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Press Release | ELITE MOTORSPORTS SONOMA, Calif. (July 28, 2024) – Aaron Stanfield and the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / Janac Brothers team earned their third win in four races Sunday at the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway. Stanfield rallied to his 28th career national event victory, 11th in Pro Stock and second at Sonoma Raceway, by taking down Pro Stock rookie Cory Reed in the finals. Stanfield would have the starting line advantage and never trail for a 6.540-second pass at 209.98 mph to Reed’s 6.557 at 209.65. “This is a great win, but I want to shout out to Cory Reed for going to the final in his second race. I wish I could have done that. Also, we lost a good friend, Tim “the Iceman” Kelly to cancer and I wanted to get it done for him,” Stanfield said. “This is a great win. I just did my normal routine. I think I’m driving better this year and I’d love to continue that. We made some good runs this weekend. Unfortunately, our ladder stacked up that a lot of the heavy hitters were on one side. I knew we had a tough road to get here. So, it feels good, ultimately a really good day. “I can tell you, I feel really comfortable with all my guys on the team. They push me to be the best. When I see how badly they want to win it pushes me even more to want to win,” Stanfield continued. “I can attribute that to all the people that are involved with us, all of our partners, JHG, Melling, Joe Janac. All the guys that work on my car, they’re hungry to win and so am I so it just pushes me to want to be even better.” En route to the 20th Pro Stock final round of his career, Stanfield was the No. 4 qualifier off a 6.505-second pass at 210.34 mph from early Saturday afternoon. His qualifying efforts earned him a first-round matchup against second generation racer Mason McGaha. Stanfield would have a solid 6.521-second run at 210.28 mph to take down McGaha’s 6.505 at 210.34. Moving on to the quarterfinals Stanfield would have to face teammate, six-time and reigning world champion Erica Enders in her JHG / Melling / SCAG machine. Stanfield would pick up the second-round win on a holeshot with a .016 second reaction time coupled with his 6.556 pass at 209.79 mph. Enders would have a .041 reaction time and a 6.540 pass at 210.50. In the semifinals, Stanfield had another monster matchup with five-time world champion and rival Greg Anderson. Anderson would square the tires at the hit and have to shut off, allowing Stanfield to drive the JHG / Melling machine to a 6.549-second run at 209.92 mph. Anderson officially crossed the finish line in 25.050 seconds at 27.13 mph. With the berth into the semifinals, Stanfield earned a spot in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the upcoming Lucas Oil Nationals. Joining Stanfield in the Challenge will be teammate Jerry Tucker and the Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer / SCAG car who after qualifying No. 10 defeated Matt Hartford (6.536 at 211.86 def. 15.442 at 72.42) and Dallas Glenn (6.556 at 211.00 def. 6.544 at 208.81) before redlight against Reed in the semifinals. Elite Motorsports, the NHRA’s largest professional team, is now on a six-race win streak with eight wins in the first 12 events on the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series 20-race schedule. Troy Coughlin Jr. in the JEGS.com / White Castle car started the streak at the New England Nationals followed by two in a row from Stanfield at the Virginia Nationals and Summit Nationals and Jeg Coughlin Jr. picked up the fifth win at the Northwest Nationals. Elite will look to extend the streak to seven at the upcoming Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota August 16-18. (Photo Courtesy Elite Motorsports)

Press Release | NMPA The National Motorsports Press Association will induct four new members into its Hall of Fame in 2025, with Indianapolis 500 and Baja 1000 winner and Trans-Am champion Parnelli Jones leading the group. Jones was elected to the NMPA Hall of Fame alongside NASCAR championship crew chief Tim Brewer, NHRA championship owner Don Schumacher, and Lyn St. James, the first woman to win Rookie of the Year in the Indianapolis 500 who was named one of the “Top 100 Women Athletes of the Century” by Sports Illustrated. Jones received the most votes with 91.78% and Schumacher received 72.60% of the votes cast. Brewer and St. James were voted in with each receiving 71.23%. To be elected to the NMPA Hall of Fame, a nominee must receive more than 65% of the votes cast by members. The four new inductees will be honored at the annual NMPA Hall of Fame ceremony in early 2025. Additional details about the event will be announced at a later date. Biographies of the new inductees can be found below. The NMPA Hall of Fame, which highlights all inductees and other award honorees, is located on the grounds of Darlington Raceway. It has been in operation since 1965. PARNELLI JONES Parnelli Jones could have been described as “Mr. Versatility” as the California driver won races in IndyCar, NASCAR, USAC Sprint Cars and Midgets, and off-road trucks. His signature victories include the 1963 Indianapolis 500, and the Baja 1000 in 1971-72. He also earned the 1970 Trans-Am championship. In 1961, Jones and Bobby Marshman shared Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year honors. The following year, he became the first driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 at more than 150 mph, earning the pole at 150.370 mph. Jones’ success continued as a car owner. He won the 1970-71 Indianapolis 500 with driver Al Unser, and the 1970-72 USAC national championships. Jones also owned vehicles that claimed class wins in the Baja 500 and Baja 1000. His USAC Dirt Car won two championships and the Triple Crown three times. Jones starred in a one-hour documentary “Behind the Indianapolis 500 with Parnelli Jones”. The film was selected for the 2016 Sun Valley Film Festival. DON SCHUMACHER Don Schumacher was a winning driver, innovator and championship owner in drag racing. He’s considered one of the sport’s pioneers in Funny Car and one of the fiercest match racers to ever compete in that class. He won five NHRA national events from 1970-73, including the 1970 U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis. His biggest success came as an owner. Don Schumacher Racing, which he established in 1998, won 19 NHRA championships in three different categories – 11 in Top Fuel, 7 in Funny Car and 1 in Factory Stock Showdown. Overall, his organization recorded 366 national event victories. The NHRA honored Schumacher