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Your Transmission is About to Give Out: What Are Your Options?

By
SM
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Photo by Yuvraj Singh on Unsplash

You are just about to take your car out of the driveway but suddenly realize that the transmission has given up on you. The gear shift refuses to move and you’re unable to go forward or backward, thus rendering your automobile useless, at least for the time being. 

This is a bad situation and can happen to anybody, particularly those who own older vehicles with over 100k miles to their name. While many customers prefer to purchase an extended warranty for cars over 100k miles, this isn’t common practice. There are a few options if your transmission is broken and the car doesn’t have an extended warranty. But how can you know if your transmission is about to give out before it’s completely gone? 

Well, there are some signs you can watch out for to tell if your transmission is about to become defunct.

What Are the Signs That Your Car’s Transmission Is About to Fail?

Warning Light on the Car

Most present-day automobiles include a warning light that informs the user whenever the transmission isn’t functioning as it should. You may also get warnings via the check engine light if your vehicle doesn’t have a dedicated warning light for transmission issues. 

Transmission Starts to Slip

Car components tend to wear down over time, and the transmission is no exception. If your vehicle has run for several years without repairs, the transmission may begin slipping when you go into the next gear. Transmission slipping can also occur due to clogging in the system or lack of fluids necessary for its smooth functioning. Neglecting this will only make matters worse, so head over to the nearest car dealership/mechanic if you’re experiencing transmission slipping in your car.

Strange Sounds and Smells

One way of knowing if your car’s transmission is broken is by listening to the sounds your car makes. Whether you own an automatic or manual transmission vehicle, there will be a distinct sound coming out of your car when the transmission is about to give out.

The lubricants within the transmission can dry out after prolonged use. In some cases, the fluid may start leaking out of your car. If the leak is minor, you probably won’t see it, but you can definitely smell it. If you suspect the transmission liquid is leaking, bend down to see if there’s a reddish fluid coming out of the vehicle. Chances are that this is your car’s transmission fluid, and delaying it could completely wreck the transmission. 

Options to Consider When the Car’s Transmission Is About to Give Out

Scrap the Car

If the repair costs of your car are more than its value, it’s probably best to just sell it for scrap. But don’t make this decision hastily. Check the Kelley Blue Book value for your car, even if it has 100,000-plus miles on it and is over 15 years old. Compare the value with the cost of repairs, and you should be able to come to a decision on the next steps. 

Purchase a Used Transmission

If your car’s transmission has almost given up, it’s worth considering a used transmission to replace it. You may also end up saving some money by taking this route as it would be significantly cheaper than getting a new transmission for your aging vehicle. A used transmission can be bought from your local repair shop. 

While it’s not guaranteed to last forever, most dealers offer a limited warranty, ranging from three to six months. There’s a significant risk involved in getting a used transmission, especially after the warranty period expires. But this is a worthy tradeoff compared to buying a new transmission or rebuilding your existing unit from scratch.

Transmission Rebuild

This is one of the more expensive options on this list as we’ve touched on above. However, it’s an option to consider if you want your car to function smoothly like on the day it was bought. Some old car owners have sentimental value attached to their automobiles. This means scrapping it at a junkyard is out of the question. Getting a used transmission may not be suited to you either, given the feeling of unreliability after the warranty period. 

These concerns make a transmission rebuild more viable for many customers. A full rebuild involves taking the transmission apart, replacing some of the older components while cleaning up the parts that can be refitted, and reattaching it to your car. 

It may sound fairly uncomplicated, but this process could take some time, especially if your car is more than a decade old. Parts availability is also a factor that could hinder a full transmission rebuild. Some dealerships offer warranties for the rebuilt transmission, though the warranty period may differ based on the dealer.

Trade in Your Car

This is usually the last resort, but if you can get anywhere close to the Kelley Blue Book value for your car, it’s probably a good idea to trade in or sell it. You may not get a lot back since the transmission is broken, but there is a market for that. 

Dealers or repair shops may choose to make minor repairs to the car they buy from you and resell it in the market or put it up for auction. You can also put up your car on sale via online portals. Most buyers you find online will be interested in getting your vehicle for its parts. 

Choose the Best Option for You

Transmission issues can occur at any time on older vehicles. What you choose to do when that time comes is entirely up to you. If you’re attached to your automobile, you may not mind spending some money on replacing it. 

Those who cannot afford a new/used car or a transmission replacement may choose to repair it instead, which costs less than having it rebuilt from scratch. Alternatively, if you have only one car and need it to travel to work or drop your kids off at school, it may be worth selling it and getting a new or used car with reliable transmission.

Tips For Keeping Your Car Clean

By
SM
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Photo by Adrian Dascal on Unsplash

Driving around with children can be a very stressful experience by itself. However, it only gets increasingly more stressful the dirtier your car becomes. Unfortunately, kids can make a mess out of anything.

This makes keeping your car clean in between all of the errands, school runs, and practice runs difficult. It can seem like an impossible task in itself. Luckily, there are things you can do to keep your car clean without having to spend hours per week doing it. This can help minimize a lot of unnecessary stress in your life. Here are some of the best tips for keeping your car clean. 

Tips For Keeping Your Car Tidy:

1. Prevention 

The best thing you can do if you want to keep your car clean is to prevent it from getting dirty in the first place. You want to avoid the mess from the start. You can do this easily by utilizing protective coverings on your seats and getting easily cleaned mats from Mrcarmats.co.uk. If your kids are constantly throwing the door open with no regard to what could be blocking it, you may want to get some protective moldings to minimize bumps and scratches.

2. Entertain Them

You will find that your kids are much more difficult to deal with and much messier when they are bored. Try to distract them while in the car with different activities. Having a tablet they can use, a portable video game console or even an audiobook can be a good way to give them a healthy distraction. If you already use a tablet in the vehicle, getting a tablet holder installed can be a good way to keep your kids from fighting with one another about who gets to hold it. 

