OCALA, FL (September 10, 2025) — Josh Hart, Top Fuel team owner, is confirming rumors he will be looking for potential buyers for his Top Fuel racing operation as the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series concludes. Hart, the sole owner of the team is considering all his options as he focuses on a strong finish in the Countdown. Currently eighth in points with the NHRA Reading Nationals on the horizon, Hart will be talking with potential buyers immediately.

“There have been a lot of people talking recently about my team’s future. I am looking at all my options and one of them is seeing who might be interested in my Top Fuel racing operation,” said Hart. “I am blessed to be able to chase my dream of winning a Top Fuel world championship and this season has opened my eyes to what is important. I have nothing but love and respect for all my team members and will be supporting all efforts for a smooth transition if or when the time comes. My family is growing up, Burnyzz Speed Shop is looking to expand nationally, and I want to be able to give everyone and everything in my life the attention they deserve.”

The team owner does not want this development to reflect poorly on the NHRA. The two-time national event winner and Pep Boys Allstar Callout victor knows the sport is at a critical juncture as it enters its 75^th season as the premiere drag racing sanctioning body.

“Over the past five seasons I have had many positive and some not so positive experiences as a team owner. I think the sport is strong and there is serious upside, but I am evaluating if the juice is worth the squeeze as a team owner. This is just the beginning of an exciting future and as I have always said Anything’s Possible.”

Hart is committed to finishing this season on a high note and representing all his sponsors with maximum effort on and off the racetrack. The team will be focused and ready for the 40th NHRA Reading Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway this weekend.

Cruz Pedregon–Reading Advance

September 9, 2025 ARP Trish

Quotes for NHRA – Reading Nationals

Cruz Pedregon, two-time Funny Car World Champion, says:

For many years, Reading has marked the official start of the Countdown to the Championship, a six-race shootout to crown the champions. This year is no different, and we’re excited to be a part of it with the Snap-on^® “105th Anniversary” Dodge^® Hellcat^®.

We’ve been knocking on the door recently, coming up just short in some close races with championship contenders. That gives us confidence we’ll be right in the mix as the Countdown kicks off in Reading.

It’s going to be a fast and furious stretch, with three back-to-back events in Reading, Charlotte, and St. Louis. We’ll find out quickly where we stack up, and we’re ready for the challenge.

The beauty of the Countdown format is that it works a lot like the NFL playoffs. You can have a great regular season, or not your best, but once the playoffs begin, you’ve got a fresh shot to make a run at the championship. That’s exactly how we’re approaching it.

As always, we’re excited to race in front of the great Northeast fans and Makers and Fixers. We’ve celebrated some big wins at this track in the past, and we’re looking forward to adding to that history this weekend. Stay tuned!

If you can’t be there in person to take in all the sights and sounds of this exciting event, be sure to catch all the action on FS1 or FOX network TV. NHRA.TV is also a great way to watch.

Name on the side of Cruz’s car – Snap-on Nitro Franchisee Ethan Keiffer

Quotes for NHRA – Reading Nationals

Cruz Pedregon, two-time Funny Car World Champion, says:

It’s going to be a fast and furious stretch, with three back-to-back events in Reading, Charlotte, and St. Louis. We’ll find out quickly where we stack up, and we’re ready for the challenge.

If you can’t be there in person to take in all the sights and sounds of this exciting event, be sure to catch all the action on FS1 or FOX network TV. NHRA.TV is also a great way to watch.

Name on the side of Cruz’s car – Snap-on Nitro Franchisee Ethan Keiffer

Featured on the side of Cruz’s Snap-on^® “105th Anniversary” Dodge^® Hellcat^® this weekend is Nitro Franchisee Ethan Keiffer, who started his career as a motorcycle mechanic.
A Maker and Fixer since high school, Ethan decided to launch his own Snap-on franchise 12 years ago after working with another franchisee.
Though his days are packed with serving customers, he still finds time to coach Pee Wee football.
Racing runs in his blood. After years of competing on four-wheelers, his family is now “all-in” on the sport.
This weekend, Ethan will have dinner in Cruz’s pit on Friday evening and bring customers to Saturday’s qualifying rounds.

Uncategorized

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Road to World Finals Heads South for Stops at Needmore, Senoia

September 9, 2025 ARP Trish

CONCORD, NC (September 9, 2025) – For the first time since April, the World of Outlaws Real American Beer Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision is set to battle it out in the southeast at a pair of Georgia staples.

The 14-year wait since the last World of Outlaws event at Needmore Speedway will come to an end on Friday, Sept. 12, with the Needmore Late Model Showdown. Following a three-hour ride north on Interstate 75, The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet will make their fourth visit to Senoia Raceway for the Billy Clanton Classic on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Friday’s program at Needmore will feature a 40-lap, $12,000-to-win, World of Outlaws main event with Super Streets and Crown Vics also on the card. The Senoia itinerary concludes with a 50-lap, $15,000-to-win, Feature in addition to racing for the 602 Sportsman, Chargers and Hobby Stocks.

Here are the top storylines entering the weekend:

ON TOP OF THE WORLD: Several Outlaws are headed into the fall portion of the World of Outlaws season with plenty of steam after a standout performance at Eldora Speedway.

Leading that charge is Nick Hoffman, who finished third on Saturday night to become the only driver on the podium in both the Dirt Late Model Dream and the World 100 in 2025. That result, along with finishes of second and fifth in preliminary competition, has his Late Model top-five streak at eight dating back to Spoon River Speedway on Aug. 14.

The Mooresville, NC driver will need to keep the train on the tracks the rest of the way if he wants any chance of making up the 108-point gap to Bobby Pierce with nine races remaining in the season, and he’ll need to do that in a state he lacks much experience in. Hoffman has never competed at Needmore, and his only two starts at Senoia in last year’s Peach State Classic resulted in a best finish of ninth.

In addition to Hoffman, Ryan Gustin came home fifth at the “Big E” to set a new career best in the event. His Needmore debut came in January when he finished seventh with the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series, while he has a best finish of fifth in five total starts at Senoia – one of them coming with the World of Outlaws in 2021.

CLOSING IN: Pierce enters this weekend’s events with a shot of making history on the table.

The “Smooth Operator” carries a four-race World of Outlaws win streak into Georgia after victories at Spoon River, Maquoketa Speedway and a pair at Arrowhead Speedway. If he can make it six in a row this weekend, it would tie his personal record from last year when he went on a tear between the Gopher 50 and USA Nationals.

Pierce has already conquered three southern tracks for the first time this year in Smoky Mountain Speedway, Swainsboro Raceway and Talladega Short Track, and he has two chances to add to that list this weekend. Needmore will be a new track for him, and he finished second in his debut at Senoia last November.

RUNNING OUT OF TIME: The list of races remaining before World of Outlaws World Finals is running thin, which means if a driver isn’t happy with their current spot in the standings, the time to fix that is now.

The race for the final spot in the top five is as close as it gets, with Drake Troutman clinging to fifth by two points over Dennis Erb Jr. Troutman picked up the World 100 Rookie of the Year Award on Saturday night, and he’s in position to add the World of Outlaws MD3 Rookie of the Year title to his collection at season’s end with a 178-point lead over Ethan Dotson.

The Hyndman, PA native made his first Late Model start at both tracks earlier this season, scoring finishes of fifth at Needmore and 14th at Senoia with the Spring Nationals Series. Erb also made his Needmore debut during Speedweeks with a ninth-place run, but he has considerably more laps around Senoia with three top 10s to his credit in seven appearances.

Trailing those two is Brian Shirley, who sits seventh with 28 points between himself and Erb. Friday’s event at Needmore will bring back some less-than-pleasant memories, as it will be Shirley’s first time back at the track since his frightening fire at the start of the year. Senoia has been a bit kinder to him though, as his lone World of Outlaws start there in 2017 ended in the ninth spot.

SOUTHERN STANDOUTS: Some of the best Late Model racers the southeast has to offer have their sights set on a World of Outlaws victory this weekend.

Georgia’s own Cody Overton won’t be the only one representing the family this weekend, as older brother Brandon will also be in attendance. 2025 hasn’t been a season to write home about for “Big Sexy” with three wins and 23 top fives in 76 starts, but as a former winner at both Needmore and Senoia, a pair of nights close to home could be his chance to right the ship.

Ashton Winger’s full-time World of Outlaws campaign came to an early end with a pair of blown engines at Norman County Raceway and Nodak Speedway in June, but he’s returning to the Series for the first time since then at a pair of home-state tracks. Needmore is one of the few “Peach State” tracks he’s never wheeled a Super Late Model around, but the same can’t be said for Senoia. Winger won the most recent World of Outlaws race at the track in 2021, topping the list that also includes scores with the Southern All Stars, Southern Nationals and the Fall Nationals.

Milton, FL’s Joseph Joiner will make his first World of Outlaws starts in two years at a pair of tracks he has no lack of laps around. The YouTube star has a Hunt the Front win at Needmore from 2023, while he went to Victory Lane at Senoia with the Ultimate Super Late Model Series in 2021.

WHEN AND WHERE:
Friday, Sept. 12, at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, GA
Saturday, Sept. 13, at Senoia Raceway in Senoia, GA

CURRENT POINT STANDINGS:
1. Bobby Pierce (4820 points)
2. Nick Hoffman (-108)
3. Ryan Gustin (-248)
4. Tim McCreadie (-334)
5. Drake Troutman (-384)
6. Dennis Erb Jr. (-386)
7. Brian Shirley (-414)
8. Cody Overton (-524)
9. Tanner English (-536)
10. Ethan Dotson (-562)

FEATURE WINNERS (14):
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 11
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 4
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 4
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 4
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 2
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 1
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 1
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 1
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 1
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 1
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 1
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 1
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 1
Tanner English – Benton, KY – 1

HEAT RACE WINNERS (35):
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 24
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 13
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 12
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 12
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 8
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 7
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 6
Dustin Sorensen – Rochester, MN – 5
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 5
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 4
Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 4
Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 4
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 4
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 4
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 4
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 3
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 3
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 3
Jake Timm – Winona, MN – 3
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 3
Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 2
Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 2
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 2
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 2
Cade Dillard – Robeline, LA – 2
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 1
Garrett Smith – Madison, GA – 1
Zack Mitchell – Enoree, SC – 1
Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – 1
Aaron Marrant – Richmond, MO – 1
Mike Harrison – Highland, IL – 1
Chris Simpson – Oxford, IA – 1
Jared Miley – Pittsburgh, PA – 1
Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL – 1
Tanner English – Benton, KY – 1
Tristan Chamberlain – Richmond, IN – 1

LANDA PRESSURE WASHERS LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (36):
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 6
Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 5
Dustin Sorensen – Rochester, MN – 3
Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 3
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 3
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 3
Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – 2
Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 2
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 2
Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL – 2
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 2
Jake Timm – Winona, MN – 2
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 2
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 2
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 2
Cade Dillard – Robeline, LA – 2
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 1
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 1
Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 1
Jackson Hise – Ocala, FL – 1
Trey Mills – St. Augustine, FL – 1
Austin Smith – Cedartown, GA – 1
Mckay Wenger – Fairbury, IL – 1
Gregg Satterlee – Indiana, PA – 1
Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 1
Kayden Clatt – Edina, MO – 1
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 1
Boom Briggs – Bear Lake, PA – 1
Derrick Stewart – Ainsworth, IA – 1
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 1
Jared Miley – Pittsburgh, PA – 1
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 1
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 1
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 1
Brent Larson – Lake Elmo, MN – 1
Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – 1
Eli Ross – Muskogee, OK – 1

PODIUM FINISHERS (29):
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 20
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 12
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 9
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 8
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 6
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 6
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 5
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 5
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 3
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 2
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 2
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 2
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 2
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 2
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 2
Dustin Sorensen – Rochester, MN – 2
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 2
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 1
Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 1
Zack Mitchell – Enoree, SC – 1
Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 1
Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 1
Mike Harrison – Highland, IL – 1
Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 1
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 1
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 1
Tanner English – Benton, KY – 1
Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL – 1
Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 1

FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGERS (19):
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 3
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 3
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 3
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 3
Dustin Sorensen – Rochester, MN – 3
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 2
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 2
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 2
Jake Timm – Winona, MN – 2
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 2
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 1
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 1
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 1
Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 1
Brent Larson – Lake Elmo, MN – 1
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 1
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 1
Tristan Chamberlain – Richmond, IN – 1
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 1

SIMPSON RACING PRODUCTS QUICK TIMES (15):
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 6
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 5
Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 4
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 3
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 3
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 2
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 2
Cade Dillard – Robeline, LA – 2
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 1
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 1
Tanner English – Benton, KY – 1
Tyler Millwood – Kingston, GA – 1
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 1
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 1
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 1

BILSTEIN POLE AWARDS (19):
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 5
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 4
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 3
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 3
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 2
Cade Dillard – Robeline, LA – 2
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 2
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 2
Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 1
Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – 1
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 1
Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – 1
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 1
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 1
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 1
Mike Harrison – Highland, IL – 1
Tyler Bruening – Marshalltown, IA – 1
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 1
Dustin Sorensen – Rochester, MN – 1

FEATURE LAP LEADERS (24):
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 471
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 211
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 141
Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 132
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 99
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 95
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 76
Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 55
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 50
Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 41
Tanner English – Benton, KY – 40
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 30
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 29
Ashton Winger – Hampton, GA – 27
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 22
Mike Harrison – Highland, IL – 21
Ricky Thornton Jr. – Chandler, AZ – 18
Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 15
Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – 13
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 12
Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – 11
Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, IL – 9
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 8
Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 2

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Road to World Finals Heads South for Stops at Needmore, Senoia

Here are the top storylines entering the weekend:

ON TOP OF THE WORLD: Several Outlaws are headed into the fall portion of the World of Outlaws season with plenty of steam after a standout performance at Eldora Speedway.

CLOSING IN: Pierce enters this weekend’s events with a shot of making history on the table.

SOUTHERN STANDOUTS: Some of the best Late Model racers the southeast has to offer have their sights set on a World of Outlaws victory this weekend.