with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. TIM BREWER A two-time championship-winning crew chief and television analyst, Tim Brewer began his career with Richard Childress Racing. At age 18, he became one of the youngest crew chiefs in NASCAR’s history and immediately guided Childress to his first career top-5 finish in 1973. However, it was while he worked for the legendary Junior Johnson that his talents thrust him into the spotlight. In a four-year stretch, Brewer led Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip to 32 victories and two championships – 1978 with Yarborough and 1981 with Waltrip. During his 30-year career, Brewer totaled 53 victories and 55 poles. After his competitive career, Brewer turned to broadcasting where ESPN utilized his knowledge to create its Emmy-winning “Craftsman Tech Garage” during race telecasts. He also was an analyst on ESPN’s “NASCAR Countdown” and “NASCAR Now”. LYN ST. JAMES Lyn St. James lived a barrier-breaking driving career, and her influence in the motorsports industry hasn’t waned since she hung up her helmet. One of nine women to race in the Indianapolis 500, St. James was the first woman to win Rookie of the Year in the prestigious race, claiming the honor in 1992. Her resume also includes class victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. She has competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, where here AMC Spirit AMX team finished first and second in class in 1979. St. James was the first woman to break the 200-mph speed barrier, topping out at 227.32 mph at Talladega Superspeedway. Sports Illustrated named her one of the “Top 100 Women Athletes of the Century.” Today, she is co-founder of Women In Motorsports North America. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

ESPN The NFL Players Association and the NFL have had discussions at a "very high level" over potentially adding an 18th regular-season game to the schedule, NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell told The Washington Post. Howell told the Post that talks between the NFLPA and the league have not reached the stage of formal negotiations, but he acknowledged that he plans to discuss the issue with players in the near future. "We have talked at a very, very, very high level superficially, with a recognition ... about, 'Yeah, this is something that we should be talking about. And we should really kick the tires and understand what else goes into that decision-making process,'" Howell told the Post. "Where does the 18th game come from? I think the foregone conclusion is well, you just grab it, like, in what would otherwise be [preseason games] in August. You play it forward. "But these are details that really need to be fleshed out. But again, there are other economic, health and safety matters that also need to be clear to our members before there's ever an agreement about an 18th game." NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said earlier this year that he favored an 18-game season, adding that he envisions a lengthened schedule that would culminate in a Presidents Day weekend built around the Super Bowl on Sunday night. Howell said the NFLPA would be open to potentially adding an 18th game before the league's current collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2030 season. The CBA mandates that any change to the length of the season would need to be collectively bargained. "The simple fact of the matter is when you have a growing enterprise and there are opportunities within that intervening period of time where progress could be made and you could tweak the existing CBA legal document, why wouldn't you want to do that?" Howell said. "So whether it's field surface, whether it's the [offseason] schedule, if you want to call that formal [negotiations] -- I call it bargaining. I call it amendments. I call it updates to what is now a living document called a CBA. Yeah, I want to be able to have our membership in a position to jump on it when we can, not wait until their playing days are done and it's like you go through the cycle all over again." Goodell shared his long-term vision for an 18-game schedule during an April appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show." Howell told the Post that he was "excited" over Goodell's public comments about the topic, adding that he viewed the 18-game schedule as a starting point for the NFLPA to "peel back" other issues in the current CBA. He also cited recent remarks by Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who suggested earlier this month that the league should add a second bye week to accompany an 18th game. "Our membership is interested in a myriad of things before we even get to the number of games -- health and safety, field surface, OTA makeup, compensation, what percent of their annual compensation is guaranteed," Howell said. "So there are many things before we get to [the] 18th game. ... It's a negotiable point. ... So it grabs headlines. I totally get that. "But what's the complexion of the 18? How many of the games are now going to be overseas? And where's overseas? Is it Western Europe? Is it South America, as in this year? Is it in Asia? Australia? These are things that are in the air. And then, to what I think Joe Burrow said, what about the number of bye weeks? Is it two? More than two?" The NFLPA reluctantly agreed to the expansion from 16 to 17 games in 2021 -- a contentious issue among players that ultimately passed narrowly, with 51.5% of players voting in favor. Several prominent players, including New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, publicly opposed the idea of a 17-game schedule in 2021, and Howell acknowledged that he has work to do in order to gain widespread NFLPA support for an 18th game. "Many of our players have said, 'They're going to ask for more games,'" Howell said. "So one of the things you learn in business is this applies back to the obvious -- I know you're going to ask for more games because that ... generates more money. And to be fair, don't we all want to grow the pie? "So it's the manner in which the pie grows, and what's the trade-off in there so that we don't just play another game but all these other dimensions that I mentioned also get addressed?" (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

