Category: Other Series Racing

WINCHESTER, Indiana (May 11, 2011) – – Two-time and defending Champion Racing Association (CRA) champion Johnny VanDoorn didn’t win the Seal Wrap 125 at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway this past weekend. However, one thing is for certain, the competition knew he was there.  

After mounting some of the fastest laps in practice, the Coopersville, Michigan native lined up his No. 61 Paragon Corvette Reproductions / Baker Engineering / JEGS.com Chevrolet qualified second but was inverted to seventh on the starting grid. Quickly making work of his competition early into the 125-lap event, VanDoorn, the Kaos Motorsports pilot found himself in contention for win number one of the season.  

Daunted by sputtering from underneath the hood of his Chevrolet bow-tie on lap 107, VanDoorn was forced to bring his automobile to pit where the team deemed the problem to be terminal forcing the ARCA-hopeful pilot to retire from the event in the 15th position.  

“We had a bad to the bone fast new race car,” offered VanDoorn following the event. “But, in order to finish first, you must first finish. It wasn’t our night to head to victory lane but I’m proud of the hard work of this Kaos Motorsports team. I honestly feel we had one of the cars to beat.”   He added, “Butch (VanDoorn) did an excellent job from atop of the pit box with calls and race strategy. My new spotter Brandon (Lines) kept his composure and guided me through the traffic brilliantly. Almost everything went right, just sometimes in racing, things like that happen.”  

Baker Engineering, Earth Service and Supply, Jegs.com, Magic Transportation, Paragon Corvette Reproductions, Port City Racecars and R and R Wire Loom all held placement on the team’s General Motors machine this weekend.  

“Everyone including myself at Kaos Motorsports is extremely thankful to all of our sponsors for helping out at Anderson. It stinks that we weren’t able to bring them home a trophy but I’m anxious to get back in the gas in a couple weeks and we’ll try again.”  

Additionally, the 2007 CRA Series Rookie of the Year was also tapped 11th in the short track draft by the official online home of “short track racing” at Speed51.com.  

Next up for the Champion Racing Association Series is a stop at Baer Field (Ind.) Speedway for the Asphalt Wars 100 set for Sunday, May 22.  

In 65 races, VanDoorn has posted six poles, eight wins, 25 top-fives and 47 top-10 finishes including back-to-back CRA championships in 2009 and 2010.    

For more information on Johnny VanDoorn, please visit JohnnyVanDoorn.com.   For more information on the Champion Racing Association Super Series, please click on CRARacing.net.

JEFFERSON, GA (May 10, 2011) – Toyota cars and trucks everywhere! For the past two days Toyota race teams have kept the track hot at Gresham Motorsports Park.

NASCAR Nationwide Drivers, Steve Wallace and Michael Annett tested at GMP mainly to make adjustments to the cars.

“This is a great track and it’s so smooth,” said Nationwide driver, Michael Annett. “We can’t really test for a certain track here but it is a good place for us to ‘A and B’ a lot of things.”

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver, Travis Kvapil, was impressed with GMP and compared it to Martinsville. Kvapil was the Truck Series Champion in 2003 and he is out to claim his second Truck Series Championship in 2011 with Randy Moss Motorsports.

Coleman Pressley, Matt DiBenedetto, Alex Bowman, Ryan Reed and Dylan Presnell were among the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East drivers that showed up for testing at GMP. Presnell will just be turning 16 before his first K&N race at GMP on June 11th, so he will not get to take advantage of NASCAR’s new age limit in the K&N series.

“I’ve raced on this track before and I love it,” said Presnell. “I am excited that today is my first time in a K&N car and my first race will be here, at GMP, for the K&N race in June.”

Brian Ickler returned to GMP to make some laps with Ryan Reed in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series car.

GMP looks forward to seeing all of these drivers back throughout the 2011 race season.

The next event at GMP will be June 11th as NASCAR K&N Pro Series East returns for the Slack Auto Parts 150. Fans will be able to meet drivers and get autographs before a full night of action-packed racing! Tickets are only $20 and GMP is honoring all fathers for Father’s Day- Buy one adult general admission and get your dad in FREE!

Friday night before the race, June 10th, fans can meet some of their favorite drivers and compete against them in the arcade and on the go-kart track at Funopolis Family Fun Center in Commerce, GA (only 15 minutes from GMP) from 6-9pm.

