Erica Enders opens 2017 playoffs with
quarterfinal showing at NHRA Carolina Nationals
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 17) — Two-time world champion Erica Enders went one-up, one-down Sunday at the first of six races in the 2017 Countdown to the Championship, the 10th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMax Dragway. Continue reading Erica Enders opens 2017 playoffs with quarterfinal showing at NHRA Carolina Nationals
Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Chicagoland–Fast Facts
CHEVY FAST FACTS
TALE OF THE TURTLES 400
CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY
September 17, 2017
A total of 18 Team Chevy drivers will start the Tale of the Turtles Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) race at Chicagoland Speedway. The 267-lap/400.5-mile contest around the 1.5-mile venue is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m., ET. Live coverage will be available on NBCSN (NBC Sports Network), MRN Radio, Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and NASCAR.com.
CHEVROLET PLAYOFF DRIVER STARTING POSITIONS:
Kyle Larson, No. 42 Target Chevrolet SS, will start sixth
Chase Elliott, No. 24 NAPA Brakes Chevrolet SS, will start eighth
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS, will start ninth
Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe’s Chevy SS, will roll off the starting grid in the 14th position
Ryan Newman, No. 31 Cat D10 Chevrolet SS, will start 16th
Jamie McMurray, No. 1 McDonald’s/Cessna Chevrolet SS, will take the green flag from the 19th starting spot
Kasey Kahne, No. 5 Great Clips Chevy SS, will start 25th
TEAM CHEVY IN MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES (MENCS) COMPETITION:
· Chevrolet has won 39 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships
· Team Chevy drivers have scored 775 wins and 693 poles in MENCS competition
CHEVROLET ON THE TRACK—CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY
· Chevrolet drivers have won eight of 16 races at Chicagoland Speedway. Victories by current Team Chevy drivers are:
o Dale Earnhardt, Jr., No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet SS, has one win at Chicagoland Speedway (’05)
o Ryan Newman, No. 31 CAT D10 Chevrolet SS, has one trophy from Chicagoland Speedway (’03)
· A Chevrolet driver has sat on the pole at Chicagoland Speedway seven times
· Team Chevy drivers have scored 46 top-five and 79 top-10 finishes at Chicagoland Speedway
· A Chevrolet has led 2,447 laps (57.2% of possible 4,278 laps) at Chicagoland Speedway
Sato, Dixon Head Honda Qualifying Effort at Sonoma
Sato, Dixon Head Honda Qualifying Effort at Sonoma
• Takuma Sato to start season-ending race from fifth
• Scott Dixon, seeking his fifth IndyCar Series drivers’ championship, will start sixth
• Title to be decided in Sunday’s GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif. (September 16, 2017) – Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato and Honda’s leading contender for the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series Championship – Scott Dixon – led the way for the manufacturer today in qualifying action in advance of Sunday’s season-ending GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma. Continue reading Sato, Dixon Head Honda Qualifying Effort at Sonoma
Leading final qualifying session, Monster Energy driver Brittany Force ready for Charlotte eliminations
Leading final qualifying session, Monster Energy driver Brittany Force ready for Charlotte eliminations
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 16) – Monster Energy driver Brittany Force picked the right time to get hot in qualifying for the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
Force posted the quickest elapsed time in the final qualifying session on Saturday afternoon, barreling down a hot race track nice and smooth. That gives Force some positive momentum heading into eliminations on Sunday for the first race of the title-determining Countdown to the Championship.
“That last lap for the Monster team was a big one,” Force said. “It was super hot out and a hot race track – 135 degrees on the track – and that race car went straight down there. That’s what we were looking for going into race day because it’s going to be the same conditions. Continue reading Leading final qualifying session, Monster Energy driver Brittany Force ready for Charlotte eliminations
Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Sonoma–Post Qualifying Quotes
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
GOPRO GRAND PRIX OF SONOMA
SONOMA RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER POST QUALIFYING QUOTES
SEPTEMBER 16, 2017
DRIVER QUOTES:
JOSEF NEWGARDEN, NO. 2 HUM BY VERIZON TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET, VERIZON P1 POLE WINNER: “
“I can’t say that I necessarily expected it, but it’s really great to get the No. 2 Hum by Verizon Chevy team a Verizon P1 Award. We’ve had a few chances at it this year, but for various reasons came up a little short. Honestly, I wasn’t sure we’d get this one, but we knew the car was fast and it was good to get it done. The track was really gripped up from the earlier race. It was a little slick at first, but after the first lap it was gripped up nicely. That was just part of the job. We need to come back tomorrow and complete the job.
Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Sonoma–Post Qualifying Quotes
Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Sonoma–Qualifying Recap
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
GOPRO GRAND PRIX OF SONOMA
SONOMA RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER POST QUALIFYING RECAP
SEPTEMBER 16, 2017
Josef Newgarden Shatters Track Record to Win First Verizon P1 Award of Year
Pole is the 11th for Chevrolet in the 17-Race Verizon IndyCar Series Season
SONOMA, Calif. – (September 16, 2017) – Josef Newgarden led a Chevrolet parade of Verizon IndyCar championship contenders in qualifying at Sonoma Raceway to capture his first Verizon P1 Award of season in his No. 2 hum by Verizon Chevrolet in record fashion. Newgarden powered his Team Penske Chevrolet around the 2.52-mile, 12-turn road course in a track record speed of 1 minute, 15.5201 seconds and will lead the field to the green in Sunday’s season finale, the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma. Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Sonoma–Qualifying Recap
Defending race winner John Force earns No. 9 position with PEAK Chevrolet for NHRA Carolina Nationals
Defending race winner John Force earns No. 9 position
with PEAK Chevrolet for NHRA Carolina Nationals
Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 16) – Sixteen-time Funny Car champion John Force will seek his second consecutive victory in the NHRA Carolina Nationals from the No. 9 position Sunday, as he recorded a best pass of 3.967 seconds at 325.06 mph in the PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS. Continue reading Defending race winner John Force earns No. 9 position with PEAK Chevrolet for NHRA Carolina Nationals
Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing NHRA Carolina Nationals Qualifying Report
Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing NHRA Carolina Nationals Qualifying Report
CONCORD, N.C. (September 16, 2017) – The first raceday of the Countdown to the Championship is on the horizon and Allen Johnson comes into the fight No. 9 in the Pro Stock points. On the eve of raceday at the 10th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals, Johnson finds himself as the No. 10 seed in the Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart and will race Drew Skillman in the first round of eliminations.
Continue reading Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing NHRA Carolina Nationals Qualifying Report
Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force tops Carolina Nationals qualifying for seventh No. 1 of season
Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force tops
Carolina Nationals qualifying for seventh No. 1 of season
Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 16) – Courtney Force’s quickest time Friday held over two days of qualifying for the NHRA Carolina Nationals as she secured her seventh No. 1 of the season in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car class. Continue reading Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force tops Carolina Nationals qualifying for seventh No. 1 of season
Richard Childress Racing–Chicagoland 300
Austin Dillon Continues Streak of Top-Six Finishes in NASCAR XFINITY Series Competition at Chicagoland Speedway with Fifth-Place Result in Rheem Chevrolet
“I really didn’t have anything for the lead pack guys in the Rheem Chevrolet today. I almost feel like our motor was hurting there at the end. Something must have gotten on the grill because I could not go on the last restart. I was wide open through the corner and it just would not go anywhere, so we’ll take a look at the car and see what it did there and keep working on it. I’m proud of our guys. We worked hard for that finish. I wish we could have come home first, second or third there. Overall, the speed just wasn’t there.” Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Chicagoland 300
Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Sonoma–Josef Newgarden
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
GOPRO GRAND PRIX OF SONOMA
SONOMA RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING NOTES & QUOTES
SEPTEMBER 16, 2017
JOSEF NEWGARDEN, NO. 2 HUM BY VERIZON CHEVROLET – Pole Winner
WHEN YOU LEARNED YOU WON THE POLE, WHAT DID YOU SAY?
“I don’t know what I said.”
YOU SAID, ‘ARE YOU KIDDING ME?’