3. Smart Snacking

You don’t want to give your kids a bunch of snacks that lead to crumbs and other messes. Instead, you should try to snack smarter. Give them snacks that aren’t as messy. Avoid the crumbs and the spillage of yogurt. You want to get snacks that can be easily eaten without making a mess. These snacks can include string cheese, deli slices, and other things.

You also want to consider getting a few sick bags in case your child is prone to getting car sick. If so, they can use these bags in the event they have to throw up.

4. Stay On Top Of things

You want to stay on top of cleaning out your car every time you use it. By having a bag that holds all of the trash and recyclables, you can make it much easier to clear out your car and keep things from building up inside of it. This will allow you to empty the trash bag whenever it gets full. It makes it easier for your kids to help you keep the car clean because you’re giving them an easy place to put their trash.

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Pocono

By
Jeffrey Boswell
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Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota, Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&Ms Toyota, Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, and Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Duracell Ford during the NASCAR Cup Series M&M's Fan Appreciation 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 24, 2022 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Chase Elliott: Elliott finished third in the M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 at Pocono, but was awarded the win when first and second place winners Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch were disqualified.

“My goals this season are twofold,” Elliott said. “First and foremost, I want to win my second Cup championship. Secondly, I want to see if I can convince fans to select me as NASCAR’s most popular driver for the fifth time, even with this villainous mustache.”

2. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin got past Ross Chastain on a Lap 19 restart and held off Kyle Busch over the final laps to win at Pocono, his seventh career win at the Tricky Triangle. But the win was later negated when Hamlin’s No. 11 car failed post-race inspection.

“This might be the biggest story in all of the sports world,” Hamlin said. “I may be biased, but I think NASCAR is the greatest sport in the world. In short, NASCAR rules.

“As for Chastain, if by ‘got past’ you mean ‘sent into the wall, then yes, that’s what happened. Ross had this coming, so it was well-deserved, and well, deserved. Sending a message to Chastain was No. 1 on my list of things to do, and I obviously sent it Fed Ex Priority.”

3. Kyle Busch: Busch took second in the M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400, but was disqualified after failing post-race inspection.

“I’m gonna plead ignorance,” Busch said. “I tried that in court once for a reckless driving charge, and it didn’t work.

“But if you want to hear about a real ‘Tricky Triangle,’ ask me about my agent, Joe Gibbs Racing, and myself in contract talks.”

4. Ross Chastain: Chastain finished 34th after Denny Hamlin squeezed him into the wall on a restart with 19 laps to go. Chastain’s No. 1 Chevy bounced off the wall and into the path of Kevin Harvick’s No. 4 Ford.

“It’s one thing to have it coming,” Chastain said, “and it’s another thing to see it coming. I had both.”

5. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex finished ninth at Pocono as all four Joe Gibbs Racing cars posted top-10 finishes, although Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch were later disqualified

“What a day for Joe Gibbs,” Truex said. “Not only did JGR cars dominate, but his grandson Ty Gibbs subbed for Kurt Busch and looked strong with an 18th-place finish. It all adds up to Joe’s belief that any Busch brother, Kurt or Kyle, especially, is replaceable.”

6. Ryan Blaney: Blaney got loose coming out of Turn 3 and slammed the inside wall hard on Lap 136. He finished 35th.

“Wow,” Blaney said, “I can’t believe Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch were disqualified. Those are some high profile ‘DQ’s.’ You know what else is a high profile ‘DQ?’ Any Dairy Queen at which Jimmy Spencer chooses to eat.”

7. Christopher Bell: Bell followed up his win at New Hampshire with a solid sixth at Pocono.

“Make that a fourth,” Bell said. “Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch were disqualified for failing post-race inspection, and since I also drive for Joe Gibbs Racing, I’d like to disassociate myself from them.”

8. Joey Logano: Logano finished 22nd at Pocono.

“There’s gonna be a race next season in Chicago on a street circuit,” Logano said. “The race is scheduled for July 2nd, 2023, and I’m expecting it to be a huge success. I mean, how can it not be great for the city? It’s Chicago, for Christ’s sake; having race cars flying through the streets means there won’t be bullets doing the same.”

9. Kyle Larson: Larson finished third in the M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 at Pocono.

“First and second place finishers Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch were disqualified for failing post-race inspections,” Larson said. “There are words in this sport you never want to hear, and as an expert on the subject, I can tell you definitively that ‘disqualification’ is high on the list.”

10. Kevin Harvick: Harvick finished a disappointing 29th at Pocono after suffering damage when he was collected in the Denny Hamlin-Ross Chastain incident with 19 laps to go.

“I may be one of the oldest drivers in the Cup series,” Harvick said, “but I’m sick and tired of being the ‘adult in the room.’ I hate being collateral damage in someone else’s feud. It disgusts me and leaves a bad taste in my mouth, just like Busch Light Apple.”

Cosmo, Cagnazzi rebound from disappointing qualifying to strong runs at Watkins Glen

By
Official Release
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WATKINS GLEN, NY (25 July 2022) – Falling behind the eight-ball early in the weekend with a disappointing showing in qualifying, Steve Cameron Racing’s Guy Cosmo and Chris Cagnazzi fought back to take a pair of competitive finishes in Pirelli GT4 America action at Watkins Glen International.

The pair finished fifth in the Pro-Am class in Saturday’s race driving the No. 39 Presidio / Hero Life Mercedes-AMG GT4, and placed seventh in Sunday’s contest – an impressive turnaround after Cagnazzi qualified eighth in the Pro-Am class and 17th overall for Saturday’s one-hour race, while Cosmo was 10th fastest in class and 17th overall in time trials for the Sunday event.

