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Other series racing

  • SOLID POINTS DAY FOR JASON WHITE IN MONTREAL

    SOLID POINTS DAY FOR JASON WHITE IN MONTREAL

    August 18, 2012. Montreal, Que. – Jason White fought hard through a rough ride on the road course at the NAPA Autopro 100 on Saturday at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve behind the wheel of his #21 Bowers & Wilkins at Futureshop Dodge.

    White and his team kicked off the weekend with a smooth practice. #21 ran good laps before qualifying, overcoming a few minor issues that popped up along the way. They worked hard to prepare for qualifying, ended up earning the 16th starting position for the race.

    As the main event kicked off, White felt he had a strong vehicle – but other cars around him posed a problem.

    “Anybody that’s been in the series for a while is patient,” he said later. “But some of the drivers that only run a few races were impatient and it was ridiculous.”

    Once the field settled in after a period of unnecessary bumping, White battled hard. He found himself matched up with #90, generating fun racing by going side-by-side for a handful of corners.

    #21 fought for every inch of the 100-kilometer race, eventually coming in 13th, up three spots from his starting position.

    “I’m really proud of the whole Bowers & Wilkins team and the DJK racing team, they did a great job this weekend,” White said after the race. “I like road racing but I’m looking forward to getting back to the ovals.”

    After today’s race, Jason White is ranked #8 overall in the NASCAR Canadian Tire standings with 281 points.

    Jason White and the #21 Dodge team will compete in the entire 2012 NCATS schedule that will take the team from coast to coast in Canada for the 12 events.  Next on the schedule; teams head to Barrie Speedway near Barrie, ON September 8th.  For the latest news about Jason White and the #21 Dodge team check out the team website at www.jasonwhiteracing.com and be sure to follow Jason on twitter for the latest updates @racinjasonwhite  You can get more information about the NCATS series at www.hometracks.nascar.com

  • BUCK SCORES PODIUM FINISH IN MONTREAL

    BUCK SCORES PODIUM FINISH IN MONTREAL

    August 18 2012.  Robin Buck and the #66 Quaker State Dodge team came to the final road course event of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series year looking for another strong result.  Buck was never far from the top of the time sheets during any on track session and battled his way to a podium finish in the race that took place on the famed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Ile Notre Dame.

    From the opening practice session Buck and the team took a methodical approach to the weekend with the #66 Quaker State Dodge.  They worked to improve the car and know that a successful result would be because of a strong handling car at the end of the 100km race.

    During qualifying Buck maneuvered the #66 Quaker State Dodge smartly to a sixth starting spot.  “That’s a good result for us” he stated afterwards.  “I never really pushed the car too hard, just enough so that we’d have a good starting spot near the front” he explained.

    For the main event Saturday Buck was again patient at the beginning.  The #66 Quaker State Dodge stayed in touch with the leaders and in position to strike in the late stages of the race.  Following a late race caution period Buck found himself in third position for the final restart.

    “We got up to third where I wanted to be and had plenty of brakes left and you could tell the #27 and #84 were going to go hard at it and I’d be right there looking for an opening” he explained.

    When the race restarted it appeared Buck’s plan would play out however before he could make a move in the #66 Quaker State Dodge the caution waved again and the race finished under caution.  He would come home in third.

    “I would have liked to have one more chance to make a move but I’m not going to complain about our day at all” said Buck.  “The car was really strong all day it just didn’t quite play out in the end.”

    This was the final road course event of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this season and brings to an end the run of the #66 Quaker State Dodge.  “It was nice to finish here with a podium” said Buck.  “We had a couple of tough breaks earlier in the year but we showed our potential here today.  I want to thank everyone at Quaker State for all their support this season and I look forward to getting back into action again next season” he added.

    Robin Buck competed in all five road course races on the 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule picking up three top ten finishes including a podium finish in Montreal.  Race fans will be able to watch all of the remaining three oval track races of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in High Definition on TSN.  Check local listings for times.

  • Jesse Little Joins Coulter Motorsports K&N Pro Series East Team

    Jesse Little Joins Coulter Motorsports K&N Pro Series East Team

    Sherrills Ford, N.C. (August 17, 2012)-Third generation NASCAR driver, Jesse Little, has been signed to drive for Coulter Motorsports in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. The high school sophomore will make his debut on Labor Day weekend at the historic Greenville-Pickens Speedway as the half-mile hosts the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140.

    Little has made selected starts in the series in 2012 including Richmond International Raceway in April where he became the youngest driver to ever take the green flag in NASCAR’s premier development series. Posting an 11th place finish in the Blue Ox 100 gave Little his highest finish in his brief K&N Pro Series career.

    While the focus will be on the upcoming Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140 at Greenville-Pickens, Little will be building for a run towards the 2013 K&N Pro Series East championship and Rookie of the Year honors, he explained.

    “I like to set high goals for myself. I feel personal goals should be difficult to attain, something you have to work very hard for. My goals next year are to qualify well for each race, top-10 at most races and on the pole at two events. In addition my goals are to finish every race, including the top-10 at most events and the top-five in five of the races on the schedule. We will also focus as a team on building towards winning my first K&N Pro Series event in my first full-season of competition.”

    Leading Little’s team at Coulter Motorsports is Kris Bowen, a veteran crew member of the organization.

    “Jesse Little is a proven racer who I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with,” Bowen said. “He has excelled at every level to date and I know with our (Coulter Motorsports) guidance and mentoring Jesse will be a strong force in the NASCAR K&N Series. Our racing family grew with the addition of Jesse and his family and we look forward to developing his young career.”

