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Three Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Cars to Battle for World Championship Title at NHRA Season Finale

By
Official Release
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Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals Presented By Pennzoil

●       National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) “Countdown to the Championship” playoff series concludes this weekend with three Dodge Charger SRT Hellcats headed for a dramatic final showdown to determine the winner of the Funny Car World Championship at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California

●       With a second world championship title within sight, Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) pilot Ron Capps drives his HEMI®-powered machine into the Auto Club NHRA Finals with a two- and three-round advantage, respectively, over teammate Matt Hagan and fellow Dodge Funny Car driver Cruz Pedregon

●       With his Direct Connection Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat second in points heading into the finale, Hagan relishes the challenge and opportunity to battle for a fourth Funny Car world championship in his final event with the DSR team

●       Fresh off his second win of the season that put him back in the championship mix, Pedregon ranks third in the Funny Car standings, with 187 points available in the racing weekend

●       DSR driver Leah Pruett is focused on repeating her drive to the winner’s circle at Pomona aboard the Direct Connection Top Fuel dragster; her aim is to secure a top-five finish and close out the 2021 NHRA season on a positive note

November 12, 2021, Pomona, California – The dramatic final showdown of the 2021 National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Camping World Drag Racing Series season lines up this weekend at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, with the spotlight shining on three Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Cars battling for the World Championship crown.

Fresh off his runner-up finish at the Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas, Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) pilot Ron Capps, a 27-year veteran seeking his second World Championship, drives his HEMI®-powered Funny Car into the Auto Club NHRA Finals with the class lead over teammate Matt Hagan (58 points) and fellow Dodge Funny Car driver Cruz Pedregon (83 points).

Capps first parked his NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat atop the leaderboard in August at the rescheduled Pomona Winternationals event with one of his two victories this season in the ultra-competitive class that has seen 10 different event winners. Capps wheeled his way to the semifinals or beyond at 11 of 19 events this season. Bolstered by three runner-up performances, four No. 1-qualifier honors and 35 round wins, the veteran racer jostled with Hagan for the lead in the last six of seven playoff events. When the final win light turns on Sunday, Capps will assuredly be in the top five for a 15th season.

“We’ve qualified well throughout the year and have been consistently strong all season and now here we are, running for a championship,” says Capps, who takes nothing for granted following four runner-up season finishes in 1998, 2000, 2005 and 2012 before securing his first championship in 2016. “(Crew chiefs Dean) ‘Guido’ (Antonelli) and (John) Medlen and our NAPA AutoCare team, we came together quickly like a duck to water at the beginning of the season and it just felt like a natural fit. They’ve gotten to know me and our last race in Vegas was a perfect example of how well we all work together because as much pressure as there was on race day, especially with all of the other top Countdown cars going out early, they really knew how to loosen me up and keep me in the right frame of mind. They’ve certainly helped me and my driving throughout the year. The big key for us this weekend is just to continue what we’ve been doing.”

The season finale features a unique format that increases the points payout to 1.5, with a maximum of 187 points up for grabs for the event. While there are myriad of scenarios, with 30 points awarded for each round win, Hagan needs to go at least two rounds further than Capps to have a chance at the season title while Pedregon needs to win three rounds more than Capps to claim the big trophy.

Three-time and reigning World Champion Hagan stages his Direct Connection Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat for the final “Countdown to the Championship” playoff event ready for the battle to retain his crown after his team earned four wins, three runner-up finishes, three top-qualifier awards and 32 round wins this year.

“We’re heading into Pomona fighting for a championship and I’ve been on both sides of this battle,” says Hagan, who has vied for the Funny Car crown as either leader or challenger heading into the season finale seven times, winning three (2011, 2014 and 2020). “My first championship I just had to show up and go two rounds to be crowned a champion, similar to what Ron (Capps) has to do this year. Last year we were going into the last race two rounds ahead and this year we’re going in two rounds behind so it’s nothing new for us. Ithink we have to be super aggressive rolling into qualifying and get some valuable points. The game plan is just really run hard, run smart and be aggressive. We’ve got nothing to lose. This is Ron’s to lose, honestly, and ours to win.”

Hagan relishes being in contention for his fourth Funny Car title, particularly after missing two events (recovering from illness) and a pair of  uncharacteristic consecutive first-round exits at the last two playoff events. Hagan and his Mopar Dodge//SRT crew are motivated by the opportunity to rebound from those challenges and make an aggressive final sprint for the Wally and championship trophies in his final event with DSR.

“We’ve had two bad races in a row in the Countdown and that’s been a big hit,” says Hagan.“It’s unfortunate but we’ve just got to bounce back. We want to show what we can do here. I’m going in there with the attitude that we’re going to kick everybody’s teeth in and put in our mouthpiece and get back in the fight. I want to win. I’m very passionate about what I do. I want to leave DSR with a fourth championship. We’re all competitors. I’m very aggressive about it. (Crew Chief) Dickie (Venables) is going to be aggressive. I’m coming in there full steam ahead. I’m pumped up. I’m ready to go and fired up about it. I want to go race and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Pedregon, the final contender in the three-way Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat battle for the 2021 Funny Car title, is driving into the season finale straight from the winner’s circle at the Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas. The Cruz Pedregon Racing owner and driver found himself back in the title fight after the team earned their second Wally trophy and fourth final round appearance of the season, in addition to a No. 1-qualifier position and 30 round wins.

“To be in this position is really great but I really try not to get caught up in the points possibilities because I want to enjoy this,” says Pedregon, who is vying for a third world title (1992 and 2008) and looking to finish among the top three for a ninth time in three decades of Funny Car racing. “With points-and-a-half in play, we’re not even guaranteed to finish in the top three. It’s pretty open-ended but after winning (the Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas) we’re back in it. We’re going to come out swinging at Pomona and see who is the last man standing. Just to be in the conversation for a change really is a victory for me.”

Competing among the top contenders in the Top Fuel category all season long, DSR pilot Pruett may have fallen out of the title hunt recently but that won’t stop her from pursuing a second win at Pomona’s Fairplex facility this year and closing out the season with her fifth consecutive top-five finish in the standings.

“For those not inside the nucleus of the championship hunt, this final race really reveals what kind of warrior you are — you’re either one that gives up in the last bit of the marathon or the one that charges to the end with surprising spirit,” says Pruett, who aims to take  her Direct Connection themed dragster out on a positive note. “I know this is a fighting team that is pushing and striking every which way we can to the final round of the final season of our final race with DSR. That is who we are and how we will finish out this season in the Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster.

“There are some years I think we deserved to finish higher and just fell short at the end,” adds Pruett. “This weekend, having our eyes on the No. 5 finisher spot would be a direct reflection of our performance overall. There is no blaming the Countdown or made-up excuses. We have not been the highest performing team this season but we have been the most relentless. A top-5 finish for the fifth consecutive year would be a good ending to an intensely grateful run with DSR.”