“I don’t know why, but we just tanked it in qualifying,” Cosmo said. “The car was not good. We started to struggle at the end of the first day. We were really quick in practice one and we were doing well, but then we lost our way set-up wise. That was all we had in qualifying for both Chris and I. We made a ton of changes to the car, and we were really good come race time.”

Cagnazzi got up to seventh by the end of his stint on Saturday. Cosmo was 11th in class at pit stops midway through the event, and fought his way up to fifth with 12:35 remaining. Battling his way in a tight-battle among the second- through fifth-place cars, Cosmo placed fifth in class and eighth overall in the 33-car field.

“We drove through the field and got to the top five,” Cosmo said. “We were really pleased with our performance. Our turnaround is a huge testament to these guys. I keep raving about Steve Cameron and his crew. On a weekend with limited track time, you rarely get a chance to turn your weekend around if it isn’t going well, and we were able to race great and be competitive.”

Cosmo led off in the Sunday race. Starting 17th overall and 10th in Pro-Am, Cosmo only had 10 minutes of racing time as a pair of yellows kept the Presidio Mercedes behind the safety car for much of his stint.

Cosmo was up to seventh before pit stops. Cagnazzi retained seventh when he took over with 18 minutes remaining. He held that position, and was fighting for sixth at the waving of the checkered flag, missing the position by 0.030-seconds.

“Today was the same as Saturday,” Cosmo said. “I started even further back and was able to pick up nine or 10 spots, and wound up with a pretty decent finish. On that last lap, Chris was short by just a few feet of getting sixth.

“We’re coming out of here with smiles,” Cosmo summed up. “The racing was clean and respectable. It was even more rewarding than our fourth-place finishes this season, because this weekend, we were in the mix. We were strong enough to be there. Now, we’ll get the car prepped up for Chris’ race at Nashville in GT America.

Cagnazzi also raced the No. 39 Cameron Racing Presidio /Hero Life Mercedes-AMG GT4 in a pair of GT America powered by AWS sprint races. He finished ninth in the Saturday race, while failing to finish the Sunday event, placing 16th.

The two drivers will be competing in Nashville in two different series in two weeks. Cosmo will be making his second start on Saturday, August 6, in the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, featuring the Trans Am by Pirelli TA2 competitors. He will drive the No. 89. 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang. Cagnazzi will race in two rounds of the GT America series, on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

SANTINO FERRUCCI ON STAND-BY FOR NEWGARDEN HEADING INTO GALLAGHER GP WEEKEND

By
Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, NC (July 25, 2022) – Team Penske has announced that Santino Ferrucci will be on standby for INDYCAR SERIES Championship contender Josef Newgarden heading into this weekend’s race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

Newgarden was released from MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center earlier this morning and returned to his home in Nashville. Per series protocols, Newgarden will be reevaluated by the INDYCAR Medical Team on Thursday to determine his status for the Gallagher Grand Prix. Should Newgarden not be able to race, Ferrucci will take the wheel of the No. 2 PPG Chevrolet.

Ferrucci has 43-career INDYCAR SERIES starts with four of these occurring at the IMS road course where he has two top-10 finishes. His career best IndyCar finish is fourth, on four occasions, and he has made three starts in 2022, with two top-10 finishes.

About Team Penske
Team Penske is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Cars owned and prepared by Team Penske have produced more than 600 major race wins, over 660 pole positions and 41 championships across open-wheel, stock car and sports car racing competition. Over the course of its 56-year history, the team has also earned 18 Indianapolis 500 victories, three Daytona 500 Championships, a Formula 1 win, victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, along with a win in Australia’s legendary Bathurst 1000 race. In 2022, Team Penske will compete in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, NASCAR Cup Series and the FIA World Endurance Championship. For more information about Team Penske, please visit www.teampenske.com.

From Dancer to Driver: Olivia Murray Chasing Her NASCAR Dream at Cook Out Summer Shootout

By
Official Release
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Fifteen-year-old Bandolero Outlaw driver Olivia Murray finding success against the best grassroots racers in the country, setting sights on bigger dreams of a future at NASCAR’s top level

CONCORD, N.C. (July 25, 2022) – While most fifteen-year-olds’ Instagram feeds during the summer are filled with pictures at the beach or videos of the latest Tik-Tok dances, Olivia Murray’s feed is filled with cars and checkered flags. The rising high school sophomore traded in her dance shoes for driving shoes in 2021 to pursue her love of racing, and this summer has faced the best grassroots racing competition in the country at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Cook Out Summer Shootout.

The Bandolero Outlaw driver got her first taste behind the wheel at the Wayne County Speedway in 2019 racing against her older brother, Cameron. “My dad just said to press on it,” Murray said. That’s exactly what she did as she passed the other drivers, leaving others spinning in her dust. She has been addicted to the adrenaline rush ever since. Cameron, a Legend Car driver, has been coaching and helping Olivia the past few years. “We are a dynamic duo,” Murray said.

Prior to her first full season in 2021, Murray split her time between competitive dance, soccer and racing. While she loved all three sports, she knew that in order to get where she wanted to be behind the wheel, she needed to dedicate her efforts completely toward chasing her racing dreams.

Since stepping away dance, she is already seeing her efforts pay off, taking third place in the Winter Nationals at the beginning of the year and collecting her first Cook Out Summer Shootout checkered flag in Round 4 action earlier this summer. Murray went on to take first at the Florence Motor Speedway that weekend. With each win this season, Murray continues racking up points as she races to compete in the INEX Outlaw East National Championship.

Murray looks to follow the lead of trailblazers like Sara Christian, Janet Guthrie, Ethel Flock Mobley and Danica Patrick as she hopes to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series when she’s older.

“It is kind of like my life. I wanna do it till I’m 80,” Murray said.

