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  • Treyten Lapcevich Looking to be a Contender in Stacked South Carolina 400

    Treyten Lapcevich Looking to be a Contender in Stacked South Carolina 400

    Canadian Standout Excited to Race against Late Model Superstars Including Dale Earnhardt Jr.

    FLORENCE, S.C.: While most racing divisions are idle for the winter, Late Models will roar to life this weekend at Florence (S.C.) Speedway for the prestigious South Carolina 400.

    On the heels of a competitive top-five finish this past weekend at New River All-American Speedway in last Saturday night’s Battle of the Stars race, zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Tour standout Treyten Lapcevich eyes not only another strong weekend of racing but also the opportunity to capture the attention of the audience with a pivotal victory at the iconic South Carolina short track.

    Armed with the strength of his Chad Bryant Racing team and a defiant game plan, Lapcevich is looking to pick up the pieces from his spring zMAX CARS Tour appearance at the Florence, S.C. short-track and be a contender in what is wildly expected to be one of the most competitive races of the year.

    “I’m really excited to get back into the seat at Florence on Saturday,” said Lapcevich. “(It’s) definitely going to be a very competitive field of cars, but I believe that the Chad Bryant Racing No. 77 team is up for the challenge.”

    To help with his second Florence Speedway start, Lapcevich relies heavily on the experience of his car owner and crew chief, former ARCA Menards Series championship crew chief Chad Bryant.

    “This is a race that Chad (Bryant) has had a lot of success at in the past, so it’s good to have that advice and knowledge on our side,” added Lapcevich. “I’ve been watching old races all week long and trying to develop as much knowledge as I can.”

    Finishing just outside the top-10 in the spring in zMAX CARS Tour competition, Lapcevich is well aware of what it will take to try and stay ahead of the competition on Nov. 23.

    “When we were at Florence earlier this year with the CARS Tour and had a decent showing,” recalled Lapcevich. “We qualified fourth and finished just outside the top-10 after struggling late in the race. It’s undoubtedly a difficult track, especially with how abrasive it is on the tires.

    “That was a good experience for me to have prior to the race this weekend. I’m looking to apply what I learned to testing to make sure we make the right adjustments and pace myself the right way in the race.”

    Knowing this weekend’s annual fall contest will feature an array of competitors of various disciplines and clout, Lapcevich is remaining focused on the job at hand. He hopes a respectful but competitive performance will earn him the respect he continues to try to gain both on and off the race track.

    “I think there’s no doubt that the competition will be tough this weekend,” reflected Lapcevich. “I compare it similarly to Martinsville earlier this year, but that being said, we’ve run in high competition with the CARS Tour all year.

    Our goal remains the same; we just have to focus on how our car is handling and not get too caught up in the speed charts during practice. It’s great that Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) comes and runs a Late Model Stock Car with us — he doesn’t need to, but he enjoys it. It also brings a lot of eyes to the event, so everyone wins.

    “This is going to be my last race of the season with the No. 77 team; therefore, I’m looking to end it on a high note.

    To take the checkered flag on a remarkable season as the pilot of Chad Bryant Racing’s No. 77 Evirum |Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Chevrolet, Lapcevich realizes a good pace and smart racing will keep him in contention for the entire 250-lap race.

    “It’s a long race, so I’m just looking to pace myself and be up front to compete for the win at the night’s end,” sounded Lapcevich. “Strategy is going to play a big part in this race, so I think there’s going to be a big focus on that to ensure that we are giving ourselves the best shot at ending up in Victory Lane.

    “I’ve had a lot of fun with the Chad Bryant Racing team this year, and I want to end it off on a high note this year.

    “I’m going to give it the best effort I possibly can in hopes of ending up in victory lane at the end of the night.”

    The 32nd annual South Carolina 400 is set from Florence (S.C.) Motor Speedway on Sat., Nov. 23, 2024, and will air live on FloRacing.

    Lapcevich’s plans for the 2025 racing season will be announced in due course.

    For more on Treyten Lapcevich, like him on Facebook (treyten.lapcevich) and follow him on Instagram (@treytenlapcevich) and X | Twitter (@TreytenL).

    About Allrem Sports and Entertainment:

    Allrem Sports & Entertainment, a company of Allrem group of companies, is the powerhouse behind all sports and entertainment endeavors within the Allrem group of companies, with a strategic focus on ensuring optimal business development, brand awareness, and marketing opportunities for the entire Allrem group of companies and its partners.

    Through the collective power of its diverse subsidiaries (Allrem Racing, BKFC, Les Pétroliers de Laval), Allrem Sports & Entertainment delivers unparalleled value to its sponsors and the Allrem group of companies. We provide our partners with business development opportunities, corporate hospitality programs, targeted brand awareness initiatives and innovative sponsorship activations. We ensure that all our partners receive maximum exposure and tangible returns on their investment to meet their objectives.

    Learn more at allremsae.com

    About Evirum:

    Evirum, part of the Allrem group of companies, is a Canadian residual materials management brokerage offering eco-responsible solutions across North America to minimize environmental impact and promote recycling and other innovative practices. Evirum is committed to providing companies, events and industries with the best sustainable practices and services.

    Learn more at evirum.com

    About BKFC:

    Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), the World’s Fastest Growing Combat Sports Promotion, in which Allrem is a shareholder, is the first entity sanctioned to hold regulated bare-knuckle events in the United States since 1889. BKFC is based in Philadelphia (PA) and headed by President and Founder David Feldman.

