Erica Enders gets timed out in first
round of NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
CONCORD, N.C. (April 30) — Erica Enders never got a chance to flex the horsepower of her Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro Sunday at zMax Dragway because she was timed-out at the starting line after taking too long to stage. It’s one of the hazards of the annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals and every year someone seems to get bit. Continue reading Erica Enders gets timed out in first round of NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
Top qualifier Jeg Coughlin Jr. runs quickest pass of the race, but loses anyway
Top qualifier Jeg Coughlin Jr. runs
quickest pass of the race, but loses anyway
CONCORD, N.C. (April 30) — Jeg Coughlin Jr. posted the quickest pass of the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in the opening round of Sunday’s eliminations but it was all for naught after a strange starting line miscue caused him to leave more than half a second after his three opponents. Continue reading Top qualifier Jeg Coughlin Jr. runs quickest pass of the race, but loses anyway
Dixon, Kanaan Head Honda Effort in Phoenix
Dixon, Kanaan Head Honda Effort in Phoenix
• Scott Dixon finishes fifth, Tony Kanaan sixth in first short-oval race of 2017
• Opening lap crash eliminates five Honda drivers
• Separate incidents end the race for Ryan Hunter-Reay, Alexander Rossi and Takuma Sato
AVONDALE, Ariz. (April 29, 2017) – Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan led the way for Honda Saturday night at Phoenix International Raceway, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively, in a Verizon IndyCar Series race that saw five Honda drivers eliminated in an opening-lap crash, and three more fall by the wayside prior to the checkers. Continue reading Dixon, Kanaan Head Honda Effort in Phoenix
Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Phoenix–Post Race
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
DESERT DIAMOND WEST VALLEY PHOENIX GRAND PRIX
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER POST RACE QUOTES
APRIL 29, 2017
SIMON PAGENAUD, NO. 1 MENARDS TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET – RACE WINNER
DID YOU EVER THINK YOU WOULD HEAR TH WORDS YOU’VE WON AT AN OVAL? WHERE DOES THIS ONE RANK ON THE CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT LIST?
“Those were the longest 50 laps of my life. I have a button on the steering wheel to check the lap count, ever lap I was pressing the button. It was the most stressful end of the race I’ve ever lived, but the car was just phenomenal. It was an incredible day for the Menards car, Chevy, incredible job with the aero package for these kinds of tracks and on the engine as well. Since the beginning of the season we worked so closely it’s been fun, I have to say. Obviously, thanks to Verizon as well for all the support that they give us. I’ve got to tell you, this is just incredible. For me, this is my best win because it’s so strategic to win on an oval. You have to really study what the others are doing, how your car is responding adjust it during the race to be good at the end and today was just exactly a perfect day. I couldn’t be any happier.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Phoenix–Post Race
Rookies deJong and Eriksson Score Top-Five Results in Memphis
Rookies deJong and Eriksson Score Top-Five Results in Memphis
• Honda’s First American Rallycross Driver Finishes Fourth
• Oliver Eriksson Finishes Fifth, Securing a Double Top-Five Finish
• Sebastian Eriksson Collects Third Round Heat Victory
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (April 29, 2017) ¬– Mitchell deJong and his No. 24 Honda Red Bull OMSE Civic utilized an aggressive strategy early in Saturday’s Final to finish fourth in the season-opening round of the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship at Memphis International Raceway, with his rookie teammate, Oliver Eriksson, following closely behind in fifth.
Continue reading Rookies deJong and Eriksson Score Top-Five Results in Memphis
Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Phoenix–Simon Pagenaud Winner
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
DESERT DIAMOND WEST VALLEY PHOENIX GRAND PRIX
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
RACE WINNER QUICK QUOTE
APRIL 29, 2017
SIMON PAGENAUD, NO. 1 MENARDS TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET – RACE WINNER
DID YOU EVER THINK YOU WOULD HEAR TH WORDS YOU’VE WON AT AN OVAL? WHERE DOES THIS ONE RANK ON THE CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT LIST?
