IZOD INDYCAR ROADRUNNER 300 LINE UP

1	6	Ryan Briscoe	Penske	Dallara-Honda
2	9	Scott Dixon	Target	Dallara-Honda
3	10	Dario Franchitti	Suave	Dallara-Honda
4	06	Hideki Mutoh	Formula Dream	Dallara-Honda
5	77	Alex Tagliani	FAZZT	Dallara-Honda
6	14	Vitor Meira	ABC Supply	Dallara-Honda
7	12	Will Power	Verizon	Dallara-Honda
8	3	Helio Castroneves	Penske	Dallara-Honda
9	7	Danica Patrick	GoDaddy.com	Dallara-Honda
10	24	Mike Conway	Dreyer & Reinbold	Dallara-Honda
11	5	Takuma Sato	KV Racing	Dallara-Honda
12	32	Mario Moraes	KV Racing	Dallara-Honda
13	2	Raphael Matos	HP	Dallara-Honda
14	67	Sarah Fisher	Dollar General	Dallara-Honda
15	11	Tony Kanaan	7-Eleven	Dallara-Honda
16	8	E.J. Viso	PDVSA	Dallara-Honda
17	43	John Andretti	Window World	Dallara-Honda
18	78	Simona De Silvestro	Stargate Worlds	Dallara-Honda
19	36	Bertrand Baguette	Conquest Racing	Dallara-Honda
20	22	Justin Wilson	Z-Line Designs	Dallara-Honda
21	66	Jay Howard	Service Central	Dallara-Honda
22	37	Ryan Hunter-Reay	IZOD	Dallara-Honda
23	19	Alex Lloyd	Boy Scouts	Dallara-Honda
24	18	Milka Duno	CITGO	Dallara-Honda
25	4	Dan Wheldon	National Guard	Dallara-Honda
26	26	Marco Andretti	Venom Energy	Dallara-Honda
27	34	Mario Romancini	Conquest Racing	Dallara-Honda

FORCE GRABS PROVISIONAL NO. 1 AT AAA MIDWEST NATS

 FORCE GRABS PROVISIONAL NO. 1 AT AAA MIDWEST NATS
-Rain cancels second qualifying session at GIR-

MADISON, IL — 14-time Funny Car champion John Force continued to show that his off-season crew chief realignment may have been the move that jump started the winningest driver in NHRA’s history into a career renaissance. Force grabbed the provisional No. 1 qualifier position today at Gateway International Raceway with a monster run of 4.103 seconds at 307.23 mph. Force’s Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang was over a tenth of a second quicker than the No. 2 qualifier Rob Capps (4.26 seconds). If this position holds up through the weekend it would be the third No. 1 (Phoenix and Houston) of the season for Force.

“We have learned how to run on good tracks with the cool air and we have learned how to run in the hot air. We are also able to learn from the other two Mustangs. I watched Robert go out and spin his tires and then see Ashley do almost the same thing. Mike Neff, Bernie Fedderly and Austin Coil got together and made some adjustments on my Castrol hot rod. I have been pretty good at picking people but putting those three guys together I have been real fortunate,” said Force. “At the end of the day I want to thank Lanny Miglizzi our track specialist. He is a big part of this. He gets out here early in the week and reads the race track. He is really key in helping the crew chiefs make the calls. When I spoke to Coil and Neff they said I should thank Lanny.”

All three John Force Racing Mustangs are in the top half of the qualified field. Robert Hight was the first JFR car to hit the track and he unceremoniously smoked the tires in his Auto Club Ford Mustang. A few pairs later Ashley Force Hood made a nearly identical run in her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang. Using that info Force’s crew chiefs got together and dialed his Mustang back.

