Summit Racing

Team Summit Racing Gets Win #11 at NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

Team Summit Racing Gets Win #11 at NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

Bristol, TN (June 19, 2016) – Team Summit Racing continued its dominance of NHRA Pro Stock as Jason Line won over teammate Greg Anderson in the final round of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. It was Line’s sixth win of 2016, his 43rd career victory, and his second at Bristol Dragway.

JASON LINE Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS
Line was the Number One qualifier for the sixth time this season with a 6.652 second, 208.01 MPH pass. He was supposed to face David River in Round One of eliminations, but River dropped out of the race. This gave Line bye-runs in the two rounds, automatically putting him in the semifinals where he defeated Drew Skillman, 6.688/207.66 to 14.723/56.33.

It was another all-Summit Racing final with Line facing Greg Anderson. Line got the jump at the starting line with a 0.099 second reaction time to Anderson’s 0.121 RT, taking the win with a 6.668/207.59 to Anderson’s 6.694/207.62.

“Greg and I were both a little tardy off the line, but we had a great run and were able to get the sixth win,” Line said. “It’s big to win this race. I had some special friends here this week and that makes it even better. And to win on Father’s Day, it’s special to be able to tell my Dad I love him on TV.”

Line remains Number One in the Pro Stock points standings, 87 points ahead of second place Anderson.

GREG ANDERSON Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS
Greg Anderson qualified second with a 6.675/206.83 pass. He defeated John Gaydosh in round one (6.657/208.07 to 6.790/202.94); Shane Gray in round two (6.668/207.56 to 7.165/150.88); and Jeg Coughlin Jr. in the semifinals (6.690/207.56 to 10.882/80.81) to reach his sixth straight final round where he runner-upped to teammate Jason Line.

“It was a great day on the Mountain. Father’s Day and my Dad is in the house, I had a wonderful day,” Anderson said. “What else can I say about our Summit Chevy Camaros—they’ve been great all weekend, and hopefully they’ll stay that way going into the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals this coming weekend.”

Greg is currently second in the NHRA Pro Stock point standings.

TIM WILKERSON Ford Shelby Mustang Nitro Funny Car
Tim Wilkerson qualified thirteenth with a 4.236/266.16 run. He struggled to make a clean pass in his old Ford Shelby Mustang on loan from its new owner, Brian Stewart.

In the first round of eliminations against Matt Hagan, a malfunction in the drivetrain about 400 feet from the starting line caused Wilkerson’s motor to over-rev and explode. Hagan took the win over Wilkerson, 3.945/309.40 to 4.614/176.12.

“We need to start an upward trend again in Norwalk,” Wilkerson said. “We were sure going the wrong way the last three races. Those kinds of catastrophes have an effect on a team, but we’re going to buckle in and get it fixed.”

Wilkerson is currently sixth in the NHRA Funny Car point standings.

KENNY LANG 1969 Camaro Pro Modified
Kenny Lang failed to make the 16 car field, running a 6.128/238.51.

The next race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series is the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, June 23-26 in Norwalk, Ohio.

TEAM KALITTA NOTES
Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta qualified second (3.767/323.97). He reset the Bristol Dragway top speed record (329.34 MPH) and defeated Kyle Wurtzel in Round One of eliminations. Kalitta defeated Pat Dakin in the second round, but lost to Shawn Langdon in the semi-finals. Kalitta remains Number One in the points standings.
J.R. Todd qualified ninth (3.825/319.60) but lost to Tony Schumacher in Round One. He is currently seventh in the points standings.

Funny Car
Alexis DeJoria qualified tenth (3.999/314.83). She defeated Chad Head and Del Worsham in the first two rounds of eliminations, but lost to Tommy Johnson Jr. in the semi-finals. DeJoria is currently tenth in the points standings.
Del Worsham qualified second (3.888/329.42), setting a new Bristol Dragway top speed record in Funny Car. He defeated John Hale in the first round, but lost to Alexis DeJoria in the second round. Worsham is currently fifth in the points standings.

