mustang Dark Horse.

Hutchens will lead the team in the season finale at Phoenix, after which Miles Stanley will assume the role of crew chief for the No. 21 team and its driver for 2025, Josh Berry.

Eddie Wood said that despite the upcoming changes to the line-up, the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team is committed to finishing the 2024 season with two strong runs.

“The team raced hard at Homestead, and I look for the same kind of effort at Martinsville,” he said.

Practice for the Xfinity 500 is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time to be followed by qualifying at 2:05. Coverage can be found on the NBC Sports App.

Sunday’s 500-lap, 263-mile race is set to get the green flag just after 2 p.m., with TV coverage on NBC.

Stage breaks are planned for Laps 130 and 260. 
 

INDIANAPOLIS (October 31, 2024) — The 2nd annual SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout, February 6-8, 2025, continues to show its merits as a premier event for national brands with the addition of PPG as a premium sponsor. PPG will utilize the hospitality benefits of the three-day event as well as social media content opportunities and FloRacing’s livestream platform.  “Having a company like PPG see the marketing and promotional benefits of the SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout shows us we are building an event that is not just great for the fans but also great for corporate partners,” said Alan Johnson, PRO president. “There will be more exciting announcements in the future, and we can’t wait to get to Bradenton Motorsports Park in February.” Bob Tasca III blasted to over 340 mph at the inaugural event representing PPG, photo credit PRO Superstar ShootoutPPG has been a long-time sponsor of nitro Funny Car driver and team owner Bob Tasca III. During the inaugural SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout Tasca unveiled his PPG FORD DARK HORSE NITRO MUSTANG Funny Car and proceeded to post the fastest speed in drag racing history, becoming the first driver in any category to exceed 340 mph with his 341.68 mph pass. “Having PPG step up to promote this race and leverage the thrill of drag racing is a huge win for everyone involved,” said Bob Tasca III, driver of the PPG Dark Horse Ford Mustang Funny Car. “It’s about igniting passion and excitement for fans and showcasing the innovation that drives this sport. PPG understands the power of connection and adrenaline and bringing that energy to drag racing is awesome! I can’t wait to race.” PPG will also be highlighted during the FloRacing broadcast of the event through commercial segments, reaching a vast streaming audience. The addition of PPG to the previously announced partnership with SCAG Power Equipment and upcoming sponsor announcements is a testament to both teams and partners commitment to the success of the 2nd annual SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout.   Additional announcements including participating drivers, sponsors and schedule of events, including open testing on Thursday, February 6, will be announced shortly at www.prosuperstarshootout.com. Tickets can be purchased here.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA2024 FORD PERFORMANCE NHRA NATIONALS THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY LAS VEGAS, NEVADA TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE | NOTES & STATS NOVEMBER 1-3, 2024 TEAM CHEVY HEADS TO THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY FIRST AND SECOND IN FUNNY CAR POINTS WITH JOHN FORCE RACING

Notes:The penultimate event of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season sees Team Chevy taking on The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals Nov. 1-3.Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car drivers Austin Prock and Jack Beckman of John Force Racing currently sit first and second, respectively, in the Countdown to the Championship. Prock leads Beckman, who is racing on behalf of team owner and 16-time champion John Force, by 147 points.Force, who has been sidelined and recovering from a traumatic brain injury stemming from his on-track incident in Richmond, returns to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend in support of his team.Heading into the second of two events at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this year, Prock raced to runner-up in the spring Four-Wide event.Together, the trio of Funny Car pilots (Prock, Force, and Beckman) at John Force Racing this season have combined for a staggering 10 wins and 14 No. 1 qualifiers, with Prock himself racing to seven wins and 13 No. 1 qualifiers in his first full year behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car. Force holds two wins and one No. 1 qualifier, and Beckman has raced to one win so far racing on behalf of Force.Brittany Force, driver of the Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, heads to Las Vegas looking for a return to the Winner’s Circle, and currently sits eighth in the Countdown to the Championship, just 190 separating the top eight.Eyeing The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Team Chevy looks to capture the 400th Pro Stock victory since 1970. Dallas Glenn, racing to his fifth victory in 2024 at the Texas Motorplex, captured Chevrolet’s 399th in the category.Racing for the inaugural Holley EFI Factory X title, Chevrolet COPO Camaro competitor Aaron Stanfield, a three-time FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown champion, leads over his father Greg Stanfield by 57 points. Lenny Lottig is in third, trailing A. Stanfield by 63 points.

Quotes:AUSTIN PROCK, DRIVER OF THE CORNWELL TOOLS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:“I’m ready to get back after it in the Cornwell Tools Camaro. It’s been a long few off weekends (since the Dallas loss) and I’m ready to stand on the gas again. Conditions look great for some great racing (and) we’re looking for another solid weekend. “We’re not treating this race any different than any other one. We want to go out there and run low E.T. every round and we want to win every race. If you’re competitive, and a racer, that’s what you expect, and I believe you can do that. We want to do good for JFR, we want to do good for Robert, and we want to do good for Cornwell and all our other great partners.” JACK BECKMAN, DRIVER OF THE PEAK ANTIFREEZE AND COOLANT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:“After not being able to race at our last event in Dallas, I am looking forward to climbing back in the PEAK Chevy this week at Las Vegas. We’ll have our boss there to cheer us on, and posting another win for him is our ultimate goal.” BRITTANY FORCE, DRIVER OF THE CHEVROLET TOP FUEL DRAGSTER:“I’m excited to get back to Las Vegas with my Chevrolet Accessories dragster. The Strip has always been a strong track for us and it’s easily one of my favorite places to race. We’ve had great moments there, including winning (the Nevada Nationals) in 2019 and winning both races in 2022, and to have my dad back at this year’s race would make a win even more special. With only two races left, we’re focused on finishing strong and moving up in the points for a finish we can be proud of.”

How to Watch:The Ford Performance NHRA Nationals from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway airs first with Friday qualifying on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Sunday’s finals air following, also on FS1, at 5 p.m. ET. Coverage streams live throughout the weekend on NHRA.tv, and is available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS:1,460: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time). Jack Beckman, who is currently racing on behalf of John Force in 2024’s Countdown to the Championship and second in points, has a Round W-L record of 12-5 in six events.626: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 633.167: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time).169: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967.84: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time). Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) is fifth with 88.89: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro SS body.50: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force.28: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. This is the seventh consecutive award and ninth in 11 seasons. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.26: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car.20: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA.16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force.7: Number of Funny Car driver championships.2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships.

Two-Time Top Fuel World Champion Back at Site of Her Last Tour Victory

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (Oct.29, 2024) – In no other event in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series has Brittany Force won a higher percentage of her two-car heats than she has in the NHRA Nevada Nationals, contested this week for the 24th time at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Nevertheless, her 18-8 elimination record is far from the only reason the two-time Top Fuel World Champion is encouraged about her chances of ending a two-year victory drought in this, the next-to-last race of the year. “I’m excited to get back to Las Vegas with my Chevrolet Accessories dragster,” said the 16-time tour winner. “The Strip has always been a strong track for us and it’s easily one of my favorite places to race. We’ve had great moments there, including winning (the Nevada Nationals) in 2019 and winning both races in 2022 and to have my dad back at this year’s race would make a win even more special.” The only other Top Fuel drivers to sweep the Las Vegas races are Larry Dixon and Steve Torrence and Dixon did so in 2002, before the spring race morphed into the tour’s second four-wide event. Her 2022 victory in the fall race, one in which she used a stellar .034 of a second reaction time to upend Mike Salinas on a final round hole shot, was the last time she and her team celebrated in the winners’ circle.  “With only two races left, we’re focused on finishing strong and moving up in the points for a finish we can be proud of,” said the 38-year-old former NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year who, in 2017, became the first woman in 35 years to win the championship in drag racing’s signature category.  The track record holder for both time and speed at 3.652 seconds and 338.17 miles per hour, marks she established in 2019, Force has started from the No. 1 qualifying position in two of her last three appearances in the Nevada Nationals and in three of her last five races this season.  In a pair of afternoon qualifying sessions on both Friday and Saturday in conditions that likely will mimic those on race day, Force will try to secure the 51st No. 1 start of her pro career in a Chevy Accessories machine prepared by crew chiefs David Grubnic and John Collins. As a driver, Grubnic was the Top Fuel runner-up at this race 18 years ago. As a crew chief, he has put a car on the drag racing equivalent of the NASCAR “pole” four times in his last seven tries in the Nevada Nationals. * * * * 24th NHRA Nevada Nationals SCHEDULE Friday, Nov. 1Nitro qualifying, 1 and 3:30 p.m., PDT.Saturday, Nov. 2Nitro qualifying, 1 and 3:30 p.m., PDT (Daylight Savings Time ends before Sunday eliminations)Sunday, Nov. 3First round eliminations, 11 a.m., PST JFR ON FS1 Sunday, Nov. 3Qualifying show, 3-5 p.m., ESTEliminations, 5-8 p.m., EST