WHEN AND WHERE:
Friday, Sept. 12, at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, GA
Saturday, Sept. 13, at Senoia Raceway in Senoia, GA

2025 WORLD OF OUTLAWS REAL AMERICAN BEER LATE MODEL SERIES PRESENTED BY DIRTVISION SCHEDULE & WINNERS
Friday, Jan. 24 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Ryan Gustin (1)
Saturday, Jan. 25 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Garrett Alberson (1)
Thursday, Feb. 13 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Garrett Alberson (2)
Friday, Feb. 14 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Devin Moran (1)
Saturday, Feb. 15 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Jonathan Davenport (1)
Friday, Mar. 14 / Smoky Mountain Speedway / Maryville, TN / Bobby Pierce (1)
Friday, Mar. 21 / Swainsboro Raceway / Swainsboro, GA / Bobby Pierce (2)
Saturday, Mar. 22 / Swainsboro Raceway / Swainsboro, GA / Ryan Gustin (2)
Thursday, Apr. 10 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL (Practice)
Friday, Apr. 11 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL / Ethan Dotson (1)
Saturday, Apr. 12 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL / Brandon Sheppard (1)
Saturday, Apr. 26 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Bobby Pierce (3)
Friday, May 2 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI / Tyler Erb (1)
Saturday, May 3 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI / Nick Hoffman (1)
Thursday, May 15 / Raceway 7 / Conneaut, OH / Tim McCreadie (1)
Saturday, May 17 / Marion Center Raceway / Marion Center, PA / Bobby Pierce (4)
Sunday, May 18 / Bedford Speedway / Bedford, PA / Tim McCreadie (2)
Friday, June 20 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Bobby Pierce (5)
Saturday, June 21 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Drake Troutman (1)
Friday, June 27 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Nick Hoffman (2)
Saturday, June 28 / Norman County Raceway / Ada, MN / Nick Hoffman (3)
Sunday, June 29 / Nodak Speedway / Minot, ND / Tim McCreadie (3)
Thursday, July 3 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN / Bobby Pierce (6)
Friday, July 4 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN / Nick Hoffman (4)
Friday, July 11 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Bobby Pierce (7)
Saturday, July 12 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Mike Marlar (1)
Saturday, July 26 / Fairbury Speedway / Fairbury, IL / Brian Shirley (1)
Monday, July 28 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Ryan Gustin (3)
Thursday, July 31 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Tim McCreadie (4)
Saturday, Aug. 2 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Ryan Gustin (4)
Wednesday, Aug. 13 / Highland Speedway / Highland, IL / Tanner English (1)
Thursday, Aug. 14 / Spoon River Speedway / Lewistown, IL / Bobby Pierce (8)
Saturday, Aug. 16 / Maquoketa Speedway / Maquoketa, IA / Bobby Pierce (9)
Friday, Aug. 22 / Arrowhead Speedway / Colcord, OK / Bobby Pierce (10)
Saturday, Aug. 23 / Arrowhead Speedway / Colcord, OK / Bobby Pierce (11)
Friday, Sept. 12 / Needmore Speedway / Norman Park, GA
Saturday, Sept. 13 / Senoia Raceway / Senoia, GA
Friday, Sept. 26 / Tri-City Speedway / Granite City, IL
Saturday, Sept. 27 / Tri-City Speedway / Granite City, IL
Friday, Oct. 3 / Humboldt Speedway / Humboldt, KS
Saturday, Oct. 4 / 81 Speedway / Wichita, KS
Friday, Oct. 10 / Boothill Speedway / Greenwood, LA
Saturday, Oct. 11 / Boothill Speedway / Greenwood, LA
Wednesday, Nov. 5 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Thursday, Nov. 6 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Friday, Nov. 7 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Saturday, Nov. 8 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC

Uncategorized

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: World of Outlaws California Swing Begins with Bakersfield, Perris Visits

September 9, 2025 ARP Trish

A two-week stay in the “Golden State” starts with a new track and a SoCal staple

BAKERSFIELD, CA (September 9, 2025) – California’s land may be known for coastal cliffs, vast mountain ranges, and sweltering deserts, but among its diverse topography is an abundance of dirt tracks.

Sprint Car history in the “Golden State” is as rich as the Central Valley’s soil, and the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is featured in many of the chapters. The state has hosted more than 400 nights of racing with The Greatest Show on Dirt, ranking second behind only Pennsylvania. The tradition of the country’s best Sprint Car drivers journeying to the west coast is set to continue.

A two-week stay in California begins this weekend for the World of Outlaws. First a new track awaits the Series as Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway welcomes the tour for the first time on Friday, Sept. 12. The 1/3 mile will become the state’s 20th different track to host the World of Outlaws. Then it’s south Perris Auto Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 13 for the 23rd race at the “PAS.”

The west coast is calling, and the nation’s top Sprint Car talent is on the way.

BUY BAKERSFIELD TICKETS HERE
BUY PERRIS TICKETS HERE

WATCH LIVE ON DIRTVision

Let’s look at the weekend’s top storylines:

GOLDEN STATE BROS: It’ll be a special swing through California for Carson Macedo and Cole Macedo. This will mark the first time the two come home to compete as full-time World of Outlaws drivers, a childhood dream for both. It’s a race in front of their closest family and friends as they continue to carve out their paths in the sport.

The two call Lemoore, CA home and cut their teeth in the “Golden State” before national Sprint Car stardom. Carson has competed on three occasions at Bakersfield including a Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC) in his 2017 track debut. He’s made a trio of World of Outlaws appearances at Perris highlighted by podiums in the most recent two.

Four times Cole has raced at Bakersfield in NARC action, collecting a pair of top 10s in the process. Saturday is set to mark his Perris debut.

Carson heads to California sitting third in points with the Jason Johnson Racing team. They’ve racked up 10 victories this year. The next one for Carson will be the 58th of his career and equal him with fellow Californian Jason Meyers for 16th all-time. Cole is 10th in points and third in the battle for Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year. He’s taken the TwoC Racing ride to four top fives and 14 top 10s, and he’s led the most laps of the rookies with 16.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Macedo brothers aren’t the only World of Outlaws competitors with California roots. The next two weeks also mean a return home for Michael “Buddy” Kofoid.

The Penngrove, CA native was getting laps behind the wheel of a Sprint Car in California before he was even a teenager, eventually leading him to The Greatest Show on Dirt. Kofoid’s home state has always been kind to him since advancing his career to the highest level. Four of his first eight career World of Outlaws wins came within California’s borders. He won half of the six-race “Golden State” swing in 2024.

Kofoid’s laps are limited at the two tracks on this weekend’s agenda. He’s been to Bakersfield twice with NARC, peaking at second in 2023. The 23-year-old will make his Perris debut on Saturday.

This stretch also signifies a return to familiar territory for Kofoid’s team, the Fresno, CA-based Roth Motorsports. While Saturday will be Kofoid’s first visit to Perris, Danny Lasoski took Dennis and Teresa Roth’s team to Victory Lane with the World of Outlaws at the Southern California track in 2000.

PERRIS PROWESS: When it comes to winning at Perris Auto Speedway, nobody compares to Mark Kinser who claimed the Series’ first seven visits. But there’s a pair of current World of Outlaws competitors that have also conquered the “PAS.”

He didn’t start the year on tour, but Kerry Madsen has occupied the seat of the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No. 15 since the team split with Donny Schatz last month as the “Madman” intends to complete the campaign with them. Madsen won his Perris debut back in 2007 aboard the Selma Shell Racing No. 11H. He’s been back five times since then with a best of fifth.

David Gravel is the most recent Perris victor, taking the checkered flag with Big Game Motorsports in 2022. The defending Series champion was also a Perris winner in 2017 with CJB Motorsports. Gravel is one of five multi-time Perris winners and could tie Daryn Pittman for the second most with a third on Saturday.

STOP THE SLUMP: Perris Auto Speedway occupies an unusual position on the legendary résumé that Donny Schatz has constructed over his nearly 30-year career with the World of Outlaws.

There are only two tracks where the 10-time Series champion has been more than 20 times without a win. One is Haubstadt, IN’s Tri-State Speedway, and the other is Perris. Schatz has been in attendance for all 22 Series visits to the half mile and bagged top 10s in half including a pair of podiums, but he’s never been able to stand atop the podium.

Saturday supplies Schatz with another opportunity to stop the slump in a capable ride. He’ll continue his stint aboard Kevin Kozlowski’s Works Limited Sprint Car. The pairing debuted with an 11th place finish last weekend at Vado Speedway Park.

CALI CLIQUE: California always provides some of the toughest local competition the World of Outlaws face and expect this trip to be no different.

Dominic Scelzi is one of many “Golden State” gassers ready to battle the best over the next two weeks. The “Dominator” topped a pair of NARC races at Bakersfield in 2019 and a 360 race in 2021. The Fresno, CA native was running in the top five during the last World of Outlaws visit to Perris before a late spin.

Fans can likely expect left coast legend Tim Kaeding to be in attendance with the Williams Motorsports team. The pairing were NARC winners at Bakersfield last October. “TK” owns a World of Outlaws runner-up at Perris (2013), and he also finished second there without wings in 2007 with USAC CRA.

Templeton, CA’s Kaleb Montgomery has several laps at Bakersfield both with and without a wing including an Ultimate Sprint Car Series (USCS) victory last year. He was also in the top five in his Perris debut in March.

Other probable entries from the local contingent include D.J. Netto (Hanford, CA), Dominic Gorden (Clovis, CA), Gauge Garcia (Lemoore, CA), and more.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE
Friday, September 12 at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, CA
Saturday, September 13 at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, CA

ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series
X – @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – @WoOSprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries
YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (57/75 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (7398 PTS)
2. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-176 PTS)
3. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-244 PTS)
4. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-366 PTS)
5. Sheldon Haudenschild – Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing No. 17 (-526 PTS)
6. Donny Schatz – Works Limited No. W (-648 PTS)
7. Bill Balog – B2 Motorsports No. 17B (-838 PTS)
8. Garet Williamson – Fischer Motorsports No. 23 (-946 PTS)
9. Chris Windom – Sides Motorsports No. 7S (-992 PTS)
10. Cole Macedo – TwoC Racing No. 2C (-1136 PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (14 Drivers):
13 Wins – David Gravel
10 Wins – Carson Macedo, Michael Kofoid
4 Wins – Kyle Larson
3 Wins – Rico Abreu, Anthony Macri
2 Wins – Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild, Bill Balog
1 Win – Christopher Bell, Giovanni Scelzi, Brad Sweet, Corey Day, Ryan Timms

SPLIT-FIELD PRELIM NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (3 Drivers):
1 Win – Ryan Timms, Kyle Larson, David Gravel

FEATURE LAPS LED (26 Drivers):
331 Laps – David Gravel
272 Laps – Michael Kofoid
263 Laps – Carson Macedo
135 Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
110 Laps – Bill Balog
108 Laps – Logan Schuchart
98 Laps – Kyle Larson
93 Laps – Anthony Macri
82 Laps – Rico Abreu
62 Laps – Giovanni Scelzi
50 Laps – Ryan Timms
33 Laps – Kerry Madsen
19 Laps – Emerson Axsom
17 Laps – Brad Sweet, Corey Day
16 Laps – Cole Macedo
15 Laps – Spencer Bayston
14 Laps – Dylan Westbrook
12 Laps – Conner Morrell
11 Laps – Jordan Thomas
9 Laps – Sam Hafertepe Jr.
8 Laps – Christopher Bell, Aaron Reutzel
5 Laps – Christopher Thram
1 Lap – Donny Schatz, Garet Williamson

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (23 Drivers):
18 Quick Times – David Gravel
6 Quick Times – Rico Abreu
5 Quick Times – Carson Macedo
3 Quick Times – Logan Schuchart
2 Quick Times – Sheldon Haudenschild, Giovanni Scelzi, Garet Williamson
1 Quick Time – Emerson Axsom, Kyle Larson, Danny Sams III, Anthony Macri, Aaron Reutzel, Michael Kofoid, Chase Dietz, Donny Schatz, Zach Hampton, Tyler Courtney, Austin McCarl, Kerry Madsen, Bill Balog, Lance Dewease, Brad Sweet, Ashton Torgerson

HEAT RACE WINNERS (55 Drivers):
35 Heat Wins – David Gravel
26 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
16 Heat Wins – Bill Balog
15 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
14 Heat Wins – Michael Kofoid
12 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart
8 Heat Wins – Giovanni Scelzi
7 Heat Wins – Kyle Larson
6 Heat Wins – Chris Windom, Anthony Macri
4 Heat Wins – Christopher Bell, Tyler Courtney, Conner Morrell, Rico Abreu
3 Heat Wins – Garet Williamson, Brad Sweet, Brian Brown, Emerson Axsom, Danny Dietrich, Skylar Gee, Christopher Thram
2 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen, Austin McCarl, Ryan Timms, Hunter Schuerenberg, Zach Hampton, Ashton Torgerson, Donny Schatz
1 Heat Win – Bryce Lucius, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Aaron Reutzel, Tanner Thorson, Chase Dietz, Justin Whittall, Danny Sams III, Jy Corbet, Tim Kaeding, Andy Pake, Kasey Jedrzejek, Lance Dewease, Freddie Rahmer, Ryan Turner, Tanner Holmes, Kaleb Johnson, Landon Crawley, Chris Martin, Blake Hahn, Gage Pulkrabek, Tasker Phillips, Josh Schneiderman, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Brandon Wimmer, Kerry Madsen, Mark Dobmeier

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (64 Drivers):
44 Dashes – David Gravel
35 Dashes – Carson Macedo
27 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
26 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
23 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
19 Dashes – Bill Balog
16 Dashes – Giovanni Scelzi
9 Dashes – Chris Windom, Emerson Axsom
7 Dashes – Kyle Larson, Anthony Macri, Donny Schatz
6 Dashes – Rico Abreu, Cole Macedo, Zach Hampton, Garet Williamson, Skylar Gee
5 Dashes – Brian Brown, Tyler Courtney, Aaron Reutzel, Hunter Schuerenberg, Kerry Madsen
4 Dashes – Conner Morrell, Brad Sweet, Ryan Timms
3 Dashes – Christopher Bell, Danny Dietrich, Danny Sams III, Austin McCarl, Parker Price-Miller, Ashton Torgerson, Christopher Thram
2 Dashes – Jacob Allen, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Kelby Watt, Tanner Thorson, Chase Dietz, Spencer Bayston, Sam Henderson
1 Dash – Justin Peck, Bryce Lucius, Carson McCarl, Brady Bacon, Lucas Wolfe, Justin Whittall, Jordan Thomas, Jonathan Preston, Dylan Westbrook, Cory Turner, Cole Duncan, Tim Kaeding, Justin Henderson, Scotty Thiel, Corey Day, Zane DeVault, Brent Marks, Freddie Rahmer, Ryan Smith, Lance Dewease, Ryan Turner, Cory Eliason, Andy Pake, Mark Dobmeier, Riley Goodno

MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (36 Drivers):
3 LCS Wins – Giovanni Scelzi, Garet Williamson, Ashton Torgerson, Cole Macedo, Christopher Thram
2 LCS Wins – Donny Schatz, Ryan Timms, Bill Balog, Skylar Gee, Brad Sweet, Conner Morrell, Zach Hampton, Chris Windom
1 LCS Win – Chris Martin, Anthony Macri, Bryce Lucius, Blake Hahn, J.J. Hickle, Emerson Axsom, Matt Campbell, Joe Trenca, Darin Naida, Mark Dobmeier, Tim Kaeding, Hunter Schuerenberg, Sheldon Haudenschild, Brady Bacon, Landon Crawley, James McFadden, Logan Schuchart, Alex Therrien, Rico Abreu, Michael Kofoid, Justin Whittall, Brent Marks, Scott Broty

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (27 Drivers):
6 Hard Chargers – Logan Schuchart
5 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz
4 Hard Chargers – Ryan Timms, Michael Kofoid, Cole Macedo
3 Hard Chargers – Chris Windom, Garet Williamson, Sheldon Haudenschild, Skylar Gee
2 Hard Chargers – Bill Balog, Tanner Thorson, David Gravel, Hunter Schuerenberg
1 Hard Charger – Zach Hampton, Lance Dewease, Dylan Westbrook, Kalib Henry, Cap Henry, Jade Hastings, Carson Macedo, Rico Abreu, Anthony Macri, Giovanni Scelzi, Danny Varin, Landon Crawley, Corey Day, Brad Sweet