I don’t even remember what I said, to be honest with you. I was just hoping we could get one of these this year. We’ve been close a couple of times. At a couple of places I felt we had the speed to do it and we didn’t get it done. And, today we had our backs against the wall. You know, we were making the best decisions we could. We were first out. I think it would have been risky for us to save a set of reds like the second group. And we knew we knew we’d be on our back foot there in the Fast Six. But, this car was phenomenal. It’s cool because this is the Verizon P-1 award. I’ve been driving a Hum car many races this year by Verizon and I haven’t been able to get it in this place, so I’m happy to have those guys on board. They do so much for this sport. And it’s a good start for our weekend.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Sonoma–Josef Newgarden
Pritchett, Johnson Pace Mopar and Dodge in NHRA Carolina Nationals Qualifying
Pritchett, Johnson Pace Mopar and Dodge in NHRA Carolina Nationals Qualifying
Leah Pritchett qualifies No. 3 in Mopar HEMI®-powered Top Fuel dragster from Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) at zMAX Dragway
DSR’s Tommy Johnson Jr. leads all Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car drivers with third-place qualifying effort
Five Mopar Dodge Funny Cars qualify for 16-car field
Six-race NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs begin with Carolina Nationals event
September 16, 2017, Concord, N.C. – Mopar Top Fuel driver Leah Pritchett and Funny Car counterpart Tommy Johnson Jr. qualified No. 3 in their respective categories for this weekend’s NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway, putting HEMI® power from Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) near the top of Sunday’s Nitro elimination ladders as the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship begins. Continue reading Pritchett, Johnson Pace Mopar and Dodge in NHRA Carolina Nationals Qualifying
Chevrolet Captures 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series Manufacturer Championship Title is Sixth Consecutive for the Chevrolet IndyCar Program
Chevrolet Captures 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series Manufacturer Championship
Title is Sixth Consecutive for the Chevrolet IndyCar Program
DETROIT (September 16, 2017) – For the sixth consecutive season, Chevrolet has won the Verizon IndyCar Series (VISC) Manufacturer Championship. The Bowtie Brand has captured the title every season since returning to IndyCar competition in 2012.
The Chevrolet 2.2 liter twin turbocharged direct injected V6 IndyCar engine program combined with the Chevrolet Aero Kit to produce 10 poles and 9 wins in 16 of 17 events heading into Sunday’s season finale at Sonoma Raceway. Continue reading Chevrolet Captures 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series Manufacturer Championship Title is Sixth Consecutive for the Chevrolet IndyCar Program
Pro Mod championship contender Troy Coughlin tripped up early in Charlotte
Pro Mod championship contender
Troy Coughlin tripped up early in Charlotte
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 16) — Entering the weekend just 28 points out of the championship lead in the J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, Troy Coughlin was hoping a big result at zMax Dragway would propel him to the lead by the end of the 10th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals. Continue reading Pro Mod championship contender Troy Coughlin tripped up early in Charlotte
Playoffs begin with five-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. looking sharp in Charlotte
Playoffs begin with five-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. looking sharp in Charlotte
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 16) — Jeg Coughlin Jr. hopes to pad his illustrious resume even more in this year’s Countdown to the Championship playoffs, which begins in earnest with eliminations for the 10th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals running Sunday at zMax Dragway.
