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Other series racing

  • Canadian Patrick Woods-Toth Takes Pole, Leads Practice in FR Americas at CTMP

    Canadian Patrick Woods-Toth Takes Pole, Leads Practice in FR Americas at CTMP

    BOWMANVILLE, Ontario, Canada (August 30, 2024) – Canadian Patrick Woods-Toth took the pole in Formula Regional Americas Championship presented by Mosport Karting Centre (FR Americas) competition on Friday afternoon after leading practice at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP). Posting a 1:14.846 lap during qualifying, Woods-Toth (No. 27 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) led his Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport teammates, with the powerhouse organization taking the top-four qualifying spots. After each topping the speed charts during yesterday’s test sessions, Titus Sherlock (No. 31 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) and Jett Bowling (No. 02 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F3) rounded out the top three—both within a half second of Woods-Toth. Landan Matriano Lim (No. 73 739Racing Ligier JS F3) was fourth, with Nova Scotia-native James Lawley (No. 77 Kartbahn Racing Ligier JS F3) completing the top five, just 1.203-seconds behind the leader.

    Earlier today, Woods-Toth topped the leaderboard for the lone FR Americas practice session at CTMP. A native of Saint-Lazare, Quebec, Woods-Toth recorded a 1:14.598 lap, beating Bowling by more than a half second. Lawley, the only driver in the field with previous experience at CTMP after competing in a first-generation Ligier JS F4 at the track last year, rounded out the top three.

    Lights out for Race 1 at CTMP is scheduled for today at 4:30 p.m. ET. Live timing and scoring for all of this weekend’s sessions will be available on the Race Monitor App, with additional news and updates posted on the series’ social channels: Facebook, Instagram and X.

    CTMP – Round 15 Official Grid
    1 27 Patrick Woods-Toth/St-Lazare CAN Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport 1:14.846 118.275 –
    2 31 Titus Sherlock/Prosper Texas Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport 1:15.130 117.828 0.284
    3 02 Jett Bowling/Dallas Texas Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport 1:15.266 117.615 0.420
    4 73 Landan Matriano Lim/Shreveport La. 739Racing 1:16.022 116.445 1.176
    5 77 James Lawley/Halifax CAN KartBahn Racing 1:16.049 116.404 1.203
    6 25 Ricco Shlaimoun/Los Angeles Calif. Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport 1:16.610 115.551 1.764
    7 3 Hayden Bowlsbey/Folson La. IGY6 Motorsports/Save22 1:17.043 114.902 2.197
    8 24 Kevin Janzen/Deerfield Beach Fla. US Power Group/ Data Center Solutions 1:17.052 114.889 2.206
    9 6 Nicole Havrda/Courtenay CAN Valley Kitchens /Colonial Countertops 1:17.354 114.44 2.508
    10 07 Anthony Autiello/Cranston R.I. Momentum Motorsports 1:22.147 107.763 7.301

  • BLogic Systems Partners with Forte Racing

    BLogic Systems Partners with Forte Racing

    Austin, Texas (Friday, August 29, 2024) – Forte Racing is proud to announce their new multi-year partnership with BLogic Systems, a payment technology solutions company based in Northern California. BLogic Systems became the exclusive payment technology partner for the Southern California based Forte Racing team and is supporting their IMSA GTD and Lamborghini Super Trofeo programs.

    BLogic Systems’ innovative payment technology allows Forte Racing to use multiple payment options to optimize all of their revenue streams on a single platform. The company’s goal is to provide an innovative, user-friendly point-of-sale (POS) solution to businesses of all sizes with top-notch customer service.

    Erick Tu, President of BLogic Systems, is excited to enter the motorsport arena as a partner of Forte Racing. He looks forward to bringing the company that was built on a foundation of listening to the needs of every individual business owner to the world of sports car racing and the businesses that support those race teams.

    “We are thrilled to partner with Forte Racing to bring people-first, customized payment technology solutions to the fast-paced world of motorsports,” Tu said. “BLogic Systems is dedicated to ensuring seamless transactions with unmatched flexibility, reliability, and efficiency at the track and beyond.”

    Forte Racing Team Principal Shane Seneviratne is delighted to be the racing partner for a tech company that is unique in their capability to offer flexible and customized payment solutions based on the individual customer’s needs. Unlike other processors, BLogic takes a tailored approach to helping merchants save as much as possible.

    “I’m extremely excited to have BLogic as our team’s payment solutions partner,” Seneviratne said. “The fact that they were able to tailor their product to our specific needs was a big incentive for our team to enter into the partnership. Erick (Tu) and his team have been exceptionally easy to work with and we’re looking forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.”

    Click here for more information on how BLogic Systems can help your business and be sure to follow the team at Forte Racing.

    About Forte Racing (Formerly known as US RaceTronics)

    Forte Racing is a Los-Angeles based Motorsport team supported by Lamborghini Squadra Corse and competing in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, the IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series.

    Founded in 2023 and operated by US RaceTronics, the Italian-American team’s GT Daytona title contender is a Lamborghini Huracan EVO2 GT3 driven by Pro driver Loris Spinelli and Misha Goikhberg. The ream finished the 2023 season with four top-five finishes in the last five races of the season and included a 2nd-place finish at Indianapolis and a win at the season-finale Petit LeMans. The team finished an impressive rookie season fifth in the IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship.

    The team line-up for the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship includes the team’s 2023 Petit LeMans winning driver Goikhberg and Spinelli along with NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver Devlin DeFrancesco for the five IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races.

    US RaceTronics (USRT) was founded by Shane Seneviratne in 2005 to compete in the Atlantic Championship, a formula race car series. The team finished 5th in points its first year and continued its success during the succeeding years, ultimately amassing a total of 21 podiums, 7 poles, 5 race wins and finishing 3rd in the 2009 Atlantic Championship. USRT was put on hold after series officials announced the Atlantic Series was put on hiatus.

    Seneviratne fully returned to racing in 2015 after receiving an invitation to manage the O’Gara Motorsport entries in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo North American (LBSTNA) Series. The team won the Team Championship, Dealership Championship, Pro Championship and Amateur Championship that season.

    The success of 2015 reignited Seneviratne’s passion for racing and he relaunched US RaceTronics to compete in the 2016 LBSTNA Series. The team has won multiple North American and World Championships and expects to add to their success as they enter their eighth season in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North American Series. The team also competed in 2023 with one car each in the IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship and the IMSA VP Challenge and will be expanding their entries in 2024.

    For more information on how to become a driver with US RaceTronics, learn more about the Series, or attend a race, visit www.usracetronics.com.

    About O’Gara Motorsport

    O’Gara Motorsport was founded in 2014 by owner Tom O’Gara and celebrated winning the 2015 North American Lamborghini Super Trofeo driver and team Championships. The team goal is to achieve victories in the Series as well as showcasing the brands of their sponsors both on and off the track. With a vertically integrated platform that starts at the dealership and accelerates to the top levels of professional sports car racing, everyone at O’Gara is dedicated to providing a comprehensive program for anyone, from the casually curious to the dedicated racer.

