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Unveiling Value: How to Assess the True Worth of a Used Car

By
SM
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In a world where new automobile models are released onto the market at a breakneck pace, the appeal of a used car can be very appealing. The potential to save substantial money and still get the car of your dreams is a powerful motivator. But as any seasoned automobile buyer is aware, a used car’s actual value is far greater than its asking price. To see its value, one needs a keen eye, close attention to detail, and a reliable used car dealer, like SGCarDeals.com. In this guide, we’ll show you how to calculate a used car’s true value so you can make an informed decision that suits your needs and your budget. 

1. Research

Before even setting foot on a car lot or scrolling through online listings, arm yourself with knowledge. Begin by researching the make and model of the car you’re interested in. Look into common issues, recalls, and consumer reviews. This information will provide you with a general understanding of the car’s reputation and its potential pitfalls. Knowledge is your greatest weapon against making a hasty purchase.

2. Set Your Budget

Establishing a clear budget is crucial. A used car’s value isn’t just about its price; it’s about how well it fits into your financial landscape. Be sure to consider not only the initial cost but also ongoing expenses such as insurance, fuel, maintenance, and potential repairs. Setting a budget prevents you from falling in love with a car that could strain your finances down the road.

3. Determine Your Needs

What do you need from a car? Are you seeking a spacious family vehicle, a fuel-efficient commuter, or a rugged off-road adventurer? Your needs should guide your decision. It’s easy to get swept up in the allure of a sporty two-seater when you actually require a roomy SUV. 

4. Inspect the Exterior and the Interior

It is imperative to undertake a comprehensive assessment of both its external and internal attributes. Take a walk around the vehicle, carefully inspecting for any signs of rust, dents, scratches, or paint that doesn’t match. Equally paramount is ensuring the seamless operability of all portals, encompassing doors, the trunk, and the bonnet. Afterward, redirect your attention to the interior. Here, pay unwavering heed to the condition of the seating apparatus, upholstery, and floor coverings, seeking out any vestiges of undue deterioration or impairment. 

5. Peek Under the Hood

A basic understanding of the engine’s components can go a long way. Pop the hood and examine the engine for cleanliness, leaks, and signs of neglect. Check the fluid levels and the condition of belts and hoses. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, consider bringing a knowledgeable friend or hiring a mechanic to perform a pre-purchase inspection.

6. Request Maintenance Records

A used car’s value isn’t solely determined by its physical condition; its maintenance history plays a pivotal role. Ask the seller for any available maintenance records, which can give you insight into how well the car has been cared for. Regular oil changes, tire rotations, and documented repairs are positive indicators.

7. Take a Test Drive

No assessment is complete without a test drive. This is your chance to feel how the car handles, brakes, accelerates, and maneuvers. Pay attention to any unusual noises, vibrations, or steering issues. Test the brakes in a safe environment. A test drive not only helps you evaluate the car’s performance but also its comfort and ergonomics.

8. Check for Vehicle History Reports

In your quest for the perfect used car, it’s essential to delve into the enigmatic world of vehicle history reports (VHRs). These reports hold a treasure trove of information, unveiling the car’s past encounters, title status, ownership mysteries, and more.

9. Examine the Title and VIN

Speaking of titles, cast your discerning eye upon the enigmatic car title and the cryptic Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). A clean title, shrouded in mystery, suggests that the car hasn’t navigated the treacherous waters of salvage or inundation. 

10. Factor in Upgrades and Features

On occasion, the valuation of a pre-owned automobile may experience a substantial increase owing to supplementary attributes and enhancements it possesses. Although these facets may not be directly associated with the vehicle’s operational efficiency, they can augment the pleasure of driving it and potentially augment its market worth when the moment arrives to part ways with it.

11. Ownership Satisfaction

Beyond the mechanical particulars, investigating the contentment level in ownership of a specific brand and model can yield invaluable insights. Cyber-based discussion forums, consumer appraisals, and extensive surveys can unveil prevalent grievances, well-documented drawbacks, and the comprehensive contentment ratings of proprietors.

12. Evaluate Depreciation

While pre-owned automobiles have already encountered their most substantial devaluation impacts, it remains judicious to contemplate the potential alterations in the car’s valuation during your tenure of ownership. Certain vehicles sustain their market worth more robustly than others, thanks to factors like corporate standing, the appeal of the particular model, and market demand dynamics. 

13. Calculate Resale Value

Although it may initially appear counterintuitive to contemplate the sale of a vehicle you have yet to acquire, pondering its prospective resale value is indeed a sagacious maneuver. The particular automobile makes and brands exhibit a proclivity for preserving their worth over time, which can prove to be advantageous should you harbor intentions of selling or trading in the vehicle a few years hence. Resale value is frequently subject to the sway of variables such as dependability, corporate standing, and overall allure. Similarly, when exploring real estate options in Singapore, it remains imperative to account for elements like locale, property classification, and market trends.

14. Get a Professional Opinion

Should you entertain serious intentions toward a specific pre-owned vehicle, it is judicious to contemplate investing in a professional inspection. A certified mechanic can meticulously scrutinize the mechanical and structural condition of the vehicle, proffering an impartial evaluation. Although this measure may entail a nominal cost, it represents a trifling expense in exchange for the tranquility it affords.

Take Your Time

Taking your time assumes paramount importance in the endeavor of ascertaining the value of a used automobile. Hasty decisions may precipitate future remorse. Allow ample time for data accumulation, comprehensive inspections, and comparisons. The expanse of the pre-owned car market is extensive, and the probability of encountering another suitable alternative remains high should your initial choice fail to align with your requisites.

Diesel BMW Owners Could Receive Compensation, Experts Claim

By
SM
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Photo by Luis Quintero

BMW car owners in the UK (England and Wales) may be owed compensation due to allegations that the Bavarian carmaker installed cheat devices in their diesel vehicles. Each driver can receive at least £12,000.

The cheat devices, also known as defeat devices, are used for manipulating emissions when a vehicle is undergoing regulatory testing. Authorities conduct regulatory tests to ensure that cars follow environmental regulations before they are sold to consumers. 

