NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
CAMPINGWORLD.COM 500
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
MARCH 15, 2015
DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CHEVROLET SS – Blew a right rear tire in Turn 2 on Lap 181
WHAT HAPPENED?
“The car was really, really loose today and just wore the right rear tire out, and blew the tire.”
ARE YOU OKAY?
“Yeah. We’ll try to get it fixed up and get back out there.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix–Post Race
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
CAMPINGWORLD.COM 500
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 15, 2015
MARTIN TRUEX, JR., NO. 78 FURNITURE ROW/VISSER PRECISION CHEVROLET SS AND GENERAL MANAGER OF FURNITURE ROW RACING JOE GARONE, met with members of the media at Phoenix International Raceway and discussed the teams season thus far, the importance of staying one step ahead of the competition and many other topics. Full Transcript:
TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE OPENING TO THE SEASON AND YOUR OUTLOOK ON TODAY’S RACE:
TRUEX, JR.: “It’s been a good start to the year, a pleasant surprise. I think that it all goes back to a great plan going into the off season. All the guys on the team Joe (Garone, General Manager), Barney (Visser, Team Owner), Cole (Pearn, crew chief) having a good plan and executing throughout the off season. The cars have been running good. The team has been making good decisions. The team hasn’t been making mistakes. Reliability has been there, so everything we have needed to work on and wanted to get better at has been there. Now it’s just a matter of how much better can we get. What are the things we need to work on to improve our performance even more? So far everything has gone well. I’ve got a good car here for today. I felt like yesterday after practice we were probably a top five car. If we make the right adjustments we can possibly be better than that. If we don’t, we could possibly be a little worse. I feel good about what we have. We have had a good weekend here and it should be a good day here at Phoenix. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix–Martin Truex, Jr.
AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 47 KINGSFORD CHARCOAL CHEVROLET SS – On the team making an engine change following the second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice session:
“They saw something they didn’t like. What has been awesome about this whole ECR package is this is the first time I’ve has something like this happen in over a year. The guys are working hard. They will fix it. More importantly we have just got to make the Kingsford Chevy better. We are not very good right now.”
DID YOU HAVE ANY SORT OF INCLINATION SOMETHING WAS GOING WRONG?
“No. I didn’t like the temperature and that was it. They made the call. I just worry about the race car.”
BRIAN BURNS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 47 KINGSFORD CHARCOAL CHEVROLET SS – Team making an engine change after the second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice session:
“We didn’t qualify as well as we wanted to anyway, so we decided to take the opportunity to change it (the engine) now and eliminate any doubts. We have a good race car and ECR Engines have been awesome all year. We are just taking some precautionary measures to make sure we are good to go to the end.”
Capps Snaps up Win in All-Mopar Dodge Funny Car Final at NHRA Gatornationals
Helms Drives Drag Pak to Stock Eliminator Victory
· Ron Capps defeats John Hale in Mopar vs. Mopar Funny Car final at 46th Annual NHRA Gatornationals
· New 2015 Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car body is three-for-three this season
· Victory is the third Gatornationals crown for Capps and 43rd of his career, tying him for second all-time in Funny Car
· Defending NHRA Funny Car world champ and Mopar Express Lane driver Matt Hagan’s 2015 undefeated streak comes to an end at Gainesville Raceway
· Helms captures overall Stock Eliminator class win in his 426 Race HEMI Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak
· “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar” racer Allen Johnson’s pursuit of a Pro Stock three-peat ends in the first-round
Gainesville, Florida (March 15, 2015) – Ron Capps proved it again: the 2015 Mopar Dodge Charger R/T NHRA Funny Car is a winning machine. Capps raced the new body to its third consecutive victory during eliminations on Sunday at the 46th Annual NHRA Gatornationals, marking the Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) driver’s third career win at Gainesville Raceway. Mopar also scored in the Sportsman ranks, with Kevin Helms seizing the overall Stock Eliminator Wally in his 426 Race HEMI Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak. Continue reading Mopar Racing–Capps Snaps up Win in All-Mopar Dodge Funny Car Final at NHRA Gatornationals
BRITTANY FORCE JUMPS TO No. 7 AFTER GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE, FL —- Brittany Force and the JFR Top Fuel dragster were the top performers for John Force Racing at the 46th annual Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals today. Force qualified No. 7 and took out Dave Connolly in the first round before losing a close quarter-final race to eventual Gatornationals Top Fuel winner Spencer Massey. The third year pro is still looking for her first win after four final round appearances in 2014 but she did move up into a tie for seventh place in the Mello Yello Top Fuel point standings with Top Fuel world champion Larry Dixon.
