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Bell Rings in Another “Magic Mile” Triumph in the SciAps 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series Race

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NASCAR Cup Series star Christopher Bell celebrated his SciAps 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Saturday. Photo Credit: NHMS/Adam Glanzman

Christopher Bell earns his fourth New Hampshire NASCAR Xfinity Series win in his fourth start and looks to make a second trip to victory lane after Sunday’s USA TODAY 301 NASCAR Cup Series race.

LOUDON, N.H. – Make it four for four at “The Magic Mile” for one of America’s best talents behind the wheel.

Christopher Bell, in a spot start inside the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, won his fourth NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) race in four starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) with an overtime victory in the SciAps 200 on Saturday afternoon.

On the final lap of a green-white-checkered finish, Sheldon Creed was in the middle and just ahead of Bell to the inside and Cole Custer to the outside as the trio crossed the Granite Stripe start-finish line. Bell inched ahead entering turn one and began to pull away along the backstretch for an eventual quarter-of-a-second (.254) victory over Creed, his JGR teammate.

“We got really lucky there,” said Bell after completing the first final lap pass for a victory in an NXS race at New Hampshire. “I feel so bad for Sheldon. He’s really been close to winning one of these things. Coming to the white flag, he got Cole loose and gave room to me. I was just really fortunate.”

The 29-year-old from Norman, Okla. will try to complete a double-victory weekend on Sunday in the USA TODAY 301 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race at 2 p.m.

“It’s just enjoyable to go out there and race and drive these cars,” said Bell, who earned his 18th career NXS victory after leading 43 laps. “You can slide these cars around and it’s fun on a lot of different levels. Winning is hard and everything has to go right to win. Today everything didn’t go right and we still snuck one out.”

Creed finished second for the 10th time in his NXS career with Custer in third, Justin Allgaier in fourth and Carson Kvapil fifth in his NHMS debut. Creed nudged Custer out of the lead in turn four of the next-to-last lap to get the lead but left a small window open for Bell on the final circuit.

“I’m running out of ways to lose them but happy for another good run,” Creed said. “Obviously [Bell] got a good run. We’ve been in the hunt the last four weeks. Every week that we can run top-five and be in contention, that’s all you can ask for.”

It was an unusual start for the full field as NASCAR allowed teams to go to wet weather tires for the drop of the green flag with the 1.058-mile asphalt oval damp from earlier rain. It was the first time in NXS history rain tires were used on an oval track. The field was slightly slower with the rain tires in place and some blisters appeared on the used rubber.

Ten laps in NASCAR threw a competition caution mandating that the teams go back to slick tires, the regular setup the drivers are familiar with.

Custer, who started in position one after qualifying was rained out, led all 10 laps while the field was driving with wet weather tires and led a race-high 114 overall.

“That was hard racing at the end,” said Custer, the defending NXS champion who is still seeking his first victory of the season. “I felt like we had that one. We had the best car all day and to have it ripped away with one lap to go is just heartbreaking. That was one of the best cars I’ve had in the Xfinity Series. We just have to keep knocking on the door. I tried to protect the bottom in turns one and two [at the end]. It just sucks to have it ripped away with two laps to go. It’s just brutal.”

Justin Bonsignore, who won the Mohegan Sun 100 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race earlier on Saturday, ran in the top 10 for much of the race until spinning out on a late restart following a bump from a competitor and eventually finished 23rd.

“We had a good pace all day long,” Bonsignore said. “We were right there. It’s tough on these late race restarts and everyone gets crazy. It was a really cool experience and hopefully we can put some stuff together and do some more. I was learning every single lap.”

Among other notable finishers, NCS star Alex Bowman finished ninth, A.J. Allmendinger was 11th and stage one winner Sam Mayer was 20th.

Bell, who also was the stage two winner, completed the 203 laps (214.774 miles) in two hours, 35 minutes and 21 seconds for an average speed of 82.951 mph. Ten drivers exchanged the lead 15 times with 11 caution periods taking up 58 laps.

For the latest schedules and updates, follow New Hampshire Motor Speedway social media or visit NHMS.com/Events/NASCAR-Cup-Series/Schedule/.

Tickets:

Sunday’s USA TODAY 301 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race tickets start at just $64 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Further details can be found on the NHMS website or by calling 833-4LOUDON.

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Keep track of all of New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s events by following on Facebook (@NHMotorSpeedway), Twitter (@NHMS) and Instagram (@NHMS). Keep up with all the latest information on the speedway website (NHMS.com) and mobile app.

LANGDON, TASCA, ENDERS & HERRERA TAKE NO. 1 SPOT AT PLAYNHRA VIRGINIA NATIONALS

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DINWIDDIE, Va. (June 22, 2024) – Top Fuel’s Shawn Langdon closed out qualifying with the quickest run of the day on Saturday at Virginia Motorsports Park, taking the No. 1 spot at the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals.

Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also qualified No. 1 at the ninth of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

On a day where the NHRA pro categories all made three qualifying runs on Saturday for the first time ever, Langdon went 3.872-seconds at 319.82 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Kalitta Air dragster in the final round of qualifying, giving the former world champion his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 21st in his standout career. The veteran is also looking for his first career win at Virginia Motorsports Park, opening eliminations against Lex Joon.

“In the first couple of runs, we just were off a little bit. You’re dealing with 150-degree track temperature, so it’s just getting everything right,” Langdon said. “This track is so good and so smooth that, unfortunately, these hot conditions don’t do this track much justice for how good it really is. So we’re tiptoeing down the track. It’s crazy how much we’ve got these things backed up and it’s just a matter of getting everything in sync.”

Reigning world champ and points leader Doug Kalitta is qualified second with a 3.883 at 318.69 and Tony Stewart, who is in his debut season in the Top Fuel ranks, qualified third with a 3.885 at 317.79.

In Funny Car, Bob Tasca III made the most of the final qualifying session to finish off an impressive day, as Tasca’s 4.024 at 320.74 in his 11,000-horsepower Ford Performance Mustang Dark Horse gave the veteran his 17th career No. 1 qualifier and first this season. No Funny Car made a 3-second run in the heat, but Tasca put together three solid runs to give him confidence heading into raceday. He’ll face off with Dave Richards to open eliminations and is thrilled with the progress his team made this weekend.