These allegations stem from the 2015 Dieselgate diesel emissions scandal that involved the Volkswagen Group. According to US authorities, Audi and VW diesel vehicles sold in the American market were equipped with defeat devices. This prompted the California Air Resources Board (Carb) to send a Notice of Violation to the carmaker for not following the United States Clean Air Act. 

For the BMW diesel emissions scandal, the affected vehicles are those that were manufactured between the years 2007 and 2018. Industry insiders and experts believe that over nine million drivers may be qualified to file a claim. 

If one in three affected drivers files a diesel claim and wins, they can be looking at a total payout equivalent to around £38 billion. This is one of the reasons why over a dozen law firms are scrambling to encourage drivers to join their legal action against BMW and other carmakers guilty of using the cheat device. 

BMW denied the allegation and said that their vehicles have always adhered to emissions standards.

Aside from Volkswagen and BMW, there are other carmakers that authorities accuse of using defeat devices. These are:

  • Renault
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Vauxhall
  • Nissan
  • Ford
  • Chrysler
  • Hyundai
  • Fiat
  • Jaguar
  • Citroën
  • Kia
  • Skoda
  • Mini
  • Seat
  • Porsche
  • Volvo
  • Peugeot

New brands are added to the list now and then as authorities remain vigilant even if it has been almost eight years since the scandal first shocked the global automotive industry.

Dangerous defeat devices

As mentioned earlier, defeat devices manipulate emissions during testing. These devices are programmed to sense when a vehicle in the lab is about to undergo a regulatory test. As soon as this happens, the devices artificially reduce emissions levels to within legal limits. In other words, defeat devices hide real emissions.

Used BMW cars may appear emissions-compliant, high-performing, and safe but this is only short-lived. When the car is out on normal roads, it emits excessively high volumes of a gas known as NOx or nitrogen oxide. This makes the vehicle far from being emissions-compliant. It is a heavy pollutant. 

Errant carmakers, therefore, mis-sold their diesel vehicles and lied to their customers. They were more concerned about making a profit than making sure that their clients were safe.

Defeat devices are dangerous not only because they hide real emissions but also because of NOx emissions. 

What exposure to NOx emissions can do to you

Nitrogen oxide is made of different gases, including nitric oxide or NO and nitrogen dioxide or NO2. It forms acid rain and smog and produces a pollutant called ground-level ozone. It destroys vegetation.

Its most devastating impact, however, is on your health. Various health conditions will hound you for the rest of your life. 

In some cases, your mental health can be affected. This means you’ll have more episodes of anxiety and depression. Additionally, NOx emissions can also weaken your cognitive health, which may lead to dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease. 

Your health can suffer regardless of how constant or long your exposure to NOx is. Common (but mild) impacts include asthma, nausea and vomiting, corroded teeth, and irritated eyes, nose, and throat. The more serious health conditions are life-changing:

  • COPD 
  • Laryngospasm (the involuntary seizure or contraction of the vocal cords)
  • Asphyxiation (when the body lacks oxygen supply)
  • Some cancers
  • Cardiovascular illnesses
  • Premature death

NOx emissions, and air pollution in general, have become the most significant cause of early deaths worldwide. Every year, millions of people lose their lives because of exposure to toxic air. Such was the case of a young girl in the UK by the name of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah. She died in 2013 after a severe asthma attack. Before her death, she had consecutively visited hospitals and emergency rooms for various respiratory-related issues. 

Ella and her mother Rosamund were exposed to high levels of air pollution as they lived by the South Circular Road area in London, one of the most polluted places in the city. After completing an inquest, the coroner formally acknowledged air pollution as the main cause of Ella’s death.

To prevent similar incidents from happening, authorities encourage drivers affected by the diesel emissions scandal to bring their carmakers to court through a diesel claim. 

What’s my diesel claim?

A diesel claim is the legal action you need if you suspect that your vehicle has a defeat device. The claim places the responsibility on the carmaker since they were the one who placed the defeat device in your vehicle.

If you win the claim, your carmaker will compensate you with an amount assigned by the court.
Before you start working on your emission claim, though, you should visit Emissions.co.uk to verify if you are qualified to file a claim and receive compensation. Once you’re done, find an emissions expert who can help you bring your case together. Visit their website here – https://www.emissions.co.uk/

Cup Series Current Top 5 Playoff Contenders

By
SM
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The NASCAR 2023 Cup Series Playoffs began this past weekend at the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Fans saw the first of many upsets and mistakes that could result in any of the current 16 contenders of the NASCAR Cup Series secondary playoff bracket being eliminated in the coming race weekends.

Before diving into the details of the upcoming race this Sunday, the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, now is as good an opportunity as ever to assess the top 12 drivers and their potential to take the championship. No check writing calculator is needed as each of their current scores has been tabulated in the table below:

RankDriverPointsPlayoff Points
1Kyle Larson2074+0
2Willaim Byron2075+45
3Tyler Reddick2060+30
4Chris Buescher2057+27
5Denny Hamlin2057+27

Top 5 NASCAR 2023 Cup Series Playoff Drivers Synopsys

Kyle Larson – Rank 1

Kyle Larson has proven himself to earn his current top spot in the playoffs. Just this last week at Darlington Raceway, he put his perseverance on full display whether the storm through all the cautions and wrecks during the race.

Larson has already taken a total of 3 race wins during this cup series, which ties with his 2022 NASCAR Cup Series performance and a total of 11 Top 5s and 13 top 10s. Larson finished 7th in last year’s playoffs, and judging by his performance this year, he is expected to surpass the previous year.

William Byron – Rank 2

William Byron, while not currently in the rank one position, has proven himself this year. Not only has Byron earned a staggering 5 race wins during this season, but many outlets have also predicted him to win the 2023 Cup Series title. Byron has also earned 10 top 5s, and 14 top 10s during the 2023 Season.