    Learn more at bkfc.com

  • Logan Sargeant Completes First INDYCAR Test with Meyer Shank Racing

    Logan Sargeant Completes First INDYCAR Test with Meyer Shank Racing

    Thermal, Calif. (20 November 2024) – Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) is keeping busy in the off-season and continued its NTT INDYCAR SERIES testing program on Tuesday at the Thermal Club. Former Formula 1 driver and American racer, Logan Sargeant took his first laps behind the wheel of an Indy car for the one-day test on the west coast with MSR.

    With MSR’s IMSA and INDYCAR stable of drivers set for the 2025 season, MSR team co-owner, Mike Shank chose to give Sargeant the opportunity to explore a new kind of racing machinery while also helping the team make some off-season progress to prepare for the 2025 INDYCAR season which gets underway in March in St. Petersburg, FL.

    “The goal was to have a look at him,” said Shank. “We’ve always felt that he deserves a shot at something over here, whether it’s in INDYCAR or GTP or whatever the future may hold. We went ahead and had a good, strong look at him. He’s one of those top F2 guys and he got his shot at F1 and now he has a shot at INDYCAR and we really wanted to see what he was all about.”

    With the day consisting of three sessions, Sargeant was quick to get up to speed in the Indy car and adapt to the nuances that the car has to offer. Sargeant’s pace was among the quickest of the six cars running on Tuesday, topping the time sheets following the morning session.

    With 80 laps completed, the young American racer left the test feeling both confident and satisfied with the performance in his first time behind the wheel of an Indy car.

    “I thought the Indy car was fun for sure, it’s very different from any other car that I have driven before,” said Sargeant. “I felt like we were chipping away at it throughout the day and were trying some different set up stuff – some good, some bad. I’d say the most surprising thing was how the tires were pretty ‘peaky.’ They were pretty difficult to nail on a lap, I had thought that they would have a bit of a longer peak.

    “Working with MSR has been amazing. Everyone on the team is great to work with, everyone is super nice. It’s a great atmosphere here and I had a nice time working with them.”

    With the goal of evaluating Sargeant for potential opportunities in the future, Shank was pleased with the performance that he saw from Sergeant.

    “He (Sargeant) was everything that I had hoped for and he caught on really quick,” said Shank. “He helped us through a lot of things that we had to get through with Honda and he was pretty much what I expected to be honest. And on top of that he is just a good person, we like to have good people around. You never know what may happen in the future, but we now know what we have with him for sure.”

    The NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener is set for March 2nd on the streets of St. Petersburg, FL.

  • LOGAN WILLIAMS HAS HIS BEST SEASON TO DATE

    LOGAN WILLIAMS HAS HIS BEST SEASON TO DATE

    (Ontario, CA, November 18, 2024) Logan Williams, the youngest of the three Williams brothers racing in the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series, recorded his best season to date in 2024. Driving the recognizable Flowdynamics #5W, he steered his way to a sixth-place finish in the championship standings. The finish and accomplishments achieved by the 28-year-old during the year have him ready to return when the series commences on the other side of the new year.

    Williams, who lives in Yorba Linda, California, had perfect attendance in the 20th season of the series that is headquartered in Southern California. In the 22 races that comprised the schedule, he started the A main 21 times. In those, the friendly driver finished in the top five six times and the top ten 15 times.

    Of the top five, his best outing was a second at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway on the second Saturday in June. He also placed third and fourth two times each and had a fifth-place result.

    “I would not say satisfied,” Williams responded when asked about his 2024 campaign. “We obviously wanted to win, but it was definitely our best season by far.”

    “Probably almost winning at Perris,” the 28-year-old quickly answered about his highlight of the year. “We led 21 laps or whatever. And Santa Maria when we had a good chance to win when Chiaramonte won. Also, when I finished second at Kern. Those three right there stand out for me.”

    While the 2014 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year has been a formidable competitor throughout his career, his performances in 2024 were noticeably improved over his previous campaigns. In fact, he was a contender every time he came to the track during the year.

    “Just figuring stuff out with the cars, and me being able to do better towards the end of the races,” the confident driver said when asked what propelled him to such a good season. “Me, my dad, Randy, and Clayton worked on the car. Mike English (a past top competitor in the series) set up my car at the last race.”

    Amongst the series regulars that Williams squared off against at every race were his two older brothers, Cody and Austin. That provided an interesting angle coming into the last race of the year. Cody, the eldest of the siblings, was sixth in the championship standings and Logan was seventh. However, the gap between the two was only 10 points coming into the finale at Perris Auto Speedway on November 9th. Before the main event, Cody added a few more digits when he was the second-fastest qualifier on the night. At that point, it looked like Logan would be forced to settle for seventh in the points race.

    Magnifying his advantage, Cody was starting fifth in the main while Logan began the final battle of the year in ninth. But, Cody left the fray on lap 22 and placed 18th. With Logan rolling forward from ninth to sixth, he earned enough points to take the sixth spot in the standings back from his brother and thus, earned bragging rights over the winter.

    “You try to race everybody as hard as you can,” he replied when asked about racing against his brothers. “You try to be a little more careful around them, I guess. We all want to do good and want each other to do good as well.”