“To bring home a win, you got to go down the racetrack, and if you don’t get on the racetrack, you’re going to lose. Anyone out here is going to beat you,” Tasca said. “You have to have good decision-making, but it makes it a whole lot easier to make those decisions when you have a day like you had today because we can fall back on a baseline. We look at tire temperature and wasn’t on the edge. We can we push, but you have to pick your moments depending on who you’re racing, You’ve got to go down the racetrack and Todd (Okuhara) and Aaron (Brooks) t know how to do that.

Chad Green qualified second with a 4.024 at 320.13 and points leader Austin Prock qualified third with a 4.027 at 318.84.

Looking for her 50th career national event victory, Pro Stock’s Erica Enders blistered the track on Saturday at Virginia Motorsports Park, taking the No. 1 spot with a standout run of 6.586 at 209.56 in her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/Scag Power Equipment car. That took place during the opening session and nobody could top that throughout Saturday’s three sessions as the defending and six-time world champion claimed her fourth No. 1 qualifier of 2024 and the 38th in her career. On Sunday, she’ll open eliminations against Kenny Delco with her 50th national event victory – and her first win at Virginia Motorsports Park – just four win lights away.

“We knew he first session was going to be the good session and put a lot of emphasis on that because it’s just going to get progressively worse throughout the day, and we needed to make a good hit first round, and fortunately, my guys are good enough to be able to do that,” Enders said.

“It’s tough out there. Everybody’s going through the same stuff, but you have to mindful what you put in your body and then being adequately hydrated and keeping your core body temperature down when the cockpit temperatures are over 150 degrees.”

Eric Latino went a strong 6.590 at 208.97 to qualify second, while Deric Kramer’s 6.596 at 208.59 gave him the third position.

On the hunt for history this weekend, Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera threw down something spectacular to open qualifying on Saturday, going 6.703 at 200.83 on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki. That set the track E.T. record and handed the defending world champion his third No. 1 qualifier this year and the 17th in his career. More importantly, it puts Herrera in a great spot to potentially make more NHRA history.

He’s currently tied with legendary Pro Stock driver Bob Glidden for the most consecutive wins (9) and round wins (35) in NHRA history and can set the new mark with a memorable Saturday at a track that has served him well throughout his career.

“To be honest, on that 6.70, we were expecting a .72. We just happened to catch it before it really got hot out there today,” Herrera said. “Obviously these are the kinds of conditions we will be racing tomorrow., so we’re going in there with a lot of confidence.

“If I can (break the record), it’s going to be awesome. I’m happy with just tying Bob Glidden and to have my name in the same sentence as Bob. If I do it, that it’d be awesome, but going into tomorrow, no, I’m not thinking about it.”

Herrera’s teammate, Richard Gadson, took second with a 6.763 at 198.96 and defending event winner Matt Smith qualified third after going 6.788 at 200.80.

Eliminations for the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals begin at 12 p.m. on Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park.

DINWIDDIE, Va. — Sunday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the Fourth annual PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, the ninth of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Top Fuel — 1. Shawn Langdon, 3.872 seconds, 319.82 mph vs. 16. Lex Joon, broke; 2. Doug Kalitta, 3.883, 318.69 vs. 15. Cameron Ferre, 5.381, 138.44; 3. Tony Stewart, 3.885, 317.79 vs. 14. Clay Millican, 4.326, 203.43; 4. Shawn Reed, 3.890, 319.67 vs. 13. Tony Schumacher, 4.261, 206.83; 5. Antron Brown, 3.903, 318.62 vs. 12. Billy Torrence, 4.034, 247.43; 6. Jasmine Salinas, 3.912, 313.51 vs. 11. Brittany Force, 3.966, 316.97; 7. Josh Hart, 3.923, 319.90 vs. 10. Dan Mercier, 3.955, 296.50; 8. Steve Torrence, 3.938, 317.87 vs. 9. Justin Ashley, 3.950, 311.70.

Funny Car — 1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.024, 320.74 vs. 16. Dave Richards, Toyota Camry, 4.476, 268.28; 2. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.024, 320.13 vs. 15. Mike Smith, Mustang, 4.292, 285.77; 3. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 4.027, 318.84 vs. 14. Cruz Pedregon, Dodge Charger, 4.192, 239.44; 4. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 4.047, 311.99 vs. 13. Buddy Hull, Charger, 4.185, 307.79; 5. John Force, Camaro, 4.048, 314.83 vs. 12. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.148, 269.24; 6. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota GR Supra, 4.058, 313.00 vs. 11. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 4.130, 305.08; 7. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 4.069, 312.13 vs. 10. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.129, 306.88; 8. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.071, 307.30 vs. 9. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.103, 307.02.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Jim Campbell, 8.902, 98.26.

Pro Stock — 1. Erica Enders, Chevy Camaro, 6.586, 209.62 vs. 16. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 7.308, 152.76; 2. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.590, 208.97 vs. 15. Brandon Miller, Dodge Dart, 6.883, 198.38; 3. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.596, 208.59 vs. 14. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.691, 207.94; 4. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.608, 206.92 vs. 13. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.676, 206.83; 5. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.611, 208.52 vs. 12. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.666, 207.02; 6. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.612, 208.26 vs. 11. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.654, 208.07; 7. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.621, 208.26 vs. 10. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.642, 208.10; 8. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.626, 208.84 vs. 9. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.630, 208.17.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.703, 200.83 vs. 14. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 11.380, 70.27; 2. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.763, 198.96 vs. 13. Eiji Kawakami, EBR, 7.183, 186.18; 3. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.767, 200.86 vs. 12. Angie Smith, Buell, 7.044, 165.19; 4. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.794, 198.17 vs. 11. Ron Tornow, Victory, 6.959, 194.66; 5. John Hall, Beull, 6.795, 198.58 vs. 10. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.933, 195.48; 6. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 6.796, 199.91 vs. 9. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.885, 195.53; 7. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.842, 200.02 vs. 8. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.859, 195.70.

JOHN FORCE RACING SWEEPS MISSION #2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE AT RICHMOND; ANDERSON AND M. SMITH ALSO GET WINS

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DINWIDDIE, Va. (June 22, 2024) – John Force Racing swept the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge for the first time on Saturday at Virginia Motorsports Park, as Brittany Force won in Top Fuel and Austin Prock picked up the victory in Funny Car in the specialty race as part of this weekend’s PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals.

Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won the specialty race at the ninth of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Force won the Top Fuel Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge for the first time in her standout career, going 3.966-seconds at 316.97 mph in her 11,000-horsepower HendrickCars.com Chevrolet dragster to defeat Tony Schumacher in the finals. It was a welcome turn of events for Force, who has struggled for the bulk of the 2024 season. She is the defending event winner in Richmond, breaking track records in 2022, and again found success at the facility on Saturday.

“This is big for us, just because we’ve been struggling for so long, and to be able to win this Mission Foods Challenge is huge for our team,” Force said. “We need it just to keep us moving forward, keep us pumped up. We’ve stayed motivated for all of it through last season and coming into this season. Every week, we come out here we you know, we push as hard as we can, and we still feel like we’re going to win this thing. To be able to bring home this win for this team is huge. We all definitely needed it and we’re excited about race day tomorrow.”

In Funny Car, points leader Austin Prock stayed red-hot, winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge for the third time this season and the second straight race, again defeating his boss, John Force, in the final round with a run of 4.037 at 315.93 in his 11,000-horsepower Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS. It furthers Prock’s incredible Funny Car rookie season, as he continues to showcase just how well his car, tuned by his father, Jimmy Prock, can run in any condition. Prock also doubled-up two weeks ago in Bristol and will try to do the same on Sunday.

“We definitely struggled as an organization last year in this (Mission) deal, so this is nice to see, it kind of changes the tide to be racking up a lot of points,” Prock said. “I’ve been having fun racing, my boss. He’s got me one or two times, and I think I’ve got him two times and it’s always good when it’s an all-JFR final round because you know you’re going home with the tortilla chips.”

Greg Anderson won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in Pro Stock for the first time in his career, knocking off longtime rival Erica Enders in the final round of the specialty event with a run of 6.626 at 206.80 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. Anderson had a brilliant .004 reaction time and held off Enders’ 6.627 at the finish line to pick up the bonus points and bonus purse with the win. He knocked off Dallas Glenn to reach the finals against Enders. It was a thrilling moment for Anderson, who will now try to win a national event at Virginia Motorsports Park for the first time in his career.

“I’m not quite sure how I pulled off that reaction time but I’ll take it,” Anderson said. “Obviously, it’s fantastic. Racing on Saturday is so exciting to us and it’s like qualifying becomes kind of a second act for us, so it’s making me very competitive, and that feels great. I love racing this (Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge) deal and I just wish I’d done better in the past but doesn’t matter now: I finally got a win.”

Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Matt Smith earned his second straight in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, defeating Richard Gadson in the final round with a solid run of 6.767 at 200.86 on his Denso Auto Parts/Matt Smith Racing Buell. The six-time world champion disposed of both Vance & Hines bikes on Saturday, defeating points leader Gaige Herrera in the semifinals before getting past Gadson a round later. Smith, who is also the defending event winner at Virginia Motorsports Park, will look to carry that momentum into Sunday, where he’s looking to win for the first time this season and end Herrera’s NHRA record-tying streak of nine straight wins.

“We knocked off Gaige (Herrera) in the first round and then we beat the other Vance & Hines bike with Richard (Gadson), so all in all great weekend so far,” Smith said. “I just keep rolling and trying to do the best I can to keep the momentum going, but we’ve got a really good bike. This Denso bike is strong. and it’s mean. We’ve been working on bike but it’s hard to control the tire when it gets hot but we’re doing a pretty good job of it so far.”

Eliminations for the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals begin at 12 p.m. on Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park.

2Fast2Tasty Challenge Agate

DINWIDDIE, Va. — Saturday’s final results from the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the Fourth annual PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Top Fuel Challenge — Brittany Force, 3.966 seconds, 316.97 mph def. Tony Schumacher, 4.261 seconds, 206.83 mph.

Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Funny Car Challenge — Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 4.037, 315.93 def. John Force, Camaro, 4.048, 314.83.

Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Pro Stock Challenge — Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.626, 206.80 def. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.627, 208.26.

Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Challenge — Matt Smith, Buell, 6.767, 200.86 def. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.889, 180.45.

DINWIDDIE, Va. — Final round-by-round results from the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the Fourth annual PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY NHRA TOP FUEL CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — Tony Schumacher, 4.405, 192.30 def. Clay Millican, 4.688, 163.18; Brittany Force, 3.984, 308.14 def. Doug Kalitta, Foul – Red Light; FINAL — B. Force, 3.966, 316.97 def. T. Schumacher, 4.261, 206.83.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY NHRA FUNNY CAR CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 4.122, 315.34 def. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 4.140, 298.01; John Force, Camaro, 4.138, 303.98 def. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 4.597, 193.24; FINAL — A. Prock, 4.037, 315.93 def. J. Force, 4.048, 314.83.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY NHRA PRO STOCK CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.627, 208.84 def. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 8.540, 93.95; Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.614, 209.62 def. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.666, 208.10; FINAL — G. Anderson, 6.626, 206.80 def. E. Enders, 6.627, 208.26.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY NHRA PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.846, 198.55 def. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, Foul – Red Light; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.790, 200.71 def. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.795, 199.58; FINAL — M. Smith, 6.767, 200.86 def. R. Gadson, 6.889, 180.45.

Toyota Gazoo Racing North America NHRA Virginia Post-Qualifying Report – 06.22.24

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LANGDON, KALITTA TOP TWO QUALIFIERS FOR VIRGINIA NATIONALS
Langdon earns second No. 1 qualifier of 2024 season

NORTH DINWIDDIE, Va. (June 22, 2024) – Kalitta Motorsports led the way for Toyota in Top Fuel with Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta claiming the top two qualifying spots for tomorrow’s NHRA Virginia Nationals. The blistering Virginia heat made the first two qualifying sessions of the day tricky, but a drop in track temperatures Saturday evening paved the way for faster speeds in the final session, which Langdon and Kalitta took advantage of. Langdon’s 3.872 elapsed time in the evening run earned him his second No. 1 qualifier of the 2024 season and the 21st of his career.