Tyler Reddick – Rank 3

Tyler Reddick continues to prove consistency is key as he sits safely at the rank three position in the playoffs. Reddick has earned a total of 1 win, 8 top 5s, and 12 top 10s this season. Last year’s performance saw Reddick rank 14th but his 2023 performance has been spectacular.

Chris Buescher – Rank 4

Chris Buescher’s 2023 performance has been crazy, to say the least. Buescher has shown how well he can thrive in duress by only having 1 DNF this year. Buescher has been on the recording saying, “It’s an execution day” and he is living true to his words. Buescher has a total of 3 race wins, 7 top 5s, and 13 top 10s this season.

Denny Hamlin – Rank 5

Denny Hamlin is one of the greats and is expected to fight tooth and nail for his position in the Cup Series and playoffs. Hamlin has been a perfectly executed aggressive driver this year and has taken 2 race wins, 9 top 5s, and 12 top 10s while only having 2 DNFs. Hamlin’s playoff rank last has been higher than the current other top 4, so it is expected he will rise in this list.

Honorable Mention – Ross Chastain – Rank 10

While sitting at the 10th position in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, fans cannot write off Ross Chastain. Last year, Chastain showed us how much he wanted to take the 2022 Title with his outstanding performance and crazy plays like the last lap at Martinsville Speedway. Chastain finished 2nd last year and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him rise in the ranks.

Hamlin inks multi-year Cup Series contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Patrick Sue-Chan for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Denny Hamlin officially scratched his name off of this year’s Silly Season list with the announcement that he has signed a multi-year contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing, where he will remain as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series competitor and driver of the No. 11 JGR Toyota TRD Camry.

The news comes as the 42-year-old Hamlin from Chesterfield, Virginia, is currently campaigning in his 18th consecutive full-time season with JGR in NASCAR’s premier series and 17th as a Playoff competitor as he is one of 16 competitors currently vying for the 2023 Cup Series championship.

”Joe Gibbs Racing has been my home for almost 20 years now,” Hamlin said in a released statement. ”My relationship with Joe, my team, and everyone at JGR means a lot to me. We have accomplished so much together over the years. I’m excited to finally announce this so we can put all our focus on chasing the championship.”

Hamlin, who first joined Joe Gibbs Racing as a development competitor in 2004, made his inaugural start in the Cup Series at Kansas Speedway in October 2005, where he first piloted JGR’s No. 11 entry. After competing in the final seven scheduled events of the 2005 season, where he notched three top-10 results and his first pole position at Phoenix Raceway, he became a full-time Cup Series competitor for JGR, starting in 2006.

Since his debut in 2005, Hamlin has made 641 career starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, all while driving JGR’s No. 11 entry, and is one of 15 competitors to reach 50 career victories to date. Among his top achievements as a Cup competitor include three Daytona 500 victories, three Southern 500 victories, the 2022 Coca-Cola 600 victory, the 2015 All-Star Race victory, three Shootout victories and the 2006 Rookie-of-the-Year title, with his best points finish being a runner-up result in 2010. Having been named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers this season, he has also achieved 40 poles, 217 top-fives, 333 top-10s, 13,920 laps led and an average finishing result of 13.2 throughout his Cup career.

In addition to being a full-time Cup Series competitor for Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin is also entering his third season as a co-owner of 23XI Racing a team he co-owns with NBA icon Michael Jordan. Currently, 23XI Racing manages two full-time entries for Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, both of whom are competing in this year’s Playoffs. Since its inception in 2021, 23XI Racing has notched a combined four victories, two poles, 25 top-fives and 41 top-10 results.

Hamlin is coming off a 25th-place finish in this year’s Playoff opener at Darlington Raceway. Having scored two victories throughout the regular-season stretch to make the Playoffs, he currently sits in fifth place in the Playoff standings and is 27 points above the top-12 cutline to transfer to the Round of 12 as he continues his bid for his first championship in NASCAR’s premier series.

”It is amazing to think it has been almost 20 years since J.D. [Gibbs] first saw him race and we signed him to that first contract,” Joe Gibbs said. ”He has been a big part of Joe Gibbs Racing ever since then and we look forward to that continuing for years to come.”

With his future plans set as a competitor, Hamlin’s bid for this year’s NASCAR Cup Series title continues this upcoming weekend at Kansas Speedway, a track where Hamlin won earlier in May and will serve as the second event in the Round of 16. The event is scheduled to occur on Sunday, September 10, at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network.

NHRA AT INDIANAPOLIS: Team Chevy Race Recap

By
Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN NHRA
2023 DODGE POWER BROKERS NHRA U.S. NATIONALS
LUCAS OIL INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK
CLERMONT, INDIANA
TEAM CHEVY RACE REPORT
SEPTEMBER 4, 2023

MATT HARTFORD CAPTURES CHEVROLET’S 376TH PRO STOCK WIN AT THE U.S. NATIONALS

  • Matt Hartford raced to the 2023 Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals victory, capturing his second win of the year and seventh of his career in his Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock car.
  • Hartford’s win at Indianapolis is Chevrolet’s 376th Pro Stock victory and 257th in a Camaro.
  • Robert Hight (Funny Car) of John Force Racing raced to the U.S. Nationals semifinal after defeating Paul Lee and Tim Wilkerson.
  • Hight started the day from the top spot of the qualifying leaderboard, capturing his 81st Funny Car No. 1 Qualifier and fourth of the year.
  • Greg Stanfield captured the first Factory X presented by Holley Wally trophy by racing to victory in his Chevrolet COPO Camaro.
  • Chevrolet saw success with Hight and John Force of John Force Racing, winning the Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout (Hight), No. 1 Funny Car Qualifier (Hight), and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge (Force).

INDIANAPOLIS (September 4, 2023) – On drag racing’s biggest stage, the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Chevrolet prevailed in Pro Stock with Matt Hartford racing to victory in his Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock over Fernando Cuadra Jr. With capturing the win light and Wally trophy, Hartford earns the Bowtie brand their 376th Pro Stock victory in NHRA and the 257th in a Camaro body. Additionally, Hartford raced to glory getting his second win this season and seventh of his NHRA career after earning his fourth No. 1 qualifier this season and of his career.