“It is very important to stay in the top ten. We don’t have to be No. 1 or No. 2 right now. Your points position doesn’t matter until you are in the Countdown. Right now we just want to stay in the top ten and I feel good about being No. 7 right now,” said Force. Continue reading John Force Racing– BRITTANY FORCE JUMPS TO No. 7 AFTER GATORNATIONALS
Rico Abreu Scores Decisive Win Over Outlaws at Thunderbowl Raceway
Becomes the eighth different winner in eight races – the most to start a season since 1995
TULARE, Calif. – March 14, 2015 – With his decisive win Saturday night at Thunderbowl Raceway, Rico Abreu became the eighth different World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series winner in eight races so far this season – the first time since 1995 that has happened.
“Everything played out well tonight,” Abreu said in victory lane. “I got a good start in the dash and then just made every lap count in that feature.”
After a fifth place run Friday night at Thunderbowl, Abreu showed his dominance early in the night, scoring a win in his heat and second place finish in the Dash. When the green flag flew, Abreu battled past Brad Sweet to lead the first lap. Through several restarts, Abreu maintained his lead and by the end of the night had built up straightaway between him and second-place Shane Stewart. Continue reading World of Outlaws–Rico Abreu Scores Decisive Win Over Outlaws at Thunderbowl Raceway
NASCAR XFINITY Series
Phoenix 200
Phoenix International Raceway
March 14, 2015
Race Highlights:
Austin Dillon qualified fifth for the Phoenix 200 at Phoenix International Raceway and was the highest qualifying Richard Childress Racing driver. Brendan Gaughan qualified ninth followed by Ty Dillon 11th and Brian Scott 12th.
Austin Dillon finished fourth, Ty Dillon sixth, Brendan Gaughan eighth and Brian Scott 10th.
Next up for the NASCAR XFINITY Series is the DriveforClots.com 300 from Auto Club Speedway. Catch all the action live on Saturday, March 21 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Fox Sports 1 and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90. Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Phoenix 200
Anderson picks up points in NHRA Gatornationals qualifying
GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 14, 2015 – Greg Anderson is assertively taking as many steps in the right direction as possible, and that certainly was the case during qualifying for the 46th annual Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals. The driver of the newest steed in the KB Racing stable powered to a qualifying best time of 6.529-second in his Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro and will start from the No. 5 position at Auto-Club Raceway at Gainesville.
On Friday at the Gatornationals, Anderson and the KB Racing team rolled a fresh car out of the trailer, and the debut of the red Jerry Haas-built Chevrolet Camaro quickly proved effective. Anderson recorded a 6.537-second pass at 212.90 mph in the first session and improved in the later round to a 6.529, 212.73 that was third quickest of the session. The run was good for a bonus qualifying point, which Anderson happily added to the pile as he clocked out for the day in the No. 4 spot. Continue reading Summit Racing–Anderson picks up points in NHRA Gatornationals qualifying
Line improving as NHRA Gatornationals comes to crescendo in Gainesville
GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 14, 2015 – The field is set for the third race of 24 in NHRA’s 2015 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and Summit Racing driver Jason Line has earned a start from the No. 2 position and a first-round match with a driver he has yet to race in his Pro Stock career. Line, of Mooresville, N.C., started strong and went on to make up even more ground on the second day of the 46th annual Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals setting up a first-round match with rookie competitor Alan Prusiensky.