The white flag for the 2024 NASCAR season will fly this weekend as all three NASCAR national series will head to Martinsville Speedway for the final race of the Round of Eight. Chevrolet enters the elimination weekend as the only manufacturer to have an early championship bid in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series, with CR7 Motorsports’ Grant Enfinger, Kaulig Racing’s AJ Allmendinger and Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill keeping the Bowtie brand undefeated in the Round of Eight in both divisions. In the NASCAR Cup Series, Chevrolet returns to the Virginia short-track with the momentum from a podium sweep in the series’ spring appearance at the track – recorded by Chevrolet’s three remaining playoff contenders William Byron, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway: The oldest and shortest track on the circuit, Martinsville Speedway’s rich history dates back to the NASCAR Cup Series’ inaugural season (1949), with Sunday’s XFINITY 500 marking the series’ 152nd appearance at the track. Chevrolet paces its manufacturer competitors with 61 all-time triumphs in NASCAR’s top division at “The Paperclip”. Nearly half of those victories have come in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, who is also the series’ winningest organization at the track with 29 victories. The organization’s current quartet of drivers have earned victories in five of the past eight Cup Series races at the track, dating back to Chase Elliott’s walk-off win in the Round of Eight elimination race in his championship-earning season (2020). William Byron is a two-time winner at the Virginia short-track (2022 & 2024), with Alex Bowman (2021) and Kyle Larson (2023) each earning a victory.

BYRON LEADS CHEVROLET IN FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP PUSHThe checkered flag in Sunday’s 500-lap race at Martinsville Speedway will determine the final two drivers that will compete for the coveted NASCAR Cup Series championship title. The series’ most recent Martinsville winner, William Byron, leads the charge for the Bowtie brand heading into the elimination weekend – sitting fourth in the standings with a seven-point advantage over the cutline. Former series champions, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, find themselves on the outside looking in – occupying the fifth and eighth positions, respectively, in the playoff rankings. On top of each owning a victory at Martinsville Speedway, the trio of Hendrick Motorsports drivers will return to the Virginia short-track following a podium sweep in the spring event.

Byron Back to DefendThere’s no greater confidence than returning to a track as the defending winner, and William Byron and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team have just that heading into the Martinsville race weekend. In five races in the Next Gen era at the track, the 26-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina, native has tallied three top-10 results, including two trips to victory lane. The driver most recently took home the coveted grandfather clock earlier this season to cap-off Hendrick Motorsports’ 40th anniversary weekend. While sitting above the elimination line, Byron is no stranger to feeling the playoff pressure in the Round of Eight. One year ago, a double-digit points cushion quickly diminished after the team struggled to find pace throughout the weekend. But the combination of continued adjustments from atop the pit box and an all-out fight behind the wheel was enough for the No. 24 Chevrolet team to point their way into the Championship Four.

Larson Finds Martinsville Success with Hendrick MotorsportsThe Round of Eight has been nothing short of a rollercoaster for Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team. At Homestead-Miami Speedway, Larson found himself in the 34th position following a cut tire near the midway point of Stage One. But to no surprise, the Cliff Daniels-led team turned the misfortune into what could have been the ultimate comeback. Larson was back in position to battle for the lead with just 12 laps remaining in the race, but an unsuccessful attempt to pass then-race leader, Ryan Blaney, put the former series champion out of contention – resulting in a 13th-place finish and a drop in the standings to fifth position. A valiant effort to recover from a tough Round of Eight proves that you can’t count out the No. 5 Chevrolet team. While Martinsville Speedway hasn’t always been Larson’s best track early in his career, pairing with Hendrick Motorsports has given him a statistical turnaround at the Virginia short-track. In seven starts with Hendrick Motorsports at Martinsville Speedway, Larson has posted five top-six results, including a win and two runner-up finishes in the Next Gen era.

Elliott Channeling ‘Must-Win’ ConfidenceDespite still facing a ‘must-win’ situation to fight for their second championship title, Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team put together a strong 49-point race at Homestead-Miami Speedway to prove they are still in the fight. Another boost of confidence for the Alan Gustafson-led team comes from past experience in a similar position during the 2020 season. Also entering the elimination race with a double-digit deficit, Elliott led nearly half of the race en route to his first victory at Martinsville Speedway and his first berth into the Championship Four – ultimately paving the way to his championship title.

HOCEVAR CLOSING IN ON ROOKIE TITLEHeading into the Martinsville race weekend, Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar has the opportunity to complete an early clinch of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year title. With 34 races complete, the 21-year-old Portage, Michigan, native holds a monstrous lead in the standings with a 110-point advantage over second-place Josh Berry. Hocevar has been the top-placing rookie in 14 races this season. The Chevrolet driver has tallied six top-10 results thus far in his rookie campaign – recorded on three different track configurations, including four different intermediate ovals, a short-track and a road course.

HILL TAKES CHEVROLET TO SECOND CHAMPIONSHIP BERTHRichard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill made one of his most memorable trips to victory lane last weekend – earning his fourth victory of the season and a ticket to his first Championship Four appearance. The 30-year-old Winston, Georgia, native earned the first playoff berth of 2024 with his victory in the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway. Hill went on to sweep the pair of races at his home track of Atlanta Motor Speedway, with his victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway making Hill the series’ winningest driver this season. The No. 21 Chevrolet team delivered the Bowtie brand its second automatic bid into the Championship Four, with Kaulig Racing’s AJ Allmendinger securing his spot in the championship-deciding race with a victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Allgaier Leads in Fight for Final Two SpotsFour Chevrolet playoff contenders are left to vie for the final two positions in the Championship Four. Leading the charge for the Bowtie brand is JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier, who will enter the elimination weekend ranked third in the playoff standings with a 35-point cushion over the cutline. Despite a disappointing opening round, the 38-year-old Riverton, Illinois, native has turned his postseason performance around in the Round of Eight – driving his No. 7 Camaro SS to a pair of top-10 results, including a podium finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. While already sitting in a favorable points position, Allgaier also has past success at Martinsville Speedway on his side – earning the victory and a Championship Four berth at the track one year ago. The veteran is the only driver among the remaining playoff contenders that have found victory lane at “The Paperclip”.  Jesse Love, Sam Mayer and Sammy Smith sit in the sixth through eighth positions, respectively, in the playoff standings and are faced with a ‘must-win’ situation. The trio of young Chevrolet drivers are coming of strong performances in the series’ spring appearance at the Virginia short-track, each earning top-10 results.

ENFINGER BUILDING CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENTUM With a combination of experienced strategy calls from atop the pit box and veteran moves behind the wheel, Grant Enfinger took the checkered flag at Homestead-Miami Speedway to keep the No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet team undefeated in the Round of Eight. The second-half of the season has proven Enfinger’s true championship potential – earning nine top-10 results in the past 11 races, including two wins and six podium finishes. This season will mark Enfinger’s third Championship Four appearance, with the Chevrolet driver coming off his career-best points finish of second last season. Enfinger could be setting up for his best shot yet at the championship title. Crew chief, Jeff Stankiewicz, knows what it takes to call a championship-winning race at Phoenix Raceway – previously leading Sheldon Creed and the No. 2 GMS Racing Chevrolet team to the title in 2020.