    Little has had Bowen’s leadership in the past and sees a reuniting of the pair as a positive step towards his entry into full-time K&N Pro Series competition, he added.

    “I’ve known Kris Bowen for many years. He helped me when I first started Limited Late Models and he works closely with Harold Holly, who has also been a big part of my growth as a NASCAR driver. This is a good opportunity for me and I’m excited to run all of the K&N Series East events the remainder of this season and into the future with this team. Coulter Motorsports have won on many racing circuits including the ARCA Racing Series and I want to bring them a victory on NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series.”

    With confidence in the team and his ability to compete at any level, Little was a natural choice to join Coulter Motorsports, according to team owner Joe Coulter.

    “Coulter Motorsports is pleased to welcome Jesse Little into our driver development program,” Coulter said. “Jesse is an esteemed young racer who has proven to deliver himself maturely not only on the track but in life itself. He and his family are a natural fit and a welcomed addition to our NASCAR K&N Pro Series stable. We look forward to taking Jesse to the track and the success that follows.”

    Little will continue to race out of the Team Little Racing shop with his NASCAR Whelen All-American Series late model as time allows. The late model experience gained since joining the series in 2010 has been beneficial to Little’s approach to racing on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, he explained.

    “Racing on the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series has given me experience in the heavier and bigger cars from where I started in Legends and Midgets. This year I’ve learned a lot about how to save a car and how to make sure you’re around at the end of a race to finish strong. I’ve also learned that if the car’s handling is off on a given day then take what the car will give you, try different lines and see if it helps. Most importantly I have gained the knowledge that you need to finish races to learn and be better for the next event.”

    Fans can get the latest news on Jesse Little Racing through the world-wide web at jesselittle.com or at Jesse Little Racing on Facebook. Follow Jesse’s progress throughout the weekend @jesselittle97 on Twitter. Learn more about Coulter Motorsports by logging onto coultermotorsports.com or through Coulter Motorsports page on Facebook and by following @CoulterMtrsprts

  • Goodyear and The World of Outlaws part ways for 2013

    Goodyear and The World of Outlaws part ways for 2013

        Goodyear and World of Outlaws End Tire Supply Agreement

        Teams to remain on Goodyear tires through end of 2012 season

       

    Akron, Ohio — August 14, 2012   — The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and the World Racing Group announced today that Goodyear will not continue as the official tire supplier of the     World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series beyond the 2012 season.

    “For three years, Goodyear’s high quality tires have helped to to maintain the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series as the most exciting and competitive     series on dirt. We wish the World of Outlaws continued success in the future,” said Justin Fantozzi, marketing manager for Goodyear Racing.

    “Goodyear has been a tremendous supporter of sprint car racing both financially and in terms of product development,” said Ben Geisler, Chief Marketing     Officer for the World of Outlaws. “After three great seasons, though, we have both decided that it is in our best interest to pursue other opportunities     for the 2013 season and beyond.”

    Goodyear employs about 73,000 people at manufacturing plants and facilities in 22 nations. Based in Akron, Ohio, Goodyear is among the largest tiremakers in the world and is the world-wide leader in race tire innovation. For more information about Goodyear’s racing efforts please visit    www.racegoodyear.com.

    The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series was founded in 1978 and is owned by the World Racing Group based in Concord, N.C. Campaigning 82 races across 24     states and 3 Canadian provinces, the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is the premier sprint car racing series in North America. For more information     visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

  • Chris Buescher picks up third ARCA Racing Series win of 2012 at Berlin Raceway

    Chris Buescher picks up third ARCA Racing Series win of 2012 at Berlin Raceway

    [media-credit name=”ARCARacing.com” align=”alignright” width=”313″][/media-credit]When the ARCA Racing Series took the checkered flag on Saturday night at Berlin Raceway, it was Chris Buescher picking up his third win of the season. It marks the eighth win of his young career and gives him a sweep of the series’ Michigan events for 2012. He won at Michigan International Speedway two months ago.

    The driver of the No. 17 Roulo Brothers Racing led the final 17 laps after making a pass on Erik Jones on lap 184. He would win the race by a 2.739-seconds.

    The win hands Buescher back the points lead, now 35 points ahead of Brennan Poole. Poole finished the race in the ninth position.

    Frank Kimmel would win the race in the second position and now sits third in points, 70 points behind Buescher.

    Erik Jones finished third, his third top-five in eight starts this year. Tom Hessert ended the race fourth after battling back onto the lead lap, edging Mason Mitchell. Clint King finished sixth, his fourth top-six in five races this year.

    Chase Elliott ended the race seventh, topping Matt Lofton, Poole, and the race’s pole sitter Chad Hackenbracht.

    The race went a surprising 160 laps without a caution to start the Berlin ARCA 200 presented by Hantz Group. There’d be then be two cautions to close out the race.

    Dirt racing is up next for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, with the Allen Crowe 100 taking place next Sunday, August 19, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill. The race will be the first of two dirt events this year – preceding the September 3 race in DuQuoin, Ill.

    Practice will begin at 9 a.m. and last for one hour, with Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell starting at 11. The 100-lap, 100-mile race will take place at 1 p.m. All times are Central. ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage throughout the day, and ARCA Racing Network hosts Charlie Krall and Tim Clagg will deliver a live audio call for the race on the site.