    Now with some time off, Williams is going to kick back a bit before sliding back into the cockpit early in 2025.

    “Not much, to be honest,” Williams laughed when asked about his winter plans. “Just work on the car a little bit and enjoy my time off until we start racing again. We plan on running the full season next year. We may have some trouble getting some funding to make it the whole year, but as of right now, we plan on making all of them.”

    Williams and his teammate Matt McCarthy would like to thank the following sponsors for making the 2024 season possible. Flowdynamics Inc., PurgePlugs.com, Cal Therm Mechanical Insulators, JFK Design Build, So Cal Racing Fuel, and Full Throttle Lift.

    Matt McCarthy 2024 Results

    2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 13th B Main

    3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 10th A Main

    4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 6th A Main

    5/25/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 12th A Main

    6/22/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 18th A Main

    8/17/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 15th A Main

    Logan Williams 2024 Results

    2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 7th A Main

    3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 5th A Main

    3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA 6th A Main

    4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 9th A Main

    4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 22nd A Main

    5/25/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 4th A Main

    6/8/24 Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway USAC/CRA 2nd A Main

    6/22/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 4th A Main

    7/6/24 Santa Maria Speedway USAC/CRA 8th A Main

    7/13/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 13th A Main

    8/10/24 Santa Maria Speedway USAC/CRA 3rd A Main

    8/15/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 6th A Main

    8/31/24 Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway USAC/CRA 18th A Main

    9/7/24 Santa Maria Speedway USAC/CRA 3rd A Main

    9/21/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 10th A Main

    9/28/24 Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway USAC/CRA 10th A Main

    10/12/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 12th A Main

    10/18/24 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 18th A Main

    10/19/24 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 7th A Main

    11/1/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 8th B Main

    11/2/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 26th A Main

    11/9/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 6th A Main

  • Yamaha Celebrates YFZ450R 2024 Racing Champions

    Yamaha Celebrates YFZ450R 2024 Racing Champions

    Yamaha Raises $3,700 for Breast Cancer Research at Yamaha Racing Ironman GNCC

    MARIETTA, Ga., Nov. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, capped off an incredible 2024 ATV racing season with a series of podium sweeps and championship victories, all while celebrating a major milestone: the 20th anniversary of the legendary YFZ450R. As Yamaha bLU cRU racers dominated across multiple national series, the YFZ450R proved once again why it’s been the leader in ATV racing for two decades. Yamaha also raised $3,700 for breast cancer research at the Yamaha Racing Ironman GNCC, making this season a standout both on and off the track.

    AMA ATV Motocross Championship
    The AMA ATV Motocross (ATV MX) series concluded on August 11 at Loretta Lynn Ranch, where Yamaha racers swept the podium in the AMA Pro division, led by defending champion, Joel Hetrick, on his Phoenix Racing / DASA / CST / Moose YFZ450R, celebrating the 20th anniversary with a perfect 10-win series. Hetrick’s victory marked another highlight in the YFZ450R’s illustrious history, further solidifying its place as the premier racing ATV. Fellow bLU cRU racers Bryce Ford and Brandon Hoag followed closely behind, claiming second and third, rounding out the 20th-anniversary podium sweep. The YFZ450R’s dominance was also on full display in the Quadcross of Nations, where Hetrick, Ford, and Hoag led Team USA to its sixth championship victory, sweeping all three motos and continuing the legacy of Yamaha’s racing ATV on the world stage.

    In the ATV MX Pro-Am class, YFZ450R racer Mason Jackson secured his second-straight championship and $2,500 bLU cRU bonus. He was joined by a wave of Yamaha YFZ450R riders, including J.J. Londerville, Kevin Saar, Heath Hannah, and Juan Ondarcuhu, proving the YFZ450R continues to deliver unmatched performance at every level.

    WORCS Championship
    In October, bLU cRU racers topped the podium in Yamaha’s first year supporting the WORCS (World Off-Road Championship Series) ATV classes. Travis Damon, riding his YFZ450R, clinched the ATV Pro championship and earned a $5,000 bLU cRU bonus, standing out as the only competitor in his class to podium in all nine rounds. In the Women’s Pro WORCS class, Torey Matajcich achieved a perfect season, securing victory in all nine rounds, followed closely by Layne Fryar, both earning bLU cRU bonuses. Meanwhile, Yamaha swept the Pro-Am podium, with Justin Semas, Gage Leaver, and Daven Desliva securing their bonuses.

    GNCC Championship
    The Yamaha Racing Ironman GNCC (Grand National Cross Country) finale in Crawfordsville, Indiana ended the season last month in a Yamaha podium sweep. Defending XC1 Pro – ATV champion Brycen Neal took home his eighth win of the season, third consecutive championship, and the $15,000 bLU cRU bonus on his Phoenix Racing / DASA / CST / Moose / Parts Unlimited YFZ450R. His win not only added another accolade to his career but also further demonstrated the 20-year legacy of the YFZ450R. Walker Fowler and Wyatt Wilken rounded out the top three, cementing Yamaha’s dominance in the event.

    In the WXC ATV class, defending champion Jessica Elioff captured her second consecutive title and a bLU cRU bonus, finishing on the podium at every race, including five overall wins. Alex Thieman claimed the XC2 Pro-Am championship and a $2,500 bLU cRU bonus, followed by Grayson Eller in second overall. In other classes, Yamaha YFZ450R racers continued to shine, with Jeremiah Wolf (College A), Camren Mulholland (College B), Cory Vandelinder (Junior A), and Michael Worth (Junior B) all taking home $500 bLU cRU bonuses for their wins.

