Cruz Pedregon

Cruz Pedregon–Thunder Valley Nationals – Bristol Pre-Race Report

NHRA® Team Report

Thunder Valley Nationals – Bristol

Pre-Race Report

A quarter-final finish is what Cruz and team needed heading into Thunder Valley this weekend. The momentum is moving in the right direction according to Cruz, “We stopped in Indy to take a closer look at the clutch issue that kept us from going past the second round in Englishtown. So, look for us to have a better handle on that in Bristol. We’re seeing the other changes we’ve made throughout the season beginning to pay off, and we’re just seven points away from a place in the Countdown. We’ve really come a long way since the start of the season.”
Continue reading Cruz Pedregon–Thunder Valley Nationals – Bristol Pre-Race Report →

Jegs Racing

Jeg Coughlin Jr. looks to carve his name into the sides of Bristol’s legendary Thunder Valley

Jeg Coughlin Jr. looks to carve his name into
the sides of Bristol’s legendary Thunder Valley
BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 13) – There’s a popular drag strip in the western U.S. planted at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The scene is certainly beautiful although not necessarily fast. There’s another quarter-mile of racing pavement on the opposite side of the continent that is whittled into the ancient, rocky core of the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee; it’s beautiful, it’s really fast, and it’s extremely loud.

Jeg Coughlin Jr., driver of the JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stocker, has a renewed mechanical vigor as he and his team journey into the fastest valley on Earth this weekend for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series at Bristol Dragway for the 17th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. looks to carve his name into the sides of Bristol’s legendary Thunder Valley →

Jegs Racing

JEGS.com Pro Mod star Troy Coughlin eager to conjure up more thunder in Bristol

JEGS.com Pro Mod star Troy Coughlin
eager to conjure up more thunder in Bristol
BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 13) – Coming off a very successful runner-up effort at the NHRA Summernationals in Englishtown, N.J., last weekend, Troy Coughlin and his bright yellow, twin turbocharged JEGS.com Pro Mod Chevy Corvette C7 will be back action this weekend in the J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series at scenic and exceptionally loud Bristol Dragway for the 17th annual Thunder Valley Nationals.

Momentum in sports often seems like an intangible enigma, but to drag racers like Coughlin, momentum is very real and very welcomed in the pit area of the driver who vaulted to third place in championship points with his money-round showing in the Garden State. Continue reading JEGS.com Pro Mod star Troy Coughlin eager to conjure up more thunder in Bristol →

Roush Yates

TO FINISH FIRST, YOU MUST FIRST FINISH! ROUND 2 | 24 HOURS OF LE MANS

TO FINISH FIRST, YOU MUST FIRST FINISH!
ROUND 2 | 24 HOURS OF LE MANS

MOORESVILLE, NC, June 13, 2017 – The legendary Ford GT will return to the Circuit des 24 Heures in Le Mans, France this week to defend its 2016 GTE Pro Class victory, which was won by the No. 68 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team of Joey Hand, Dirk Müller and Sébastien Bourdais who due to an injury, will be replaced this year by INDYCAR champion Tony Kanaan.

“There is a great amount of satisfaction that comes with an achievement like winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A special bond is present among the vast team that helped make it happen. You can look at each other and say on this day we were the best in the world. It’s especially nice when you know you are competing against a field of the world’s best,” noted Derrick Peacock, Technical Development Lead for Roush Yates Engines. Continue reading TO FINISH FIRST, YOU MUST FIRST FINISH! ROUND 2 | 24 HOURS OF LE MANS →

Jegs Racing

Jegs Racing–Thunder Valley Preview

Team JEGS Prerace Notes:
NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
Team JEGS
Prerace: NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
Bristol Dragway
June 16-18

The JEGS Mail Order team will field four entries during this weekend’s NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn. Six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. will lead the effort behind the wheel of the JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro in Pro Stock and his JEGS.com Corvette roadster in Super Gas. Third-generation racer Troy Coughlin Jr. will be driving the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster fielded by Kalitta Motorsports and his father, Troy Coughlin, will compete in the J&A Service NHRA Pro Mod Series with his turbocharged JEGS.com Corvette. Continue reading Jegs Racing–Thunder Valley Preview →

Gary Scelzi Motorsports

Giovanni Scelzi Scores Second Straight KWS-NARC Win to Take Points Lead

Giovanni Scelzi Scores Second Straight KWS-NARC Win to Take Points Lead

Inside Line Promotions – TULARE, Calif. (June 12, 2017) – Giovanni Scelzi continued his hot streak last Saturday when he secured his second straight King of the West-NARC Fujitsu Series victory and his third win in the last four races to climb atop the championship standings.