     

    Race Results

    2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Event #15    
    Berlin Raceway, Marne Michigan, 8-11-12      
    Berlin ARCA 200 presented by Hantz Group
    Official Race Report
    FIN STR NO DRIVER/HOMETOWN TEAM & CAR LAPS STATUS
    1 3 17 Chris Buescher/Prosper TX Roulo Brothers Racing Ford 200 Running
    2 4 44 Frank Kimmel/Clarksville IN Ansell-Menards Toyota 200 Running
    3 5 55 Erik Jones/Byron MI Paragon Corvette Reproductions-CG Financial Chevy 200 Running
    4 27 52 Tom Hessert/Cherry Hill NJ Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet 200 Running
    5 2 6 Mason Mitchell/W. Des Moines IA J&S Ag Services-Make A Wish Chevrolet 200 Running
    6 7 15 Clint King/Denton NC Speedrack Products Group Toyota 200 Running
    7 10 9 Chase Elliott/Dawsonville GA Aaron’s Dream Machine-Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet 200 Running
    8 12 16 Matt Lofton/Roxboro NC Strutmasters.com Chevrolet 198 Running
    9 6 25 Brennan Poole/The Woodlands TX Adcetera.com-Midas-Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet 198 Running
    10 1 58 Chad Hackenbracht/New Philadelphia OH CGH Motorsports Chevrolet 197 Running
    11 8 68 Brian Campbell/Wyoming MI Hantz Group Chevrolet 197 Running
    12 16 66 Nelson Canache/Caracas Venezuela Venezuela Tourism Toyota 196 Running
    13 14 22 Alex Bowman/Tucson AZ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Dodge 195 Running
    14 13 35 Michael Simko/Clarkston MI Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet 195 Running
    15 15 23 Spencer Gallagher/Las Vegas NV Allegiant Air Chevrolet 194 Running
    16 18 10 Ricky Ehrgott/Brandon FL Fast Track Driving School Blue Collar Chevrolet 193 Running
    17 19 02 Josh Williams/Port Charlotte FL Southwest Florida Cable Construction Ford 191 Running
    18 24 34 Darrell Basham/Henryville IN Darrell Basham Racing Chevrolet 184 Running
    19 9 40 Justin Lloyd/Raleigh NC Carter 2 Motorsports Dodge 182 Running
    20 22 3 Tim Walter/Valparaiso IN MPBToday.com/racersfoot Dodge 178 Running
    21 20 04 Darren Hagen/Indianapolis IN Carter 2 Motorsports Dodge 171 Suspnsn
    22 21 2 Ron Cox/Soddy Daisy TN Hixson Construction Chevrolet 171 Running
    23 17 29 Brian Keselowski/Rochester Hills MI Diversified Documents Dodge 129 Handling
    24 26 48 James Hylton/Inman SC Radon.com Ford 31 Handling
    25 25 06 Tommy O’Leary/Cygnet OH GreatRailing.com Ford 18 Rear End
    26 23 0 James Swanson/San Antonio TX Wayne Peterson Racing Ford 8 Rear End
    27 29 69 Will Kimmel/Sellersburg IN Tilted Kilt Ford 3 Handling
    28 28 99 Mike Young/Toledo OH Roulo Brothers Racing Ford 1 Handling
    32 Mason Mingus/Brentwood TN 811 Call Before You Dig Chevrolet 0 Oil Leak
  • Schatz dominates Knoxville; Kinser and Swindell don’t make show

    Schatz dominates Knoxville; Kinser and Swindell don’t make show

    KNOXVILLE, Iowa – Aug. 11, 2012 – Wow.  Simply put, the packed Knoxville Raceway grandstands were wowed before the 52ndannual Goodyear Knoxville Nationals feature hit the track on Saturday. Then, the near capacity crowd was on its feet at the checkered flag as Donny Schatz recorded his sixth Nationals victory in the last seven years after outlasting Brian Brown by 0.117 seconds to earn the $150,000 prize.

    “There’s something about this place when we come here for the Nationals, it’s game on,” Schatz said. “It takes everything to be right. When you get on it and get it right, it’s something that you can keep bringing back here. That’s why we’ve been able to get this success because the baseline we have for coming here is an awesome baseline.”

    History was made before the green flag waved as two of the sports’ biggest stars – Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell – failed to advance to the feature. It was the first time since 1975 that neither driver earned a spot in the prestigious event. For Kinser, it snapped a Knoxville Nationals best 34-year streak in the main event.

    “There’s a lot of disappointment to not see those guys,” Schatz said. “Those guys paved the way. To see those guys not in the show, it’s really disheartening. That just goes to show how tough this week really is.”

    There wasn’t much time for disbelief as the 50-lap feature was pushed off several minutes after the B Main ended because of the threat of an incoming storm. Once the green flag was waved, the focus turned to the side-by-side action on the famed half mile.

    Schatz drove from his fifth starting position to third place on the opening lap and passed Jonathan Allard for the runner-up position as the duo exited turn four on the sixth lap. Schatz then chased down polesitter Stevie Smith, who led the first 13 laps before Schatz took over the top spot as the drivers exited turn four in traffic on the 14th lap.

    The scheduled red flag for a fuel stop came on lap 27, erasing a solid lead for Schatz. However, once the race resumed, it took only three laps for him to build nearly a three-second advantage. Once he entered traffic on lap 35, Schatz led by more than four seconds.

    Before the lap was completed, Kyle Larson brought out the second-and-final caution when he stopped in turn four. With the field bunched together, Brown slid Craig Dollansky for second place in turn four on the restart and set his sights on Schatz.