Should he couple today’s effort with a win tomorrow, it would be Langdon’s third victory of 2024 and the 20th of his career. Kalitta also goes for his third win this season on Sunday, and the 55th of his career, which would put him alone in fourth on the all-time Top Fuel wins list.

In Funny Car, Alexis DeJoria was the lead GR Supra Funny Car on Saturday, qualifying sixth for tomorrow’s eliminations. J.R Todd was right behind her in seventh and Ron Capps will be the No. 11 seed tomorrow.

Toyota Post-Qualifying Recap
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series
NHRA Virginia Nationals
Virginia Motorsports Park
Race 9 of 20

NameCarQualifying PositionFirst Round Opponent
Shawn LangdonKalitta Air Careers Toyota Top Fuel Dragster1stL. Joon
Doug KalittaMac Tools Employee Benefits Toyota Top Fuel Dragster2ndC. Ferre
Antron BrownMatco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster5thB. Torrence
Steve TorrenceCAPCO Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster8thJ. Ashley
Justin AshleySCAG Power Equipment Toyota Top Fuel Dragster9thS. Torrence
Billy TorrenceCAPCO Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster12thA. Brown

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING POSITIONS 

NameCarQualifying PositionFirst Round Opponent
B. Tasca IIIFord Motorcraft Funny Car1st*D. Richards
Alexis DeJoriaBandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car6thR. Capps
J.R. ToddDHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car7thM. Hagan
Ron CappsNAPA Auto Care Toyota GR Supra Funny Car11thA. DeJoria

TOYOTA QUOTES

SHAWN LANGDON, Kalitta Air Careers Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

TF Qualifying Result: 1st

How would you describe the day, ending with a No. 1 qualifier?

“For me, I’m just hitting the gas. But Brian (Husen, crew chief) felt a run in the mid-3.80s was possible, and he was worried someone behind us in line would overtake us. There was a little bit left out there, but the problem was getting everything in sync. The track is so good and so smooth, but unfortunately, these hot conditions don’t do the track much justice. We’re tip-toeing down the track in this Kalitta Air Careers car. It’s crazy how much we have these things backed off so it’s a matter of getting the power level right and getting the clutch in synch. In the first couple of runs, we were off a little bit. Brian made some good calls for Q3, but he felt that run was out there all day long, but with a 150-degree track temperature, it’s just a matter of getting everything right.”

ALEXIS DEJORIA, Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, DC Motorsports

FC Qualifying Result: 6th

Challenging track conditions today. How was your car?

“Grueling conditions here at VMP (Virginia Motorsports Park). We managed to get down the track, pretty much every time. First run, we smoked the tires down the track, but still put a 4.335 time on the board. We started off 10th but moved up a little bit and then this last run, we were in the right lane which was a little bit better, and Del (Worsham, crew chief) was like, ‘we definitely want to move up some spots.’ So, he put a little bit to it, and we ran that nice 4.058 and we’re sitting sixth going into race day, which is awesome. Racing against (Ron) Capps, unfortunately, my Toyota teammate. But it feels good to be the quickest of the three Toyota GR Supra Funny Cars this weekend. Really tough conditions. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. It’s going to be just as hot; we start at noon. Marquee matchup.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 34 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 28 electrified options.

Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed to creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the company’s U.S. operating sites.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

5 Tips for Acing Your 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course with CoreWay

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Master CoreWay’s Online 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course with These 5 Essential Tips

Are you ready to take the first step towards getting your driver’s license in New York? By enrolling in CoreWay Driving School’s DMV-approved 5-hour pre-licensing course, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a confident, responsible driver. To help you make the most of this essential training, we’ve put together five tips for acing your 5-hour course with CoreWay.

1. Come Prepared with the Necessary Documents and Technology

Before diving into your 5-hour pre-licensing course, ensure you have all the required materials on hand. You’ll need a valid New York State learner’s permit, which can be either the paper permit or plastic photo permit card. If you only have the paper permit, you’ll also need to provide a valid New York State ID card.

To access the online course content, you’ll need a computer, phone, or tablet with a stable internet connection. Make sure your device is charged and ready to go before the start of your live Zoom session. It’s also a good idea to have a notebook and pen handy for taking notes during the course.

2. Actively Participate in the Live Zoom Session

One of the key benefits of CoreWay’s 5-hour pre-licensing course is the opportunity to interact with a knowledgeable instructor during a live Zoom session. To get the most out of this valuable time, come prepared with questions and actively participate in the discussion.

During the live session, your instructor will cover essential topics such as traffic laws, defensive driving techniques, and alcohol awareness at driving school CoreWay in Brooklyn, New York. Pay close attention to their explanations and real-world examples, as this information will be crucial for both your written exam and future driving experiences.

Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if a concept is unclear – your instructor is there to help you succeed. By engaging with the material and your fellow students, you’ll be better equipped to retain the information and apply it when you’re behind the wheel.

3. Take Advantage of the Engaging Online Learning Materials

In addition to the live Zoom session, CoreWay’s 5-hour pre-licensing course includes a variety of engaging online learning materials. These resources are designed to reinforce key concepts and help you develop a comprehensive understanding of safe driving practices.

Take the time to watch the provided videos, which offer visual explanations of traffic laws and driving techniques. Participate in the interactive activities to test your knowledge and identify areas where you may need additional review.

To make the most of these materials, create a dedicated study space free from distractions. Set aside time each day to review the content, and don’t hesitate to revisit sections that you find particularly challenging. By thoroughly exploring the online learning portal, you’ll be well-prepared for the course’s final assessment.

4. Reinforce Your Learning Through Practice and Review

While the 5-hour pre-licensing course provides a solid foundation, it’s essential to reinforce your learning through practice and review. After completing the course, take advantage of online resources, such as practice permit tests, to test your knowledge and identify areas for improvement.

If possible, spend time practicing your driving skills with a licensed adult. Start in a safe, low-traffic environment, such as an empty parking lot, and gradually work your way up to more challenging road conditions. Focus on applying the defensive driving techniques and traffic laws you learned in the course.

It’s also a good idea to review the course materials periodically to keep the information fresh in your mind. Revisit the videos, activities, and notes from your live session to ensure you have a firm grasp on the essential concepts.

5. Schedule Your Road Test Promptly and Prepare Diligently

Upon completing CoreWay’s 5-hour pre-licensing course, you’ll receive an MV-278 completion certificate. This certificate is valid for one year from the issue date, so it’s crucial to schedule your road test promptly.