On the first day of qualifying, Line raced to a 6.532-second pass at 212.83 mph in the first session, and he returned later that day with a 6.533 paired with a horsepower laden 213.13 that would stand as top speed of the meet heading into Sunday in Gainesville. Ending Day One in the No. 5 position, Line had his sights set high. Continue reading Summit Racing–Line improving as NHRA Gatornationals comes to crescendo in Gainesville
JOHN FORCE No. 3 HEADED INTO RACEDAY AT GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE, FL – John Force will start the 46th annual Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals from the No. 3 qualifying position behind the wheel of his BlueDef/Peak Anti-freeze & Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car tomorrow at Auto-Plus Raceway. The winningest driver in NHRA history will race John Hale in the first round and Hale will officially become the 138th different opponent Force has raced in his 38 year long career. This will also be the 38th consecutive year Force has raced at least one new opponent.
Force clocked the second quickest run of the first session today 4.068 seconds at 315.19 mph running beside his long-time nemesis Cruz Pedregon. It was a great side by side race to close out a tough first session that saw more than its fair share of tire smoke as many of the team battled with a tricky track.
“We started all over again this season with these Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Cars. The biggest issue is we are in the heat now and we have to adapt to it. I ran 4.08, then 4.07 then 4.06 and on that last run we tried to push it harder. It was still hot and the track wouldn’t take it. I think we have a 4.06 car and who knows if we will need that to win a round tomorrow. It is probably going to take a couple of those to win the race. That is where we are focused,” said Force, a seven-time Gatornationals winner. Continue reading John Force Racing–JOHN FORCE No. 3 HEADED INTO RACEDAY AT GATORNATIONALS
Three 2015 Mopar Dodge Charger R/T NHRA Funny Car Drivers Qualify in Top Half of Field at Gatornationals
· Infinite Hero Mopar Dodge Funny Car driver Jack Beckman holds the fifth spot and will bid for his first career NHRA Gatornationals win on Sunday
· Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driver Matt Hagan jumps to No. 6 in his final qualifying attempt
· Tommy Johnson Jr. improves to seventh in his Make-A-Wish Dodge, giving DSR Mopar Dodge Funny Cars the 5-7 spots
· Perfect thus far in 2015, Hagan aims to keep his unbeaten streak alive
· A half dozen HEMI-powered Dodge machines qualify for the Funny Car field
· No. 6 Pro Stock qualifier Johnson has his “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar” Dodge pointed toward a Gainesville three-peat
· Three Mopar-powered Pro Stockers will vie for the Gatornationals Wally trophy
· Revamped Mopar display debuts on Manufacturer’s Midway at Gainesville Raceway
Gainesville, Florida (March 14, 2015) – A trio of 2015 Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car drivers — Jack Beckman, Matt Hagan and Tommy Johnson — will begin elimination rounds for the 46th Annual NHRA Gatornationals fighting from the top half of the field, while in Pro Stock “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar” Dodge Dart driver Allen Johnson will start sixth as he chases a third straight victory at Gainesville Raceway. Continue reading Mopar Racing–Three 2015 Mopar Dodge Charger R/T NHRA Funny Car Drivers Qualify in Top Half of Field at Gatornationals
Richie Stevens Jr. to Drive Dodge Dart Pro Stock Car and Join Forces with Allen Johnson Racing
· Richie Stevens Jr. will drive a Dodge Dart as Mopar teammate to Allen Johnson in the Pro Stock class at select events during the 2015 National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Drag Racing series season
· Stevens’ new Dodge Dart chassis will be prepared by Jerry Haas while the HEMI® engine will be tuned by Roy Johnson of Johnson & Johnson Racing
· Stevens will compete in at least ten Pro Stock events during the 2015 NHRA season, starting in April at the SpringNationals in Houston