    With 13 laps remaining, Schatz led by a little more than one second. However, as both drivers ran the cushion around the track, Brown cut the deficit to .440 seconds with 10 laps to go before he jumped the cushion in turn two.

    Traffic began to play a role in the final seven laps and Brown reeled Schatz to within a couple of car lengths before the cushion in turn two slowed him once again with a handful of laps remaining. Schatz had all but sealed the victory on the final lap before he was slowed exiting turn four while trying to lap two cars.

    Brown’s momentum sucked him to the back of Schatz’s car and the duo drag raced to the checkered flag, which Schatz reached first by approximately half a car length.

    “It’s real just surreal to be up her with Donny Schatz and all these champions,” Brown said after his career-best finish in the event. “I never figured I’d be in the Knoxville Nationals, let alone run second.

    “I feel like we’re a team that’s growing, trying to be like Donny Schatz one day.”

    Dollansky tied his career-best result by rounding out the podium.

    “My hat’s off to Donny,” he said. “Six of these things, that’s quite an accomplishment.”

    Kraig Kinser drove from ninth to fourth and Jason Meyers finished fifth. Shane Stewart advanced from 13th to sixth, Smith placed seventh, Lance Dewease maneuvered from 15th to a career-best eighth, Tim Kaeding was ninth and Davey Heskin charged from 22nd to 10th to earn the Hard Charger Award.

    Larson, who won a preliminary feature and finished 16th in Saturday’s main event, claimed the Knoxville Nationals Rookie of the Year.

    52nd annual Goodyear Knoxville Nationals Night 3 Statistical Report; Knoxville Raceway; Knoxville, Iowa; Aug. 11, 2012

    A Feature (50 laps) – 1. Donny Schatz (5); 2. Brian Brown (4); 3. Craig Dollansky (2); 4. Kraig Kinser (9); 5. Jason Meyers (7); 6. Shane Stewart (13); 7. Stevie Smith (1); 8. Lance Dewease (15); 9. Tim Kaeding (8); 10. Davey Heskin (22); 11. Joey Saldana (6); 12. Mark Dobmeier (21); 13. Jonathan Allard (3); 14. Justin Henderson (17); 15. Daryn Pittman (14); 16. Kyle Larson (12); 17. Dale Blaney (19); 18. Ian Madsen (11); 19. Lucas Wolfe (10); 20. Jason Sides (24); 21. Cody Darrah (20); 22. David Gravel (18); 23. Paul McMahan (16); 24. Brian Paulus (23).

    E Feature (10 laps) – 1. Bill Rose (2); 2. Ed Lynch Jr. (3); 3. Critter Malone (4); 4. Tasker Phillips (7); 5. Geoff Dodge (9); 6. Sheldon Haudenschild (8); 7. Josh Hodges (6); 8. Ron Krysl (1); 9. Seth Brahmer (5).

    D Feature (12 laps) – 1. Tyler Walker (2); 2. Logan Schuchart (3); 3. Casey Mack (1); 4. Austin McCarl (4); 5. Kaley Gharst (8); 6. Dustin Morgan (5); 7. Danny Smith (7); 8. Jarrod Schneiderman (6); 9. Trevor Reynolds (11); 10. Geoff Dodge (24); 11. Kevin Ingle (10); 12. Caleb Helms (14); 13. Ed Lynch Jr. (21); 14. Chris Shirek (12); 15. Glen Saville (15); 16. Bill Rose (20); 17. AJ Moeller (9); 18. Robert Bell (13); 19. Tasker Phillips (23); 20. Critter Malone (22); 21. Jim Moughan Jr. (19); 22. Bryan Sebetto (18); 23. Domain Ramsay (17); 24. TJ Peterson (16).

    C Feature (15 laps) – 1. Jac Haudenschild (4); 2. Danny Lasoski (1); 3. Brad Sweet (11); 4. James McFadden (6); 5. Jamie Veal (2); 6. Jack Dover (13); 7. Cap Henry (5); 8. Randy Hannagan (17); 9. Greg Wilson (7); 10. Jeff Swindell (8); 11. Tyler Walker (21); 12. Don Droud Jr. (18); 13. Logan Schuchart (22); 14. Josh Schneiderman (20); 15. Tony Bruce Jr. (12); 16. Trey Starks (19); 17. Lynton Jeffrey (16); 18. Austin McCarl (24); 19. Casey Mack (23); 20. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (9); 21. Joey Moughan (10); 22. Brady Bacon (15); 23. Ryan Bunton (14); 24. Rager Phillips (3).

    B Feature (22 laps) – 1. Mark Dobmeier (2); 2. Davey Heskin (1); 3. Brian Paulus (4); 4. Jason Sides (10); 5. Sammy Swindell (6); 6. Tim Shaffer (7); 7. Jason Johnson (5); 8. Kevin Swindell (18); 9. Kerry Madsen (11); 10. Steve Kinser (15); 11. Bronson Maeschen (17); 12. Brooke Tatnell (8); 13. Chad Kemenah (12); 14. Terry McCarl (13); 15. Wayne Johnson (19); 16. James McFadden (24); 17. Danny Lasoski (22); 18. Scott Winters (20); 19. Danny Holtgraver (16); 20. Greg Hodnett (3); 21. Brad Sweet (23); 22. Dustin Selvage (9); 23. Jac Haudenschild (21); 24. Dusty Zomer (14).