Scelzi and the Roth Motorsports team kicked off the night at Thunderbowl Raceway by setting quick time during qualifying. Continue reading Giovanni Scelzi Scores Second Straight KWS-NARC Win to Take Points Lead →

Gary Scelzi Motorsports

Scelzi Posts Pair of Top 10s With World of Outlaws and All Stars in Iowa

Scelzi Posts Pair of Top 10s With World of Outlaws and All Stars in Iowa

Inside Line Promotions – WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (June 12, 2017) – Dominic Scelzi enjoyed a strong start to his summer in the Midwest last weekend when he earned a top-10 finish with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions.

“I thought it was awesome,” he said. “We were able to start off really strong at Knoxville. To be able to go third quick with the Outlaws, my best qualifying effort with them, was an accomplishment.” Continue reading Scelzi Posts Pair of Top 10s With World of Outlaws and All Stars in Iowa →

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing–Michigan Preview

Richard Childress Racing at Michigan International Speedway … In 160 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Michigan International Speedway, RCR teams have earned three wins, two with Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990) and the most recent with Kevin Harvick (August 2010). Additionally, RCR has claimed 23 top-five and 55 top-10 finishes with 10 different drivers including Richard Childress, a former driver in NASCAR’s top division, who recorded top-10 finishes at MIS in June 1978 and August 1979.

RCR in the MENCS … In 2,778 Monster Energy Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 48 pole awards,107 wins, 479 top-five finishes and 1,039 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.7 and an average finishing position of 16.1. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR XFINITY Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series. Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Michigan Preview →

Roush Yates, Wood Brothers

BLANEY TAKES HOME FIRST NASCAR CUP SERIES WIN! 99th Wood Brothers’ Win

BLANEY TAKES HOME FIRST NASCAR CUP SERIES WIN!
99th Wood Brothers’ Win

LONG POND, Penn., June 12, 2017 – Ryan Blaney won his first career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at the Pocono Raceway and first for the legendary Wood Brothers Racing since 2011. Ford Performance swept the weekend at Pocono with the power of Ford FR9 race engines and marked Roush Yates Engines 298th overall MENCS, IMSA and FIA win.

“Congratulations to Ryan and the Wood Brothers Racing on their first win together,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Ryan drove the car like a veteran, taking on the best in the sport and battled for his first win. A solid day for the Ford Performance teams with four Fords finishing in the top five.” Continue reading BLANEY TAKES HOME FIRST NASCAR CUP SERIES WIN! 99th Wood Brothers’ Win →

Chevrolet Racing

CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: All Systems Go in Fight for Ninth Class Win Team counts itself ready for 18th consecutive appearance in French endurance classic

CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: All Systems Go in Fight for Ninth Class Win
Team counts itself ready for 18th consecutive appearance in French endurance classic

Sports car racing’s premier GT team leading American charge at Le Mans
Six Corvette Racing drivers have combined for 18 Le Mans victories
Gavin fastest at Test Day in No. 64 Corvette
Corvette Racing, Chevrolet come to Le Mans off three straight IMSA victories

DETROIT (June 12, 2017) – Corvette Racing is ready to put a year’s worth of preparation to the test this week when it goes for a ninth class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The annual French endurance classic – this year’s running is the 86th edition – gets the green flag at 3 p.m. French time (9 a.m. ET) on Saturday with Corvette Racing sending six drivers and its two Chevrolet Corvette C7.Rs into battle against the world’s best. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: All Systems Go in Fight for Ninth Class Win Team counts itself ready for 18th consecutive appearance in French endurance classic →

F4

GET OUT THE BROOMS, KYLE KIRKWOOD MAKES CLEAN SWEEP IN INDY

GET OUT THE BROOMS, KYLE KIRKWOOD MAKES CLEAN SWEEP IN INDY
Kirkwood beats-out 31 other F4 U.S. cars in three races for his most successful F4 U.S. weekend to date

INDIANAPOLIS (June 12, 2017) – Kyle Kirkwood of Jupiter, Florida, was unbeatable during the second Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda event, sweeping victories in all three races held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Saturday and Sunday.

