Honda Continues To Pace Indianapolis 500 Practice
• Ryan Hunter-Reay tops speeds in second full day of practice
• Six Honda drivers, three Honda teams in top 10
• Alexander Rossi runs 15th, continues to lead rookie field
Ryan Hunter-Reay, 2014 Indianapolis 500 champion, led the way for Honda and his Andretti Autosport team Wednesday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as 33 drivers and teams completed the second full day of practice in preparation for the 100th running of the Memorial Day Classic. Continue reading Andretti Leads Honda 1-2-3-4 as Indianapolis 500 Practice Begins→
Pro Stock champ Erica Enders holds special memories of Topeka
TOPEKA, Kan. (May 18) — Heartland Park Topeka has a special place in the heart of Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge driver Erica Enders, the two-time Pro Stock champion.
Heartland Park, site of this weekend’s NHRA Kansas Nationals, is where Enders became the first woman to earn a No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock, and it’s also the track where she scored a dominant victory in 2015, nine years after that first No. 1 qualifier. Continue reading Pro Stock champ Erica Enders holds special memories of Topeka→
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
100TH RUNNING OF THE INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DAY 3 PRACTICE RECAP
MAY 18, 2016
GREAT MEMORIES AWAIT FORCE AT HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA
TOPEKA, KS (May 18, 2016) — This week Courtney Force is returning to one of the most memorable race tracks on the NHRA Mello Yello circuit for her and her Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car team. The current Funny Car points leader rallied her way to a No. 1 qualifying effort at Heartland Park Topeka in 2014 along with her sister Brittany in Top Fuel. It was the first time two sisters sat atop their respective fields going into eliminations on Sunday. The youngest daughter of 16-time champion John Force then advanced four rounds to claim her fourth career victory and the 100th win for women in the professional NHRA ranks. Continue reading GREAT MEMORIES AWAIT FORCE AT HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA→
SUMMIT RACING TEAM GOING FOR 8TH
CONSECUTIVE NHRA WIN IN KANSAS
Mooresville, NC (May 18, 2016)—With seven wins at seven races, Team Summit Racing continues to dominate the 2016 NHRA Race Series in Pro Stock. This weekend Jason Line and Greg Anderson go for win number eight in their KB Racing Chevrolet Camaros at the 28th Annual NHRA Kansas Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka.
Anderson is eager to get back behind the wheel and race in Topeka.
“I’m excited that we get to try it again in a few days. When you have a slight advantage like we have, you want to race every day,” said Anderson. “We look forward to Topeka and the chance to get another Wally.”
Heartland Park Topeka has been good to Anderson over the years. He’s won as a driver four times, and five times while working for Warren Johnson.
Line is looking for his first win at Heartland Park Topeka.
“I’m still working on my relationship with Topeka. It’s been a tough place for me,” said Line. “Hopefully this year I can finally fix that.”
Summit Racing Funny Car driver Tim Wilkerson is also ready to win at Heartland Park Topeka. He has been in the final round twice in Topeka and wants a win at one of his favorite tracks.
“I’m always a fan of Topeka. It’s home for the Kansas City group from Levi, Ray & Shoup. We always get a lot of good people that come out and root for us,” said Wilkerson. “I’m excited to go there and hopefully rebound from the Atlanta race.”
Lots of chances to win this weekend for JEGS drag racers Mike Coughlin, Troy Coughlin Jr.