    World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Top 20 Championship Standings

    Pos. Driver

    Total

    Diff

    Wins

    T5

    T10

    QT
    1 Craig Dollansky

    6413

    0

    6

    23

    34

    8
    2 Steve Kinser

    6396

    -17

    3

    21

    35

    0
    3 Donny Schatz

    6374

    -39

    4

    18

    37

    1
    4 Sammy Swindell

    6355

    -58

    8

    19

    31

    7
    5 Joey Saldana

    6351

    -62

    5

    17

    33

    6
    6 Kraig Kinser

    6270

    -143

    4

    17

    33

    5
    7 Cody Darrah

    5986

    -427

    1

    14

    23

    2
    8 Kerry Madsen

    5930

    -483

    3

    8

    23

    1
    9 Chad Kemenah

    5874

    -539

    2

    8

    22

    2
    10 Lucas Wolfe

    5625

    -788

    1

    6

    16

    1
    11 Bill Rose

    5115

    -1298

    0

    0

    8

    0
    12 Jason Sides

    4226

    -2187

    0

    12

    19

    0
    13 Daryn Pittman

    2537

    -3876

    0

    6

    13

    1
    14 Danny Lasoski

    2431

    -3982

    1

    5

    8

    0
    15 David Gravel

    2385

    -4028

    0

    7

    9

    4
    16 Tim Kaeding

    2376

    -4037

    3

    5

    10

    0
    17 Paul McMahan

    2296

    -4117

    1

    2

    3

    0
    18 Jac Haudenschild

    2129

    -4284

    0

    1

    2

    0
    20 Brad Sweet

    1854

    -4559

    1

    5

    8

    1
  • 2011 ARCA/CRA Super Series Champion & Rookie Of The Year, Derrick Griffin Joins Chad Finley Racing

    2011 ARCA/CRA Super Series Champion & Rookie Of The Year, Derrick Griffin Joins Chad Finley Racing

    [media-credit name=”Chad Finley PR” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]DeWitt, Michigan (Friday, August 10th, 2012):  Chad Finley Racing is very pleased to announce the addition of 2011 ARCA/CRA Super Series Champion & Rookie of the Year, Derrick Griffin to the CFR organization. The South Bend, Indiana standout will serve as Interim Crew Chief for CFR’s primary driver, 20-year-old Chad Finley for the remainder of the 2012 racing season.

    “We are very honored that Derrick has come on board to help us out for the rest of the 2012 race season. Chad and I have known Derrick and his father since 2001 when we raced Go-Karts in the WKA (World Karting Association) series.” CFR Car Owner Jeff Finley said. “They are a great family with a tremendous background in motorsports.” He added.

    Griffin comes into the CFR camp armed with credentials including his Championship & Freshman titles in the ARCA/CRA Super Series a season ago. “Derrick’s Championships last year speak for themselves. His knowledge he acquired from working with Bobby Blount over the last several years warrants this opportunity.” Finley explained. “Mike (Staszak) and I feel in our never ending pursuit to win races and be a contender week in and week out that Derrick can assist us with those goals.” Finley continued.

    Former Crew Chief, Jimmy D. Smith has stepped away from CFR in order to pursue other opportunities within the Motorsports Industry. “There are simply not enough words to express our sincere thanks to Jimmy D. and his family. He helped us build CFR to what it is today.” Finley added. “Together we got many top fives in 2011 and we captured our first Win and two Fast Qualifier Awards this year. This is the part of the business that is very hard for Mike and I. He possesses a tremendous amount of talent and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.” He stated.

    As for the racing on the track, it was another doubleheader weekend for Chad Finley and the Chad Finley Racing Team on Friday & Saturday, August 3-4th as on Friday,August 3rd at Dixie Motor Speedway, located south of Saginaw in Birch Run, Michigan hosted the ARCA/CRA Super Series in the running of the Mid-Michigan Toyota Dealers / Draper 125.

    The 125-lap main co-headlined “Big One X” with the Winged Sprint Cars of the Auto Value Super Sprints Series. “We had a decent run there. We struggled all night fighting a loose race car. It was a handful in the race.” Chad Finley remarked. “I think that’s the hardest I’ve had to drive all year to hang on to it. To bring the car home fourth was a good day to say the least.”

    Then on Saturday, August 4th, a trip to Berlin Raceway, located west of Grand Rapids in Marne, Michigan for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour 10th race for The Berlin 100 Presented by JEGS.com & Boyne Machine Company was on the agenda for the CFR team.

    “We just missed it at Berlin. We just could never get the grip we were looking for.” The younger Finley continued. “We tightened it up more before qualifying and it was snug. But then it got super loose again in the race to where I could barely hang on to it. So I felt we should park it before I wrecked it.” The 20-year-old driver from DeWitt, Michigan ended”

    10 races into the JEGS/CRA season, Finley has recorded one event win, the first of his career in CRA, which came back on May 26th in the CoughlinCars.com 100 Presented by JEGS.com at Columbus Motor Speedway in Columbus, Ohio. His win is part of his three top fives and five top 10 showings which all tie in with his first career Boyne Machine Fast Qualifier Award, which came at Lucas Oil Raceway in Clermont, Indiana last weekend. Heading into Berlin, Finley is fifth in the season long title chase.

    The 20-year-old Finley is amongst the all-time leaders in most statistical categories in the second year JEGS/CRA tour as he is currently tied for second all-time in career top five, tied for the most career top 10 finishes, fifth all-time in career laps led, tied for third all-time in career appearances, and second all-time in career laps completed.