Final Round Results from the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
Top Fuel: Shawn Langdon (3.838/322.19) defeated Tony Schumacher (3.924/310.70).
Funny Car: Tommy Johnson Jr. (4.038/313.22) defeated Matt Hagan (4.030/317.57).
Pro Stock: Jason Line (6.668/207.59) defeated Greg Anderson (6.694/207.62).

Honda Racing

Acura NSX-Inspired EV Concept Ready to ‘Charge Up’ Pikes Peak

Acura NSX-Inspired EV Concept Ready to ‘Charge Up’ Pikes Peak

Vehicle Features World’s First All-Electric, 4-Motor SH-AWD® Powertrain

TORRANCE, Calif., June 20, 2016 – Acura will campaign an all-electric, NSX-inspired EV Concept in the Electric Modified Class at the 2016 Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The Acura EV Concept features a further evolution of the experimental, all-electric, 4-motor Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) powertrain that won last year’s Pikes Peak Challenge Exhibition class. Continue reading Acura NSX-Inspired EV Concept Ready to ‘Charge Up’ Pikes Peak →

World of Outlaws

Stewart Scores Father’s Day Victory

Stewart Scores Father’s Day Victory
Captures fifth win of the season in series return to Brown County Speedway

ABERDEEN, S.D. – June 19, 2016 – The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series returned to Brown County Speedway for the first time since 1985 on Sunday night, as Shane Stewart started on the pole and led wire-to-wire to claim his fifth checkered flag of the season.

Stewart, whose wife and young daughter joined him in victory lane, captured the Father’s Day victory after he built sizeable lead on Joey Saldana and Donny Schatz while navigating through heavy lapped traffic all night. Continue reading Stewart Scores Father’s Day Victory →

Mopar Racing

Johnson Drives Mopar Dodge Charger Funny Car to First Win of Season at Bristol Dragway in Fifth Consecutive All-Mopar Final

Johnson Drives Mopar Dodge Charger Funny Car to First Win of Season at Bristol Dragway in Fifth Consecutive All-Mopar Final

· Tommy Johnson Jr. powers Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T to first win of season on Father’s Day at Bristol Dragway
· Johnson wins 13th national event title in a nitro Funny Car
· NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals site of fifth consecutive all-Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car final
· Team Mopar’s Matt Hagan flies to third final of season in Rocky Boots/Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T
· Jeg Coughlin Jr. and his “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar” JEGS.com Dodge Dart reach first semifinal round of the season
· Solid pass but early exit for Mopar Performance Dodge Dart pilot Erica Enders

Bristol, Tennessee (June 19, 2016) – Mopar Dodge Charger race cars have taken a big bite out of the competition in NHRA in 2016, and with their latest performance at Bristol Dragway and the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, the fearsome HEMI®s are continuing to shine as the class of the field. Mopar-powered Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) teammates Tommy Johnson Jr. and Matt Hagan squared off in the Bristol title, and ultimately it was Johnson with the win in his Make-A-Wish branded Dodge Charger R/T. Continue reading Johnson Drives Mopar Dodge Charger Funny Car to First Win of Season at Bristol Dragway in Fifth Consecutive All-Mopar Final →

Honda Racing

Sebastian Eriksson, Honda Capture Two Podium Finishes

Sebastian Eriksson, Honda Capture Two Podium Finishes

• Sebastian Eriksson Captures Two Thirds in Daytona doubleheader
• Third Red Bull Global Rallycross Podium for the Manufacturer
• Four Consecutive Top-Five Finish Streak Continues to North Carolina

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 19, 2016) – In Honda’s first visit to Daytona International Speedway since its January triumph in the Rolex 24, Olsbergs MSE driver Sebastian Eriksson claimed two podium results in the Red Bull Global Rallycross season’s second doubleheader weekend. These marked Honda’s third podium results of 2016. Continue reading Sebastian Eriksson, Honda Capture Two Podium Finishes →

Erica Enders

Pro Stock champ Erica Enders encouraged by progress in Bristol

Pro Stock champ Erica Enders encouraged by progress in Bristol
BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 19) — The win light didn’t come on in the lane for Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge driver Erica Enders, but a smile soon came over her face.

As the two-time Pro Stock champion slowed her Dodge Dart in the first round of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Sunday at Bristol Dragway, crew chief Rick Jones relayed her the numbers: 6.716 seconds at 206.32 mph.