Only three rounds remain in this summer’s Cook Out Summer Shootout. The action continues with back-to-back nights of Legend Car and Bandolero racing this week, featuring “Christmas in July” on Monday and “Faster Pastor” school bus racing on Tuesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

TICKETS:

Entry is $10 for adults, and kids 12 and under are FREE. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, by calling 800-455-FANS or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets. Visit the speedway’s website for nightly discounts and more information about theme nights.

KEEP TRACK:

Follow all the thrilling CookOut Summer Shootout action using the hashtag #WeCreateLegends. Connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram .

Flying Lizard Motorsports Celebrates Double Podium Weekend at Watkins Glen

By
Official Release
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Watkins Glen, N.Y. (July 25, 2022) – Flying Lizard Motorsports closed out another strong weekend in the SRO-America sanctioned series of GT America powered by AWS and Pirelli GT4 America. The pair of No. 8 Aston Martin Vantage cars the Lizards entered for the weekend produced podium-worthy runs, and the team closed out the weekend with drivers Elias Sabo and Andy Lee celebrating the continuation of their podium streak.

“This was our best weekend of the year so far,” said Program Manager Darren Law. “The team is really firing on all cylinders now, from engineering to crew to drivers. Elis has improved so much in all aspects of his driving. He and Andy Lee are really working well together, and it shows. We ran at the front of the pack in all four races, qualified well, and brought home two podium finishes. I am excited to see what the remainder of the season holds.”

GT America Race One
Elias Sabo started race one from sixth place in the GT4 class on Saturday afternoon. An incident with another car on the start heading into turn one resulted in contact, though both cars continued. He worked his way up to fourth place, navigating the caution periods to fight for a podium spot with Adam Adelson in the No. 120 Porsche. Sabo held off heavy pressure from Jason Bell in the No. 2 Aston Martin as the race produced a three-car battle for the final podium spot. In the heat of the battle, race control called Sabo in for a one-minute stop-and-hold penalty for the incident on the race start. With minimal time remaining in the race, the team was unable to make up the lost track position, finishing 16th in the GT4 class.

GT America Race Two
The GT America field kicked off Sunday’s racing festivities at Watkins Glen, with Elias Sabo and the No. 8 Aston Martin taking the green flag from fourth in class. He had an impressive move on the start, passing on the outside of Todd Coleman to take third in the GT4 class. He pulled away and masterfully held position throughout the 40-minute race but contact from another car in the final laps dashed all hopes of a podium finish. Sabo was able to save the car and recover, but with little time left to race was resigned with a 13th-place finish.

GT4 America Race One
Sabo took the green flag for GT4 America race one from fifth position, eager to make up for the misfortunes that took place earlier in the afternoon in his GT America race. He enjoyed a clean start, moving the Flying Lizard Aston Martin up to fourth place. Sabo maintained position to the end of his stint, pitting during the mandatory pit stop window to hand the car over to pro co-driver Andy Lee. Due to a mishap during the pit stop, Lee lost several positions, finding himself fifth in class, eager to pass the No. 120 Porsche of Elliot Skeer. A full course caution came out, bringing the field back together, and on the restart, Lee made the pass on Skeer to take fourth place. More motivated than ever to make up lost ground, he set his sights on race leader Ian James. The final 11 minutes of the race produced one of the best GT4 battles of the season, with Lee, Skeer, James, and two other drivers in a five-way battle for the lead. In the end, Lee closed out the nail-biter in third, earning a third podium for him and Sabo.

GT4 America Race Two
Hungry to keep the podium streak alive and after a masterful qualifying effort by Lee just missing the front row by hundredths of a second, the Lizards excitedly started the final race of the weekend from third place, hoping to gain early ground in the 60-minute race. An unfortunate full-course caution absorbed about 15 minutes of green flag race time, but as the field went back to green, Lee was able to gain a position and move up to second place. Lee ended his stint and maintained second, pitting to give the racing duties over to co-driver Elias Sabo. Sabo joined the race in second and held the position throughout the majority of his stint. The final laps of the race produced an epic battle and came down to the last corner of the last lap. Elias held second position entering the front straight coming to the checkered flag, but the Mustang of Edgar Lau got a slightly better run off the final corner and was able to get by Elias at the finish line. The competitor took over second position by a mere tenth of a second moving the Flying Lizard Aston to its finishing position of third place. The result marks the pair’s third consecutive podium heading into the next race weekend at Road America, August 19-21. For event information, visit roadamerica.com.

Elias Sabo
This was a great weekend here. I had my family here and technically this is my home track because I grew up in upstate New York. To get two third-place finishes here is just really awesome. We’re on the accent. The team has given us a great car. Owen Hayes just continues to improve the vehicle and I couldn’t be happier.

Andy Lee
This weekend is just a huge leap forward for the team. We’ve never had two podiums in a row in a weekend, so they’re just giving us a car that can be upfront consistently now. That’s going to be such a positive going into Road America.

About Flying Lizard Motorsports
Based out of Sonoma, California, Flying Lizard Motorsports is one of the most iconic sports car teams in motorsports, having celebrated ten driver and team championships, as well as competed internationally at the 24 Hours of Le Mans eight times.

The Lizards burst on the American Le Mans Series scene in 2004, competing in the GT class until 2012. In 2013, the team moved to the GTC class, still competing in legendary events such as the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2014, the team expanded its program to include running two Audi R8 LMS in the TUDOR Championship, and in 2015, again expanded the program to include two Porsches in Porsche Club racing. Flying Lizard closed out the season with a dominating win at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill with Toyo Tires, a win they repeated in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The 2020 season proved the team’s most successful to date, earning four titles in the GT4 America championship. Flying Lizard Motorsports has proven to be a championship contender no matter the race series or race car. For more information, visit lizardms.com.