    About Change Racing

    Founded by Lamborghini Charlotte CEO and long time real estate developer, John E. Littlefield, Change Racing is the premier championship winning team. Claiming 18 titles in various classes; Change Racing has competed in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series since its inception in 2013.

    Most recently claiming the 2021 Amateur World Championship in Misano, Italy. Change Racing also claimed all SIX 2020 North American Championships, including the Pro, Pro-Am, Am and LB Cup class championships as well as the Team and Owner championships.

  • Lochie Hughes Crowned USF Pro 2000 Champion, Secures First Title for Turn 3 Motorsport

    Lochie Hughes Crowned USF Pro 2000 Champion, Secures First Title for Turn 3 Motorsport

    Portland, Ore. (August 30, 2024) – Australian driver Lochie Hughes successfully clinched the 2024 USF Pro 2000 Championship presented by Continental Tire with a stellar performance at the Continental Tire Grand Prix of Portland season finale, also securing the first championship win for Turn 3 Motorsport. Hughes’ triumph marks a significant milestone for the 22-year-old and the team, as he now advances with a scholarship prize valued at $681,500 to compete in the INDY NXT series, the final stepping stone to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the iconic Indianapolis 500.

    Hughes’ remarkable rookie season was capped off with multiple accolades, including four pole positions, five wins, six additional podiums, and the Rookie of the Year award, which comes with a $7,500 prize. Turn 3 Motorsport also shined off the track, with Neil O’Donovan and Matthew McComish earning the Makita Tools Mechanics of the Year award, and Peter Dempsey receiving the inaugural Marelli Engineer of the Year honor, a distinction given to one standout engineer across the entire USF Pro Championships ladder.

    RACE 1 RECAP:

    Race 1 at the 1.964-mile, 12-turn road course of Portland International Raceway kicked off under challenging rainy conditions, with a wet track causing multiple cars to spin and slide off at the start in Turn 1. Hughes managed to navigate the #44 car through the treacherous opening laps and settled into third place, displaying caution and long-term strategy as the race continued to unfold.

    Danny Dyszelski also made it through the opening lap disarray, moving up to fifth, while Tyke Durst followed suit and climbed up to tenth.

    Following a restart on Lap 4, Hughes carefully maintained his position amid the chaos, ultimately dropping to sixth over the following laps but keeping his eye on the bigger prize. With his main championship competitor Jace Denmark spinning out and falling a lap down after the restart, Hughes knew he just needed to finish the race at that point to lock in the championship title. And that he did; a sixth place finish in Race 1 secured the championship title for Hughes with one race still to go, a testament to his consistency and skill throughout the season.

    Meanwhile, Dyszelski fought hard to hold his ground in the remaining laps and brought the #3 car home in a well-earned seventh position, crossing the finish line just behind Hughes.

    Durst had worked his way forward to a season-high eighth position on track, but unfortunately faced setbacks after missing the corner in Turn 1, forcing him to relinquish his gains temporarily and ultimately placing him 12th for Race 1.

    44 Lochie Hughes // USF Pro 2000

    Private Wealth Planning / The McGinley Group / Grip Auto Timepieces
    “2024 Champions!” said Hughes. “We did exactly what we needed to do in Portland to seal the deal. I can’t thank my Turn 3 Motorsport family enough for everything they have done for me this year. I say family because it really is one. To see the whole team crying after we won was something I’ve never seen before, and it shows how much it means to everyone involved. I’m incredibly proud to have driven for this team, and I’m sad it’s over but so grateful to everyone at Turn 3 for this incredible season.”

    3 Danny Dyszelski // USF Pro 2000

    Vera Guitars / Formula Imports / Charlotte Mechanical
    “It was a decent end to a very strong rookie season,” said Dyszelski. “I made a mistake in qualifying which ended up hurting our overall results for this weekend, but we were still able to bring home a pair of top-ten finishes to end the year. I’m super proud of the incredible car Turn 3 Motorsport gave me all year and happy with the results we were able to achieve in our rookie season.”

    33 Tyke Durst // USF Pro 2000

    FHI / Relay Payments / Drive Toward a Cure
    “Portland was a tough one,” said Durst. “We had decent pace and made up positions in the starts of both races, but unfortunately, mistakes I made took us out of easy top-ten finishes. This year has been incredibly challenging as a driver. There were many races that were looking good until something happened. I’ll take those lessons to heart this off season and get after it going into 2025. A huge thank you to Turn 3 Motorsport for always giving me a great car and for all the support in my rookie season.”

    Team Owner, Peter Dempsey
    “First off, I’m very proud of the effort that Lochie (Hughes) and all of our drivers put into this year,” said Team Owner Peter Dempsey. “We were very fortunate to have such a great group of drivers this year from start to finish. I’m super thankful that Lochie was able to win the championship—the first one for our team. It’s a moment that will never be forgotten. He truly deserves his prize, and I want to wish him the best moving forward into 2025 and beyond. It was a pleasure to work with him through the year, and we truly enjoyed every moment.”

    “A huge thank you also to all the effort our whole crew put in all year long to be able to pull this off,” continued Dempsey. “I’m thankful for every person who was a part of our team from the start of the season until the end. None of this would be possible without the people we had in our program this year. I’m grateful to have such a strong group of people to allow us to perform at the highest level as a team.”

    “Thank you also to my wife and team co-owner Mandy (Dempsey) who is the glue to this whole program. Her efforts have never gone unnoticed throughout the season. Now we turn our attention to 2025, and I know how determined we are as a team to keep this momentum going. It was an amazing year, and now we are aiming to come back even stronger in 2025.”

    With the conclusion of the 2024 USF Pro 2000 Championship season, all focus shifts forward into post-season testing and the series-wide Fall Combine event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway October 19-20.
    To stay up to date on Turn 3 Motorsport, follow the team on social media using the handle @turn3motorsport.

    For more information or images, please contact Mandy Dempsey at turn3motorsport@gmail.com.
    About Turn 3 Motorsport: Turn 3 Motorsport is a full-service operation specializing in racecar preparation, engineering, and driver development. Founded and managed by racecar driver and coach Peter Dempsey, T3M is focused on professional service, team member growth, and high-level performance across multiple racing series.

    In 2019, the team secured the Blue Marble Cocktails Radical Cup North America championship titles in the 1340cc, 1500cc, and overall classes. Later that year, Peter and Turn 3 Motorsport achieved a record-breaking win at the NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race, piloting the #10 Eastern Racing / Turn 3 Motorsport Radical SR3 RSX 1340 to a dominating win, leading 638 out of 672 laps, and becoming the first car under two liters to achieve the overall win.

    In the team’s rookie season, Turn 3 Motorsport attracted attention out of the gate by winning the season opener of the 2020 Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires in a sweeping performance with Singaporean driver Danial Frost. Frost and the team went on to achieve a pole position, six podium finishes, and third overall in the championship in 2020.