Please visit our website, http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=qwttrvcab&et=1105066763727&s=414&e=001__SxDZm ioVi-3fzH6xn9oAZnGR0ofHBCJU5HuwFh5A7Nfzmpij7mdFS3IDnHgeq8Ba08FXf3vVjCGTPcUPW xVzPeUhqMCASrpys_9B7s9vW-rOQ3WkZbnJXuuH6a2MvT> www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com, for information and details about the upcoming year at GMP. Also, join the GMP fan page on facebook or follow GMP on Twitter @ GreshamMP.

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (May 10, 2011) – The big story coming out of last year’s Carolina 200 race weekend at Rockingham Speedway was 14-year-old Chase Elliott and his dominance of the Sunoco National Tour race.  

While his USAR Pro Cup outing that weekend at the Rock was slightly less successful, it became apparent to anyone watching that the young Chase had learned a thing or two about wheeling a race car from his dad, 1988 NASCAR Cup Champion Bill Elliott.  

Among the folks watching was NASCAR owner Rick Hendrick, the possessor of 10 Cup Championships, who signed Chase to a driver development deal earlier this year, which has led to a jam-packed race schedule for the 15-year-old in 2011. A schedule that includes a return to Rockingham Speedway for the Carolina 200 presented by Black’s Tire and Auto Service in a USAR Pro Cup car.  

“Chase is an amazing talent,” said Rockingham Speedway President Andy Hillenburg.  

“What he did in that Sunoco race last year was pretty remarkable. Not only was he incredibly fast, but his times in that race were incredibly consistent.  

“It’ll be interesting to see how much better this kid has gotten in the last year.”    

Racing action gets underway on May 12 with a practice for the cars of the UARA and USAR Pro Cup Series. General admission to the grandstands is free on Thursday. Friday, May 13 is pole day for USAR and UARA with fans admitted to the grandstands for $5. The Carolina 200 presented by Black’s Tire and Auto Service gets underway Saturday, May 14 with the UARA Late Models rolling off at 12 noon to be followed by the USAR 150-miler. Tickets, starting at $20 in advance, and suite packages are still available. To order tickets for the Carolina 200 presented by Black’s Tire and Auto Service, contact the Rockingham Speedway at (910) 205-8800 or visit our website at www.rockinghamspeedway.com.   Chase Elliott (No. 9 Aaron’s Ford Mustang) dominated the Sunoco National Tour race at Rockingham Speedway last year. The 15-year-old son of 1988 Winston Cup Champion Bill Elliott makes his Rockingham Speedway return this Saturday in the USAR Pro Cup portion of the Carolina 200.

(TOLEDO, Ohio) – ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards rookies Maryeve Dufault and Jared Marks will sign autographs and meet race fans and consumers at Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Toledo on Thursday, May 12.  

The event is scheduled in promotion of the ARCA Fan Fest at Toledo Speedway from May 13-15, headlined by the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care on May 15. Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram is an official sponsor of the ARCA Safety Initiative and a sponsor of the May 13 race event at Toledo Speedway.  

The fan event, scheduled from 5-7 p.m., will feature a live radio remote from Toledo’s K100 Country. The ARCA pace cars will be on site, as will the ARCA safety vehicle – a Dodge Journey supplied by Grogan’s Towne. Dufault’s show car, a Tony Marks Racing Dodge, will appear at the event.  

Dufault, a Canadian rookie who is one of two female drivers running a full-time schedule in the ARCA Racing Series, and Jared Marks, a Napoleon, Ohio teenager who will make his ARCA debut in the Menards 200, will sign autographs from 6-7 p.m.  

Consumers attending the event will have the chance to win Menards 200 race tickets and suite passes in addition to the grand prize, a ride in the official ARCA Racing Series pace car supplied by Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.  

Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram is located at 6100 Telegraph Road, just south of the Michigan/Ohio border.   The Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Night at Toledo Speedway on Friday, May 13 will be highlighted by the annual visit of the Buckeye 305 Sprint Car Series, as well as a full program of Toledo Speedway’s regular divisions. The event will mark the opening of ARCA Fan Fest 2011, the interactive fan event surrounding the spring ARCA Racing Series event weekend at Toledo Speedway.  

For over 50 years, Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram has offered exceptional service, unbeatable specials and the latest selections of new and pre-owned vehicles. Located at 6100 North Telegraph Road in Toledo, Ohio, Grogan’s Towne has your favorite Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram models at competitive prices. They are dedicated to assisting you with all of your automotive needs and providing the best service possible.  