CoreWay offers convenient road test scheduling assistance, making it easy for you to secure a timely appointment. Once you have your test date, focus on preparing diligently. Continue practicing your driving skills, paying special attention to the maneuvers and techniques that will be evaluated during the test.

Consider taking advantage of CoreWay’s additional services, such as car rentals for the road test and mock test sessions with an experienced instructor. These options can help you feel more confident and familiar with the testing process, increasing your chances of success on the first attempt.

Conclusion

By following these five tips and fully engaging with CoreWay’s comprehensive 5-hour pre-licensing course, you’ll be well on your way to acing your training and becoming a licensed driver in New York. Remember to come prepared, actively participate, and take advantage of the various learning resources available to you.

With dedication and practice, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the roads safely and confidently. Trust in the expertise of CoreWay’s experienced instructors, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support throughout your learning journey.

As you progress through the course and prepare for your road test, keep in mind the importance of responsible driving habits. By prioritizing safety and adhering to traffic laws, you’ll not only increase your chances of passing the test but also contribute to a safer driving environment for yourself and others on the road.

Start your journey towards becoming a licensed driver today by enrolling in CoreWay Driving School’s 5-hour pre-licensing course. With their state-of-the-art online learning platform, engaging live sessions, and commitment to student success, you’ll be in excellent hands as you work towards achieving your driving goals.

How to Cope Emotionally After a Car Accident

By
SM
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Photo by Artyom Kulakov

A car accident can be a jarring experience, leaving not only physical but emotional scars. The road to recovery involves more than just medical treatments and insurance claims; it also includes addressing the emotional aftermath. Understanding how to navigate these feelings is crucial to moving forward. In this article, we’ll explore various strategies to help you cope emotionally after a car accident.

Understand Your Emotions

Immediately following a car accident, you might feel a whirlwind of emotions ranging from shock and denial to anger and sadness. It’s important to recognize that these feelings are entirely normal. Understanding your emotions is the first step in dealing with them. Don’t rush to ‘get over’ the incident; give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling.

Seek Professional Help

While talking to friends and family can be helpful, sometimes professional intervention is necessary. A licensed therapist can provide you with coping strategies and a safe space to discuss your emotions. Therapy can help you process trauma and develop mechanisms to deal with stress and anxiety stemming from the accident. Additionally, if the accident has legal implications, seeking counsel from a vehicular homicide lawyer can provide you with the necessary legal advice and support.

Stay Connected

Isolation can amplify negative emotions. Make an effort to stay connected with your social circle, whether it’s friends, family, or support groups. Sharing your experiences can be therapeutic and can offer different perspectives that might help in your emotional recovery.

Set Realistic Expectations

It’s important to understand that emotional recovery is not a linear process. There will be good days and bad days. Setting realistic expectations for yourself can prevent disappointment and frustration. Be patient and acknowledge your progress, no matter how large or small.

Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation

Mindfulness practices such as meditation and deep-breathing exercises can serve as excellent tools for managing stress and anxiety. Incorporate relaxation techniques into your daily routine to help calm your mind. Taking a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness can make a significant difference in how you cope emotionally.

Consider Joining Support Groups

Joining a support group can provide a sense of community and understanding that can be incredibly beneficial during your recovery. Sharing your experiences with individuals who have gone through similar situations can offer comfort and practical advice. Support groups can often be found online or through local community centers.

Engage in Physical Activity

Physical exercise releases endorphins, and are natural mood lifters. Engaging in regular physical activity can be an effective way to manage the emotional toll of a car accident. Whether it’s a simple walk in the park, yoga, or more strenuous exercise, find an activity that you enjoy and stick with it.

Engage in Creative Outlets

Creative activities like writing, painting, or playing a musical instrument can be powerful tools for emotional expression and healing. These activities can provide a productive way to channel your emotions and can serve as a form of therapy. Finding a creative outlet that you enjoy can significantly aid in your emotional recovery.

Educate Yourself

Knowledge can be empowering. Understanding the common emotional responses to trauma can help you realize that you’re not alone in how you feel. There are numerous books and online resources that discuss emotional recovery after accidents. Arming yourself with information can provide comfort and strategies for coping.

Maintain a Healthy Routine

Establishing and maintaining a healthy daily routine can provide a sense of normalcy and stability during a tumultuous time. Regular sleep, balanced nutrition, and self-care practices are essential components of a healthy routine. A structured day can help you feel more in control and positively impact your emotional well-being.

Coping emotionally after a car accident is a multifaceted process that requires time and effort. You can navigate this challenging period by understanding your emotions, seeking professional help, staying connected, practicing mindfulness, engaging in physical activity, educating yourself, and setting realistic expectations. Remember that asking for help is okay; you don’t have to go through this alone.

Palou Powers to Precise Pole at Laguna Seca

By
Official Release
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Monterey, CA - during the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey in Monterey, California. (Photo by Joe Skibinski | IMS Photo)

MONTEREY, Calif. (Saturday, June 22, 2024) – Reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou maintained the pressure in his quest for a third title by winning the NTT P1 Award for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey on Saturday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Palou earned his second pole of the season and fifth of his career with a best lap of 1 minute, 7.1465 seconds in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Palou is second in the championship standings, five points behind Will Power, who qualified 15th in the No. 12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet.

“It was really tough, really tight all qualifying to get to the Fast 12 and then the Fast Six,” Palou said. “It was really tricky with track conditions. As soon as there was some wind, you couldn’t really finish the lap because there was no grip.

“Really happy. The car was on rails today, so the best starting position for tomorrow.”

Live coverage of the 95-lap race starts at 6 p.m. ET Sunday on the USA Network, Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network. A 30-minute warmup precedes the race at 3 p.m. ET, live on Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

The pole continued an impressive history for Palou at this picturesque Northern California road course, an 11-turn, 2.238-mile layout that includes the famous “Corkscrew” complex of turns. Palou won this race in 2022 and finished second in 2021 and third in 2023.