    In 2021, T3M expanded its presence in the Road to Indy by introducing a two-car program into the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship alongside its Indy Pro 2000 Championship campaign. In its debut USF2000 season, the team found victory at the season finale with American driver Josh Green as well as earning an additional podium and fifth overall in the championship. The team earned further accolades in the Indy Pro 2000 series with a race win at the season finale by Irish driver James Roe as well as a pole position at World Wide Technology Raceway and seventh overall in the championship.

    In 2022, T3M showed its strength and teamwork by achieving a podium, win, and/or pole at 7 of the 9 events on the Road to Indy calendar with rookie drivers Josh Green, Jonathan Browne, and Christian Weir each earning the aforementioned results across two different series (USF2000 and Indy Pro 2000).

    In 2023, T3M tied for the most amount of wins in the USF Pro 2000 season with drivers Michael d’Orlando and Christian Brooks earning a total of five wins for the team. The team also earned seven pole positions, the most of any other team, and finished second overall in the Team Championship.

  • PSM’S MATT SMITH LOOKS TO CONTINUE MOMENTUM THROUGH THE TOYOTA NHRA U.S. NATIONALS

    PSM’S MATT SMITH LOOKS TO CONTINUE MOMENTUM THROUGH THE TOYOTA NHRA U.S. NATIONALS

    INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 30, 2024) – When six-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith returns this weekend’s 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, he brings with him not only his success from last season, but also his last race.

    Smith, rider of the DENSO Auto Parts Buell, made a statement in Sonoma when he swept the weekend by winning the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle NHRA All-Star Callout specialty event and earning the No. 1 qualifier position before going on to win the event on Sunday.

    “We finally broke through for the win in Sonoma and that was the first time since Reading of last year,” said Smith. “Our DENSO Auto Parts Buell team has been working hard over the last year and I want to think we’re peaking at the right time and Indy is the perfect place to keep the momentum going.”

    Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all claimed Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals victories in 2023 and this year’s race will again be broadcast on FOX and FS1, including a special Pep Boys Funny Car All-Star Callout broadcast on FOX at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday and eliminations coverage on FOX beginning at 2 p.m. on Monday.

    It is the 14th of 20 races during the 2024 campaign and the final race in the regular season, and plenty is on the line at the prestigious race.

    Last year in Indy, Smith advanced to the final round where he faced Hector Arana Jr. Arana went red, giving Smith his two consecutive Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals title.

    In 2024, the class has seen the same dominance from reigning class champion Gaige Herrera, with only Smith and Chase Van Sant as other winners in the field. With sights set on the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, Smith is second in points and knows a seventh championship is still within reach.

    “I’m getting older and there’s a lot of young guns shooting for us, but I can still do this. I can still win a championship, and I would love to get seven and that’s my goal right now,” Smith said.

    In the Top Fuel ranks, Brown is aiming for his third straight Indianapolis win. With three wins so far this season, he is aiming for his fourth NHRA world title. Leading the points is reigning champion Doug Kalitta following by his Kalitta Motorsports teammate Shawn Langdon. Also in the hunt is Brainerd winner Justin Ashley and four-time champ Steve Torrence.

    The stars of the Funny Car class will have an added layer of competition in Indy with the addition of the Pep Boys Funny Car All-Star Callout on Sunday. Bob Tasca III will have his pick of the star-studded field of Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Chad Green, J.R. Todd, Cruz Pedregon, Alexis DeJoria and Paul Lee.

    Hartford earned his 2023 Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals win when he defeated Fernando Cuadra Jr. in the final round. After a tough season in 2024, Hartford will be looking for a strong finish in Indy to make up for his early season struggles. Dallas Glenn leads the points and is the most recent winner on the circuit. Multi-time champs Greg Anderson and Erica Enders are in second and third with Aaron Stanfield and Jeg Coughlin Jr. round out the top five.

    The 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals promises to be one of the biggest in the illustrious history of The Big Go. It features the final Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge of the year and the Pep Boys Funny Car All-Star Callout, as well as the special Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection and the Rooftec Comp Cash Clash, along with racing in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ and NHRA Holley EFI Factory X, plus:

    • A special 70th anniversary NHRA U.S. Nationals pennant for the first 8,000 fans in attendance for eliminations on Monday, Sept. 2.
    • Free parking for all fans and children 12-under admitted free.
    • An unforgettable Top Eliminator Club experience, including NHRA driver appearances, food and drink, TEC gift bag, starting line seats and much more.
    • The biggest field in drag racing featuring more than 900 cars.

    Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Indy can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Monday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Monday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

    As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Indy. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

    NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:45 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 30, two rounds at 12 and 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 31 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 12 and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 2.

    The first round of the Pep Boys Funny Car All-Star Callout takes place at 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 1, with the semifinals at 2:40 p.m. and the final round at 4:30 p.m. A special broadcast of the Callout takes place on FOX at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday.

    Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 1 p.m. ET on Friday and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, and eliminations beginning at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.

    To purchase tickets to the 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

    About Toyota

    Toyota (NYSE:TM), creator of the Prius hybrid and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota and Lexus brands, and directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America (more than 49,000 in the U.S.).

    Over the past 65 years, Toyota has assembled nearly 47 million cars and trucks in North America at the company’s 12 manufacturing plants. By 2025, the company’s 13th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

    Through our more than 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.), Toyota sold more than 2.6 million cars and trucks (more than 2.2 million in the U.S.) in 2023, of which more than one quarter were electrified vehicles (full battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell).

    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 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.

  • SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR PEP BOYS FUNNY CAR ALL-STAR CALLOUT DRIVERS AT TOYOTA NHRA U.S. NATIONALS

    SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR PEP BOYS FUNNY CAR ALL-STAR CALLOUT DRIVERS AT TOYOTA NHRA U.S. NATIONALS

    Bob Tasca III is the top seed in loaded eight-car specialty race, which provides a memorable chance for big money and bragging rights at The Big Go

    INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 29, 2024) – For eight Funny Car drivers competing at the prestigious 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals, the world’s biggest drag race provides a chance to do something incredibly special.

    Eight standouts – Bob Tasca III, Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Chad Green, J.R. Todd, Cruz Pedregon, Alexis DeJoria and Paul Lee – are all part of the Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout specialty race, which takes place on Sunday and offers a big purse and major bragging rights as part of the world’s biggest drag race.

    It’s also a chance for drivers to double-up on drag racing’s biggest stage, something Ron Capps did two years ago when he won the Callout and then The Big Go for the first time. Capps has a chance to replicate that this weekend, while a trio of drivers – Hagan, Green and Todd – have the unique opportunity to win a remarkable three times in a single weekend.

    All three are part of the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday, with the bonus race serving as another opportunity for Indy glory at the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals.

    The first round of the Pep Boys Funny Car All-Star Callout takes place at 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 1, with the semifinals at 2:40 p.m. and the final round at 4:30 p.m. A special broadcast of the Callout takes place on FOX at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday.

    The winning driver who makes the quickest run in the opening round will select their semifinal opponent, with a big purse and major bragging rights on the line in the finals.

    Tasca, driver of the 11,000-horsepower Ford Performance Mustang Dark Horse, will get the first chance to select his opponent, with the first-round picks taking place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday in the Top Eliminator club.

