IHRA to add more benefits for sportsman racers at Nitro Jam events in 2012

IHRA to add more benefits for sportsman racers at Nitro Jam events in 2012

Upcoming Nitro Jam season to feature double the sportsman racing

NORWALK, Ohio (November 30, 2011) – In an effort to add to the benefits of IHRA sportsman racing on the national level the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) is pleased to announce a new sportsman structure at most IHRA Nitro Jam national events in 2012.

Beginning next season select IHRA Nitro Jam events, which for now includes San Antonio Raceway, State Capitol Raceway, Pittsburgh Raceway Park, Rocky Mountain Raceways, Castrol Raceway and U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, will feature a double Summit Pro-Am held in conjunction with the Nitro Jam professional show with a chance to qualify for the Summit Tournament of Champions and national event contingency still a major part of the racing weekend. The move will allow the IHRA to further feature its sportsman classes on the national level and give racers more racing opportunity for their travel budget.

“We have been working closely with our tracks and racers discussing ways of further enhancing our sportsman programs, specifically on the national event level. Nearly all of our Nitro Jam facilities also host a Summit Pro-Am event and we noticed a trend that a good percentage of racers attend the Pro-Am for the points and others skipped the Pro-Am and came to the Nitro Jam for the increased contingency and a shot at qualifying for the Summit Tournament of Champions at any given facility,” said Skooter Peaco, IHRA Vice-President. “We decided to basically combine the two event formats so that competitors would have two races in one weekend and the best benefits of both the Nitro Jam and Summit Pro-Am programs.

“Competitors will still collect Summit Pro-Am points for each event plus the added benefits of national event contingency and the Summit Tournament of Champions birth for the Saturday race. We have created a best of both words situation for our sportsman racers and feel this is the next logical step to responding to the increasing needs of our competitors to make good financial sense out of the events they choose to attend.

“This move will be a nice boost to these select Summit Pro-Am events and a great way to expose more fans to IHRA sportsman racing.”

The new Nitro Jam structure will include a test and tune on Fridays followed by a Nitro Jam professional show later that night. Saturday will feature the first of two Summit Pro-Am points races followed by the second Nitro Jam professional show later that night featuring the final rounds of sportsman competition. Sunday will wrap up the race weekend with a second Summit Pro-Am race.

In addition to two Summit Pro-Am events, Saturday’s Summit Pro-Am race will also act as a special Summit Tournament of Champions qualifier and be the event that pays national event level contingency money. Racers still in competition during the semifinals and finals on Saturday will also get an opportunity to race for the win in front of the huge Saturday night crowds during the Nitro Jam show rounds.

More details about the new structure and the 2012 Nitro Jam and Summit Pro-Am schedules will be announced soon

Cody Coughlin working for early Christmas win at Snowflake 100

Cody Coughlin working for early Christmas win at Snowflake 100

PENSACOLA, Fla. (Nov. 25) — Cody Coughlin and the JEGS.com Chevrolet team will be gunning for one of the most sought-after trophies in Late Model racing when they compete in the Allen Turner Snowflake 100, Dec. 1-3, at Five Flags Speedway.

The Snowflake 100 is part of the annual Snowball Derby held at the 1/2-mile oval. Coughlin is coming off a solid season in the JEGS CRA All-Stars Tour, where he won the series’ rookie of the year award and finished a lofty sixth in the overall points standings.

Now, the 15-year-old Coughlin will compete against the best Late Model drivers in the country in the 100-lap race.

“It’s very exciting to compete in the biggest one of the year,” Coughlin said. “The area down there is very pretty, and we’re staying close to the beach, so it’ll be nice to see the water. There’s usually great weather there, too, so that’s cool.

“If you can bring home the biggest Late Model trophy of the year, that would be definitely icing on the cake. I’m very excited.”

JEGS.com Chevrolet crew chief Rich Lushes echoed Coughlin’s sentiment.

“This is the biggest short rack race in America,” Lushes said. “To run well here is very prestigious. It would be a big honor to run well. It’s what everybody shoots for every year.”

Coughlin and the No. 1 JEGS.com Chevrolet team tested at Five Flags last week, with Coughlin running competitive times in his first visit to the track.

“We had a really good test,” Lushes said. “We came back and made a couple adjustments, and we’re going back to test next Tuesday. Cody adapted to the race track really fast, and we had a really good test there.”

Getting extra advice from driving coach Gary St. Amant – a two-time winner of the Snowball Derby – Coughlin learned the proper line around the half-mile track.

“It’s similar in shape and size to Toledo,” Coughlin said. “Obviously, the pavement is worn out more than Toledo, but one lap or two, it’s got about the same grip. Gary was telling me how to save the tires, to be easy on the throttle, and I did that. We were able to go a long time, and it was pretty racy.