Press Release | IMSA DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain will make his IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge debut with Skip Barber Racing, the legendary school’s professional racing team in the Road America 120 at the Wisconsin road course on Aug. 3. Chastain will share the controls of the No. 16 Skip Barber Racing School Aston Martin Vantage GT4 with IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship winner Ken Fukuda. “I am really looking forward to racing with Skip Barber at Road America,” said Chastain, who has four career Cup Series wins and is currently 13th in the 2024 point standings. “I have been a customer of Skip Barber Racing School and to now race with their IMSA team makes total sense. Dan and Anthony DeMonte run the premier racing school in the country, so hopefully I can have a good showing for them during one of our NASCAR off-weekends. I always appreciate the additional track time.” Skip Barber has previously sponsored Chastain in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Chastain is one of over 20 current NASCAR Cup Series drivers who spent time training with the instructors at Skip Barber to improve their road-racing prowess. Other alumni include John Hunter Nemechek, Erik Jones, Jimmie Johnson and Michael McDowell. “When we saw a gap in the NASCAR Cup Series schedule that lined up with our race team’s outing at Road America, we knew what we needed to do,” Dan DeMonte, Skip Barber Racing School chief marketing officer, said. “This is an opportunity that we simply couldn’t afford to pass up and we are beyond thrilled to welcome Ross into the team at Road America.” Chastain and Skip Barber are also closely aligned in campaigns for road safety with Chastain’s “Protect Your Melon” initiative and the Skip Barber Driving Academy, a one-day defensive-driving program designed to build safer drivers on public roads. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

(Photo Courtesy NHRA) PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE PRO STOCK FUNNY CAR TOP FUEL

Press Release | NHRA SONOMA, Calif. (July 27, 2024) – Six-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Matt Smith set a new track E.T. record on Saturday at Sonoma Raceway, defeating teammate Jianna Evaristo in the final round of the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout as part of this weekend’s 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Smith all qualified No. 1 at the 12th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. In the final round of the specialty race, Smith went 6.655-seconds at 204.23 mph on his Denso Auto Parts Buell, defeating Evaristo’s 6.703 at 203.77 to win his first Callout race. Smith topped the track record he set earlier in the day – when he beat top seed Gaige Herrera in the opening round with a 6.662 – and also qualified No. 1 for the fourth time this season as he looks for his first event win of the season. “I’m really thrilled. This is my first win in the GETTRX Callout but my third win in a specialty race,” Smith said. “We’ve had a tough year. We haven’t won a race, but we’ve been good on Saturdays. Now, we’ve got to be good on Sunday. This is a big payday, and it means a lot so I have to say thanks to Steve Bryson and GETTRX for putting this deal on. “(Jianna) is going to be an excellent rider and I’m proud of what she’s doing. Before the final, I didn’t cut her any slack. We’ve both struggled to cut a light here, but I still told her I was going to spank her.” Evaristo qualified second in PSM with a career-best 6.674 at 204.54 – also making the second-fastest pass in class history – and Herrera is third after going 6.688 at 202.55, which took place in the opening round of the Callout. Top Fuel points leader Doug Kalitta fell in the final round of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge to teammate Shawn Langdon, but he kept his No. 1 spot on the strength of Friday’s track-record 3.649 at 336.40 in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools/Toyota dragster. It handed the points leader his No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 58th in his career, as he looks to win in Sonoma for a sixth time in his career. “On that last run in Q4, we pushed a bit harder and it didn’t hold so Shawn ended up with the [Mission Challenge] win,” Kalitta said. “Even though I ran a 3.64 there were other cars that were close and tomorrow I don’t think it will be much hotter, so I expect a real battle. “I’m actually a bit relieved because we now know how hard we can push and that should be a bit tomorrow. You might get one lucky round, but you need to be on your game. Shawn pushes me and he keeps me on my game especially now that both of our cars are as close as possible. He’s one of the best out there and he’s one up on me right now.” Clay Millican jumped to second with a 3.664 at a track-record 338.26 and Brittany Force qualified third after going 3.668 at 335.57. In Funny Car, Matt Hagan came close to bumping him out, but Bob Tasca III hung on to the No. 1 position in the loaded category, as Friday’s run of 3.839 at 338.43 in his 11,000-horsepower Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang held up. It gave the veteran his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 18th in his career, putting Tasca in a strong position to try and pick up another Sonoma victory. He'll open eliminations against Buddy Hull, keeping the top position after reigning world champ Matt Hagan went an identical 3.839 at a slower 330.49 to take the second spot. Ron Capps qualified third with a 3.864 at 332.43. Tasca did close qualifying with a stout 3.868 at a whopping 337.66, adding to his momentum for Sunday. “We tried to run 340 mph this morning and it nearly put me into the wall so on the last run we slowed it way down to make a full pull,” Tasca said. “I say this all the time but you could take a fan in the stands, put them in one of these cars and tell them to keep it straight and on most runs they could do it. That was Q4 where the car did exactly what it was supposed to do. “We’ve had some vibrant conversations in our trailer and a lot of discussions about going 340 mph. We have parts that are faster, but we had to be smart. This car is set up to win a championship and when it warms up, like today, we need to be smart.” Pro Stock’s Greg Anderson made the most of Saturday morning’s conditions, shattering the track E.T. record and taking the No. 1 spot for the fifth time this season with a spectacular run of 6.491 at 211.20 in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. It was nearly a picture-perfect run for the five-time world champion and Pro Stock’s winningest driver, earning his 128th career No. 1 qualifier in the process. Anderson has a Pro Stock-best six wins in Sonoma and will open raceday against Derrick Reese. “I love coming here because it’s so fast but we have to rely on Mother Nature to do it for us,” Anderson said. “I love it when she shines on us like today and you can throw everything at it. I didn’t have a great day yesterday but today we had a turn of fortune. We made two great runs today. “We have a good book on this place and when you come here, you don’t have to de-tune it. That’s a tribute to the guys in our engine shop. I love it here, from the track to the people – everyone is happy.” Points leader Dallas Glenn took second with a 6.497 at 211.00 and Eric Latino is third with a 6.501 at 210.60. Eliminations for the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals begin at 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