    All of Finley’s CRA cars sport identical black paint schemes as well as the familiar #42, and for the rest of the season, sponsorship support on each Ford Fusion comes from; Auto Value Parts Stores & Certified Service Centers, as well as AutoParts2020.com, XLT Engineering, NorthsideTowing.net, Rain Eater Wiper Blades, JEGS.com, Nalett Trucking, Howe Racing Enterprises, The Air Lift Company, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Memphis Wood Fire Grills, Staubli Products, QuicShine99, Hyperco, Maurer’s Textiles, Superior Racing Images, & M.P.H. Promotions.

    To learn more about Chad Finley Racing and to inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities available for the remainder of the 2012 racing season, log on to the CFR website at: www.chadfinleyracing.com You can also follow CFR on Facebook as well as Twitter, just log onto: www.facebook.com/chadfinleyracing and:www.twitter.com/chad_finley

  • Chad Hackenbracht wins second career Menards Pole Award at Berlin Raceway

    Chad Hackenbracht wins second career Menards Pole Award at Berlin Raceway

    [media-credit name=”ARCARacing.com” align=”alignright” width=”313″][/media-credit]Fresh off his first career victory at Pocono Raceway, Chad Hackenbracht picked up his second career Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell at Berlin Raceway.

    He lapped the 0.438 mile oval in 16.908 seconds behind the wheel of his No. 58 CGH Motorsports Chevrolet. It marks his first on a oval and second pole of the season after winning a pole earlier this year on the New Jersey Motorsports Park road course.

    “I didn’t know that we had a car to do it,” Hackenbracht says. “We were pretty quick in practice but (Erik Jones) was really fast, so it sort of surprised me a little bit. I didn’t feel like the lap was very fast but I can’t thank everybody enough for putting together a great car for me.”

    Qualifying well is a surprise for Hackenbracht as he is not used to qualifying well.

    “My whole career, I’ve never been able to qualify to save my life so getting the pole at Jersey really surprised me,” he says. “To get a pole here, I’m starting to think I’m getting the hang of qualifying. It’s putting the whole package together. We know we can race well and we can qualify well and I hope we can put them both together.”

    Hackenbracht was the only drive to break the 17-second mark and is hoping to improve on his fifth-place finish that he scored last year after spinning across the start-finish line.

    “We got some momentum off of last week and we’ll see how we do,” the 20-year-old says. “We’ve got a really good race car so hopefully we can get it done.”

    Hackenbracht was second in practice earlier in the day. Erik Jones, who led both practices earlier in the day, qualified in the fifth position.

    Mason Mitchell would qualify second in only his third ARCA start. He finished 10th and fifth in his first two starts. Chris Buescher and Frank Kimmel were third and fourth.

    Brennan Poole, Clint King, Brian Campbell, Justin Lloyd, and Chase Elliott will fill the sixth through 10th starting positions in tonight’s race.

    The Berlin ARCA 200 will begin at 8:30 p.m., with live timing and scoring and live audio coverage available at ARCARacing.com.

     

    Starting Grid

    2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Event #15    
    Berlin Raceway, Marne Michigan, 8-11-12      
    Berlin ARCA 200 presented by Hantz Group      
               
    August 11, 2012 / 5:31 PM      
               
    POS NO DRIVER/HOMETOWN TEAM & CAR TIME SPEED
    1 58 Chad Hackenbracht/New Philadelphia OH CGH Motorsports Chevrolet 16.908 93.258
    2 6 Mason Mitchell/W. Des Moines IA J&S Ag Services-Make A Wish Chevrolet 17.089 92.270
    3 17 Chris Buescher/Prosper TX Roulo Brothers Racing Ford 17.116 92.124
    4 44 Frank Kimmel/Clarksville IN Ansell-Menards Toyota 17.122 92.092
    5 55 Erik Jones/Byron MI Paragon Corvette Reproductions-CG Financial Chevy 17.153 91.926
    6 25 Brennan Poole/The Woodlands TX Adcetera.com-Midas-Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet 17.189 91.733
    7 15 Clint King/Denton NC Speedrack Products Group Toyota 17.226 91.536
    8 68 Brian Campbell/Wyoming MI Hantz Group Chevrolet 17.257 91.372
    9 40 Justin Lloyd/Raleigh NC Carter 2 Motorsports Dodge 17.277 91.266
    10 9 Chase Elliott/Dawsonville GA Aaron’s Dream Machine-Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet 17.283 91.234
    11 32 Mason Mingus/Brentwood TN 811 Call Before You Dig Chevrolet 17.298 91.155
    12 16 Matt Lofton/Roxboro NC Strutmasters.com Chevrolet 17.299 91.150
    13 35 Michael Simko/Clarkston MI Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet 17.346 90.903
    14 22 Alex Bowman/Tucson AZ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Dodge 17.347 90.898
    15 23 Spencer Gallagher/Las Vegas NV Allegiant Air Chevrolet 17.367 90.793
    16 66 Nelson Canache/Caracas Venezuela Venezuela Tourism Toyota 17.378 90.735
    17 29 Brian Keselowski/Rochester Hills MI Diversified Documents Dodge 17.405 90.595
    18 10 Ricky Ehrgott/Brandon FL Fast Track Driving School Blue Collar Chevrolet 17.663 89.271
    19 02 Josh Williams/Port Charlotte FL Southwest Florida Cable Construction Ford 17.763 88.769
    20 04 Darren Hagen/Indianapolis IN Carter 2 Motorsports Dodge 17.765 88.759
    21 2 Ron Cox/Soddy Daisy TN Hixson Construction Chevrolet 17.970 87.746
    22 3 Tim Walter/Valparaiso IN MPBToday.com/racersfoot Dodge 19.013 82.933
    23 0 James Swanson/San Antonio TX Wayne Peterson Racing Ford 18.299 86.169
    24 34 Darrell Basham/Henryville IN Darrell Basham Racing Chevrolet 18.914 83.367
    25 06 Tommy O’Leary/Cygnet OH GreatRailing.com Ford 19.081 82.637
    26 48 James Hylton/Inman SC Radon.com Ford 20.049 78.647
    27 52 Tom Hessert/Cherry Hill NJ Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet Provisional
    28 99 Mike Young/Toledo OH Roulo Brothers Racing Ford Provisional
    29 69 Will Kimmel/Sellersburg IN Tilted Kilt Ford Provisional
  • 16-year-old Erik Jones leads both ARCA Racing Series practice at Berlin Raceway