Kirkwood, who joins ranks with Konrad Czaczyk and Cameron Das as the third F4 U.S. driver to ever win three races in one weekend, seized fast-lap times in one practice, qualifying and two of the three races, claiming pole position for two of the three rounds. Continue reading GET OUT THE BROOMS, KYLE KIRKWOOD MAKES CLEAN SWEEP IN INDY →

Wood Brothers

Blaney Scores Popular First Cup Victory At Pocono

Blaney Scores Popular First Cup Victory At Pocono

June 11, 2017

Ryan Blaney’s victory in Sunday’s 400-miler at Pocono Raceway will likely go down in NASCAR history as one for the ages, and for all ages.

It was the first Cup victory for the 23-year-old driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion and the 99th for his Wood Brothers team.

The combination of Blaney, one of the sport’s future superstars, and the Wood Brothers, the sport’s oldest continuously competing team, produced a victory that was popular with the sport’s older fans and with its younger, newer ones. Continue reading Blaney Scores Popular First Cup Victory At Pocono →

NHRA

NHRA–Englishtown Results

Top Fuel — Steve Torrence, 3.857 seconds, 320.28 mph def. Antron Brown, 3.932 seconds, 306.74 mph.

Funny Car — Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.100, 312.42 def. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.143, 299.66. Both

Pro Stock — Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.613, 210.44 def. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.665, 210.21.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.918, 192.85 def. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.862, 195.62.

Pro Modified — Rickie Smith, Chevy Camaro, 5.884, 247.93 def. Troy Coughlin, Chevy Corvette, 5.882, 255.29.

Competition Eliminator — Frank Aragona, Dragster, 8.282, 112.93 def. Pete Hanratty, Dragster, Foul – Red Light.

Super Stock — Timothy Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 10.165, 122.14 def. Herbie Null, Camaro, 9.997, 131.01.

Stock Eliminator — Peter Biondo, Chevy Camaro, 10.372, 126.83 def. Russell Linke, Camaro, 10.703, 123.93.

Super Comp — Kevin Robb, Dragster, 8.920, 173.03 def. Shawn Fricke, Dragster, 8.911, 169.17.

Super Gas — Dan Northrop, Chevy Vega, 9.921, 140.71 def. John Labbous Jr, chevy Corvette, 9.927, 160.96.

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com — Jeff Brooks, Henry J, 6.840, 199.70 def. Ronald Riegel, Chevy Camaro, 7.236, 193.40.

Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP

ast Lap Pass at Thunderbird’s MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Nets Chad Blonde Weekend Sweep

ERIE, MI (June 11, 2017) – Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP made their only 2017 appearance at Thunderbird Raceway and Chad Blonde took the win in the MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge 25-lap feature in front of an enthusiastic, full house.

Just like the night before, hot, windy weather challenged Thunderbird Raceway owner/promoter Tom Sprague to give racers a good track, and even with an 11:0 PM curfew, Sprague was up to the challenge.

The night started out with Andy Chehowski getting into the turn two wall in the first qualifying session and flipping hard; extensive damage ended his night. Robert Huisken caught the wall in just about the same spot in his qualifying session and also flipped; Robert was able to make repairs before the feature. Continue reading ast Lap Pass at Thunderbird’s MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Nets Chad Blonde Weekend Sweep →

Mopar Racing

Beckman Continues Mopar Funny Car Hot Streak with Win in Dodge Charger R/T at NHRA Summernationals

Beckman Continues Mopar Funny Car Hot Streak with Win in Dodge Charger R/T at NHRA Summernationals