NORWALK, Ohio (May 18) — Team JEGS drag racers Mike Coughlin and Troy Coughlin Jr. love competing — and winning — in their home state of Ohio, and they will have a whopping six chances at securing a trophy at this weekend’s Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser in Northwest Ohio. Continue reading Lots of chances to win this weekend for JEGS drag racers Mike Coughlin, Troy Coughlin Jr.→
Acura TLX GT Racers Looking Forward to Canadian Challenge
• RealTime Racing Acuras have earned top-10 results in four of year’s seven races
• Ryan Eversley stands 10th in Pirelli World Challenge points
TORRANCE, Calif, (May 19, 2016) – The Acura TLX GT squad with RealTime Racing has had nearly a full month to shake off a rough weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, and as a result, heads north of the border this weekend with renewed confidence. Continue reading Acura TLX GT Racers Looking Forward to Canadian Challenge→
The Wood Brothers’ And Michael Waltrip’s All-Star Victory
May 18, 2016
Through the years, NASCAR’s All-Star race has produced some of the sport’s most dramatic moments, and almost every “Top 10” list of best races includes the race that occurred 20 years ago this month. That’s when Michael Waltrip barely squeaked the Wood Brothers’ No. 21 Ford into the starting field, then went on to score a dramatic victory over Dale Earnhardt, Terry Labonte and Rusty Wallace. Continue reading The Wood Brothers’ And Michael Waltrip’s All-Star Victory→
Team JEGS Pre-race Notes:
NHRA Kansas Nationals
Team JEGS Pre-race Notes
NHRA Kansas Nationals
Heartland Park Topeka, Topeka, Kan. (May 20-22)
Six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. will continue his pursuit of the NHRA Mello Yello Pro Stock championship at this weekend’s event at Heartland Park Topeka. He has returned to the Pro Stock class on a full-time basis in 2016 racing a Rick Jones Race Cars-built Dodge Dart as a member of the Elite Motorsports team. Continue reading Team JEGS Pre-Race: Kansas→
TOPEKA, Kans. (May 17, 2016) – After his third semifinal appearance this season just a few days ago at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson is ready to break through all the way to the winner circle this weekend at the 28th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals.
Johnson has seen a lot of triumphs at Heartland Park Topeka with five final round appearances and three wins to his name.
“When it’s a track that’s at altitude, we just seem to perform well there,” Johnson said as he knocked on a wood surface in his motorhome for good luck. “But, this is going to be totally different with the new fuel injection. We excelled there with carburetors so hopefully we can go to Topeka and pick up some magic.”
Qualifying at the 28th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals will begin on Friday, May 20 with two qualifying sessions at 4:30 and 7 p.m. (ET). Two more qualifying runs will be on Saturday, May 21 at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. (ET). Eliminations will begin on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. (ET) starting with Top Fuel.
Scelzi Hampered by Late-Race Incidents at Keller Auto Speedway and Tulare Raceway
Inside Line Promotions – TULARE, Calif. (May 17, 2016) – Last weekend featured a couple of circumstances that kept Dominic Scelzi from potential top-five finishes.
At a Glance: Tensions Rise as Outlaws Set out for Posse Territory
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series heads into Posse territory on Wednesday, May 18 for the Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa., then the Morgan Cup double-header at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21
CONCORD, N.C. – May 17, 2016 – This week the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will wage war with the Pennsylvania Posse on their home turf when the series travels to Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa. for the Gettysburg Clash on Wednesday, May 18, and then the Morgan Cup weekend at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa. on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21. Continue reading At a Glance: Tensions Rise as Outlaws Set out for Posse Territory→
‘We’re really close,’ says five-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. as Topeka race nears
TOPEKA, Kan. (May 17) — Five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. sees plenty of light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, and the light could be shining even brighter on the Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar/JEGS.com Dodge Dart team very soon.
Chevrolet and 16-time NHRA champion John Force unveil the all-new 2016 Camaro SS Funny Car Tuesday, May 17, 2016 in Brownsburg, Indiana. The new Funny Car body is the first based on the sixth-generation Camaro SS. Force will race the new Funny Car this weekend at the NHRA Kansas Nationals in Topeka, Kansas. ForceÕs teammates Courtney Force and Robert Hight will introduce new Camaro SS Funny Cars later this season. (Photo by Eric Meyer for Chevy Racing)
Aero-optimized body developed for downforce, stability
INDIANAPOLIS – Today Chevrolet and 16-time NHRA champion John Force introduced the all-new 2016 Camaro SS Funny Car that he’ll race this weekend at the NHRA Kansas Nationals, in Topeka, Kan.
The new Funny Car body is the first based on the sixth-generation Camaro SS. Force’s teammates Courtney Force and Robert Hight will introduce new Camaro SS Funny Cars later this season.
“I started my career in a Chevrolet and I couldn’t be more excited to put this new Camaro SS Funny Car on the track,” said Force. “With all the assistance from Chevrolet, it not only looks great, it’s designed to perform better than anything we’ve had before, with a shape that should help us get down the track quicker and with greater stability.”