“I’m feeling good about it. We all adapted fairly well, as a team, to the track. I’m looking forward to running well there.”

Coughlin will sport a special paint scheme for the race, with Santa Claus sharing space on the bright yellow No. 1 Chevrolet. Lushes worked with Speed Media to design the paint scheme.

“It’s extremely special to have a paint job like that because they have an award for whoever has the best-looking Christmas paint scheme,” Coughlin said. “But it also draws a lot of attention to our car, and that’s good promotion for JEGS. I think people will be excited about it. It’s a really cool paint scheme.”

Coughlin would love nothing more than to park his car in victory lane, and his confidence is high.

“From what I’ve been told, for how long we ran and the times we ran, they were really good times,” Coughlin said. “I think we have a good shot at a top-five and hopefully a win. It doesn’t pay any points or anything, so we’re going to go for it, obviously. It’d be a great place to get our first win – at the biggest race of the year. I think we’ll have a shot at it.”

Lushes said Coughlin has progressed well this season when he posted four top-five and seven top-10 finishes on the JEGS CRA All-Stars Tour.

“We’re ahead of schedule for what we made a plan for,” Lushes said. “We can go there and be very competitive. We can run in the top-five. And if you run top-five long enough, sooner or later, everything’s going to fall in line, and you’re going to win a race.”

Coughlin will be joined by his mom Di, his father John and his sister Kennedi for the race.

“There were will be a few people down there,” Coughlin said. “I’m not sure who all is going to go, but I’m sure there will be a few from my family. That’s always exciting, because it’s always great to have the family with us.

“Thank the Lord for all he’s done for us. Hopefully a lot of people from our family come down to watch us because it’s always fun to have them around.”

IHRA recognizes 2011 champions

By IHRA Media
Nov 10, 2011

The International Hot Rod Association crowned its world champions at the IHRA Summit Racing Equipment World Finals held earlier this year at Virginia Motorsports Park.

Click on any of the names below for a full story on each drivers run to the 2011 championship. Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks for a great year!

Top Sportsman: Glenn Wright

Top Dragster: J.B. Donati

Super Stock: Gianni Cantusci

Stock: Phil Combs

Quick Rod: Barry Ryan

Super Rod: Steve Furr

Hot Rod: Chip Johnson

Box: J.P. Schuster

No Box: Matt Hawk

FORCE LOOKING FORWARD TO CHASING 2012 FUNNY CAR TITLE

FORCE LOOKING FORWARD TO CHASING 2012 FUNNY CAR TITLE
15-Time Champion Re-Habbing after Outpatient Surgery on Old Knee Injury

YORBA LINDA, Calif. – John Force answered any questions about his level of commitment to winning another NHRA Funny Car Championship by undergoing post-season surgery to repair a damaged right knee originally injured playing high school football.

Following the 2011 NHRA season and championship banquet, Force checked into Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles for a procedure to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his throttle leg that he re-injured in a 2007 crash in Dallas, Texas, and subsequently aggravated with the exercise regimen he adopted in its aftermath.

 “This knee never affected my driving, but it became more of a nuisance the past year because I was working out and irritating it,” Force said.  “It began to affect my everyday life (so) the timing was just right to get back to normal.  I had polio as a kid and then I banged my knee up playing football.

 “I had the crash in Dallas and then I started working out,” explained the Hall of Fame owner and driver.  “When I met with my doctors, who were the same guys that worked on Kobe Bryant (the LA Lakers All-Star), they said this would get me back to 100%.  I told them I still have championships to win and grandkids to chase around and I have to be back in the seat for testing and for Pomona (the season-opening O’Reilly Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway) in February.

 “I am doing what the doctors are telling me to do.  I learned that from my doctors at Baylor (University Medical Center in Dallas, where he spent a month of rehabilitation after the crash).  I am getting electro-shock and I am walking around a little.  I’m not going to overdo it, but I also see these NFL players get the same surgery and then get back out on the field,” said the 15-time series champion.

 “All I need to be able to do is drive my hot rod.  It’s not like I have to run down the track and tackle Matt Hagan to win the championship,” joked Force.

The 62-year-old icon is re-habbing the knee at his home with special equipment designed to fast track his recovery.  He expects to be back in the cockpit of the Castrol GTX HIGH MILEAGE Ford Mustang for official PRO pre-season testing at Palm Beach International Raceway in West Palm Beach, Fla., Jan. 20-21.

“I still have a lot of racing in me and I wanted to be the best that I could be for my team and my sponsors: Castrol, Ford, Auto Club, BrandSource and Mac Tools.  They’ve been there for the good times and the bad.  Hopefully, we can give them a lot more good times in 2012.”