“Getting everyone in the top half of the ladder when you have weather coming in is important. When you are racing for 25 years with Castrol and there are a lot of people invested in me and my teams. We want to perform for them. They gave me a second chance. I really appreciate all my sponsors Ford, Auto Club, BrandSource, and Mac Tools. AAA Missouri bought the sponsorship of this race and I know Robert will be flying tomorrow. Jimmy has his Mustang right on the edge. That car is ready to run. I just got through there in that first session. We have worked with AAA Missouri for a few years but to see them buy a race is cool and we want to do well for them and all our sponsors,” added Force.

If Force’s qualifying position holds up it will be the 134^th of his career and will leave him just four back from NHRA career leader Pro Stock’s Warren Johnson.

The second qualifying session was cut short today when severe storms moved into the area. There are two qualifying sessions on tap for tomorrow weather permitting.  

* * * *

THE DRIVERS

JOHN FORCE, 60, Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford Mustang
Friday Qualifying: 1^st with a 4.103 at 307.23 mph
Bonus Qualifying Points: +3 (quickest of Q1)

ASHLEY FORCE HOOD, 27, Castrol GTX Ford Mustang
Friday Qualifying: 8^th with a 4.640 at 186.36 mph
Bonus Qualifying Points: 0

ROBERT HIGHT, 40, Auto Club Ford Mustang
Friday Qualifying: 7^th with a 4.581 at 184.47 mph
Bonus Qualifying Points: 0 

* * * *

RACE SCHEDULE:

Saturday, May 1
Q3 Pro Qualifying                      12:30 p.m.
Q4 Pro Qualifying                      3:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 2
Final Eliminations                      11:00 a.m.

BRISCOE CLAIMS POLE FOR ROAD RUNNER TURBO INDY 300

BRISCOE CLAIMS POLE FOR ROAD RUNNER TURBO INDY 300

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Friday, April 30, 2010) – Ryan Briscoe, who closed the 2009 IZOD IndyCar Series season with a victory and runner-up finish in two of the final three ovals, will start at the front of the 27-car field in the first oval of the 2010 season.

Briscoe, the penultimate qualifier, ripped of a four-lap average of 212.145 mph on the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway to earn the PEAK Performance Pole Award for the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300. He unseated Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon (211.298) — who led a field-high 134 laps in winning at Kansas Speedway last year.

Dixon, who started from the pole at Kansas in 2008 and ’03, extended his series-record streak to 37 races in the top 10. Teammate Dario Franchitti (211.236 mph) in the No. 10 Suave car and Hideki Mutoh (211.039), driving the No. 06 Newman/Haas Racing entry, will share Row 2.

Dan Wheldon, driver of the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing car, had qualified third (211.242) but the effort was disqualified because he drove beneath the white line ringing the inside of the track. Marco Andretti in the No. 26 Team Venom Energy car for Andretti Autosport also was sent to the rear of the field for the same infraction.

DAY 1 NOTEBOOK:

The IZOD IndyCar Series will compete in the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300, a 200-lap race at 1 p.m. Saturday

Eldora Speedway to Host Pit Party

Eldora Speedway to Host Pit Party Prior to World of Outlaws Race on May 8

Rossburg, OH-April 30, 2010- After a rousing success last year, Eldora Speedway will once again host a Pre-Race Pit Party as part of the Outlaw Thunder by Goodyear weekend at the track next weekend as the World of Outlaws make their first of three separate visits to the track in 2010. Prior to the race on Saturday, May 8, fans will have a chance to walk across the legendary high-banked half-mile via the flag stand on the front straightaway between 3:30-5 p.m. Eastern to visit the infield pit area. Any fan that purchases a general admission ticket for the race on May 8 will have access to the Pre-Race Pit Party and be able to walk around the infield pit area to get an up close look at an 850-plus horsepower winged sprint car and meet their favorite World of Outlaws drivers, receive autographs and take photos. The Outlaw Thunder by Goodyear weekend kicks off for the World of Outlaws on Friday, May 7 with a full racing program. Last season, four-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz, who drives for Eldora Speedway owner Tony Stewart, won twice at the track, including the spring race, as well as picking up his second Kings Royal triumph. Jason Sides and Terry McCarl also picked up wins with the World of Outlaws at Eldora in 2009. Steve Kinser, the 20-time World of Outlaws champion, who is Schatz’s teammate this year at Tony Stewart Racing has won 40 times in his career with the World of Outlaws at Eldora Speedway and has well over 100 Top-10 finishes with the series at the track. The Indiana native came within a couple of laps of picking up another win last spring at Eldora when something broke on his car.