(Photo Courtesy NHRA) PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE PRO STOCK FUNNY CAR TOP FUEL

Press Release | NHRA SONOMA, Calif. (July 26, 2024) – Reigning Top Fuel world champ Doug Kalitta made the quickest run of the 2024 NHRA season on Friday at Sonoma Raceway, setting the track record and taking the provisional No. 1 spot at the 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Chase Van Sant (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 12th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Kalitta, who has a Top Fuel-best five career wins at Sonoma, powered to a run of 3.649-seconds at 336.40 mph in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools/Toyota dragster, obliterating the track record and putting the points leader in line for his fifth No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 58th in his career. It was a spectacular run under the lights and Kalitta was thrilled to start the weekend in that fashion. “That was really cool. I got my first win here in Sonoma and I have a lot of cool history here,” Kalitta said. “(Crew chief) Alan Johnson puts a lot of thought into his tune-up and he had a plan. He’s one bad dude. “I could tell it was on a run and honestly, I was happy to be the first car out. I knew it would get cooler as the night went on and you never know what conditions might do. I thought it might have rattled a bit but not much. The car was hooked up and I managed to keep it in the middle, as straight as possible. This is one of the nicest tracks on the tour, and I love the layout with the road course. I’d love to get another win this weekend.” Brittany Force went 3.668 at 335.57 to go to the second spot, while Billy Torrence is third after going 3.684 at 332.92. Funny Car’s Bob Tasca III just missed out on history on Friday, rocketing to the top with an outstanding run of 3.839 at 338.43 in his 11,000-horsepower Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang. The goal was a 340-mph run and Tasca just missed out, still delivering a spectacular blast under the lights. The run could give the standout his second No. 1 of the season and the 18th in his career, putting him on track for what could be another great weekend in Sonoma. He won the race in 2022 and will look to replicate that this year, but Tasca had another goal in mind for Friday. “I’ve never been so disappointed to run a 3.83 at 338-mph. I really wanted to go 340 for these fans,” Tasca said. “We would have done it if not for that 15-knot headwind. We were a little concerned about the track, so we also cranked a little more spoiler in it. I’d trade the low qualifier for a 340 run in a second. “We ran 338 in Charlotte, and we ran 338 in Seattle and did it again here. I can tell you there won’t be a time when conditions are there that we don’t try and do it. Believe it or not, we run a little different set-up to try and run those speeds. If we tuned the car a little different, it might be a little bit quicker. As for tomorrow, we’ll see what the conditions are like. It all depends on which way the wind is blowing.” Ron Capps is currently second thanks to his run of 3.864 at 332.43, while defending world champion Matt Hagan is third after going 3.869 at 328.22. In Pro Stock, the early-season slump for Matt Hartford appears to be over, putting down an impressive 6.515 at 210.41 in his GETTRX/Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro to go to the No. 1 position on Friday. It puts Hartford on track for his first No. 1 qualifier of the season and fifth in his career and the veteran hopes it’s a sign that the frustrations from earlier this year are a distant memory. Hartford, who is currently 11th in points, has qualified fourth three of the past four races and Friday’s run is another positive step forward. The next step is turning it around on raceday after Hartford has suffered through five straight first-round losses. “Things are starting to come around although this feels like the first race of the season for us,” Hartford said. “It’s no secret that this hasn’t been a good year for our team but I’m a big believer that it’s not where your start it’s where you finish. "The last three or four races it’s started to come together, and we’ve had a fast race car and I’m getting my confidence back. In Seattle, I thought we had a chance to go to the pole and we missed it. Here, we said we could run a 6.51 and we did. I think Chicago was the turning point for us. We brought two cars and let John DeFlorian drive the other one. We were able to compare notes from both cars and we’ve been improving ever since.” Defending world champion Erica Enders is currently second with a run of 6.520 at 209.46 and Seattle winner Jeg Coughlin Jr. is third after a 6.524 at 209.82. Still riding high after his first career Pro Stock Motorcycle victory on Sunday in Seattle, Chase Van Sant kept rolling on Friday in Sonoma, taking the provisional No. 1 spot with a run of 6.768 at 197.10 on his Trick Tools Suzuki. Should that hold, Van Sant, the 2023 NHRA Rookie of the Year, would pick up his first career No. 1 qualifying spot, which would continue his recent momentum. He made a pair of solid runs on Friday, which could bode well for Saturday’s GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout. The bonus race takes place on Saturday after riders made their first-round selections on Friday. Herrera, the top seed, picked Matt Smith, who was seeded second, while Hector Arana Jr. took Steve Johnson as his first-round opponent. Jianna Evaristo will face off with John Hall, with the other first-round matchup featuring Van Sant and Angie Smith. “It’s been a whirlwind week to say the least and it’s cool to knock it out and get the provisional No. 1 here today,” Van Sant said. “I know the Vance & Hines team has issues today, so I expect a battle but it’s good to be here. I had my best 60-foot time ever on that run. It’s just reassuring to know we can get the job done and it reaffirms my faith in Tim [Kulungian, crew chief], not that I ever doubted him. “I’ve got to run Angie [Smith] tomorrow in the GETTRX