Although he made the Countdown to 1 playoffs last year, won the Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Denver, Colo., and secured his 27th straight Top 10 finish, Force lost more racing rounds than he won for just the second time in 27 years (14-21).  He will start the new season four round wins shy of a career record 1,100.

In addition to his own car, Force owns the Automobile Club of Southern California Ford Mustang driven by 2009 series champion Robert Hight and the Castrol GTX Ford tuned and driven by Mike Neff.  He has left open the possibility that he will add a fourth Funny Car team to the mix in 2012.

John Force Racing, Inc., which operates facilities in both Southern California and Brownsburg, Ind., has won the NHRA Funny Car Championship 17 of the last 22 seasons with three different drivers.

Bennett flying high on and off the track

Bennett flying high on and off the track

Racer and pilot putting his life on the line for fans and country

NORWALK, Ohio (November 18, 2011) – There is nothing more important than the mission.

That is all you can really think about. Safely getting the cargo from point A to point B, that is the task at hand. To do that you have to put out of your mind all that is going on around you. Forget the war. Forget the risks. This cargo HAS to make it to its destination.

The plane fires up. Pretty soon this big hulking target will be thousands of feet in the air on its way through hostile airspace. Moments before takeoff the pilot takes a few deep breaths. What can possibly get him through another trip into the unknown?

Drag racing.

Images of 230 mile per hour passes down that big, beautiful quarter-mile race through the pilots head. The wind whipping all around, swerving from centerline to wall, that is the stuff dreams are made of. All that acceleration. All that speed. The roar of the crowd as you near the finish line.

A few hours later the plane touches down. Before you know it another successful mission has been completed over the hostile skies of Iraq and Afghanistan. And right in the middle of it all is drag racing.

Sure the sport of high acceleration and incredible speed is nothing more than a form of entertainment, an escape during these tough times, but to some it is life. To some, drag racing is more than a sport. To some it is an escape from the everyday.

Even if that day includes combat missions over some of the most dangerous skies in the world.

“It is all I know. My entire childhood I grew up watching my dad, Jeff Bennett, strive to be an independent racer. He struggled a lot, but his passion kept him going and that is an important part of my life today,” said Chris Bennett, a 16-year member of the United States Air Force and driver of the “Pure Heaven” Fuel Altered and Funny Car. “There were some pretty hairy times flying over Iraq and Afghanistan, but then again there have been some pretty hairy times in my racecar too.

“As most of us adrenaline junkies can relate, you just react. You don’t think about either that much. You just do what needs to be done and either it is good enough or it isn’t. Most people who strap themselves into an airplane or a racecar know exactly what they are getting themselves into. It is a thrill, a rush, an addiction.

“I absolutely love drag racing. It is the source of all my passion and drive. It plays a major role in who I am today.”

While Bennett may look like your average racer, there is certainly nothing average about the man from Las Vegas. By day a pilot with the U.S. Air Force, flying dangerous missions all over the world, and by night a racer in one of the most thrilling classes in motorsports, Bennett lives for the rush of both. Whether answering the call of his country, or putting on a show for his fans, Bennett says that there is no separating the two and he couldn’t imagine life without either.

“When people at my job hear that I race they want to know all about it. At the track when people hear that I am a pilot it is the same thing. They both make up who I am,” Bennett said. “But drag racing is just in my blood. The acceleration, the rush and adrenaline is out of this world. Sawing on the wheel and trying to keep it between the blur of white and the blur of orange is what it is all about.”

Bennett has been racing since he was 16, growing up in a household where his father dedicated his life to the sport. Studying his father, Bennett learned the ins and outs of the acceleration game as his dad campaigned the “No Mercy” nitro machine for decades. Then, right after high school, Bennett’s racing career was put on hold when he decided to join the Air Force.

“I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after a year of community college. I was frustrated with getting accepted to some very prominent engineering schools, but then not having the money to attend,” Bennett said. “When you grow up in a racing home there is not a lot of money around for that kind of thing. So I finally decided the Air Force was the best decision for me. I wanted to serve my country and learn a skill.”

Bennett served a year at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz. studying to become an Aircraft Electrical and Environmental Specialist. After a year there, Bennett decided he wanted to expand his horizons and volunteered to serve overseas where he spent five years seeing the world and, surprisingly enough, fulfilling his drag racing fix.

“I was fortunate enough to get assigned to RAF Mildenhall in the UK where I spent nearly five years. I re-enlisted in the Air Force while I was over there and used the bonus money to buy a front engine dragster that I raced in the UK,” Bennett said. “While performing my fulltime duty as a maintenance technician I was really burning the midnight oil going to college at night. Eventually, with some hard work and dedication, I attained my bachelor’s degree and was accepted to Officer Training School and Pilot Training.

“I spent a lot of time with that dragster until 9/11 happened. After that, it was all work and no play for several years.”