PODIUM FINISHES (33 Drivers):
32 Podiums – David Gravel
24 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
22 Podiums – Carson Macedo
11 Podiums – Logan Schuchart
10 Podiums – Kyle Larson, Sheldon Haudenschild
6 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Rico Abreu, Bill Balog
5 Podiums – Anthony Macri
3 Podiums – Giovanni Scelzi, Kerry Madsen
2 Podiums – Christopher Bell, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Tyler Courtney
1 Podium – Aaron Reutzel, Jacob Allen, Emerson Axsom, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Chase Dietz, Danny Dietrich, Conner Morrell, Dylan Westbrook, Skylar Gee, Chris Windom, Cole Duncan, Brad Sweet, Corey Day, Spencer Bayston, Garet Williamson, Tanner Thorson

TOP 10 FINISHES (59 Drivers):
53 Top 10s – David Gravel
46 Top 10s – Michael Kofoid
42 Top 10s – Carson Macedo
41 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
35 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
29 Top 10s – Donny Schatz
28 Top 10s – Giovanni Scelzi, Bill Balog
21 Top 10s – Garet Williamson
19 Top 10s – Chris Windom
14 Top 10s – Cole Macedo
13 Top 10s – Hunter Schuerenberg
12 Top 10s – Anthony Macri, Emerson Axsom
11 Top 10s – Brad Sweet, Kyle Larson
10 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu
9 Top 10s – Kerry Madsen
8 Top 10s – Ryan Timms, Skylar Gee
6 Top 10s – Zach Hampton
5 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Tanner Thorson
4 Top 10s – Austin McCarl
3 Top 10s – Justin Peck, Parker Price-Miller, Conner Morrell, Spencer Bayston, Brady Bacon, Danny Dietrich, Ashton Torgerson, Corey Day, Mark Dobmeier
2 Top 10s – Christopher Bell, Jacob Allen, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Tim Kaeding, Brian Brown, Freddie Rahmer, Troy Wagaman Jr., Landon Crawley
1 Top 10 – Danny Sams III, Chase Dietz, Justin Whittall, Jordan Thomas, Dylan Westbrook, Jordan Poirier, Kalib Henry, Cole Duncan, Kelby Watt, Tanner Holmes, Ryan Smith, Brent Marks, Ryan Turner, Zach Sobotka, Danny Varin, Cory Eliason, Kaleb Johnson

2025 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR WINNERS:
No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Wed, Feb 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1)
2. Thurs, Feb 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Christopher Bell (1)
3. Fri, Feb 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Larson (1)
4. Sat, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Larson (2)
5. Sun, March 2 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)
6. Mon, March 3 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (2)
7. Fri, March 7 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Bill Balog (1)
8. Sat, March 8 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / David Gravel (3)
9. Fri, March 14 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / Giovanni Scelzi (1)
10. Sat, March 15 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / Michael Kofoid (1)
11. Fri, March 21 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / David Gravel (4)
12. Sat, March 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / David Gravel (5)
13. Fri, March 28 / Lawton Speedway / Lawton, OK / Michael Kofoid (2)
14. Fri, April 11 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Carson Macedo (2)
15. Sat, April 12 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Logan Schuchart (1)
16. Sat, April 19 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Rico Abreu (1)
17. Fri, April 25 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL / Kyle Larson (3)
18. Sat, April 26 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
19. Fri, May 2 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / David Gravel (6)
20. Wed, May 7 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Michael Kofoid (3)
21. Sat, May 10 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Anthony Macri (1)
22. Wed, May 14 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON / David Gravel (7)
23. Thurs, May 15 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON / David Gravel (8)
24. Sat, May 24 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Logan Schuchart (2)
25. Mon, May 26 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Carson Macedo (3)
26. Fri, May 30 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Michael Kofoid (4)
27. Sat, May 31 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)
28. Wed, June 4 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (4)
29. Fri, June 6 / Plymouth Dirt Track / Plymouth, WI / Rico Abreu (2)
30. Sat, June 7 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Brad Sweet (1)
31. Fri, June 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (9)
32. Sat, June 14 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Corey Day (1)
33. Wed, June 18 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Kyle Larson (4)
34. Thurs, June 19 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (5)
35. Fri, June 20 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Bill Balog (2)
36. Sat, June 21 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (6)
37. Fri, June 27 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / David Gravel (10)
38. Sat, June 28 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Carson Macedo (5)
39. Sat, July 12 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Michael Kofoid (7)
40. Tues, July 15 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Carson Macedo (6)
41. Fri, July 18 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (3)
42. Sat, July 19 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Anthony Macri (2)
43. Wed, July 23 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA / Anthony Macri (3)
44. Sun, July 27 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (11)
45. Fri, Aug 1 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Carson Macedo (7)
46. Sat, Aug 2 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (8)
47. Wed, Aug 6 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Ryan Timms*
48. Thurs, Aug 7 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson*
49. Fri, Aug 8 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel*
50. Sat, Aug 9 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Ryan Timms (1)
51. Fri, Aug 15 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Carson Macedo (8)
52. Sat, Aug 16 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (9)
53. Tues, Aug 19 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI / David Gravel (12)
54. Fri, Aug 22 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Michael Kofoid (9)
55. Sat, Aug 23 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Carson Macedo (10)
56. Sun, Aug 31 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (10)
57. Fri, Sept 5 / Vado Speedway Park / Vado, NM / David Gravel (13)

*denotes unofficial split-field prelim race.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: World of Outlaws California Swing Begins with Bakersfield, Perris Visits

A two-week stay in the “Golden State” starts with a new track and a SoCal staple

The west coast is calling, and the nation’s top Sprint Car talent is on the way.

BUY BAKERSFIELD TICKETS HERE
BUY PERRIS TICKETS HERE

WATCH LIVE ON DIRTVision

Let’s look at the weekend’s top storylines:

Four times Cole has raced at Bakersfield in NARC action, collecting a pair of top 10s in the process. Saturday is set to mark his Perris debut.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Macedo brothers aren’t the only World of Outlaws competitors with California roots. The next two weeks also mean a return home for Michael “Buddy” Kofoid.

STOP THE SLUMP: Perris Auto Speedway occupies an unusual position on the legendary résumé that Donny Schatz has constructed over his nearly 30-year career with the World of Outlaws.

CALI CLIQUE: California always provides some of the toughest local competition the World of Outlaws face and expect this trip to be no different.

Other probable entries from the local contingent include D.J. Netto (Hanford, CA), Dominic Gorden (Clovis, CA), Gauge Garcia (Lemoore, CA), and more.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE
Friday, September 12 at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, CA
Saturday, September 13 at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, CA

For the remaining 2025 schedule, CLICK HERE.

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Texas Motorplex Partners with NEFT Vodka as a Featured Spirit of the Stampede of Speed and NHRA Texas Fall Nationals

September 9, 2025 ARP Trish

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Who Will Be Crowned Grand National Champion? 2025 Progressive AFT Season to Conclude at Lake Ozark Short Track

September 9, 2025 ARP Trish

Who Will Be Crowned Grand National Champion? 2025 Progressive AFT Season to Conclude at Lake Ozark Short Track

Dallas Daniels (32), Trent Lowe (48), Briar Bauman (3), Declan Bender (70), Henry Wiles (911), and Brandon Price (92) race down the front straightaway during the Mission AFT SuperTwins Main Event in Springfield during the Springfield Mile II event. [Photo: American Flat Track / Tim Lester] DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 9, 2025) – The Grand National Championship will be decided when the 2025 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, concludes with the Arby’s Lake Ozark Short Track presented by Arrowhead Brass at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri on Saturday, September 13. And the season finale will once again play out in suitably festive surroundings, serving as a centerpiece of this year’s 19th Annual Lake of the Ozarks BikeFest, an event destined to attract some 125,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to the area from September 10-14. The Grand. National. Championship. Any concerns that Mission AFT SuperTwins would lose a bit of intrigue and drama after ten-time class king Jared Meesrode off into the sunset have not just been proven unfounded but resoundingly so. Over the course of an unforgettable ‘25 title fight, Mees’ latter-day foils, Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and Briar Bauman (No. 3 RWR/Parts Plus/Latus Motors Harley-Davidson XG750R), established their own rivalry which could potentially define the sport for the next decade. Their battles have been epic and at times not without controversy or acrimony. Momentum has been seized and reseized. And each has faced down adversity while making their respective bids to assume Mees’ throne this season. The tides turned yet again – and in a big way – at the Springfield Mile doubleheader. Bauman powered into Springfield on a high following his triumphant performance in Peoria. He left in disappointment, an 11-point advantage transformed into a 13-point deficit. That margin puts his chances for a third Grand National Championship in serious peril, a reality he’s all too aware of. However it plays out, Bauman has already done as much this season to cement his legacy as an all-time great as any of his prior campaigns, including the two in which he defeated Mees for the title. This season, Bauman and his Rick Ware Racing team took a previously winless Harley-Davidson XG750R and made it a genuine title threat on the strength of seven wins to date. But it goes beyond the numbers – the manner and style in which he’s done it left even the gifted Daniels and the powerhouse Estenson Racing team behind him at times bewildered. Perhaps paradoxically, Bauman was never more impressive than he was in Springfield, where he routinely sliced and diced the world’s elite motorcycle flat trackers up through the corners just to cling to contention down the straights. However, overpowered on Saturday and luckless on Sunday, Bauman now faces a steep climb to the title this weekend despite his overall brilliance in 2025. 1.56% Just how steep? If Bauman wins this weekend – and he should be viewed as the favorite considering the desperation of his situation along with his status as the winningest Short Track rider in series history – he’ll end the year with 307 points and a tiebreaking eight wins. That would mean Daniels would have to finish seventh or better to accumulate at least 308 points, and along with it, the 2025 Grand National Championship. And just how likely is that? Consider the following:  Daniels has participated in 64 Main Events throughout the entirety of his near four-season premier-class career. During that span, he has finished outside the top five just once. That outlier took place during the 2022 Volusia double finale weekend, in which he crashed from fourth and ultimately finished 12th. Since that time, the Estenson Racing star has finished fifth or better in 47 consecutive races – 42 of those on the box. As has been said many times – by Bauman and many others – it’s not so much Daniels’ speed (which is remarkable) or his talent (which is considerable), but rather his unprecedented consistency that is his greatest attribute as a title fighter. One bad day. One bad race. One bad moment. Give Daniels an opportunity, and he’ll make you pay. Bauman had a bad day in Springfield. However, it’s not over just yet. Pile on the pressure of a lifelong goal, and the chance that the unthinkable happens might increase a percentage point or ten. It’s happened before; the racing annals overfloweth with stories of less likely scenarios coming to fruition. Give The Man His Due Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Harley-Davidson XG750R) has spent the bulk of the season lost in the shadow of the fascinating Daniels/Bauman showdown. However, step back and admire another campaign that has only furthered his argument for eventual inclusion in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. 26 points up on fourth, Robinson has already locked in his fifth Grand National Championship ranking of third or better. He’s also added five more podiums to his career tally, including a long-sought  first win on the Harley-Davidson XG750R he helped usher into the series eight years back. While no doubt frustrated after taking a step back from 2024’s title contention, Robinson has quietly penned another strong season in a career that’s gradually elevated him up to some pretty lofty statistical territory. Lowe Man Wins Much has been made – and deservedly so – of Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Progressive Insurance Honda Transalp) scoring Honda’s first twin-cylinder premier-class win of the millennium with his Springfield surprise. But perhaps lost in that excitement was just how much his huge weekend transformed his championship standing outlook. Prior to Springfield, Lowe was locked in a tight fight for sixth with James Ott (No. 19 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07), Dan Bromley (No. 62 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Suzuki GSX-8S), and Max Whale (No. 18 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650). Meanwhile, Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke) and Jarod VanDerKooi (No. 20 Fastrack Racing/Wally Brown Racing KTM 790 Duke) still held outside hopes of edging Robinson for third at the time. Lowe’s stunning success combined with twin misfortune for Fisher and ‘VDK,’ has painted a very different picture with just one race to go. As it stands, it’s now Lowe who sits fourth with 172 points, followed closely by Fisher (169) and VanDerkooi (167). Even before the breakthrough victory, Lowe’s top-five finish at the Lucas Oil Short Track was likely good enough to consider 2025 a positive one of the Big Red SuperTwins program. The victory more than assured that.
But fourth in the overall standings? That would certainly be something. Rookie of the Year Lowe’s Springfield triumph also handed him a commanding lead in the chase for Mission AFT SuperTwins Rookie of the Year honors. Lowe and Ott have gone back and forth in a two-rider tilt all year long, but Lowe’s big win pushed him 18 points out in front with just the finale to go. In other words, it would take a monster result from Ott and utter catastrophe from Lowe to prevent the Honda pilot from being named premier-class Rookie of the Year. That said, congratulations to Ott, who has been hugely impressive in his own right. With one race left to shine, the Californian has already racked up four top fives on the G&G Yamaha – highlighted by a pair of podiums – in his first Mission AFT SuperTwins campaign. It’s Best to Rest Before BikeFest There will be no shortage of entertainment options at the 19th Annual Lake of the Ozarks BikeFest in general and the Lake Ozark Short Track in particular.  Along with the season-ending action on track culminating in the crowing of the 2025 Grand National Champion, fans will be treated to Jumbotron-enhanced viewing, dedicated motorcycle parking, numerous food and beverage options, the Fans Zone – complete with a face painter – and a fireworks display to conclude the evening’s activities. Your Ticket to the Land of Oz(ark) General Admission tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult General Admission ticket). Students can get a GA ticket for just $20 ticket at the gate with a student ID, while qualified individuals can take advantage of the Military/First Responder discount to purchase $20 General Admission tickets via the GovX link found on the event ticket pages.  Reserved Grandstand tickets, which are located along the front stretch of the racetrack with ideal sightlines, are just $50 (all ages). H.O.G. members can purchase a H.O.G. Membership Ticket for $30 (all ages), which grants access to both a dedicated parking area and dedicated grandstand seating, along with a meet and greet and photo opportunity with the Harley-Davidson racers and a private infield tour. Finally, there’s the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience ($99), which includes General Admission seating with full pit pass access, a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line, photo opps, and up-close viewing of Opening Ceremonies and the night’s race action. Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/lake-ozark-short-track-126438 to purchase your tickets today. Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies set to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 a.m. PT). How to Watch FloRacing For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2025. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast. FS1 FOX Sports coverage of the Arby’s Lake Ozark Short Track presented by Arrowhead Brass, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, September 20, at 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT).