    Yamaha Racing Ironman GNCC Finale
    Beyond the track, Yamaha’s dedication to the community was on full display during the GNCC’s annual “Race for the Cure” at the Yamaha Racing Ironman round, raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Yamaha pledged $50 for each class win on a Yamaha, and an additional $50 for every 2024 Yamaha championship. With 37 championships and 37 race-day wins, Yamaha proudly donated $3,700 to the Montgomery County Community Foundation (MCCF). The funds will support local breast cancer care and free mammogram examinations for women in the surrounding region.

    In addition to their charitable efforts, Yamaha created an exciting atmosphere for fans and racers alike during the Yamaha Racing Ironman weekend. bLU cRU attendees enjoyed a full suite of hospitality offerings, including free popcorn, hot chocolate, coffee, and candy at the Yamaha display. Fans could also customize their gear with Yamaha Racing and bLU cRU logos ironed onto jerseys, and the excitement continued with a Yamaha e-bike giveaway and the much-anticipated annual Yamaha beanie giveaways.

    Adding even more thrill to the weekend, Yamaha ambassadors and off-road racing legends Johnny Gallagher, Ryan Villopoto, and Damon Bradshaw participated in the morning ATV team race on Saturday, racing alongside Yamaha staff aboard the iconic YFZ450R. Their involvement brought star power to the event, giving fans a chance to interact with some of the biggest names in off-road motorsports and further amplifying the celebratory atmosphere.

    Looking ahead, 2024 pro-class bLU cRU champions Hetrick, Neal, and Elioff will be honored at Yamaha’s Wall of Champions induction ceremony this December, alongside Yamaha’s other 2024 racing winners. These racers’ achievements will be commemorated with custom plaques proudly displayed at Yamaha’s motorsports headquarters in Marietta, Georgia, joining the ranks of Yamaha’s legendary titleholders from across the decades.

    Every Yamaha SxS and full-size ATV is proudly Assembled in the USA at Yamaha’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Newnan, Georgia, for worldwide distribution. For more information on the bLU cRU program, visit YamahabLUcRU.com. Learn more about Yamaha’s 2025 Proven Off-Road lineup at YamahaMotorsports.com or by visiting your local Yamaha dealer. Follow Yamaha on social media via @YamahaOutdoors, tune in to the Yamaha Outdoors podcast on listening apps, or explore the following hashtags on all platforms: #Yamaha #YamahaRacing #REALizeYourPodium #REALizeYourAdventure #ProvenOffRoad #bLUcRU #YFZ450R #AssembledInUSA

    About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
    Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.

    YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].

    Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA (Yamaha Financial Services), an affiliate of YMUS, offers financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide. Yamaha Financial Services provides retail and commercial financing for the diverse line of Yamaha brand motor products based out of Cypress, CA and Marietta, GA.

  • TONY STEWART NAMED 2024 NHRA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

    TONY STEWART NAMED 2024 NHRA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

    TEMECULA, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2024) – In one of the closest races in recent history, Top Fuel driver and motorsports legend Tony Stewart was named the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

    Stewart was awarded Rookie of the Year honors Monday at the NHRA awards ceremony at the Pechanga Resort Casino. He was part of a standout field and a hotly-contested race that included Brandon Foster, Richard Gadson, Derrick Reese, Jasmine Salinas, Sienna Wildgust, Daniel Wilkerson and Ida Zetterstrom.

    “It’s a big honor to win this award this season,” Stewart said. “There are some great drivers in the NHRA and it’s one of the most diverse forms of motorsports I’ve been a part of. I’ve had a really good time working with the series this season to promote and continue to grow the sport.”

    Making his Top Fuel debut in 2024, Stewart advanced to a pair of final rounds, four semifinals, a berth in the Countdown to the Championship and a ninth-place finish in Top Fuel points. Stewart took over driving duties for his wife, Top Fuel standout Leah Pruett, this year as the couple focused on starting a family.

    Pruett gave birth to the couple’s first child, Dominic James Stewart, early Sunday morning, as Stewart then traveled back to Pomona to compete at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals that same day. He advanced to the semifinals to close out the NHRA season, one that also included a career-best run of 3.688-seconds at 334.73-mph in his 11,000-horsepower dragster.

    Stewart is one of motorsports’ most accomplished stars, winning championships in both NASCAR and IndyCar. He formed the two-car Tony Stewart Racing NHRA team in 2022 and raced in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series sportsman ranks before moving to Top Fuel in 2024.

    “It was an honor to be part of this group this year,” said Stewart, a NASCAR Hall of Famer. “The two main coaches I had were Matt Hagan and my wife, Leah. Thank you Leah for giving me this opportunity and I want to thank everyone at NHRA. It’s been a blast this year.”

    Pro Stock Motorcycle rising star Richard Gadson finished third in points in the two-wheeled category, advancing to a trio of final rounds and four semifinals. Gadson also won a Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge race.

    Salinas and Zetterstrom both made impressive Top Fuel debuts during the 2024 season, showing their potential to become major stars in the sport. Salinas, who took over driving for her father, Mike, had three round wins, dipping into the 3.60s for the first time at the finale in Pomona. Zetterstrom, the 2023 European Top Fuel world champion, made her NHRA debut in Brainerd, competing in the last eight races of 2024 and picking up three round wins as well.