Eckes Adds to Top-10 Streak, Points Cushion McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes is one step closer to turning a career season into his first appearance in the Championship Four. Earning his 19th straight top-10 result of the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the 23-year-old Middletown, New York, native was able to build his points cushion to 38-markers heading into the elimination weekend. Among the three playoff contenders that have a Martinsville victory to their name includes Eckes, who drove his No. 19 Silverado RST to the win in the series’ last appearance at the track (April 2024).  Also eyeing a victory for a Championship Four berth includes Spire Motorsports’ Rajah Caruth (fifth; -22 points), McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Tyler Ankrum (seventh; -41 points) and Rev Racing’s Nick Sanchez (eighth; -43 points).

THAT’S A WRAP ON 2024 ‘MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER’ CAMPAIGNFor the 14th consecutive year, Chevrolet has partnered with the American Cancer Society and its ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ initiative. The specially-themed pink Camaro SS served as the official pace vehicle for two NASCAR Cup Series races during the month of October, including Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. For every caution lap the pink Camaro SS completed, Chevrolet will make a donation of $350 (up to $50,000) to the American Cancer Society to honor the ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ initiative.  Heading into the Homestead race weekend, the running total sat at $8,400 following the first race of the campaign at Talladega Superspeedway. With 30 laps made under caution during the Cup Series’ penultimate race of the Round of Eight at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Chevrolet will contribute an additional $10,500, bringing the campaign’s total to $18,900 for 2024.

BOWTIE BULLETS:·       With 87 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has earned a winning percentage of 50.6% with 44 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – 15 wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – 18 wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – 11 wins). ·       In 16 tripleheader weekends this season, Chevrolet is the only manufacturer to earn a weekend sweep – accomplishing the feat four times (Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway).  ·       Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Martinsville Speedway:     Kyle Busch – two wins (2016 & 2017)William Byron – two wins (2022 & 2024)Kyle Larson – one win (2023)Chase Elliott – one win (2020) ·       In 151 NASCAR Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway, Chevrolet has recorded 61 victories and 57 pole wins – both of which are series-leading records.  ·       In 106 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 52 victories – a winning percentage of 49.1%.  ·       With its 42 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 866 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

Manufacturer Points Standings Chevrolet: 1240Ford: 1195 (-45)Toyota: 1195 (-45)

Manufacturer Points Standings Chevrolet: 1158Toyota: 1098 (-60)Ford: 999 (-159)

Manufacturer Points Standings Chevrolet: 785Toyota: 736 (-49)Ford: 705 (-80)

TUNE-IN:NASCAR Cup SeriesRound of Eight: Elimination RaceXFINITY 500 Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m. ET(NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90) NASCAR Xfinity SeriesRound of Eight: Elimination RaceNational Debt Relief 250Saturday, Nov. 2, at 4 p.m. ET(CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90) NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesRound of Eight: Elimination RaceZip Buy Now, Pay Later 200Saturday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m. ET(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

QUOTABLE QUOTES:ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 MOOSE FRATERNITY CAMARO ZL1What do you think about Martinsville?“I like Martinsville and can’t wait to get there this weekend. Obviously, it’s a special place for me because of the wall ride, but it’s a great, old track. It’s great to drive up there from Mooresville, walk down the hill into the track and have a hot dog after the race. It’s certainly important to get a good qualifying spot because it’s such a small track and the pace is quick.” It has been a couple of years now, but it’s still talked about and will be forever, but what made you decide to ride the wall at Martinsville?“I thought about a lot of the negatives in my head and none of them seemed really bad, so I did it. I hope it’s a single line item in a long list with all kinds of wins and different things.” KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1Larson on Martinsville Speedway: “We’ve got a win and a couple second-place finishes I think at Martinsville since I joined Hendrick Motorsports. It’s not always been a great track for me, but I think that Hendrick Motorsports has a great package for the track and it has definitely helped me. Hopefully, we can battle for stage wins and the victory on Sunday.” JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 7 OPTIC GAMING / GAINBRIDGE SPORT CAMARO ZL1How do you look to flip your recent momentum and end the season on a high note?“The season is coming to an end fast and I’m motivated to get the momentum rolling on the No. 7. It has been a learning experience to this point, but I feel if we unload a fast OpTic Gaming/Gainbridge Camaro on Saturday, we have a shot at a great day on Sunday.” KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 CHEDDAR’S SCRATCH KITCHEN CAMARO ZL1How important was it to participate in the recent tire test at Martinsville Speedway? Are you pleased with the tire compound chosen for this race?“Anytime you’re able to get that added track time is definitely beneficial. Track time is limited this day and age with not much practice and no open tests for everyone. I think we learned a few things at the test that will hopefully help us at the race. I feel like the tire compounds that were chosen are going to be better than what we had before.” How rewarding would it be for you to put together a strong run at Martinsville Speedway?“It would certainly be nice to get back on track with a good short track package and find some success at Martinsville again. I feel like my notes and laps at the recent test from Martinsville should help pay dividends for our team and have a strong run.” CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1Elliott his mentality heading into this weekend’s elimination race: “I try hard not to overthink the situation. To be candid, we’ve been in this spot before, so it’s not like this is the first time I’ve been through this or had to experience this. Having done that before and been in this spot, I think that it gives you a little bit of a sense of peace and just kind of knowing how to handle it and knowing that your team can get it done.” WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1Byron on racing at Martinsville Speedway: “It’s a place that I know everyone at Hendrick Motorsports puts a lot of emphasis on being competitive at. I know last fall isn’t what we wanted and I’m hopeful that when we go back this time in the fall we’re really competitive. We know what the mission is for the weekend and it’s our job to execute and make it happen.” ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1Bowman on racing at Martinsville Speedway: “I think we probably should have finished a little better than eighth there (Martinsville Speedway) in the spring. We kind of got run over every which way at the green-white checkered (flag). I think we can be strong there, for sure. Obviously cheering hard for my Hendrick Motorsports teammates to go make the Champ. 4. We are doing everything we can to go run up front and maybe come home with a trophy. I love Martinsville. It’s become an entirely different animal with this Next Gen. car. It will be interesting to see what this new soft tire does too- it’s supposed to have a lot of fall off. If it falls off like predicted, we will see a lot of green flag pit stops, which we rarely see at Martinsville (Speedway).” ZANE SMITH, NO. 71 FOCUSED HEALTH CAMARO ZL1After Homestead, what can you look forward to at Martinsville this weekend?“We had a lot of positives at Homestead. I think the positive momentum will continue in Martinsville this weekend. Last Sunday, we were making progress until the contact with the wall, but that’s just part of racing. My Spire Motorsports team never gives up and they work hard to give me a fast Focused Health Chevy Camaro each week. I’m really looking forward to finishing the season strong with these next two races.” CARSON HOCEVAR, NO. 77 PREMIER SECURITY CAMARO ZL1The short tracks have had a learning curve for you this year. How do you look to flip the narrative this weekend at Martinsville?“I am still learning and getting my feet under me at short tracks like Martinsville. It’s hard to make up ground when you lack grip, and aggressive moves can easily damage the car. On mile-and-a-half tracks, I can manipulate the air to my advantage, even if I lack grip. You can’t do that as easily at short tracks, so I rely on the car’s strength. Our team’s overall strength can compensate for my lack of experience at the short tracks. We’ve been strong on all track types recently, so I’m confident in our ability to run well at Martinsville and closing out the year strong.” DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 JOCKEY OUTDOORS BY LUKE BRYAN CAMARO ZL1 What are your thoughts on Martinsville and Phoenix?“These races in Martinsville and Phoenix are important races to us. They say you are only as good as your last race so with the off-season coming up we want to close this season out well and have a good feeling about going into next year. Last year we qualified well in Martinsville with top-10s so we need to do that again on Saturday. I feel like we have had good race cars and expect that again on Sunday.”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics Manufacturers Championships:Total (1949-2023): 42First title for Chevrolet: 1958Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15) Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023 Drivers Championships:Total (1949-2021): 33First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021) Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021 Event Victories:Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)                2024 STATISTICS:                                                                                                    Wins: 15Poles: 10Laps Led: 3,265Top-Five Finishes: 67Top-10 Finishes: 138Stage Wins: 22·       Chase Elliott: 1 ·       Kyle Larson: 12·       Ross Chastain: 2·       William Byron: 2·       Shane van Gisbergen: 1·       Daniel Suarez: 1·       Kyle Busch: 1·       Alex Bowman: 1·       AJ Allmendinger: 1 CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 866 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 753 Laps led to date: 252,420Top-five finishes to date: 4,365Top-10 finishes to date: 8,998                                                                                                          Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:                    General Motors: 1,200           Chevrolet: 866           Pontiac: 154           Oldsmobile: 115           Buick: 65            Ford: 838                                                                      Ford: 738           Mercury: 96           Lincoln: 4            Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467           Dodge: 217           Plymouth: 191           Chrysler: 59            Toyota: 189