Kyle Kirkwood will join Palou on the front row after a best lap of 1:07.2204 in the No. 27 AutoNation Honda of Andretti Global. The second starting spot was Kirkwood’s best performance in qualifying since winning the pole and the race in April 2023 at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Felix Rosenqvist continued his reinvigoration with Meyer Shank Racing, qualifying third at 1:07.2917 in the No. 60 AutoNation/SiriusXM Honda. Colton Herta, who led practice Saturday morning, qualified fourth at 1:07.2972 in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda of Andretti Global with Curb-Agajanian. Herta won this race in 2019 and 2021.

Alexander Rossi qualified fifth at 1:07.3594 in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Christian Lundgaard rounded out the Firestone Fast Six and Row 3 at 1:07.5112 in the No. 45 Hy-Vee Honda fielded by Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

The other three drivers in the top five of the championship standings – third-place Scott Dixon, fourth-place Pato O’Ward and fifth-place Scott McLaughlin – will try to keep pace with Palou from the fourth and fifth rows of the starting grid.

McLaughlin qualified seventh in the No. 3 Good Ranchers Team Penske Chevrolet, O’Ward ninth in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet and Dixon 10th in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Qualifying Results

MONTEREY, Calif. (Saturday, June 22, 2024) – NTT P1 Award qualifying Saturday for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey NTT INDYCAR SERIES event on the 2.238-mile WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, with qualifying position, car number in parentheses, driver, chassis-engine, time and speed in parentheses:

  1. (10) Alex Palou, Honda, 01:07.1465 (119.988 mph)
  2. (27) Kyle Kirkwood, Honda, 01:07.2204 (119.856)
  3. (60) Felix Rosenqvist, Honda, 01:07.2917 (119.729)
  4. (26) Colton Herta, Honda, 01:07.2972 (119.720)
  5. (7) Alexander Rossi, Chevrolet, 01:07.3594 (119.609)
  6. (45) Christian Lundgaard, Honda, 01:07.5112 (119.340)
  7. (3) Scott McLaughlin, Chevrolet, 01:07.3994 (119.538)
  8. (77) Romain Grosjean, Chevrolet, 01:07.4286 (119.486)
  9. (5) Pato O’Ward, Chevrolet, 01:07.4900 (119.378)
  10. (9) Scott Dixon, Honda, 01:07.5874 (119.206)
  11. (11) Marcus Armstrong, Honda, 01:07.6143 (119.158)
  12. (66) David Malukas, Honda, 01:07.8422 (118.758)
  13. (78) Agustin Canapino, Chevrolet, 01:07.8976 (118.661)
  14. (2) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 01:07.7246 (118.964)
  15. (12) Will Power, Chevrolet, 01:08.0178 (118.451)
  16. (8) Linus Lundqvist, Honda, 01:07.8056 (118.822)
  17. (14) Santino Ferrucci, Chevrolet, 01:08.0344 (118.422)
  18. (28) Marcus Ericsson, Honda, 01:07.9233 (118.616)
  19. (15) Graham Rahal, Honda, 01:08.0922 (118.322)
  20. (21) Rinus VeeKay, Chevrolet, 01:07.9897 (118.500)
  21. (20) Christian Rasmussen, Chevrolet, 01:08.3711 (117.839)
  22. (4) Kyffin Simpson, Honda, 01:08.1571 (118.209)
  23. (6) Nolan Siegel, Chevrolet, 01:08.6785 (117.312)
  24. (30) Pietro Fittipaldi, Honda, 01:08.1824 (118.165)
  25. (41) Sting Ray Robb, Chevrolet, 01:09.1304 (116.545)
  26. (18) Jack Harvey, Honda, 01:08.4730 (117.664)
  27. (51) Luca Ghiotto, Honda, 01:08.5078 (117.604)

Stewart-Haas Racing: Sci Aps 200 from New Hampshire Motor Speedway

By
Official Release
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STEWART-HAAS RACING
Sci Aps 200

Date: June 22, 2024
Event: Sci Aps 200 (Round 16 of 33)
Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series
Location: New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon (1.058-mile oval)
Format: 200 laps, broken into three stages (45 laps/45 laps/110 laps)
Note: Race extended three laps past its scheduled 200-lap distance due to a green-white-checkered finish.

Race Winner: Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
Stage 1 Winner: Sam Mayer of JR Motorsports (Chevrolet)
Stage 2 Winner: Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)

SHR Race Finish:

● Cole Custer (Started 1st / Finished 3rd, Running, completed 203 of 203 laps)
● Riley Herbst (Started 4th / Finished 8th, Running, completed 203 of 203 laps)

SHR Points:

● Cole Custer (1st with 589 points)
● Riley Herbst (6th with 478 points, 111 out of first)

SHR Notes:

● Custer earned his 13th top-10 of the season and his fourth top-10 in five career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at New Hampshire.
● This was Custer’s fourth straight top-10. He finished sixth June 1 at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway, ninth June 8 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway, and sixth last Saturday at Iowa Speedway in Newton.
● Custer has only finished outside the top-10 once in the Xfinity Series at New Hampshire.
● Custer finished third in Stage 2 to earn eight bonus points.
● Custer led five times for 114 laps – his first laps led at New Hampshire.
● Herbst earned his seventh top-10 of the season and his second top-10 in four career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at New Hampshire.
● This was Herbst’s third top-10 in the past four races. He finished 10th June 1 at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway and second last Saturday at Iowa Speedway in Newton.
● Herbst’s eighth-place finish bettered his previous best finish at New Hampshire – 10th, earned in July 2021.
● Herbst finished third in Stage 1 to earn eight bonus points.

Race Notes:

● Christopher Bell won the Sci Aps 200 to score his 18th career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory, his first of the season and his fourth at New Hampshire. His margin over second-place Sheldon Creed was .254 of a second.

● There were 11 caution periods for a total of 58 laps.

● Twenty-nine of the 38 drivers in the race finished on the lead lap.

● Custer remains the championship leader after New Hampshire with a 15-point advantage over second-place Chandler Smith.