The Auto Club NHRA Finals will air on FS1 on Sunday, Nov. 14, with qualifying coverage scheduled from 2-4 p.m. ET, then immediately followed by the eliminations telecast featuring live coverage of the final rounds from 4-7 p.m. ET to close out the 2021 NHRA Camping World Series season.

NHRA Championship Points Standings:
Following the Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
  
FUNNY CAR (season wins in parentheses)

1. Ron Capps (Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat) – 2,585 (2)

2. Matt Hagan (Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat) – 2,527 (3/1-Tommy Johnson Jr.)

3. Cruz Pedregon (Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat) – 2,502 (2)

4. J.R. Todd – 2,447 (1)

5. John Force – 2,430 (3)

6. Bob Tasca III – 2,417 (2)

7. Robert Hight – 2,412 (2)

8. Alexis DeJoria – 2,380 (1)

9. Tim Wilkerson– 2,282 (1)

10. Blake Alexander– 2,184

TOP FUEL (season wins in parentheses)

1. Steve Torrance – 2694 (10)

2. Brittany Force – 2,589 (1)

3. Mike Salinas – 2,522 (1)

4. Justin Ashley – 2,506 (2)

5. Billy Torrence – 2,411 (2)

6. Leah Pruett (Mopar Dodge//SRT) – 2,343 (1)

7. Clay Millican – 2,302

8. Antron Brown – 2,285 (1)

9. Shawn Langdon – 2,260

10. Doug Kalitta – 2,211

Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown

1. Aaron Stanfield – 768

2. David Barton – 484

3. Leah Pruett (Mopar Drag Pak) – 461

4. Jesse Alexandra – 456

5. John Cerbone – 441

6. Stephen Bell – 412

7. David Janac – 377

8. Mark Pawuk (Mopar Drag Pak) – 358

9. Leonard Lottig – 315

10. Doug Hamp – 312

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.

Mopar

Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) offers exceptional service, parts and customer care. Born in 1937 as the name of a line of antifreeze products, the Mopar brand has evolved over more than 80 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, the brand expanded to include technical service and customer support. Today, Mopar integrates service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance customer and dealer support worldwide.

Mopar 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.

Follow Mopar and company news and video on:

Company blog: blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Mopar brand: www.mopar.com

Mopar blog: blog.mopar.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mopar

Instagram: www.instagram.com/officialmopar

Twitter: @OfficialMOPAR

YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/mopar and www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

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.

Follow Dodge and company news and video on:

Company blog: blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Dodge brand: www.dodge.com

DodgeGarage: www.dodgegarage.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dodge

Instagram: www.instagram.com/dodgeofficial

Twitter: @Dodge and @StellantisNA

YouTube: www.youtube.com/dodge and www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

Jr III Racing Set for 2022 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship Campaign

By
Official Release
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Mooresville, NC (12 November 2021) – Jr III Racing is set to contest the 2022 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship (IWSC) in the LMP3 category with Ari Balogh and Garett Grist. The growing team will field the Airbnb Ligier JS P320 in their first full season campaign in the top echelon of North America sports car racing.

In preparation for their 2022 campaign, Jr III Racing is partaking in the Motul Petit Le Mans this weekend at. Balogh and Grist are joined by Spencer Pigot for the 10-hour season finale on Saturday, November 11th. The 10-hour race will be the first endurance race in team history but made their IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship debut this year at Road America.

Jr III Racing will continue their IMSA Prototype Challenge program with two entries – one of those for Balogh and Grist who will run both series next season. The No. 3 Jr III Racing Ligier JS P320 will complete the IPC lineup for the team.

“I am thrilled to be representing Jr III Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship next season,” said Grist. “Becoming a part of this team has been seamless and everyone works at a high professional level. Ari (Balogh) and I have shown that we are capable of contending for wins and by taking this partnership that we have to IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship we will be in a great position to represent Jr III Racing well.”

In preparation for their 2022 campaign, Jr III Racing is partaking in the Motul Petit Le Mans this weekend at Road America. Balogh and Grist are joined by Spencer Pigot for the 10-hour season finale on Saturday, November 11th.

Get the right insurance coverage in NY or where ever you live

By
SM
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Photo by Michael Jin on Unsplash

If you live in New York, you already know that its rich heritage of performing arts and theatre.  You can easily visit venues such as ballet and productions such as musicals or plays. Or you can enjoy the outdoor fun and entertainment at the beautiful parks, beaches, or play a game of miniature golf.

No matter where you are on Long Island, there is always something to do.  While you are driving to enjoy a family weekend at the beach or other outdoor adventures, keep in mind that you need proper auto insurance in Long Island to ensure the safety of your family and others on the road.

Choosing the right insurance policy in New York will help get you back on the road quickly after an accident or just a breakdown.  Insurance is even more important if you encounter a more serious situation such as your vehicle being destroyed by accident or fire.  But you also need to consider things such as theft and acts of nature.  So, finding the right policy with the right company along with comparing quotes from several top companies is key.

With Long Island’s selection of wineries increasing year to year, touring a vineyard is becoming increasingly popular.  But before planning your trip, consider how you plan to get there and back home safely.  Consider booking a vineyard tour and your party can enjoy the winery without having to worry about driving and an accident.

With all of the amazing things to do in New York, such as motorcycle riding, surfing, Golf, Bowling, Basketball, and RV riding, it’s important to consider also insurance for motorcycles, RVs, or boats that you may own that can be damaged or lost in an accident or even theft or vandalism.

Insurance will vary by each state and in some cases, it’s not enough.  Things to consider are:

  • How much does the policy cover for property damage for a single accident?
  • The coverage amounts for bodily injury and for the death of a person involved in an accident or an occupant of.
  • The insurance deductibles for both collision and comprehensive coverage.

It is usually necessary to have insurance that covers damage to your vehicle if you are financing it.  You will most likely need Collision Insurance and Comprehensive Insurance.

Collision is exactly what it sounds like, it’s coverage that pays for damage caused to your vehicle in an automobile accident.  You will have some sort of deductible to pay if you are involved in an accident.  The lower the deductible, the higher the insurance premium will be, and the higher the deductible is, the premium will be lower.

Although not required in any state, Comprehensive Insurance will cover things such as theft, windshield damage, vandalism, or things other than a collision.  But it will most likely be required if you are financing.  There will also be some sort of deductible to pay with Comprehensive Insurance.

You will find a wide range of affordable options in the New York area.  It’s important to get the right amount of insurance but at an affordable price.  Shop around for discounts such as having a good driving record, doing a safe driving course, or bundling your home and automotive insurance.