Cornwell Tools Camaro Driver Also Has Qualifying Record in His Sights

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (Oct. 29, 2024) – Three weeks after a mechanical issue took him out of contention in the Texas Fall Nationals, Austin Prock resumes his drive to drag racing history this week when he sends the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS after the Funny Car Championship in the 24th NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 29-year-old Funny Car rookie will roll to the starting line for Friday’s first qualifying session with a 147-point lead over the field. The driver closest to him in the standings is John Force Racing teammate Jack Beckman, who has been medically cleared to compete after withdrawing from the Texas Fall Nationals with vertigo-like symptoms. “I’m ready to get back after it in the Cornwell Tools Camaro,” Prock said. “It’s been a long few off weekends (since the Dallas loss) and I’m ready to stand on the gas again. Conditions look great for some great racing (and) we’re looking for another solid weekend.” “Solid” has been the operative word for the Cornwell Camaro team since it debuted with a pre-season victory in the inaugural PRO Superstar Shootout at Bradenton, Fla. After a throw-away effort in the rain-plagued Winternationals at Pomona, Calif., last March, Prock has been the Funny Car point leader after the last 12 races thanks to a best-of-season seven wins, one of them in the world’s most prestigious single event, the Labor Day U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, Ind. Although the championship remains his priority, Prock will roll onto the concrete-and-asphalt at LVMS for four qualifying rounds with a chance to re-write a page of Funny Car history. He has set the qualifying pace at 13 of 18 races this year, tying the single season record set by boss and mentor John Force 28 years ago. If Vegas was handicapping his chances of eclipsing that mark, they would be off the board considering the fact that he is driving the Chevy that qualified No. 1 at this race the last two years when a now medically sidelined Robert Hight was in the seat.  It’s virtually the same car, prepared by the same Jimmy Prock-led crew in which Hight won last year before handing the reins to his you protege, his crew chief’s son, whose previous experience was in Top Fuel dragsters, quarter midgets and sprint cars. “We’re not treating this race any different than any other one,” Prock said. “We want to go out there and run low E.T. evert round and we want to win every race. If you’re competitive, and a racer, that’s what you expect and I believe you can do that. We want to do good for JFR; we want to do good for Robert and we want to do good for Cornwell and all our other great partners.” Owner of the season’s quickest elapsed time at 3.813 seconds, Prock believes he is more motivated than at any time in his racing career in the knowledge that he is chasing history with his family. In addition to his dad, who makes the tuning decisions on the black-and-blue Camaro, brother Thomas is a key member of a brain trust that also includes Nate Hildahl. * * * * 24th NHRA Nevada Nationals SCHEDULE Friday, Nov. 1Nitro qualifying, 1 and 3:30 p.m., PDT.Saturday, Nov. 2Nitro qualifying, 1 and 3:30 p.m., PDT (Daylight Savings Time ends before Sunday eliminations)Sunday, Nov. 3First round eliminations, 11 a.m., PST JFR ON FS1 Sunday, Nov. 3Qualifying show, 3-5 p.m., ESTEliminations, 5-8 p.m., EST

BECKMAN RESUMES TITLE BID IN PEAK CHEVROLETForce Among Those Supporting Former Champ at NHRA Nevada Nationals

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (Oct. 29, 2024) – It’s been four years since Jack Beckman turned a tire at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and 18 since last he hoisted the winner’s trophy in the NHRA Nevada Nationals, contested this week for the 24th time.   Nevertheless, those numbers haven’t diminished the 58-year-old’s confidence in either himself or the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS he is driving in relief of an injured John Force. After reluctantly withdrawing from the Texas Fall Nationals three weeks ago due to vertigo-like symptoms, the world’s fastest elevator repairman has been cleared to resume his bid for an NHRA Mission Foods championship in the same Chevy in which Force won two times this year before crashing heavily at Richmond, Va., on June 23. More important for both Beckman and a team led by Dan Hood, Chris Cunningham and Tim Fabrisi, though, is the fact that, after four months of convalescence, Force, too, will be back at the track if only to provide moral support. “After not being able to race at our last event in Dallas, I am looking forward to climbing back in the PEAK Chevy this week at Las Vegas,” Beckman said. “We’ll have our boss there to cheer us on and posting another win for him is our ultimate goal.” Beckman, who for 11 years was a full-time instructor at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School where his more than 7,000 students included Force’s wife, Laurie, and daughters Ashley, Brittany and Courtney, won 33 NHRA tour events and a series championship in a 15-year run with Don Schumacher Racing that ended in 2021, when the loss of sponsorship sent him back to his old job in the commercial elevator industry. The first of those Funny Car wins came in this event, on this track in 2006. He then made 27 appearances at LVMS without adding a second victory and had not expected to get another chance. But, that was before JFR President Robert Hight called to determine his level of interest in filling in for the man who bought him his first firesuit. In six races as Force’s proxy, Beckman has qualified no worst than sixth, has gone to two finals, secured a win in the NHRA Midwest Nationals at Madison, Ill. (St. Louis) and advanced to the semifinals on two other occasions, a performance that has him solidly in second place in the driver standings behind only JFR teammate Austin Prock. Although he has but one trophy to show for his 28 previous visits to the desert, the air force veteran’s fingerprints are all over the record books at LVMS. He still owns the track speed record of 335.90 miles per hour set in 2019 and, among active drivers, he has qualified No. 1 more often than anyone else – three times in this race (2016, 2017 and 2019) and four times overall. * * * * 24th NHRA Nevada Nationals SCHEDULE Friday, Nov. 1Nitro qualifying, 1 and 3:30 p.m., PDT.Saturday, Nov. 2Nitro qualifying, 1 and 3:30 p.m., PDT (Daylight Savings Time ends before Sunday eliminations)Sunday, Nov. 3First round eliminations, 11 a.m., PST JFR ON FS1 Sunday, Nov. 3Qualifying show, 3-5 p.m., ESTEliminations, 5-8 p.m., EST