Sound Bites:

“That was hard racing at the end. I hate it for us and our guys. I felt like we had that one. We had the best car all day and to have it ripped away with one lap to go is just heartbreaking. Our guys brought a really fast Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse. That was one of the best cars I’ve had in the Xfinity Series. Man, it sucks. I am going to replay that one in my head of what I could have done differently. You get put in those late-race cautions six times, or however many there were, and eventually, it is not going to go your way. There are definitely some things I can look back on and see what I could have done differently. That one really stings. I really wanted that one.” –Cole Custer, driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse

“It’s just frustrating. I feel like we had a really good No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang Dark Horse at multiple times during the race, but we just lost so many spots on pit road. Luckily, we were able to bounce back for a top-10. We need to minimize the mistakes if we want to find victory lane again. We go to Nashville next week, which is one of my better tracks, so I’m looking forward to that.​” –Riley Herbst, driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Next Up:

The next event on the NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule is the Tennessee Lottery 250 on Saturday, June 22 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway. The race begins at 5 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by USA and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT LAGUNA SECA: Team Chevy Qualifying Report

By
Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF MONTEREY
WEATHERTECH RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING REPORT
JUNE 22, 2024

ALEXANDER ROSSI PACES FOR CHEVROLET, STARTING FIFTH IN SUNDAY’S FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF MONTEREY AT LAGUNA SECA

  • Alexander Rossi, driver of the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, led Team Chevy in Saturday’s qualifying and Firestone Fast Six at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and will start Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey fifth.
  • Rossi transferred from the fast 12 to the Firestone Fast Six, representing Chevrolet and battling it out for pole position at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
  • Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward transferred to the fast 12 out of Group 2 in Saturday’s qualifying session.
  • Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Romain Grosjean, Rossi, and Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin, transferred to the fast 12 out of Group 1 in Saturday’s qualifying session.
  • Power led Team Chevy in the second practice that opened Saturday, with his fastest lap of 1:08.4261. Four drivers total representing the Bowtie brand finished second practice in the top-10, including Power, Scott McLaughlin (fourth), Pato O’Ward (fifth), and Alexander Rossi (eighth).
  • Sunday sees a warm-up kicking off race day at 3 p.m. ET, with the 95-lap, 212.61-mile Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey taking the green flag at 6 p.m. ET live on USA Network from WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Additional coverage is broadcast via Peacock, as well as INDYCAR Radio and SiriusXM Channel 218.

TEAM CHEVY TOP-10 QUALIFYING RESULT:
Pos. Driver
5th Alexander Rossi (1:07.3595)
7th Scott McLaughlin (1:07.3994)
8th Romain Grosjean (1:07.4286)
9th Pato O’Ward (1:07.4900)

TEAM CHEVY TOP-10 SECOND PRACTICE RESULT:
Pos. Driver
2nd Will Power (1:08.4261)
4th Scott McLaughlin (1:08.4602)
5th Pato O’Ward (1:08.4679
8th Alexander Rossi (1:08.6153)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (QUOTES):

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

”I had a spin in practice two which kind of killed us the first set of tires on the primes. So, we went out on scuffed primes. We actually looked pretty good. Red tires, we kind of missed it by two tenths. It’s tough. (Will) Power missed it by two tenths as well. It’s hard to say. It looked like it’s a bit in high speed for us but I was sliding the car around. I think it was really lap one, and you know we’ll race from there.”

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

“It wasn’t the best of Saturday’s I would say, but we can work from P9. I was happy with the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, so we’ll see what we can make better for the longer stints and see where it takes us.”

Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“I didn’t really get to run on reds at all until now. That’s a big challenge. The tire is very, very different. I think that in the first session, we had a little issue that kept us running most of the session and didn’t get to do our run on reds. Learning the tire on the first run, and then on the second run, I got to push a little bit harder, but it’s just a lot of new things for me. We’re doing our best. We’re getting better every session, but you can’t really expect us to come out having just met each other and never driven the car and be up there. I think the race pace is going to be good. I think the qualifying was going to be the most difficult session of the weekend for us, and I think the race pace is going to be just fine.”

“We’re getting better every session. We’re getting to know each other better. I’m getting to know the car better. It’s just a lot of new things and it’s tough. It’s tough. IndyCar is super competitive. I feel like as long as we can continue improving at this rate every session this weekend. I think we’re gonna hit the ground rolling really well in Mid-Ohio and on to the rest of the season. I’m happy with where we’re at happy with where the trajectory is going and I think that we’re going to be competitive in the race and we’ll be competitive for the rest of the season.”

Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“It’s been a smooth weekend so far, and it is good to qualify where I think we should be. When you are that close and you fall short, it is a little disappointing, but ultimately the No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet has been awesome. The team has done an amazing job, and I think we’ll have a really strong package going into tomorrow.”

Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:

“It was a bit of a mixed bag today. On one hand you’ve got Alexander’s (Rossi0 best qualifying of the year. He did a good job to get up there, and he really pulled out a great lap to get into the Firestone Fast 6. We just didn’t have enough to fight for pole today. Pato (O’Ward) left a bit on the table in Q2. The potential was there to get that car in the Fast 6, but it was a bit of a scrappy session. Nolan (Siegel) is getting to grips with the car. We lost run time yesterday, and not getting a proper run on the softer tire today is a steep learning curve. We’re looking forward to race day.”

Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“Obviously, we were starting on the back foot with not having much time in Practice 2. We were sitting pretty good on the blacks, but we didn’t really get the red tire to work for us today. Kind of opposite of the other day where we felt like maybe we didn’t have a great balance on blacks, but then we were pretty good on red. We’ve got to go back and figure out what happened there. I think we have a fast car, we just started on the back foot which was unfortunate. I have a good feeling in terms of the car balance, we just need to be a little bit better nailing it on the reds in qualifying. It seems like the deg is higher this year compared to last year. I feel like that kind of leans it towards a black race. But, we will see and how everything and everyone goes a little bit longer on tires in warm up. That’s when we really kind of determine on what direction it will go.”

Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“It’s not been a straightforward weekend. Yesterday in practice, we had a little engine issue, and then this morning, we were just really far out of the window. Got back to a very drivable car, but it’s not just quick enough in the moment. I mean, as a team, we’re struggling a lot. I mean, the only way is forward. We’re always good in race trim, so we can move forward, but looking I’m looking forward to not passing so many cars in another weekend and where we have it just a little bit easier.”