All-star Callout and we’ve gone back and forth a few times this season. They’ll be fast too. The wind was a bit tricky, which explains why our mph was down a bit. For me, I really didn’t notice it too much, but the bike just feels a bit more mundane. The win is so unpredictable here in Sonoma because it gusts but it’s usually either a head wind or a tail wind.” M. Smith is currently second with a 6.770 at 198.73 and A. Smith is right behind after going 6.784 at 199.26. Qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. PT on Saturday at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | SPIRE MOTORSPORTS MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 25, 2024) – Corey LaJoie will not return to the driver’s seat of Spire Motorsports' No. 7 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025. LaJoie, 32, has been a fixture at Spire Motorsports since 2021 and has recorded four top-five and six top-10 finishes over four seasons, including a fourth-place finish in this year’s Daytona 500. The full-time driver for the team’s No. 7 entry in 2025 will be announced at a later date. “Corey LaJoie has been a cornerstone of Spire Motorsports since 2021 and it would be impossible to overstate what he’s meant to this organization and how much I’ve agonized over this decision,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “Corey put his heart and soul into this team. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work before we had a race shop, a toolbox or even our own cars. Those days, looking back, were so much simpler than where we are in our journey now. Back then, we just wanted to get to the racetrack. Today, we’re consumed with consistently battling for top-10 finishes and contending for wins in the near future. “In racing, there are always variables but one thing we all know, is this is a performance-based business, and it just hasn’t been there for several reasons. All those reasons are factored in when it comes to making a decision of this magnitude. With Ryan (Sparks) moving upstairs, and Rodney (Childers) coming in next season, the best thing for Spire Motorsports is a clean slate for the No. 7 car in 2025. Corey deserves a fresh look from another organization, too, and we’ll do everything we can to help him get another opportunity in the Cup garage. I believe in Corey and his ability to be successful in this sport and look forward to him using this as motivation to prove all his doubters wrong.” (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

Press Release | NHRA SONOMA, Calif. (July 25, 2024) – Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran Steve Johnson has been involved in the two-wheeled category for more than 30 years and at this weekend’s 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, he’ll make his 500th career NHRA start. Johnson, rider of the Big Number One Suzuki, will also be competing in the GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout specialty event on Saturday with the seven other qualifier riders. Johnson is the fifth-seeded rider and will be up against the likes of reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Gaige Herrera as well as the six-time champion Matt Smith. With his impressive qualifying efforts, Herrera will make the first pick in the callout style race, but Johnson views it as a great chance to celebrate his 500th career start. “The point is, the fans are going to get a great race,” Johnson said. “I think the Callout is such a neat format to be able to do it. I always tell people if you go to all the races in a year, for 34 years, you’ll have 500 races too.” Last year’s Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals crowned Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), J.R. Todd (Funny Car) and Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) as winners in their respective categories. This season’s race will again be broadcast on both FOX and FS1, including eliminations coverage starting at 4 p.m. PT on Sunday, July 28 on FOX. It is the 12th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and the annual trek to Sonoma is a loaded weekend that also includes the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday. Johnson made his NHRA debut in 1987 and has racked up 12 event wins over his long and successful career. His 2024 campaign has been rocky, with Johnson searching for his first round win since the season-opener in Gainesville, but he has hopes that the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals will be the turning point of his season. To do so, he’ll also have to get past Seattle winner Chase Van Sant, Angie Smith, Hector Arana Jr., Jianna Evaristo, who set both ends of the track record in Seattle, and John Hall. “I love this class,” Johnson said. “I love YES Program, and I love this platform NHRA gives us to be able to educate people on skilled trades and I love being part of the fraternity of this class.” The 2023 GETTRX NHRA All- Star Pro Stock Motorcycle Callout saw Herrera taking home the win, as well as the Sonoma event victory en route to sweeping the Western Swing and winning his first world title. This year riders in competition will be Herrera, M. Smith, Arana Jr., Evaristo, Johnson, Angie Smith, Van Sant and Hall. In Top Fuel, Justin Ashley is after a third win in 2024, taking on the likes of Seattle winner Steve Torrence, who has four Sonoma victories, reigning champ and points leader Doug Kalitta, Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, Brittany Force, Tony Schumacher, Clay Millican and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart. Funny Car's Todd will aim for his fifth career win at Sonoma, but it won't be easy going against the likes of points leader Austin Prock, who won in Seattle, Bob Tasca III, reigning world champ Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, Daniel Wilkerson and Alexis DeJoria. Pro Stock returns to Sonoma after a year off in 2023. This season has been another year of intense competition featuring standouts like reigning champion Erica Enders, whose six Sonoma wins are the most of any NHRA driver, Greg Anderson, points leader Dallas Glenn, two-time 2024 winner Aaron Stanfield and Jeg Coughlin Jr. The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout, Street Legal and Top the Cops exhibitions. Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Sonoma Raceway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners. As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Sonoma. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family. NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m. PT on Friday and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday. Television coverage includes eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday. The first round of the GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout takes place on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. PT, with the semifinals at 1:45 p.m. and the finals at 2:55 p.m. It will be broadcast at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Saturday on FS1. To purchase tickets to the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, fans can visit www.sonomaraceway.com or call 800-870-7223. For more information about NHRA, visit www.nhra.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | NHRA SONOMA, Calif. (July 25, 2024) – A year ago, a win at Sonoma Raceway came at a much-needed time for NHRA Funny Car driver J.R. Todd. The former champion had gone 52 races without a victory, ending a drought at a track that has been very good to him over the years. Todd and his Kalitta Motorsports team are in a much better place heading into this weekend’s 36th annual Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, but a win would be just as rewarding for the talented driver who is one of only two NHRA competitors (Don Prudhomme) to win in both Funny Car and Top Fuel at the scenic facility. He advanced to the semifinals last weekend in Seattle in his 11,000-horsepower DHL Toyota GR Supra, already has a win this season and is currently fourth in points – just 22 points out of second. It’s been a rewarding season thus far for Todd, but the defending event winner wants more, touching on just how important it was to get a Funny Car victory last year in Sonoma, which is understandably one of his favorite stops on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour. “(Last year’s Sonoma win) was good because we’d struggled for however long and hadn’t had a win, so it was nice to reward the guys,” Todd said. “You never know if or when your next win is going to come so after all the struggles, it was nice to finally get another one. Any win is special. I’ve definitely had success at Sonoma in the past, and it’s definitely my favorite track on the tour so it’s always good to return as the defending winner. We went into that race last year with a little momentum from Seattle like we will this week, so hopefully we can parlay that into another win this weekend.” Last year, Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Todd (Funny Car) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all took home wins in Sonoma. This year’s race will again be broadcast on both FOX and FS1, including eliminations coverage starting at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday on FOX. It is the 12th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and the annual trek to Sonoma is a loaded weekend that also includes the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday. Todd is in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, taking on Seattle winner and points leader Austin Prock in a must-see Seattle rematch. The other matchup features Paul Lee and Blake Alexander, as drivers will be looking for a bonus purse and bonus points. Todd won the bonus race last year as well, sweeping the weekend in Sonoma. He’ll look to do the same in 2024, taking on a loaded Funny Car field that also includes defending world champion Matt Hagan and Bob Tasca III, who are tied for second in points, Ron Capps and Alexis DeJoria. What impressed Todd the most in Seattle was the team’s ability to put up big numbers, qualifying well under the lights and dipping into the 3.80s in eliminations as well. With ideal weather conditions at one of the fastest tracks on the NHRA circuit - as well as a Friday night session that could be epic - that will again be necessary in what is expected to be a thrilling show this weekend in Sonoma. “It was definitely a good turnaround from where we’ve been this season,” Todd said. “We struggled a little bit keeping the thing running on eight cylinders, and that definitely cost us in the semifinals. All in all, it was a good weekend. It felt good. It’s nice to be able to throw down and make runs when you need to. We just have to fine tune it with it dropping cylinders, and hopefully, we’ll be in good shape the rest of the season. “Conditions are going to be good in Sonoma, so we’ll definitely have to run hard there. We’ve been fighting dropping cylinders, so if we can get that figured out, I think we have a really good chance of competing for a win in Sonoma.” In Top Fuel, Justin Ashley is after a third win in 2024, taking on the likes of Seattle winner Steve Torrence, who has four Sonoma victories, reigning champ and points leader Doug Kalitta, Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, Brittany Force, Tony Schumacher, Clay Millican and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart. Pro Stock returns to Sonoma after a year off in 2023. This season has been another year of intense competition featuring standouts like reigning champion Erica Enders, whose six Sonoma wins are the most of any NHRA driver, Greg Anderson, points leader Dallas Glenn, two-time 2024 winner Aaron Stanfield and Jeg Coughlin Jr. Herrera swept the weekend in Pro Stock Motorcycle at Sonoma last year, winning the Callout and the event en route to the title. He’s been dominant in 2024, winning the first six races of the year before Chase Van Sant won on Sunday in Seattle, snapping Herrera’s 11-race winning streak. Van Sant will look to keep rolling against Matt Smith, Jianna Evaristo, Angie Smith, Hector Arana Jr. and Steve Johnson, who is making his 500th career start this weekend. The GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle Callout features Herrera, M. Smith, Arana, Evaristo, Johnson, A. Smith, John Hall and Van Sant. The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout, Street Legal and Top the Cops exhibitions. Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Sonoma Raceway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners. As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Sonoma. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family. NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m. PT on Friday and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday. Television coverage includes eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday. The first round of the GETTRX NHRA All- Star Pro Stock Motorcycle Callout takes place on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. PT, with the semifinals at 1:45 p.m. and the finals at 2:55 p.m. It will be broadcast at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Saturday on FS1. To purchase tickets to the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, fans can visit www.sonomaraceway.com or call 800-870-7223. For more information about NHRA, visit www.nhra.