“Those were the longest 50 laps of my life. I have a button on the steering wheel to check the lap count, ever lap I was pressing the button. It was the most stressful end of the race I’ve ever lived, but the car was just phenomenal. It was an incredible day for the Menards car, Chevy, incredible job with the aero package for these kinds of tracks and on the engine as well. Since the beginning of the season we worked so closely it’s been fun, I have to say. Obviously, thanks to Verizon as well for all the support that they give us. I’ve got to tell you, this is just incredible. For me, this is my best win because it’s so strategic to win on an oval. You have to really study what the others are doing, how your car is responding adjust it during the race to be good at the end and today was just exactly a perfect day. I couldn’t be any happier.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Phoenix–Simon Pagenaud Winner
Hagan Leads Mopar in Qualifying at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, Turk Qualifies for Factory Stock Showdown
Hagan Leads Mopar in Qualifying at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, Turk Qualifies for Factory Stock Showdown
Matt Hagan qualifies Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T fourth in Funny Car to lead Mopar-backed Nitro teams
Four Mopar-powered Don Schumacher Racing Funny Cars qualify in top 10
Six Dodge Charger R/T Funny Cars qualify for 16-car field
Mopar Top Fuel drivers Tony Schumacher and Leah Pritchett will begin day from No. 6 and No. 9 spots, respectively
Pritchett pilots Dodge Challenger to win over Papa John’s founder and CEO, John Schnatter, in second Charity Challenge race of 2017
Geoff Turk qualifies 2015 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak for Factory Stock Showdown
Super Stock driver Jerry Hatch’s 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Six Pack wins Best Appearing Car
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon simulators unveiled on Manufacturers Midway and covered by FS1
April 29, 2017 (Concord, N.C.) – Mopar HEMI® power claimed four of the top 10 spots in Funny Car qualifying for the Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, while Mopar-powered Top Fuel machines will start sixth and ninth on the unique four-wide eliminations ladder. Only three rounds are required to crown the event champion in the classes that make up the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Continue reading Hagan Leads Mopar in Qualifying at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, Turk Qualifies for Factory Stock Showdown
Brittany Force’s Monster Energy team bringing the heat at Four-Wide Nationals
Brittany Force’s Monster Energy team
bringing the heat at Four-Wide Nationals
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) – If there’s a team that can make it through the energy-sapping heat and humidity that the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series has faced at the Four-Wide Nationals this weekend at zMAX Dragway, it’s Brittany Force’s Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster team.
Temperatures were in the upper-80s and low-90s during qualifying in Charlotte, with humidity adding to the discomfort level. But Force and her John Force Racing team came through with a No. 7 qualifying effort – and a terrific pass in the heat of the day in the final qualifying session. Continue reading Brittany Force’s Monster Energy team bringing the heat at Four-Wide Nationals
Team Marathon Petroleum No. 12 at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
Team Marathon Petroleum No. 12 at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29, 2017) – Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson will head into raceday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in the No. 12 position in his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart.
On Friday, Johnson hit zMAX DRAGWAY with a tune-up to see what the track would hold. The Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart launched a little too aggressively and he shook a little after the 60-foot mark; he coasted to a 12.005-second pass at 94.79 mph. The Adam Hornberger-led team came back in the second session on Friday and greatly improved with a 6.657, 208.33. Continue reading Team Marathon Petroleum No. 12 at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
PEAK driver John Force ready to make some noise in Four-Wide Nationals eliminations
PEAK driver John Force ready to make some noise
in Four-Wide Nationals eliminations
Photo credit: Gary Nastase / Auto Imagery
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) – PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car driver John Force has had a subtle weekend at the Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
But with a fast Camaro heading into eliminations, the 16-time champion could make a lot of noise on Sunday.
Force qualified No. 3 for the unique Four-Wide Nationals – behind John Force Racing teammates Courtney Force and Robert Hight. That’s the first time JFR swept the top three spots since Topeka 2014, when Courtney Force was No. 1, John Force was No. 2 and Robert Hight No. 3.