About 5.11
With offices around the globe, 5.11 ABR Corp. and its subsidiaries, including 5.11, Inc., work with end users to create purpose-built apparel, footwear and gear designed specifically to enhance the safety, accuracy, speed, and performance of tactical professionals and technical enthusiasts worldwide. 5.11 products exceed rigorous standards, which have allowed the brand to establish a reputation for innovation and authenticity, and become the premier choice for those who always have to be ready. 5.11 products can be purchased online, through authorized dealers and retailers, as well as at 5.11 company-owned retail stores.

Learn more about 5.11’s best-selling gear and accessories at www.511tactical.com. Find a full list of 5.11 company-owned retail stores at https://www.511tactical.com/locations/. Connect with 5.11 on Facebook, Twitter @511Tactical and on Instagram @511Tactical and #511tactical

5.11 ABR Corp. is a subsidiary of Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI).

5.11, 5.11 Tactical and Always Be Ready are registered trademarks of 5.11, Inc. All rights reserved.

World RX Champion Johan Kristoffersson Joins Nitro Rallycross Sweden as Star Car Driver

By
Official Release
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KRISTOFFERSSON TO FACE OFF AGAINST REIGNING NITRO RX CHAMPION TRAVIS PASTRANA, EUROPEAN RX CHAMPION ANDREAS BAKKERUD AND 2022 RALLYX WINNER NICLAS GRONHOLM

TWO-DAY WEEKEND EVENT COMING TO STRANGNAS MOTORSTADION 30-31 JULY

LIMITED TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE AT NITRORALLYCROSS.COM

(Stockholm – 25 July, 2022) Dreyer & Reinbold Racing JC announced today a partnership with Swedish rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson to compete in the Nitro Rallycross (Nitro RX) event in Strängnäs, Sweden this weekend. Combining the intense racing of rallycross with the big air thrills of Nitro Circus, Nitro RX Sweden is truly where cars fly and tracks thrill.  

Kristoffersson is regarded as one of the all-time greats of his generation in rallycross, as he dominated the 2010s. The Swede won four FIA World Rallycross Championships in 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021, the latter with JC Raceteknik. The 2018 season proved to be his most successful championship yet, winning a record-breaking eleven of twelve events. Kristoffersson will get his first taste of Nitro Rallycross in his home country.

At Strangnas Motorstadion, Kristoffersson will have to go up against a stacked field of decorated drivers, including reigning Nitro RX champion Travis Pastrana (USA), European RX Champion Andreas Bakkerud (NOR) and newly crowned 2022 RallyX winner Niclas Gronholm (FIN) in what could arguably be considered one of the best rallycross fields ever assembled.  

Each driver will aim to take the checkered flag behind the wheel of the most powerful vehicle in rallycross: the revolutionary all-electric FC1-X, Capable of producing the electric equivalent of 1,070 peak horsepower (800 kW), the FC1-X can accelerate from 0-60 in just 1.4 seconds, launching faster off the line than an F1 car.

They will also have to battle on Nitro RX’s tough tracks, which push competitors’ limits with huge gap jumps, banked turns and steep berms.

Sweden fans still have an opportunity to see this lineup of legends in person – limited tickets are still available at nitrorallycross.com.

“I’m looking forward to the weekend and I‘m happy to get the opportunity to race with JC and DRR for the Nitro RX event in Strängnäs. I worked together with JC last year to win the world championship so I feel comfortable in the team.” said Johan Kristoffersson. “It will be a very steep learning curve, as it will be my first race in an electric rallycross car. I’m looking forward to trying out the FC1-X and racing against some new competitors. It will be a great experience and a huge challenge, but I’m really looking forward to trying my best.”

“We are very pleased to have Johan join us for his home event in Sweden,” said Dennis Reinbold, DRR team owner. “Johan has a very impressive and extensive background in all forms of racing. He has proven he is quick in all types of racecars, especially rallycross cars. We are excited for him to hop in the FC1-X.”

“We know how good Johan is and we worked very well together last season. It will be interesting to see how he gets acclimated in the FC1-X at Strängnäs, especially when most of the other drivers have already done an event in the car at Lydden Hill.” said Joel Christoffersson, JC Raceteknik team owner. “We learned a lot with our four drivers and cars in the first round. It’s always a big milestone to get the first race with brand new cars under our belts and now we can focus more on the details of increasing our performance. Johan’s experience will also help us and we can look forward to a good weekend together.”

Kristoffersson will race alongside DRR JC teammates, Robin Larsson (SWE) and Andreas Barkkerud, as well as DRR X Team Frazzz racer, Fraser McConnell (JAM).

The next generation of stars will also be on display at Nitro RX Sweden with the NRX NEXT class set to light up the Strangnas track, with the best emerging talent from Europe and the United States set to do battle on Swedish soil. This roster includes Swedish motorsport star Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky, 2021 NEXT series winner Casper Jansson (SWE) and more. Nitro RX Sweden will also include Supercar as well as CrossCar competition, offering fans even more wide-open four-wheel action.

With an open paddock area, Sweden racing fans can get an up-close look at Nitro RX and check out their favorite cars and drivers. Fans can stop by the all-new Nitro RX Fan Experience, which will feature a new entertainment stage, gaming area, concession area featuring local food trucks plus – for young racing enthusiasts – a kids’ electric rallycross experience. 

Fans can enjoy special VIP amenities with the all-new Club Nitro RX. Highlighted by a private trackside viewing location and exclusive Club Nitro RX area, passholders will enjoy all-inclusive food and beverage, a private lounge, on-site entertainment and a chance to meet Nitro RX drivers. This new premium experience puts fans in the center of the action all weekend long.