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | SCRAPPERS RACING SONOMA, Calif. (July 25, 2024) - The Scrappers Sisters, Jasmine Salinas and Jianna Evaristo, are excited to compete at their home track, Sonoma Raceway this weekend at the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals. The San Jose natives will compete in front of friends, family and fans at the iconic facility tucked away in the rolling hills of Northern California. This weekend marks the first time that Top Fuel rookie Jasmine will compete professionally at Sonoma Raceway, a milestone she’s been eagerly anticipating all season long. With 10 starts in the premier NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, the skilled pilot has made big advancements and recently achieved a new personal best speed (332.43 mph) in Seattle. She will fly the colors of Pleasanton Ready Mix this weekend on her powerful 11,000-horsepower machine, representing the East Bay’s most respected supplier of ready mix concrete. The Salinas family has a long history with the company and its owner, John Santos. John was the first customer of Valley Services when Mike and Monica Salinas started his business years ago. “I’ve been looking forward to this all season long,” said Jasmine. “Sonoma Raceway and its fans have been wonderful to us throughout the years. Our dragster has a new look this weekend and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of my Pleasanton Ready Mix/Valley Services Top Fuel dragster in front of the hometown crowd. Racing here in Top Fuel for the first time is going to be a lot of fun.” Last weekend Jianna Evaristo took her Valley Services Scrappers Racing Buell to new heights and landed herself in the record books as she reset both ends of the track record (speed and elapsed time) at Pacific Raceways just outside of Seattle. Thanks to a fantastic performance all season long, the Pro Stock Motorcycle standout is qualified to participate in the GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout, a specialty race featuring the top riders in the ultra-competitive category. The eight competitors will have the opportunity to call each other out on Friday evening before the bonus race begins during qualifying on Saturday. Jianna will be competing against Gaige Herrera, Matt Smith, Hector Arana Jr., Steve Johnson, Angie Smith, Chase Van Sant, and John Hall for the bonus trophy and prize money. The title sponsor of the event, DENSO, has been instrumental in Jianna’s success, adding yet another level of significance to this weekend. “This race is already a really special one because it’s at our home track, but getting to participate in my first All-Star Callout makes it even more exciting,” said Jianna. “Matt (Smith, crew chief) has this Buell running its best. Now it’s my job to get it down the track and turn on some win lights for Valley Services and DENSO. With so many sponsors and supporters in attendance, this race is a big one for our team.” The Scrappers Sisters kicked off the week with a whirlwind media tour visiting TV, Radio and News outlets in the Bay Area and Sacramento. Racing action in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins with qualifying on Friday, July 26 with sessions at 4:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. and two more sessions on Saturday, July 27 at 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Eliminations kick off on Sunday, July 28 at 10:30 a.m. (Photo Courtesy Scrappers Racing)

Press Release | CHRIS BOSTICK MOTORSPORTS SONOMA, Calif. (July 25, 2024) - Pro Stock Motorcycle standout Chris Bostick knows that he is at a pinnacle moment in the season as he works to race his Surf Signature RV Resorts Suzuki into the Top Ten in points standings. With only two races left before the Countdown to the Championship begins, the fan-favorite drag racer is eager to make some big moves this weekend at the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway. Achieving a new personal best elapsed time last week in Seattle was just the boost Bostick needed before heading into the penultimate event of the Pro Stock Motorcycle regular season. His White Alligator Racing (WAR) crew chief Tim Kulungian has been hard at work to find performance advantages and Bostick is hitting his stride at the right point in the season. He recently moved up to 11th in the points standings, just 12 points out of the Top Ten. “We’ve learned a lot over the past few races and now it’s time to turn up the heat,” said Bostick. “The progress we’ve made shows us that we are moving in the right direction, at the right time. Sonoma fans love Pro Stock Motorcycle, and I know their enthusiasm will make us all eager to put on a great show for them.” As always, The Surf pit will be a popular stop for fans, offering a chance to interact with the team and test their reaction times aboard The Surf show bike, giving them a taste of what it's like to stage a Pro Stock Motorcycle. The team is excited to engage with fans, sharing insights and providing a closer look at the sport's intricacies. Racing action in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins with qualifying on Friday, July 26 with sessions at 4:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. and two more sessions on Saturday, July 27 at 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Eliminations kick off on Sunday, July 28 at 10:30 a.m. (Photo Courtesy Chirs Bostick Motorsports)

(Photos Courtesy NASCAR) By Peyton Lohr As we head into the break for the Olympics, we have four races until the start of the 2024 playoffs. Kyle Larson won the Brickyard 400 last Sunday when a late race caution came out and ended the race - and also ended the hopes of a win for Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney. The battle for the regular season championship is heating up as it draws to a close, so let's go over the top five contenders and why they are worthy of the crown. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) 5) Ryan Blaney Ryan Blaney has shown consistent improvement in his performance over recent seasons. He frequently finishes in the top-10 and top-5 positions, which means he’s regularly earning valuable points, and he won the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship in Phoenix last November. This reliability and ability to perform well in many races helps him build up a significant points total over the season. Blaney benefits from being part of Team Penske, one of the top teams in NASCAR. Team Penske provides him with the best equipment, advanced technology, and a skilled team of engineers and mechanics. This support ensures that Blaney’s car is fast and well-tuned, giving him a competitive advantage on the track. Finally, Blaney’s versatility as a driver is a big asset. He’s skilled at racing on different types of tracks, whether they are SuperSpeedways, intermediate tracks, or road courses. His ability to adapt to various racing conditions and make smart decisions during the race allows him to perform well across the entire schedule. This flexibility helps him score points consistently, making him a strong candidate for the championship. Ryan Blaney currently has 676 points, 2 wins, and is -73 out from the leader. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) 4) Denny Hamlin Denny Hamlin’s extensive experience in NASCAR gives him a big advantage. He’s been racing for many years and has a track record of finishing in the top positions. This means he’s good at earning points consistently. His experience allows him to make smart decisions and use effective racing strategies, which helps him stay competitive throughout the season. Hamlin often qualifies well, which means he starts races in good positions. This helps him avoid trouble and get ahead early. Also, his team is good at making smart decisions during races, like when to pit and how to manage his tires. These skills help him keep up strong performances and take advantage of important moments in each race, giving him a better chance to win the championship. Finally, Hamlin’s proven ability to race well on different types of tracks is another key factor. Whether it’s a SuperSpeedway, a short track, or an intermediate track, Hamlin has shown he can handle various racing conditions. Denny Hamlin currently has 706 points, 3 wins, and is -43 out from the leader. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) 3) Tyler Reddick Tyler Reddick has been steadily improving in his NASCAR career. He’s been finishing well in races and gaining more confidence in his driving. This recent success gives him momentum, meaning he's building on his past performances and getting better with each race. This positive trend makes him a serious contender for the championship because he’s performing at a high level and shows no signs of slowing down. Reddick drives for 23XI Racing, a team owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. This team is recognized as having made significant progress in NASCAR. They have upgraded their equipment, improved their resources, and built a strong, dedicated crew. This support is crucial for Reddick because it ensures he has the best tools and assistance to compete at a top level. The team’s resources and expertise help him perform consistently well throughout the season. Reddick has also shown that he can stay calm and make smart decisions when the stakes are high. This skill helps him get good finishes and earn valuable points, especially in key moments of the season. His ability to stay focused and perform well under pressure makes him a strong candidate for the championship. Tyler Reddick currently has 734 points, 1 win, and is -15 out from the leader. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) 2) Chase Elliott Chase Elliott´s track record is impressive. Elliott won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship in 2020, showing he has the skill and experience to perform at the highest level. His ability to finish well in many races means he consistently earns points, which is crucial for winning the regular season championship. Second, Elliott excels on road courses, which are a significant part of the 2024 season schedule. He has won multiple races on these challenging tracks, proving he is particularly skilled in this area. Since there are several road courses on the schedule, his expertise here gives him a big advantage. His strong performance in these races helps him earn extra points, boosting his overall standing in the championship race. Elliott has a big and enthusiastic fan base that really boosts his morale. This support helps keep him motivated and focused during races. The energy and encouragement from his fans can give him an extra edge, helping him stay determined and perform well throughout the season. Chase Elliott currently has 739 points, 1 win, and is -10 out from the leader. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) 1) Kyle Larson Kyle Larson has shown strong performance in NASCAR over the years. He’s skilled at driving and can handle different types of tracks and conditions. His success, including winning the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Championship, proves he can stay at the top. Second, Larson is very versatile. He doesn’t just do well in NASCAR; he’s also successful in other types of racing, like dirt track and sprint car racing. This broad experience helps him adapt to different racing situations and perform well throughout the season. Larson is known for making bold moves and taking smart risks, which helps him gain positions quickly during races. This fearless approach allows him to make the most of every opportunity and stay competitive, especially in close races where every point matters. His ability to push hard and take chances can be a big advantage throughout the season. Kyle Larson currently has 749 points, 4 wins, and is the current leader. So, what say you? Who do you think will clinch the 2024 regular season championship? The last race of the regular season takes place at the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, September 1st, at 6pm ET.

Press Release | JOHN FORCE RACING PHOENIX, Ariz. (July 23, 2024) – A month after an engine explosion sent his race car careening into a concrete guardwall at more than 300 miles per hour at Virginia Motorsports Park, drag racing champion John Force was discharged Tuesday from Barrow Neurological Institute, where he was undergoing rehab for a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). According to family members, while the 16-time Funny Car Champion will continue to work with therapists specializing in such injuries, it now will be on an outpatient basis in California. “He finally gets to sleep in his own bed,” said daughter Ashley Hood who, with sisters Brittany, Courtney and Adria and mother, Laurie, maintained a constant presence through the Hall of Fame driver and car owner’s hospitalizations in Virginia and Arizona. The next phase in the recovery process will be outpatient speech, and OTPT (Occupational and Physical Therapy) to address lingering short-term memory and cognitive issues. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)