American Racing News - Issue 4

NASCAR INDYCAR DRAG RACING MOTORCYCLES DIRT TRACK ASPHALT OFF ROAD RALLYCROSS

Rossi Wins the 100th Indy 500

” e n i L e h t e “To h c n u P k c o t S o Pr

Volume 1 Issue 4

A DenKel Media Publication

Photo of the Month

Ryden Hunter-Reay during Indy 500 driver introductions - Chris Owens Photo

4 Bench Racer 5 NASCAR 13 IndyCar 18 Drag Racing 23 Straight Line 25 Motorcycle 30 Dirt 34 RallyCross 36 Off Road 38 Hall of Fame 40 Asphalt 43 Next Issue

Cover: Jason Line photos courtesy of NHRA.com and gregandersonracing.net Rossi Wins photo is courtesy of IndyCar PR

Bench Racer

By Dennis Keeley

Who Is The Modern Race Fan? We now live in a world that is instant, exciting and impatient.

Attention spans are short and the appetite for excitement is high.

Today’s fan has multiple entertainment sources begging for their attention. In order to gain fans, we need to grab and keep their attention.

I think NHRA with its 10,000 horsepower 3 second blasts and sprint car sanctioning bodies like USAC and AMA Flat Track, with their multiple short heat races, have a great opportunity to captivate the short attention span of the modern race fan.

American Racing News is a bright,bold, colorfull glimpse into the world of racing in the USA.

The modern race fan has grown up with on demand news and entertainment. They’ve seen every possible death defying stunt imaginable on YouTube. These fans are hard to impress with the danger element of racing and get bored easily. It is best to provide non-stop action and constant drama.

Each issue will bring you a variety of series,stars and cars (or bikes) that make us die hard racing fans.

Also, the moment the action on the track pauses, this fan will burry their nose into cell phones or tablets so you had better give them something to look at online during your event.

Subscriptions and back issues are available at americanracingnews.com

Promoters need a fast paced show with minimal downtime and plenty of stimulation to keep this fan’s attention. They need live online updates and entertainment options.

We too try to please the modern race fan with short informative articles and bright, bold, colorful photos that paint a picture of what is going on with racing in the USA.

If you have a press release that you would like to submit for consideration, please send it to: denkelmedia@usa.com

We all know a modern race fan. So, the next time you get a chance, point out the details that make racing great. Show them the perfect welds, the neatly ran wires and hoses, the beautiful paint.

Show them that the fastest sport in the world is worth slowing down enough to study the details.

DenKel Media DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS

Remember, that no matter how long you have been a fan, you too were a modern race fan at one time.

__________________________ denkelmedia@usa.com

4 | American Racing News | Bench Racer

Danica Patrick sat down on the set of "The Dan Patrick Show" on Tuesday to promote the start of the NASCAR on NBC season (the show is simulcasted on NBCSN), which embarks this Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway with the Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola (7:45 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

And boy, did things get interesting.

The Stewart-Haas Racing driver touched on a variety of subjects, talking about differentiating how her competitors act on the track versus in real life, who she'd

help win a race first: team owner Tony Stewart or boyfriend Ricky Stenhouse Jr. -- hint: she's a good employee -- and whether or not she can beat up Kasey Kahne if the pair had an on-track issue.

"Oh, definitely (I could take Kasey Kahne in a fight)," Patrick said. "There's a lot of them I could take, but Kasey's definitely one of them. I should've probably taken care of that at Fontana when he right-reared me at 210 (mph), but I didn't. Instead he was a little scared for a while. I didn't say a lot of hellos. I kind of wanted to keep him right there."

By Staff report | NASCAR.COM

NASCAR | American Racing News | 5

FIRST MEXICAN DRIVER TO WIN NASCAR NATIONAL SERIES RACE Story and Photos | NASCAR.com

DAYTONA BEACH, FL. (June 11, 2016) -- Daniel Suárez earned his first career NASCAR XFINITY Series win on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, becoming the first Mexican-born driver to capture a NASCAR national series victory.

With the victory, Suárez clinches a spot in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase.

Suárez, a graduate of both the NASCAR Drive for Diversity and NASCAR Next programs, has accomplished a long list of accolades since joining NASCAR in

2011. Last season, he became the first Mexican driver to win the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award, finishing fifth in the championship standings.

This season, Suárez became the first foreign-born driver to lead the points in any of the three NASCAR national Series, topping the NASCAR XFINITY Series standings for six consecutive weeks. He is the current points leader in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, the series where "Names Are Made."