For fans outside of Sweden, NBCU’s Peacock will stream live coverage in the United States, while MCS Extreme will provide exclusive live coverage in France, Belgium and Luxembourg. Outside of these territories, YouTube will stream live Nitro RX coverage worldwide.

Nitro RX: Sweden follows the June series launch at the U.K.’s legendary Lydden Hill Race Circuit. Additional stops include races in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Saudi Arabia, Quebec and Alberta, all building to the first global Nitro RX series title.

ABOUT NITRO RALLYCROSS

Launched in 2018 by motorsports icon Travis Pastrana and the innovators of Nitro Circus, Nitro Rallycross has revolutionized motorsport. With innovative purpose-built courses, banked turns inspired by the wide-open action of Supercross and short-form, head-to-head competition, Nitro RX creates high-impact, thrill-packed racing. Nitro RX’s custom-built tracks – featuring the biggest jumps seen in motorsports – create unrivalled racing excitement. The full-throttle competition is now set to go global with Nitro Rallycross’ expansion into a full standalone championship series. Nitro RX is also adding Group E, an electric circuit featuring the all-new FC1-X, the most powerful Rallycross vehicle ever built. For more information, visit NitroRallycross.com.

Nitro Rallycross is part of Thrill One Sports & Entertainment. Thrill One is a next-generation content company that lives at the nexus of sports, entertainment and lifestyle, combining the resources of Nitro Circus, Street League Skateboarding, Nitro Rallycross and Thrill One Media. A multi-media platform founded in 2020, Thrill One is dedicated to creating mind-blowing action sports events and original content, fuelled by the most daring athletes, talent and brands in thrill-based entertainment. It also boasts one of the largest aggregate social audiences in action sports, with more than 40 million followers across its multiple brand pages and channels. Visit ThrillOne.com for additional information.

ABOUT JOHAN KRISTOFFERSSON

Johan Kristoffersson is a quadruple FIA World Rallycross Champion and won a record-breaking eleven of twelve events in 2018. In 2012, he accomplished winning the Italian-based, Superstars Series, Scandinavian Touring Car Championship, and Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia championships in the same year. In 2021, he won the inaugural Extreme E Championship. Additionally, he is the son of former racing driver and Kristoffersson Motorsport (KMS) team owner, Tommy Kristoffersson.

Pruett Takes Tony Stewart Racing Dodge//SRT Top Fuel Dragster to No. 1 Qualifier and Quarterfinal Appearance at Sonoma Raceway

By
Official Release
-
DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals
  • Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Top Fuel pilot Leah Pruett followed up last weekend’s win at Dodge Power Brokers Mile-High Nationals with her first No. 1 qualifier position of the season at the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Sonoma Nationals and a quarterfinal appearance for the Dodge//SRT dragster
  • TSR Funny Car driver Matt Hagan earned bonus points for the second quickest run in the second qualifying session, but kicked off eliminations from the 11th spot on the ladder at Sonoma Raceway
  • Hagan remains second in the Funny Car championship standings after his day was shortened by an opening round loss after a solid Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat showdown against Cruz Pedregon
  • Pedregon’s quarterfinal performance keeps him sixth in the Funny Car points battle with four events left in the NHRA regular season

July 24, Sonoma, California — Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Top Fuel pilot Leah Pruett followed up last weekend’s win at the Dodge Power Brokers Mile-High Nationals near Denver by rolling into the 34th annual National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Sonoma Nationals and immediately taking the Rayce Rudeen Foundation Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster to her first No. 1 qualifier position of the season and then driving to a quarterfinal appearance in eliminations.

Pruett took the top spot on the eliminations ladder by recording a 3.689-second elapsed time pass at 327.59 mph on the first of three qualifying laps to earn TSR’s first Top Fuel pole position and the 12th of her career. After advancing to the final round at Sonoma Raceway last year, Pruett was looking to repeat that journey and kicked off eliminations with a great 0.047-second reaction time and strong 3.729 sec./328.86 mph pass against No. 16 seed Jim Maroney. 

In the quarterfinals against No. 9 seed Shawn Langdon, Pruett had another solid 3.758 sec./323.97 mph run, but it wasn’t quite enough to defeat her opponent’s 3.734 sec./330.96 mph pass. Despite the shortened day, Pruett remains sixth in the Top Fuel championship standings, tied with Langdon at 601 points.

With three wins this season and sitting second in the Funny Car points coming into the second of three consecutive western-swing events, TSR driver Matt Hagan started off the weekend by taking the DieHard Batteries Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat for a 4.018-sec./314.02 mph pass to sit in the provisional eighth spot on Friday. In Q2, he recorded the second quickest run of the session with a 4.023 sec./315.12 mph pass but ended up 11th on the eliminations ladder after hazing the tires and saving the engine on the final run.

That set up an opening round match against fellow Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat driver and No. 6 seed Cruz Pedregon. Pedregon had a slight advantage at the hit of the throttle as they raced side-by-side down the lane, and despite Hagan recording his quickest pass of the weekend, it wasn’t enough to catch the Snap-on Tools Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. Even with the early exit, Hagan retains his second place position in the Funny Car standings behind rival Robert Hight.

Pedregon continued on to the quarterfinals and lined up against No. 3 qualifier Alexis DeJoria against whom he had a stellar light with a 0.033-second reaction time, but soon lost traction and had to shut it down. The Cruz Pedregon Racing HEMI®-powered entry remains sixth in the Funny Car standings as the regular season begins to wind down with four events remaining before the “Countdown to the Championship” playoffs series begins.

The NHRA will close out the three-event western swing next weekend with the Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways near Seattle, Washington, July 29-31.