With a degree finally in hand and the country in turmoil, Bennett went to work training to become a pilot, finally being assigned to fly C-17s out of McChord Air Force Base in Washington.

“I flew all over the world and spent numerous hours over both Iraq and Afghanistan. Things got interesting at times as people were shooting at us, but after a while things calmed down,” Bennett said. “While doing all that I also built my first funny car, an ex-Whit Bazemore car. I match raced all over Oregon and Washington. That is where my driving career really started to take off.”

After three years flying combat cargo missions around the world, Bennett decided to volunteer for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program in the mid 2000s where he to this day enjoys a nice career as an instructor with this unique program.

“I have been a UAV pilot for over four years now and I really enjoy it. I fly the MQ-1 Predator, which is nice because at the end of the day I get to go home regardless of the outcome” Bennett said. “It has been an amazing 16 years of active duty service. I very much value my time in the Air Force and any opportunity I get to mentor a young person about it is a pleasure.”

But amazingly that is only the prelude to Bennett’s incredible story.

While Bennett has finally found a home doing something he loves, it has also allowed him to dedicate more time to fulfilling his lifelong dream of racing. After multiple years of part-time operation, Bennett and his father decided to combine their operations three years ago and go to work on the car Bennett currently pilots today.

Combining forces with legendary racer Leon Fitzgerald, Bennett Motorsports unveiled the 1969 Camaro tribute Funny Car in 2008 with the famous “Pure Heaven IV” adorning the side. Without the body Bennett campaigns the car as a Fuel Altered with the same famous lettering on the side.

For three years Bennett and his team began their quest for drag racing glory culminating with a unique opportunity earlier this year.

In 2011, the International Hot Rod Association’s Nitro Jam series added Fuel Altered and Prostalgia℠ Nitro Funny Car fulltime to the schedule, giving Bennett a fulltime home for the first time in his racing career. It is also the first time a sanctioning body has given these out-of-control machines a fulltime home since Fuel Altereds were banned from organized competition in the 1960s.

“For some reason, the second we take the Funny Car body off and put this Bantam body on, it takes on a life of its own,” Bennett said. “There is a lot of history with Fuel Altereds and I take a lot of pride in being a third generation pilot of these cars. My biggest heroes in this sport are Fuel Altered drivers and I am humbled to be a part of their group.”

Bennett made his IHRA Nitro Jam debut in January of 2011 at Palm Beach International Raceway alongside such legendary machines as “Nanook,” “Rat Trap” and “Pure Hell” and wasted little time throwing his hat in the ring. On the very first night of competition, Bennett set what would become the standing record for the class in IHRA competition with a blazing pass of 6.030 seconds at 230.21 miles per hour and won the very first Fuel Altered race in IHRA history over Jason Richey in the “Pure Hell” machine.

Proving his early success was no fluke, in his first four races Bennett won six times in seven finals and was beginning to run away with the inaugural Fuel Altered title until he got word that he was needed back on the job following the race in San Antonio in early April. With that Bennett missed the remaining five races of the year as Ron Maroney came on strong in the “Nanook” machine and won the inaugural championship. Still, even after missing the second half of the year, Bennett still finished third in the standings behind Maroney and Richey thanks to his strong start.

In addition to Bennett’s success, the class also received quite a bit of fanfare as a whole new generation of spectators watched these nostalgia cars put on a show unlike anything seen in modern drag racing.

“Nitro Jam was a blast. The fans are amazing and it really reminds me of when I was a kid,” Bennett said. “It reminds me of when I would stand in front of a driver in complete awe. It is so amazing to be towed onto the starting line and look around and see the stands packed with cheering fans and to have all those fans come down into the pits for signatures and to talk racing. It is an amazing deal.

“We had a blast all year. We were all nerves at that first race and then to set the record off the trailer and win that first night it was complete joy. We were happy to have some success for ourselves and for Leon, the original driver of the ‘Pure Heaven’ car from the 60s. We all had a great time and the fans really responded.”

Today, after 16 years with the Air Force and many more working on and piloting some of the most spectacular race machines in the world, Bennett hopes that he can spend even more time pursuing his passion for racing and one day truly make a name for himself like all of his racing idols before him.

“We hope to race the entire 2012 season with the Fuel Altered. We will probably carry the Funny Car body along with us and have it on display so fans can get an idea of how we race as both a Funny Car and a Fuel Altered,” Bennett said. “I think we have a lot to offer this sport and hopefully we can get some more financial help to make our dreams a reality.”

IHRA sportsman racing expands again with Division 7

IHRA sportsman racing expands again with Division 7

IHRA adds second major division in two years

NORWALK, Ohio (November 18, 2011) – One year after expanding into the northwest with the newly created Division 6 Border Bandits in the western United States and Canada, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has announced that it will be expanding again, this time in the southwest and western part of the U.S.