Jack Beckman wins 48th annual NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey
Victory is first of the season for Beckman and 25th Funny Car win of his career
Don Schumacher Racing teammates Beckman and Ron Capps advance Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Cars to final round
A Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car has won nine of 10 final rounds in 2017; Mopar holds top three Funny Car points positions
Mopar HEMI® power has won at least one Nitro category in 11 straight events dating back to 2016
Tony Schumacher takes Mopar-powered U.S. Army dragster to second round in Top Fuel
Steve Comella goes to Super Stock semifinal in 1968 Dodge Dart
Comella wins Dodge Top Finisher award in Super Stock, Stephen Smyth claims honor in Stock Eliminator
June 11, 2017, Englishtown, N.J. – Jack Beckman got on the board in 2017 during the NHRA Summernationals at historic Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, becoming the sixth Mopar HEMI®-powered Nitro driver from Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) to win an event this year. The 2012 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car champion put his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T in the winner’s circle for the first time this season and the 25th time in his Funny Car career. Continue reading Beckman Continues Mopar Funny Car Hot Streak with Win in Dodge Charger R/T at NHRA Summernationals →

Allen Johnson Racing

Allen Johnson Takes Marathon Petroleum Dart to Quarterfinal Finish at NHRA Summernationals

Allen Johnson Takes Marathon Petroleum Dart to Quarterfinal Finish at NHRA Summernationals

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 11, 2017) – Allen Johnson drove the Marathon Petroleum Co./J&J Racing Dodge Dart to the quarterfinal round of competition after defeating Matt Hartford on raceday at the 48th annual NHRA Summernationals.

First round, Johnson began raceday in his highest qualifying position of the season at No. 4 and had lane choice over Matt Hartford. Battling high track temperatures, the Pro Stock class knew it was a driver and tuner combination that would win each round of racing in Englishtown. Both competitors were almost identical off the tree and Johnson’s 6.637-second pass at 209.59 mph was enough to take out Hartford’s 6.645, 209.79. Continue reading Allen Johnson Takes Marathon Petroleum Dart to Quarterfinal Finish at NHRA Summernationals →

Richard Childress Racing

Austin Dillon Battles Adversity, Grinds Out a 13th-place Finish

Austin Dillon Battles Adversity, Grinds Out a 13th-place Finish

“Our No. 3 Dow Chevrolet was decent all day. The balance felt good for most of the race, but would tighten up in Turn 3 every now and then, so I had to really focus on my entry and exit in that corner. One of the biggest challenges was the heat. By lap 28, it felt like my A/C unit overheated or something and from there I had no air conditioning. I was alright during most of the race, but that red flag was just miserable. I was able to make it through and started dumping water on my face when I could, which helped a little bit. But we battled through the challenges; that’s what this team does. We were able to hang on and grab a 13th-place finish.” Continue reading Austin Dillon Battles Adversity, Grinds Out a 13th-place Finish →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Pocono Post Race

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AXALTA PRESENTS THE POCONO 400
POCONO RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES
JUNE 11, 2017

TOP TEAM CHEVY FINISHERS:
POS. DRIVER
7TH KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVY SS
8TH CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 24 SUNENERGY1 CHEVY SS
13TH AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 DOW CHEVROLET SS
14TH RYAN NEWMAN, NO. 31 KALAHARI RESORTS & CONVENTIONS CHEVROLET SS Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Pocono Post Race →

John Force Racing

Semifinal finish in Englishtown a ‘positive’ for Monster Energy driver Brittany Force

Semifinal finish in Englishtown a ‘positive’ for
Monster Energy driver Brittany Force

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 11) – Brittany Force was unable to go back-to-back with her Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster, but her confidence remains high after a semifinal finish Sunday in the NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

Force won last weekend’s NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series race in Epping, N.H., and then qualified the Monster Energy car in the No. 5 spot for Englishtown. She rolled into the semis before falling to defending Top Fuel champion Antron Brown. Continue reading Semifinal finish in Englishtown a ‘positive’ for Monster Energy driver Brittany Force →

John Force Racing

Semifinal at Englistown a ‘pretty good day’ for Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force

Semifinal at Englistown a ‘pretty good day’ for
Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 11) – Courtney Force made her second consecutive Funny Car semifinals appearance in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, before falling victim to a red light in the 48th annual NHRA Summernationals on Sunday at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

Force, the No. 1 qualifier and driver of the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS, whisked through the first two rounds of competition with ease, despite dropping cylinders on both runs. Continue reading Semifinal at Englistown a ‘pretty good day’ for Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force →

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