Gainesville, Fla. (Saturday, March 14) — Mopar fans will see another Dodge Dart hit the drag strip this season in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock class, as driver Ritchie Stevens Jr. prepares to take the wheel of his Mopar for at least ten events as a teammate to 2012 NHRA Pro Stock World Champion Allen Johnson. Continue reading Mopar Racing–Richie Stevens Jr. to Drive Dodge Dart Pro Stock Car and Join Forces with Allen Johnson Racing
Tim Kaeding Wins Wild Friday the 13th Feature at Thunderbowl Raceway
Becomes the seventh different winner in seven World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series features
TULARE, Calif. – March 13, 2015 – It was fitting Friday night’s World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and King of the West Series feature at Thunderbowl Raceway took place on Friday the 13th. The unusual A main saw a first half plagued by flipping racecars and red flags, and a tail end car end the night for the leader. Ultimately, it was Tim Kaeding who avoided the on-track disorder and battled past a hard charging Terry McCarl to become the seventh different winner in seven Outlaws events. Continue reading World of Outlaws–Tim Kaeding Wins Wild Friday the 13th Feature at Thunderbowl Raceway
Line Fast in Friday Qualifying at NHRA Gatornationals
GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 13, 2015 – Summit Racing NHRA Pro Stock driver Jason Line has established himself as a top-half qualifier at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville over the course of his already storied career, and this weekend at the 46th annual Amalie Oil NHRA Nationals, the Mooresville, N.C.-based driver is on course to keep his speedy reputation. Line, piloting the blue Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro, is currently in possession of top speed of the meet with his 213.13 mph blast down the quarter-mile. He is No. 5 in the lineup with two more qualifying sessions remaining before the field is set. Continue reading Summit Racing–Line Fast in Friday Qualifying at NHRA Gatornationals
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
CAMPINGWORLD.COM 500
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPTS
MARCH 13, 2015
CHEVROLET’S KEVIN HARVICK EARNS HIS FIRST POLE AT PHOENIX
Chevrolet SS drivers take three of the top five starting positions
AVONDALE, Ariz. – (March 13, 2015) – Reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup series champion Kevin Harvick will pilot his No. 4 Jimmy John’s/Budweiser Chevrolet SS from the pole position in Sunday’s CampingWorld.com 500 at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR), round four of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. A fast lap of 25.577 seconds (140.751 mph) earned Harvick his first pole in 25 starts at a track where he honed his racing skills. This marks Harvick’s 15th career Cup pole, his first pole of the season, and second top-10 start thus far in 2015. Harvick leads all active drivers as a six-time winner at PIR. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix–Qualifying
Anderson Quickly Finding Comfort Zone in red Summit Camaro
GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 13, 2015 – The first day of qualifying at the 46th annual Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals put a smile on Greg Anderson’s face. Anderson, of Mooresville, N.C., debuted a new bright red Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro and is quickly finding the groove at Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville. At the end of the first day of qualifying, Anderson was positioned in the No. 4 spot.
“This new Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro is definitely good,” said Anderson, who clocked a 6.537-second pass at 212.90 mph in the first session and came back with an improved 6.529, 212.73 that was third quickest of the session and good for a bonus qualifying point. “We missed the set-up today a little bit, but the car is certainly in the ballpark of where we want it to be. We just gotta hit it right on the bullseye. I can’t deny it, this Camaro is way ahead of schedule.
“We’re pretty excited about today. I’ve got a chance to be the top qualifier, and I have a chance at winning the race – legitimately. No hoping, no dreaming, no praying, this car is really that close to ready. I can’t wait for tomorrow, and I sure can’t wait for Sunday.”