Funny Car Championship down to the wire at Pomona

By
Briar Starr
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Photo Courtesy of NHRA

In what has been a year of interesting battles, the NHRA Funny Car class championship comes down to the wire this weekend at Pomona. The action begins Friday afternoon with the first round of qualifying.

Currently, there are five drivers that have a mathematical chance to win or steal the championship but all will have to go their way to win the 2021 title amid numerous scenarios that could play out. Realistically, however, there are three drivers that have a better shot at winning. But let’s start off with the basics. The five drivers that are hunting for the championship are John Force who is fifth in points, J.R. Todd in fourth, Cruz Pedregon who is currently third in points, last-year’s champion Matt Hagan in second and the point leader, Ron Capps.

Items of note – There are 187 maximum points available for Pomona II. Fifteen points are awarded for a qualifying attempt and 22 maximum points are available to earn in qualifying. A round win will be worth 30 points instead of the traditional 20. Four points are awarded for the low ET of each session as well.

John Force (Fifth in points, -155, seeking 17th Funny Car Championship)

The 2021 Funny Car season has been interesting for the all-time great John Force. He’s picked up three wins that have occurred at the Four-wide Charlotte Nationals, Epping, and his last win that came in August in Topeka. With the win in Topeka, Force was able to grab the points lead and it appeared as though he was starting his run toward a 17th Funny Car championship based on his summer success.

Unfortunately, since Topeka, he’s been hot and cold. Force lost the points lead following Topeka where he fell to fourth in Brainerd after a first-round loss to Ron Capps. The California native retook the points lead with a runner-up finish to Tommy Johnson Jr. (subbing in for Matt Hagan) at Reading. But after Reading, Force has been struggling and losing momentum, falling to fifth in the standings following the most recent race at Las Vegas. He’s had a quarterfinal loss to Tim Wilkerson at Charlotte 2, a semi-final loss at St. Louis to Bob Tasca, and a quarterfinals loss to Cruz Pedregon at Dallas and J.R. Todd at Bristol while falling to Chris Morel at Vegas.

However, despite losing momentum, Force is going to a track where he leads the Funny Car class with the most at-track victories with seven and he knows the championship can come down to the wire should things go his way.

“I’m still in it,” Force said. “It could still happen. I know it’s a slight chance, but it’s still a chance and we’re going to do everything we can to try to make it happen. Winning championships, it comes down to the wire, things can get wild. I would know. It’s going to be a fight, but I know this PEAK Chevy team, they’re up for it. Danny Hood, Tim Fabrisi, Joe Barlam and all my guys, they want it just as much as I do.”

J.R. Todd (Fourth in the standings, -138, seeking second Funny Car Championship since 2018)

J.R. Todd has been in this position before, after all, he won the 2018 Funny Car title. When Todd began the 2021 season, he opened with a win at the famous Gatornationals and had the points lead right away. Since that victory, he’s earned four runner-up finishes at Charlotte I, Pomona I, Topeka, and Bristol. Those runner-up finishes along with more consistent finishes throughout the year kept Todd in the upper half of the championship point standings, despite a couple of slip-ups along the way.

Todd has fallen as low as sixth after losing to Robert Hight in a quarterfinal finish at Sonoma and the runner-up finish at the first Pomona race to current points leader Ron Capps. Todd began climbing up the ladder once more at Brainerd going to second in the standings falling to Cruz Pedregon. Following Brainerd, Todd fell back to fifth in the standings after losing to Matt Hagan in the quarterfinals at St. Louis and the semi-final finish at Dallas once more to Hagan. After the Las Vegas II race, Todd sits fourth in the standings due to the first-round loss at Vegas to Paul Lee.

“We hurt ourselves in Las Vegas, but we can still finish strong in Pomona,” said Todd. “This championship has been a battle between four or five drivers all season it seems. No one has really dominated. I am proud of everyone on this DHL Toyota Funny Car team because we fought hard all season and it is coming down to the last race.”

In addition, Todd knows he can’t suffer another first-round loss this weekend or his championship chances are over.

“Everyone knows you have to avoid first-round losses in the Countdown, and we have avoided them almost the whole season,” said Todd. “This DHL Toyota has been one of the most consistent and quick race cars all season. I have to thank Todd Smith and Jon Oberhofer plus all these Yella Fellas for giving me a great race car every event. We are going to leave it all on the table in Pomona this weekend.”

Cruz Pedregon (Third in the standings, -83, looking for third Funny Car Championship and first since 2008)

Pedregon, the California native, has enjoyed one of his best Funny Car seasons in quite some time.

The 2021 Funny Car season has been quite the bounce back for Cruz Pedregon and his Snap-On machine. Pedregon earned two wins at Norwalk and the most recent race at Las Vegas II by defeating Ron Capps to put him back in championship contention. Throughout the year, the California native has garnered six semi-final appearances and two runner-up finishes at Charlotte II and at Brainerd to Matt Hagan.

Despite those consistent finishes, Pedregon spent most of the summer in the bottom of the standings. Even though he lost in the quarterfinals to J.R. Todd at Reading, Pedregon began climbing up the standings to fifth after Charlotte II, fourth following St. Louis and the up to third at Dallas after a loss to Capps in the semis. He lost again to Capps at Bristol, which knocked Pedregon back down to fourth but gained another spot and some big momentum by winning against Capps a few weeks ago at Vegas.

“The good people, the good team, have kept us alive this season…J.C. (John Collins), Rip (Reynolds) and the guys, they mean a lot to me. We made a big investment to bring them on board and it has been a game-changer,” Cruz says. “Things have really come together for us this year. We had an advantage going into Vegas with consistent runs the last half of the season. And a .004 reaction time helped us get to the finals, win, and head into this weekend in a solid third place in the standings.”

Matt Hagan (Second in the standings, -58, poised for fourth Funny Car Championship)

Matt Hagan is looking to defend his 2020 Funny Car championship this weekend in Pomona, California. The last couple of months has been newsworthy for Hagan, as he will be switching to Tony Stewart Racing in 2022.

Hagan opened up the year with a first-round loss to Bob Tasca at Gainesville, but since then picked up momentum in the summer. He’s claimed victories at Denver, St. Louis, and Brainerd along with earning three runner-up finishes and three No. 1 qualifiers. With those wins, Hagan was second in the standings following a runner-up finish at Sonoma to Robert Hight. Unfortunately, after the runner-up finish at Sonoma, Hagan suffered first-round losses to John Force at Pomona I, and a quarterfinal loss to Blake Alexander at Topeka. This saw the Don Schumacher Racing driver fall to fifth in the standings but he got back to first with the win at Brainerd.