Suárez, 24, has quickly climbed the NASCAR ladder system throughout his career, with full-time stops in

the NASCAR Mexico Series and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East before joining the NASCAR XFINITY Series with Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2015 season.

During his four years (2011-14) in the NASCAR Mexico Series, Suárez won 10 races and finished in the top 10 in championship points in all four of his seasons, including a runner-up championship finish in 2013.

In two full-time seasons in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Suárez won three races and finished third in the final standings in 2013.

Suárez had scored six runner-up finishes in the national series prior to his win on Saturday.

With the victory, Suárez becomes only the fifth Latino driver to win a NASCAR national series race, joining Frank Mundy, Juan Pablo Montoya, Aric Almirola and Nelson Piquet Jr. NASCAR Next is an industry-wide initiative designed to spotlight to best and brightest rising young stars in racing. NASCAR Drive for Diversity, operated by Rev Racing, is an academy-style development program for female and multicultural drivers and crew members who have the potential and determination to succeed at the highest levels of NASCAR.

6 | American Racing News | NASCAR

DANIEL SUAREZ BIRTHDAY: JANUARY 7, 1992 HOMETOWN: MONTERREY, MX HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5'9" / 166 LBS CREW CHIEF: SCOTT GRAVES SPONSOR: ARRIS Arris Group is an American telecommunications equipment manufacturing company that provides cable operators with high-speed data, video and telephony systems for homes and businesses.

NASCAR | American Racing News | 7

Photo | www.arriseverywhere.com

Chevrolet is marking the 50th anniversary of the Camaro's introduction this year, and on Thursday unveiled its 2017 NASCAR XFINITY Series Camaro SS -- the model for Chevrolet race cars starting next season.

The new XFINITY Series Camaro will debut in the 2017 season opener at Daytona.

"For the past 50 years, Camaro has played a key role in Chevrolet's racing success in winning races and championships," said Mark Kent, director of Chevrolet Racing. "We look forward to further success with the new Camaro SS in the NASCAR XFINITY Series."

The fifth-generation Camaro was introduced into the NASCAR XFINITY Series in 2013.

8 | American Racing News | NASCAR

Hornish, Jr. wins XFINITY race at Iowa: #18-Sam Hornish, Jr won the American Ethanol E15 250 at Iowa Speedway. It is his 4th XFINITY Series win, 1st of the year,and 1st since June of 2014 at Iowa Speedway. #3-Ty Dillon finished second, followed by #22-Brad Keselowski, #19-Daniel Suarez, #88-Alex Bowman, #1-Elliott Sadler, #7-Justin Allgaier, #48Brennan Poole, #6-Darrell Wallace, Jr., and #2Ben Kennedy (making his XFINITY debut).

Hornish lead 183 of the 250 laps. He was not originally scheduled to run the race. Joe Gibbs Racing selected him early in the week after back issues sidelined Matt Tifft.

Pole sitter #20-Erik Jones had a fuel pickup problem early and had to go behind the wall to replace the fuel cell.

He finished 27th.

NASCAR | American Racing News | 9

BELL EARNS FIRST CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES WIN OF 2016 MADISON, Ill. -- A gutsy decision to use the bottom lane for a restart with two laps to go paid off for Christopher Bell, who earned his second career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory in Saturday night's third annual Drivin for Linemen 200 at Gateway Motorsports Park.

Bell, driver of the No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota Tundra, survived a chaotic and intense second half to edge Ben Rhodes to the checkered flag, giving KBM its 50th victory in the series, tying Roush Fenway Racing for the all-time series wins lead.

Rhodes, who contended for his first career win, had to settle for a career-best second.

For the second consecutive year, Mother Nature soaked the 1.25mile track shortly before qualifying was to begin, forcing the field to be set by combined practice speeds, handing the top starting position to Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Rhodes.

Despite an hour and fifteen-minute delay for inclement weather, Rhodes would lose the lead on the start from veteran Johnny Sauter who held command untilTyler Reddick elected to stay out on a Lap 26 caution for an incident in Turn 3.

The bold strategy for Reddick paid off with the race lead until the event's third caution on Lap 65 for the expiration of the caution clock. During routine pit stops, a quick stop from William Byron's crew handed him the lead.

The NASCAR Next alumnus led for a whopping 48 laps, until outside pole sitter Sauter squeezed ahead on pit road following a Lap 113 caution for the second expiration of the caution clock.