“We came so close a few years back and I lost by the narrowest of margins,” said Hartford. “Indy is a childhood dream. It’s everybody back at Total Seal that makes this happen for me. Everybody at CIP1, Rob’s, GETTRX, Rottler, ZMax, The Hose Connection, most importantly, my crew. I couldn’t do this without Eddie (Guarnaccia), and Chris Ingleson, Adam Bastian, my wife Amber. This is surreal. I proved I didn’t know how to do a burnout in the final, but at the end of the day the win light came on. I’m ecstatic.”

“My wife always tells me to smile. I told her if we win Indy, I’ll smile,” said Guarnaccia, Hartford’s Crew Chief. “I’m ecstatic for our team, for our program that Greg Anderson has put together and all their support. Matt (Hartford)’s done such a great job. Thank you so much.”

In Funny Car, Robert Hight, driver of the Cornwell Tools/AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car kicked off the weekend racing to his 81st career No. 1 qualifier and fourth of the season, taking on both Paul Lee and Tim Wilkerson to face reigning champion Ron Capps in the semifinal. Despite their best effort, Hight smoked the tires mid-track to fall to Capps and end his day in the third round of 2023’s U.S. Nationals.

An early end to race day for John Force, driver of the PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, the weekend was not without a win for the 16-time champion, taking home the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge victory over Capps.

Facing struggles in the first round, Brittany Force, driver of the Flav-R-Pack/Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, saw an unexpected early end versus Antron Brown after seeing an explosion at the 660-foot mark. Additionally, Austin Prock, driver of the Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, fell to Leah Pruett after leaving first but seeing Pruett pull away.

“This was really disappointing,” said B. Force. “This is Indy, the biggest race of our season and the last race before the points reset and we start over again for the Countdown. This was our best shot to get ahead of the game and we got beat first round. It’s unfortunate. I felt like we were out ahead. I didn’t see Antron (Brown) next to me, and then I just felt everything rock me forward and I had no power. There was no momentum and I was just coasting and I saw Antron get to that stripe first. (…) But this Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team – we’re not done. We still have a shot at this thing and we’re going to chase it down for the last six.”

In FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown, it was Stephen Bell and Jesse Alexandra facing off in the U.S. Nationals finals, both in Chevrolet COPO Camaro machines. Alexandra prevailed over Bell in the all-Chevrolet final to capture the Wally trophy.

Facing off in the Factory X presented by Holley finals for the first time in competition, and at the U.S. Nationals, Greg Stanfield, in his Chevrolet COPO Camaro, defeated Chris Holbrook with his pass of 7.254 ET at 191.73 MPH to Holbrook’s 8.047 ET at 173.09 MPH to claim the first Wally trophy in the category in competition.

“This is extremely big for us. All the effort that went into this for creating this new class,” said Stanfield. “We’re happy and proud to be a part of it, and hope it gets big,” in discussing the first race held in competition of Factory X.

Kicking off NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship, Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. is next up for the Chevrolet drivers and teams as they march toward crowing the 2023 NHRA champion, Sept. 15-17, 2023. Broadcast of Sunday’s eliminations air at 2 p.m. ET on FOX. Coverage streaming live throughout the weekend can be found through NHRA.tv, and is available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

Brittany Force, driver of the Flav-R-Pac/Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:

“This was really disappointing. This is Indy, the biggest race of our season and the last race before the points reset and we start over again for the Countdown. This was our best shot to get ahead of the game and we got beat first round. It’s unfortunate. I felt like we were out ahead. I didn’t see Antron (Brown) next to me, and then I just felt everything rock me forward and I had no power. There was no momentum, and I was just coasting and I saw Antron get to that stripe first. Congratulations to that team. But this Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team – we’re not done. We still have a shot at this thing and we’re going to chase it down for the last six.”

Austin Prock, driver of the Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:

“Rough way to end the weekend here at the U.S. Nationals. This Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team has been working hard. We’ve had some changes on the personnel side, but we’re pulling it together. If we do what we did last year, sitting where we’re sitting isn’t a bad thing. We just need to keep our heads down and put the work in.”

John Force, driver of the PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing:

“Well, long weekend, long weekend for everybody. I’m disappointed. It was a great drag race, great match-up with Cruz, love running him. Just wish it had gone my way. We did win the Mission Foods deal, and that was cool, so that’s something. Time to reset, get ready for the Countdown to the Championship and see what we can do.”

Robert Hight, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing:

“Not a bad weekend for this Cornwell Tools Chevy. Definitely not the results we wanted. We wanted that win, wanted to double up, but we’re really coming around. We are coming together at the right time and it’s definitely different than last year when we came in here with a huge lead and then Tuesday morning you woke up and looked at NHRA.com and you saw that you had nothing. It was all gone, down the toilet. So, I’m glad that’s happening to somebody else this year.”

Greg Stanfield, driver of the Chevrolet COPO Camaro Factory X presented by Holley car:

“This is extremely big for us. All the effort that went into this for creating this new class. Big thanks to NHRA for creating it. Big thanks to Jerry Haas and everybody at Jerry Haas race cars. We’re happy and proud to be a part of it, and hope it gets big.”

MATT HARTFORD, DRIVER OF THE TOTAL SEAL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS PRO STOCK CAR for KB Titan Racing – U.S. Nationals Winner’s Press Conference:

IN THE SEMIFINALS, YOU BEAT ERICA (ENDERS), YOUR ARCHRIVAL. ARE YOU HAPPY ABOUT THAT?

“Oh, yes. She’s a tough one to get. Beating (Erica Enders) is like winning Indy.”

TALKING WITH YOUR CREW CHIEF, HE MENTIONED YOU GUYS DIDN’T MAKE A GOOD RUN THIS WEEKEND, UNTIL NOW WHERE YOU’RE GOLDEN…

“I’ve got to correct you. He never said the car was crap. We never made a good run. The car is great. We didn’t set it up correctly or drive correctly. That’s all that came down to. If you watch the finals, I really screwed up the burnout.”