But, Hagan had to sit out at two races at Indianapolis and Reading, due to testing positive for COVID-19. Fortunately, former DSR driver Tommy Johnson Jr. filled in for him at those two races and helped earn him points. Johnson even got the win at Reading, which gave points to Hagan to keep him in title contention.

Since then, Hagan won at St. Louis by defeating Bob Tasca in the finals and earned a runner-up finish to Capps at Dallas. Around this time, Hagan and Capps were tied in the standings. But, with the most recent losses at Bristol to J.R. Todd and Vegas II to Chad Green, Hagan now finds himself 58 points behind his teammate, Capps.

“We’re heading into Pomona fighting for a championship and I’ve been on both sides of this battle,” says Hagan, who has raced for the Funny Car crown as either leader or challenger heading into the season finale on seven occasions and won three (2011, 2014 and 2020). “My first championship, I just had to show up and go two rounds to be crowned a champion, similar to what Ron has to do. Last year, we were going into the last race two rounds ahead and this year, we’re going in two rounds behind, so, it’s nothing new for us, but I think we have to be super aggressive rolling into qualifying and get some valuable points. The game plan is just really run hard, run smart and be aggressive. We’ve got nothing to lose. This is Ron’s to lose honestly, and ours to win.”

With that in mind, Hagan knows those two first-round losses have hurt his points going into the final race of the year.

“We’ve had two bad races in a row in the Countdown and that’s been a big hit,” says Hagan, who is on track to score his 11th Top 10 finish. “It’s unfortunate but we’ve just got to bounce back. I’m very aggressive about it. Dickie is going to be aggressive. I’m going in there full steam ahead. I’m pumped up. I’m ready to go and fired up about it. I want to go race and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Ron Capps (First in the standings, +58 ahead of teammate Hagan, seeking first championship since 2016)

Last, but not least, Ron Capps is looking to capitalize on a solid season after earning two wins at Pomona I and Dallas and having three runner-up finishes and six semi-final appearances. The NAPA Auto Parts/Gearwrench driver has also gained four No. 1 qualifiers to his credit.

Capps has notably been the most consistent driver ever since winning the Pomona race earlier this year. He’s remained first or second in the standings all season long, only falling to fifth at Brainerd due to a quarterfinal loss to Pedregon. However, Capps has traded the points lead back and forth after Charlotte II with a semi-final loss to Tim Wilkerson and a quarterfinal loss to Force at St. Louis. Things began to look upward and forward for the 2016 Funny Car champion with a win at Dallas by eliminating Matt Hagan.

“It’s been so fun getting to know this new NAPA AUTO PARTS team. We were teamed up over the off-season and it’s been such a great year,” said Capps, referring to the decision to pair him with the longtime DSR co-crew chief tandem of Antonelli and Medlen and their crew after former NAPA crew chief Rahn Tobler announced his retirement in late January.”

“We’ve qualified well throughout the year, and have been consistently strong all season and now here we are, running for a championship. ‘Guido’ and Medlen, and our NAPA AutoCare team, we came together quickly like a duck to water at the beginning of the season, and it just felt like a natural fit. They’ve gotten to know me, and our last race in Vegas was a perfect example of how well we all work together, because, as much pressure as there was on race day, especially with all of the other top Countdown cars going out early, they really knew how to loosen me up and keep me in the right frame of mind. They’ve certainly helped me and my driving throughout the year. The big key for us this weekend is just to continue what we’ve been doing.”

The action begins Friday afternoon with the first round of qualifying at 3 p.m. PT live on NHRA TV (with a subscription). The final two rounds are scheduled for Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. PT to set the field. Final round eliminations began at 10 a.m. PT. Fox Sports 1 will showcase the finals beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

McDowell Season in Review

By
Official Release
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As Told by Student Nathan Romberg of the University of Wyoming

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (November 12, 2021) – Earlier this year, Front Row Motorsports was contacted by Nathan Romberg, a journalism student at the University of Wyoming who lives and champions those who live life on the spectrum. Romberg is a big fan of Michael McDowell, the No. 34 team, and NASCAR as a whole, and as such, has focused on the team’s historical season and written how he viewed it. He also received feedback from McDowell and crew chief Drew Blickensderfer on how they viewed their year.

The following is told by Romberg:

It’s the last lap of the Daytona 500 – NASCAR’s biggest race – and you are in the driver’s seat, running third, with a long line of cars behind you. For years, you have worked for this moment, to have a chance to reach the famed checkered flag first, not just for the 500, but for any NASCAR event.

Rounding Turns 1 and 2, you get a push from behind to reach the two competitors standing between you and racing immortality. That bump just got forces you into the car in second as the field heads down the backstretch. You see that car get loose and turn around the car in first. It’s as if the sea has parted in front of you. After 358 tries, you’ve finally done it. You’ve won the Daytona 500 and your first NASCAR Cup Series event.

It may be crazy to think, but for Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford team, this very scenario played out in February to start their 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Looking back at that night, McDowell had a similar evaluation. “We felt like we were in a good position all night. We worked so well with the Ford team, had good pit stops, made no mistakes and it all came together on the last lap. The excitement happened in real time. We took the lead and the checkered. So, we knew we were probably going to be called the winner by NASCAR. Then, they did, and it’s all excitement.”

For them, it was just the start of an incredible and consistent season of growth. With a win, playoff appearance, two top-fives and seven top-10 finishes this season, McDowell and the No. 34 team have found ways to improve their race team’s performance and allow for much bigger growth in the future.

After the team’s unexpected Daytona 500 win locked them into the playoffs (win, and you’re in), McDowell and the No. 34 team proved that their performance at the 500 was no fluke, netting an eighth-place finish at the Daytona Road Course the following weekend and a sixth-place result at Homestead-Miami Speedway the week after that. While a lack of qualifying on account of COVID-19 protocols meant that the field was set by metric from past race performances, the No. 34 team showed that they did belong with the big dogs.

Having already had a strong start to the season, McDowell and the team were also rewarded with an appearance in NASCAR’s All-Star Race in Texas in June as a result of the Daytona 500 win. For the Love’s crew, it provided a bit of a fun break from the stresses of regular-season points racing – after all, who wouldn’t want to race for a million dollars? As McDowell puts it, “It’s just a lot of fun. That’s a race for the fans to enjoy. So, you’re looking to put on a good show. It’s cool to be a part of it, but it’s really all for the fans to see something different.” While they didn’t win the million, finishing 12th ahead of some of NASCAR’s other biggest names was rather impressive. And they could build on that when they visited Texas again in the fall.