While details are still be worked out, including a division name, a complete track list and a finalized schedule, the IHRA is thrilled to continue its expansion west and giving racers in the southwest and west an opportunity to compete in the Summit SuperSeries and Summit Team Finals programs.

“We have been working for years trying to expand our reach to new areas of the United States and Canada and I am proud to say that over the past two years we have worked hard to accomplish those goals,” said IHRA Vice President Skooter Peaco. “With the new Division 7 we will reach racers that have never had an option in racing and we hope to give that to them by providing the same great customer service and sportsman-oriented focus that has helped us excel in other regions.

“This expansion is the direct result of a group of track operators and owners getting together to organize this division with the specific goal of bringing their weekly racers more opportunity and value. We can’t thank them enough for their willingness to try something new and to take an active role in creating this division.

“This division will concentrate on the Summit SuperSeries, the Summit Team Finals and other grassroots programs that IHRA offers. We will certainly take a conservative approach to building the division, but at the end of the day it is an exciting time for IHRA to have opened two divisions in two years. That is a huge deal for us.”

Beginning as an organized division for the Summit SuperSeries and the Summit Team Finals, Division 7 will welcome racers that have, until recently, not had much experience with the IHRA. But thanks to the addition of tracks in Arizona, Utah and more in the works, the IHRA is pleased to be bringing its sportsman-focused style of racing to new areas.

The new division will also give the IHRA a reach expanding to all corners of the United States and Canada for the first time in the 40 year history of the organization. And with the recent announcement of an expansion of the popular Summit Sportsman Spectacular into new markets as well, the IHRA is excited to be adding more value for sportsman racers in a time when the industry is cutting back.

“We are always looking to add value for our sportsman racers and by giving them new venues, new programs and even more attention, we create the value and opportunity that are unmatched in drag racing,” Peaco added. “This is just the beginning of what we hope is a new era of IHRA drag racing.”

In addition to a divisional reach spanning the U.S. and Canada, the IHRA also sanctions tracks in Aruba, Curacao, New Zealand and Puerto Rico. Check back with IHRA.com for more information on the newly created Division 7 and its schedule and plans for 2012.

Troy Coughlin eyes big payday in Las Vegas

Troy Coughlin eyes big payday in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 17) — World champion drag racer Troy Coughlin will be part of the star-studded line-up racing for a $20,000 payout at this weekend’s seventh annual Street Car Supernationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Billed as the biggest East vs. West Showdown of it’s type, Coughlin, the 2009 NMCA Pro Street champion, will match his twin-turbo charged JEGS.com hot rod up against some of the top names in the sport running supercharged, nitrous and turbo configurations.

“I’ve raced in a lot of big-time events over the years and you’d be hard pressed to find one with the talent level of the Street Car Supernationals,” Coughlin said. “All the hitters will be there, and my adrenaline already is pumping because I know we’re going to need to be on our game to have success. We are definitely up for the challenge.”

U.S. Nationals winner Eric Dillard headlines the roster of competitors, which includes Steve Matusek, Lee Smith, John Mihovetz, Dan Nickelson, Mike Maggio, Marc Meadors, Joe Delehay, Don Wilk, Dan Myers, Yvonne Lucas, Ed Thornton, Clint Hairston, Giuseppe Gentile, Rod Burbage, Tony Marino, Jim Knight, Sean Renteria, Wade Maggio, Bret Williamson, Rick Snavely, Greg Seth-Hunter, Monty Berney, Tommy Johanns, Mark Campbell, Toni Moretto, Kelly Bluebaugh, Glen May, Joe Lepone Jr., Randy Walker and Joe Barry.

“There’s a lot more West Coast than East Coast on the list but that’s okay,” said Coughlin, who hails from Delaware, Ohio. “We’ll just have to dig that much deeper to represent. The truth is, we all want to win and everyone is going to be tough.

“We’re using the same car we raced at the end of the Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series in NHRA competition. We just had to adjust the weight and a few other little things. The car was running great at the end of the season and we feel as though we can carry that success over to this race.

“Racing at a Bruton Smith track you know we’ll have a great racing surface to pound on and the weather is usually great in Vegas this time of year. This should be a great event.”

Action begins at 3:30 p.m. Thursday with the Pro Street Quickest Pass Challenge. For a complete schedule, visit www.streetcarsupernationals.com.

Season launches in Florida at UNOH DIRTcar Nationals, heads west for March

World of Outlaws Sprint Cars Returning to Tucson, Perris in Spring

Season launches in Florida at UNOH DIRTcar Nationals, heads west for March

CONCORD, N.C. — Nov. 17, 2011 — Over the past 34 years, eight different drivers have won a World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series championship, spanning from Steve Kinser’s first of 20 titles in 1978 to Jason Meyers’ two most recent crowns in 2010 and ’11. At the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals in February at Volusia Speedway Park, ‘The Greatest Show on Dirt’ will launch its 35^th season and begin its annual journey across North America with a busy spring schedule.