ADDITIONAL NOTES and QUOTES:

Leah Pruett, Rayce Rudeen Foundation Dodge//SRT Top Fuel Dragster  

(No. 1 Qualifier – 3.689 seconds at 327.59 mph)  

Round 1: (0.047-second reaction time, 3.729 seconds at  328.86 mph) defeats No. 16 Jim Maroney(0.066/4.443/187.42) 

Round 2: (0.079/3.758/323.97) loss to No. 9 Shawn Langdon (0.049/3.734/330.96)

“I think our takeaway this weekend was that we were able to continue the momentum from Denver. We have a thorough understanding of our power level, and that started Friday night. We went up with a semi-conservative setup that actually ended up locking us into the No. 1 spot, so it shows we have more power, like we thought. As we moved into race day, you can’t take anyone lightly. I used to race Jim Maroney 10 to 15 years ago and I know how great of a racer he is. We put down a solid .72 and had a nice, clean run. Ultimately, we missed it for the second round. We went up to do the same thing. We were the first cars on track that session and the cars behind us were able to run a .66. We went up to run a .74 or .75 and it ran a .75, but it wasn’t good enough to get around Langdon’s .73. What that does for us is it gives us the confidence to start turning the wick back up. We’ve been racing on the shy side of power and we’ve been doing pretty well, but now we can turn back the knobs, and that’s something we haven’t been able to do. Our momentum will continue as our baseline grows and, most importantly, we were able to make a lot of connections with people about sharing the Rayce Rudeen Foundation’s mission of fighting the stigma of addiction and the support of the communities they’re building.”

Matt Hagan, DieHard Batteries Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car  

(No. 11 Qualifier – 4.018 seconds at 314.02 mph)

Round 1: (0.095-second reaction time, 4.913 seconds at 210.97 mph) loss to No. 6 Cruz Pedregon (0.076/3.939/330.23)

“It was great to be able to run the DieHard Batteries car again this weekend and bring the scheme back. We struggled a bit this weekend and got behind the eight ball. I think (Crew Chief) Dickie (Venables) really got a handle on the car in Round 1, but we had a tough run against Cruz (Pedregon). They’re a strong team over there and they qualified well. It was two good drag races but, unfortunately, it didn’t turn out in our favor. Sonoma is one of the only tracks I haven’t won at. I look forward to checking it off the list next year. It doesn’t mean we’ll keep our head down. For now, we’ll focus on Seattle and what we have coming up next week. We’ll take the information we learned here and transfer it over. The [Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat] is driving good and responding well, so we just have to be a bit more aggressive with it and we’ll be fine.”

Cruz Pedregon, Snap-on® Tools Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

(No. 6  Qualifier – 3.900 seconds at 323.58 mph)

Round 1: (0.037-second reaction time, 3.911 seconds at 328.70 mph) defeats No. 11 Matt Hagan (0.076/3.939/330.23)

Round 2: (0.033/4.747/169.83) loss to No. 3 Alexis DeJoria (0.119/3.905/330.80)                    

“After qualifying with a great 3.90 seconds at over 323 miles per hour, we went up against none other than Matt Hagan who’s second in points and one of the great drivers and great teams of our time. It was a tough contest at 3.91 for our car to 3.93. Matt was right there in the hunt all the way down the track, but it was great to get that first round win against them. Unfortunately, we lost to Alexis DeJoria in the next round after we lost traction about 300 feet out. So that was the end of our weekend but overall a good points race for us. I think we’re going to maintain the number six spot in to Seattle, a race that I’ve been looking forward to winning for several years, even going back to the late eighties. Through the years we brought some good cars up there but haven’t been able to punch it through so we’re going to look forward to getting it into the winner’s circle up there.”

NHRA CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS:

Following the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway 

FUNNY CAR (season wins in parentheses)

1.   Robert Hight 1133 (5)

2.  Matt Hagan (Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat): 989 (3)

3.  Ron Capps: 923 (2)

4.  John Force: 827

5.  Bob Tasca III: 733 (1)

6. Cruz Pedregon (Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat): 647

7.  J.R. Todd: 615

8.  Alexis DeJoria: 600

9.  Tim Wilkerson: 522

10. Chad Green: 440

TOP FUEL (season wins in parentheses)

1.  Brittany Force: 982 (4)

2.  Mike Salinas: 976 (3) 

3.  Justin Ashley: 842 (2) 

4.  Steve Torrence: 804

5.  Josh Hart: 636

6.  Leah Pruett (Dodge Power Brokers): 601

6.  Shawn Langdon: 601

8.  Austin Prock: 570

9.  Doug Kalitta: 566

10. Clay Millican: 551

DodgeGarage: Digital Hub for Drag Racing News

Fans can follow all the NHRA action this season at DodgeGarage, the one-stop portal for Dodge//SRT and Mopar drag-racing news. The site includes daily updates and access to an online racing HQ, news, events, galleries, available downloads and merchandise. For more information, visit www.dodgegarage.com.

@DodgeMoparMotorsports on Instagram

The @DodgeMoparMotorsports Instagram channel continues to share content capturing Dodge//SRT Mopar drivers on the track. Fans can see action from the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series and NHRA Sportsman grassroots racers, competing in classes such as Factory Stock Showdown, Stock and Super Stock, as well as additional motorsports series.

Dodge//SRT

For more than 100 years, the Dodge brand has carried on the spirit of brothers John and Horace Dodge. Their influence continues today as Dodge shifts into high gear with muscle cars and SUVs that deliver unrivaled performance in each of the segments where they compete.

Dodge drives forward as a pure performance brand, offering SRT versions of every model across the lineup. For the 2022 model year, Dodge delivers the drag-strip dominating 807-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock, the 797-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Redeye, the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world, and the Dodge Durango SRT 392, America’s fastest, most powerful and most capable three-row SUV. Combined, these three muscle cars make Dodge the industry’s most powerful brand, offering more horsepower than any other American brand across its entire lineup.