As the 2021 season progressed into the summer months, McDowell and the Love’s team began to settle into a rhythm – though it was not without its struggles. Despite finishing third at the Talladega Superspeedway and seventh at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin in May, bad luck and some poor races hurt the team’s momentum heading into the playoffs, including a late race wreck at the Indianapolis Road Course. The team had high hopes in their return to Daytona in August, but engine troubles prevented them from possibly sweeping the Daytona oval events. It left the Daytona 500 champions with a bit of a mixed bag entering the playoffs.

McDowell’s crew chief, Drew Blickensderfer, said: “For us, as a smaller team, we were proud to have had such a strong start to our season. We lost some momentum in the summer, but we had a fast car to start the Playoffs. We just had misfortune. But, overall, we’re very proud of the steps we took. We just want to be to more consistent.”

Entering the NASCAR Playoffs at Darlington in September, the No. 34 team was seeded 13th in points out of the 16-driver playoff grid based on their win and consistent performances early in the season. As they only needed to pass one car in points to make it into the next three-race round of 12, spirits were high. As Blickensderfer mentioned, McDowell’s crew had built quite the Ford Mustang for him at the Southern 500 in Darlington, the Labor Day weekend opener for the playoffs.

“We have pressure every week to give Michael the best car. So, we’re always working hard to get better. During the Playoffs, we had fast cars. We’re proud of that.”

Even then, the team’s mid-season struggles found a way to continue into the playoffs. An early wreck at the Southern 500 left McDowell and the Love’s team in a must-win scenario, and a series of compounding pit road penalties at Richmond the following week did not help. Despite this, McDowell and the No. 34 crew soldiered on, doing their best to get a win and advance to the round of 12 at Bristol. As Blickensderfer puts it, “You just move on, learn and try and get better for the next time.”

While failing to advance to the next round, the No. 34 team and McDowell have been able to mount some strong finishes to close out the season and return to their spring highs, with four straight top-20 finishes at Talladega’s fall race, the Charlotte Roval, Texas (repeating the strong success of their All-Star run there in June), and Kansas. In addition, considerable improvements with their mile-and-a-half program has allowed the team to look toward an even brighter and more successful 2022. Could that include more wins in the Next Gen car and a stronger or deeper playoff run? Well, if you ask McDowell about it, he seems pretty confident. And why wouldn’t he? He is the defending Daytona 500 champion, after all.

“We hope so! That’s always the goal. I do like the Next Gen car, the schedule and I think it fits my strengths. It’s hard to win, but I think we can put up front and compete.”

Even then, no one really knows for sure, as there still are some logistical headaches that come with a new car. As McDowell said: “This will put everyone on an equal playing field, but we’re still faced with the same challenges of relying on simulation, setup, and data. So, we’ll have to continue to work hard with the group we have. But, I like our guys.”

For now, McDowell and the No. 34 team can still look back at that Sunday night in February as a good omen for what lay ahead for them in 2021 – and even into 2022.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Camping World Truck Series and the 2021 Daytona 500 champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team– from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Celebrations for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing in Bahrain

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Official Release
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TOKYO, Nov 12, 2021 – (JCN Newswire) – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing completed its history-making Hypercar season in style with a one-two victory in the 8 Hours of Bahrain on a day of destiny for the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) drivers’ crown.

An emotional finale to the WEC season saw Kazuki Nakajima bring the curtain down on his glittering endurance career in fitting style with victory in the #8 GR010 HYBRID he shares with Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley.

Le Mans winners Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Jose Maria Lopez, in the #7 GR010 HYBRID, retained the drivers’ title by finishing Saturday’s race, the sixth and final round of the season, in second place.

Kamui is now Japan’s first two-time World Champion on four wheels while Jose becomes only the second Argentinian to win five FIA World Championships, following in the footsteps of the great Juan Manuel Fangio.

Both GR010 HYBRIDs displayed a tribute to Kazuki, who has earned his status as an endurance racing legend by winning Le Mans three times. He took 17 victories from his 59 WEC races and won the 2018-2019 World Championship title alongside Sebastien and Fernando Alonso.

On a day of new milestones, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing became the first team to win every race in a WEC season. It extended its unprecedented winning run to nine, in its 70th event since entering the series in 2012. Last week’s victory in Bahrain meant it had already secured its fourth teams’ World Championship.

Despite clean sweeps in all sessions of the Bahrain double-header, the GR010 HYBRIDs played catch-up on the opening laps when the #36 Alpine stole an early lead. But some exciting wheel-to-wheel racing put the GR010 HYBRIDs back in front and they never looked back.

As the race moved into the night, the #8 car established an ever-stronger grip at the front, edging clear of the #7. In the sixth hour, the lead was reduced slightly when a replacement steering wheel was required for the #8, following occasional gearshift issues. That cost only a few seconds at a scheduled pit stop, which rectified the problem.

Kazuki took the wheel of the #8 car for the final stint, and his last laps in WEC. A journey which started with the roll-out of the TS030 HYBRID in January 2012, ended when Kazuki took the chequered flag to win by 7.351secs from Jose, whose second place delivered another world title to the #7 crew.

The racing season may have ended but the action in Bahrain continues on Sunday, when seven-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier will drive a GR010 HYBRID for the first time in the WEC rookie test. Rising LMP2 star Charles Milesi will also test for the team.

For more information, visit https://toyotagazooracing.com/wec/release/2021/rd06-race/.

Irish Mike’s Racing carries momentum into Porsche Cup season finale at Road Atlanta

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Official Release
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BRASELTON, GA (10 Nov. 2021) – Irish Mike’s Racing has both of its drivers in the top five in the championship as the IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup North America season comes to a close with a busy three-race weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

Craig Conway ranks third in the standings, while rookie teammate Conor Flynn is fifth, scoring four second-place finishes in seven events after joining the series for its fourth of seven weekends.

“We’re ready,” said Conway, driver of the No. 97 Diamond Suzuki/Sea Pro Porsche 991. “We’ve been getting faster all year. We were on the podium at Indianapolis, and I think we’re in contention to do that again at Road Atlanta. It would be great to finish up the year in the top three or four in the drivers’ points. I’ve been to Road Atlanta plenty of times. I’ve done the SCCA Run-Offs there a few times, along with many other things”

After finishing third at Indianapolis, Conway placed fourth in both races at the most recent event at Virginia International Raceway.

“We’ve been tweaking on these cars and learning them all year – the team and the drivers – so we’re making them faster when it counts,” Conway said. “We’re pretty good in the points. There will be a lot of racing at Road Atlanta – three races – so we’re going to be busy this weekend.”

Flynn finished second during his debut weekend at Road America. After placing second, third and fourth at Indy, he posted a pair of runner-up showings at VIR in the No. 95 Chillout System/Irish Mike’s Total Car Care Porsche 991.