The two would be under attack on the restart from Christopher Bell who surged into the lead on Lap on Lap 119 and despite losing the lead to Rhodes on Lap 149, the Toyota Racing development driver reclaimed the lead on Lap 153 and held on for his first NCWTS win on pavement.

The event was red-flagged three times for incidents. The first for a three-truck incident in Turn 3 on Lap 120 lasted six minutes, 38 seconds. The second came 11 laps from the finish for a seven-truck accident in Turn 4 for a total of 10 minutes, 50 seconds. The final red flag broke out behind the leaders for an incident betweenSpencer Gallagher and John Wes Townley that lasted 12 minutes, 49 seconds.

The two drivers wrestled after climbing from their trucks and were summoned to the Truck Series hauler post-race.

10 | American Racing News | NASCAR

By Chris Knight | NASCAR Wire Service

"This one's for my guys," "My guys, they deserve this one.

I just can't say thank you enough to all the guys at Toyota, TRD, JBL, everyone at KBM."

NASCAR | American Racing News | 11

KESELOWSKI TRIES TEAM PENSKE INDY CAR Story and Photos | INDYCAR.COM

Brad Keselowski took a day off from his regular job as a Team Penske NASCAR driver to hop into Simon Pagenaud’s No. 22 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet for a few exciting laps around the scenic 4.048-mile permanent road course.

“I’ve always wanted to drive an Indy car, I think (Penske Racing President) Tim Cindric knew that," Keselowski said. "The opportunity came up to dip my toes in the water and kind of expand my knowledge base and put it in the back of my mind for wherever it goes, I don’t know. But it was a heck of an opportunity and I’m glad to have a chance.”

Pagenaud shook down the car for his teammate before the late-afternoon run by the Indy car newcomer.

“First thing I told Simon is he has a very secure job, at least from me," Keselowski said after the test. "I’ve got a lot of respect for him and his team, everyone at Team Penske. This 22 Menards team, they did a great job today and I had a lot of fun going with them. Simon was fast, really fast and gave me a good rabbit to chase. I learned a ton today and had a lot of fun. I’ve got to let it soak in here to think about all of it."

“I’ve always wanted to drive an Indy car” Keselowski appreciated early on the differences in handling and braking between the Indy car and stock car. “(The Indy car) sure was getting in the corners a lot deeper," he said. "I

12 | American Racing News | NASCAR / IndyCar

think the Indy car just pulls so many G’s through the center of the corner and in the brake zone. You have to build confidence in it because the stock car does everything it can to wreck your confidence and in the Indy car it’s important to have confidence. So you have to kind of unlearn everything you learned in a stock car to be good in these cars. That’s a heck of a process but a fun one.

“It’s certainly a different feel, trying to get acclimated to a different seat and you lean back more. I was kind of sitting in Simon’s seat and it doesn’t always fit you perfect, so it wears you out pretty quick. But it’s a good way to get worn out.”

Cover Story | American Racing News | Photo | IndyCar PR

Rossi’s Fuel Saving Strategy was No Fluke IndyCar.com – How did Alexander Rossi prepare for the dramatic fuelsaving run that carried him to victory in Sunday’s 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil? By nearly running out the night before.

I guess I got some practice in my Honda Pilot. Buy one, they're amazing,” Rossi said today following the traditional winning driver’s photos, complete with the winning car and Borg-Warner Trophy on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway yard of bricks.

Rossi was headed to the Andretti Autosport team dinner party on the eve of the historic race. An admitted risk taker when it comes to pushing passenger vehicles’ fuel tank limits, the 24-year-old Verizon IndyCar Series rookie said today he was precariously close to running dry.

“I like to see how far I can go (on a tank of fuel), but I would never imagine doing that in a race, specifically the Indy 500, for a win. I tried to turn off the air conditioning in the race car (to save fuel),” he joked, “but I couldn't find the switch.”

But just as in his amazing 36-lap run to the checkered flag on a single load of ethanol to win Sunday’s epic race, Rossi made it to the dinner without the need of a splash and go.

“I was at zero miles to the gallon and I needed two miles to get to the exit, so

How Rossi, in just his sixth series race and second on an oval, gained the knowledge to save enough fuel in his No. 98 NAPA Auto Parts/Curb Honda to travel those final 90 miles Sunday was a prime topic today. Some of the wisdom came almost by accident – literally.

“I was experimenting out there, and it was actually a little bit of a fluke that I figured out how to save the most,” Rossi said. “I had a big moment in Turn 2 and I had to bail out of the throttle quite a bit behind Scott (Dixon). I came across the line and I was still behind Scott quite close, and the fuel (mileage target) number was above what I needed.