    “If I was trying to win one round, winner-take-all, I would put an awful lot of thought into it. But the whole spirit of the Callout, you want to win the Callout, not just one round,” Tasca said. “To win it, you’ve got to win three rounds and you’ve got to win against the best of the best.

    “We’ll have some fun with it, but the whole point is to win the entire Callout, not just that first round. Indy is one of the most epic races of your whole career and I get chills just thinking about it. I’ve been coming here since I was 12 years old and I have so many memories there. I haven’t gotten that Indy trophy yet, but we’ll be laser-focused. But it’s going to be tough going against a field this close.”

    Here’s what the other seven drivers competing in the Pep Boys All-Star Funny Car Callout had to say approaching the specialty race and the huge weekend in Indy:

    Ron Capps, driver of the NAPA Auto Care Toyota GR Supra: “It’s going to come down to having your act together, but it’s going to be fun. You’ve got to wait and see what happens – the last two years proved that. Right now, there’s so many cars running well, so if you call someone out, it could come back to haunt you. You’ve got to approach it like a race, but the Callout has brought in a whole new aspect. We (make the selection) as a team and I guess we’ll wait and see what Tasca does.”

    Matt Hagan, driver of the Dodge Direct Connection//SRT Hellcat: “You’ve got to put yourself up against the wall and press. We seem to do well with that and it’s just one of those things where we’re supposed to do well here and we need to do well. Sometimes, you’ve just got to let it come to you. We’ve got the car and you’ve just got to try and make it happen. To think about trying to win all of it is overwhelming. You would be blessed to just win one time, so I think you just have to be realistic and let it happen.”

    Chad Green, driver of the Bond-Coat Ford Mustang: “We feel a little behind the eight-ball, but hopefully we’ll come out at Indy and the car will be back where it’s been and we’ll make a good run at this. I think it just adds a lot of excitement to the weekend and what is already the biggest weekend of the year even more exciting. It’s awesome and I’m just so honored to be involved. It’s going to make the weekend that much more fun.”

    J.R. Todd, driver of the DHL Toyota GR Supra: “The guys have been working hard the past week and it’s nice to have the group of guys I do. Hopefully, we can come out swinging and do well in qualifying so we can really be focused on racing in the Callout on Sunday. I’m just glad to be in it. You’ve just got to go out there and do your job, and I hope I’m the one racing for big money on Sunday and Monday.”

    Cruz Pedregon, driver of the Snap-On Tools Dodge SRT Hellcat: “I feel like we’re ready, but we’re going to have to be. The car is starting to come around. I feel like we need to qualify in the top half and our car will be one to watch. I’m a competitor and also a fan, and I think the Callout is really cool when someone picks an opponent that’s right up there. I hope it continues this year and all the cars are really good.”

    Alexis DeJoria, driver of the Bandero Cafe Toyota GR Supra: “We definitely need to make up some ground. It’s not for a lack of effort, but we’ve just been having some struggles. I hope now is the time we’re going to shine. I know I’m ready to go and my team is as well. The team that makes the less mistakes is going to come out on top.”

    Paul Lee, driver of the McLeod Racing/FTI Performance Dodge Charger: “Since last year, we’ve been qualifying really well, so it’s well-deserved by the team. We wanted to be in this and being in this gave us a little more incentive to try and do well. It is exciting because we’ve never been involved in one. I remember watching those specialty races in Indy growing up, so it’s going to be cool to be a part of it this weekend.”

    The specialty event promises to be a huge attraction at the 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals, which will be one of the biggest in the illustrious history of The Big Go. It features the final Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge of the year, as well as the special Sox & Martin Hemi Challenge presented by the McCandless Collection and the Rooftec Comp Cash Clash, along with racing in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ and NHRA Holley EFI Factory X, plus:

    • A special 70th anniversary NHRA U.S. Nationals pennant for the first 8,000 fans in attendance for eliminations on Monday, Sept. 2.
    • Free parking for all fans and children 12-under admitted free.
    • An unforgettable Top Eliminator Club experience, including NHRA driver appearances, food and drink, TEC gift bag, starting line seats and much more.
    • The biggest field in drag racing, with more than 900 cars competing at the event.

    Last year, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Capps (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won, with Brown, Capps and Smith winning at Indy for the second straight year. This year’s race will again be broadcast on FOX and FS1, including eliminations on FOX at 2 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 2.

    Kalitta currently leads the Top Fuel ranks, while Austin Prock’s debut season in Funny Car has been a huge success as he leads the way. Dallas Glenn is the Pro Stock points leader, while Gaige Herrera has six wins to his credit in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Other stars to watch include Top Fuel’s Ashley, Brittany Force, Shawn Langdon and racing legend Tony Stewart, who will make his Indy Top Fuel debut, Funny Car’s Jack Beckman, Pro Stock’s Erica Enders, Greg Anderson and Aaron Stanfield, and Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Chase Van Sant and Jianna Evaristo.

    NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:45 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 30, two rounds at 12 and 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 31 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 12 and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 2.

    Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and eliminations at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.

    To purchase tickets to the 70th annual Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

    2024 Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout Final Standings

    1. Bob Tasca III
    2. Ron Capps
    3. Matt Hagan
    4. Chad Green
    5. J.R. Todd
    6. Cruz Pedregon
    7. Alexis DeJoria
    8. Paul Lee

    (Note: Tasca will get the first selection for the opening round, followed by the next-highest seeded driver until matchups are set.)

    PEP BOYS NHRA FUNNY CAR ALL-STAR CALLOUT SCHEDULE (ET):

    Saturday, Aug. 31:

    11:30 AM – Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout first-round selections in Top Eliminator Club (Get your TEC Tickets Today!)

    Sunday, Sept. 1

    10:00 AM – Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout autograph session at Pep Boys display

    1:00 PM – Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout opening ceremonies

    1:05 PM – First round for Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout

    2:40 PM – Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout for round two. This will be conducted at the top end. The winning driver who makes the quickest run in the first round earns the right to select their semifinal opponent.

    4:30 PM – Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout final round

    5:00 PM – Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout show airs on FOX

    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 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.

  • Experience the thrill of the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix as tickets for next year’s race are now available

    Experience the thrill of the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix as tickets for next year’s race are now available

    • Grandstand tickets and luxury hospitality options go on sale TODAY for race fans to purchase here, including first-of-its-kind product offerings that allow fans to have three different experiences throughout race weekend
    • The 2025 race weekend will again feature a Sprint race and will take place across the weekend of May 2-4 at the Miami International Autodrome in the heart of Miami Gardens
    • New Grandstand Membership program unveiled to provide exclusive perks for fans who attend year after year
    • In recognition of Lando Norris’s first win at Miami, a new McLaren-themed grandstand will offer exclusive amenities and prime viewing areas

    MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – South Florida Motorsports (SFM), promoter of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX, is thrilled to announce that grandstand tickets and luxury hospitality spaces for the 2025 race go on sale today. Mark your calendars for an extraordinary weekend from May 2-4, 2025, as the world’s premier motor racing series returns to the Miami International Autodrome – the very place which kick-started the most exciting summer of competitive on-track action in recent memory.