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JIM DUNN RACING KICKING OFF THE COUNTDOWN WITH BUDDY HULL PROMOTING AND ALEX LAUGHLIN DRIVING

September 9, 2025 ARP Trish

LONG BEACH, CA (September 9, 2025) — Jim Dunn Racing is set to return to Maple Grove Raceway for the 40^thNHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish, September 11-14, with a fiery look and a full schedule of fan engagement as the Countdown to the Championship kicks off. They will deliver a one-two punch with Buddy Hull and Alex Laughlin representing the team and sponsors.

The team, celebrating its 75^th anniversary this season, will once again showcase its eye-catching Blaze Exhaust Probes livery for the fourth time in 2025. While Buddy Hull, the second-year Funny Car driver, remains sidelined with a left-hand injury sustained at the DENSO Sonoma Nationals in late July, the team will continue to push forward under the NHRA’s medical replacement policy.

For the second consecutive race, Alex Laughlin will pilot the Blaze Exhaust Probes Funny Car, bringing with him strong backing from Lincoln Welders and a proven ability to step in under high-pressure circumstances. Laughlin will look to carry momentum into Reading as Buddy Hull and Jim Dunn Racing begins their Countdown campaign.

“While I’d love nothing more than to be in the seat this weekend, I’m proud of the effort our team has put in to stay competitive and keep engaging with fans,” said Hull. “Alex is doing a fantastic job behind the wheel, and I’m excited to cheer him on while also sharing more of my passion for Funny Car racing with the fans in Reading.”

Longtime sponsor of Jim Dunn Racing, Odyssey Battery, will be heavily featured on the side window of the nitro Funny Car. They will also have guests in attendance at the race.

“We’re so excited to be hosting a group from Odyssey Battery,” said Jon Dunn. “We rely on Odyssey batteries to start the race car, we use them in our hauler, our tow vehicle and our personal vehicles at home. They easily meet all of our battery needs and are a great company to work with.”

Despite being out of the cockpit, Hull’s championship hopes remain alive. In just his second season in Funny Car, Hull has qualified for the Countdown to the Championship both years, a testament to his and Jim Dunn Racing’s consistency and determination.

Hull will also remain a major presence at Maple Grove Raceway. He’ll spend the weekend engaging fans by:

Filming episodes for season two of his hit show Talkin’ Funny Cars with Buddy Hull, which premieres this Wednesday, September 10 on the NHRA FAST Channel at 8 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. PT.
Joining the PA booth to offer his insights on the weekend’s action.
Meeting fans during autograph sessions and tower visits.
Entertaining on the NHRA Stage, continuing to build his connection with the NHRA community.

JIM DUNN RACING KICKING OFF THE COUNTDOWN WITH BUDDY HULL PROMOTING AND ALEX LAUGHLIN DRIVING

LONG BEACH, CA (September 9, 2025) — Jim Dunn Racing is set to return to Maple Grove Raceway for the 40^thNHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish, September 11-14, with a fiery look and a full schedule of fan engagement as the Countdown to the Championship kicks off. They will deliver a one-two punch with Buddy Hull and Alex Laughlin representing the team and sponsors.

The team, celebrating its 75^th anniversary this season, will once again showcase its eye-catching Blaze Exhaust Probes livery for the fourth time in 2025. While Buddy Hull, the second-year Funny Car driver, remains sidelined with a left-hand injury sustained at the DENSO Sonoma Nationals in late July, the team will continue to push forward under the NHRA’s medical replacement policy.

For the second consecutive race, Alex Laughlin will pilot the Blaze Exhaust Probes Funny Car, bringing with him strong backing from Lincoln Welders and a proven ability to step in under high-pressure circumstances. Laughlin will look to carry momentum into Reading as Buddy Hull and Jim Dunn Racing begins their Countdown campaign.

“While I’d love nothing more than to be in the seat this weekend, I’m proud of the effort our team has put in to stay competitive and keep engaging with fans,” said Hull. “Alex is doing a fantastic job behind the wheel, and I’m excited to cheer him on while also sharing more of my passion for Funny Car racing with the fans in Reading.”

Longtime sponsor of Jim Dunn Racing, Odyssey Battery, will be heavily featured on the side window of the nitro Funny Car. They will also have guests in attendance at the race.

“We’re so excited to be hosting a group from Odyssey Battery,” said Jon Dunn. “We rely on Odyssey batteries to start the race car, we use them in our hauler, our tow vehicle and our personal vehicles at home. They easily meet all of our battery needs and are a great company to work with.”

Despite being out of the cockpit, Hull’s championship hopes remain alive. In just his second season in Funny Car, Hull has qualified for the Countdown to the Championship both years, a testament to his and Jim Dunn Racing’s consistency and determination.

Hull will also remain a major presence at Maple Grove Raceway. He’ll spend the weekend engaging fans by:

Filming episodes for season two of his hit show Talkin’ Funny Cars with Buddy Hull, which premieres this Wednesday, September 10 on the NHRA FAST Channel at 8 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. PT.
Joining the PA booth to offer his insights on the weekend’s action.
Meeting fans during autograph sessions and tower visits.
Entertaining on the NHRA Stage, continuing to build his connection with the NHRA community.

“These Reading fans are something special,” said Hull. “They know they’re at a race that is high stakes. It’s the first race of our playoffs and anything can happen. I’m lucky that I can keep spreading the message that Funny Cars are the coolest thing on the planet, even when I’m temporarily out of the seat.”

In addition to Blaze Exhaust Probes and Lincoln Welders, this weekend Hull and Laughlin will also be representing season-long sponsors Lescure Mechanical Services, KGC Construction, Mooneyes, Vertex Roofers and General Contractors, Crow Safety, Koppl Pipeline Services, True Brand, USD, Wiley X and Compass Facility Services.

“We have the best group of supporters in the sport of drag racing,” said Hull. “They’ve been so understanding as I work to get my hand back in shape to pilot this nitro Funny Car and have welcomed Alex back with open arms. We could not do what we do without them.”

Laughlin and the Jim Dunn Racing team will have two qualifying runs on Friday, September 12 and then two more qualifying runs on September 13 at Maple Grove Raceway. The 16 Funny Cars with the quickest elapsed times after four rounds of qualifying will compete on race day on Sunday, September 14 at 11 a.m. ET. Fans can watch the race on FS1. For tickets or more information on the NHRA Reading Nationals visit nhra.com.

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Dominic Scelzi Excited to Compete in Four World of Outlaws Races in California

September 8, 2025 ARP Trish

Inside Line Promotions – FRESNO, Calif. (Sept. 8, 2025) – Dominic Scelzi is spending the next two weekends with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series in his home state of California.

Scelzi and his family owned team will race this Friday at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield during the Nashville West Showdown and Saturday at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris during the SoCal Showdown. The following weekend showcases the Dennis Roth Classic doubleheader at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare.

“I’m excited to have our last big run of races here with the Outlaws,” he said. “I’m looking forward to hopefully having four issue-free nights.”

Scelzi finished ninth during Kubota High Limit Racing shows at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway and Perris Auto Speedway in March.

“We’ve won two NARC shows and an open 360 show so we’ve had good speed at the track in Bakersfield,” he said. “We’ve run well there with High Limit and with NARC. It’s a very unique track. It’s changed three times in its lifespan. I’ve only raced there once under the current configuration so it’s always kept everyone on their toes.

“And I really like Perris. It’s a fun place that has been racy the last few years. The last time we were there with the Outlaws we were running third when I caught the curb wrong and unfortunately DNFed so we know we can be competitive.”

SEASON STATS –

45 races, 3 wins, 17 top fives, 31 top 10s, 37 top 15s, 40 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Dominic Scelzi Excited to Compete in Four World of Outlaws Races in California

“I’m excited to have our last big run of races here with the Outlaws,” he said. “I’m looking forward to hopefully having four issue-free nights.”

Scelzi finished ninth during Kubota High Limit Racing shows at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway and Perris Auto Speedway in March.

SEASON STATS –

45 races, 3 wins, 17 top fives, 31 top 10s, 37 top 15s, 40 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Friday at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., for the Nashville West Showdown and Saturday at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, Calif., for the SoCal Showdown with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series

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Rookies Run Riot: The AFT Singles Rookie Class of ‘25

September 8, 2025 ARP Trish

Kage Tadman (228) takes a victory lap at Ventura Raceway during Round 4. [Photo: American Flat Track / Scott Hunter] DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 8, 2025) – The earliest signs that a rookie wave was about to hit the 2025 AFT Singles presented by KICKER class registered as barely more than a ripple. The Progressive American Flat Track DAYTONA double season opener was meant to serve as a glorified torch-passing ceremony, with three-time reigning class champ Kody Kopp – who was preparing to embark on a roadracing career – slated to hand the reins over to his dueling heir apparents, Tom Drane and Chase Saathoff. Instead, Kopp used the opportunity to clock a pair of extended victory laps, adding two more wins to his all-time class record before tossing said torch into the dirt for Drane and Saathoff to scrap over in his absence. Nearly lost to that bright spotlight was the performance of Lucky Thumb M/C’s Ethan Kitchen, who managed to sneak into the bottom of the top ten in his debut weekend. The wave next hit not just like a tsunami, but one of historic proportions. Beachside Ventura Raceway served as a scenic backdrop framing the raw brilliance of Kage Tadman, who set the scene alight with a dominant victory in his very first attempt. Very few riders had managed that in the history of the class. And no one had ever done what he would do days later – repeat the remarkable feat at Silver Dollar Speedway. In doing so, Tadman set the stage for what has proved to be an unusually impactful rookie class. Read the complete story and 2025 Singles Rookie breakdown HERE.

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Cameron Martin Wins Stewart Alley Memorial at Eagle for First National ASCS Win

September 8, 2025 ARP Trish

EAGLE, NE (Sept. 7, 2025) — Cameron Martin admits the last time he raced Sam Hafertepe Jr. for the win, he let it get away. But on Sunday night at Eagle Raceway, he was not about to let it happen again.

The 21-year-old from Ankeny, IA, got the best of the five-time national champion in a back-and-forth battle, retaking the lead with 15 laps remaining and holding Hafertepe off the rest of the distance to score his first career American Sprint Car Series Feature win in the second running of the Stewart Alley Memorial.

“This is super cool, especially to do it here at Eagle,” Martin said. “This is probably one of the best racetracks in the world right now. I can’t say thank you enough to Skylar (Prochaska, crew chief) and dad and everyone who helps me. I’ll never forget this moment.”

One year prior, Martin had qualified for the inaugural special event against a deep field but was taken out of contention in a crash on the opening lap. Fast forward to 2025 and he’s in Victory Lane in only his 15th career national Series start. Martin also becomes the 175th different winner with the Series and the eighth different driver to win a Series race at the Nebraska venue.

While Hafertepe got the jump at the drop of the green flag, Martin began plotting his plan of attack. He took his first opportunity, zooming past Hafertepe on the top side around the 1/3-mile oval after a restart on Lap 9.

“I just said ‘Man, I’m just gonna fall in on the top and run behind [Martin],’” Hafertepe said after falling back to second. “He’s a young guy, he’s gasser, and sometimes those guys make mistakes. And I thought, ‘Well, I’ll try my luck and see if he makes a mistake,’ and he just didn’t make any.”

Though Martin remained strong on the top side through the first half of the race, Hafertepe showed speed as well, reeling-in Martin and throwing a slidejob for the lead in Turns 3–4 on Lap 17.

“I was probably running it a little harder than I should’ve, but I really wanted that win,” Martin said. “I made the mistake of not running as hard as I should’ve last night and Sam pulled away from me. I wasn’t going to let that happen again.”

Hafertepe continued his march around the bottom lane while Martin got back on the top side; right-rear tire pinned to the cushion. He began charging up the momentum, and on Lap 20 raced around the outside of Hafertepe to retake the top spot in Turns 1–2.

“I could hear (Martin) pressuring me on the top sometimes, but I knew if I hit my line good, we were okay down there,” Hafertepe said. “I think one time, going into (Turn) 1, it was like all-of-a-sudden the bottom just went away in one lap, it felt like. And that’s when he got by me.”

The race stayed under green for the next seven laps while Martin began to open a gap on the field in lapped traffic. That advantage was erased when the yellow flag was thrown on Lap 28, and again on Lap 30, forcing Martin to defend the lead on the restarts.

“I felt really good when we were running through lapped traffic,” Martin said. “I kinda figured I had a pretty sizable lead, but I was just getting really comfortable, and the caution came out, so I just had to put my head down.

“I saw Skylar on the fence giving me the thumbs-up, so I knew I was gonna have to drive the hardest six laps of my life there at the end to hold Sam. JJ was super-fast, and I think Austin McCarl was back there, too. Those three guys are some of the best Sprint Car drivers in the world right now.”

In the end, Hafertepe was unable to reel-in Martin after the final restart. The Sunnyvale, TX-native settled for second and his third podium finish in the last four Series events.

“(Martin) has been fast all year, and he’s not just a 360 guy — he made the 410 Knoxville Nationals and ran 13th,” Hafertepe said. “He’s got a bright future, a really good family, and he’s a good kid. His dad, him and his brother are all really good people. I kinda like to see good people do good things. Not too mad that I got beat by him tonight; we’ll take our second and go on.”

Washington native JJ Hickle crossed the finish line third after winning a competitive battle for position with Austin McCarl in the closing laps. McCarl finished fourth while fellow Knoxville Raceway regular Riley Goodno rounded-out the top-five.

UP NEXT

The Series now takes a weekend off before resuming competition Sept. 19–20 at Paducah International Raceway and I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park.

Tickets for both events will be sold at the track on race day. If you can’t be there, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

ABBREVIATED RESULTS (view all results)

Cameron Martin Wins Stewart Alley Memorial at Eagle for First National ASCS Win

Though Martin remained strong on the top side through the first half of the race, Hafertepe showed speed as well, reeling-in Martin and throwing a slidejob for the lead in Turns 3–4 on Lap 17.

In the end, Hafertepe was unable to reel-in Martin after the final restart. The Sunnyvale, TX-native settled for second and his third podium finish in the last four Series events.

UP NEXT

The Series now takes a weekend off before resuming competition Sept. 19–20 at Paducah International Raceway and I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park.