    Wilkerson took over for his father and longtime standout, Tim Wilkerson, in the Funny Car ranks, advancing to the final round at the Charlotte 4-Wide race. He finished seventh in points and also advanced to three semifinals.

    Pro Stock drivers Foster, Reese and Wildgust also took to the track in the very competitive class.

    Last season, Chase Van Sant was named the 2023 Rookie of the Year. Other recent winners include Pro Stock’s Camrie Caruso in 2022 and Dallas Glenn in 2021, Top Fuel’s Justin Ashley in 2020 and Austin Prock in 2019. Prock won his first world championship in Funny Car in 2024.

    The NHRA Rookie of the Year award recognizes the top rookie competitor who also represents the future of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. The nation’s leading auto racing journalists select the winner through a voting system based on the following criteria: number of events competed in, performance on and off the racetrack, participation in NHRA promotions, and relationships with fans, sponsors, and media.

    About Mission Foods

    MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

    About NHRA

    NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X, Pingel Top Fuel Motorcycle and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

  • Toyota Wins First NHRA Manufacturers Cup

    Toyota Wins First NHRA Manufacturers Cup

    Takes home manufacturer championship in 23rd season of NHRA racing

    PLANO, Texas (Nov. 19, 2024) – For the first time in its 23 seasons of NHRA competition, Toyota has won the NHRA Manufacturers Cup. The 2024 season was the first time NHRA included the Top Fuel category in its distinctions for the Manufacturers Cup, to which Toyota’s resounding success in Top Fuel this year, along with its achievements in Funny Car, led to its first-ever season triumph.

    2024 was another astounding year for Toyota in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, where the manufacturer captured 16 victories in 20 NHRA events across the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories. At least one Toyota supported entry made the final round in every NHRA event this season and the brand has been represented in the final round in 43 consecutive races. Additionally, Toyota won its second consecutive Top Fuel driver’s championship, and eighth overall, with Antron Brown this season.

    “The 2024 NHRA season has been storybook for Toyota and to complete it with our first NHRA Manufacturers Cup is icing on the cake,” said Paul Doleshal, Group Manager, motorsports, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). “None of this would’ve been possible without the incredible efforts of our partner teams, drivers, our engineers at TRD and so many others this season, and we’re proud to celebrate with all involved. This championship is another tremendous accomplishment in Toyota’s motorsports history and one we’ll be sure to cherish for a long time.”

    Toyota supports six teams across NHRA’s Top Fuel and Funny Car categories, including Kalitta Motorsports, Torrence Racing, AB Motorsports, SCAG Racing’s Top Fuel program, Ron Capps Motorsports and DC Motorsports. Toyota drivers who were victorious during the 2024 season include: Antron Brown (six wins), Justin Ashley (four wins), Doug Kalitta (three wins), Shawn Langdon (two wins), Steve Torrence (one win) and J.R. Todd (one win). Toyota drivers also captured 11 No. 1 qualifying positions throughout the season.

    Toyota first entered NHRA drag racing in 2002 and has won eight Top Fuel and four Funny Car world championships with its supporting teams over its tenure. In Top Fuel, Toyota has won championships with Antron Brown (2024, 2016, 2015 and 2012), Doug Kalitta (2023), Shawn Langdon (2013), Del Worsham (2011) and Larry Dixon (2010). Toyota has captured Funny Car world championships with Ron Capps (2022), J.R. Todd (2018), Del Worsham (2015) and Cruz Pedregon (2008).

    About Toyota

    Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

    Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 30 electrified options.

    For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

  • 2024 NHRA MISSION FOODS DRAG RACING SERIES CHAMPIONS HONORED AT ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

    2024 NHRA MISSION FOODS DRAG RACING SERIES CHAMPIONS HONORED AT ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

    TEMECULA, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2024) – First-time world champion Austin Prock was honored Monday evening, along with multi-time world champs Antron Brown, Greg Anderson and Gaige Herrera during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series awards ceremony at the Pechanga Resort Casino in scenic Southern California Wine Country.

    The four standout competitors were crowned for their incredible achievements over the course of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and awarded their trophies for their championship runs during a memorable Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

    After a record-breaking year in his rookie Funny Car season, Prock secured his first world championship on Saturday following qualifying at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at the historic In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. Prock entered Pomona with a 188-point lead over his John Force Racing teammate Jack Beckman, who was racing for 16-time champion John Force. With the completion of qualifying at Pomona, Prock’s first world championship was a lock for his Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car team. Throughout the season, Prock was nearly unstoppable and collected eight event wins, including three in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, as well as 15 No. 1 qualifier positions, the most in Funny Car history. He then powered to NHRA’s fastest-ever pass on Sunday in Pomona when he clocked a 341.68 mph run, giving Prock the status of fastest driver in NHRA history.

    Brown secured his fourth world championship on Sunday following his semifinal victory over former champion Brittany Force. His Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel team then went on to win the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals over 2023 champion Doug Kalitta. Brown picked up six wins in 2024, tallying 80 career wins throughout his NHRA tenure. He kicked off his 2024 season with a win at the specialty Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout race at the Gatornationals in Gainesville. He went onto win in Chicago and Sonoma as well as three wins in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. With this world title, Brown joins an elite group of drivers including Tony Schumacher, Joe Amato and Steve Torrence with four or more Top Fuel championships.