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series tests the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, annually visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course.  

Founded by John Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in two professional touring series and local weekly events.

JEFFERSON, GA (May 2, 2011)-  Racing Radios, a long-time partner of NASCAR and Gresham Motorsports Park, will be the sponsor of the PASS (Pro All Star Series) late model race on July 16that GMP.  

Racing Radioswas founded in 1974 when the Competition Director for NASCAR approached Diversified Electronics for assistance with racing radio communications problems. Diversified Electronics was successful in correcting the problems and, when word spread, became a source for several racing teams. As a result Diversified Electronics began to manufacture accessories for two-way radios using Motorola equipment and designed to enhance the quality of racing communications.  

“We are excited to be apart of Gresham Motorsport’s Park’s 2011 race season and we look forward to a competitive season of racing,” said Chris Thornton, President of Racing Radios,Inc.  “We are excited to sponsor the race on July 16th and we look forward to an exciting and eventful night for everyone.”   Today, Racing Radios is the official two-way supplier for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), and Gresham Motorsports Park.  Racing Radios is located in both Georgia and North Carolina.  

You can learn more about Racing Radios and their products by visiting www.racingradios.com.   The Racing Radios 100 will feature PASS late models, Outlaw late models, Trucks, Renegades, Mini Stocks and Mini Cups.   

On July 14th, GMP will host the 9-,11- and 13-year old Dizzy Dean opening ceremonies.  Jackson County Parks and Recreation will gather teams from all over the Southeast for a parade of teams, games, race car demonstrations/display and a big fireworks program to close the evening activities.  This event is open to the public and is free for everyone!    

Please visit our website, www.GreshamMotorsportsPark.com, for information and details about the upcoming year at GMP. Also, join the GMP fan page on facebook or follow GMP on Twitter @ GreshamMP.

Antelope, CA (May 1, 2011) –Moses Smith, driver of the No. 16 Hasa Pool Products/NAPA Gold Filters Toyota Camry finished in second leading fourteen lap at the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West event at Miller Motorsports Park (Toole, UT). The veteran driver from Bill McAnally Racing is in close pursuit of the point leader seeking his first series championship. Smith is second in the 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West chase for the championship. He is only 58 points out of first with eleven races left in the 2011 race season.

Smith qualified the No. 16 Hasa Toyota on row six for the scheduled 50-lap race event on the East Course at MMP. He made a scheduled pit stop at lap 10 for fuel. He would restart the race at lap eleven in 26th. At lap 18, Smith was in the top ten with his focus set on the leader. He took the lead at lap 20. He radioed in that he thought his left front fender may have gotten “banged up a bit” during the course of very tight racing and that the Hasa Toyota was “tight”.

Smith led from lap 20 until lap 33 when he suffered a right rear flat. Crew Chief Mario Isola had him return to pit road a lap later to top off with fuel. The No.16 Hasa Toyota was back at it now in 21st. Spotter Mike David kept Smith focused as he navigated thru traffic and back in the top ten at lap 45.

With few scheduled laps left, Smith knew it was time to “go”. The caution came out at lap 49 as a car was stopped in turn three. With a “Green, White, Checkered” scenario, Smith, who was now in 7th was on the move when another caution flag was displayed, this time as two cars were involved in an accident at turn seven. Smith was now in third. Another attempt was made at lap 55 bringing the lap count up to 60 before the final restart. A last hard charge yielded Smith another position to finish the race in second. He continues to hold the series record at miller with the most top-five finishes.

The race was set to run 50 laps but eventually went to 63 laps, pushing the race an addition 13 laps and more than 28 miles past the scheduled distance.

“All those yellows at the end really helped me move up,” laughed Smith. “This was a tough race. We experienced really cold weather. When I woke up race day at the hotel and looked out, I saw over 3 inches of snow on the ground. I wasn’t sure if were racing. But then we got to the track just a few miles away and though it was cold, the track was clear and ready to race on.”

“This is a really tough track to pass on. After all that door banging action, we came away solid in our momentum to win a championship and some left side damage.  I think the fans saw a great show. On to Iowa.”

The next race for the teams from Bill McAnally Racing will be on Saturday, May 21st at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. It is the annual East/West combination event. NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kyle Busch holds the qualifying record for this event.

For more information on Bill McAnally Racing, please visit our website at www.billmcanallyracing.com. Bill McAnally Racing is now on Facebook. Become a fan and stay up to date with the latest happenings with your favorite race teams.