Tickets for both events will be sold at the track on race day. If you can’t be there, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

ABBREVIATED RESULTS (view all results)

Feature (35 Laps): 1. 4M-Cameron Martin[1]; 2. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[3]; 3. 63-JJ Hickle[2]; 4. 88W-Austin McCarl[5]; 5. 22-Riley Goodno[7]; 6. 23-Seth Bergman[16]; 7. 95-Matt Covington[25]; 8. 2B-Garrett Benson[12]; 9. 11-Roger Crockett[10]; 10. 36-Jason Martin[26]; 11. 44-Chris Martin[24]; 12. 11A-Billy Alley[11]; 13. 40-Clint Garner[9]; 14. 1-Sean McClelland[15]; 15. 2J-Zach Blurton[14]; 16. 938-Bradley Fezard[22]; 17. 17B-Ryan Bickett[17]; 18. 99-Tony Rost[21]; 19. 23M-Lance Moss[23]; 20. 5-Ryder McCutcheon[4]; 21. 27-Carson McCarl[8]; 22. 27B-Jake Bubak[18]; 23. 6-Cody Gardner[19]; 24. 6K-Dustin Selvage[20]; 25. 55-Chase Brown[27]; 26. 52-Blake Hahn[6]; 27. 47-Brant O’Banion[13]

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Gateway Misfortune Fuels Berry’s Drive Into Bristol

September 8, 2025 ARP Trish

The opening round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs has tested Josh Berry and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team, but their focus remains firmly on the road ahead.After an early setback at Darlington, Berry entered Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway determined to rebound. The team showed solid speed with a 12th-place qualifying effort, but their race ended early after a Lap 36 restart incident left Berry with heavy damage and a 36th-place result.“It was just a chaotic restart after pit stops,” Berry said. “I don’t think anybody did anything intentional — just three-wide racing and unfortunately we came out on the wrong side of it.”Berry enters Bristol 45 markers below the elimination line, making Saturday’s race a pivotal moment in the opening Playoff round. While the short track is known for its intensity, it also offers the kind of opportunity the No. 21 team is looking for.“The best way for us to move on is to go to Bristol and put ourselves in position to win,” Berry said. “That’s our focus this week.”Despite two difficult races, the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team isn’t backing down. With Bristol looming as a must-perform opportunity, Berry and the No. 21 crew are determined to keep their Playoff hopes alive.

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CORVETTE RACING AT COTA: No Luck at Home

September 8, 2025 ARP Trish

Misfortune strikes pair of TF Sport Corvettes in American WEC round

AUSTIN, Texas (September 7, 2025) – Rain and bad luck were the orders of the day for TF Sport in the Lone Star Le Mans at Circuit of The Americas. The team’s pair of Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs finished outside the top-10 and as a result the points in the lone North American stop of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The No. 81 Corvette of Charlie Eastwood, Rui Andrade and Tom Van Rompuy was the highest-finishing TF Sport entry after six hours of rainy racing. It was a cruel result after the Corvette gained eight spots during a nearly two hours of running behind the safety car and a red-flag stoppage due to an issue with one of the safety cars.
The 81 trio saw its two-race podium streak come to an end with a 13th-place finish. Van Rompuy led early following the early-race chaos, but the team lost time in the pitlane having to replace a sensor on the Corvette’s accident data recorder – an FIA-mandated and supplied device – that cost Andrade nearly a lap in the process once the driver change and service finished. The team had elected to run Van Rompuy deep into the stint in hopes of catching a virtual safety car period.

Corvette Racing Media Resources Documents | Statistics | Photos | Factory Driver Bios | Chevrolet Newsroom

Problems also bit the No. 33 Z06 GT3.R of Daniel Juncadella, Jonny Edgar and Texan Ben Keating. Following a strong qualifying effort and a gain of three spots under the early safety-car period, the entry experienced fuel system and restart issues on the first driver exchange between Keating and Edgar.
From that point, both the TF Corvettes were in catch-up mode. The No. 33’s race ended inside the final two hours with a right-rear suspension problem that ground the car to a halt with Juncadella at the wheel. Meanwhile the No. 81 was at a drivetime disadvantage due to the earlier sensor failure. Factory driver Eastwood was one of the last professional drivers to get in the race, and a switch to slick tires with 34 minutes left did nothing to close the gap to the field.
TF Sport’s next FIA WEC race with the Corvette Z06 GT3.R is the Six Hours of Fuji on September 26-28.

TF SPORT POST-RACE QUOTESCHARLIE EASTWOOD, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R:“It was a weekend to forget unfortunately. We struggled all weekend. Not for pace; we seemed to have really good pace but it just seemed to be a messy weekend for one reason for another. In the race we were good until the championship sensor failed and we had to replace that. That dropped us to the back of the field. We didn’t seem to have a lot of pace when it was cold and wet. Our car thrives on the high track temps and we couldn’t seem to get the tire switched on. We have a bit of understanding on that when we know the weather is maybe dropping as much as it did. Maybe there’s something we can do to counter that.”

TOM VAN ROMPUY, NO. 81 CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Driving that long behind the safety is not the most exciting thing. Seeing the conditions, it was the right call. Safety-wise, it was really tricky to drive the car with some standing water and puddles. The team made a really good call to come into the pits as soon as possible during the first safety car because it gained us a lot of positions afterward. But with the sensor failure we were behind where we started.”

CORVETTE RACING AT COTA: No Luck at HomeMisfortune strikes pair of TF Sport Corvettes in American WEC round

Corvette Racing Media Resources Documents | Statistics | Photos | Factory Driver Bios | Chevrolet Newsroom

DANIEL JUNCADELLA, NO. 33 CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “The weekend started very nicely with FP1 – 1-2 for our Corvettes. Since then we have hit too many issues. The sister car had a messy couple of free practices but in our case everything was smooth. We qualified fifth so it was looking good for today. But after the first stint we encountered some issues getting the car started. We need to analyze since we don’t know the reason. That put us a lap back, and the racing is pretty much an uphill trend when you are that far back. At the end, I had the mechanical issue and had to stop. Everything felt nice and felt fine. I was in the middle of other cars but a lap down; that is always annoying because you get blue flags constantly. I had actually just let the whole field by to see how the car felt. I had a bit of fun in the wet but then it went straightaway. It’s a shame, but it’s better it happens when you’re two laps down than when you’re in the lead or fighting for big points.”

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Cadillac at COTA: Solid points haul

September 8, 2025 ARP Trish

Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA Hypercars finish sixth, eighth in rain-soaked raceAUSTIN, Texas (Sept. 7, 2025) – The capital city averages 50 days and 35 inches of precipitation a year. A wet weekend impacted the Lone Star Le Mans — on race day to the benefit of the Nos. 12 and 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.Rs.
With persistent rain and standing water on the 5.513-kilometer (3.426-mile), 20-turn Circuit of the Americas course from the outset of the six-hour race, the twin Hypercars used Michelin wet tires for the full 117-lap length of the sixth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) campaign.

Both the No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R, which won from the pole in July in Brazil with Alex Lynn, Norman Nato and Will Stevens behind the wheel for Cadillac Racing’s maiden WEC victory, and the No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team, JOTA V-Series.R overcame the elements deftly overtook multiple cars throughout to place in the top 10.
The No. 12 Hypercar, which finished eighth, extended its streak of scoring points in every race. The No. 38 hybrid racecar, which was runner-up at Interlagos, placed sixth.
“We have a very strong car in the dry and in the rain,” Lynn said following the 12-minute qualifying session Saturday in which the team switched from Michelin slicks to rain tires in mixed conditions to no avail.
His analysis proved prophetic.
The No, 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R advanced nine positions from its starting spot – most in the 18-car Hypercar field. The No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R advanced eight positions to reap points and remain in the conversation for the Drivers Championship. The points haul also keeps Cadillac in contention for the Manufacturers Championship with two races left.
Media resources: Cadillac at COTA photos | All-time statistics | 2025 WEC statistics
The race commenced behind the Safety Car, which led the parade for 59 minutes before Race Control called for the red flag because of rain and standing water on the course. After a 42-minute stoppage and subsequent laps behind the Safety Car, the green flag waved with 3 hours, 46 minutes left and Bamber in 11th place and Lynn in 14th.Both drivers quickly made up positions on the slick surface. Lynn ran as high as third with 44 minutes remaining before pitting for service and driver change to Nato to close out the contest. Both Cadillac entries needed a splash of fuel with under 6 minutes left, which determined their results.
Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA returns to action September 26-28 at Fuji Speedway for the 6 Hours of Fuji, where Cadillac Racing earned its maiden WEC pole position in 2024 with a best lap of 1:28.901 on the 4.563-kilometer (2.835-mile), 16-turn circuit that opened in 1965. The penultimate race of the season marks the 100th for the WEC.

What they’re saying

No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R
Alex Lynn: “P9 at the finish after starting from P16, honestly it felt like we had the car to finish higher if it hadn’t been for that little error we had at the end. We had a very fast car today and we did our best.”
Norman Nato: “I would say that’s it’s been a tricky weekend overall. We tried our best in terms of strategy. Will did a longer stint with the Safety Car and red flag. Then Alex jumped in the car, did some good stints, kept it clean in this really tricky condition with no visibility. I tried to finish the job at the end. We did our best. When you start far back, it’s never easy. We showed some good pace again today. A few things we could have done better, but again, both cars finishing in points is positive. We would, of course, want to do like we did in Sao Paulo every weekend. But a weekend where it’s a bit more difficult to take points with both cars, it’s important what we did today.”
Will Stevens: “When you have a race in very mixed conditions, there are always a huge amount of variable strategy-wise. I think we came through the field extremely well. Alex did a really solid job in the middle of the race to put us back in contention and the car felt good. We were tight on driver time to get Norman in at the end and obviously that wasn’t ideal and then there was the issue with the fuel at the end, which cost us some places which is disappointing. It feels like we had the potential to score more points than we did today.”
No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R

Earl Bamber: “Good effort from everyone on the team this weekend. On the No. 38 side, we had some really nice improvements. The guys put in a lot of effort ahead of this and that really showed. We have had a quick car all weekend in the dry and the wet. We just need to work out those changeable conditions. To get P6 after starting P15, if you’d told me that before the race I would have been happy. During my stint, I really felt like we had the chance to reach the podium. But in these six hour races, there’s a lot that goes on.”
Sebastien Bourdais: ”Obviously, some very, very challenging conditions out there today, probably some of the hardest I’ve ever had to drive through. Unfortunately, I ended up making the one mistake that cost us a better result, but it could have been worse. I could have ended in the fence. It’s a shame because the car had really great pace so our sixth-place finish doesn’t feel at all reflective of our capabilities today. We keep pushing and move on to Fuji.”
Jenson Button: “I obviously didn’t have a windscreen wiper and it probably would have been fine if we didn’t have the Safety Car, but as soon as that happens you’re in a pack and you can’t see anything. So, I had GT cars passing me at one point. We came in to replace it and it definitely helped. We got unlucky yesterday, so I’ll take it today. And the car was fun to drive and I enjoyed it. It was a whole race of looking after the tires, fuel saving and getting just everything to the end, really. And it worked out well.”

Cadillac at COTA: Solid points haulCadillac Hertz Team JOTA Hypercars finish sixth, eighth in rain-soaked raceAUSTIN, Texas (Sept. 7, 2025) – The capital city averages 50 days and 35 inches of precipitation a year. A wet weekend impacted the Lone Star Le Mans — on race day to the benefit of the Nos. 12 and 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.Rs.
With persistent rain and standing water on the 5.513-kilometer (3.426-mile), 20-turn Circuit of the Americas course from the outset of the six-hour race, the twin Hypercars used Michelin wet tires for the full 117-lap length of the sixth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) campaign.

What they’re saying

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Elliott Earns Podium Finish at World Wide Technology Raceway

September 8, 2025 ARP Trish

NASCAR CUP SERIES WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY ROUND OF 16: RACE TWO TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE REPORT SEPTEMBER 7, 2025

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race Advances Chevrolet Newsroom

Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott earned his career-best finish at World Wide Technology Raceway – driving his No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet to a third-place finish in the Enjoy Illinois 300. The result – Elliott’s eighth top-five finish of the season – moved the former series champion up to the ninth position in the playoff standings with a 28-point cushion heading into the Round of 16 elimination race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Four Team Chevy playoff contenders will enter the first elimination race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with a double-digit cushion over the cutline with Kyle Larson in the third position (+60 points), William Byron in the sixth position (+39 points), Chase Elliott in the ninth position (+28 points) and Ross Chastain in the 11th position (+19 points).
Despite struggling with the handling of his No. 3 Dow DayGlo Chevrolet through much of the race, the Richard Boswell-led team collected stage points and took home an 18th-place finish to head to Bristol Motor Speedway in the first spot below the cutline with just an 11-point deficit.

Part Two of the Round of 16 saw Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team lead the field to the green-flag from a front-row starting position. Settling into the second position on the opening lap, it took just seven laps for the 33-year-old Elk Grove, California, native to make a pass for the lead – going on to pull his Chevrolet-powered machine to a nearly three-second lead over pole-sitter, Denny Hamlin, within the following 10 laps around the 1.25-mile oval. Giving up the lead to hit pit road under the first caution of the day, Larson took his four fresh Goodyear tires to drive from 11th to the runner-up position to take the first green-white checkered flag of the day to end Stage One.
With a call from crew chief, Cliff Daniels, to stay out during the stage break, Larson found a spot back on the front-row to take the green-flag for Stage Two. With a powerhouse restart, Larson quickly reclaimed the top position over his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Williams Byron, on the opening lap of the stage. A pair of cautions near the midway point of the stage produced a mix bag of pit strategy throughout the field. Not favoring the strategy set forth by the Daniels-led team, the No. 5 Chevrolet team opted to hit pit road under the Lap 76 caution for four tires and fuel – putting them in the 20th position for the restart. Despite the loss of track position, the speed prevailed in the No. 5 Chevrolet with Larson reentering the top-10 with 40 laps remaining in the stage. With a two-lap dash to close out Stage Two, Larson once again led the Bowtie brigade to the green-white checkered flag in the fourth position. Four Team Chevy playoff drivers collected stage points with Larson leading Austin Dillon in sixth, Chase Elliott in eighth and Ross Chastain rounding out the top-10. Back in a familiar position to start the final stage was Larson, who lined up on the inside lane of the second row for the green-flag with 93 laps to go in the race. Larson lost his track position when the team had to pay a second visit to pit road under the caution to fix the rear diffuser flap – forcing the team to restart in the 29th position with 76 laps to go. Varying pit strategies came into play when the final green-flag pit cycle approached at the 200-lap marker. With a caution flying amidst the green-flag pit cycle, strategy came to the forefront once again. With just four laps on his set of tires, crew chief, Alan Gustafson, called for Elliott to stay out under the caution to lineup in the fifth position for the restart with 25 laps to go – going on to lead Chevrolet to the finish to score their eighth top-five finish of the season.

TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-10 RESULTS: POS. DRIVER
3rd – Chase Elliott

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 28 NASCAR Cup Series races complete:

Wins: 12Poles: 10Top-Fives: 54Top 10s: 115Stage Wins: 22

UP NEXT: The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16 will conclude at Bristol Motor Speedway with the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Saturday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on the USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Post-Race Driver Quotes: Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletFinished: 24th “I thought for most of the day, we were around a 10th-place Busch Light Chevy. We had a bad restart, and then the caution came out and trapped us a lap down and magnified it. We just need more. We want more.” You head into Bristol 19-points above the cutline. Is that comfortable or uncomfortable?“Well it’s 19-points better than not. I don’t know what it is… I will go and prepare the same as we would if we won the last two races. We’re doing what we think is best and we’ll put our best foot forward when we get to Bristol (Motor Speedway).”

Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletFinished: 18th“We didn’t come here with a good race car for some reason. All of our cars were pretty off today, we just missed it. But this No. 3 Dow DayGlo Chevrolet team did a great job executing with what we had. We got stage points and finished the best we possibly could right there. We outran our day by a lot, so hard work and execution gives us a shot at Bristol (Motor Speedway). Just feel like we’ve missed some opportunities and could be in a better position, but we did all we could today.” Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 12thAre you encouraged by the speed we saw today? “Yeah, I definitely think we took a massive step in the right direction. I would just love to get to Phoenix to have an opportunity to see. Just proud of this No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet team. It’s been a struggle here (at Gateway) and this particular style of track, but it’s really been a struggle in general for us at a lot of places lately. Not the finish we obviously wanted, but I feel like we were back to looking like the No. 5 team today.” Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletFinished: 22nd“The entire No. 8 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet team battled from the moment we started today at World Wide Technology Raceway. We qualified deeper in the field and had an early spin in Stage 1, but the Richard Childress Racing team never quit. We drove into the Top 10 towards the final laps, but came up short, finishing 22nd. Our focuses are now on Bristol as we look to get a win in 2025.” Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 3rd“It felt good to just have a solid day for this No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet team. I thought we were really good at times; certainly more competitive than we’ve been in a minute. It was a lot of fun to be up in the mix. We just needed a little bit more there at the end, but we were way, way better than we’ve been here lately, so that’s nice.” William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 11thWhat more did you need there at the end? “I think we had pace this weekend, we just couldn’t get our balance. We really struggled the first two stages with that. We started losing track position in the second and third stages, and it was really hard to overcome. In the final stage, we had a pretty good balance on the car, all things considered, and we were kind of able to go forward, if not maintain. I think there was a lot to learn there in the final stage with how we managed that.” Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 26th“It was just really poor execution on all angles today. It was a bummer. I thought our No. 48 Ally Chevrolet was OK once we were kind of towards the front-half. We just struggled in the back. Super frustrating, but all we can do is keep digging. There’s a lot of people working really hard to continue to be better. I thought, race car-wise, we were heading in the right direction once we had some air on it. We just have to go to Bristol (Motor Speedway) and go to work.” Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletFinished: 25th“We were too tight in traffic, and then eventually got on the other side of it and I made an error and spun. We just couldn’t get it back. We weren’t amazing. We were probably a 15th-place car, but then detuned it a little bit and ended up where we did. Little frustrating, but it’s kind of where we’re at. 20th and 15th is a huge improvement for us, but obviously in the playoffs, you expect more. There’s that pressure there.”

NASCAR CUP SERIESWORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAYROUND OF 16: RACE TWOTEAM CHEVY POST-RACE REPORTSEPTEMBER 7, 2025

Elliott Earns Podium Finish at World Wide Technology Raceway

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race Advances Chevrolet Newsroom

TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-10 RESULTS: POS. DRIVER
3rd – Chase Elliott

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 28 NASCAR Cup Series races complete:

Wins: 12Poles: 10Top-Fives: 54Top 10s: 115Stage Wins: 22

Uncategorized

Elliott Earns Podium Finish at World Wide Technology Raceway

September 8, 2025 ARP Trish

NASCAR CUP SERIES WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY ROUND OF 16: RACE TWO TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE REPORT SEPTEMBER 7, 2025

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race Advances Chevrolet Newsroom

Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott earned his career-best finish at World Wide Technology Raceway – driving his No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet to a third-place finish in the Enjoy Illinois 300. The result – Elliott’s eighth top-five finish of the season – moved the former series champion up to the ninth position in the playoff standings with a 28-point cushion heading into the Round of 16 elimination race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Four Team Chevy playoff contenders will enter the first elimination race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with a double-digit cushion over the cutline with Kyle Larson in the third position n(+60 points), William Byron in the sixth position (+39 points), Chase Elliott in the ninth position (+28 points) and Ross Chastain in the 11th position (+19 points).
Despite struggling with the handling of his No. 3 Dow DayGlo Chevrolet through much of the race, the Richard Boswell-led team collected stage points and took home an 18th-place finish head to Bristol Motor Speedway in the first spot below the cutline with just an 11-point deficit.

Part Two of the Round of 16 saw Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team lead the field to the green-flag from a front-row starting position. Settling into the second position on the opening lap, it took just seven laps for the 33-year-old Elk Grove, California, native to make a pass for the lead – going on to pull his Chevrolet-powered machine to a nearly three-second lead over pole-sitter, Denny Hamlin, within the following 10 laps around the 1.25-mile oval. Giving up the lead to hit pit road under the first caution of the day, Larson took his four fresh Goodyear tires to drive from 11th to the runner-up position to take the first green-white checkered flag of the day to end Stage One.
With a call from crew chief, Cliff Daniels, to stay out during the stage break, Larson found a spot back on the front-row to take the green-flag for Stage Two. With a powerhouse restart, Larson quickly reclaimed the top position over his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Williams Byron, on the opening lap of the stage. A pair of cautions near the midway point of the stage produced a mix bag of pit strategy throughout the field. Not favoring the strategy set forth by the Daniels-led team, the No. 5 Chevrolet team opted to hit pit road under the Lap 76 caution for four tires and fuel – putting them in the 20th position for the restart. Despite the loss of track position, the speed prevailed in the No. 5 Chevrolet with Larson reentering the top-10 with 40 laps remaining in the stage. With a two-lap dash to close out Stage Two, Larson once again led the Bowtie brigade to the green-white checkered flag in the fourth position. Four Team Chevy playoff drivers collected stage points with Larson leading Austin Dillon in sixth, Chase Elliott in eighth and Ross Chastain rounding out the top-10. Back in a familiar position to start the final stage was Larson, who lined up on the inside lane of the second row for the green-flag with 93 laps to go in the race. Larson lost his track position when the team had to pay a second visit to pit road under the caution to fix the rear diffuser flap – forcing the team to restart in the 29th position with 76 laps to go. Varying pit strategies came into play when the final green-flag pit cycle approached at the 200-lap marker. With a caution flying amidst the green-flag pit cycle, strategy came to the forefront once again. With just four laps on his set of tires, crew chief, Alan Gustafson, called for Elliott to stay out under the caution to lineup in the fifth position for the restart with 25 laps to go – going on to lead Chevrolet to the finish to score their eighth top-five finish of the season.

TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-10 RESULTS: POS. DRIVER
3rd – Chase Elliott

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 28 NASCAR Cup Series races complete:

Wins: 12Poles: 10Top-Fives: 54Top 10s: 115Stage Wins: 22

NASCAR CUP SERIESWORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAYROUND OF 16: RACE TWOTEAM CHEVY POST-RACE REPORTSEPTEMBER 7, 2025

Elliott Earns Podium Finish at World Wide Technology Raceway

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race Advances Chevrolet Newsroom

Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott earned his career-best finish at World Wide Technology Raceway – driving his No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet to a third-place finish in the Enjoy Illinois 300. The result – Elliott’s eighth top-five finish of the season – moved the former series champion up to the ninth position in the playoff standings with a 28-point cushion heading into the Round of 16 elimination race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Four Team Chevy playoff contenders will enter the first elimination race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with a double-digit cushion over the cutline with Kyle Larson in the third position n(+60 points), William Byron in the sixth position (+39 points), Chase Elliott in the ninth position (+28 points) and Ross Chastain in the 11th position (+19 points).
Despite struggling with the handling of his No. 3 Dow DayGlo Chevrolet through much of the race, the Richard Boswell-led team collected stage points and took home an 18th-place finish head to Bristol Motor Speedway in the first spot below the cutline with just an 11-point deficit.

Part Two of the Round of 16 saw Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team lead the field to the green-flag from a front-row starting position. Settling into the second position on the opening lap, it took just seven laps for the 33-year-old Elk Grove, California, native to make a pass for the lead – going on to pull his Chevrolet-powered machine to a nearly three-second lead over pole-sitter, Denny Hamlin, within the following 10 laps around the 1.25-mile oval. Giving up the lead to hit pit road under the first caution of the day, Larson took his four fresh Goodyear tires to drive from 11th to the runner-up position to take the first green-white checkered flag of the day to end Stage One.
With a call from crew chief, Cliff Daniels, to stay out during the stage break, Larson found a spot back on the front-row to take the green-flag for Stage Two. With a powerhouse restart, Larson quickly reclaimed the top position over his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Williams Byron, on the opening lap of the stage. A pair of cautions near the midway point of the stage produced a mix bag of pit strategy throughout the field. Not favoring the strategy set forth by the Daniels-led team, the No. 5 Chevrolet team opted to hit pit road under the Lap 76 caution for four tires and fuel – putting them in the 20th position for the restart. Despite the loss of track position, the speed prevailed in the No. 5 Chevrolet with Larson reentering the top-10 with 40 laps remaining in the stage. With a two-lap dash to close out Stage Two, Larson once again led the Bowtie brigade to the green-white checkered flag in the fourth position. Four Team Chevy playoff drivers collected stage points with Larson leading Austin Dillon in sixth, Chase Elliott in eighth and Ross Chastain rounding out the top-10. Back in a familiar position to start the final stage was Larson, who lined up on the inside lane of the second row for the green-flag with 93 laps to go in the race. Larson lost his track position when the team had to pay a second visit to pit road under the caution to fix the rear diffuser flap – forcing the team to restart in the 29th position with 76 laps to go. Varying pit strategies came into play when the final green-flag pit cycle approached at the 200-lap marker. With a caution flying amidst the green-flag pit cycle, strategy came to the forefront once again. With just four laps on his set of tires, crew chief, Alan Gustafson, called for Elliott to stay out under the caution to lineup in the fifth position for the restart with 25 laps to go – going on to lead Chevrolet to the finish to score their eighth top-five finish of the season.

TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-10 RESULTS: POS. DRIVER
3rd – Chase Elliott

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 28 NASCAR Cup Series races complete:

Wins: 12Poles: 10Top-Fives: 54Top 10s: 115Stage Wins: 22

Post-Race Driver Quotes: Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletFinished: 18th“We didn’t come here with a good race car for some reason. All of our cars were pretty off today, we just missed it. But this No. 3 Dow DayGlo Chevrolet team did a great job executing with what we had. We got stage points and finished the best we possibly could right there. We outran our day by a lot, so hard work and execution gives us a shot at Bristol (Motor Speedway). Just feel like we’ve missed some opportunities and could be in a better position, but we did all we could today.” Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 12thAre you encouraged by the speed we saw today? “Yeah, I definitely think we took a massive step in the right direction. I would just love to get to Phoenix to have an opportunity to see. Just proud of this No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet team. It’s been a struggle here (at Gateway) and this particular style of track, but it’s really been a struggle in general for us at a lot of places lately. Not the finish we obviously wanted, but I feel like we were back to looking like the No. 5 team today.” Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletFinished: 22nd“The entire No. 8 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet team battled from the moment we started today at World Wide Technology Raceway. We qualified deeper in the field and had an early spin in Stage 1, but the Richard Childress Racing team never quit. We drove into the Top 10 towards the final laps, but came up short, finishing 22nd. Our focuses are now on Bristol as we look to get a win in 2025.” Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 3rd“It felt good to just have a solid day for this No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet team. I thought we were really good at times; certainly more competitive than we’ve been in a minute. It was a lot of fun to be up in the mix. We just needed a little bit more there at the end, but we were way, way better than we’ve been here lately, so that’s nice.” William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 11thWhat more did you need there at the end? “I think we had pace this weekend, we just couldn’t get our balance. We really struggled the first two stages with that. We started losing track position in the second and third stages, and it was really hard to overcome. In the final stage, we had a pretty good balance on the car, all things considered, and we were kind of able to go forward, if not maintain. I think there was a lot to learn there in the final stage with how we managed that.” Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 26th“It was just really poor execution on all angles today. It was a bummer. I thought our No. 48 Ally Chevrolet was OK once we were kind of towards the front-half. We just struggled in the back. Super frustrating, but all we can do is keep digging. There’s a lot of people working really hard to continue to be better. I thought, race car-wise, we were heading in the right direction once we had some air on it. We just have to go to Bristol (Motor Speedway) and go to work.” Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletFinished: 25th“We were too tight in traffic, and then eventually got on the other side of it and I made an error and spun. We just couldn’t get it back. We weren’t amazing. We were probably a 15th-place car, but then detuned it a little bit and ended up where we did. Little frustrating, but it’s kind of where we’re at. 20th and 15th is a huge improvement for us, but obviously in the playoffs, you expect more. There’s that pressure there.”

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Sam Hafertepe Jr. Wins at 81 for Second-Straight Year and 10th Victory of 2025

September 8, 2025 ARP Trish

PARK CITY, KS (Sept. 6, 2025) — After three weeks being shut out of Victory Lane, Sam Hafertepe Jr. is back to his winning ways with the American Sprint Car Series.

Hafertepe, the five-time Series champion from Sunnyvale, TX, had previously triumphed over the national 360 Sprint Car series eight races prior at WaKeeney Speedway in August. Since then, he recorded a DNF and two 13th-place finishes among multiple top-five results and underwent team personnel changes in his efforts to reclaim the momentum he had earlier in the summer — that which carried him to a record-tying five-straight Feature wins.

On Saturday night at 81 Speedway, that speed reemerged in full force. Hafertepe muscled the lead away from Iowa racer Cameron Martin on Lap 13 and went untouched in the final 12 circuits around the 3/8-mile oval to collect his 87th career Series victory.

“The car was just dynamite in the Feature,” Hafertepe said. “I could kinda do whatever I wanted to. We haven’t had a car like that in a while. It’s really good to hit that right now because I feel like that’s something we’ve been searching for — to have that little extra edge. I know we’ve been able to win a lot of races, but tonight — the way we won that race, coming from sixth, and how we did it — that’s next level. Our car is next level right now.”

The win marks Hafertepe’s 10th in national ASCS competition this year and the second of his career at 81 after winning the Series’ visit in July 2024. It also counts as his second win of the year in competition with the ASCS Sooner Region, who co-sanctioned the event.

From sixth on the starting grid, Hafertepe had worked his way onto the podium by Lap 3 and began plotting his attack on the two cars left in front of him — Matt Covington and leader Cameron Martin.

When the field was restacked for a restart on Lap 9, Hafertepe flashed the speed of the Hill’s Racing No. 15H once more, driving around the outside of Covington’s No. 95 for second as they crossed under the flag stand.

“The top, honestly, was good for me,” Hafertepe said. “I think the bottom was the better place to be, but I knew that if I could go where they weren’t, I had the opportunity to pass them. That’s my approach every time I race. If I can go where they’re not, I want to take advantage of the open racetrack, and we were able to get by him.”

Three circuits later, Hafertepe caught the rear bumper of Martin and dove to his inside in a bid for the lead in Turns 3 and 4. The Iowa native put up a great fight with Hafertepe, holding his line for in a side-by-side battle for almost an entire lap, but he was unable to escape the clutches of the 39-year-old veteran who slid in front and took the lead away in Turns 3 and 4 on Lap 13.

“He definitely kinda caught me by surprise there, but it was pretty cool to hang with him for a few laps,” Martin said. “Unfortunately, I made a few mistakes through lapped traffic, which let him get away, but I’ll be sure not to let that happen again.”

From there, Hafertepe was untouchable. Despite lots of lapped traffic ahead of him and half the race left to be run, he never worried about a comeback from Martin or issues in getting by the slower cars.