WHAT’S IN YOUR MIND AT THAT POINT (ON THE BURNOUT) WHEN YOU MESS UP LIKE THAT AND HAVE TO BACK UP?

“First of all, you back up into the water, get both tires wet, and pull forward. At that point, you just go through your normal routine. It’s done. Eddie says it all the time – that play is over, move on. Why think about it? Frank Hawley said the same thing. That play is over, move on.”

ON BEATING ERICA ENDERS…

“That was huge. I’m telling you, when we went up there, I said if we can beat her, we can win this race. We left on her, and we outran her. That’s hard to do with her. Sometimes you get both, or one or the other. Typically, you don’t get the two. Look, there’s six races coming up. Our focus is to qualify at the top of the sheet in all six and turn on four win lights every time. If we do that, this turns into a white (championship) hat.”

DO YOU HAVE A TEAM THAT’S CAPABLE OF WINNING THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

“We have the team, we have the car, and let me tell you, KB Titan power is as good as it gets right now. We’re going to have an incredible fresh piece going into the countdown. If I keep (my head) screwed on straight, watch out.”

FIRST U.S. NATIONALS WIN, THE SECOND WIN OF YOUR SEASON, AND FIRST TIME IN YOUR CAREER YOU’RE NOW A MULTI-RACE WINNER. CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THAT?

“Look, we came in here Friday night that our goal was to qualify No. 1 Friday night. If we could do that, we felt that that would stick and we would have four really good test runs to try different stuff. What we ran in the final today is what we tested in one of the qualifying runs. The track conditions became basically what that was. Being able to be on the pole and have that test data played a huge role in the final.”

“Coming into race day, facing Mason (McGaha). He went to the finals in Gainesville, he’s killer on the tree. Sooner or later they will find their footing again, and when they do, there is going to be some people who say “oh my god, how did they get beat by him?” They’re a great team, good driver, and he’s hungry to win. We didn’t go up there soft. We went up there knowing we had to make a run. I was a bit tardy, got back, and knew I needed to work on that. We worked on a few things. He slow-played me really well, he waited forever to stage. Basically played the trick on me I play on Erica (Enders).”

ON STAGING WITH CAMRIE CARUSO IN THE SECOND ROUND…

“We got up there with Camrie (Caruso) and she’s basically putting on the second bulb as I’m pre-staging. I actually got it in a little deep, and that’s where are 60-foot was off and we were a little slower. We went .643, and I thought, man that’s not good because we didn’t have lane choice and we’d be the first pair out. I looked at the numbers and saw we did have lane choice and we were second pair out against Erica (Enders) so my whole attitude changed pretty quick.”

WAS THERE A TIME ON THE BURNOUT IN THE FINAL THAT YOU FELT YOU (DAMAGED) THE CLUTCH AND COULDN’T GO DOWN THE TRACK?

“Not at all. I have a lot of faith, and when I knew it didn’t spin the tires and I got the pedal back in, I tried it a second time, I wasn’t concerned at all. What I was concerned about is the fact that Cuadra, Jr. already did his burnout and backed up, and I didn’t want the starter to get out in front of me to shorten my burnout. I wasn’t going to, and I really didn’t want to have an issue with that. It’s Indy, I’m doing my full burnout and I’m backing up. We’re quick about it. It’s not like I’m going to hold anybody up. That was the only thing that went through my head was don’t make it to where they’ve got to shorten my burnout because that would be a detriment.”

WHEN YOU’RE AT THE TOP END, AND SEE THE EMOTION OF THE WIN, TALK ABOUT WHAT INDY MEANS TO YOU NOT JUST AS A DRIVER, BUT AS A FAN AS WELL OF THE SPORT?

“The first year I came here was in the early 80’s, and I sat in the stands and watched the cars around the pits, and it can resonate with everybody, there’s times you reflect upon your own childhood and think ‘how did I get here?’ I’m now the guy people are rooting for or against in the stands. I was the kid stands. I was very impressionable at that young age that I wanted to be in a Pro Stock car. So the emotions to come to Indy are extremely high. Winning Norwalk was awesome, but this is Indy, and regardless as how we look at it as another race you want to win, I’m telling you, Indy is known as you doing something. It hasn’t set in yet, but it will.”

DO YOU FEEL THIS WIN AT INDY WILL GIVE YOU A BOOST OF CONFIDENCE HEADING INTO THE NEXT RACES AND CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVE?

“We’ve had the car to beat all season long. If you look all the data and all the numbers, you’ll hear Dallas Glenn has the best car all year. He has not. We have. Dallas (Glenn) has been the best driver all year. That’s why he’s in the position he’s in. If I get my head screwed on straight, and stop making mistakes, Dallas has got a problem and so does everyone else in the class. Yes, we have confidence and yes, this is a boost. You win Round 1 at Indy, it’s a boost. You win the U.S. Nationals? It’s a dream come true.”

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.

Toyota Gazoo Racing North America NHRA Indianapolis Post-Race Report – 09.04.23

By
Official Release
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BROWN, CAPPS, TOYOTA SWEEP INDY FOR SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON
Team Toyota earns fifth straight Top Fuel win

CLERMONT, Ind. (September 4, 2023) – Antron Brown and Ron Caps completed the second straight Team Toyota U.S. Nationals double-up on Monday afternoon. It was an all-Team Toyota final round across the board, as Brown faced Steve Torrence and Capps ran against J.R. Todd.

For Toyota, it is the second consecutive nitro sweep (2022 – Antron Brown, Ron Capps) and fourth Top Fuel win at the U.S. Nationals in the last five races (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023). For this season, it is the fifth consecutive Top Fuel win for Team Toyota and second consecutive double-up. Toyota also advanced all eight teams out of the first round for the first time this season.