“We have won this race – I won the inaugural (in 2010),” Force said. “Robert has won it, and Brittany (Force) has won it. That only leaves (Courtney). So, we will see what happens tomorrow. Continue reading PEAK driver John Force ready to make some noise in Four-Wide Nationals eliminations
Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin nails down fourth low qualifier award of his career
Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin nails
down fourth low qualifier award of his career
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) — Perhaps no one was happier to suffer through the heat and humidity that settled on zMax Dragway Saturday than two-time Pro Mod world champion Troy Coughlin, whose Friday night pass of 5.770 at 254.95 mph remained unchallenged in the final two rounds of qualifying for the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.
“I was sweating it out, literally,” Coughlin said with a laugh. “In reality, it got too hot today for anyone to really challenge that 5.77. The day kind of turned into a test-n-tune for tomorrow’s elimination action because all indications are that we’ll see very similar conditions. Either way we’ll be ready. Continue reading Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin nails down fourth low qualifier award of his career
Auto Club driver Robert Hight secures No. 2 qualifying spot as part of JFR 1-2-3 at Four-Wide Nationals
Auto Club driver Robert Hight secures No. 2 qualifying spot as part of JFR 1-2-3 at Four-Wide Nationals
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) – Robert Hight seeks a third Funny Car victory in Sunday’s unique Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, and will mount his charge for the mark from the No. 2 qualifying position.
Hight – driver of the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS – established a best pass of 3.873 seconds at a track record 333.91 mph in Friday’s second qualifying session. That means he’ll line up against No. 7 Tommy Johnson Jr., No. 10 Jack Beckman and No. 15 Jim Campbell in the first round of eliminations. Continue reading Auto Club driver Robert Hight secures No. 2 qualifying spot as part of JFR 1-2-3 at Four-Wide Nationals
3-for-4: Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force heads into Sunday’s Four-Wide Nationals with 3rd straight No. 1
3-for-4: Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force heads into Sunday’s Four-Wide Nationals with 3rd straight No. 1
Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) – Good things tend to come in threes.
For Courtney Force and the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS team, they enter Sunday’s Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway with their third consecutive No. 1 Funny Car qualifying position.
Force led a JFR 1-2-3 – the team’s first in nearly three years – with teammate Robert Hight No. 2 and father and team owner John Force No. 3. Continue reading 3-for-4: Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force heads into Sunday’s Four-Wide Nationals with 3rd straight No. 1
For second race in a row, five-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. tops Pro Stock field
For second race in a row, five-time champ
Jeg Coughlin Jr. tops Pro Stock field
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) — Jeg Coughlin Jr. knew his Rick Jones-built JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro was a great racecar since the beginning of the season. It just took him a few races to let everyone else know.
For the second straight national event, the five-time Pro Stock champion has the quickest car in the factory hot rod class. This weekend, in qualifying for the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Coughlin used an impressive 6.578-second pass at 210.24 mph to get the job done.
Father and son, Jeg Coughlin Sr.
and Jeg Coughlin Jr.
“Obviously to get our second No. 1 qualifying effort in back-to-back weeks is very satisfying,” Coughlin said. “It shows we have regained a great tune-up and have some real confidence in our current set-up. I think our crew chief braintrust of Mark Ingersoll, Rick Jones and Brian Self here at the track are doing a really nice job with everything and I feel really confident behind the wheel. That’s a good combination.” Continue reading For second race in a row, five-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. tops Pro Stock field
Qualifying a season-best second on the grid excites Pro Stock champ Erica Enders
Qualifying a season-best second on the grid excites Pro Stock champ Erica Enders
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) — After qualifying her Lupe Tortilla-backed Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro a season-best No. 2 on the elimination ladder of the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, two-time world champ Erica Enders admitted it’s going to be hard to wipe the smile off her face.