“I knew how good our race car was, and I knew I could keep my tires under me, I could control my throttle really well,” Hafertepe said. “I know if I could do that, and I can feel my grip level still good at the end of the race, I know we’re gonna be in a dominant position.

“That’s what I felt like. You don’t pass lapped cars as fast as we’re passing them and not be way faster than the rest of the field.”

Martin held on to cross the finish line in second place behind Hafertepe for the second time in his ASCS career. At Belleville High Banks in July, Martin was runner-up to Hafertepe for the first time in the Saturday night finale. But he takes them as learning experiences.

“Any time you can race someone of that caliber… Sam is the best 360 race car driver in the world, so being able to go wheel-to-wheel with him is super cool,” Martin said. “Growing up coming to Sprint Car races, I always watched him. To be up front for a few laps there; I knew he’d be coming, but it was pretty cool to lead some.”

Coming from ninth on the starting grid, Blake Hahn crossed the stripe third, banking his third-straight podium finish after his win and third-place run in the doubleheader at Lakeside Speedway Friday night.

“Any time we can start ninth and be on the podium is a good night,” Hahn said. “We’ll take that. Following up from last night, getting the win and running third is definitely something to be proud of. If we can keep this momentum going to tomorrow and continue it out the rest of the season, I think we’ll definitely be able to give Sam a run for his money.”

Kansas native Jason Martin crossed the stripe in fourth while Oklahoma racer Roger Crockett drove from seventh on the starting grid to complete the top five.

UP NEXT

The American Sprint Car Series concludes its three-day race weekend with a trip back to Eagle Raceway for the first time since 2019 on Sunday, Sept. 7 for the second annual Stewart Alley Memorial.

Tickets will be sold at the track on race day. If you can’t be there, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

ABBREVIATED RESULTS (view full results)

Sam Hafertepe Jr. Wins at 81 for Second-Straight Year and 10th Victory of 2025

PARK CITY, KS (Sept. 6, 2025) — After three weeks being shut out of Victory Lane, Sam Hafertepe Jr. is back to his winning ways with the American Sprint Car Series.

From sixth on the starting grid, Hafertepe had worked his way onto the podium by Lap 3 and began plotting his attack on the two cars left in front of him — Matt Covington and leader Cameron Martin.

“That’s what I felt like. You don’t pass lapped cars as fast as we’re passing them and not be way faster than the rest of the field.”

Kansas native Jason Martin crossed the stripe in fourth while Oklahoma racer Roger Crockett drove from seventh on the starting grid to complete the top five.

UP NEXT

The American Sprint Car Series concludes its three-day race weekend with a trip back to Eagle Raceway for the first time since 2019 on Sunday, Sept. 7 for the second annual Stewart Alley Memorial.

Tickets will be sold at the track on race day. If you can’t be there, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

ABBREVIATED RESULTS (view full results)

Feature (25 Laps): 1. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[6]; 2. 4-Cameron Martin[3]; 3. 52-Blake Hahn[9]; 4. 36-Jason Martin[5]; 5. 11-Roger Crockett[7]; 6. 95-Matt Covington[2]; 7. 44-Chris Martin[8]; 8. 45X-Kyler Johnson[4]; 9. 2B-Garrett Benson[11]; 10. 2-Chase Porter[14]; 11. 6-Cody Gardner[13]; 12. 23-Seth Bergman[19]; 13. 2C-Brekton Crouch[1]; 14. 42-Caleb Saiz[12]; 15. 91-Scotty Thiel[21]; 16. 10C-Jeremy Campbell[15]; 17. 88R-Ryder Laplante[22]; 18. 1-Sean McClelland[17]; 19. 10-Landon Britt[16]; 20. 5-Ryder McCutcheon[20]; 21. 2J-Zach Blurton[23]; 22. 938-Bradley Fezard[18]; 23. 29-Emilio Hoover[25]; 24. 88-Terry Easum[24]; 25. 71-Brady Baker[10]

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Thornton Jr. Scores Long-Awaited First Eldora Crown Jewel in World 100

September 8, 2025 ARP Trish

ROSSBURG, OH (September 6, 2025) – Over the past half-decade, Ricky Thornton Jr. has gone from a promising young star from the IMCA ranks to one of the most dominant drivers at the highest levels of dirt Late Model racing.

The Chandler, AZ native has been collecting trophies from the sport’s biggest events at an incredible pace, but there was still one glaring hole on his resume – a crown-jewel victory at Eldora Speedway. That was until Saturday night.

After wrestling the lead away from the king of Eldora over the past decade in Jonathan Davenport, Thornton commanded the final 59 laps of the World 100 on the way to the biggest win of his career.

“Bobby [Koehler, team owner] told me a couple months ago there was one race he wanted to win, and it was this one,” Thornton said. “Brand new car, brand new motor, everything on it was new. Kind of put all our eggs in one basket just to try to get better here. Normally I don’t do a very good job here, and I’m just glad we can get him one.”

Thornton broke out his fresh Longhorn Chassis on Sunday night at the Baltes Classic and cruised to a dominant victory, putting the Late Model world on notice heading into World 100 week. “RTJ” wasn’t at his best in preliminary action with finishes of eighth and 11th on Thursday and Friday, respectively, but a fifth-to-first drive in his Heat Race on Saturday was enough to put him on the pole of the biggest race of the year.

That didn’t mean things would come easy in the Feature, as the driver alongside Thornton coming to the green flag was none other than Davenport. On the opening lap, Thornton saw the same sight many before him have seen at Eldora – the No. 49 pulling away into the lead.

Thornton struggled to keep pace with the leader through the first portion of the race, instead dropping to fourth by Lap 8 as Chris Madden and Brandon Overton got by. But a pair of yellows around Lap 40 put Thornton right back in the mix, and he took advantage by getting back to the runner-up spot when the race went back green. That put him right on Davenport’s bumper for the next restart two laps later, which saw Thornton send it to the bottom of Turn 3, clear Davenport exiting the corner and slide into the lead.

“I don’t know if it was determination or what, I got a really good restart, I stayed next to JD and I knew he was going to move up,” Thornton said. “I’m like, ‘alright, if I can just dictate where he’s going to go on this restart.’ We’re all watching that board going into Turn 1, trying to see how much of a gap you have or don’t have. I was able to get by him, and I was running scared probably the next 15 laps.”

The ”running scared” strategy paid off, as his gap to Davenport grew to as large as two seconds through the middle stages of the Feature. That margin was erased when Tim McCreadie slowed with a flat tire with 12 laps to go, setting up a sprint to the finish with the sport’s most prized trophy on the line. Thornton once again powered away to the lead, but the action was quickly paused again for trouble on Madden’s car.

What should have been a battle of the titans between Thornton and Davenport never came to fruition, however, as Davenport came down pit road under the yellow with a flat tire of his own. That handed second to Dale McDowell, who made a remarkable charge through the field from 19th on the grid.

He didn’t have enough to make one more pass though, as Thornton went uncontested the rest of the way and took the checkers to claim the $72,000 top prize.

“We get that last restart and it’s Dale up next to me,” Thornton said. “I’m like, ‘man, I gave my Heat Race away a couple nights ago to Dale, hopefully I can get a good restart and get out front.’ He got under me off of two, and I’m like, ‘man, if he gets in that traction down there, he’s going to drive right by me down the back straightaway.’ But I got a really good start.”

While McDowell came up one spot short of his second globe, his record of first, first and second over the weekend proved that the 59-year-old still has enough left in the tank to battle it out against the best at the “Big E.”

“I mean, I’m dejected a little bit, I’m bridesmaid,” McDowell said. “But you can’t be dejected with this crowd and the best racers in the world here. I’m proud to be a part of it, two firsts and a second over the weekend. Man, I want to get one before I quit.”

Nick Hoffman brought the No. 9 home third after fighting it out in the top five throughout the race, solidifying himself as the only driver to finish on the podium in both the Dirt Late Model Dream and the World 100 in 2025.

“It’s pretty crazy to kind of feel down on myself a little bit running third in the World,” Hoffman said. “It’s pretty wild, but it’s just the standards I hold myself to. I felt super confident coming into today and it just didn’t pan out for me.”

Tyler Erb and Ryan Gustin rounded out the top five, with Gustin establishing a new career best in the event.

Thornton Jr. Scores Long-Awaited First Eldora Crown Jewel in World 100

After wrestling the lead away from the king of Eldora over the past decade in Jonathan Davenport, Thornton commanded the final 59 laps of the World 100 on the way to the biggest win of his career.

He didn’t have enough to make one more pass though, as Thornton went uncontested the rest of the way and took the checkers to claim the $72,000 top prize.

Tyler Erb and Ryan Gustin rounded out the top five, with Gustin establishing a new career best in the event.

Feature (100 Laps): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 2. 17M-Dale McDowell[19]; 3. 9-Nick Hoffman[6]; 4. 1T-Tyler Erb[16]; 5. 19R-Ryan Gustin[12]; 6. 1-Brandon Sheppard[8]; 7. 49-Jonathan Davenport[2]; 8. 22-Chris Ferguson[26]; 9. 32-Bobby Pierce[27]; 10. 96-Tanner English[15]; 11. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[9]; 12. 23V-Cory Hedgecock[20]; 13. 44-Chris Madden[3]; 14. 99-Devin Moran[11]; 15. 93-Carson Ferguson[5]; 16. 3S-Brian Shirley[4]; 17. 25F-Jason Feger[17]; 18. 22X-Drake Troutman[13]; 19. 9M-Tim McCreadie[21]; 20. 74X-Ethan Dotson[14]; 21. 8-Kyle Strickler[22]; 22. 20-Jimmy Owens[18]; 23. 76-Brandon Overton[7]; 24. 10-Garrett Smith[10]; 25. 71-Hudson O’Neal[25]; 26. 58-Garrett Alberson[28]; 27. 111-Max Blair[23]; 28. 11R-Josh Rice[24]

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SANDERS WIN NARC THRILLER TO CLAIM PAY DIRT AT PLACERVILLE SPEEDWAY

September 8, 2025 ARP Trish

(9/6/25 – Andrew Kunas) Placerville, CA … After leaving for a month to pursue other racing opportunities, Justin Sanders made his triumphant return to the NARC King of the West sprint car scene, as he fought his way through traffic and made a late winning pass to score a $5000 Pay Dirt Showdown victory Saturday at Placerville Speedway.

Sanders started the 30-lap feature outside the second row and early on passed Dylan Bloomfield to move into the third position, before quickly going after pole sitter Justyn Cox for second. Making that move into the runner-up spot, Sanders then set his sights on race leader Sean Becker.

Becker survived an assault by Cox in the opening two laps, withstanding slide job attempts and close quarters between cars on the ¼-mile bullring and then taking off from there with the lead. Becker, however, then was forced to contend with constant traffic on the small oval. That allowed Sanders to close in and challenge during the middle and latter parts of the race.

Becker at times made key passes around slower cars to keep Sanders at bay. As the laps winded down, traffic thickened for Becker and left him struggling to find a path around as the race reached five laps to go. That’s when Sanders finally pounced, getting a run around the bottom side of Turns 3 and 4 as Becker was held up by a pair of slower cars right in front of him. Sanders scooted by Becker as they exited the fourth turn to lead the 26th lap.

Sanders led the final five laps to take his series leading seventh NARC win of the season aboard the Yuba Sutter Aviation-sponsored Mittry Motorsports No. 2x Fisher-powered KPC.

Sanders knew Becker was second in NARC points entering the night and was competing for the championship. Because of that, Sanders said he wanted to pass Becker clean and waited for the opportunity to do so as they raced in traffic.

“Sean was running a good race. He was switching up his lines and really making me think about what I had to do to get closer. I looked up on the board on Lap 23 and I was like ‘I don’t know if I’m going to get this’ and then we got into traffic and I made it stick on the bottom,” said Sanders, who again also praised the Mittry Motorsports team. “Awesome to be back in the 2x. Nice to be back home with these guys. Happy to get another 410 win.”

Bloomfield made the late pass around Becker in the closing laps to take the runner-up spot and finished there aboard the Gary Silva Ranches-sponsored Vertullo Racing No. 83v Kistler-powered Maxim. Saturday’s race was Vertullo Racing’s final NARC start before the team relocates to the Midwest after decades as one of the most recognizable cars in California.

After leading 25 laps, Becker finished third aboard the D&J Construction Rental-sponsored Bjork Construction No. 7b Shaver-powered Maxim and shaved a few points off D.J. Netto’s point lead. After starting on the pole, Cox eventually finished fourth aboard the BERCO Redwood-sponsored Bates Hamilton Racing No. 42x Kistler-powered Maxim. Gauge Garcia ran in the Top 5 throughout and finished fifth in the Monarch Ford-sponsored Keller Motorsports No. 2k Speedway-powered Triple X.

Netto finished sixth to maintain his points lead. Chance Grasty, Jesse Schlotfeldt, Kaleb Montgomery and Bud Kaeding rounded out the Top 10. Montgomery earned the Williams Roofing Hard Charger nod, coming from 16th to finish ninth.

Cox won the Beacon Wealth Strategies Trophy Dash to claim the pole position for the feature. Heat races earlier in the evening were won by Bloomfield, Netto and Cox.

Grasty paced the 23-car field in Automotive Racing Products Qualifying with a time of 10.217 seconds around the ¼-mile bullring clay oval.

Hoosier Racing Tires Feature (30 laps): 1. 2X-Justin Sanders[4]; 2. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield[3]; 3. 7B-Sean Becker[2]; 4. 42X-Justyn Cox[1]; 5. 2K-Gauge Garcia[8]; 6. 88N-DJ Netto[6]; 7. X1-Chance Grasty[5]; 8. 21-Jesse Schlotfeldt[9]; 9. 3-Kaleb Montgomery[16]; 10. 29-Bud Kaeding[11]; 11. 83T-Tanner Carrick[13]; 12. 12J-John Clark[12]; 13. 2XM-Max Mittry[17]; 14. 83-Cannon McIntosh[19]; 15. 10-Dominic Gorden[10]; 16. 61-Travis Labat[21]; 17. 9-DJ Freitas[18]; 18. 15-Michael Sellers[22]; 19. 85-AJ Alderman[23]; 20. 14-Mariah Ede[20]; 21. 17-Colby Copeland[7]; 22. 92-Andy Forsberg[15]; 23. 17W-Shane Golobic[14]

METTEC Titanium Lap Leaders: Sean Becker 1-25, Justin Sanders 26-30

Williams Roofing Hard Charger: 3 Kaleb Montgomery, 16th to 9th (+7)

Automotive Racing Products Fast Qualifier (23 cars): X1 Chance Grasty, 10.217 seconds

Brown & Miller Racing Solutions Heat 1 (8 laps): 1. 83v Dylan Bloomfield, 2. X1 Chance Grasty, 3. 2k Gauge Garcia, 4. 12j John Clark, 5. 83t Tanner Carrick, 6. 3 Kaleb Montgomery, 7. 14 Mariah Ede, 8. 15 Michael Sellers.

Kimo’s Tropical Carwash Heat 2 (8 laps): 1. 88n D.J. Netto, 2. 2x Justin Sanders, 3. 17 Colby Copeland, 4. 10 Dominic Gorden, 5. 17w Shane Golobic, 6. 2xm Max Mittry, 7. 61 Travis Labat, 8. 85 A.J. Alderman.