For ticket information call Eldora Speedway at 937-338-3815 or visit www.eldoraspeedway.com.

ATTENTION READERS

SITE IS EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL ISSUES WHICH WE ARE WORKING ON WE DO HAVE A WAY TO POST BUT NO OTHER ITEMS CAN BE DONE ON SITE SO WE WILL TRY TO BRING YOU ALL WE CAN /THIS SHOULD BE CLEARED UP SHORTLY /THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND USUAL SUPPORT

Previewing the World of Outlaws Return to Jackson Speedway

Previewing the World of Outlaws Return to Jackson Speedway

 Jackson , MN-April 29, 2010- Jackson Speedway in Minnesota is one of the most historic venues in the Upper Midwest and this weekend another chapter will be added, as the World of Outlaws return to the venerable half-mile for the first time since 2006 on Saturday, May 1 for a full night of racing.

Jason Meyers leads the series into Jackson Speedway on the strength of four A-Feature wins as he looks for his first victory at the track. The California native has a 17-point lead over Joey Saldana in the World of Outlaws championship standings as both drivers chase their first title.

 Donny Schatz, the four-time and defending series champion, was victorious at the track in 2006 en route to claiming his first series title. The North Dakota native raced at the half-mile numerous times early in his career as he was climbing the sprint car ladder and has six overall wins at the track.

Steve Kinser, the 20-time World of Outlaws champion, who is Schatz’s teammate at Tony Stewart Racing this season has won twice with the series at Jackson Speedway and is the only driver that has multiple A-Feature wins with the series at the track.

The World of Outlaws first raced at Jackson Speedway in 1987, with former series title winner Bobby Davis Jr. picking up the win in that event. A total of six A-Feature events have been contested by the series at the track with five different drivers picking up checkered flags.

 The Buzz-

*Danny Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws champion, has made 20 career starts at Jackson Speedway dating back to 1986. He has five career wins at the track, though is still chasing his first World of Outlaws win at Jackson.

*Craig Dollansky, the only driver competing full-time with the World of Outlaws that hails from Minnesota finished third in 2006 at Jackson, as he looks for his first career win at the track.

*Steve Kinser has made six starts with the World of Outlaws at Jackson Speedway and has finished in the Top-Five in each and every one. He has two victories and an average finish of third at the track with the series.

*Jason Meyers looks to keep his streak of finishing among the Top-10 in every race this season intact. He leads the series with four wins and finished sixth at Jackson in 2005 as he looks for his first win at the track.

*Donny Schatz, the four-time and defending World of Outlaws champion, competed at Jackson Speedway quite a bit in the early days of his career and has six overall wins at the track.

*Three-time series champion Sammy Swindell, will return to Jackson Speedway for the first time since 2005 as he continues to fill in for the injured Terry McCarl. Swindell has three career wins at the half-mile, with two of those coming in World of Outlaws events, a preliminary feature and an A-Feature.

*Joey Saldana finished seventh in his debut at Jackson Speedway in 2004. He followed that up with a fourth-place effort in 2005 and was the runner-up in 2006, as he looks for his first victory at the half-mile.

*Jac Haudenschild, who recently picked up his first win of 2010, has finished seventh or better in all five of his career starts at Jackson Speedway. The Ohio native has two career podium finishes at the track.

 *Kraig Kinser finished second to his father Steve in his debut at Jackson Speedway in 2004. The third generation driver led a large part of that event before his father got around him. It was the second time the father/son pair had finished one/two that year.