Anderson, who has twice reset the Pro Stock national record in Gainesville, has another agenda here this weekend, to rally for the fan vote so that he can race in the prestigious K&N Horsepower Challenge. Anderson, who did not race the event last season as he was out on medical leave for the first handful of races, is currently outside of the top seven drivers who will earn their position in the shootout based on their cumulative qualifying points earned over the past year. However, the multi-time K&N Horsepower Challenge winner is eligible to receive the eighth and final spot via fan vote. Fans can log their vote at nhra.com/knhpchallenge.aspx.
“I would love to get that fan vote and be part of the K&N Horsepower Challenge,” said Anderson. “I absolutely love that race, it’s a very special event, and I didn’t get to do it last year – I don’t want to go two years in a row without racing for that special trophy. One way or another, I want to find my way in.”
B. FORCE No. 2 ON FRIDAY AT GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE, FL – After the first day of qualifying at the 46th annual Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals two Forces sit near the top of the qualifying ladders in the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes. In just here third appearance at the famed Gatornationals Brittany Force and her JFR Top Fuel dragster team raced to the provisional No. 2 spot right behind Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher. Force’s run of 3.817 seconds at 318.09 mph held up as the best run until Schumacher made the final run, 3.796 seconds, of the day. Continue reading John Force Racing–B. FORCE No. 2 ON FRIDAY AT GATORNATIONALS
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
CAMPINGWORLD.COM 500
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY PRACTICE NOTES AND QUOTES
MARCH 13, 2015
KURT BUSCH, NO. 41 HAAS AUTOMATION CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media following the first practice session and discussed how it felt to be back in the car.
ON THE FIRST PRACTICE SESSION:
“It was good just to get back in the seat and shake hands with all the guys. Having the support of Stewart-Haas it’s been, like family. Then to see the other crew members that I know and some that I don’t know who shake my hand and say ‘welcome back’. It feels good. For me to just get some laps in today, in race trim the car seems fast. Q-trim, it’s a different game this year. That is why we are p.17. I have to learn the car and the feel, because it looks like the lap times are so tight. You mess up just a little bit that Haas Automation Chevy is p.17.”
YOU WERE FAST RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE DID YOU FEEL GOOD IN THERE?
“Yeah, everything feels good. The seat, the belts and just the love from the crew guys, it’s been pretty cool the way the garage feels like a fraternity. It’s nice to see good friends.”
WHEN YOU ARE STRAPPING ON YOUR GLOVES AND GETTING READY TO GO OUT FINALLY WHAT KIND OF FEELING WAS THAT?
“That feeling was home.”
WERE YOU CONCERNED AT ALL ABOUT PERCEPTION IN THE GARAGE?
“We are here to race, that is all we are here to do.”
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
CAMPINGWORLD.COM 500
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 13, 2015
KEVIN HARVICK, NO. 4 JIMMY JOHN’S/BUDWEISER CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Phoenix International Raceway and discussed his relationship with his crew chief, Rodney Childers, his approach to the season now that the No. 4 team has a win and many other topics. Full Transcript: Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix
PERMATEX/FOLLOW A DREAM TEAM READY FOR GATORNATIONALS
Marstons Mills, MA-March 13, 2015-Jay Blake’s Permatex/Follow A Dream crew heads to Gainesville dead set on another final-round appearance at the Gatornationals, where the team already has a win and two final-round appearances in the last few years.
“The Gatornationals is one of the biggest races of the year and the season opener for the East Coast,” said driver Todd Veney. “We got to the final here a couple years ago, it’s usually one of our best races of the season, and the car just ran great in testing.”
The team, which won the 2006 Gatornationals and was runner-up there in 2013, set top speed at the regional event in Gainesville last month and arrived here hot off a successful test session in Bradenton, Fla. “We only ran it to the eighth-mile mark because you can learn just about everything you need to know that way, but it was very encouraging,” Blake said. “The car was going 208 mph at the eighth-mile mark, and you can win a lot of races with half-track speeds like that.”