For more information on Moses Smith, please visit www.mosessmith.com. You can visit our sponsors’ websites at www.hasapool.com www.whiteflyer.com, www.napafilters.com and www.tcitransportation.com . You can also follow Moses on Twitter.

SALEM, Indiana (May 3, 2011) – – Hoping to ride the momentum of a stellar fourth place finish two weeks ago at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, Brett Hudson and his Brett Hudson Motorsports (BHM) team charged into Salem (Ind.) Speedway this past weekend hoping for a similar performance in the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200.  

Armed with crew chief John Hayden, a former winner at Salem (Ind.) Speedway, the BHM team unloaded their No. 94 Hudson Performance Drivelines Chevrolet focused on the lone practice session of the weekend on Saturday afternoon.  

By the conclusion of practice, Hudson had maneuvered his Chevrolet bow-tie to the eighth fastest lap overall, a little over four-tenths of a second slower than session leader Tom Hessert. The Owensboro, Kentucky native consulted with Hayden and the two put a conservative setup underneath their machine – hoping to start near the front in the first short track race of the season.  

In Menards Pole qualifying presented by Ansell, Hudson’s lap of 17.915 seconds or  111.527 miles per hour ranked the team 10th fastest overall and the outside of row number five.  

Mother Nature drenched the track Sunday morning forcing ARCA officials to tediously dry the race track right up until race time. The field would rev their engines at 2:15 p.m. and assist in the track drying process by running 20 green flag laps at caution speed.  

By lap 21 the field was under normal racing conditions with Hudson quickly moving forward and sitting comfortably inside the top-10.  

When the second caution flag of the event occurred on lap 52, Hudson brought his automobile to the attention of his team where Hayden made an adjustment to counteract a tight No. 94 Hudson Performance Drivelines Chevrolet.  

Restarting 12th, Hudson once again quickly charged back into the top-10 but when Dakoda Armstrong lost control of his No. 22 Dodge Charger on lap 69, Armstrong’s machine landed directly in the path of Hudson. The two connected with Hudson able to leave the accident scene with significant damage to their race car.  

Damage control by the BHM team found a broken a-frame which would keep the Salem Speedway ace from continuing on in the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200. Hudson would retire from the event and settle for 20th completing 75 of the race’s 206 laps.  

Hudson would have to shake off the bad luck and prepare to drive his No. 00 Hudson Performance Drivelines street stock immediately following the ARCA event. After winning his heat race on Saturday, Hudson started second in the 50-lap event.  

Despite a gallant effort to capture another win at the half-mile oval, Hudson would have to settle for third closing another weekend of racing at the Southern Indiana race track. Hayden also participated in the Frank Kimmel street stock event and finished fifth after starting 10th.  

“Our car was pretty good in the ARCA race,” Hudson explained. “We just made a change to the car and it was responding well to the change and then the No. 22 lost it and I had nowhere to go. It stinks, because I think we could have had another top-five easily. We’ll pick up the pieces and see if we can make it to Toledo.”  

For the second consecutive race, the Hudson Motorsports team brought awareness to a big fan of theirs, Harlie Bryant. Recently diagnosed with brain cancer, Bryant is scheduled for surgery on May 12th and attended Sunday’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 as a special guest of the BHM team.  

Bryant participated in the driver autograph session, received a special goody package from Salem Speedway and even gave the command to fire engines on Sunday afternoon.  

“I wish we could have done more but it was such a joy to see Harlie enjoying herself,” offered Hudson. “Everyone ate her up. She was so cute. We were hoping to take her to victory lane but we’ll try again down the road. We’re continuing to offer our thoughts and prayers to the family and absolutely hoping for the best.”  

In addition to Hudson Performance Drivelines, Double H Hydraulics, Race Engines Plus (REP), G&A Trucking, Gene Patient Fabrication (GPF) and Warricktubing.com all joined the team as associate marketing partners in the third of 19 ARCA races this season.    

In 24 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards starts, Hudson has produced three  top-fives including a career best of fourth at Salem (Ind.) Speedway in 2007 and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway (April 2011) and 11 top-10 finishes overall. Hudson has one career ARCA pole also coming at Salem (Ind.) Speedway in 2005 driving the No. 62 Hudson Machine Shop Chevrolet Monte Carlo.  

For more on “Hope for Harlie”, please click here to visit their official Facebook page.