    The Pro Stock championship battle came down to the final pass of the 2024 season with a winner-take-all matchup between Anderson and his KB Titan Racing teammate Dallas Glenn, with Anderson coming away with his sixth world championship in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. Throughout the 2024 season, Anderson remained consistent, staying within the top four all year. He picked up a win early at the Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park and then went on to win at his home track at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte. He picked up back-to-back final round appearances in the Countdown in Dallas and Las Vegas, before taking home his third win of the year at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals. The NHRA veteran earned his 106th win on Sunday and his 15th at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.

    For a second straight year, Herrera dominated the Pro Stock Motorcycle class en route to his second consecutive world championship. Rider of the RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, Herrera powered his way to 10 event wins throughout the 2024 season, including the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals as well as three wins in the playoffs. Herrera also broke NHRA’s most consecutive race win record by getting victories in 11 straight races, dating back to the 2023 campaign.

    In one of the closest races in recent history, Top Fuel’s Tony Stewart was named NHRA Rookie of the Year after a strong first season. The motorsports legend advanced to a pair of final rounds, four semifinals, a berth in the Countdown to the Championship and a ninth-place finish in Top Fuel points. Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Richard Gadson, Top Fuel’s Jasmine Salinas, Funny Car’s Daniel Wilkerson and Top Fuel’s Ida Zetterstrom also received votes in the hotly-contest race.

    The Crew of the Year awarded was given to a team in each professional category and was based on a number of statistical categories, including average qualifying position, average eliminations E.T., speed index, average points per race and oildowns. In Top Fuel, the Scag Power Equipment racing team of Justin Ashley earned the award for the first time, while Prock’s JFR team was named the top crew in Funny Car.

    The team of six-time champ Anderson earned the award in Pro Stock, while the Vance & Hines team for Herrera took home the honors in Pro Stock Motorcycle for the second straight year as well.

    The NHRA also recognized a pair of iconic figures for its Lifetime Achievement Award, including 2023 recipient Forrest Lucas, as well as Jim Dunn, who was acknowledged as the 2024 recipient.

    For the first time in NHRA history, Toyota won the NHRA’s Manufacturers Cup. The award is given to the automaker whose current model year vehicles accumulate the most points during the NHRA season. Among those who enjoyed banner seasons for Toyota were Top Fuel standouts Brown, Doug Kalitta, Ashley, Shawn Langdon, Billy Torrence and Steve Torrence, and Funny Car stars Ron Capps, J.R. Todd and Alexis DeJoria.

    Drivers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series were also recognized as 2024 world champions, including Cody Webber (Top Dragster), Allen Firestone (Top Sportsman), Val Torres (Super Gas), Colby Fuller (Super Comp), Joe Sorensen (Stock), Jimmy Hidalgo Jr. (Super Stock), Cody Lane (Comp), Sean Bellemeur (Top Alcohol Funny Car) and Shawn Cowie (Top Alcohol Dragster).

    The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins March 6-9 with the 56th annual NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway.

    About Mission Foods

    MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

    About NHRA

    NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X, Pingel Top Fuel Motorcycle and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

  • All-female F1 ACADEMY series to return for next year’s FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX

    All-female F1 ACADEMY series to return for next year’s FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX

    • F1 ACADEMY will return to Miami Gardens on May 2-4, 2025 as Round 3 of next year’s calendar
    • The junior series supports young female talent, aiming to broaden diversity, inclusivity and accessibility in motorsport
    • Miami’s event in 2025 will feature an F1 Sprint and the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, offering fans a full weekend of racing
    • The Miami International Autodrome, set within the campus of Hard Rock Stadium, continues to elevate Miami’s reputation as a vibrant, fan-centric destination

    MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – South Florida Motorsports (SFM), promoter of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX, announced today that F1 ACADEMY, the successful all-female racing series, will return to the Miami International Autodrome in 2025. The event, scheduled for May 2-4, will host Round 3 of F1 ACADEMY’s 2025 season, giving fans another exciting opportunity to watch elite talent in motorsport. It will be F1 ACADEMY’s first race in North America on the 2025 calendar.

    The FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2025 will once again boast an enhanced three-day schedule, as Formula 1 has selected next year’s event to feature a Sprint weekend format after a highly successful 2024. With the addition of a Saturday race, spectators are guaranteed three full days of on-track excitement. F1 ACADEMY and the popular one-make Porsche Carrera Cup North America will join the bill as support series, creating a thrilling lineup for fans to enjoy.

    “As a promoter, we are committed to doing our part in furthering the growth of motorsport, and the return of F1 ACADEMY to the Miami International Autodrome underscores that,” said Tyler Epp, President of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX. “Susie Wolff and her team have done a phenomenal job leading F1 ACADEMY and stewarding the opportunity to both develop and showcase young women in this sport, which we wholeheartedly celebrate and believe only enhances the experience for fans. Alongside our Sprint format and the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, we’re looking forward to delivering another exciting weekend of top-tier motorsport action in May.”

    Established in 2023, F1 ACADEMY aims to bridge the barriers to entry for young women in motorsport. By offering opportunities for drivers aged 16 to 25, the series is working towards a more inclusive and accessible motorsport environment. F1 ACADEMY drivers receive extensive support in all aspects of competition, from technical training to physical and mental preparation, helping them build the skills needed to progress to higher tiers of racing, such as Formula 3 on the path to Formula 1.