“It’s been a busy year, so I’m glad to close it up with a triple-header,” Flynn said. “Road Atlanta is my favorite track in North America. It’s really something else driving it; it really tests driver’s skills, with slow, technical turns along with high-speed all-out corners, where one mistake can write off the whole car. It’s a dynamic track.”

Irish Mike’s recently participated in a nine-hour endurance race at Michelin Raceway, winning the event overall with an Audi TCR.

“I think we’ll do really good,” Flynn said. “We most definitely know Road Atlanta. After Daytona and Sebring, it’s like a home track for us. Craig loves Road Atlanta, he’s been there a zillion times.”

While Flynn would love to end the season with three victories, he’s also keeping an eye on the Porsche 992s that compete in the other classes.

“We’re getting ready to head into the 992s for next year, so we’ll be observing the other classes and see how they do in the 992. But three wins would be an ideal finish.”

The weekend opens with a pair of Porsche Cup practices on Wednesday, with qualifying Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. (all times ET). The opening 45-minute races will be Thursday at 12:10 p.m. and 4:45 p.m., with the season finale Friday at 11:15 a.m.

MOOSE RACING CLOSES 2021 SEASON THIS SATURDAY IN ARIZONA

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Official Release
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The "Big Game Hunter," Austin Williams in action at Perris Auto Speedway.  Doug Allen Photo.

(Huntington Beach, CA, November 10, 2021) The famous Moose Racing Team will bring the curtain down on its 2021 season this weekend when driver Austin Williams battles with the top stars in the USAC/CRA and USAC National Sprint Car Series in the “54th Annual Western World Championship” at the Arizona Speedway.  The preliminaries will take place on Friday night with the finale running on Saturday.

Williams heads to the race in the “Copper State” in third position in the USAC/CRA driver point standings.  In addition, car owners Tom and Lauri Sertich are in third in the car owner standings.  Both the team and the driver have a firm grip on the position heading into the last two races of the year. 

Saturday’s race will not only be the last of the year for the Moose #92 and Williams, but it will also be the last time they compete on the desert track.  After a race the last weekend of November, the track that is located south of Phoenix will cease operation and the property will be redeveloped.  Strong rumors persist that the promoter will have another track up and ready in the Phoenix area for 2022.

Last weekend Moose Racing, and Williams took on the best traditional sprint car drivers in the nation in the “25th Annual Oval Nationals” at Perris Auto Speedway.  Over the first two nights of action, the Huntington Beach, California team, and driver Williams were the best of the USAC/CRA contingent.  On Thursday night, Williams laid down a sizzling 16.652 lap in qualifying.  That was not only the best of all the CRA teams, but it was fifth fastest in the 36-car field.  He followed that up by placing fifth in his heat and having to contest the B main.   Second in the B put him into the A main event where he started ninth.  From there Williams moved forward and recorded the best finish of any USAC/CRA driver by placing seventh. 

Twenty-four hours later the #92 and Williams recorded the 11th fastest time in qualifying before earning a direct ticket into the main event with a fourth-place finish in the 10-lap heat race.  This time the 31-year-old started 12th in the 30-lap main.  He again moved forward to finish ninth.  For the second night in a row, that was the best finish of the CRA drivers.

After his prowess in nights one and two, things looked bright for Saturday.  Right out of the box, Williams looked good.  Of the 28 cars that took time trials, the Corona, California driver was fifth fastest for the second time in 48-hours.   Unfortunately, that was the last bright spot of the weekend.  In the heat race, the car was having some mechanical issues and did not transfer to the A main.  Later in the B main, Williams started on the pole, but it was obvious the car was still having issues as he slid backwards in the field.  When the 12-lapper was over, Williams was seventh and that was one place out of transfer. 

After the issues in the B-main, the Moose Team had a provisional at its disposal to start the in the 40-lap finale.  Rather than risking doing damage to the internals of the car, they decided to sit the main out and get ready for this weeks “Western World.”

For fans who would like to see Williams and the famous Moose car in person this week, spectator gates will open at 3:00 p.m. each afternoon with racing at 7:00.  The track is located at 48700 N. Ironwood, in San Tan Valley, AZ (85140).  The website is https://www.arizonaspeedway.net/and the office phone is (480) 926-6688. 

While the racing season ends in Arizona this weekend, the Moose Racing team will immediately begin work for a busy 2022 campaign that will open with three races at the Cocopah Speedway in Yuma, Arizona in late January.  The crew will completely strip down the cars and go over them with a fine-tooth comb, so they are race ready for the openers.  In addition, the team will be exploring the possibility of adding marketing partners for another run at the USAC/CRA championship.  If you or your business would like to discuss coming on board with one of America’s most famous and popular sprint car teams, call  (714) 397-3964, (714) 394-9292 or mailto:Lauri@sprintcars.com mailto:moose9292@me.com

Moose Racing would like to thank the following marketing partners for making the 2021 racing season possible.  Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror, Phil & Eileen King, Lucas Oil Centers (Evansville, IN), and Specialized Powder Coating.  Also, the following companies who have provided valuable product support for the team’s racing effort.  CRC, Freeway Auto Supply, Keizer Wheels, Wilwood Disk Brakes, and FKK Indy.   

Moose Racing/Austin Williams 2021 Racing Results

3-12       Kern County Raceway Park           USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    4th

3-13       Kern County Raceway Park           USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    4th

3-16       Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway    USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    7th

4-24       Perris Auto Speedway                   USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    2nd

5-8          Bakersfield Speedway                   USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    6TH

5-22       Perris Auto Speedway                   USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    22nd

6-19       Perris Auto Speedway                   USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    17th

7-3          Santa Maria Raceway                     USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    4th

7-24       Perris Auto Speedway                   USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    1st

8-21       Perris Auto Speedway                   USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    23rd

9-4          Silver Dollar Speedway                  USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    3rd

9-5          Silver Dollar Speedway                  USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    20th

9-6          Petaluma Speedway                       USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    1st

9-25       Perris Auto Speedway                   USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    2nd

10-2       Arizona Speedway                          USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    2nd

10-23     Perris Auto Speedway                   USAC/CRA Sprint Cars                                    22nd

11-4       Perris Auto Speedway                   USAC/CRA & National Sprint Cars              7th

11-5       Perris Auto Speedway                   USAC/CRA & National Sprint Cars              9th

11-6       Perris Auto Speedway                   USAC/CRA & National Sprint Cars              7th B Main

Corvette Racing Going Global in 2022

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Official Release
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Chevrolet confirms customer Corvette Z06 GT3.R beginning for 2024

· Dual championship efforts in IMSA, FIA WEC categories
· Garcia, Taylor spearhead on GTD-PRO effort in new-spec Corvette C8.R
· Milner, Tandy embarking on World Championship run in GTE Pro
· Catsburg, Sims return to endurance lineups for 2022

DETROIT (Nov. 11, 2021) – For the first time in its 24-year history, Corvette Racing will contest multiple endurance racing championships during a globe-trotting 2022 racing program.