 *A total of five drivers that are competing full-time with the World of Outlaws this season will be making their debut at Jackson Speedway.

Over the years

 World of Outlaws A-Feature winners at Jackson Speedway include:

2006-Donny Schatz on September 16

2005- Daryn Pittman on September 23

2004- Steve Kinser on September 24

1988- Sammy Swindell on July 6, Steve Kinser on August 20

1987- Bobby Davis Jr. on July

 By the numbers- Jackson Speedway

0.5- Miles around Jackson Speedway

1- Driver from the state of Minnesota competing full-time with the World of Outlaws this season- Craig Dollansky

2- Drivers competing for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award this season- Ben Gregg and Toni Lutar

3- Total events for the World of Outlaws in the state of Minnesota this year; Track records that have been established this season in time trials

4- Races on half-mile tracks thus far in 2010 for the series; Drivers that have won on half-mile tracks this season

5- Drivers that have won A-Feature events with the World of Outlaws at Jackson Speedway dating back to the series debut at the track in 1987

6- A-Feature events held by the World of Outlaws at Jackson Speedway dating back to 1987

7- Drivers that have won A-Feature events with the World of Outlaws this season

9- Drivers that have been quickest in time trials this season

11- Drivers that have led laps in feature events in the first 12 races of 2010

15.795- Track record at Jackson Speedway established by Terry McCarl in time trials on September 23, 2005

17- Points that separate leader Jason Meyers and Joey Saldana in the World of Outlaws championship standings

18- Drivers currently competing full-time with the World of Outlaws in 2010

21- Laps led by Donny Schatz in 2006 to win the last World of Outlaws event at Jackson Speedway

28- World of Outlaws championships accounted for by drivers that will be competing at Jackson Speedway

76- Laps led by Joey Saldana this season to lead all drivers

553- A-Feature wins with the World of Outlaws in his career for Steve Kinser entering this weekend

715- Miles from Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Indiana where the World of Outlaws were scheduled to compete on April 24 to Jackson Speedway

1987- Year the World of Outlaws first competed at Jackson Speedway

2006- Year the World of Outlaws last competed at Jackson Speedway

10,000- Dollars the winner will receive on Saturday, May 1

51,690- Dollars in the total purse on Saturday, May 1 61,800- Dollaearned by Jason Meyers to lead the series

Castrol/JFR 25th Anniversary Flashback

Castrol/JFR 25^th Anniversary Flashback:

            John Force’s relationship with BP/Castrol was forever solidified in 1996 when the sponsor opted to refocus its marketing effort in the NHRA series. After funding a successful six-car Super Team for 10 seasons, Castrol began 1996 with Force as its lone standard bearer in the professional categories.  

            The former truck driver responded by delivering the greatest single season performance in Funny Car history, driving his Castrol GTX Pontiac to the final round in 16 of 19 races, starting from No. 1 13 times, winning 13 races and compiling a 65-6 record that earned him Driver of the Year recognition for all of American motor racing, the first drag racer ever so honored.

NHRA Full Throttle : JOHN FORCE RACING

EVENT OVERVIEW:

            Reigning NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car Champion Robert Hight will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Wednesday evening when the 2009 NL Central Division-champion St. Louis Cardinals play host to the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium.

            Although John Force won his 1,000^th competi NHRA Full Throttle tive round at  NHRA Full Throttle Raceway in 2008, the track across the river from St. Louis traditionally has not been kind to John Force Racing, Inc.

            The team has won three times in Midwest Nationals history, but has been shut out since 2002, when Scotty Cannon’s foul start made Force’s 8.837 second quarter mile a winner, giving the team its third victory in four years. JFR’s most dominating performance was delivered in 1999 when Force beat teammate Tony Pedregon in a final round contested after midnight because of several rain delays.