Toyota Post-Race Recap
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
Indianapolis Raceway Park
Race 15 of 21

TOYOTA TOP FUEL FINISHING POSITIONS 

NameCarFinal ResultRound-by-Round
Antron BrownMatco Tools Toyota Top Fuel DragsterWinnerW. 3.749 v. 3.870(B. Force) W. 3.791 v. 3.919(C. Millican) W. 4.924 v. 6.569(J. Ashley) W. 3.779 v. 3.870(S. Torrence)
Steve TorrenceCapco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel DragsterFinalistW. 3.716 v. 3.830(W. Smith) W. 4.086 v. 4.266(S. Langdon) W. 4.158 v. 8.290(D. Kalitta) L. 3.870 v. 3.779(A. Brown)
Justin AshleyPhillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel DragsterSemi-FinalsW. 3.719 v. 3.763(D. Foley) W. 3.753 v. 7.617(L. Pruett) L. 6.569 v. 4.924(A. Brown)
Doug KalittaMac Tools Toyota Top Fuel DragsterSemi-FinalsW. 3.692 v. 3.798(S. Massey) W. 3.888 v. 6.574(M. Salinas) L. 8.290 v. 4.158(S. Torrence)
Shawn LangdonKalitta Air Careers Toyota Top Fuel DragsterSecond RoundW. 3.809 v. 3.968(J. Hart) L. 4.266 v. 4.086(S. Torrence)

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR FINISHING POSITIONS 

NameCarFinal ResultRound-by-Round
Ron CappsHot Wheels/NAPA Toyota GR Supra Funny CarWinnerW. 3.894 v. 4.605(D. Creasy) W. 4.582 v. 5.146(M. Hagan) W. 4.029 v. 5.580(R. Hight) W. 3.986 v. 4.131(J. Todd)
J.R. ToddDHL Toyota GR Supra Funny CarFinalistW. 3.913 v. 3.972(B. Alexander) W. 3.974 v. 3.945(Holeshot Win – B. Tasca) W. 4.007 v. 5.557(C. Pedregon) L. 4.131 v. 3.986(R. Capps)
Alexis DeJoriaBandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny CarSecond RoundW. 3.889 v. 4.187(B. Bode) L. 3.973 v. 3.944(C. Pedregon)

TOYOTA QUOTES

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

TF Final Result: Winner

From the 15th qualifier to the race win, can you talk about how you got here?

“We never stopped believing. All of the glory goes to God. You have to have faith. I love this team. They never quit. Matco Tools Test Drive – get you a dealership – but this is all about my team. Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald, all of the Matco boys. They worked so, so hard. To win the U.S. Nationals, the Big Go, twice in a row with RC (Ron Capps). Toyota, we love you. We are going places – the Countdown here we go.”

RON CAPPS, Hot Wheels/NAPA Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, Ron Capps Motorsports

FC Final Result: Winner

What does this mean to you to pick up this victory with Don Prudhomme on the line?

“This was going to be a NAPA Auto Care car, and they understood the legacy. They understood what was going on here. NAPA Auto Parts is going be 100 years old in a couple of years, and they wanted this car to be as authentic as possible. I can’t ask for anything more from a partner. Toyota, everybody at GEARWRENCH, Revchem. To have Don Prudhomme here, I could not let him waste a plane ticket. He didn’t want to lose after he flew all the way out here. This is an unbelievable thing. To win here, to win Indy with my brother Antron (Brown) again is massive.”

About Toyota

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

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 24 electrified options.

Kansasland Tire and American Racing partner to sponsor Ellis and the No.43 Chevy in Kansas

By
Official Release
-

Ryan Ellis and Alpha Prime Racing are proud to announce that Kansasland Tire, American Racing Wheels will sponsor the No.43 Chevy Camaro in the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular-season finale, the Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. They’ll be joined by secondary sponsors, Dakota Riggers and Preferred Asphalt & Sealcoating.

Kansasland Tire has sponsored Ellis multiple times in NASCAR since 2019 and also has sponsored the 33-year-old NASCAR veteran at the Chili Bowl Nationals and other dirt events.

Kansasland Tire is your Kansas headquarters for tires and wheels, automotive services, and commercial/farm services. Their team keeps you rolling at 25 locations in Kansas, and 50 stores total across five states. They stock a large selection of tires from major brands like Goodyear, Michelin, Cooper, Armstrong, Kelly, and Mastercraft. Kansasland has you covered, from oil changes and brake repairs to wheel alignments and roadside assistance.

The partnership with the No.43 Alpha Prime team points to Kansasland’s relationship with American Racing Custom Wheels. American Racing’s line of custom semi-truck wheels is now available in all commercial service locations along with our sister locations, including Nebraskaland, Coloradoland, and McWhorter Tire locations in Texas.

“This is such a cool partnership. There’s so much to love about this car – from how it looks to the companies that tie it together. I’ve worked with Kansasland for many years now, and it’s been great to grow that relationship into a full primary sponsorship with Alpha Prime. Kansasland and their other brands, like Nebraskaland, Coloradoland, and McWhorter Tire, have been growing throughout the Midwest, and we’re proud to be a small part of their business,” said Ryan Ellis, driver of the No.43 Kansasland Tire Chevy Camaro.

“We are excited to partner with two iconic brands in the car industry – American Racing Wheels and Hoonigan on this unique paint scheme to sponsor Ryan Ellis at our home track,” said Josh Dowell, Head of Motorsports Marketing at Kansasland Tire.

American Racing Wheels are designed for the industry’s best, by the industry’s best. American Racing has earned the trust of some of the most discerning critics in the automotive industry. Since our industry-defining introduction in 1956, American Racing Wheels has been a leader in automotive performance, style, and culture. Forged custom semi-wheels that combine the best of both worlds, ultra-custom styling with industry-leading load capacity, all backed by a brand name. Their decades of heritage in American motorsports made them the household name customers know and trust.

The No.43 Chevy will also be sponsored by Dakota Riggers, who offers the widest selection of tools and fall protection equipment for your business. Dakota Riggers is a one-stop shop for all kinds of tools and rigging products. Established in 1982, Dakota Riggers always strives to provide our customers with top-notch customer service, great pricing, and the most complete selection of tools, rigging, and fall protection in the Midwest. Their team is constantly expanding their product lines, continually adding new products to meet their customer’s needs.