    The cars used in F1 ACADEMY are optimized for overtaking with versatile suspension setups and a focus on cost-effective competition. Powered by a four-cylinder, 1.4-litre turbocharged engine with a top speed of 150mph, these Tatuus-built cars provide the ideal stepping stone for young drivers advancing through junior categories. In the two rounds held at the Miami International Autodrome last May, Alpine Academy driver Abbi Pulling secured a double victory and is on course to secure this year’s championship.

    The FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2025 will be the fourth race to be held in Miami Gardens on a 3.36-mile track within the complex of Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. Each year, Miami is the first of three Formula 1 races to be held in the United States and has developed a reputation as an experience that combines world-class racing with the fun and culture of Miami, unrivaled food and beverage offerings and luxury hospitality.

    Tickets for next year’s race are now on sale, offering fans a range of exclusive experiences. New for 2025 is the McLaren grandstand, which offers attendees a 3-day grandstand ticket on the outside of Turns 6, 7, and 8, including team merchandise and a chance to win a thrilling passenger lap of the circuit. For ultimate luxury and access to three of Miami’s most elite hospitality settings on each day of the event, fans can select the LuxePass for The 72 Club, The Paddock Rooftop Club, and The Casa Tua Trackside Club. Alternatively, the Club Pass offers an elevated experience at The Vista Club, Boathouse and Turn 18 Club, blending modern splendor with panoramic views across the Miami International Autodrome. For more details, please visit https://f1miamigp.com/.

    About the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX

    The FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX, established in 2022 on the FIA Formula 1 World Championship calendar, is the premier culmination of world-class racing, fan experience, entertainment and hospitality. Located in the heart of Miami Gardens, Florida, the event was recognized as Best New Event of 2022 by Sports Business Journal and the event’s promoter South Florida Motorsports (SFM) was recently awarded the prestigious FIA Three-Star Environmental Accreditation rating for its overall sustainability and environmental management efforts. Now entering its fourth year, the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX is hosted by SFM at the Miami International Autodrome, a 19-turn, 3.36-mile track within the complex of Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the legendary Miami Dolphins NFL team.

    In its third edition, the race boasted more than 275,000 attendees and a record-breaking average audience of 3.1 million viewers on ABC – a mark previously held by the inaugural FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX – making it the largest live US television audience on record for a Formula 1 race. The event has generated more than $1 billion in economic impact to South Florida over its three years. SFM and Formula 1 have also worked closely to engage with and support the local Miami Gardens community, providing thousands of tickets annually for residents, creating a STEM education program through F1 in Schools, offering event internships for local students and featuring several community-owned restaurants on Campus during race weekend each year.

    About Formula 1®

    The history of Formula 1® began in 1950 and is the world’s most prestigious motorsport competition and the world’s most popular annual sporting series. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1 and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship™.

    Formula 1 is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LSXMA, LSXMB, LSXMK, BATRA, BATRK, FWONA, FWONK) attributed to the Formula One Group shares.

    The F1 FORMULA 1 logo, FORMULA 1, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX, PADDOCK CLUB and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula One company. All rights reserved.

    For more information about Formula 1® visit: www.formula1.com

  • Prock wins his first NHRA Funny Car Championship

    Prock wins his first NHRA Funny Car Championship

    While qualifying at the 59th annual In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip NHRA Finals, Funny Car’s Austin Prock clinched his first career world championship for John Force Racing.

    Prock made the fastest run in NHRA history, driving his AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS at 341.68 mph during the first round of eliminations on Sunday at the 59th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at Pomona Dragstrip.

    Austin Prock 340 mph
    Photo Credit: NHRA

    Prock reached 289.69 by 660 feet, and for the first time in NHRA history, any driver reached the 340-mph mark in an NHRA event.

    “To run 3.80 last night in this Chevrolet Camaro and then back it up with 341 (mph), it just is a testament to how great this team is. Right when you think we’re done, we just keep one-upping everyone. It’s such a fun racecar to drive. I’m so proud of my family, so proud of this team. What a great opportunity. Yeah, I’m getting pretty comfortable in this Chevrolet. I saw the scoreboard the last two runs, and definitely catching up to this Funny Car. Definitely going to keep on getting better and better.” Prock said.

    “How about that Chevrolet? That was awesome. It caught me off guard, honestly. We were just really trying to go from A to B. To go 341 mph and some change in a Chevrolet Camaro, that’s something to be proud of. I just can’t thank Chevrolet enough for everything they’ve done for us over the years. I’m proud to race for them.” Prock said.

    Before Sunday, Prock made a track-record run of 3.804 seconds at 334.57 miles per hour for the No. 1 qualifier in his AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS. This was the quickest run in Funny Car since 2017 and the fourth quickest in the class’s history. The Saturday qualifier is Prock’s 15th in 20 events, a record, and the 18th of his career.