“I was like, ‘All right.’ Not that I want to try and end up in the wall in Turn 2 every lap, but I figured out a technique that worked quite well.”

It did. Rossi squeezed enough miles out of the 18.5-gallon tank to reach the finish while the other leaders had to make late stops for a splash. Many didn’t notice, the native Californian said, but he had been in fuel conservation mode the entire second half of the race after a lengthy pit stop due

IndyCar | American Racing News | 13

Cover Story | American Racing News |

Photo | Chris Qwens

to, off all things, difficulty getting fuel into the car.

“What a lot of people think when they hear I was running out of fuel (at the end of the race), they think it was something that I had to adjust for on the last like two or three laps,” he said. “But this was a decision that was made 90 laps prior. I was in fuel conserve mode from that point, all the while trying to maintain and advance my position. It was a pretty tricky end to the race.”

There may also have been a bit of divine guidance involved. Andretti and Bryan Herta are co-owners of the Andretti Herta Autosport with CurbAgajanian car Rossi drove to Victory Circle. The late Dan Wheldon won the Indy 500 for Andretti on May 29, 2005; he won it again driving for Herta on May 29, 2011.

Rossi won on May 29, 2016, driving the same No. 98 Wheldon rode to victory five years ago when another rookie – JR Hildebrand – nearly won

the race by going the final 36 laps on a tank of fuel, until Hildebrand crashed exiting Turn 4 on the last lap.

Did Wheldon have a hand in Rossi’s Indianapolis 500 destiny from above?

“I’m not going to discount it,” Herta said.

“Maybe, it’s possible,” Andretti added. “This place is hard to explain. As Marco (Andretti) said the other day, this place picks the winner. It’s funny how it works out.”

“I have no idea how we pulled that off.”

14 | American Racing News | IndyCar

Photo | IndyCar PR

Story & Photos | IndyLights.com

PALMETTO, FL. – This year will mark a welcome return to the picturesque Road America circuit for all three levels of the highly acclaimed Mazda Road to Indy, with a pair of races on the docket for each series in support of the Verizon IndyCar Series’ Kohler Grand Prix. Located in Elkhart Lake, WI., the 4.048-mile, 14-turn road course has long been a driver and fan favorite.

thew Brabham and Scott Anderson earning victory honors.

son Motorsports, Andretti Autosport and Belardi Auto Racing.

Six Indy Lights drivers have claimed victory in the eight rounds held to date but only two drivers have notched a pair of wins in the hotly contested championship – Ed Jones of Carlin and Dean Stoneman of Andretti Autosport. Only 29 points separate the two at the season’s halfway mark with Jones looking to extend his lead this weekend.

Andretti Autosport indeed has shown its progress. In the most recent round – the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Stoneman took the win while teammate Dalton Kellett finished third to claim his career-best result with Shelby Blackstock fourth.

Hot on their heels are Santi Urrutia (Schmidt Peterson Motorsports with Curb-Agajanian), Kyle Kaiser (Juncos Racing) and Felix Serralles (Belardi Auto Racing), who are separated by a mere six points with Urrutia only 10 markers in arrears of Stoneman.

Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires has held only four events at the legendary circuit, making its last appearance 25 years ago in 1990 with Paul Tracy taking the win en route to the championship title. The Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda have a more recent history. The last Pro Mazda race took place in 2010 with IndyCar talent Conor Daly winning from the pole. USF2000 last held a tripleheader event in 2012 with Mat-

Two new faces will be on the Road America grid as Garett Grist moves up from Pro Mazda to make his Indy Lights debut with Team Pelfrey and James French of nearby Sheboygan debuts with Belardi Auto Racing, filling in for Sweden’s Felix Rosenqvist who has European racing commitments this weekend.

The majority of the Lights teams tested at Road America in May including Carlin, Juncos Racing, Schmidt Peter-

IndyCar | American Racing News | 15

Photos & Story (Edited for length) | IndyCar.com

BOURDAIS WORKS THROUGH FIELD TO WIN CHEVROLET DUAL IN DETROIT RACE 1 When asked how he won his second consecutive race at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park, Sebastien Bourdais struggled to find a spot-on answer.

“I’m not sure I know the scenario actually,” the four-time Indy car champion said after taking the No. 11 Team Hydroxycut – KVSH Racing Chevrolet to Victory Lane in Race 1 of the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans. “I think I missed a couple of steps how we got from 13th to 16th to 18th to last, pretty much, 13th again, then jumping into the lead.”