The 2012 season officially begins Feb. 17-18-19 as part of the 41^st UNOH DIRTcar Nationals, which runs from Feb. 14-25 and also includes All Star Sprint Cars, World of Outlaws Late Models, Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds, DIRTcar UMP Modifieds and DIRTcar Late Models.

From Florida, the Outlaws will head west for events every week during March, beginning Saturday, March 3, with the series’ return to Arizona and Tucson’s USA Raceway for the World of Outlaws Wildcat Shootout. The series will invade the Las Vegas Motor Speedway dirt track on Thursday, March 8, during the track’s NASCAR week and then quickly roll to Southern California’s Perris Auto Speedway on Saturday, March 10 for the World of Outlaws SoCal Showdown. The Tucson and Perris events will be the first World of Outlaws races at those tracks since 2007.

The Outlaws will remain in California for the rest of March, heading Friday and Saturday, March 16-17, toThunderbowl Raceway in Tulare; Friday and Saturday, March 23-24, toSilver Dollar Speedway in Chico for the Mini Gold Cup; Friday, March 30, to Merced Speedway and then Saturday, March 31, to Calistoga Speedway .

“The schedule keeps growing stronger and is evidence of the excitement to see the stars of the World of Outlaws,” said World Racing Group President Tom Deery. “Kicking off the season as part of all the events in the Daytona Beach area and then heading to Tucson, Las Vegas and California makes for an exciting and challenging start to the 2012 season.”

Tickets to the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals are available now by clicking WorldofOutlaws.com/tickets or calling 877-395-8606. Tickets for the races at USA Raceway Park, Perris Auto Speedway, Silver Dollar Speedway, Merced Speedway and Calistoga Speedway will also be available soon at WorldofOutlaws.com/tickets while tickets for the event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway can be purchased by calling 800-644-4444 and tickets for the event at Thunderbowl Raceway can be purchased by calling 559-688-0909.

The balance of the 2012 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series schedule will be announced soon, including the Lowes Foods World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte on Nov. 1-2-3.

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series 2012 February-March events

Day, Date	Track	Location
Friday, Feb. 17	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville, Fla.
Saturday, Feb. 18	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville, Fla.
Sunday, Feb. 19	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville, Fla.
Saturday, March 3	USA Raceway	Tucson, Ariz.
Thursday, March 8	Las Vegas Motor Speedway	Las Vegas
Saturday, March 10	Perris Auto Speedway	Perris, Calif.
Friday, March 16	Thunderbowl Raceway	Tulare, Calif.
Saturday, March 17	Thunderbowl Raceway	Tulare, Calif.
Friday, March 23	Silver Dollar Speedway	Chico, Calif.
Saturday, March 24	Silver Dollar Speedway	Chico, Calif.
Friday, March 30	Merced Speedway	Merced, Calif.
Saturday, March 31	Calistoga Speedway	Calistoga, Calif.

Summit Sportsman Spectacular events expanded to three huge weekends in 2012

Summit Sportsman Spectacular events expanded to three huge weekends in 2012

NORWALK, Ohio (November 15, 2011) – After a successful debut in 2011, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) is pleased to announce that the IHRA Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Spectacular program will be expanded to include three huge races to be held across the United States in 2012

The only big money, all sportsman class race to feature all seven national event sportsman categories will feature events at San Antonio Raceway May 25-27, Maryland International Raceway July 13-15 and Memphis International Raceway October 12-14. Each race is open to racers carrying a valid IHRA or NHRA license with $5,000 going to the winner of each of the seven IHRA sportsman classes. Winners meeting certain criteria will also be eligible for the season-ending IHRA Summit Tournament of Champions.

“We couldn’t be happier to be expanding our sportsman programs when the industry is becoming more conservative. We are always looking for new ways to add value for our sportsman racers and these events are a big part of that,” said Skooter Peaco, IHRA Vice President. “This event was created to give our racers a chance to compete for a large, guaranteed payout and allow racers outside the IHRA a chance to experience what we are all about. After a hugely successful debut this year, it only made sense to bring this program back and expand to new locations. Bringing this unique event to Division 4 and San Antonio Raceway was the logical choice because of the amount of support we have from sportsman racers in that area.

“Our focus for 2012 will continue to be on creating value and opportunity at an affordable price for our sportsman racers at all levels. These Summit Sportsman Spectacular events are a driving force behind IHRA’s vision for what we want to do for our sportsman racers.”