They weren’t record-setting, but they were encouraging. Continue reading Pro Stock champ Erica Enders encouraged by progress in Bristol →

Jegs Racing

Troy Coughlin Sr.’s bid for back-to-back wins falls short in Bristol semifinals

Troy Coughlin Sr.’s bid for back-to-back wins falls short in Bristol semifinals
BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 19) — JEGS.com Pro Mod driver Troy Coughlin Sr.’s winning streak ended at six rounds after he fell in the semifinals of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Sunday at Bristol Dragway.

Coughlin had won the most recent NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series event in Englishtown, N.J., and was looking to go back-to-back in Thunder Valley, but after getting the jump on No. 3 qualifier Mike Castellana, Coughlin’s JEGS.com Corvette got out of the groove, and Coughlin had to push the clutch in. Continue reading Troy Coughlin Sr.’s bid for back-to-back wins falls short in Bristol semifinals →

Jegs Racing

Jeg Coughlin Jr. drives Dodge Dart to Bristol semifinals

Jeg Coughlin Jr. drives Dodge Dart
to Bristol semifinals
BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 19) — The sight was familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar.

Five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., winner of 58 races in his glorious career, raced to his first semifinal finish of 2016, beating Bo Butner and Allen Johnson at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Sunday at Bristol Dragway.

It was the 108th semifinal finish of Coughlin’s career but the first this season with his new Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar/JEGS.com Dodge Dart.

“The ultimate goal is to advance through four rounds and win the race,” Coughlin said. “As our fans, friends and family know, it’s been an infancy year for us, even when you look at the talent around this team. It’s caught us all off guard, quite frankly, but we are where we’re at.” Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. drives Dodge Dart to Bristol semifinals →

Roush Yates

FIFTY YEARS IN THE MAKING FORD WINS POLE AND LM GTE PRO CLASS AT LE MANS!

FIFTY YEARS IN THE MAKING FORD WINS POLE
AND LM GTE PRO CLASS AT LE MANS!

LE MANS, France, JUNE 19, 2016 –History has been made! The No. 68 (Joey Hand (US), Dirk Müller (GER), and Sébastien Bourdais (FRA)) wins the 84th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Fifty years after Ford’s legendary 1966 victory, the twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost V6 race engine and Ford Chip Ganassi No. 68 car performed flawlessly during the 24 hour endurance race. Roush Yates Engines working in partnership with Ford Performance powered the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team to a legendary victory (la victoire) at the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France.

“This is a remarkable accomplishment,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “I am so proud of the Ford Performance, Roush Yates Engines and Ford Chip Ganassi Racing for building a winning team that led the Ford GT (No. 68) to the victory. We are so honored to be a part of this historic win for Ford Motor Company and the Ford family”. Continue reading FIFTY YEARS IN THE MAKING FORD WINS POLE AND LM GTE PRO CLASS AT LE MANS! →

John Force Racing

JOHN FORCE’S INDUCTION INTO LEGENDS OF THUNDER VALLEY SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHT

JOHN FORCE’S INDUCTION INTO

LEGENDS OF THUNDER VALLEY SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHT

BRISTOL, TN — Sunday started with 16-time Funny Car champion John Force being recognized as a Legend of Thunder Valley during the pre-race ceremony at Bristol Dragway. The four-time NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals winner received a plaque, a huge congratulatory banner signed by the fans and his name was added to the façade of the trackside suite tower. Force then led one of the largest track walks in recent memory as thousands of fans joined him along with daughters Brittany and Courtney as they strolled down the race track. Continue reading JOHN FORCE’S INDUCTION INTO LEGENDS OF THUNDER VALLEY SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHT →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Bristol

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
16TH NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS
BRISTOL DRAGWAY (BRISTOL, TENNESSEE)
POST RACE DRIVER QUOTES
SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2016

PRO STOCK WINNER JASON LINE, KB RACING, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS:

YOU’VE BEEN TO 10 FINAL ROUNDS. WHAT MORE CAN YOU DO IN A SEASON?

“I don’t know. Let’s see. It’s been amazing and I’m absolutely thrilled to be (in the winner’s circle). It’s my dream, and the fact that I get to do this for a living is just awesome. It’s been really exciting for us.”