16 | American Racing News | IndyCar

After starting 13th, Bourdais used an alternate strategy to most of the field to climb up the standings. He was one of several drivers to pit in the first few laps of the race, but was one of just two to pit again on Lap 13, during a caution caused when Max Chilton’s No. 8 Gallagher Chevrolet made contact with the wall at Turn 7 on the 2.35-mile Belle Isle temporary street course.

Bourdais was 19th following his second stop, but found himself fourth on a Lap 46 restart after many of the leaders pitted. But unlike last week’s

Indianapolis 500, which saw Alexander Rossi use fuel conservation to win the 100th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” today’s race benefited those who ran hard to the end.

Bourdais rotated to the lead on pit cycles at Lap 55 and pitted on Lap 56, but had built enough of a gap to Castroneves that he came out ahead of the Brazilian and pedaled off to his 35th career Indy car victory, tying him with Bobby Unser for sixth on the all-time win list.

POWER WILLS HIS WAY TO VICTORY IN CHEVROLET DUAL IN DETROIT RACE 2 Will Power’s Sunday started with frustration, but by day’s end the Australian found redemption at Race 2 of the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans, ending a 19-race Verizon IndyCar Series winless streak.

Power won the 70-lap race on the 2.35-mile temporary street course by 0.9203 of a second over Team Penske teammate Simon Pagenaud.

In qualifying posting his two top laps were revoked by a qualifying interference penalty.

The punishment relegated Power to an eighth-place starting spot, while Pagenaud won his fourth Verizon P1 Award of the season and second of the weekend.

“It’s frustrating, man,” a frustrated Power said after qualifying. “I mean, we were so fast.”

Power’s break came when those ahead of Power made their final stops, all the driver of the No. 12 had to do was hit his marks and cruise to victory, which he did for the 26th time in his Indy car career.

Power was also happy to be the one of four Team Penske drivers to win at Chevrolet’s de facto home track.

“Roger, said one of us needs to win, and for Chevrolet,” Power said. “Believe me, I’m very happy to be the one.”

Power’s win was his first since the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis in May 2015 Pagenaud earned his sixth podium of the season, extending his points lead to 80 over Scott Dixon, who finished fifth.

IndyCar | American Racing News | 17

Toe Photo |NHRA.com

KB Racing’s

Part One of Summit’s Photo |NHRA.com

18 | American Racing News | Drag Racing

Feature Story | American Racing News |

The Line

DATE OF BIRTH: July 24, 1969 HOMETOWN: Wright, MN. CAREER WINS: 44 CAREER FINAL ROUNDS: 89 CAREER BEST E.T.: 6.455 CAREER BEST SPEED: 215.17 Career Highlights 2015: Raced to two victories; Posted two runner-up finishes; Powered to three No. 1 qualifying positions; Set a national record in time at Charlotte 1 with a 6.455 second performance 2014: Finished second in the Mello Yello Series points standings; entered the Countdown to the Championship playoffs as the No. 1 seed; posted three No. 1 qualifying positions 2013: Finished third in the Mello Yello Series points standings 2012: Joined prestigious 200-mph Club for breaking the A/Modified Production record at Bonneville Salt Flats 2011: Won his second NHRA Full Throttle Series championship; Set the national e.t. record with a pass of 6.477 seconds 2006: Earned his first career POWERade Series world championship title; Won four of nine final-round appearances; Ended teammate Greg Anderson’s streak of three consecutive world championship titles 2004: Honored as Rookie of the Year; Claimed four victories in eight final round appearances; Recorded careerbest numbers in time and speed; One of only two drivers to beat champion Greg Anderson in a final-round match-up

One-Two Pro Stock Punch Info | gregandersonracing.net

Notable: Worked as head dyno operator for Joe Gibbs Racing for five years on NASCAR circuit.

Drag Racing | American Racing News | 19

Jason Line and the Jesel Land Speed/Summit Racing Team had two specific goals heading into the 2012 Speed Week at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats. The first was to break the A/Modified Production record of 191 mph, while the second was to get Line into the 200-mph Club.

They were able to accomplish both objectives, with his two-run average of 225.246 mph shattering the previous mark while also allowing him to join the very select group of racers who have eclipsed the doublecentury mark on the famed salt.

Photo | gregandersonracing.net

Part Two: Greg Anderson The second part of Summit Racing Teams assult on the NHRA Pro Stock division is 55 year old Greg Anderson.