BATAVIA, Ohio (October 30, 2024) – Despite an early exit in Saturday’s Dirt Track World Championship at Eldora Speedway, Drake Troutman capped off his first year on tour with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series by claiming the 2024 O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year honors. “It’s been an incredible experience,” Troutman said. “We knew going into this season there would be a lot of learning to do, but I think it was a success. I just need to thank everyone who helps out and plays a role on my team. All my crew guys, my mom, and all my sponsors; this season has been a total team effort. I am looking forward to the future.” In his debut season with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Troutman achieved his first national touring win at Lernerville Speedway on June 21. The 19-year-old also secured third place in one of the season’s premier events, the Sunoco North/South 100 held at Florence Speedway on August 10; Troutman’s season included five top-five performances and 15 top-ten finishes.  Troutman will receive an industry-leading $20,000 for his O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year title and over $10,000 in valuable products from various industry manufacturers including Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Earnhardt Technologies Group, Fast Shafts, FOX Shocks, Keyser Manufacturing, MD3, Pro Fabrication Headers, Poske’s Performance Parts, Schoenfeld Headers, Slicker Graphics, Simpson Race Products, Strange Oval, Summit Racing Equipment, Swift Springs, Thermo-Tec, Wieland Metal Services, Wilwood Brakes, and PEM Racing. Troutman’s DTR Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Jay Dickens Racing Engine and sponsored by Wheeler Fleet Solutions, RFI Resources, XS Batteries, Shaffer Construction, Shoe’s Diesel Performance, Stone Natural Resources, Glassmere Fuel Service, D&R Trucking, Thunderhill Trucking, Rice Tire, Smith Warehouse, Coltman Farms Racing, Claar’s Notary, ABC Supply Company, CertainTeed, Jerry’s Siding, Roofing & Widows, Bilstein Shocks, Slicker Graphics, Arizona Sports Shirts, Brinn Transmission, Sunoco Race Fuels, NGK Spark Plugs, Willy’s Carburetors. Clay Harris finished second in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year chase followed by Brenden Smith, Carson Ferguson, and Cory Lawler. For the latest news, results, championship standings, and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.lucasdirt.com. O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Year Standings:Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points 1 – 7T – Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 49202 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – 46053 – 17SS – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 40454 – 93F – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 40305 – 93 – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – 3850

CONCORD, NC (Oct. 30, 2024) – Scanning the World of Outlaws World Finals Sprint Car entry list you’ll find a 10-time champion, a history-making rookie, the leading open-wheel drivers in the country and Ricky Thornton Jr.

The recent national Late Model champion will attempt to make his World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series debut at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Nov. 6-9, piloting Bernie Stuebgen’s Indy Race Parts No. 71.

“It’s always something I wanted to do, just never had the right opportunity,” Thornton said. “I was fortunate enough to go test for three days, two of them at Charlotte. It’ll help my learning curve a lot. Obviously, not being in dirty air, there’s still a lot I’ll have to learn. I feel like we’re doing what we can to be as prepared as we can before World Finals.”

Thornton’s connection with Stuebgen stemmed from happenstance when the two parked next to each other during a race night two years ago. They kept in touch and waited for the right opportunity to work together.

Enter, 2024.

With his Late Model program in a place he was happy with, Thornton and Stuebgen targeted World Finals as the site of their debut. However, with rain washing out one of Thornton’s Late Model weekends, the duo decided to jump into an event at Lernerville Speedway. They didn’t qualify for the Features, but the experience gave Thornton a better idea of what he’ll be walking into at Charlotte.

“The biggest thing is a lot of like the way the car drives,” Thornton said. “Watching it and how the car feels in the seat, I feel, is completely different. Just figuring out that dirty air. Dirty air is big in the Late Model, but it is just as big in the Sprint Car, where if you lose air on the nose or lose air on the top wing… there’s just a lot I had to learn in a really quick time. Where at least now, I feel a little more confident going to Charlotte, what I should do and what I should absolutely not do.”

Thornton has only made four starts at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in a Late Model, but his last two saw him in Victory Lane with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models. They’re two victories he’ll try to defend as Thornton will also be pulling double duty all four nights, jumping back and forth the between the Sprint Car and the Koehler Motorsports No. 20RT Late Model.

“I think it’ll be alright,” Thornton said about jumping between the two cars. “I think the biggest hurdle is having the Sprint Car up top (in the upper pits) and the Late Model down below. That side of it, luckily, Bernie and all of them will have everything fully taken care of up there so I can just hop in and go. Where with the Late Model I’m a lot more involved. I kind of have to focus on both.

“But, obviously, one of our goals with the Sprint Car, at least for me, is to make the race, then just kind of go from there and see how we do. I feel like on our Late Model side, our car has been really good lately. We won the race last year, so we want to back that up.”

He won’t have to worry about there being speed in his No. 71 ride as it’s already visited Victory Lane at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Giovanni Scelzi piloted it to a win during the Patriot Nationals in 2019, out dueling Kyle Larson for the win. In total, Stuebgen has seen his car score three World of Outlaws victories – two with Scelzi and one with Shane Stewart.

Thornton was able to get some early laps around the 4/10-mile dirt track in the Indy Race Parts car during a couple of recent test sessions. He turned competitive laps, holding times in the 13 second bracket. Sheldon Haudenschild set overall Quick Time last year with a 13.694 second lap.

“I felt really good,” Thornton said about the test. “I made good laps and learned a few little things that’ll help me, as far as if it’s Qualifying or something like that. Overall, I had a blast. I jumped back and forth one day between the Late Model and the Sprint Car. It’s hard to realize how much faster the Sprint Car is until you get back in the Late Model. Like, I knew I was going fast, and then I ran the Late Model, and I was like, man, you’re going way faster than you really think about. Not that you’re nervous or anything like that. You just don’t realize it until you do go back-to-back.”

It’s a factor that may prove beneficial when he tries to repeat his Late Model victories. But overall, he said any track time, no matter the car, will be helpful track time.

World Finals is his only Sprint Car race on his radar right now, but Thornton didn’t turn down the idea of adding more races next year.

“Ideally, if I could run 10 races next year, that’d be awesome,” he said. “Obviously, our Late Model program is really good. I love Sprint Cars at the same time but if I could still run the Late Model full time and run the Sprint Car on off weekends or something like that, it would be pretty special.”

You can see Thornton compete with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models during the World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Nov. 6-9. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 30, 2024) – While the odds of Chris Dyson winning a fourth consecutive Trans Am by Pirelli season championship are now dauntingly long, his approach to the 2024 season finale at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, will be the same as it has been all year with his #16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang – win the pole and win the race. “The team has given me a strong car every weekend, a potential race winner,” said Dyson, winner from the pole at COTA in 2022. He has started on the pole four times and won or finished second in seven of the 10 races coming into the season finale this weekend. “But this year we’ve just had more than our share of simple bad luck.” At the season opener Dyson was eliminated in a first-turn crash. At Road America Dyson took the pole, was knocked of the track by the second-place driver and roared back into winning contention before his race was ended by an electrical issue. Dyson won another pole at the series’ penultimate round at VIR but a broken rear shock relegated him to a seventh place finish, now 93 points behind championship leader Paul Menard. “Paul and I have raced each other hard all season,” Dyson said. “COTA is an unrelenting place for a driver, and we should be a lot better this year than last. If I’d had a bit better luck, (Menard) and I would be having a shoot-out for the championship this weekend. It would take extremely bad luck on Paul’s part to lose the championship; I think as long as he starts the event, he can just play it safe. But I’ll do everything I can to make him earn the championship. I want to wrap up the season with the GYM WEED car at the front. To thank the guys who have worked so hard to give me such a fast machine all year.” Matos Strong Favorite For TA2 Title A 5th-place finish earlier this month at VIRginia International Raceway for TA2 championship point leader Rafa Matos, three spots behind current points runner-up Thomas Merrill, prevented two-time class champion Matos from securing the 2024 title prior to this weekend’s season finale.  Still, Matos and his Concord American Flagpole Ford Mustang bring to COTA an almost insurmountable 106-point lead over Merrill. Matos, who won from the pole at COTA on the way to his 2021 championship, will be the odds-on championship favorite when the green flag falls Sunday morning. For more on Chris Dyson Racing.Circuit of the Americas Schedule Qualifying takes place Saturday, November 2, 5:35 PM – 5:50 PM CT (6:35 PM – 6:50 PM ET) The 100-mile race takes the green flag Sunday, November 3, at 2:20 PM CT, (3:20 ET) Broadcast Schedule The race will be live-streamed on both the Trans Am and SpeedTour’s YouTube channels.  Additional Broadcast Coverage On MAVTV In addition to the livestream, highlights of the race will be broadcast the following Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET to MAVTV’s 22 million North American linear households and 175 million connected devices.