Corvette’s production-based race team is set for full-season championship challenges in both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship. Corvette Racing will field one Chevrolet Corvette C8.R in each series with a two-car effort planned for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

All six Corvette Racing drivers from 2021 will return for the new season. Antonio Garcia, Jordan Taylor and Nicky Catsburg make up the attack in IMSA while Tommy Milner, Nick Tandy and Alexander Sims contest the WEC.

“This is the most ambitious schedule that Corvette Racing has faced in its nearly 25 years of competition,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President, Performance and Motorsports. “It will be an honor to race in both the IMSA and WEC series at some of the best tracks in the world.”

Chevrolet also confirmed that it will build and sell the Corvette Z06 GT3.R race cars to customers beginning for the 2024 racing season.

IMSA: New class, new competitors, new challenge

Following the final race of the GT Le Mans (GTLM) category at this weekend’s Petit Le Mans, Corvette Racing will shift to the new-for-2022 GT Daytona (GTD) PRO category.

Garcia and Taylor – who are on the verge of repeating as GTLM Drivers champions – are contesting the full 10-race championship in the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R. Catsburg will rejoin the Garcia/Taylor duo for the Rolex 24 At Daytona (where they won the 2021 GTLM class), Sebring and Petit Le Mans.

The GTD-PRO Corvette C8.R will look similar to the GTLM trim. A revised wing profile will mean a slightly different level of downforce at the rear of the Corvette. The C8.R will run on customer Michelin tires, per GTD regulations.

Under the skin, the GTD-PRO Corvette will retain the same 5.5-liter, flat-plane V8 with a slightly decreased power output over the GTLM rules package. An anti-lock braking system (ABS), tested by Corvette Racing at Belle Isle’s race in June, also will be featured on the IMSA C8.R along with other driver aids that are mandated by the class regulations.

Chevrolet has won 13 Manufacturers Championships (14 with the start of Saturday’s Petit Le Mans) in IMSA since 2001.

FIA WEC: Going for a World Championship

The presence of Corvette Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship means Chevrolet will fight for the GT Manufacturers World Championship along with another IMSA Manufacturers title in 2022.

Milner and Tandy will take on the six-round global championship with the No. 64 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R, which will continue in the GTE Pro category against similar factory entries.

Milner and Tandy’s season will begin with the 1,000 Miles of Sebring on March 18 as the FIA WEC returns to its doubleheader weekend with IMSA, which runs the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring the following day.

A handful of new circuits for Corvette Racing – Monza, Fuji and Bahrain – await on the WEC calendar for 2022, plus a return to Spa-Francorchamps. The focal point, as is the case each season, is the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Corvette Racing aims to gain invitations for two Corvette C8.Rs as the program goes for a ninth class victory since 2001. Sims will reunite with Milner and Tandy at Le Mans, with the Garcia/Taylor/Catsburg trio eyeing a Le Mans return, as well.
Chevrolet planning for future with Corvette GT3 program
For 2024, a new era of Corvette Racing dawns with the debut of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R racecar – a ground-breaking sports car with customer racing in mind.

The Corvette Z06 GT3.R will be the closest link yet between the production Z06 and racing for Chevrolet’s flagship performance vehicle. Thanks to a strong foundation provided by the mid-engine Corvette Z06 supercar, the Z06 GT3.R will share the same aluminum chassis, a production engine modified for use in the racecar, and similar aerodynamic features. They have the same silhouette and similar dimensions.

At the heart of the Z06 GT3.R is a 5.5-liter, DOHC LT6 V8 engine with the same flat-plane crankshaft architecture that powers the Corvette C8.R. A real-world rolling laboratory, the C8.R laid the groundwork for powertrain and aero strategies that will make the Corvette Z06 GT3.R a worthy competitor in the world of privateer racing.

For the first time, Chevrolet is offering a turn-key, customer-focused racing Corvette for competition in a wide variety of GT3 championships.

“It’s an exciting time for Corvette – first with the reveal of the production Z06 and now confirming the Corvette Z06 GT3.R for customer racers,” said Mark Stielow, Chevrolet Director of Motorsports Competition Engineering. “The availability of the Z06 GT3.R will allow customer race teams the opportunity to campaign a Corvette that has benefited from Corvette Racing’s rich history.”

The Corvette Z06 GT3.R fits the criteria for GT3 sports car racing, which continues to grow exponentially year over year. The introduction of the Z06 GT3.R will mean privateers can compete in both endurance and sprint races across multiple series.

Additional details such as pricing and support package options will be confirmed at a later date. More information is available at Chevrolet Motorsports.

Corvette Racing closes its 2021 season with the 10-hour Petit Le Mans on Saturday, Nov. 13.
ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – GTD-PRO: “I’m looking forward to being back with Corvette Racing, Jordan and in IMSA. It will be my 12th full season in America and I’ve enjoyed all of it. The GTD-PRO class is a little different but in some ways things will be the same as GTLM. We will have the C8.R with some modifications for the rules. It will be good to have the number of cars that it seems we will have in the category. It reminds me a lot of the good years in GTLM where we had four and five manufacturers. That always brings good racing. That’s the key thing and what we all want to do – race and race against the best manufacturers and best drivers. For us, it will be a big change with one car and there is a lot to learn about the GTD-PRO category over the course of the year. We need to maximize all our resources to keep winning in the same way we have for all these years.”

JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – GTD-PRO: “I’m super excited to be coming back to IMSA. Obviously going to a new class with more cars and more competition will be exciting. There is a lot to learn for us at Corvette Racing to help with the transition, but the team has so much experience over the years in GT racing that I’m confident we can adapt well. We’ve done some testing behind the scenes already with the car to understand where we are and what we need to work on. So far, so good. It’ll be great to be back with Antonio and Nicky. We’ve had two great years in a row, and hopefully we can make it three in IMSA.”

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – GTD-PRO: “GTD-PRO is going to be very competitive with hopefully many competitors in the class. Already the team has done a lot of development and preparation for next year. For those reasons, we are all looking forward to it. I am very happy to again be part of the Corvette Racing program, and it will be nice to continue working with Jordan and Antonio. We are a strong lineup with a strong team behind us. This will be a big challenge but we are ready for it.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 64 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – GTE Pro: “It’s an exciting and new challenge to do a full season in WEC. As the decisions were being made, I was asked my preference of what I would like to do for 2022. I’ve obviously enjoyed every single year that I’ve been in IMSA with some amazing tracks and events. But the opportunity to race at some other famous and storied circuits – ones that I’ve never been to – in a Corvette and in the WEC is amazing. The constants of the car, the Michelin tires and having Nick as a teammate are all great benefits. We got a look at what it’s like to race in a normal WEC race when some of the team raced at Spa last year. Having that experience and knowledge will be beneficial for 2022. Personally, I’m thrilled for this.”