The team conducted computational analysis and scale-model wind tunnel testing to help give the new body the airflow management qualities necessary to deliver the downforce required by the 10,000-horsepower supercharged race car, as it accelerates from 0 to 330 mph in less than 4 seconds – and in a mere 1,000 feet.
Among the unique aerodynamic elements is a new, integrated front splitter that helps direct more air over the body to increase downforce. The design also incorporates new, dual blow-out – or “burst” – panels, safety devices that relieve underbody pressure to help keep the body on the chassis in the event of an engine failure.
Additionally, the new body, which is lighter than John Force Racing’s previous Camaro Funny Car bodies, carries the distinctive styling signatures of the 2016 Camaro SS’s front- and rear-end designs.
“The 2016 Camaro has been a great success in the showroom and Chevrolet is proud to contribute to its debut in NHRA’s Funny Car class,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports. “It joins the 2016 COPO Camaro in the Sportsman classes, strengthening Chevrolet’s presence in drag racing, which dates back nearly 60 years.”
Camaro at the drag strip
Camaro’s legacy in drag racing dates back to 1967, when longtime Chevy racers such as Dave Strickler and Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, pushed the new pony car up through the Super Stock ranks. Jenkins would go on to pioneer the new Pro Stock class, giving the Camaro its first win there in 1970.
Enterprising racers and dealers used Chevrolet’s COPO (Central Office Production Order) special order system to create high-performance Camaro models intended for one thing only: winning on the drag strip. That included the legendary 1969 Camaro ZL-1, powered by an all-aluminum 427 originally developed for the Can-Am road racing series.
Camaro Funny Cars also began appearing on strips shortly after the car’s introduction, shaking up the burgeoning class with Chevy power. Bruce Larson and Dick Harrell were leaders, pushing their blown fuel “floppers” into the 7-second range.
Texan Lee Shepherd lead Camaro into the 1980s, with four consecutive Pro Stock titles, his performance enabled by the groundbreaking Big Block engines developed by his partners David Reher and Charles “Buddy” Morrison.
More recently, Camaro has become a fixture of the Pro and Sportsman ranks. Behind the Pro tree, John Force Racing has returned Camaro to the Funny Car class, while Camaro drivers have dominated the Pro Stock field – including consecutive championships in 2014 and 2015.
The Sportsman classes are driven by the COPO Camaro, Chevrolet’s factory-built race car that uses a production body and specially developed Chevrolet racing engines. New 2016 COPO Camaro models are hitting the strip this season, advancing the COPO legacy and pushing Chevrolet drivers farther and faster.
“Racing improves the breed and that’s why Chevrolet races,” said Campbell. “The wins we record on the track help us design better cars customers will buy in the showroom.”
Andretti Leads Honda 1-2-3-4 as Indianapolis 500 Practice Begins
• Marco Andretti and teammates sweep Opening Day for Indy 500 preparation
• Alexander Rossi runs fourth, leads rookie field
• Seven Honda drivers, three Honda teams in top 10
Marco Andretti led the way for Honda and his Andretti Autosport team in Opening Day practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Monday in preparation for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. In a day of fast speeds at the “Brickyard”, Andretti led a 1-2-3-4 sweep for Honda on the day, with his Andretti Autosport teammates Carlos Munoz, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alexander Rossi rounding out the top four positions on the speed chart.
Townsend Bell, in a fifth Andretti Autosport entry, Graham Rahal of Rahal Lanigan Racing and Dale Coyne Racing’s Bryan Clauson also posted top 10 efforts on the day. Speeds increased dramatically under nearly ideal conditions during the final hour of the day-long practice, as drivers took advantage of the large number of cars on track to draft one another for a fast lap. All 33 driver/team combinations took to the famed 2.5-mile oval for at least a portion of the day’s activities, and Rossi led the five-driver rookie contingent.