    Building on a successful weekend in 2024 – including Lando Norris’s first victory, a sellout crowd and the most-watched Formula 1 race in US history – SFM is pleased to welcome fans for three days of great racing and experiences in 2025. Not only will the Sprint race format return to Miami Gardens, but fans will also have the opportunity to once again take in the excitement from popular spaces on the most unique campus on the Formula 1 circuit, such as the Hard Rock Beach Club, the dry-docked Marina and Boathouse, and the Hard Rock Stadium upper decks, providing grandstand and general admission fans the opportunity to watch all the happenings of the paddock.

    Additionally, South Florida Motorsports is excited to introduce two new premium seating experiences: the LuxePass and the Club Pass, available here. The FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX has earned a reputation for its diverse array of world-class hospitality offerings, and these new products allow attendees to take in unique panoramic views and luxury experiences throughout the MIA Campus on each day of race weekend. The LuxePass features access to The Paddock Rooftop Club, The Casa Tua Trackside Club and the 72 Club, while the Club Pass includes access to the Vista, Turn 18 Club and Boathouse. Both products, which include complimentary food and beverage offerings, are limited and expected to sell out quickly.

    South Florida Motorsports is also excited to unveil a brand-new option for fans at the 2025 race with a McLaren-themed grandstand. Perfect for McLaren enthusiasts and Lando Norris super fans, this grandstand offers a unique experience celebrating Norris’ maiden F1 victory at the Miami International Autodrome earlier this year. Located in a prime viewing area in the Marina Grandstand, the McLaren Grandstand provides fans with exclusive McLaren-themed amenities and the opportunity to connect with fellow McLaren supporters.

    Additionally, the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX will now offer exclusive perks for three-day grandstand buyers with the new Grandstand Membership. From now until the end of 2024, fans who purchase three-day grandstand tickets are automatically enrolled. Benefits include discounted renewal pricing, payment plans, year-round activations and exclusive access to race weekend events. The initiative is designed to enhance the fan experience and offer benefits throughout the year.

    “After an outstanding race in 2024, we are very excited to announce some new ticketing options for 2025,” said Tyler Epp, President of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX. “As we enter our fourth year hosting one of the most exciting events on the Formula 1 calendar, we’re aiming to create an experience that attendees will remember for a lifetime and provide a fan-first event that offers something for everyone. By creating the Grandstand Membership program, we want to enhance the fan experience and offer additional benefits to those who love coming to our race. And with the addition of the LuxePass, the Club Pass and the McLaren Grandstand, we want to provide fans a unique experience they can’t find anywhere else for each of the three days of competition on the track. As we aim to keep improving, we are excited for what’s ahead for 2025 and can’t wait to welcome fans back to Miami.”

    Grandstand tickets are available here for premium vantage points, including the Start/Finish Grandstand Presented by Gainbridge, which overlooks the pre-race grid ceremonies, the ‘lights-out’ start of the race, pit lane and checkered flag. In addition to the Beach and Marina Grandstands, there are options to purchase Turn 1 North Grandstand seating, to experience the action on the first turn, or the Turn 18 Grandstand, in which there is guaranteed to be plenty of overtaking at the end of the long DRS-enabled straight. All grandstands offer shaded sections, reserved seating, and access to the full MIA Campus experience.

    Tailored luxury options range from the soulful hospitality experience of the Casa Tua Trackside Club to the 72 Club that offer guests luxurious box-style seating and a climate-controlled lounge. There are multiple suites for exclusive privacy or fans can choose the vibrant energy of the clubs, such as Hard Rock Beach Club, for maximum excitement. Visit the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX website for more information and to purchase tickets for another extraordinary weekend of racing and entertainment on May 2-4, 2025.

    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.

    For more information please visit: https://media.f1miamigp.com/

    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

  • CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT MILWAUKEE: Team Chevy Race Advance

    CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT MILWAUKEE: Team Chevy Race Advance

    CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
    HY-VEE MILWAUKEE MILE DOUBLEHEADER
    MILWAUKEE MILE
    WEST ALLIS, WISCONSIN
    TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE
    AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

    CHEVROLET RETURNS TO THE MILWAUKEE MILE WITH MOMENTUM
    Will Power Coming Off of Win in Portland and Looking to Continue His Championship Charge

    • Racing to victory in Portland as well as World Wide Technology Raceway, Chevrolet returns to the Milwaukee Mile with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES seeking a third-in-a-row victory, and 10th of the year, as the season sees three races remaining to the championship.
    • Will Power and the No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet team are looking to capitalize on Power’s previous Milwaukee success, as well as his most recent win in Portland, to continue the charge for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship.
    • Returning to the Milwaukee Mile for the first time since 2015, Team Chevy looks to add on to the four wins in four races during the 2.2-liter twin turbo V6 era since 2012, as well as three NTT P1 pole awards, and 11 podium finishes.
    • Chevrolet swept the podium in three of the four races in the V6 era, including in 2012, 2013, and 2014, while claiming the top two steps on the podium in 2015. In 2012, the Bowtie brand claimed the top six finishing positions, in 2013 the top five, and in 2014 the top four.
    • Additionally, Chevrolet has led 796 of 975 laps led from 2012 to 2015, accounting for leading 81.6% of laps at the historical one-mile oval.
    • Chevrolet looks to score a sixth victory at in five events at Milwaukee in the new V6 with hybrid technology era after winning the debut in Mid-Ohio, sweeping the Iowa doubleheader, World Wide Technology Raceway, and Portland.
    • Team Chevy has nine victories, including the prestigious 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500, six earned NTT P1 Pole Awards, 11 podium finishes, and 992 laps led in 2024 with three races remaining.
    • Overall, Chevrolet has captured 120 race wins since 2012 in the V6 era, in addition to 135 earned NTT P1 pole awards, and 319 podium finishes.

    DETROIT (August 29, 2024) – As the NTT INDYCAR SERIES marches on towards the championship round in Nashville, three races remain for Team Chevy including the Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile doubleheader this weekend. Heading into the event, Chevrolet carries both victorious momentum as well as a winning history at the historical one-mile oval located at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis.

    Returning to the Milwaukee Mile for the first time since 2015, Chevrolet holds four victories in the four events held in the 2.2-liter twin turbo V6 era since 2012, in addition to capturing the earned NTT P1 Pole Award three times (2013, 2014, 2015). Of those four events, Team Chevy additionally swept the podium in 2012, 2013, and 2014, while claiming the top two steps in 2015. In 2012, Team Chevy finished first through sixth, with claiming the top five finishing positions in 2013 and top four in 2014.

    “Returning to the Milwaukee Mile this weekend will be exciting,” said Chevrolet INDYCAR Program Manager Rob Buckner. “With three races remaining in the championship, including two this weekend, and the ever-tight, competitive racing, it’s sure to be a show. The track races more like a road course despite it being a short track oval, and with winning history and momentum, we’re looking forward to potentially sweeping another doubleheader weekend like Iowa.”

    So far in 2024, the Bowtie brand has raced to nine victories, including the prestigious 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Starting on pole six times this year, Chevrolet additionally holds 11 podium finishes and 992 laps led.