NICK TANDY, NO. 64 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – GTE Pro: “I’m excited for this new challenge. I last competed for a full season in the FIA WEC in 2017, so I know what the championship is all about. I’m especially looking forward to taking this Corvette to tracks and events where we haven’t raced the car before. Obviously I’ve been involved in the full IMSA season and Le Mans this year, but to run the C8.R in six- and eight-hour events that WEC runs is something still a little unknown to us at Corvette Racing. Yes, it’s a step into the unknown, but it’s a new challenge and those are always exciting. I definitely will miss my friends, the fans and familiar faces in the IMSA paddock but at the same time I’m looking forward to seeing some familiar faces that I’ve known throughout the years in the WEC paddock. On top of that, this is a World Championship and that is something that is really important for Corvette, Chevrolet and our team. Going for a World Championship is something that not many people compete for, so I’m looking forward to what comes ahead.”

ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 64 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – GTE Pro: “Looking ahead to 2022, I’m excited to continue the relationship with Corvette Racing and continue racing with this team. It’s great to have another year with Tommy and Nick at Le Mans. It’s been a great experience working with the team and the racing has been great. Already we are hopeful of getting a big race win at Le Mans for the C8.R.”

Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. 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.

Wagner Takes Third-Straight MX-5 Cup Win in Remarkable Road Atlanta Finish

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Official Release
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Top five finish within .311-second of leader as Wagner grows championship lead

BRASELTON, Ga. (November 11, 2021) – Even for a series that has been recognized for delivering some of the best racing on the continent, Thursday’s Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires race delivered an extra measure of excitement as the top five finishers all crossed the line within 0.311-seconds of the winner.

After the 45-minute race ran under green flag conditions from start to finish, Gresham Wagner (No. 5 Spark Performance) earned his fifth win of the season by just 0.015-second over Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Performance Engineering). Michael Carter (No. 08 Carter Racing Enterprises) was right with them and finished third to keep his championship hopes alive.

Wagner came into the finale with a comfortable, but not insurmountable, lead in the point standings. Halfway through the race at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, it looked like he could say goodbye to that cushion. The battle at the front was tight and while racing door-to-door with another driver, Wagner ran out of room in Turn One and fell as far back as 11th.

“I knew Selin [Rollan] and Michael [Carter] were going to race me hard – they had to, because of the deficit in points, they had to beat me,” Wagner said. “I knew they’d tried to shuffle me back and they did what they needed to do. It wasn’t looking great for me midway through that race, but I knew I had a fast car. I could see where I was faster than the cars around so if I could put in some clean laps, I could be up there in the lead battle.”

Meanwhile, Wagner’s main rivals for the championship, Carter and Selin Rollan (No. 87 Hixon Motor Sports) were trading the lead at the front of the field along with rookie Sam Paley (No. 28 McCumbee McAleer Racing). It took about 20 minutes for Wagner to catch the lead pack again. When Rollan and Paley nearly raced each other off the track, Wagner was able to rejoin the podium fight.

Carter led Rollan and Thomas across the line to start the final lap. As the trio fought for the race win, Wagner, in fourth, saw his opportunity in the final turn, dove to the inside and went three -wide through the apex with Carter and Thomas. Wagner’s car got loose on the exit, but he managed to take the checkered flag 0.015-second ahead of Thomas.

“It was nerve-wracking to get shuffled back a bit with two laps to go, and I really had to claw back to put myself into a winning position coming to the last few corners, but luckily the guys in front raced each other just a little too hard and let me get a nose in there,” said Wagner. “I took advantage of a situation that just kind of fell to me.”

It is Wagner’s fifth win of the season and third in-a-row. The victory increases his point lead to 150 points over Carter. He will start second in Friday’s season-ending race and he’s hoping it will be a little calmer.

“I feel good about the win, but not after such a roller coaster, when so much could have gone wrong,” Wagner said. “Hopefully the next one is smoother sailing!”

Thomas returned to the Mazda MX-5 Cup podium for the first time since the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

“I got the run on Selin [Rollan] in One and started catching [Michael] Carter down the back stretch and then pulled out and we fought side-by-side through 10a and that gave Gresham [Wagner] the run,” Thomas said. “Coming to the last corner, I thought ‘three wide, in Turn 12, at Road Atlanta, in the second to last race for the championship?!’ I was just hoping to not be the odd man out there so I’m really happy to get back on the podium. It’s been a while and feels really good. Tomorrow we are starting a bit better so we’ll come back and go for it again.”

Carter lamented his sudden change in fortune toward the end of the race. He finished third, but he did pick up 10 bonus points for leading the most laps in the race.

“That last lap, I thought I had it won coming out of Turn One,” Carter said. “I had a pretty good gap, but they snuck back up to me. Jared was pushing me down the whole front straightaway and I thought he might stick with me, but he didn’t. The car was fast, but sometimes these things go your way and sometimes they don’t. You always want to win, but it was a good race. It’s a pretty beat-up car, so we’ll go see what we have to fix tonight, come back to win tomorrow and see how the championship shakes out. It’s still in reach, and anything can happen. Thanks to the team, we had a long night last night with some broken stuff, so it’s been a long 24 hours. Third today and we’ll go get ‘em tomorrow.”

Chris Nunes (No. 32 JTR Motorsports Engineering) finished fourth and was named Hard Charger for picking up six positions during the race. This tightens up the Rookie of the Year standings. Paley’s 150-point lead over Nunes has shrunk to 80 points as he finished ninth.

Rollan completed the top five but will start from pole for Friday’s race. He remains third in the point standings, 250 points out of first.

Making his Mazda MX-5 Cup debut, the most recent Mazda Shootout winner Connor Zilisch (No. 72 Hixon Motor Sports) showed impressive form. The 14-year old was in contention for a podium spot before he got sideways and spun into the Turn Five tire wall. The crash damage was too extensive for Zilisch to carry on, but he can hold his head high knowing he turned the fastest lap of the race, a new MX-5 Cup record, at 1:36.622.

When the green flag flies on Friday’s race, a $250,000 championship prize will be at stake as well as an $80,000 award for Rookie of the Year.

The race begins at 10:05am ET and will be live streamed on www.imsa.com/tvlive.

About: The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires is the signature spec series for Mazda Motorsports. The series has been operated by Andersen Promotions since 2017 and is currently sanctioned by IMSA. Mazda-powered grassroots champions can earn Mazda scholarships for this pro-level series. The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup champion is awarded $250,000 as the top rookie nets $80,000.

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