    “As a competitor, you always believe you can win and go out there and win championships. To go from losing a ride to understanding Robert (Hight) had to step out, and those were some unfortunate circumstances. But it was a dream come true for me. I never wanted it to happen that way, but always wanted to drive a Funny Car, always wanted to race with my family. Man, I got in this thing, and I just felt so comfortable, I felt at home. I knew the capability of this team. I’ve watched my dad (Jimmy Prock) my entire life, and man, this ‘Prock Rocket’ just flies. I knew if I could at least do a decent job, we could turn on some win lights, win some races. Things just went much better than that. This thing was on kill all year long. I think that there in the final, that was the third time it didn’t make it past the Christmas Tree after Bradenton. Outstanding weekend, outstanding year.” Prock said.

    Prock has had an impressive and incredibly dominant first year in Funny Car. In His First Season Driving the Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, Prock Amassed Eight Victories and 12 final rounds in 20 races on his way to claiming the coveted title.

    Austin Prock
    Photo Credit: NHRA

    Previously, Prock raced in Top Fuel, won four times, and was the 2019 Rookie of the Year. He joined the John Force Racing Cornwell Tools Funny Car team with his father, Jimmy Prock, brother, Thomas Prock, and Nate Hildahl, serving as co-crew chiefs after three-time world champ Robert Hight was sidelined for medical reasons before the season began.

    He won his first Funny Car race in Phoenix and then at Bristol, Richmond, and Seattle during the regular season. He also won the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals for the first time in his career and captured playoff wins in Reading and Charlotte.

    At that point in the season, Prock had enjoyed 14 straight round wins and took a commanding lead down the stretch of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Prock followed with a victory in Las Vegas, a part of a John Force Racing double-up with Brittany Force.

    The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins on March 6-9 with the NHRA Gatornationals at the legendary Gainesville Raceway.

  • Antron Brown Captures Fourth NHRA Top Fuel Title at Pomona

    Antron Brown Captures Fourth NHRA Top Fuel Title at Pomona

    Earns Toyota’s Eighth NHRA Top Fuel Driver’s Championship

    POMONA, Calif. (November 17, 2024) – Toyota driver Antron Brown won his fourth NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel world championship after racing action at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on Sunday. The championship is Brown’s first since 2016, adding to his already legendary accolades that also includes the 2012 and 2015 Top Fuel titles. Brown’s triumph also marks the eighth Top Fuel title for Toyota since they joined the category in 2007.

    Brown won six races in the 2024 season, while also scoring 33 round wins over 20 races to claim the Top Fuel championship.

    TOYOTA FAST FACTS

    • Brown’s six wins this season were at Route 66 Raceway (May), Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park (June), Sonoma Raceway (July), Maple Grove Raceway (September) zMAX Dragway (September) and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip (November).
    • Each time Brown made the final round this season, he captured victory
    • Brown moved into second all-time in Top Fuel victories this season, now with 64 overall to his name. He’s also Toyota’s all-time winningest NHRA racer with all 64 wins as part of the Toyota family.
    • The 2024 championship makes Brown the fourth Top Fuel driver with at least four world championships.
    • This is the first world championship for Brown’s AB Motorsports, which was started in 2022.
    • Brown’s 2024 championship adds to Toyota’s legacy in NHRA Top Fuel racing, accompanying the championships by himself in 2012, 2015 and 2016; Larry Dixon (2010); Del Worsham (2011); Shawn Langdon (2013); and Doug Kalitta (2023).

    TOYOTA QUOTES

    ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, AB Motorsports

    “It’s all right here with this Mission Foods (championship) trophy! When everybody sees that AB Motorsports logo, it has that cross in the middle, all the glory goes to God. He gives us the strength to make this happen and to do it, because I didn’t have the faith in myself to do it, to start a team, for us to ever do this on our own like we did. But he gave us the faith, gave us the will and here we are with all these great partners like Matco Tools, Summit Racing, Toyota. They all make this possible for us and keep this going each and every day. And Sirius XM always has us tuned in. I tell you what, this team is resilient. We never quit, we never stop and when we lined up this weekend, and we saw our matchup as we didn’t qualify where we wanted to – it was like doomsday. Justin Ashley in the first round, then you go to Shawn Langdon, and we were both trying to throw at it and go down. And in that semifinal round against Brittany (Force), we had to go down the track. Hit the tree and go down track and if they run a 3.64 or 3.65, so be it, but we at least have to give ourselves a fighting chance. That 3.68 came right on time and I got down through there. To get this (championship), I tell you what, is incredible. Truly a blessing. I love all my family at home, my kids, everybody. We love you! This is coming back to Indianapolis, Indiana, and I can’t believe we did it!”

    BRIAN CORRADI, Crew chief, Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, AB Motorsports

    “All the glory goes to the number one himself, God. Antron Brown is the most deserving guy out here, and I can’t say enough about him. Mark (Oswald, co-crew chief) leaving, (pause) hurts. Not sure what I’m going to do without him. We’ve been together for a long time. My guys who work at our team, they’re sitting around that trailer, have that look on their faces and I’m like, ‘God’s got this figured out, we just have to live it and not do anything stupid.’ Thank you, guys, and NHRA, you’re the best. Thank you!”

    PAUL DOLESHAL, Group Manager, Motorsports, Toyota Motor North America

    “Antron Brown has been a staple of Toyota Racing for many years, and we are proud to be a part of his fourth world championship. Antron has put his mark on NHRA’s history and having him within the Toyota Racing family has been and continues to be a tremendous honor for our organization. We look forward to celebrating with Antron, his family and the AB Motorsports entire team!”

    About Toyota

    Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

    Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 30 electrified options.

    For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.