Historic team readies for 75th anniversary season

STUART, Va. (October 30, 2024) – Miles Stanley, a seasoned race engineer in the NASCAR Cup Series and longtime employee of Team Penske, will transition to Wood Brothers Racing in 2025 – the team’s 75th anniversary season – to serve as crew chief of the famed No. 21 Ford Mustang with driver Josh Berry.Stanley, a native of Akron, Ohio, currently serves as Team Penske’s performance engineering manager, a role he has held for three years. Previously, Stanley served as the race engineer for Joey Logano’s championship-winning No. 22 team from 2013 to 2019. He was instrumental in the team’s success those seven seasons including 21 wins and qualifying for the NASCAR Playoffs Championship 4 three times which led to the series title in 2018.After finishing fifth in the Cup Series standings in 2019, Stanley transitioned to the No. 12 team in 2020 with Ryan Blaney behind the wheel. The duo battled for race wins throughout the season, extending Ryan Blaney’s streak of four consecutive seasons with a win and playoff berth. In 2021, Stanley earned his first opportunity as a crew chief with Team Penske in the Cup Series, leading the team’s part-time No. 33 entry with Austin Cindric before taking on his current role in 2022 where he also contributed to the organization’s 2022 and 2023 Cup Series championships.“The Wood Brothers name is synonymous with the sport of NASCAR, and to be able to serve as the crew chief for the iconic No. 21 is an incredible opportunity,” said Stanley. “I’m looking forward to working with Josh Berry, whose skills and enthusiasm are sure to bring great value to the team. It’s an exciting time for the Wood Brothers with the addition of Josh Berry and the celebration of their 75th anniversary in NASCAR in 2025. We’ll be ready to hit the ground running.”Stanley attended the University of Akron and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 2007. After completing college, Stanley began his career in open-wheel racing, working for Polestar Racing Group in the Champ Car Atlantic Series. During his time there, Stanley served as both an engineer and crew chief.In 2009, Stanley transitioned from open-wheel racing to stock cars as he joined Robby Gordon Motorsports, first serving as race engineer, then becoming a crew chief for Gordon’s part-time Cup Series team. Stanley joined BK Racing for its 2012 Cup Series campaign as the head of race track engineering. He oversaw the engineering programs on both the No. 83 and No. 93 Cup Series cars before he got the opportunity to join the Penske organization for the 2013 season.“Miles has built an impressive resume filled with wins and championships, and he has a deep, technical understanding of the sport. His commitment and impressive track record make him a perfect fit for the No. 21 team as we enter an exciting new chapter,” said Jon Wood, president, Wood Brothers Racing. “Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to work with some of the most talented crew chiefs in NASCAR, and I look forward to seeing what Miles and Josh accomplish on the track next year.”Stanley’s first race atop the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing pit box will be for the inaugural Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Sunday, February 2, to kick off the 2025 Cup Series season.

CONCORD, NC (Oct. 29, 2024) — The ninth annual World Short Track Championship (WSTC)hits the red dirt of The Dirt Track at Charlotte this Thursday–Saturday, Oct. 31–Nov. 2, bringing a record number of pre-entered drivers to the 10-division event.

More than 450 drivers have registered to compete over the three-day stretch, featuring a host of the best weekly racing talent in the region competing for glory at America’s Home for Racing. Over 500 cars filled the pit area last year, and with more entries expected on race day, the 2024 edition could potentially exceed that mark for the second consecutive year.

On-track action begins Thursday evening with practice sessions for all divisions, followed by All-Star Invitational Features for the Pro Late Models, DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman and DIRTcar Pro Stocks. Friday will be comprised of Heat Races for all divisions and the first round of Hornet Features. Then, Saturday will conclude the program with Last Chance Showdowns and Features for all 10 divisions. To view the full schedule, buy tickets, and see other event info, click the link below.

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all three days of racing live on DIRTVision.

MORE EVENT INFO

Here are the top storylines to follow for each division:

FOX Factory Pro Late Model — New for 2024, the Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series’ appearance at Charlotte is a points race for all competing drivers. The chase for the championship is coming down to the wire between three drivers — Jimmy Thomas, Matt Henderson and Matt Dooley.

Thomas leads Henderson by 60 points and Dooley by 62. Dooley leads the way in top-five finishes with five, and Henderson leads in top-10s with 10, but none of the three drivers have been to Victory Lane in Series competition this year. All three will be looking for their first WSTC win.

Twelve-year-old standout Beckham Malone, who won his first career Dirt Late Model start in the WSTC 602 Late Model division last year, is also scheduled to take on the Pro Late Model division this year.

Chevrolet Performance 602 Late Model — One year ago, 11-year-old Beckham Malone got the attention of the entire Crate Late Model world with his triumph in the 602 Late Model main event. That race was the Rock Hill, SC-driver’s first career start in a Dirt Late Model after multiple years of experience driving Bandoleros, Legend Cars, Outlaw Karts and Micro Sprints. Now only two months from his 13th birthday, Malone is set to return to Charlotte seeking another WSTC victory.

John Ruggiero Jr, of Lincolnton, NC, is one of only two drivers in WSTC history to win two main events in two different divisions (2020 Pro Late Model, 2021 602 Late Model), and is slated to return to both 602 Late Model and Pro Late Model action at WSTC this year in search of a third WSTC win.

Summit Racing Equipment DIRTcar UMP Modified — North Carolina Taylor Cook had to wait five years after his first WSTC start to taste victory in the Summit Racing Equipment DIRTcar UMP Modified main event, but only one year to do it again. Last October, the regional standout from Stanley, NC, scored the repeat, outlasting his opponents in the 30-lap main event. He leads a solid UMP Modified entry list again this weekend as the field prepares to race for the $4,000 grand prize on Saturday.

Midwest UMP Modified standout Cole Falloway, of Owensboro, KY, is having another successful season at the controls of the Kelley Trucking No. 66, winning nine DIRTcar-sanctioned events, including the prestigious Plowboy Nationals at Spoon River Speedway (Lewistown, IL) and the Mega 100 at Tyler County Speedway (Middlebourne, WV).

Hoosier Racing Tire Crate Modified — In two of the last three years, Austin Holcombe has captured the Crate Modified main event and will be back on the roster again this weekend in search of a third WSTC title. Holcombe, 29, of Elm City, NC, would tie fellow North Carolinian Jeff Parsons for most wins in the Crate Modified division at three should he reach Victory Lane again.

Tyler Love tops the current Mid-East Modified Tour standings by three points over Ethan Wilson. Love has two Feature wins in 10 Tour starts this season and Wilson has four wins in nine appearances, but neither have ever reached Victory Lane at Charlotte.

MSD Pro Stock — The top full-fender class in the Northeast returns to Charlotte this weekend, with two former Series champions leading the field.

Five-time and reigning DIRTcar Pro Stock Series champion Pete Stefanski is the defending winner of the championship Feature and has only finished outside the top five once in Series competition this season. Luke Horning, the 2023 Series champion, also returns to the World Short Track Championship after winning the All-Star Feature last season.

Other former Charlotte winners joining the field this weekend are Sean Corr and Sheldon Martin, who won in 2021.

VP Racing Fuels Sportsman — Two former World Short Track Championship winners will return to Charlotte aiming for another victory.

Dave Rogers is a two-time winner at Charlotte, scoring victories in the championship Feature in 2021 and All-Star Feature in 2022. Meanwhile, Kevin Ridley also returns searching for his second Charlotte victory after finding Victory Lane in 2022’s championship Feature.

Those two drivers will contend with Canadian standout Donovan Lussier, who’s scored 15 victories in 2024 between Airborne Park Speedway, Cornwall Motor Speedway, Le RPM Raceway, and Autodrome Granby.

RaceQuip Street Stock — A host of past WSTC main event winners and weekly Carolina track champions are slated to take the track in the Street Stock division this weekend.