    16-year-old Erik Jones leads both ARCA Racing Series practice at Berlin Raceway

    [media-credit name=”ARCARacing.com” align=”alignright” width=”328″][/media-credit]At the end of both practice sessions at Berlin Raceway, it was 16-year-old Erik Jones topping the charts. He’d lap the 0.438 mile oval in 17.235 seconds in the first practice, followed by a 17.183 seconds in the second practice.

    Jones made his ARCA debut earlier this year at the age of 15 and has impressed with two top fives and three top 10s in five starts. Berlin is where the Byron, Michigan native cut his teeth so its no surprise to see him at the top of the charts.

    Last race’s winner Chad Hackenbracht was second in the final practice at a lap of 17.284 seconds, 0.049 seconds off of Jones. The win for Hackenbracht marked his first ARCA Racing Series win in 42 ARCA starts.

    Hendrick Motorsports development driver Chase Elliott was third at 17.459 seconds. In his three previous ARCA starts, he has three top 10s.

    Alex Bowman and Frank Kimmel rounded out the top five. Points leader Brennan Poole was sixth, followed by Michael Simko, Matt Lofton, Brian Campbell and Tom Hessert.

    In the first practice, it’d be Jones, followed by Hackenbracht, Clint King, Poole and Elliott. Mason Mingus was sixth, followed by Lofton, Nelson Canache, Chris Buescher and Kimmel.

    Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell will start at 5, with live timing and scoring coverage at ARCARacing.com. The Berlin ARCA 200 presented by Hantz Group will start at 8:30 with the same live timing and scoring coverage. Charlie Krall and Tim Clagg will host a live pre-race show at 8 before delivering an online audio call of the race at ARCARacing.com.

     

    Practice Results

    Practice 1

    2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Event #15    
    Berlin Raceway, Marne Michigan, 8-11-12      
    Berlin ARCA 200 presented by Hantz Group      
               
    August 11, 2012 / 2:45 PM      
               
    POS NO DRIVER/HOMETOWN TEAM & CAR TIME SPEED
    1 55 Erik Jones/Byron MI Paragon Corvette Reproductions-CG Financial Chevy 17.235 91.488
    2 58 Chad Hackenbracht/New Philadelphia OH CGH Motorsports Chevrolet 17.284 91.229
    3 9 Chase Elliott/Dawsonville GA Aaron’s Dream Machine-Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet 17.459 90.314
    4 22 Alex Bowman/Tucson AZ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Dodge 17.469 90.263
    5 44 Frank Kimmel/Clarksville IN Ansell-Menards Toyota 17.473 90.242
    6 25 Brennan Poole/The Woodlands TX Adcetera.com-Midas-Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet 17.478 90.216
    7 35 Michael Simko/Clarkston MI Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet 17.478 90.216
    8 16 Matt Lofton/Roxboro NC Strutmasters.com Chevrolet 17.522 89.990
    9 68 Brian Campbell/Wyoming MI Hantz Group Chevrolet 17.526 89.969
    10 52 Tom Hessert/Cherry Hill NJ Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet 17.565 89.769
    11 6 Mason Mitchell/W. Des Moines IA J&S Ag Services-Make A Wish Chevrolet 17.608 89.550
    12 32 Mason Mingus/Brentwood TN 811 Call Before You Dig Chevrolet 17.612 89.530
    13 29 Brian Keselowski/Rochester Hills MI Diversified Documents Dodge 17.654 89.317
    14 04 Darren Hagen/Indianapolis IN Carter 2 Motorsports Dodge 17.677 89.201
    15 15 Clint King/Denton NC Speedrack Products Group Toyota 17.712 89.024
    16 17 Chris Buescher/Prosper TX Roulo Brothers Racing Ford 17.713 89.019
    17 66 Nelson Canache/Caracas Venezuela Venezuela Tourism Toyota 17.715 89.009
    18 23 Spencer Gallagher/Las Vegas NV Allegiant Air Chevrolet 17.806 88.554
    19 40 Justin Lloyd/Raleigh NC Carter 2 Motorsports Dodge 18.068 87.270
    20 10 Ricky Ehrgott/Brandon FL Fast Track Driving School Blue Collar Chevrolet 18.279 86.263
    21 02 Josh Williams/Port Charlotte FL Southwest Florida Cable Construction Ford 18.433 85.542
    22 34 Darrell Basham/Henryville IN Darrell Basham Racing Chevrolet 18.489 85.283
    23 2 Ron Cox/Soddy Daisy TN Hixson Construction Chevrolet 18.915 83.362
    24 99 Mike Young/Toledo OH Roulo Brothers Racing Ford 19.025 82.880
    25 48 James Hylton/Inman SC Radon.com Ford 19.510 80.820
    26 0 James Swanson/San Antonio TX Wayne Peterson Racing Ford 19.601 80.445
    27 3 Tim Walter/Valparaiso IN MPBToday.com/racersfoot Dodge 19.628 80.334
    28 06 Tommy O’Leary/Cygnet OH GreatRailing.com Ford 20.232 77.936