TALK ABOUT YOUR DAY TODAY.

“Obviously, it was a great day. Any time you’re up here it’s a great day. The semifinals against Drew (Skillman) – they are getting faster – and I didn’t do a very good job against him. The same thing happened in the final. Both of us lit the bulb at the exact same time and when that happens to me I generally don’t do a very good job. We were able to get by that and in the final, when we staged my light blinked. And so the auto start didn’t start when (Greg Anderson) thought it was going to, and it really messes you up when that happens. Neither of us did a great job there; we were a little tardy. But I made a great run and were able to get the sixth win. It feels very, very good.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Bristol →

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing–Iowa Speedway

Strong Showing for Ben Kennedy at Iowa Speedway in his NASCAR XFINITY Series Debut

“Man, this was a blast. I had so much fun. We had a fast Ruud Chevrolet. My goal at the beginning of the weekend was to finish in the top 10 and we achieved that. We were just a little too tight there at the end. I learned a ton on those restarts, what to expect throughout the run and how the lines change during the race. We could really utilize that top line as the run went on. I think we were one of the first teams to make that work. Overall, it was a great learning experience and I’m happy to go home with a top 10 finish. I can’t thank everyone at Richard Childress Racing and Ruud enough for this opportunity. It’s been a great weekend.”

– Ben Kennedy Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Iowa Speedway →

Honda Racing

Michael Shank Racing Runs Ninth in Le Mans Debut

Michael Shank Racing Runs Ninth in Le Mans Debut
• Honda-powered team’s first appearance at Le Mans
• Leads class during rain-soaked hours following race start
• IMSA race winners produce best finish of American prototype teams

Michael Shank Racing, with drivers Ozz Negri, John Pew and Laurens Vanthoor, successfully completed its initial run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, overcoming adversity in practice to lead the P2 class in the early laps of the famed race in the Ligier JS P2 Honda, and finish ninth.

Drivers John Pew, Ozz Negri, and Laurens Vanthoor piloted their Honda-powered Ligier through a wide range of conditions, including a sudden shower just before the scheduled green flag that resulted in the race starting behind a safety car for the first time in its 80-year history. Continue reading Michael Shank Racing Runs Ninth in Le Mans Debut →

Allen Johnson Racing

Win Not in the Cards for Hometown Allen Johnson

Win Not in the Cards for Hometown Allen Johnson

BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 19, 2016) – Allen Johnson came into raceday at the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals with positive vibes from friends and family but he unfortunately came up short in the second round to Jeg Coughlin.

In the first round, Johnson clocked in with a 6.695-second pass at 207.59 mph and took the win over Alex Laughlin’s 6.760, 206.29.

Johnson came into second round with lane choice over 5x Pro Stock World Champion Jeg Coughlin. Johnson and Coughlin had almost identical reaction times with only .003-seconds separating the two competitors. Johnson ran a 6.971, 167.32 after shoving in the clutch down track when he made a sharp move out of the groove and towards the wall. Coughlin advanced with a 6.746, 204.63.

“We thought we ran slow in the first round so we kind of got after it in second round and just blew the tires off,” Johnson admitted. “No matter what, coming here and spending time with our friends and family at our home track is really special to me.”

Johnson has plans to stay an additional day at Bristol Dragway to test on Monday.

“We’re doing some testing for Goodyear but we’ll test some other things that we think will help us for Norwalk,” he added.

Red Horse Racing

Red Horse Racing at Iowa Speedway

Red Horse Racing at Iowa Speedway

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams traveled to the Hawkeye State on Friday to Iowa Speedway for the Speediatrics 200. In two practice sessions on Friday, Timothy Peters recorded the fifth fastest time in the first practice and was 21st in the second practice. Germán Quiroga posted the 19th and 25th fastest times. On Saturday afternoon, teams returned to the Newton, Iowa facility for three rounds of knockout group qualifying. Quiroga secured the 25th starting position in the first round while Peters transferred to the second round and earned the 19th starting spot. In the 200 lap event at the 7/8-mile track, Peters finished 11th and Quiroga took the checkered flag in 14th.