Calob McLaughlin took the checkered flag in 2020 and has pre-entered for this year’s event, as has two-time and defending event winner Ricky Greene. 2022 winner Devon Morgan is also on the entry list and recently clinched the division track championship at Traveler’s Rest Speedway (Traveler’s Rest, SC).

Rod Tucker is the second of two drivers in WSTC history to win two main events in different classes and will be back on the Street Stock roster this weekend as a winner of five Street Stock Features in six starts at Harris Speedway (Rutherfordton, NC). Andrew Durham is the current points leader with the Mid-East Street Stock Series with four wins in 10 starts and will be shooting for his first WSTC title.

SRI Performance Thunder Bomber — Reigning WSTC Thunder Bomber main event winner Luke Doggett leads the pre-entry list for this weekend, aiming to become the division’s first back-to-back winner.

Rod Tucker is looking for a third WSTC win after taking the checkered flag with the Thunder Bombers in 2022 and the Mini Stocks in 2018. Tommy Suttles topped the weekly Thunder Bomber points standings at Cherokee Speedway in 2024 with seven top-five finishes in 13 starts.

Other weekly Thunder Bomber track champions on the event pre-entry list include Laurens County Speedway (Laurens, SC) champion Travis Jamieson, Traveler’s Rest champion Tyler Guice, Harris champion Bailey Hipp and East Lincoln Speedway (Stanley, NC) champion Matt Coley.

COMP Cams Mini Stock — Kevin Cooper is the defending WSTC winner with the Monster Mini Stock Association (MMSA) and is slated to take to the track once again this weekend. His biggest competition includes defending MMSA champion and 2022 WSTC winner Matt Gilbert, and 2021 WSTC winner Johnny Raines.

DIRTVision Hornet — This year, the Hornet division at World Short Track Championship is split into two divisions under two separate sanctioning bodies racing identical programs.

The South East Hornets Association (SEHA) pre-entry list is led by 2023 WSTC Feature winner Dale Bennett, and Justin Harris, who currently sits fourth in the points standings. Two-time Sport Compact Dirt Racing Association (SCDRA) roster currently features over 20 entries including three-time WSTC Feature winner Zach Slone.

OCALA, FL (October 29, 2024) — Last season at the penultimate NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national event of the season Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers team made an impact on the Top Fuel championship racing to the semifinals. This season the fourth year Top Fuel team owner and driver from Ocala, Florida, is looking to continue to have a say in how the NHRA season wraps up for his team as well as the other Countdown contending drivers. The Ford Performance NHRA Nationals will get underway October 31-November 3, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Hart is looking to close out a tough season with success in the desert.

“To say this season didn’t go our way is an understatement but we have two more races left on the schedule,” said Hart, a two-time Top Fuel national event winner. “We are not just going through the motions to finish the season. There are two races left and our goal is to win both and maybe have say again in who wins the Top Fuel championship.”

Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel ready to get after it at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway,
photo credit Auto Imagery

In 2023 Hart was the No. 12 qualifier and upset championship contending driver Leah Pruett from Tony Stewart Racing in the first round with a hole shot win. In the second round he did the same thing to the eventual world champion Doug Kalitta. The championship fell Kalitta’s way by less than a round of racing two weeks later in Pomona. In the semifinals he was first off the line against the eventual Ford Performance Nationals winner Mike Salinas, but Salinas had the quicker race car.

“Last year I felt like we put our team in the championship conversation by how we raced in Las Vegas,” said Hart. “We showed that there was no quit in this R+L Carriers Top Fuel team and this year will be the same thing. We aren’t where we want to be in the points, but we still have a great team, and I want to win races.”

Hart is in a battle for the Top Ten with rookie Tony Stewart, veteran Billy Torrence and Shawn Reed. Heading into Las Vegas the R+L Carriers team is just 62 points out of the ninth spot. That is only three round wins in Las Vegas and just over two rounds when the teams get to Pomona and drivers earn 30 points per round. Hart finished eleventh during his 2021 rookie season when he only raced half of the national events. His best points finish was 2022 when he ended the season in seventh place.  

“We are definitely a stronger team than our point position reflects,” said Hart. “We are going to see how we can improve over these last two races starting this weekend in Las Vegas.”

LONG BEACH, CA (October 29, 2024) — In one short NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, Buddy Hull has become one of the most likeable competitors in the Funny Car category. His charismatic nature plays well with fans, sponsors and competitors alike, and as the Jim Dunn Racing nitro Funny Car continues to get faster, he is quickly also becoming a fierce competitor in an extremely tough field. Hull is next in competition this coming weekend at the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals, Nov. 1-3, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“I like to put people at ease and show them a hospitable time,” said Hull. “That balances out well with the competitive side of my personality, and how I’m always striving to improve. I think of myself as both a lover and a fighter and I think that shows when I am at an NHRA event.” 

For the second time this season, Hull will feature Kindness General Contractors, LLC, as the main sponsor on the Jim Dunn Funny Car. Kindness General Contractors, LLC, also known as KGC, LLC, is a full-service general contracting firm designed to manage and facilitate a complete range of construction projects. Local companies and longtime sponsors of Jim Dunn Racing, Gilley’s and Treasure Island, will also be highlighted on the 12,0000 horse-powered nitro Funny Car. 


“I love representing such hardworking, salt-of-the-earth people,” said Hull. “KGC shares a lot of the same values that I strive for in my own contracting company back in Dallas. And then we couldn’t do what we do without the help of guys like Gilley’s and Treasure Island. It’s a blast to give local companies a chance to be recognized at a national event that’s happening in their neck of the woods.”

Vegas is particularly special for the Jim Dunn Racing team because it’s the home race for co-owner Jon Dunn’s company, Crow Safety Gear. The Crow line of safety gear includes junior and adult auto racing suits, gloves, shoes, neck collars, fire retardant underwear and arm restraints. Crow manufactures all their famous racing seat belts in the USA.

In addition to KGC and Crow Safety Gear, Hull will continue to rep his season-long sponsors, Vertex Roofers and General Contractors, Lescure Mechanical Services, Solid Start/True Brand Products, Blaze Exhaust Probes, Koppl Pipeline Services, Mooneyes, Good Vibrations Motorsports, Powerbuilt Tools and Wiley X. 

“We have two races left to finish out the season on a strong note,” said Hull. “We’re still aiming to finish in the Top 10, and with a solid qualifying effort and a few necessary round wins, that is still possible for us. I’m going to keep doing everything in my power to get a few win lights, and the team will do the same.” 

Hull is excited to make his return to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals earlier this year. This race will mark the first time Hull has ever competed in Vegas in a non-four-wide event.

“Vegas has such an amazing track, so I consider us lucky that we get to compete out here twice a year,” said Hull. “The fans are amazing, and I can’t wait to show how far I’ve come as a Funny Car driver since April. We’re going to put on another great show for them.”

Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team will make two qualifying runs on Friday, November 1 and two qualifying runs on Saturday, November 2 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The top 16 quickest Funny Cars in the field will compete for a vital Countdown win on Sunday, November 3. The first round of eliminations will begin on Sunday at 11 a.m. PDT. Fans can watch the finals on FS1. For tickets or more information on the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals visit nhra.com.

Inside Line Promotions – HANFORD, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2024) – Dominic Scelzi visited Victory Lane last Saturday during a stout weekend that showcased a trio of podium performances.

“We’ve turned the year around and gotten our speed back,” he said. “I feel confident in our whole program. It’s been a long year and a tough season, but I feel we are ending the year the way we need to in order to have confidence rolling into the offseason.”

The weekend began last Friday at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., where Scelzi opened the NARC 410 Sprint Car Series program by qualifying 12 ^thquickest. A run from third to second place in a heat race lined him up on the outside of the fourth row in the A Main.

“We were a little snug in qualifying and that started us third in a heat race,” he said. “We moved forward and I was happy with it. In the feature the car was really, really good and we methodically worked forward to finish on the podium. I was happy with the night and to get out of there with a third-place finish.”