    The Milwaukee Mile this weekend presents a special milestone for two Team Penske drivers, including Will Power, driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet and most recent winner on the circuit, making his 300th career start in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Saturday, his 214th for Team Chevy. Power’s teammate Josef Newgarden, driver of the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet, will make his 200th consecutive start.

    Since the beginning of the V6 era in 2012, Chevrolet has raced to victory 120 times as well as captured 135 earned pole awards in 213 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races. In the new hybrid era introduced to competition at Mid-Ohio this season, Team Chevy has captured five wins in six races and looks to continue that momentum with three races left in 2024.

    The Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile doubleheader race weekend kicks off with practice on Friday, Aug. 30 at 3:35 p.m. ET. Saturday sees qualifying at 2:15 p.m. ET, followed by the 250-lap, 250-mile Race 1 at 6 p.m. ET on Peacock. The second of two 250 lap events, Race 2, takes the green flag at 2:30 p.m. ET Sunday on USA Network. All practice and qualifying sessions broadcast with Peacock, INDYCAR Radio, and SiriusXM Channel 218.

    WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (Quotes):

    Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

    “Winning the pole was a massive morale boost, not just for myself, but for the entire team. Just showed how hard we’ve been working; how competitive we are and now the next step is to start collecting some trophies from the races.

    The approach for this weekend, since I’ve never raced here before, will be to have a consistent car. I think we learned a lot from the test, and obviously we want to win on one of these ovals, and I think we’ll have a great shot here at Milwaukee.”

    Sting Ray Robb, No. 41 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

    “Milwaukee is a very unique track. It’s flat and short and very low grip. So my approach this weekend is just going to be push the limits as much as possible early and get used to driving different lines with the car. It’s going to be hard to race there with the lanes being kind of single file. I think we’ll have a fairly good race car based on our oval experience so far this year. That doesn’t mean anything in INDYCAR racing because the field is tight. Really looking forward to finishing out strong and hopefully getting a couple more top tens. Our test there went okay, and with the application of what we learned, we should be good.”

    Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

    “This will be my first time racing at the Milwaukee Mile, so this will be a new challenge this weekend. Every day we’ll be learning something new, but I’m looking forward to seeing what this weekend has in store for us.”

    Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

    “I’m excited to get back to some short-oval racing in Milwaukee. The ovals have been really strong for us so far and I’m confident that we’ll be competitive. I’m hoping to get back to the form we were in at Gateway and fight for a podium this weekend.”

    Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

    “Doubleheader weekends are always exciting, and this has been a long-anticipated one with the return of the Milwaukee Mile. We need a perfect three races to finish the season and that starts this weekend.”

    Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:

    “We’re hopping back to the Milwaukee Mile with exciting low-banked short-oval racing on tap for the first time in over a decade. We’ve been pouring over the data and brewing up some setup tweaks since we tested here in June and, as always, we’ll be aiming to leave the other cars in our draught come Saturday and Sunday in the Brew City.”

    Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

    On finishing the season on the Milwaukee and Nashville ovals…

    “First and foremost, I am incredibly thankful to Ed (Carpenter) for providing me this opportunity. I am excited to drive the No. 20 in the remaining three races and I am fully committed to giving the team my absolute best. While I haven’t raced at Milwaukee or Nashville before, my past performances on ovals have been strong and I’m eager to add these tracks to the list!”

    Ed Carpenter, Team Owner of Ed Carpenter Racing, on Christian Rasmussen finishing the season on the Milwaukee and Nashville ovals…

    “First off, this was a very difficult decision for me to make. I want to make it clear that this is not a retirement announcement. However, the reality is, I have not performed to the level that I expect of myself for the team. Christian (Rasmussen) tested at (World Wide Technology Raceway) prior to the race, and he showed me that he deserves this expanded opportunity. He also had such a strong performance during the Month of May and has earned the chance to continue his development. I am excited to watch him finish the season out strong for the No. 20 crew and the entire ECR team.”

    Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

    “I am very excited for Milwaukee this weekend and the continuation of the oval season! It should be a good weekend. Chevy has won every oval race this season so we’re happy to have Chevy power taking us to the front! We are hoping to continue our Top 11 streak, aiming to get a Top 5 and move closer to the Top 10 in the championship. It will be busy with the doubleheader, but I am looking forward to it!”

    Romain Grosjean, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:

    “Excited to discover Milwaukee. Made some good progress at World Wide Technology Raceway on short ovals and looking to take those learnings to Milwaukee for the double-header weekend.”

    Chevrolet at Milwaukee (V6 era since 2012, pre-hybrid):

    Wins at Milwaukee: 4

    2012: Ryan Hunter-Reay

    2013: Ryan Hunter-Reay

    2014: Will Power, from pole position

    2015: Sebastian Bourdais

    Earned Pole Awards at Milwaukee: 3

    2013: Marco Andretti

    2014: Will Power

    2015: Josef Newgarden

    Number of Team Chevy Podiums at Milwaukee (V6 era since 2018, pre-hybrid): 11

    2012: Chevrolet swept the top six positions.
    2013: Chevrolet swept the top five positions.
    2014: Chevrolet swept the top four positions.
    2015: Chevrolet claimed the top two steps on the podium.

    Number of laps led by Team Chevy at Milwaukee (V6 era since 2018, pre-hybrid): 796 of 975 from 2012-2015 for 81.6%

    2024 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS:

    6: NTT INDYCAR SERIES race as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration.

    5: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration since mid-2024.

    213: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR.

    120: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012.

    135: Earned poles since 2012. Chevrolet holds 138 pole awards in total, with five recorded based on points for weather.

    3: Earned pole in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration.

    8: Manufacturer Championships since 2012.

    7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012.

    13: Indianapolis 500 victories by Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    6: Indianapolis 500 wins by Chevrolet since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era.

    34: Number of times Chevrolet has swept the podium in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era. In total, a manufacturer has swept the podium 54 times since 2012.

    29: Wins by Will Power since 2012 – all with Chevrolet power – most of any driver with the same manufacturer.

    9: Wins from the pole by Will Power with Chevrolet power since 2012, most by any driver.

    46: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver.

    *Will Power’s career total of 70 poles makes him the all-time pole winner in INDYCAR.

    About Chevrolet

    Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

  • Chandrasoma, Reger and Lamborghini Austin in IMSA Super Trofeo Doubleheader at Circuit of The Americas

    Chandrasoma, Reger and Lamborghini Austin in IMSA Super Trofeo Doubleheader at Circuit of The Americas

    • Shehan Chandrasoma and Nikko Reger Motivated for More Victories on COTA Home Track Following First Win of the Season at Watkins Glen in June in the No. 21 Lamborghini Austin Lamborghini Huracan Evo2
    • Mark Brummond Makes TPC Racing Debut in No. 02 Tons of Gas Auto Collection Lamborghini Huracan Evo2

    AUSTIN, Texas (August 29, 2024) – A more than two month break between races has done little to diminish the podium and race-winning momentum TPC Racing and the No. 21 Lamborghini Austin Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2 team, and co-drivers Shehan Chandrasoma and Nikko Reger, bring to a “home game” this weekend for an IMSA Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America doubleheader at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), August 30 – September 1.