Romain Grosjean, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:

“I had a slow car at the end of my lap one, and then I had to do a slow lap on lap two, and by lap three, the tires were not there anymore. I think we had a pole car. I’m very frustrated with drivers slowing down the qualifying. I think the rules are pretty clear you can do that, and we learned in Detroit, we learned today. It’s slightly annoying and honestly, I felt we should have been on pole today. I had a ten second gap attacking the first timed lap. I thought that was enough if everyone stays on the pace. Obviously, I don’t know if it was the guy in front of him, but I started my second push lap within one second behind him, so I aborted the lap. It was never going to be good enough, and then the third timed lap, I’d say those tires were made for lap one or lap two, so that’s how we set up the car. When you get traffic, you can’t control that. Yeah, I’m frustrated. I generally think we should be fighting for pole today, which is awesome, but tomorrow it’s for points.”

Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“I think it’s just me today. I think our car was really good. I just was just struggling to put together. I’ll try and make it up tomorrow. I think we got close there on reds, but just didn’t quite have enough. I think our car has been good. It’s been good right from the get-go. We’ll try and have a good race day tomorrow with a Hitachi Chevy.”

MCLAUGHLIN HAS BEEN HAVING SOME BRAKING SOME LOCKING KIND OF CONCERNS. HAS THAT BEEN IMPACTING YOUR CAR AS WELL?

“We’ve been up and down. Yes. Throughout the weekend, we’ve had different braking issues, but you’re chasing both ends of the car depending on the temperature in the day. We had same thing today. It just keeps moving around. So, you’re chasing it session to session, but our car was car was pretty good. I don’t think I don’t think that was the issue.”

Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“It’s tight. I had a little slide through one of the quick corners in turn six around the back there. Just cost me going up the hill. When you lose that momentum going up the hill, it really hurts you. The Good Ranchers Chevy has been good. I think we could have easily made the Fast Six, but it’s INDYCAR. There’s a tenth (of a second) between seven cars or whatever. Just can’t make a mistake, but ultimately, great starting spot for tomorrow and we’ll see how we go.”

Will Power, No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“I probably waited in the pits too long, honestly. Tried to back off. Just didn’t get enough temp and then was just off cycle. It’s always very tough. You can’t screw around. We had the pace, just didn’t put it together. We’ll have an extra set of reds, but it’s hard to say, I don’t know yet if the reds are going to be good yet. Hopefully.”

About Chevrolet

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

ABEL Motorsports Take Third and Fourth in Grand Prix of Monterey

By
Official Release
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Monterey, Calif (June 22, 2024) – After a dramatic final lap of the Grand Prix of Monterey, ABEL Motorsports finished third and fourth at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Saturday.

Jacob Abel (No. 51 ABEL Construction) finished third and Yuven Sundaramoorthy (No. 22 S Team Motorsports) came home in fourth on the California circuit, which marked round seven of the 2024 INDY NXT by Firestone season. The duo will be in race action again on Sunday to close out the double-header event weekend.

The 35-lap race at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca got off to a rapid start for both ABEL Motorsports drivers as Abel held on to third and Sundaramoorthy moved up to fourth from his sixth-place starting position in the opening stanza of the race. A lap six caution slowed the field briefly, but the pace picked up as the race went back to green just two laps later.

The 2.2-mile circuit, which features a brand-new racing surface, has long had a reputation for being tough on tires and even with the new pavement, that proved to be true as the field had to make good decisions to balance pace with tire degradation on the Firestones as they navigated a 24-lap all green flag run to the finish.

The race weekend marked the first INDY NXT event that young Sundaramoorthy had previous INDY NXT race experience, and that showed as the rookie runner pressured Abel for the final podium position, securing the spot late in the race with a confident move in the tight Corkscrew corner at the top of the track.

But his debut INDY NXT podium hopes were dashed when he had contact with a lapped car on the final corner on the last lap of the race, causing significant damage to the right front of the machine. Fortunately, he was able to keep his foot in it and safely guide the car to the start finish line before pulling off track due to the damage.

“She braked at about the 5 marker, so I thought she was letting me by, as she was a lap or two down, but then I don’t know what happened because she turned into me and I lost pretty much all my steering,” said Sundaramoorthy. “I’m just gutted for the team because in the end, it was my fault.”

Having shown good pace with his best-ever INDY NXT qualifying result so far, Sundaramoorthy is hoping to continue that positive progress in race two on Sunday.

“Yes we have had good pace all year long, but just have been really unlucky,” said Sundaramoorthy. “We had a good battle with Jacob (Abel) and I was really looking good for a podium but just some bad racing luck there. But I think we can keep building from here for sure and tomorrow is another day and another race for us to go for it.”

The Laguna outing has featured mixed fortunes for Abel, who entered the event with a points advantage after breaking through with victories at Barber Motorsports Park and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“Yuven made a good move on me – it was very aggressive, a little bit more aggressive than I probably thought he was going be to me, but it was a great move nonetheless,” said Abel about the inter-team battle for third. “But they were just a bit faster than us today. We started on new tires but they fell off a lot. But we will take this podium and keep moving forward with the championship to make the most of every chance we have.”

Race two will be aired on Peacock at 4:00 PM ET on Sunday.

About ABEL Motorsports: Team principal Bill Abel began racing motocross in 1972, earning numerous championship titles as he continued the family racing tradition. In 2015, ABEL Motorsports was launched, starting in the USF2000 series and building up the junior open wheel ladder. The team captured the inaugural Formula Regional Americas Championship with driver Kyle Kirkwood in 2018.

ABEL Motorsports currently competes in the INDY NXT by Firestone series, the official development series for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, led by third-generation driver Jacob Abel. The team made its INDYCAR debut in 2023 with driver RC Enerson in the Indianapolis 500. For more information visit the official team website at abelmotorsports.com.

About Abel Construction Company: ABEL Construction is one of the largest general contractors in Kentucky, holding licenses in thirteen states. The company has offices in Lexington, Kentucky and Indianapolis, Indiana, with the corporate office in Louisville. Their expertise spans many areas, including general contracting, construction management, design-build, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and facilities maintenance.

Abel Construction has helped build some of the region’s most recognizable landmarks. Their projects cover diverse sectors, including automotive, healthcare, post-secondary education, commercial, food/beverage, tech, and industrial/manufacturing. They prioritize client satisfaction, focusing on efficient project delivery regardless of size or cost. The company’s skilled professionals utilize cutting-edge technology and software to ensure successful outcomes. abelconstruct.com/.

ABEL Motorsports social media

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