A six-time drag racing champion with 76 national event victories, Coughlin has done the majority of his winning in Pro Stock, where he’s collected five titles and 58 Wally trophies. He’ll be at it again down the stretch of this season in his powerful JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro, which he qualified sixth in Charlotte with a best pass of 6.586 at 209.98 mph. Continue reading Playoffs begin with five-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. looking sharp in Charlotte
Melling Performance pro Erica Enders excited about eliminations in Charlotte
Melling Performance pro Erica Enders excited about eliminations in Charlotte
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 16) — Throughout her record-setting career, two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders always has done her best work in pressure-packed situations. When others wilt, she blossoms, which is one of the many reasons she’s excited about the first of six race days left in the 2017 season. Continue reading Melling Performance pro Erica Enders excited about eliminations in Charlotte
Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Chicagoland–Qualifying Notes
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TALE OF THE TURTLES 400
CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING NOTES AND QUOTES
SEPTEMBER 15, 2017
TOP TEAM CHEVY QUALIFIERS:
POS. DRIVER
6TH KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVY SS
8TH CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 24 NAPA BRAKES CHEVY SS
9TH AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 DOW UNIVAR CHEVY SS
TOP FIVE QUALIFIERS:
POS. DRIVER
1ST Kyle Busch (Toyota)
2nd Denny Hamlin (Toyota)
3rd Martin Truex, Jr. (Toyota)
4th Kevin Harvick (Ford)
5TH Brad Keselowski (Ford) Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Chicagoland–Qualifying Notes
Hunter-Reay Leads Honda Field in Friday Practice at Sonoma
Hunter-Reay Leads Honda Field in Friday Practice at Sonoma
• Ryan Hunter-Reay ends opening day at Sonoma Raceway in fifth
• Watkins Glen race winner Alexander Rossi runs sixth
• Championship contender Scott Dixon posts seventh-fastest time
SONOMA, Calif. (September 15, 2017) – Ryan Hunter-Reay, Alexander Rossi and Scott Dixon – the drivers who completed an all-Honda podium two weeks ago at Watkins Glen – led the way for Honda today in practice at Sonoma Raceway for Sunday’s season finale GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma.
Hunter-Reay, third at the most recent Verizon IndyCar Series round at Watkins Glen, was quickest for Honda today and fifth overall on the time sheets. His Andretti Autosport teammate, ‘Glen winner Alexander Rossi, ended the day sixth overall. Continue reading Hunter-Reay Leads Honda Field in Friday Practice at Sonoma
Courtney Force puts Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet in Charlotte’s provisional No. 1 spot
Courtney Force puts Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet
in Charlotte’s provisional No. 1 spot
CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 15) – Courtney Force knows all too well that every point from now until the end of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season is important.
That’s why the Advance Auto Parts driver was ecstatic after her second of two qualifying runs Friday for the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. After smoking the tires with a pass too strong in the first session, Force took her Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car to the top of the charts in the second round – a pass of 3.891 seconds at 330.07 mph. Continue reading Courtney Force puts Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet in Charlotte’s provisional No. 1 spot
COMP Cams Great Lakes Sprint Car Classic next for SOD
ERIE, MI (September 16, 2017) – Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP returns to the most unique venue it has ever raced at. Michigan’s renowned Berlin Raceway, a leader among paved short tracks, is being transformed into a dirt track for a few, select races this fall. Saturday, September 30, the raceway will present SOD’s COMP Cams Great Lakes Sprint Car Classic.
COMP Cams, a 2017 SOD heat race sponsor partner, has signed on as title sponsor of the Great Lakes Sprint Car Classic. The thirty lap feature will pay $4,000 to win and $400 to start. As with all SOD shows, Engler Machine & Tool, COMP Cams, RockAuto.com, Jim Coffey & Son Plumbing & Heating, and Engine Pro will pay $100 to each heat race winner. Lane Automotive and MSD Ignition will pay $50 to the fast qualifier in each heat group. $1,500 in contingency cash and awards will be available to competitors.
Berlin Raceway’s storied 67-year history and SOD’s status as the nation’s most progressive and recognized regional sprint car series promise to make the race an event fans won’t want to miss. The Classic will be part of an event that includes Michigan’s three leading dirt series, Sprints On Dirt, the American Ethanol Late Model Tour (AELMT), and the American Ethanol Modified Tour (AEMODT).
When it comes to oval track racing in Michigan, Berlin Raceway’s story is right at the top. In 1951, it was born as an oval dirt track located within the Berlin Fairgrounds. 1966 saw the track paved as a 7/16 mile asphalt oval track. In 2012, Berlin Raceway returned to its roots, covering the asphalt with clay and turning the track into a dirt track for the month of September. In 2013, 2014, and 2015, Berlin Raceway again hosted September dirt track racing. This will be SOD’s third race at Berlin with previous appearances in 2013 and 2014.