“We definitely took another big step in the right direction this weekend,” Enders said. “I know this entire Elite Motorsports team is very excited to be back on top of the sheets. Granted, it’s just qualifying, but to be 1-2 with my teammate Jeg Coughlin for the first time since we’ve been racing together again is very cool.” Continue reading Qualifying a season-best second on the grid excites Pro Stock champ Erica Enders
Chevy Racing–NHRA–Z-Max Dragway–Qualifying Quotes
CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
ZMAX DRAGWAY AT CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA
QUALIFYING RESULTS AND DRIVER QUOTES
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017
Chevrolet Drivers Dominate Funny Car, Pro Stock Qualifications
· Courtney Force claims third consecutive No. 1 Funny Car qualifier honor
· John Force Racing sweeps top three Funny Car qualifying spots
· Robert Hight sets Funny Car racetrack speed record in qualifying No. 2
· Jeg Coughlin Jr. records second Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier honor in a row
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29, 2017) – In her 125th National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Funny Car event, Courtney Force took an assertive step toward recording her ninth career victory and first at zMAX Dragway. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Z-Max Dragway–Qualifying Quotes
Chevy Racing–NHRA–Z-Max Dragway–Qualifying
CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
ZMAX DRAGWAY AT CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA
QUALIFYING RESULTS AND DRIVER QUOTES
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017
Chevrolet Drivers Dominate Funny Car, Pro Stock Qualifications
· Courtney Force claims third consecutive No. 1 Funny Car qualifier honor
· John Force Racing sweeps top three Funny Car qualifying spots
· Robert Hight sets Funny Car racetrack speed record in qualifying No. 2
· Jeg Coughlin Jr. records second Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier honor in a row
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29, 2017) – In her 125th National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Funny Car event, Courtney Force took an assertive step toward recording her ninth career victory and first at zMAX Dragway. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Z-Max Dragway–Qualifying
Richard Childress Racing–Richmond 250
Austin Dillon Cruises to Segment One Win at Richmond International Raceway En Route to 4th-Place Finish in Rheem Chevrolet
“The Rheem Chevy was unreal on the first run. I was cruising–so much so that we were able to win the first segment with a seven second lead. For the remainder of the race the car would come to us like it did in the first run but everybody got a little better and we didn’t. We tried to make it a little better and just couldn’t accomplish that. We kind of got lost. It’s easy to do that at this place. We have something to come back with. We didn’t have enough today. I’m proud of everybody on the Rheem team. Tomorrow should be a really fun day, too, so I’m looking forward to that race as well.” Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Richmond 250
Courtney Force heads JFR’s 1-2-3 effort on 1st day of Four-Wide Nationals qualifying
Courtney Force heads JFR’s 1-2-3 effort on 1st day
of Four-Wide Nationals qualifying
Courtney Force (bottom) and Robert Hight Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
CONCORD, N.C. (April 28) – Courtney Force’s record pass of 3.851 seconds at 323.27 mph led a John Force Racing sweep of the top three Funny Car qualifying positions Friday, the first of two days of qualifying for Sunday’s Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
Force, the No. 1 qualifier the past two events, established the time in the second qualifying session in her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS, as JFR set both ends of the track record Friday. The third and fourth rounds of qualifying take place Saturday, at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Eastern, respectively. Continue reading Courtney Force heads JFR’s 1-2-3 effort on 1st day of Four-Wide Nationals qualifying
Jeg Coughlin Jr. remains in control of Pro Stock class after another top-qualifying effort
Jeg Coughlin Jr. remains in control of Pro Stock
class after another top-qualifying effort
CONCORD, N.C. (April 28) — It’s been 10 years since six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. has qualified on top of the Pro Stock field at consecutive races but the driver of the JEGS.com/Elite Performance Camaro is on the cusp of doing it again should his 6.578-second pass at 210.24 mph from Friday night hold through Saturday’s final two qualifying sessions, scheduled to be run in the heat of the day.
“To be No. 1 in both Friday sessions really starts to trump what we accomplished last weekend in Houston,” said Coughlin, a 58-time national event winner in the Pro Stock class. “Hopefully, that’s a sign of more good things to come. I’m just really pleased that we made two really nice laps today. The guys are working hard and it’ll be fun to come out here tomorrow and put a third and then a fourth
run together.” Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. remains in control of Pro Stock class after another top-qualifying effort