What began as a special race designed to recognize the 40th anniversary season of the IHRA in 2011 has quickly grown into one of the biggest events in IHRA history. After the debut events at MIR and Virginia Motorsports Park brought out over 400 racers from over half the U.S. and Canada, the IHRA decided to bring the program back in 2012 and expand to two new markets.

The first event will take place at San Antonio Raceway in Texas during Memorial Day weekend May 25-27 in a race in the heart of drag racing country. The Summit Sportsman Spectacular will return to Maryland International Raceway two months later the weekend of July 13-15 at one of the top motorsports destinations on the east coast. The 2012 slate of Summit Sportsman Spectacular events will come to a close at the newly renovated and ideally located Memphis International Raceway as part of the IHRA Summit World Finals weekend.

All three events will be open to all racers carrying a valid IHRA or NHRA license. Racing will be contested in Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Super Stock, Stock, Quick Rod, Super Rod and Hot Rod with $5,000 going to the winner.

While all winners are guaranteed the $5,000 payout, only IHRA members will be eligible to qualify for the season ending IHRA Summit Tournament of Champions which crowns the sportsman world champions. In addition to rewarding world champions with a $10,000 cash prize the overall top 10 finishers will share over $125,000 in points fund money.

2011 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Season Recap

2011 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Season Recap

‘Greatest Show on Dirt’ now set’s sights on 41st UNOH DIRTcar Nationals

CONCORD, N.C — November 14, 2011 — What a difference a year can make. In 2010, World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series title race would go down as one of the most exciting in history as four drivers entered in season ending Lowes Foods World Finals presented by Tom’s Snacks, Coca-Cola and Natures Own with a four drivers having a mathematical shot at the title. In 2011, however, Jason Meyers didn’t want to leave near as much to chance. When the series rolled into the Dirt Track at Charlotte last November, Meyers held a 96 point advantage over four-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz. Meyers captured the title in dramatic fashion by sweeping the final two races of the season. Flash forward one year and the driver of the #14 DDNi/Media-Tile/GLR Investments/All-Star Performance KPC was atop the series points standings once again but by over 240 markers this year. After riding the strength of one of the most impressive winning streaks in recent World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series history, Meyers solidified his position in the series history books by becoming only the fifth driver to win multiple titles.

In a season that saw Schatz capture his fifth Goodyear Knoxville Nationals crown, Tyler Walker capitalize on Sammy Swindells heartbreak at the Kings Royal and many more memorable moments, Meyers and his Elite Racing team quietly put together one of the strongest seasons in recent memory. With five bonus points going to the fastest qualifier at each race, Meyers used Charlie Garrett horsepower record twelve Quick Time’s on the season. The Clovis, Calif. native also led the series in top-5 and top-10 finishes. In the month of July alone, Meyers finished 14 of 17 races in the top-5.

While Meyers didn’t catch fire until the summer months, Steve Kinser looked to be the man to beat after the series opened the season at the 40 ^th Annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. The 20-time series champion served notice to the rest of the field by claiming back to back victories. Throughout the entire season, the #11 Bass Pro Shops/J.D. Byrider/Chevrolet ran near the front and continued to prove that Kinser was among the best of the best behind the wheel of a sprint car.

Kinser’s Tony Stewart Racing teammate, Donny Schatz, continued his climb towards the ranks of Sprint Car immorality in 2011. Schatz captured the annual Brad Doty Classic in July to move into the fourth spot on the series all-time win’s list, one spot ahead of his childhood idol, Doug Wolfgang. When August rolled around, Schatz was fierce as ever, leading 35 of the 50 laps to claim his 5^th win in sprint car racing’s crown jewel event, the Goodyear Knoxville Nationals. Schatz also went on to sweep the season ending Lowes Foods World Finals presented by Tom’s Snacks, Coca-Cola and Nature’s Own at the Dirt Track at Charlotte.

Kasey Kahne Racing continued to enjoy success at sprint car racing’s top level as all three machines visited victory lane in 2011. Brownsburg, Ind. native Joey Saldana appeared to be the early favorite for the title as he led the series standings throughout the spring and into the summer months. Sadly, Saldana’s hopes for a first career World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series title ended with a vicious crash at the Kings Royal. Saldana would be sidelined with multiple injuries for nine weeks but returned with a vengeance as he won his first two races back, including an emotional return to Eldora Speedway, the site of his accident.

Saldana’s teammates also enjoyed success on the season. Paul McMahan put his #83 HR Cattle/Roth Motorsports Maxim in victory lane four times on the season including the Outlaws Showdown at the Dirt Track at Charlotte in May and the series return to the Belleville Highbanks in early June. McMahan also picked up ten Quick Time honors on the season. Youngster Cody Darrah drove his #91 Great Clips Maxim to victory at Castrol Raceway in late August and claimed the annual Oil City Cup by virtue of having the highest average finishing position over the two races.