    Practice 2 

    2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Event #15    
    Berlin Raceway, Marne Michigan, 8-11-12      
    Berlin ARCA 200 presented by Hantz Group      
               
    August 11, 2012 / 4:07 PM      
               
    POS NO DRIVER/HOMETOWN TEAM & CAR TIME SPEED
    1 55 Erik Jones/Byron MI Paragon Corvette Reproductions-CG Financial Chevy 17.183 91.765
    2 58 Chad Hackenbracht/New Philadelphia OH CGH Motorsports Chevrolet 17.264 91.335
    3 15 Clint King/Denton NC Speedrack Products Group Toyota 17.272 91.292
    4 25 Brennan Poole/The Woodlands TX Adcetera.com-Midas-Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet 17.322 91.029
    5 9 Chase Elliott/Dawsonville GA Aaron’s Dream Machine-Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet 17.355 90.856
    6 32 Mason Mingus/Brentwood TN 811 Call Before You Dig Chevrolet 17.360 90.829
    7 16 Matt Lofton/Roxboro NC Strutmasters.com Chevrolet 17.368 90.788
    8 66 Nelson Canache/Caracas Venezuela Venezuela Tourism Toyota 17.409 90.574
    9 17 Chris Buescher/Prosper TX Roulo Brothers Racing Ford 17.440 90.413
    10 44 Frank Kimmel/Clarksville IN Ansell-Menards Toyota 17.484 90.185
    11 68 Brian Campbell/Wyoming MI Hantz Group Chevrolet 17.487 90.170
    12 35 Michael Simko/Clarkston MI Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet 17.492 90.144
    13 22 Alex Bowman/Tucson AZ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Dodge 17.579 89.698
    14 40 Justin Lloyd/Raleigh NC Carter 2 Motorsports Dodge 17.588 89.652
    15 6 Mason Mitchell/W. Des Moines IA J&S Ag Services-Make A Wish Chevrolet 17.623 89.474
    16 04 Darren Hagen/Indianapolis IN Carter 2 Motorsports Dodge 17.644 89.367
    17 10 Ricky Ehrgott/Brandon FL Fast Track Driving School Blue Collar Chevrolet 17.788 88.644
    18 02 Josh Williams/Port Charlotte FL Southwest Florida Cable Construction Ford 17.871 88.232
    19 29 Brian Keselowski/Rochester Hills MI Diversified Documents Dodge 17.999 87.605
    20 2 Ron Cox/Soddy Daisy TN Hixson Construction Chevrolet 18.177 86.747
    21 23 Spencer Gallagher/Las Vegas NV Allegiant Air Chevrolet 18.277 86.272
    22 69 Will Kimmel/Sellersburg IN Tilted Kilt Ford 18.515 85.163
    23 99 Mike Young/Toledo OH Roulo Brothers Racing Ford 18.575 84.888
    24 34 Darrell Basham/Henryville IN Darrell Basham Racing Chevrolet 18.732 84.177
    25 52 Tom Hessert/Cherry Hill NJ Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet 18.840 83.694
    26 0 James Swanson/San Antonio TX Wayne Peterson Racing Ford 19.651 80.240
    27 06 Tommy O’Leary/Cygnet OH GreatRailing.com Ford 19.695 80.061
  • Drivers to test new Sonoma layout before GoPro Indy Grand Prix

    Drivers to test new Sonoma layout before GoPro Indy Grand Prix

    On July 31st, it was announced that Sonoma Raceway will undergo three slight modifications to its track layout before the GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma.  The changes made to turns seven, nine, and eleven were conducted with the intent to create more overtaking throughout the race weekend.

    [media-credit name=”indycar.com” align=”alignright” width=”250″][/media-credit]Ryan Briscoe of Penske Racing traveled to Sonoma at the end of July to speak out on the changes made to the California circuit.

    “As drivers, we should all be excited with the track configuration as it will help open up more areas for passing. With the new turn 7, it is going to be a slower corner with heavy breaking and later turning, which will become an added passing opportunity.  Turn 11 will also create a new challenge with a longer chute leading to carry more speed into the start/finish line.  I certainly welcome the new changes because they added to the beauty of driving the circuit,” Briscoe tells racer.com.

    With these new changes made to the track, the IndyCar teams have decided to test in Sonoma on Friday, August 17th.  The teams will look to gain vital practice and data acquisition in preparation for the Grand Prix on August 26th.

    The day long test will be open and free to the public.

    A driver of note that will make an appearance at the test is Sebastian Saavedra.  The Columbian racer will be a fourth entry for Andretti Autosport/AFS Racing.  Saavedra last competed in the IZOD IndyCar Series throughout the month of May for the Indianapolis 500.  Sebastian started 24th and finished 26th in the Greatest Spectacle in racing.

    Following the GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma, the IICS will have two races remaining.  The Grand Prix of Baltimore will be 2:30 PM ET on September 2nd and the season finale will be in Fontana, California on September 15th at 8:30 PM ET for the MAVTV 500.