    On Friday and Saturday, June 21 – 22, TPC Racing and the Lamborghini Austin team broke through for their first all-podium and race-winning weekend in TPC’s first appearance at the Upstate New York Watkins Glen road course since 2022. The Glen Pro-Am class race win and podium sweep for Chandrasoma and Reger was their first in North American competition since the No. 21 duo paired up with TPC Racing a year ago. The No. 21 team and drivers won Friday’s first race at The Glen and followed it up with a third-place finish in Saturday’s second 50-minute sprint.

    Now TPC Racing and its Texas-based drivers and Lamborghini dealership partner look for more podium and race-winning success in a city and on a track the No. 21 team drivers and their dealership partner call home. Chandrasoma and his family live in Austin while the Lamborghini Austin premier dealership obviously calls the Capital City of Texas home. Reger also helps keep Austin wheeled as a resident of South Austin.

    The Glen victory was also the first for TPC, Chandrasoma and Reger since the final race of 2023 at Vallelunga, Italy, and a repeat win in either of this weekend’s races would be the first time TPC Racing and its drivers pulled off back-to-back race weekend wins in a season.

    The TPC Racing onslaught at COTA also includes new team driver Mark Brummond bringing his LB Cup campaign over to the team for the remainder of the season. Brummond and his previous team actually paddocked under the TPC Racing awning at Watkins Glen where they secured second-place finishes in both weekend races. Now Brummond and his No. 02 Tons of Gas Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2 will be fully entered and operated by TPC at COTA and beyond.

    Despite missing the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca event in May, Brummond is still in the hunt in the LB Cup title race after The Glen runner-up showings and a victory in the opening race of the year in Sebring last March. He arrives in COTA tied for third place in the LB Cup championship standings, just three points behind the second place competitor.

    A three-day race weekend, the COTA Super Trofeo schedule gets underway with morning and afternoon practice sessions on Friday. Saturday begins with qualifying at 9:30 a.m. CDT with the weekend’s first 50-minute race scheduled to start later that afternoon at 6:10 p.m. CDT. Sunday’s final race of the weekend is set to go green at 10:50 a.m. CDT.

    Both races stream live on NBC’s online Peacock Network in the U.S. while international viewers can watch free flag-to-flag coverage on IMSA.TV.

    Harris Levitas, TPC Racing Director of Race Operations: “We are really excited to get back to Circuit of The Americas. This will be our third trip there this year, and we have achieved a lot of success at that track in the past. We had the opportunity to run the Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2 platform at COTA in Super Trofeo competition earlier this year, so I feel like we already have a bit of a head start despite missing the Lamborghini supported test at the track more recently. The team knows what direction to go in to get the drivers off to a good start to do well. We are coming off of a very good weekend at Watkins Glen, with a victory for Shehan Chandrasoma and Nikko Reger, and we hope to keep that momentum going. This is the home track for both Shehan and Nikko and, of course, the home track for Lamborghini Austin. We welcome Mark Brummond in the No. 02 entry, and we are very excited to have him under our tent for the remainder of the season. He has done extremely well in the LB Cup class, and I know with the right support behind him, and what we have available for him at TPC Racing, he will succeed.”

    Shehan Chandrasoma, Driver, No. 21 TPC Racing/Lamborghini Austin Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo EVO2: “This is my home track and I grew up watching it built from dirt to what it is today. This now my third year in Super Trofeo and I am becoming stronger, enjoying the tracks and getting to know the car. We are working with the right team, a great car and, with my co-driver Nikko Reger, I’m looking forward to the rest of the 2024 season. Huge thank yous to TPC Racing, IMSA and Lamborghini Squadra Corse for putting such a great program and a great racing series together. We are looking forward to bringing a win home for all of my family and friends!”

    About TPC Racing: TPC Racing is the Mid-Atlantic’s premier maintenance, service, tuning and modification center dedicated solely to Porsche sportscars. TPC Racing specializes in R&D and sales of high-performance modifications for Porsche sports cars and race cars, offering a wide range of vehicle upgrades. Best known for a line of forced induction solutions for the Porsche 911, Cayman and Boxster, a long-time focus on only one make, Porsche, has enabled TPC Racing to become experts in Porsche service, tuning, and racing. In 2000, TPC Racing began entering races under its own banner, scoring an SGS-class Championship in 2004 in the Grand-American Rolex Series and was a class winner in the 2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona, and captured the 2013 and 2016 IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA Gold Cup Championships. More information can be found at www.TPCRacing.com.

  • Two Tri-Cities & Northeast Tennessee Racing Families’ Lineage Takes Another Crucial Step This Weekend

    Two Tri-Cities & Northeast Tennessee Racing Families’ Lineage Takes Another Crucial Step This Weekend

    BLUFF CITY, TN (Aug. 28, 2024) – When Tri-Cities native Nate Monteith made a series of starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, it was the culmination of a dream, and a proud moment for the Mountain Empire. Furthermore, when Sevierville native Blake Jones raced in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series, it was yet another statement about the racing talent grown in northeast Tennessee.

    This weekend, both families will converge to further the career of another racing generation. Under the guidance of Blake Jones and Nate Monteith, Brayden Monteith will make his first full-size stock car start at the Birthplace of the Stars, Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina, driving a pro late model against some of the discipline’s toughest teams. Hickory has been the launchpad for many famous racing families careers including the Earnhardts, Jarretts, Pettys, Houstons and dozens more.

    “I won’t lie, I’m a little nervous simply because he’s my son and I have all the feelings any dad would in this situation,” said Nate Monteith, who most recently raced in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series across the years of 2007-2013. “But this is what he wants to do, and he has put in the work and done the things he needs to be successful, and that says a lot to me, especially for him being only 12 years old.”

    Monteith will be racing in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series on Saturday night at Hickory, against teams with backing from national driver development programs and NASCAR Cup Series teams. The series is one of the more popular feeder series in the region, leading many of its competitors directly into the ARCA Menards Series and ultimately the NASCAR National Series. One of the drivers Monteith will be competing against on Saturday has already signed a development contract with Joe Gibbs Racing, a NASCAR Cup Series team which fields four cars for drivers such as Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell.

    “I’ve worked with a lot of kids since I got away from racing full-time years ago, but his ability to adapt to a pro late model after never being in a full size stock car was what caught my attention,” said Blake Jones, who has two years of NASCAR Cup Series starts from 2018-19 and is serving as Monteith’s spotter and driver coach. “With how quick he found speed and ran consistent laps, his raw speed was very impressive.

    “You wouldn’t think a kid as young as he is would be able to test only three or four times and be ready to race,” he continued. “It’s usually a long transition from Legends or Bandoleros or karts, or whatever you’re racing, to a full size car. It’s usually a lot because of the physical demands, mental toughness, the speed, and the fact it’s a lot heavier car, but I believe he’s ready for this next step.”