            More recently, results have been disappointing. Force hasn’t taken his Castrol GTX High Mileage Ford beyond the second round in three years, Robert Hight hasn’t reached the finals in his Auto Club Ford in five tries and, after making it to the semifinals at a rookie in 2007, Ashley Force Hood and her Castrol GTX Mustang have been booted in the first round the last two seasons.           

* * * *

JFR RACING HISTORY AT GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY:

            Wins – 3. Two by John Force (1999, 2002) for Castrol GTX; one by Tony Pedregon (2001) for Castrol SYNTEC.

            Last year – It was a lost weekend for JFR as only John Force’s Castrol GTX High Mileage Mustang survived beyond first round and it was quickly dismissed in round two by the Dodge of points leader Ron Capps.

            Notable #1 – John Force won the 1,000^th competitive round of his career in 2008 when he beat Ron Capps in the first round.

            Notable #2 – When Ron Capps won the Midwest Nationals in 2005, Mike Neff was serving as his interim crew chief while Ed “the Ace” McCulloch was being treated for a medical problem. Neff, now co-crew chief with Austin Coil and Bernie Fedderly on Force’s Castrol Ford, also was handling his usual duties as crew chief to Gary Scelzi, who that year was the No. 1 qualifier. 

* * * *

Hard Fought Wins: A Look Back at Jackson Speedway

Hard Fought Wins: A Look Back at the Last Three World of Outlaws Races at Jackson Speedway

Jackson, MN-April 27, 2010- Jackson Speedway is a wide, fast half-mile that has plenty of room for racing and that has been very evident in each of the last three World of Outlaws events at the Minnesota track, as close racing has been the norm. The series will return to the historic venue this weekend for the first time since 2006 on Saturday, May 1 for a full night of racing with $10,000 awaiting the winner.

 In the series last visit to Jackson Speedway, four-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz picked up the win on a very windy night that saw him not only battle the 23 other competitors, but also the blustery condition and impending weather to score his first World of Outlaws win at the track and his sixth overall triumph at the half-mile, where he raced a number of times early in his career. Schatz win came just minutes before a very large storm rolled into the area as the teams were loading up their trailers.

“Mother Nature made everyone go around there fast with the wind,” said Schatz, after his win at Jackson in 2006. “She barely let us get it in before it started raining. The track was so fast tonight that I could barely get through lapped traffic. That’s just the way it goes. Sometimes you make mistakes and I did everything I could to get through a few guys. On a big half-mile, that’s sometimes the way it works.”

 Daryn Pittman was victorious in 2005 at Jackson Speedway over a very hard charging Schatz late in the race. In addition to holding off Schatz, Pittman was nursing an engine that had gone sour around the halfway point of the race to score his first career win at the half-mile. A couple of late race restarts gave both Schatz and Tim Shaffer a shot at Pittman.

“It was getting tougher and tougher,” said Pittman, after his win in 2005. “On those restarts, I was a sitting a duck. I knew once we got our speed up it was going to be tough for them to pass me. I kept trying to start as early as I could so I could get going faster.”

It was a family affair in 2004 at Jackson Speedway as Steve and Kraig Kinser battled for the win. Terry McCarl led early in the race with Kraig Kinser taking the lead on the 12^th lap with his father taking the second spot on the same circuit. On the 19^th lap, Kraig jumped the cushion just a little bit, giving Steve the opening he needed to take the lead, which he would hold the rest of the way to score the victory over his son. It was the second time in 2004 that the pair finished one/two, as it was also the case at Cottage Grove Speedway a month before, which saw Kraig finish on top to earn his first career World of Outlaws A-Feature win over his father. Ironically, the pair has finished one/two three times over the year and two of those have come in the state of Minnesota.

“It was a good night for Steve Kinser Racing, first and second,” shared Steve Kinser after the win in 2004. “Kraig did a good job tonight, he just got caught behind a lapped car and got over the cushion. It’s a shame, but he’s been running real good and he’s going to win plenty of races. He’s been getting faster and faster every week, and I’m proud of him.”