Craig Dollansky ended 2011 with nine victories on the season. The Elk River, Minn. native notched wins in the grueling Ironman 55 at I-55 Raceway, the Mini Gold Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway and swept the Duel in the Dakota’s at River Cities Speedway. Dollansky was never too far from the front as he finshed fourth on the total laps led chart with 218 and was presented with the overall KSE Hardcharger award for passing the most cars in 2011.

Coming out of the 40^th Annual DIRTcar Nationals presented by UNOH, Jason Sides was red hot. The Bartlett, Tenn. native scored his first win of the season in only the third race and kept the strong momentum going into the early summer months. Sides notched three more wins until a mid-summer slump slowed his #7s Wetherington Tractor Service Maxim. “Double Down” rebounded on the Outlaws second West Coast Tour as he finished second in the prestigious Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway.

Kraig Kinser wheeled the #6 Caseys General Stores Maxim to victory at Cottage Grove Speedway on Labor Day. With his victory, the Bloomington, Ind. native gave car owner Lonnie Parsons his second win in a row at the quarter mile bull ring. In addition to the win, Kinser opened the season strong with a top-5 showing on the second night of the 41^st DIRTcar Nationals presented by UNOH.

Chad Kemenah and Lucas Wolfe both contended for victories throughout the season. Kemenah was strong early on with a fourth place finish at Royal Purple Race and showed surprising strength at Williams Grove Speedway all season long. Wolfe continued to inch ever closer to his first career series win. The Mechanicsburg, Pa. native led the first 24 laps of the Outlaws debut at the Salina Highbanks Speedway only to lose a tire near the end of the race. Wolfe also flexed some muscle at the beginning of August when he finished in the top-5 four consecutive races.

Bill Rose played the role of veteran rookie in 2011. Despite driving a transporter with more than a million miles and using old tires on his race car, Rose kept up with the Outlaws nearly every where they went. The Plainfield, Ind. native scored his best finish of the season, third, at River Cities Speedway. Upon climbing from his #6R KJM Trucking Maxim, he was given a standing ovation by the sold out crowd.

2011 saw some familiar, fresh and famous faces reach Victory Lane for the first time. Sunnyvale, Tex. native and former touring driver Sam Hafertepe Jr. captured his first career World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series victory at Skagit Speedway during the Outlaws second west coast swing. Kyle Larson’s awe inspiring 2011 season saw the Elk Grove, Calif. youngster capture the annual Gold Cup Race of Champions for his first series victory. Rounding out the first time winners was NASCAR superstar and World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series team owner Tony Stewart. The Rushville, Ind. native held off a hard charging Sammy Swindell to get his first win in the series.

With the 2011 season in the books after the Lowes Foods World Finals presented by Tom’s Snacks, Coca Cola and Natures Own at the Dirt Track at Charlotte, each driver and team will turn their attention to the 41^st Annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park.

Final 2011 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Points Standings:

Pos.	Driver	Total	Diff	Wins	Top 5	Top 10	QT
1	Jason Meyers	8929		9	41	56	12
2	Donny Schatz	8681	-248	8	33	52	2
3	Steve Kinser	8660	-269	9	31	51	3
4	Paul McMahan	8487	-442	4	20	46	10
5	Craig Dollansky	8470	-459	9	29	46	3
6	Jason Sides	8314	-615	4	21	42	3
7	Lucas Wolfe	7880	-1049	0	7	25	0
8	Kraig Kinser	7818	-1111	1	6	23	0
9	Chad Kemenah	7686	-1243	0	5	20	4
10	Cody Darrah	7438	-1491	1	7	19	0
11	Joey Saldana	7237	-1692	6	20	29	6
12	Sammy Swindell	7175	-1754	4	22	34	11
13	Bill Rose	6366	-2563	0	1	4	0
14	Kerry Madsen	5762	-3167	0	7	22	0
15	Brad Sweet	5275	-3654	0	10	25	2
16	Sam Hafertepe Jr.	3146	-5783	1	5	13	2
17	Ben Gregg	2723	-6206	0	1	2	0
18	Daryn Pittman	2340	-6589	1	6	11	1
19	Tim Shaffer	2246	-6683	2	9	13	1
20	Austen Wheatley	2127	-6802	0	0	0	0

The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Armor All (Official Car Care Products), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Goodyear Tires (Official Tire), Chizmark & Larson Insurance , Factory Motor Parts, VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), Vicci (Official Apparel); in addition to contingency sponsors, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, RacingJunk.com KSE Race Products, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and R2C Performance; Engine Builder’s Challenge participants Don Ott Racing Engines, Kistler Engines, Shaver Specialties and Speedway Engines; and Chassis Builder’s Challenge participants J&J Auto Racing, Maxim Racing and XXX Race Company.