Timothy Peters No. 17
No. 17 Red Horse Racing
Toyota Tundra Continue reading Red Horse Racing at Iowa Speedway →

Chevrolet Racing

CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: Garcia, Magnussen, Taylor Complete 24 Hours

CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: Garcia, Magnussen, Taylor Complete 24 Hours
Trouble-free run for No. 63 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R at French endurance classic

LE MANS, France (June 19, 2016) – A total team effort from Corvette Racing resulted in one of its Chevrolet Corvette C7.R race cars completing the 24 Hours of Le Mans today – the 17th time America’s premier GT team has tackled the famed French endurance race.

The No. 63 Konica Minolta/Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R of Antonio Garcia, Jan Magnussen and Ricky Taylor finished seventh in the GTE Pro class after starting 14th in the category and last on the grid. The trio ran a steady, clean race with none of the major mistakes that claimed many of the other runners in the class. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: Garcia, Magnussen, Taylor Complete 24 Hours →

Chevrolet Racing

CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: Tommy Milner Quote

CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: Tommy Milner Quote
No. 64 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R retired after crash in 17th hour

Corvette Racing’s No. 64 Konica Minolta/Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R has been retired following a crash in the 17th hour of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Driver Tommy Milner returned to the team garage under his own power. He, Oliver Gavin and Jordan Taylor had been running as high as fifth in GTE Pro.

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 64 KONICA MINOLTA/MOBIL 1/SIRIUS-XM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R: “First and foremost, I’m happy to be in a Corvette. This Corvette Racing team and the group at Chevrolet build the safest cars. We’ve seen some big wrecks here over the years and all our drivers have walked away fine. So I feel fortunate in that regard. I’m pretty disappointed that our race has ended the way it has. You never want to be in the car when something like that happens. We had just made some setup changes to try and get some more speed out of the car. It was just driver error. I should have done a better job of keeping the car under control but couldn’t do it today. I’m just disappointed for my teammates and the crew guys for having our race end like this. You always want to finish the race no matter what. So it’s definitely disappointing.”

Mopar Racing

Mopar Dodge Funny Car on Top in Bristol as Capps Races to Third Consecutive Pole

Mopar Dodge Funny Car on Top in Bristol as Capps Races to Third Consecutive Pole

· Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car propels Don Schumacher Racing driver Ron Capps to third consecutive start from No. 1 position
· NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals No. 1 is 21st pole of points leader Capps’ career
· Bristol Dragway pole is Capps’ fourth of year, most he has had in any single season
· Bristol marks ninth race of 11 in 2016 season in which Mopar Dodge Charger R/T leads field
· Mopar-powered Allen Johnson, No. 6 seed, quickest of four Dodge Dart campaigners in Bristol
· Mopar Performance Dodge Dart pilot Erica Enders and Mopar/Elite Motorsports teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr. and his “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar” JEGS.com Dodge Dart qualify on opposite sides of ladder, setting up potential final-round meeting
· V. Gaines makes his best run of weekend in final session in Dodge Dart Pro Stocker Continue reading Mopar Dodge Funny Car on Top in Bristol as Capps Races to Third Consecutive Pole →

Erica Enders

Dad’s message continues to push Pro Stock champion Erica Enders

Dad’s message continues to push
Pro Stock champion Erica Enders
BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 18) — On this Father’s Day weekend, the words of two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders’ dad have even more meaning to the defending Bristol Dragway winner.

Gregg Enders preached positivity to Erica as she moved up the ranks of NHRA drag racing, and she’ll remember those as she races her Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge in the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Sunday at Bristol Dragway. Continue reading Dad’s message continues to push Pro Stock champion Erica Enders →

Chevrolet Racing

CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: Halfway Update

CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: Halfway Update
Corvette C7.Rs maintain top-10 positions in GTE Pro class

LE MANS, France (June 19, 2016) – At the halfway point of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Corvette Racing’s pair of Konica Minolta/Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.Rs remained comfortably in the top-10 of a highly competitive GTE Pro class. Through 12 hours, both Corvettes continued to run trouble-free in a race that saw a handful of its top competitors fall by the wayside. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: Halfway Update →

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