Marco Andretti (#27 Andretti Autosport Honda) fastest in Indy 500 Opening Day Practice: “Definitely a good start for the entire team. With the weather [forecast] we moved some of our [practice] plans up a few days. I definitely know how this month goes, it’s a roller coaster, but this was a good first day. These were picture-perfect conditions today. Next week will likely be warmer, so it’s too early to read much into things today. I think we’ll see more of the way things will play out in the next several days. As always in Indy car, ther10-15, or more, potential winners in the field here
Giovanni Scelzi Puts Together Another Strong Sprint Car Performance
Inside Line Promotions – HANFORD, Calif. (May 16, 2016) – Giovanni Scelzi was oh so close to earning his first career sprint car victory last Friday at Keller Auto Speedway.
Scelzi, who was driving for Roth Motorsports, led 20 of the first 24 laps and he was in the lead with six laps remaining when a caution bunched the field together.
“Leading can be the worst place to be late in a race when the yellow comes out,” he said. “You don’t know where everyone else is running. Cory Eliason drove around me in turns one and two on the restart. A couple of laps later a guy slid in front of me in turns one and two. He went off the race track and it took all the air off my nose and I went off the edge. I was in the dirt just spinning the tires.”
Scelzi ended with a sixth-place result, which gives him a top six in all four career sprint car features.
“I can’t thank Dennis and Teresa Roth and Todd Ventura enough for the opportunity and the great car they provide,” he said. “I had an amazing car on Friday.”
Scelzi opened the night by qualifying third quickest.
“We drew a late number, but that place doesn’t change much,” he said. “My goal every night is to try to lock into the dash through qualifying. That makes your whole night easier.”
Scelzi did just that and he finished where he started – fourth – in a heat race to make the dash. He then pulled the No. 1 during the dash redraw to start the dash on the pole.
“We had an engine problem in the dash, but we got that fixed before the feature,” he said. “They changed a rocker arm so that was really impressive. That shows how good this team is.”
Scelzi’s dash win gave him the pole position for the 30-lap main event.
“We had one of the fastest cars in the race,” he said. “I was running the bottom in turns one and two and the top in turns three and four. The cushion was at the edge of the track in turns three and four.
“Colby (Copeland) slid me halfway through the race and I slid him back a few laps later. I was so pumped when that happened. I made a mistake and got him right back. I was in a great position until that last caution, but we learned from it and I think we’re getting closer to that first win.”
Here is a link to watch the main event: https://youtu.be/pZ6qKGMTkR8
Scelzi wrapped up his weekend on Saturday by helping Nikko and Alex Panella at a micro sprint race at Delta Speedway in Stockton, Calif.
“That was a great night,” he said. “Nikko and Alex did a great job. Nikko won and Alex ran second.”
Scelzi will return to action this Friday at Plaza Park Raceway in Visalia, Calif., where he will race his family owned micro sprint. Scelzi will then make his midget debut driving for Cory Kruseman on Saturday at Ventura Raceway in Ventura, Calif.
Blaney Dodges Dover Crashes To Score Third-Straight Top-10
May 15, 2016
Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team avoided the pitfalls that can come from racing on the Monster Mile, the one-mile concrete oval that is better known as Dover International Speedway, and brought home an impressive eighth-place finish.
· Matt Hagan heats up with victory in all-Mopar Dodge NHRA Funny Car final round showdown against teammate Jack Beckman
· Hagan races Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T to first win of season and 19th of his career
· Victory is second for a Mopar-powered Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car in 2016
· Three Mopar Dodge Funny Cars advance to semifinals at Atlanta Dragway
· Dodge Dart NHRA Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson advances to second consecutive semifinal
· Jeg Coughlin Jr. scores round win in his “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar” Dodge Dart
· Tough luck snatches opening-round victory from Mopar Performance Dodge Dart driver Erica Enders Continue reading Mopar Racing–NHRA–Atlanta→
Mid-Race Part Failure Slows Austin Dillon’s Day at
Dover International Speedway
“What a race. This AAA team never gave up today. We were running in the top 15 when something let go in the right front of the car and sent me into the wall. I was having to pump the brakes there the last couple of restarts to get some pressure. I think that was the issue when we got into the wall. It’s just a bummer. I feel bad for this AAA team who have worked hard all weekend. We had a solid car, just a part failure. It’s part of racing and we’ll be back next week. We were able to get back out there and make up some points. I have to thank the AAA tow truck for the extra push to get me restarted on one of the last cautions. They’re always there to get you back out on the road fast.” Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–AAA400→