 For the elder Kinser that was his second consecutive win at the track, as he was also victorious in 1988 in the Jackson Nationals which were run under the World of Outlaws banner. Earlier in the 1988 season, three-time series champion Sammy Swindell, who will be in action this weekend, was victorious at the half-mile. Bobby Davis Jr. the 1989 World of Outlaws title winner won in the series debut at Jackson Speedway in 1987.

One of the strongest fields in World of Outlaws history is following the series full-time this season and will be in action this weekend, led by Jason Meyers who is on top of the standings on the strength of four wins and 12 Top-10 finishes.

 On Saturday, May 1 at Jackson Speedway, adult general admission tickets will be $30 in advance and $35 the day of the race, with general admission tickets for kids ages 6-12 $15 in advance and $15 the day of the race, with children ages 5-under admitted free of charge. Adult reserved tickets will be $33 in advance and $35 the day of the race with reserved tickets for kids ages 12-under $15 in advance and $15 the day of the race. Pit combos, which include a reserved ticket and a pit pass will be available in advance for $38. For tickets call SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023 or the track at 507-841-1957.

IZOD INDYCAR SERIES ANNOUNCES OVAL AND ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS

IZOD INDYCAR SERIES ANNOUNCES OVAL AND ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS AS BUILD-UP TO OVERALL SEASON TITLE

INDIANAPOLIS (April 27, 2010) – The Indy Racing League announced today plans to institute oval and road title contests within the overall IZOD IndyCar Series driver championship beginning with the 2010 season.

Using the current championship points system, the highest-scoring oval and road/street drivers will be crowned champion of their respective racing discipline.  The road title will culminate on Aug. 22 at Infineon Raceway, while the oval contest will conclude Sept. 19 at Twin Ring Motegi. The Oct. 2 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be reserved to honor the overall IZOD IndyCar Series champion.

 Drivers will compete for bonuses presented to both category champions, with the purse to be announced at a later date.

“The IZOD IndyCar Series offers one of the most challenging and diverse schedules in all of motorsports,” said Randy Bernard, chief executive officer of the Indy Racing League. “We want to recognize the drivers that master the disciplines that make up this sport as they pursue the ultimate prize – the IZOD IndyCar Series championship.  We feel this platform will give added value to events on our schedule and creates more momentum behind the drivers and teams that excel at ovals and road races.”

Fans will have an opportunity to select the name of the trophies awarded to both the oval and road champion, which will honor legends of the sport. Media representatives will be asked to nominate the greatest oval and road racers of all time.  From those nominations, the top-five nominees from each discipline will be posted to a fan vote at www.indycar.com in late May through early June. The league will work with the legends to secure the rights to names for the trophies. The oval trophy honoree will be announced during the IZOD IndyCar Series event weekend at Texas Motor Speedway while the road trophy honoree will be revealed at Watkins Glen International.”The sport of Indy car racing has such a long and storied legacy of so many accomplished legends that we feel this is a great way to honor their accomplishments,” Bernard said.  “Many of our current drivers admire these legends, so why not have them vie for a trophy named in honor of the drivers they strive to emulate.”

There are nine road/street races on the 2010 schedule that will constitute the road championship, with scoring retroactively starting at the beginning of the season. Through the first four road/street events – Brazil, St. Petersburg, Barber Motorsports Park and Long Beach – Will Power leads the road championship over Helio Castroneves and Ryan Hunter-Reay.Races remaining include Watkins Glen International (July 4), streets of Toronto (July 18), Edmonton City Centre Airport (July 25), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Aug. 8) and Infineon Raceway (Aug. 22).

The equally challenging and competitive package of races eligible for the oval championship kick off May 1 with the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 at the 1.5-mile, variably-banked Kansas Speedway. Succeeding oval races will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (May 30), Texas Motor Speedway (June 5), Iowa Speedway (June 20), Chicagoland Speedway (Aug. 28), Kentucky Speedway (Sept. 4) and Twin Ring Motegi (Sept. 19).