Preferred Asphalt & Sealcoating, another new sponsor to Ellis and the No.43 team, is a locally owned and operated asphalt and concrete company. Their team provides commercial and residential paving services, from tearouts to sealing and overlays. Preferred Asphalt & Sealcoating will help you save time and money. They serve homes and businesses throughout Grandview, MO, and the surrounding communities with projects of any size.

KANSAS TUNE-IN INFORMATION:
The action from Kansas kicks off Saturday, September 9th, 2023, with a full day of on-track action. Practice begins at 9:05 a.m. CT, with qualifying following at 9:35 a.m. CT. The green flag on the regular season finale, the Kansas Lottery 300, drops at 2:00 pm CT / 3:00 pm ET with coverage on NBC. Radio coverage can be found on MRN and SiriusXM

ABOUT KANSASLAND TIRE:
Kansasland Tire is your Kansas headquarters for tires and wheels, automotive services, and commercial/farm services. Their team keeps you rolling at 25 locations in Kansas, and 50 stores total across five states. They stock a large selection of tires from major brands like Goodyear, Michelin, Cooper, Armstrong, Kelly, and Mastercraft. They have you covered, from oil changes and brake repairs to wheel alignments and roadside assistance.

ABOUT ALPHA PRIME RACING:
Alpha Prime Racing is a NASCAR Xfinity Series team co-owned by NASCAR driver Tommy Joe Martins and Alpha Prime Sports Founder and CEO Caesar Bacarella. The team was initially founded in 2009 under the name Martins Racing and has since grown into a three-car Chevrolet team, adding the No. 43 Chevrolet in 2023, primarily piloted by Ryan Ellis.

It was just announced on August 4th, 2023, that Ellis will compete full-time in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season in his first-ever full-time NASCAR season.

RFK Racing Kicks off NASCAR Playoffs with Strong Showing at Darlington

By
Official Release
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Buescher, Keselowski finish 3rd and 6th at Track Too Tough to Tame

Darlington, S.C. (September 3, 2023) – RFK Racing scored a pair of top-10 finishes to kick off the 2023 NASCAR Playoffs in grand fashion during Sunday Night’s Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Chris Buescher continued to ride his recent wave of speed and momentum, collecting his fifth finish of 7th or better in the last six races with a strong 3rd place effort.

RFK Racing driver/co-owner Brad Keselowski brought his Solomon Plumbing Ford home in the 6th position – his 12th top-10 finish of the season. The finishes marked the seventh time this season both RFK Fords have finished top-10, with both finishes placing Buescher and Keselowski in solid position to advance to the next round of the NASCAR Playoffs.

“It was really good,” said Buescher who ran just behind the top two finishers as the laps wound down in the 500-mile event. “This BuildSubmarines.com Ford Mustang was strong. I’m really proud of everybody on this team. This is the first time we’ve had BuildSubmarines.com on board. I know Brad has had it several times, but I’m proud to have a bunch of them out here with us and to get a good, solid day. It just goes to show that what we’ve been doing at RFK the last several months is doing a good job, working hard and getting the results.”

“It was a solid day for us,” said Keselowski, who powered his way through the field after pitting late in the race. “We scored a lot of points and showed some strength from 3rd to 6th with our two cars. We got up to I think 4th there with 30 to go when that yellow came out and we pitted and we thought a whole bunch of cars would pit and they didn’t. That dropped us back to 17th or 18th and we were able to get back up to sixth.”

Yesterday night also marked a career-high finish for Chris Buescher at Darlington, and his second straight top-10 at the famed track. Keselowski secured his 11th career top-10 finish at the Track Too Tough to Tame.

“We worked hard and our team did a great job,” added Buescher. “The pit crew really stepped up in the final half of this race and got us a bunch of spots that put us up front and put us in a great spot to fight for it at least. It hurts just a little bit to be that close and not be able to get it.”

With two races left in the first round of the playoffs (Kansas, Sept. 10th and Bristol, Sept. 16th), both RFK Racing cars currently sit above the cutoff line to advance into the Round of 12. Chris Buescher sits 4th in the playoff standings with a 27-point advantage over the cutoff line, while Brad Keselowski holds the 8th position, 18 points above.

Kansas Raceway plays host to the second race of the 2023 NASCAR Playoffs next weekend. Race coverage Sunday is set for 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Darlington

By
Jeffrey Boswell
-
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. William Byron: Byron finished fourth in the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington.

“‘Liberty University’ branding is back on my No. 24 Chevrolet,” Byron said. “And if you don’t think I’m good enough to be the Cup champion, do like Jerry Falwell, Jr. and ‘just watch.'”

2. Kyle Larson: Larson took advantage of Denny Hamlin’s loose wheel misfortune and powered late to win at Darlington and lock in his advance to the next playoff round.

“The race was red flagged on Lap 189 to repair the lighting in Turns 3 and 4,” Larson said. “That was unprecedented. Why? Show me another NASCAR night race where everything and everyone there weren’t ‘well lit.'”

3. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin won Stages 1 and 2 at Darlington, but a loose wheel late in the final stage cost him any chance of the victory.

“Sure I’m disappointed,” Hamlin said. “But I received a pep talk from my 23XI Racing partner Michael Jordan. He said it’s up to me to decide if I’m going to be the Michael Jordan of the Playoffs or the Karl Malone of the Playoffs. Wait a minute. I think I already am the Karl Malone of the Playoffs.”

4. Chris Buescher: Buescher finished a strong third at Darlington, getting his Playoffs off to a great start.

“My car featured the ‘BuildSubmarines.com’ paint scheme,” Buescher said. “Ironically, a third place will keep my championship hopes above water. And, if you were betting on how many laps I’d lead at Darlington, you should have taken the ‘under.'”

5. Joey Logano: Logano and Bubba Wallace made contact in Stage 1, sending Wallace spinning and leaving Logano’s No. 22 Penske Ford with a bent toe link. Logano still managed to limp home to a solid 12th-place finish.

