Rheem, Menards and Richard Childress Racing Tap Young Driver Ben Kennedy to Run Nine XFINITY Series Races

Rheem, Menards and Richard Childress Racing Tap Young
Driver Ben Kennedy to Run Nine XFINITY Series Races
Kennedy will run select races with RCR’s No. 2 XFINITY Series team

WELCOME, N.C. (February 6, 2017) – Rheem, Menards and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) are committed to championing the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) charge to be the series where “names are made,” and each have long histories of supporting aspiring drivers from local short tracks to NASCAR’s feeder series.

Ben Kennedy will be the latest up-and-coming driver to be given that opportunity when he climbs into the No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro for nine NXS races, the first of which will be at Talladega Superspeedway this spring.
Kennedy has worked his way up through the NASCAR development ladder. In 2016, he competed full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and secured his first NASCAR national touring series win at Bristol Motor Speedway in August. He also finished 10th in his NXS debut last season at Iowa Speedway, driving the No. 2 Ruud Chevrolet for RCR. Continue reading Rheem, Menards and Richard Childress Racing Tap Young Driver Ben Kennedy to Run Nine XFINITY Series Races

Troy Coughlin Jr. set to begin pro career in SealMaster Top Fuel dragster

Troy Coughlin Jr. set to begin pro career
in SealMaster Top Fuel dragster
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 6) — Troy Coughlin Jr. is ready for the ultimate test of his drag racing skills with his first national event in a Top Fuel dragster at this weekend’s 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona. The third-generation driver has succeeded in every class he’s raced, but even he admits the challenges of piloting the 10,000-horsepower SealMaster rail are daunting.

“I’m completely humbled,” Coughlin said after three days of testing in the Arizona desert. “It’s just so fast. Everything comes at you so quickly in the seat. It’s much more intense than I ever imagined. This is one aggressive racecar, and it never stops accelerating during the run. It’s a beast, and it’s also very, very cool.”
Continue reading Troy Coughlin Jr. set to begin pro career in SealMaster Top Fuel dragster

Two-time world champion Erica Enders readies for season of redemption

Two-time world champion Erica Enders readies for season of redemption
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 6) — For two glorious seasons from 2014-2015, Erica Enders was on top of the drag racing world, winning back-to-back titles in arguably the toughest category in all motorsports, NHRA Pro Stock. An impressive 15 victories during the stretch was punctuated by her incredible driving prowess. She was, quite simply, peerless.

Last season the proud Texan returned to earth after a switch to another manufacturer, going winless en route to a sagging ninth-place finish overall. Continue reading Two-time world champion Erica Enders readies for season of redemption

Mopar and Dodge Begin Championship Chase, Celebrate 80 Years of Mopar as 2017 NHRA Season Blasts Off

Mopar and Dodge Begin Championship Chase, Celebrate 80 Years of Mopar as 2017 NHRA Season Blasts Off

Four-driver Mopar Dodge Charger R/T NHRA Funny Car squad competes to capture fifth title in seven seasons

Leah Pritchett back in Mopar/Pennzoil Top Fuel Dragster, looks to build off top-ten finish

Mopar and Dodge put focus on NHRA Sportsman racers, Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak drivers for 2017 season
February 6, 2017 (Auburn Hills, Michigan) – When the fastest race cars on the planet roar to life this week for the NHRA Winternationals, a fleet of Mopar-powered Dodge machines will be among the front-runners at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. Drivers and teams will also continue the yearlong Mopar 80th anniversary celebration at the 2017 season-starter as they look to add to the brand’s rich drag racing tradition. Continue reading Mopar and Dodge Begin Championship Chase, Celebrate 80 Years of Mopar as 2017 NHRA Season Blasts Off

Honda Ridgeline Baja Race Truck Takes Third at Parker 425

Honda Ridgeline Baja Race Truck Takes Third at Parker 425
• Ridgeline Baja Race Truck opens 2017 season with a podium result
• Racing version of current 2017 Honda Ridgeline

PARKER, Arizona (Feb. 5, 2017) – The Honda Ridgeline Baja Race Truck opened the 2017 off-road racing season with a strong performance Saturday in the southwestern Arizona desert, leading and finishing third in the “7200” class at the Parker 425.