Scelzi did double duty on Saturday at Kings Speedway, where he competed both with the NARC 410 Sprint Car Series as well as in 360ci winged sprint car competition. He timed in second quickest and hustled from fourth to second place to kick off the NARC action. Scelzi then won the dash to garner the pole position for the 30-lap main event.

“We were really good in qualifying and we were good in the heat race,” he said. “We won the dash in a good fight. In the feature we led the first 24 laps, but in traffic the bottom got a little faster than the top. I didn’t realize it and (Cole) Macedo got by me. A yellow came out right after he passed me. We just got beat in traffic. I think if the caution came out at a different time it could have been a different outcome, but that’s how racing goes sometimes.”

Scelzi placed fourth in a pair of heat races to line up fourth in the 360 main event.

“We decided as a group to run two heat races and we ran okay,” he said. “In the main event we got to second on the first lap. I ran the bottom the first handful of laps. The leader dropped to the bottom and I was able to rip the top to get by him in turns one and two around Lap 6. We led the rest of the way to get the win. It’s been a very long year. With how we’ve run the last few weeks, we’re right there and fast again. I feel the mojo is back.”

The triumph was Scelzi’s fourth of the season and his first since June 16.

QUICK RESULTS –

Oct. 25 – Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif. – Qualifying: 12; Heat race: 2 (3); Feature: 3 (8).

Oct. 26 – Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. (410 sprint car) – Qualifying: 2; Heat race: 2 (4); Dash: 1 (2); Feature: 2 (1).

Oct. 26 – Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. (360 sprint car) – Heat race #1: 4 (5); Heat race #2: 4 (3); Feature: 1 (4).

SEASON STATS –

61 races, 4 wins, 18 top fives, 28 top 10s, 41 top 15s, 50 top 20s

TF Sport looking for strong close to end of first season with Corvette in Eight Hours DETROIT (Oct. 29, 2024) – The first season of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R comes to a close this weekend with the Eight Hours of Bahrain and the end of this year’s FIA World Endurance Championship.

TF Sport will look to be on the right side of luck in Saturday’s race to wrap up its first campaign with the Corvette brand. The team’s pair of Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs – the No. 81 of factory driver Charlie Eastwood, 2023 LMP2 race-winner Rui Andrade and Tom Van Rompuy plus the No. 82 of factory driver Daniel Juncadella, Sebastien Baud and Hiroshi Koizumi – with a well-deserved podium finish… and perhaps more.  The potential for a strong finish to 2024 is definitely in the cards. The most recent WEC round at Fuji saw both Corvettes run toward the front of the LMGT3 class after putting the two Z06 GT3.Rs in the Hyperpole qualifying round for the first time.

CORVETTE RACING MEDIA INFORMATION  Corvette Racing media information is updated and available ahead of the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Eight Hours of Bahrain.  Materials include Corvette Racing event advance and quotes, Corvette Racing stats and figures, Corvette Z06 GT3.R racecar comparisons, Corvette Racing Fast Facts, factory driver biographies and Corvette Racing photography, among other items.

The No. 81 Corvette finished a season-high fourth in class in Japan after being hit late in the race by a prototype. It was the second straight race that the Eastwood/Andrade/Van Rompuy trio were knocked out of contention by another car having been collected at Circuit of the Americas two weeks earlier while running second.  On the other side of the garage, the pace and performance of the No. 82 Corvette also has taken big steps forward starting at Le Mans in June. Like the sister car, the Fuji round started strong with Koizumi’s best qualifying effort of the season before a mechanical issue on the first pit stop relegated the No. 82 down the order. Corvette engineers will have the benefit of experience at Bahrain thanks to last year’s race with the Corvette C8.R in the GTE Am class.  The Eight Hours of Bahrain is scheduled for 2 p.m. Arabian Standard Time / 7 a.m. ET on Saturday. MotorTrend TV will air full and live television coverage from 6:30-3:30 p.m. ET. Full live streaming coverage of Free Practice 3, qualifying and the race – including the No. 81 Corvette on-board camera – will be available on the FIA WEC app and the MAX app in the U.S. Radio Le Mans also will stream audio coverage of Friday’s final practice and qualifying, plus Saturday’s race.

TF SPORT PRE-EVENT DRIVER QUOTESCHARLIE EASTWOOD, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m ready to get going in Bahrain. We were so close to a very, very good result at Fuji. We showed such super strong pace there on the back of what we showed at COTA. I feel that everyone on the team is very motivated to get a good result at Bahrain and end the season on a high. It’s been a challenging year but we’ve gotten stronger every race. Fuji showed that we had fantastic pace and it was a faultless job by the crew and my teammates. Our goal is to repeat that same performance at Bahrain and hopefully not get caught up in any dramas to get a podium at minimum and go for a win.”

RUI ANDRADE, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m hopeful heading into Bahrain. The team and the performance of the car is stronger than it has been at any point this year. All three of us – myself, Tom and Charlie – have driven well really the last four events going back to Le Mans. The team is executing at a high level on the pit stops and strategy. I really feel like we should have won the last two races were it not for other people hitting us. That’s tough to take when we did absolutely nothing wrong in both those cases. Hopefully things swing back our way and we close things strong at Bahrain. A podium would be nice but we want and deserve a win.”

DANI JUNCADELLA, NO. 82 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s pretty exciting to come to Bahrain because I’ve never been there. That goes together with Qatar and Le Mans being highlights for me because they are new tracks. So I’m excited to see how the Corvette feels at Bahrain. The last few rounds have been a massive step forward in terms of pace, and my teammates have been doing very, very well. I think we have a good chance to score a top result to finish off the season. That would be a fantastic way to finish things off in style, and I fancy our chances for that. This is a longer event, too, finishing at night. With testing of the Cadillac Hypercar the next day, it’s a pretty exciting weekend coming up.”

2024 FIA World Endurance Championship PointsLMGT3 Drivers Standings1. Aliaksandr Malykhin/Joel Sturm/Klaus Bachler – 1362. Morris Schuring/Richard Lietz/Yasser Shahin – 903. Augusto Farfus/Darren Leung/Sean Gelael – 854. Alex Riberas/Daniel Mancinelli/Ian James – 835. Ahmad Al Harthy/Maxime Martin/Valentino Rossi – 6116. Charlie Eastwood/Rui Andrade/Tom Van Rompuy – 2322. Daniel Juncadella/Hiroshi Koizumi/Sebastien Baud – 14 LMGT3 Teams Standings1. No. 92 Manthey PureRxcing – 1362. No. 91 Manthey EMA – 903. No. 31 Team WRT – 854. No. 27 Heart of Racing Team – 835. No. 46 Team WRT – 6113. No. 81 TF Sport – 2317. No. 82 TF Sport – 14 CORVETTE RACING AT BAHRAIN: By the Numbers• 1: As in one program, one manufacturer and one model of car for 26 years of racing: Corvette Racing, Chevrolet and the Chevrolet Corvette• 3: Positions gained in GTE Pro by Tommy Milner and Nick Tandy from start to finish in the 2022 Bahrain race in the No. 64 Corvette• 7: Hours difference between Manama, Bahrain and Detroit in the Eastern Time Zone• 14: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001• 28: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Barber Motorsports Park, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portimão, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen• 53: Number of drivers in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. DXDT Racing’s Patrick Liddy and Blake McDonald joined the list at Indianapolis in GT World Challenge America• 71: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year• 138: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 116 in IMSA, nine at Le Mans, three in the FIA WEC and 10 in GT World Challenge America• 308: Event starts by Corvette Racing entries since 1999, starting with that year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona. No. 300 came in early August at Road America in IMSA• 6,883: Approximate mileage from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Bahrain International Airport, one way. That’s a greater distance than the No. 33 Corvette C8.R has raced this year in WEC competition• 397,343.78: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. At present level, the program will surpass the 400,000-mile mark at the 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Corvette Racing at Bahrain (wins in bold)2022No. 64 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy – 2nd in GTE Pro 2023No. 33 Corvette C8.R: Nicky Catsburg/Ben Keating/Nico Varrone – 7th in GTE Am