“Anytime the car sponsored by McDonald’s is responsible for knocking me down in the standings,” Logano said, “there’s only one way to feel about that: ‘I’m not loving it.'”

6. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex’s hopes at Darlington were derailed by a loose wheel in Stage 2 that cost the No. 19 severely. Truex salvaged an 18th-place finish

“Darlington is already a grueling race,” Truex said. “Add to that temperatures near 100 degrees and high humidity, and you literally find yourself having to drive like ‘hell’ just to survive.'”

7. Ross Chastain: Chastain finished a solid fifth at Darlington.

“I’ve been in somewhat of a slump lately,” Chastain said. “I only have one top-10 finish in the last nine races before Darlington. If I’m going to make some noise in the Playoffs, I need to ride a wave of momentum like I rode the outside wall at Martinsville last year.”

8. Ryan Blaney: Blaney posted a solid start to his Playoffs with a ninth at Darlington.

“That crash I had at Daytona was really violent,” Blaney said. “That being said, I really hope I can make an impact in the Playoffs, and hope my championship hopes don’t hit a wall.”

9. Christopher Bell: Bell started on the pole at Darlington but was hindered by several mistakes, including a jack problem during an early pit stop, and later clash with the wall on his way to a 23rd-place finish in the Cook Out Southern 500.

“That just ruined the handling on my No. 20 Toyota,” Bell said. “And I’m not happy where we finished. But I’m not worried. I know I have the desire. I’m young and I’m hungry. And that calls for a shout-out to the guy that once drove the No. 20 car, Tony Stewart, because he’s old and hungry.”

10. Kevin Harvick: Harvick was headed to the pits on lap 310 when a caution just before he entered, meaning a closed pit road, resulting in a penalty that cost Harvick a likely top 5 finish. He finished 19th and is two points below the 12-driver cutoff for round 2 of the Playoffs.

“This is all Tyler Reddick’s fault,” Harvick said. “He braked suddenly when I pitted in an effort to duplicate what I was doing. That caused Ryan Newman to spin trying to avoid him. I shouldn’t have to say this to Tyler, but come on, man. This is the Playoffs, which is no time to take your foot off the gas.”

Crawford Shows Strong Pace once again at Monza

By
Official Release
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Monza (ITA) SEP 1-3 - Italian Grand Prix at the AutodrJak Crawford #9 Hitech GP, during round thirteen of the FIA Formula 2 Championship at Autodromo di Monza, on September 1-3, 2023.omo di Monza. Jak CRAWFORD #09 Hitech. © 2023 Sebastiaan Rozendaal / Dutch Photo Agency // Dutch Photo Agency / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202309020296 // Usage for editorial use only //

Consistently in the mix through the weekend but bad luck and contact prevent points

MONZA, Italy (3 September 2023) – Despite showing strong pace in practice, qualifying and both races at Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Jak Crawford’s Italian Grand Prix didn’t yield the results that the American Formula 1 hopeful had fought for in FIA Formula 2 competition. The visit to the hallowed Italian circuit came just one week after Crawford delivered a break-out weekend at Zandvoort, where he qualified on pole and brought home a Feature Race podium.

In Sunday’s Feature race, Crawford was once again right in the mix, making a dramatic three-wide pass to capture fifth place with 10 laps remaining. But a cut tire on the following lap saw him fall to 16th. He was able to race forward to up to 13th despite the ill-timed pit stop before wheel-to-wheel contact with two laps remaining resulted in damage that forced him out of the race. He was classified 16th.

“The Feature Race was very good,” Crawford said. “I made some good overtakes, and we fixed our car from Saturday, and I was quite happy with it up until that point. I think we would have ended up in third, because the car ahead still had to make a pit stop and I was a lot quicker than the driver right ahead of me.”

“I was just defending, and the driver behind me was closing and he decided to go for a move that wasn’t there and I got a puncture. Then, at the end, I got a broken left-rear, and that was that.”

On Saturday, Crawford started fourth but lost a position after contact at the start. He was sixth while involved in a spirited battle for position over the closing laps, but was penalized for going wide on the final lap.

“Saturday was a bit more of a struggle,” he said. “Attacking and defending is very different at this track than any other race. On the last lap, it was just a mistake on my part and I went off a little too much.”

For qualifying, Crawfords ability to set a quick time early once again paid dividends as he scored seventh-fastest overall despite not getting to run the final segment of the session.

Having set the sixth fastest lap early in the qualifying, Crawford encountered problems with an engine fire that prevented him from returning to the fray. Meanwhile, gamesmanship saw most of the other competitors run out of time as they stalled looking for spots in traffic for a fast final lap, with only one driver managing to post a quicker time. Last weekend at Zandvoort, Crawford’s early fast lap was good enough to stand up his first F2 pole as late red flags prevented the competition from gaining ground.

“Qualifying was weird again, getting our best lap on the first run,” Crawford said. “Then we had a fire in the fuel pump, so I was not able to go out again, because it would have been a safety risk. That was unfortunate for me, but luckily nobody else improved, and I only got jumped one spot. At the end of the day, we saved one set of tires.”

In contention all weekend, Crawford was seventh-fastest in Friday’s lone practice session for Hitech Pulse-Eight.

“We were quick straight away and practice was great,” he said. “I was feeling comfortable and I was happy with the setup from practice, even though we still had a bit of work to do.”

Crawford now gets a two-month break before the 2023 season comes to a close on Nov. 24-25 at Yas Marina Circuit in the United Arab Emirates.

“That’s where I did my first F2 test last year, and I’m looking forward to the end of the season,” Crawford said. “We’ll see what we can do to end it on a high. These past two weekends I thought we’ve done really well in the Feature Race, and I think we deserve another podium in the Feature Race, or even a win. I don’t have any plans for the upcoming weeks at the moment. Maybe I’ll go home for training and relaxing a bit, because the season’s basically over at this point. I’m still undecided on next year’s plans, but I’ll be back in F2.”

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