The season-opening round of the Best In The Desert series, the Parker 425 features a rugged course with wide-ranging conditions, from sand washes and rough rock sections to wide-open rally roads. Continue reading Honda Ridgeline Baja Race Truck Takes Third at Parker 425

Successful Nitro Spring Training complete, John Force Racing ready for 2017 season

Successful Nitro Spring Training complete,
John Force Racing ready for 2017 season

CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 4) – John Force Racing completed a successful preseason test session Saturday at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, with Courtney Force leading the way in Funny Car with her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS, and her sister, Brittany Force, the third-quickest Top Fuel dragster driver in her Monster Energy car. Continue reading Successful Nitro Spring Training complete, John Force Racing ready for 2017 season

Courtney Force advances to the top of Funny Car chart on Day 2 of Nitro Spring Training

Courtney Force advances to the top of Funny Car chart on Day 2 of Nitro Spring Training

CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 3) – Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force blistered Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park during the second day of NHRA Nitro Spring training Friday, posting the three-quickest passes of the week – including an incredible run under the Funny Car national record.

Force’s best run in her Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car was 3.804 seconds at 333.33 mph, quicker than Matt Hagan’s national-record run of 3.822 seconds set last year in Brainerd, Minn. Because Force’s pass came during testing, it is not a national record. Continue reading Courtney Force advances to the top of Funny Car chart on Day 2 of Nitro Spring Training

NHRA fans can meet the John Force Racing drivers at John Force RaceStation Meet and Greet

NHRA fans can meet the John Force Racing drivers at
John Force RaceStation Meet and Greet

YORBA LINDA, Calif. (Feb. 3) – John Force Racing is hosting a Meet and Greet with all four of its drivers at the John Force RaceStation before the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season-opener in Pomona.

The Meet and Greet will be held Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the John Force RaceStation, 22722 Old Canal Road, Yorba Linda, Calif. Admission is free. Continue reading NHRA fans can meet the John Force Racing drivers at John Force RaceStation Meet and Greet

Valerie Thompson named first female member of Bonneville 200 MPH Club Board of Directors

Valerie Thompson named first female member of Bonneville 200 MPH Club Board of Directors

World’s Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer Appointed to Prestigious Land Speed Racing Board

Pomona, CA. (Feb. 3, 2017) – The world’s fastest female motorcycle racer, Valerie Thompson, was appointed to the Bonneville 200 MPH Club board of directors during their recent meeting on January 28th at the National Hot Rod Association Museum in Pomona California.

Thompson is a seven-time land speed record holder, team owner/driver and member of six different land speed racing 200 MPH Clubs. She made history at the 2016 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials, winning the “The Fastest Time of the Meet” award with a speed of 304.263 mph (489.6 KMH) piloting the Team “7” Racing streamliner. Thompson is the first female rider over 300 mph, earning the title of “Worlds Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer.” Continue reading Valerie Thompson named first female member of Bonneville 200 MPH Club Board of Directors

DE LA VARA CELEBRATES VICTORIES IN OFF-SEASON F4 U.S Championship driver competes in F4 NACAM

DE LA VARA CELEBRATES VICTORIES IN OFF-SEASON

F4 U.S Championship driver competes in F4 NACAM

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 3, 2016) – For Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda competitor Moises de la Vara of Guadalajara, the off-season has been busy. Before the inaugural F4 U.S. season concluded, de la Vara suited-up for his second competition season in the FIA Mexican F4 Championship, F4 NACAM, making him the first North American competitor to ever compete in two FIA F4 championships simultaneously. Continue reading DE LA VARA CELEBRATES VICTORIES IN OFF-SEASON F4 U.S Championship driver competes in F4 NACAM

Robert Hight, Courtney Force quickest on Day 1 of NHRA Nitro Spring Training

Robert Hight, Courtney Force quickest on Day 1 of
NHRA Nitro Spring Training
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 2) – John Force Racing driver Robert Hight turned the quickest overall elapsed time in the NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car class to lead all drivers in Thursday’s opening day of the Nitro Spring Training test at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Continue reading Robert Hight, Courtney Force quickest on Day 1 of NHRA Nitro Spring Training

NHRA Nitro Spring Training: One day until John Force Racing’s teams report

NHRA Nitro Spring Training: One day until
John Force Racing’s teams report
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 1) – John Force Racing’s four nitro teams are primed for the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

But first: preseason testing in the form of NHRA Nitro Spring Training, held this week at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix.

Numerous NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car teams will test there starting Thursday. For JFR, the test will mark the first time on the track for two new driver/crew chief combinations. Continue reading NHRA Nitro Spring Training: One day until John Force Racing’s teams report

ECR Engines Finishes 1-2 in IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona

ECR Engines Finishes 1-2 in IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona
Wayne Taylor Racing wins title in ECR-powered No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R

WELCOME, N.C. (January 30, 2017) – ECR Engines captured the victory Sunday afternoon in the IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway, powering Wayne Taylor Racing’s (WTR) No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R across the finish line and giving Cadillac its first ever Rolex 24 win.