In 2020, Dodge was named the “#1 Brand in Initial Quality,” making it the first domestic brand ever to rank No. 1 in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS). In 2021, Dodge brand ranked No. 1 in the J.D. Power APEAL Study (mass market) — making it the only domestic brand ever to do so two years in a row.

Dodge is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

Mopar

This year marks the 85th anniversary of Mopar.

A simple combination of the words MOtor and PARts, Mopar offers exceptional service, parts and customer-care. Born in 1937 as the name of a line of antifreeze products, Mopar has evolved over nearly 85 years to represent both complete vehicle care and authentic performance for owners and enthusiasts worldwide.

Mopar made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era with performance parts to enhance speed and handling for both on-road and racing use. Later, Mopar expanded to include technical service and customer support, and today integrates service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance customer and dealer support worldwide.

Complete information on Mopar is available at www.mopar.com. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

Follow Dodge, Mopar and Stellantis news and video on:

Company blog: blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Dodge brand: www.dodge.com

Mopar brand: www.mopar.com/

DodgeGarage: www.dodgegarage.com

Mopar blog: blog.mopar.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dodge and www.facebook.com/mopar

Instagram: @Dodgemoparmotorsports, @dodgeofficial and @officialmopar

Twitter: @Dodge, @OfficialMopar and @StellantisNA

YouTube: www.youtube.com/dodge, https://www.youtube.com/c/mopar and www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

Tony Stewart Racing: Event Recap for the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals

By
Official Release
-

Leah Pruett & Matt Hagan
Top Fuel | Funny Car
DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals
July 22-24 | Sonoma, California

Event Recap

Leah Pruett, driver of the Rayce Rudeen Foundation Top Fuel Dragster:

● Earned No. 1 provisional qualifying position in Q1 on Friday (3.689 ET at 327.59 mph).

● Scored three bonus points for quickest run of the session.

● Maintained No. 1 qualifying position based off Q1 run on Friday. In Q2 on Saturday, Pruett ran a 5.753 ET. (Speed was unavailable due to a malfunction.)

● Secured No. 1 qualifying position based off Q1 run on Friday. In Q3 on Saturday, Pruett ran a 3.779 ET at 326.87 mph.

● Advanced to Round 2 on Sunday:

●  Round 1: 3.729 ET at 328.86 mph, defeated Jim Maroney (4.443 ET at 187.42 mph).

●  Round 2: 3.758 ET at 323.97 mph, lost to Shawn Langdon (3.734 ET at 330.96 mph).

● Currently tied with Langdon for sixth in the Top Fuel championship standings, 381 points behind leader Brittany Force.

Matt Hagan, driver of the DieHard Batteries Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car:

● Earned No. 7 provisional qualifying position in Q1 on Friday (4.018 ET at 314.02 mph).

● Dropped to No. 8 qualifying position in Q2 on Saturday (4.023 ET at 315.12 mph).

● Secured No. 11 qualifying position based off Q1 run on Friday. In Q3 on Saturday, Hagan ran a 4.160 ET at 239.44 mph.

● Eliminated following Round 1 on Sunday:

●  Round 1: 3.939 ET at 330.23 mph, lost to Cruz Pedregon (3.911 ET at 328.70 mph).

● Currently second in the Funny Car championship standings, 144 points behind leader Robert Hight.

Notes of Interest

● Pruett earned her first No. 1 qualifier of the season and her second at Sonoma. Her other No. 1 start at Sonoma came in 2017.

● Pruett’s No. 1 qualifier delivered Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) its first Top Fuel pole in its inaugural season in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. It was TSR’s fifth overall No. 1 qualifier, as Matt Hagan has secured the pole four times this season in Funny Car.

● Following Q1 on Friday, Pruett was the No. 1 provisional qualifier for the third time in 2022.

Leah Pruett, Driver of the Rayce Rudeen Foundation Top Fuel Dragster

“I think our takeaway this weekend was that we were able to continue the momentum from Denver. We have a thorough understanding of our power level, and that started Friday night. We went up with a semi-conservative setup that actually ended up locking us into the No. 1 spot, so it shows we have more power, like we thought. As we moved into race day, you can’t take anyone lightly. I used to race Jim Maroney 10 to 15 years ago and I know how great of a racer he is. We put down a solid .72 and had a nice, clean run. Ultimately, we missed it for the second round. We went up to do the same thing. We were the first cars on track that session and the cars behind us were able to run a .66. We went up to run a .74 or .75 and it ran a .75, but it wasn’t good enough to get around Langdon’s .73. What that does for us is it gives us the confidence to start turning the wick back up. We’ve been racing on the shy side of power and we’ve been doing pretty well, but now we can turn back the knobs, and that’s something we haven’t been able to do. Our momentum will continue as our baseline grows and, most importantly, we were able to make a lot of connections with people about sharing the Rayce Rudeen Foundation’s mission of fighting the stigma of addiction and the support of the communities they’re building.”

Matt Hagan, Driver of the DieHard Batteries Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car

“It was great to be able to run the DieHard Batteries car again this weekend and bring the scheme back. We struggled a bit this weekend and got behind the eight ball. I think Dickie (Venables, crew chief) really got a handle on the car in Round 1, but we had a tough run against Cruz (Pedregon). They’re a strong team over there and they qualified well. It was two good drag races but, unfortunately, it didn’t turn out in our favor. Sonoma is one of the only tracks I haven’t won at. I look forward to checking it off the list next year. It doesn’t mean we’ll keep our head down. For now, we’ll focus on Seattle and what we have coming up next week. We’ll take the information we learned here and transfer it over. The car is driving good and responding well, so we just have to be a bit more aggressive with it and we’ll be fine.”

Next Up

The next event on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule is the Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals July 29-31 at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington. The event will serve as the third and final race of the NHRA’s Western Swing.

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