    In private testing, Monteith’s lap times were on pace or faster than pole speeds from previous Carolina Pro Late Model Series events at Hickory over the past season. Before jumping into the pro late model, Monteith raced traditional-style karts across the country and outlaw wing karts on dirt. Other drivers who began their careers on a similar path include Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs and more. He also has spent time in INEX Bandoleros, a stepping stone used by drivers such as Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and dozens more before they ascended to the NASCAR Cup Series. Brayden became the youngest winner in Kingsport (TN) Speedway history with a win in Bandolero competition early in his career.

    “We’ve raced for 20 years after starting the moonshine business, keeping Blake too busy to race, so we have missed going to the track,” said Teddy Jones, Blake’s father and car owner for Monteith’s first career stock car start. “When Brayden started racing in the lower classes, we kind of caught the bug again after seeing him race; we have raced long enough to know talent when we see it. Like the great Dale Earnhardt once said, ‘They either have it or they don’t; you can’t put it in them and you can’t take it out,’ and this kid has definitely got it. Who knows where this ends, the last time we made it to the Cup level with Blake. Only time will tell if Brayden is the next superstar.”

    Adding more resources to the team, the Jones family has secured the expertise of former and multi-time Kingsport Speedway track champion Wade Day, who has his own record of success with two NASCAR Xfinity Series Starts in 2005. Day is considered by many within the industry to be a late model expert and will serve as crew chief and another mentor for the young racer during this stage of his career.

    “The sky’s the limit,” the younger Jones commented. “Nate and I have always been close, he helped guide me a bit as I was working up through my starts in the Xfinity Series and the Cup Series, and from that there is so much knowledge we can point toward kids like Brayden. Ultimately, it’s all about securing sponsorship. Brayden could be in the Cup Series in ten years. We’ve been there and know what it takes, we just have to get all the pieces of the puzzle together at the right time. If he continues to put the work in and stays hungry, anything is possible.”

    The upcoming Carolina Pro Late Model Series race with Brayden can be seen LIVE with a subscription to Pit Row TV (pitrow.tv) and viewed through the channel’s various apps and OTT platforms.

  • NHRA AT INDIANAPOLIS: Team Chevy Race Advance | Notes & Quotes

    NHRA AT INDIANAPOLIS: Team Chevy Race Advance | Notes & Quotes

    CHEVROLET IN NHRA
    2024 TOYOTA NHRA U.S. NATIONALS
    LUCAS OIL INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK
    CLERMONT, INDIANA
    TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE | NOTES & STATS
    AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

    CHEVROLET LOOKS TO RACE TO THE HISTORIC NHRA U.S. NATIONALS WINNER’S CIRCLE WITH JOHN FORCE RACING AT INDIANAPOLIS

    • Team Chevy looks to race to the Winner’s Circle this weekend at the crown jewel event of the year, the 2024 Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Aug. 29-Sept. 1.
    • Austin Prock, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, enters the Indianapolis race weekend with a stronghold on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship standings, leading Bob Tasca, III by 218 points in second and Matt Hagan by 230 in third.
    • The first to clinch a spot in the Countdown to the Championship in Seattle, Prock has already raced his way to the Winner’s Circle in his debut Funny Car season four times, and a fifth at the season-opening PRO Super Star Shootout event at Bradenton.
    • Racing on behalf of John Force, driver of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, Jack Beckman, a two-time U.S. Nationals winner (2015, 2020).
    • Beckman, who is a decorated 33-time event winner and 2003 Funny Car champion, returns to the seat after a hiatus since 2020 and will accumulate points on behalf of the 16-time champion and is seeking a 17th championship title for Force.
    • While still seeking her first victory since Las Vegas 2 in 2022 and her first U.S. Nationals Wally trophy, Brittany Force, driver of the Chevrolet Accessories Top Fuel dragster, looks to turn around her season at the “Big Go” and shift momentum through the Countdown to the Championship. She currently sits 10th in the points standings heading into the U.S. Nationals.
    • Appropriately, a special Chevrolet Accessories paint scheme will be featured on Brittany’s Top Fuel dragster with John Force Racing, competing in the biggest event of the year.
    • Featured on Force’s Top Fuel dragster for the biggest event of the year, Chevrolet Accessories will adorn her John Force Racing ride for the Indianapolis event.
    • KB Titan Racing holds steady to the first and second positions in the Pro Stock championship standings, with Dallas Glenn leading Greg Anderson by 184 points, while Elite Motorsports’ Erica Enders sits third behind Glenn by 206 points.
    • Additionally in competition this weekend, the FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown COPO Camaros as well as the Factory X Team Chevy teams, will compete for the season’s biggest prize, the prestigious U.S. Nationals Wally trophy.

    Quotes:

    AUSTIN PROCK, DRIVER OF THE CORNWELL TOOLS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

    “I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of my Cornwell Tools Chevy Camaro SS. It’s been good to reset after a tough weekend and ready to get back on track! We had a great test session and have been hard at it at JFR to make sure we’re prepared to win! We would love to put Team Chevy in the winner’s circle at our biggest event of the year.”

    JACK BECKMAN, DRIVER OF THE PEAK ANTIFREEZE AND COOLANT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

    “The last year that I raced, (in 2020), the world as falling apart. There were four National events at Indy…but only one U.S. Nationals, and I left with the trophy. Fast Forward four years, and now I am strapped into a Chevy Camaro that I think is the baddest racecar in the pits, driving for the coolest car owner, at the biggest race of the year. We have a realistic shot at winning ‘The Big Go’ for PEAK.”

    BRITTANY FORCE, DRIVER OF THE CHEVROLET ACCESSORIES TOP FUEL DRAGSTER:

    “We are at the final race before this countdown kicks off and the biggest of our season. It is going to be a fight for this Chevrolet Accessories team to stay in the top 10 and give ourselves the best shot at chasing down the title this season. We’ve been very successful over the last few seasons in Indy. We have been to the finals in recent years and hope to continue that tradition in 2024 and take home the Wally.

    “The U.S. Nationals race is the event that everybody wants to win. It is our most prestigious race on the circuit and it is the home to our JFR race team. I feel this team has put in such a great effort over the last two years. Winning this week would be redemption.”

    How to Watch:

    The Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals from Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park airs first with qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. ET with FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Sunday additionally sees the Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car Callout at 5 p.m. on FOX followed by additional qualifying coverage at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1. Race day Monday sees Finals airing at 12 p.m. ET on FS1 followed by coverage shifting to FOX at 2 p.m. ET. Coverage streams live throughout the weekend on NHRA.tv, and is available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

    TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS:

    1,461: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time). (One round win was captured by Jack Beckman in Brainerd, 2024 while racing on behalf of Force who is currently recovering from an on-track incident in Richmond, 2024).

    626: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 631.

    167: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time).

    165: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967.

    84: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time). Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) is fifth with 88.

    85: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro SS body.

    47: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force.

    28: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. This is the seventh-consecutive award and ninth in 11 seasons. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.

    26: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car.

    20: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA.

    16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force.

    7: Number of Funny Car driver championships.

    2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships.

    About Chevrolet

    Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.