WTR completed 659 laps and won by 0.671 seconds over Action Express Racing’s No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R, also powered by ECR Engines.

“What an extraordinary day for ECR Engines and Cadillac,” said Richie Gilmore, president of ECR Engines. “Congratulations to Wayne Taylor Racing for a heart-stirring victory and to Action Express Racing for a strong second-place finish. We’re thrilled we could power these teams to a 1-2 finish and more importantly give Cadillac its first ever Rolex 24 victory.”

Wayne Taylor Racing passed Action Express’ No. 5 team with seven minutes remaining after the team had led for a majority of the race. WTR drivers Ricky and Jordan Taylor, Jeff Gordon and Max Angelelli celebrated in Victory Lane as the Prototype and overall winners of the 55th Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Action Express Racing’s No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R team dominated much of the race before being passed by WTR. Action Express’ No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R driven by Eric Curran, Dane Cameron, Mike Conway and Sebastian Morris finished 14th overall after an incident during the race.

“This is a testament of the durability and horsepower of ECR Engines,” said Gilmore. “Our team of engineers and engine builders deserve credit for this 1-2 finish. We’re looking forward to continued success in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Series and hope to defend our title as manufacturer champions.”

ECR Engines has won IMSA Tudor Series championships for three consecutive seasons and won the Prototype Engine Manufacturer’s championship four years in a row. In 2014, ECR swept the podium at the Rolex 24, with the Corvette Daytona Prototypes finishing 1-2-3.

Based on the campus of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), ECR Engines produces engines across seven types of stock car and sports car racing series, including production for NASCAR teams such as RCR, Germain Racing and JTG Daughterty Racing. In 2016, ECR collected 17 victories and powered GMS Racing to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship.

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About ECR Engines:
ECR Engines is a high-performance engine production, research and development company at the Richard Childress Racing facility in Welcome, N.C. ECR provides engines for NASCAR teams like Richard Childress Racing, JTG Daugherty Racing, Germain Racing, Leavine Family Racing as well as others. ECR also produces engines used in all of the Cadillac DPi Daytona Prototypes which compete in the WeatherTech United SportsCar Championship series, as well as for teams in the ARCA Racing Series, SCCA, dirt and asphalt short tracks and sprint car racing. ECR Engines have earned more than 200 victories, including two Brickyard 400 wins, and championships in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, 24 Hours at Daytona & the 12 Hours at Sebring in the IMSA WeatherTech Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

Top-Five Finish for Acura NSX GT3 at Daytona Debut

Top-Five Finish for Acura NSX GT3 at Daytona Debut
• Michael Shank Racing effort dominates nighttime hours of the Rolex 24
• Acura NSX GT3s lead 27 percent of race laps in 24-hour endurance classic
• Acura wins first GTD round of 2017 North American Endurance Championship

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 29, 2017) – The Acura NSX GT3 completed a highly successful endurance sports car racing debut Saturday and Sunday at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, as a pair of Michael Shank Racing Acuras dominated the nighttime hours, leading 171 of 634 laps, prior to a best finish of fifth in the 27-car GTD field at the season-opening Rolex 24. Continue reading Top-Five Finish for Acura NSX GT3 at Daytona Debut

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Hard-Fought Result for No. 3 Corvette C7.R Excellent pit work, never-give-up spirit highlights 2017 opener

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Hard-Fought Result for No. 3 Corvette C7.R
Excellent pit work, never-give-up spirit highlights 2017 opener

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2017) –Antonio Garcia, Jan Magnussen and Mike Rockenfeller led Corvette Racing’s effort in the GT Le Mans class of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Sunday. The No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R placed fourth in a battle that saw the top seven entries separated by 7.5 seconds after a grueling opening race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Hard-Fought Result for No. 3 Corvette C7.R Excellent pit work, never-give-up spirit highlights 2017 opener

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Twelve Hours Down, Twelve Hours to Go

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Twelve Hours Down, Twelve Hours to Go
No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R in thick of GTLM fight; No. 4 Corvette supporting team effort

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2017) – The 55th Rolex 24 At Daytona has reached and passed the halfway point with Corvette Racing in the thick of the GT Le Mans battle as the race stretched into Sunday morning. Antonio Garcia in the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R ran seventh in GT Le Mans (GTLM) but was within striking distance of the team’s third straight victory at the twice-around-the-clock endurance classic. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Twelve Hours Down, Twelve Hours to Go