WEDG High Performance Karts Heat 3 (8 laps): 1. 42x Justyn Cox, 2. 7b Sean Becker, 3. 21 Jesse Schlotfeldt, 4. 29 Bud Kaeding, 5. 92 Andy Forsberg, 6. 9 D.J. Freitas, 7. 83 Cannon McIntosh.

Sanders led the final five laps to take his series leading seventh NARC win of the season aboard the Yuba Sutter Aviation-sponsored Mittry Motorsports No. 2x Fisher-powered KPC.

Cox won the Beacon Wealth Strategies Trophy Dash to claim the pole position for the feature. Heat races earlier in the evening were won by Bloomfield, Netto and Cox.

Grasty paced the 23-car field in Automotive Racing Products Qualifying with a time of 10.217 seconds around the ¼-mile bullring clay oval.

METTEC Titanium Lap Leaders: Sean Becker 1-25, Justin Sanders 26-30

Williams Roofing Hard Charger: 3 Kaleb Montgomery, 16th to 9th (+7)

Automotive Racing Products Fast Qualifier (23 cars): X1 Chance Grasty, 10.217 seconds

WEDG High Performance Karts Heat 3 (8 laps): 1. 42x Justyn Cox, 2. 7b Sean Becker, 3. 21 Jesse Schlotfeldt, 4. 29 Bud Kaeding, 5. 92 Andy Forsberg, 6. 9 D.J. Freitas, 7. 83 Cannon McIntosh.

Beacon Wealth Strategies – Raymond James Trophy Dash (6 laps): 1. 42x Justyn Cox, 2. 7b Sean Becker, 3. 83v Dylan Bloomfield, 4. 2x Justin Sanders, 5. X1 Chance Grasty, 6. 88n D.J. Netto.

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Jacob Denney Clinches Xtreme-POWRi Challenge Series Title, Bags 10th Victory of 2025 at Highland

September 8, 2025 ARP Trish

HIGHLAND, IL (September 6, 2025) – All that Jacob Denney has done in 2025 is win.

The Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports (KKM) driver stood at the top of his car for the 10th time in the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota season at Highland Speedway to build on his record achievements and clinch his first career Xtreme Outlaw-POWRi Challenge Series title.

“It’s pretty sick,” Denney said. “I expected to win races and contend for the championship, but nothing like we’ve done this year. It’s been amazing, and something you dream about when you’re standing in the shower or something. I gotta thank Kaleb, Tanner, and Grant for that, and Keith for giving me the opportunity to do this. It makes me look good every night, and I can’t thank them enough for that.”

Starting from the Pole Position, Denney took immediate command as Chase McDermand battled Trifecta Motorsports drivers Michael Faccinto and Kameron Key for podium position in the early stages, passing Key for third on Lap 4.

While Faccinto and McDermand exchanged slide jobs around the 0.25-mile bullring, Denney’s No. 67 JBL Audio LynK Chassis benefitted from their duel as he created a massive gap of 4.8 seconds through the first half of the 30-lap Feature.

McDermand got clear with second on Lap 14 as Faccinto had to endure a second podium battle with Gavin Miller, who overtook Faccinto for third by performing a slide job through Turns 3-4 as the halfway signal was displayed.

When the yellow flag was thrown with eight laps remaining, McDermand and Miller each attempted a late-race charge at Denney for the win. While both drivers kept an equal distance to the leader, they did not have a chance to shorten the gap as Denney passed the twin checkered flags for the Saturday night win.

Denney’s double-digit Xtreme Outlaw Midgets triumph puts him in full ownership of second in all-time Series wins while he focuses on capping the year as the first Xtreme Triple Crown champion.

“I just didn’t want to overdo it and get ahead of myself,” Denney said. “Sometimes, when you’re out by yourself, you don’t feel like you’re going faster. But, I just tried to keep the pace I was going until I saw somebody, then turn it up if I need to. It’s a great car, it allows me to run in a comfortable zone all night long, and not really put myself in a risk for doing something dumb.

“Tonight was slick. It was just about getting your momentum as quick as possible, not having to use as much throttle, and keeping the car underneath you. And, I had a great car to do that once again.”

McDermand brought his No. 40X Toyota to the finish in second place, which helped him move up to fourth in the overall Series standings with four races left in the season. The Springfield, IL native also earned an extra $250 as he took the final spot in Challenge Series points.

“I knew I was better than Faccinto, but he just had the preferred lane choice,” McDermand said. “I feel like, on the original start, that allowed him to get clear, and I felt like I was losing a ton of momentum trying to slide him. I had to get him taken care of and get down the road because I felt like everybody was closing up on us, so it was tricky.

“Nobody was able to cross me over when I slid him in (Turn 2), but there was no catching Jacob, he had a really good car and drove a really good race. I was just trying to hit my marks and make sure that I didn’t have anybody coming up behind me.”

Miller finished in third for his second consecutive podium of the Challenge Series finale weekend aboard the No. 97 SoundGear LynK Chassis. The KKM driver from Allentown, PA finishes the 2025 Challenge Series with a fourth-place points standing.

“You just needed to make smart decisions to get by those guys,” Miller said. “I tried different lines at first until I figured out the top was really good and we got better there at the end. I was a little free there the duration of the race, but nonetheless, I thought the car was good. Beau, Phil Spencer and I have been on a roll lately, and I feel like its paying off.”

With the 2025 edition of the Challenge Series officially complete, the top five in the standings include Karter Sarff in the runner-up position and rookie Kameron Key in third place.

Recap Notes:

Smith Titanium Quick Time Award: Gavin Miller

Toyota Heat 1 Winner: Michael Faccinto

CASM Safety Products Heat 2 Winner: Chase McDermand

TJ Forged Heat 3 Winner: Kameron Key

High-Point Driver: Jacob Denney

Last Chance Showdown Winner: Kyle Jones

Summit Racing Equipment Hard Charger Award: Kyle Jones (+8)

Honest Abe Roofing 16th Place Finisher: Trevor Cline

Up Next: The Xtreme Outlaw Midgets enter the penultimate weekend of the 2025 season as the final Illinois trip of the year has the Series visiting Jacksonville Speedway for the Honest Abe Roofing Open Wheel Showdown on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 3-4.

JACKSONVILLE TICKETS

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online or by downloading the DIRTVision App.

Jacob Denney Clinches Xtreme-POWRi Challenge Series Title, Bags 10th Victory of 2025 at Highland

HIGHLAND, IL (September 6, 2025) – All that Jacob Denney has done in 2025 is win.

Denney’s double-digit Xtreme Outlaw Midgets triumph puts him in full ownership of second in all-time Series wins while he focuses on capping the year as the first Xtreme Triple Crown champion.

With the 2025 edition of the Challenge Series officially complete, the top five in the standings include Karter Sarff in the runner-up position and rookie Kameron Key in third place.

Recap Notes:

Smith Titanium Quick Time Award: Gavin Miller

Toyota Heat 1 Winner: Michael Faccinto

CASM Safety Products Heat 2 Winner: Chase McDermand

TJ Forged Heat 3 Winner: Kameron Key

High-Point Driver: Jacob Denney

Last Chance Showdown Winner: Kyle Jones

Summit Racing Equipment Hard Charger Award: Kyle Jones (+8)

Honest Abe Roofing 16th Place Finisher: Trevor Cline

JACKSONVILLE TICKETS

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online or by downloading the DIRTVision App.

Feature (30 Laps): 1. 67-Jacob Denney[1]; 2. 40-Chase McDermand[4]; 3. 97-Gavin Miller[6]; 4. 9U-Kameron Key[5]; 5. 21K-Karter Sarff[7]; 6. 94-Hayden Wise[10]; 7. 16-Zach Daum[14]; 8. 5U-Michael Faccinto[3]; 9. 7X-Kyle Jones[17]; 10. 67K-Colton Robinson[15]; 11. 72-Alex Karpowicz[19]; 12. 32-Trey Marcham[13]; 13. 98K-Brandon Carr[9]; 14. 77-Joe Wirth[8]; 15. 71K-Brecken Reese[16]; 16. 55-Trevor Cline[11]; 17. 97X-Will Armitage[12]; 18. 44-Branigan Roark[18]; 19. 56X-Mark Chisholm[21]; 20. 91-Mitchell Davis[22]; 21. 19M-Ethan Mitchell[2]; 22. 05-Alex Midkiff[20]

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CORVETTE RACING AT COTA: Hometown Hyperpole Berth

September 8, 2025 ARP Trish

No. 33 Corvette to start fifth in class for WEC’s American stop AUSTIN, Texas (September 6, 2025) – TF Sport’s No. 33 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R will start a season-best fifth in LMGT3 on Sunday for the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Lone Star Le Mans at Circuit of The Americas.

Home-state hero Ben Keating put the Corvette into the top-10 after the first session, and Jonny Edgar piloted the No. 33 Z06 GT3.R to the third row in Saturday’s dual qualifying session. The duo, plus Corvette factory driver Daniel Juncadella, will look to return to the podium in the WEC’s lone race in North America. The trio sit third in the class Drivers Championship on the strength of a season-opening victory at Qatar. Edgar is making his COTA debut, Keating hasn’t raced a Corvette at the circuit before, and Juncadella finished in the points last year for TF Sport.
Tom Van Rompuy just missed making the Hyperpole round – by 0.151 seconds – in the No. 81 Corvette that he drives with Rui Andrade and Corvette factory teammate Charlie Eastwood. The trio is coming off two straight podium finishes – third at Le Mans and second place at Sāo Paulo to move up to fifth in points.

Corvette Racing Media Resources Documents | Statistics | Photos | Factory Driver Bios | Chevrolet Newsroom

The session featured mixed conditions with intermittent rain and a drying track toward the end, allowing drivers that started their final laps close to the end of the session getting the best of it.
The six-hour Lone Star Le Mans is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT on Sunday. Full, live coverage is available on the MotorTrend and the MAX app in the United States.

TF SPORT POST-QUALIFYING QUOTESJONNY EDGAR, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m pretty happy with P5. It’s our best starting spot this year so that’s always good. It was a very difficult session with the already a bit of a damp track at the start and then drying throughout. It was pretty hard to get the tires warm. But I think we always use our tires better and the Corvette is better in the race. So yeah, we can be happy with P5 as it’s a good place to start for the race.”

BEN KEATING, NO. 33 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Really challenging conditions. Because of the Texas heat this weekend, we’re here on the hard Goodyear. In these conditions it’s really, really difficult to get heat in the hard Goodyear on a damp track. So it was a challenging condition. Because I was getting a little bit more heat in the tire every lap, I was gaining three, four, five seconds per lap. I was just glad I didn’t end up in the gravel or in the wall somewhere. The car was sliding all over the place, but really happy to end up in Hyperpole and super proud of Johnny to end up P5. Hyperpole for us was a big deal. The Corvette is way better on a double-stint… two hours in the car with the one set of tires. Some of the other cars turn on their tire faster than we do. I don’t care about qualifying as much as I care about the race. I’d rather have our car for the race. I think we do.”

TOM VAN ROMPUY, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It was a tough qualy, also with the conditions going from wet to drying. It was also really hard to judge where the limit was. I was already sliding then also bumped into quite a bit of traffic during my run. So yeah, not a result I was hoping for but it is a six-hour race, so I think it we can only move up ahead. We hope to have a better day tomorrow and still end up on the podium.”

Corvette Racing at COTA: By the Numbers• 3: Generations of Corvette Racing entries at COTA since 2013 – Corvette C6.R (2013), Corvette C7.R (2014-2019) and the mid-engine Corvette C8.R – which raced at COTA for the first time in WEC competition in 2020 – and Z06 GT3.R, both of which are eighth-gen Corvettes• 5: Class wins at COTA for Corvette Racing entries in two championships: IMSA and GT World Challenge America. The latest came this year from DXDT Racing in GT World Challenge America Pro-Am• 11: Wins this year for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R including two earlier this year at Circuit of The Americas• 14: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001• 32: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Chang International Circuit (Thailand), Daytona, Detroit, Fuji, Houston, Imola, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Lusail International Circuit (Qatar), Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia), Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portimão, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen• 39: Number of drivers to win races in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. The latest to join the list was Ross Chouest in GT America at Road America• 72: Number of drivers in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. The latest to join the list was Olivier Hart for Steller Motorsport at the 24 Hours of Spa• 72: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year• 148: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 117 in IMSA, nine at Le Mans, four in the FIA WEC, 13 in GT World Challenge America, three in GT World Challenge Asia and one each in the European Le Mans Series and GT America• 360: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999• 5,474: Number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing in its eight previous events at Circuit of The Americas. That represents more than 30 trips across the Texas Panhandle.• 447,340.24: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. To put that in perspective, Corvette Racing is more than halfway to the distance traveled by Apollo 13 – the longest manned spaceflight in history: 622,268 miles. That means Corvette Racing has raced to the moon and more than halfway back! Corvette Racing at Circuit of The Americas (wins in bold)2013 – IMSANo. 3 Corvette C6.R: Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GTNo. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 11th in GT
2014 – IMSANo. 3 Corvette C7.R: Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen – 9th in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 10th in GTLM
2014 – FIA WECNo. 65 Corvette C7.R: Tommy Milner/Jordan Taylor/Ricky Taylor – 7th in GTE Pro
2015 – IMSANo. 3 Corvette C7.R: Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen: 6th in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner: 8th in GTLM
2016 – IMSANo. 3 Corvette C7.R: Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen: 3rd in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner: 5th in GTLM
2017 – IMSANo. 3 Corvette C7.R: Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen: 1st in GTLMNo. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner: 7th in GTLM
2020 – FIA WECNo. 63 Corvette C8.R: Jan Magnussen/Mike Rockenfeller: 6th in GTE Pro
2024 – GT World ChallengeNo. 63 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Tommy Milner/Alec Udell – 1st,1st in ProNo. 08 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Bryan Sellers/Scott Smithson – 6th, 11th in Pro-Am
2024 – FIA World Endurance ChampionshipNo. 81 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Charlie Eastwood/Rui Andrade/Tom Van Rompuy – 16th in LMGT3No. 82 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Daniel Juncadella/Sebastien Baud/Hiroshi Koizumi – 8th in LMGT3
2025 – GT World ChallengeNo. 11 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Matt Bell/Blake McDonald – 1st, 3rd in Pro-AmNo. 50 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Ross Chouest/Aaron Povoledo – 8th, 11th in Pro-AmNo. 50 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Ross Chouest – 4th, 3rd in GT America SRO3

CORVETTE RACING AT COTA: Hometown Hyperpole BerthNo. 33 Corvette to start fifth in class for WEC’s American stop AUSTIN, Texas (September 6, 2025) – TF Sport’s No. 33 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R will start a season-best fifth in LMGT3 on Sunday for the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Lone Star Le Mans at Circuit of The Americas.

Corvette Racing Media Resources Documents | Statistics | Photos | Factory Driver Bios | Chevrolet Newsroom

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