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Six-Hour Update

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Six-Hour Update
No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R among the GTLM leaders; No. 4 Corvette encounters trouble

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2017) – Corvette Racing’s No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R was among the leaders in a rapidly changing Rolex 24 At Daytona after six hours of the opening race of the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Mike Rockenfeller stood fourth in GT Le Mans (GTLM) in the No. 3 Corvette as rain began pelting Daytona International Speedway. Teammates Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia each drove solid triple-stints to move the Corvette from seventh at the start to as high as second in class. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: Six-Hour Update

Katherine Legge Named Winner of the Lord Wakefield Trophy At MSA Night of Champions

Katherine Legge Named Winner of the Lord Wakefield Trophy
At MSA Night of Champions

January 28, 2017 – The Motor Sports Association (MSA) of the United Kingdom today named Katherine Legge winner of the prestigious Lord Wakefield Trophy, at the organization’s annual “Night of Champions” ceremony held at the Royal Automobile Club in London, England.

It is the second time the Surrey native been awarded the prestigious trophy at the MSA’s traditional prize-giving, having been a previous recipient of the Lord Wakefield Trophy in 2007.

Legge was recognized for her dedication and consistently high achievement in motorsports by the MSA, the national governing body for automobile racing in the U.K. In 2016, she capped a four-season association with DeltaWing Racing by becoming the first woman in history to lead the Rolex 24 endurance contest at the Daytona International Speedway, while continuing in her roles as a member of the Women in Motorsport Commission of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and as STEM ambassador for the Girl Scouts.

“I’m absolutely delighted and honored to receive this award,” said Legge, who is competing for MSR and Acura this weekend in the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. “It’s lovely to be awarded the Lord Wakefield trophy, and very humbling. I have been extremely fortunate to be involved in motorsport throughout my life. I am grateful for every opportunity I have been given in our sport, and will do my best to be a worthy recipient of this honor.”

Presented by the MSA on behalf of the British Women’s Racing Drivers’ Club, the Lord Wakefield Trophy honors women for their contributions to motorsports. Previous recipients have included racing drivers Divina Galica and Susie Wolf; rally champions Michelle Mouton and Pat Moss-Carlsson; Formula One team principal Claire Williams and Audi Sport racing engineer Leena Gade.

This season, Legge is driving an Acura NSX GT3 for Michael Shank Racing in the GT Daytona division of the IMSA WeatherTech SpotsCar championship. She is making her race debut with MSR and Acura this weekend at the Rolex 24.

Acura Motorsports Report Rolex 24 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 24-hour endurance race

Acura Motorsports Report
Rolex 24
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 24-hour endurance race
Daytona International Speedway (3.56-mile road course) Daytona Beach, FL
Weather: Mostly sunny, windy, mild, 78 degrees F

Top-10 Qualifying Runs for Michael Shank Racing at Daytona
• Acura NSX GT3s qualify seventh and ninth in competitive 27-car GTD field
• Acura effort heads all new GTD manufacturer entries
• Saturday’s Rolex 24 opens the 2017 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 26, 2017) – The Michael Shank Racing effort, led by drivers Andy Lally and Jeff Segal, posted top-10 runs in their Acura NSX GT3s during qualifying Thursday at Daytona International Speedway for this weekend’s Rolex 24, the opening round in the 2017 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Continue reading Acura Motorsports Report Rolex 24 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 24-hour endurance race

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Media Tour 2–Kyle Larson

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
PRE-SEASON MEDIA AVAILABILITY
CHARLOTTE MEDIA TOUR
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
JANUARY 25, 2017

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Charlotte Media Tour and discussed visiting Australia and New Zealand during the off-season, the new race format, and more. Full Transcript:

TALK ABOUT AUSTRALIA:
“Australia was a lot of fun. I got to go to down there and race at Sydney Speedway, which is somewhere I’ve wanted to race for a long time now. It was a good time. We stayed in Parramatta. I got to go to the Sydney Zoo and Bondi Beach near Sydney, which was a lot of fun. I only got to run three races. One rained out and I ran third in two of them and had a really bad night in one of them. We went from Australia to New Zealand for a couple of days to try and race there, but that ultimately got rained out as well. But, I had a blast. At least for the Australia part our whole family was there. So, it was fun. We all got to hang out and had a good time. It was a fun off-season. I got to do the Chili Bowl, which is always fun. I didn’t have a good year there, but did win the Race of Champions, which was nice. So, it was a solid off-season, for sure.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Media Tour 2–Kyle Larson

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