In 2014, Greg missed the first five races due to off-season heart surgery but, he rebounded for three runnerup finishes and two semifinal appearances.2015 was better with 4 wins and a second place finish in the Mello Yello points standings

Photo |NHRA.com

20 | American Racing News | Drag Racing

Feature Story | American Racing News | Team Owner:

Ken Black In the mid 1990s, Black partnered with George Marnell to form Marnell-Black Racing with George as the driver. In 2000, Marnell and Black hired a crew chief named Greg Anderson, who also was interested in driving. In 2001 Anderson gave Marnell-Black Racing its first win. Anderson would win once more in 2001 as he took top honors at the presti-

gious U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. George Marnell picked up his first win later that year in Memphis.

In 2002 Black had formed a new team with his son Kenny and called it KB Racing.

They hired Anderson as the driver and it has been the NHRA’s most successful race team, regardless of class, since. Ken and Kenny expanded to a two-car team by adding Jason Line to its driver lineup in 2004.

Photo | gregandersonracing.net

Dina Parise Signs New Sponsor Dina Parise reached a sponsorship agreement with Aerospace Components for the remaining NMCA schedule, racing in the highly competitive VP Racing Fuels Xtreme Pro Mod class.

Much like Dina, Aerospace Components has a huge presence and following on social media. Don’t miss the innovative new videos from “Kimmy’s Garage”! Learn how it’s made or how to install their products. They believe in educating and engaging customers and future customers about their products.

Both Dina and Aerospace Components are looking forward to this new partnership, and showing you the great products they have to offer which are all made in the USA. The DPR team continues to push the envelope in every way. Stella sparkles

Press Release & Photo | DPR PR

and looks great because of the products provided by Eastwood and CRC Auto.

She runs well and safely with products from NGK, Lucas Oil, Speedwire Systems, Hussey Performance, Hoosier and Motorsports Unlimited.

The DPR website looks great and runs efficiently thanks to the professionals at Crank It Media. DPR gets where they need to go with assistance from Aerospace Components.

Please visit http://dinapariseracing.com/marketingpartners … .

There you will find more information regarding the companies listed as well as some *special offers*! The team encourages you to try the products and services these companies offer. The fact remains that they do use them all. That is the best recommendation!

Drag Racing | American Racing News | 21

Enders nominated for 2016 ESPY award Enders was nominated in the Best Driver category, repeating her nomination of last year. She will attend the ESPYs, hosted by John Cena, on July 13 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Fans can vote for Enders in the Best Driver category here.

Enders had a stellar 2015 season, eclipsing even her 2014 championship year. She won nine races in 2015, breaking the NHRA single-season record for victories by a female . She also made two more final-round appearances and scored six No. 1 qualifiers.

Enders clinched the Pro Stock championship at the penultimate race of the season, in Las Vegas, earning the title in style by winning the race.

Story & Photo |NHRA

Gateway Motorsports Park

Photo | John Bisci

22 | American Racing News | Drag Racing

Tommy Heaney of Imperial, Missouri, defeated Al Peavler of Olney, Illinois, in the final round of Door Car vs. Dragster eliminations today at the Dragplex at Gateway Motorsports Park. Heaney earned $6,000 for his win; Runner-up Peavler received $2,000. Heaney also won last week at the Dragplex, bringing his winnings for the month of June to $9,000. The final day of racing on this special three-day weekend, which includes the JEGS Super Series, will conclude Sunday.

Straight Line

By Jim Jack

“God’s Country” Have you ever heard the phrase “God’s Country?” If you have, did you give it much thought as to what it’s referring to? Where is God’s Country to be found…probably not on a pitcher’s mound…or out on the Puget Sound…doubtless while prison bound…not in a beloved old hound…can’t be bought with an English pound…not even winning a round…simply look towards heaven’s prodigious ground.

The “God’s Country” term is used loosely in casual conversations. Most frequently it’s mentioned by people who’ve recently come back from a vacation, or someone’s vivid thoughts of their favorite hangout or activity.

Possibly someone who longs to be in a place they believe is more beautiful than where they currently are.

It could be a mother holding her baby, a father watching his son play Little League Baseball, or a child adoring his or her parents.

Books, articles and stunning photos describe wonderful places many of us would love to visit (or live). These explanations tell why it’s believed this must be God’s Country because of its majestic scenery or appearance. Picture what comes to mind when you hear talk about places like Alaska, Switzerland, Tahiti or Yellowstone National Park.

Most racers—especially drivers—feel they’re in God’s Country when they’re comfortably in the seat. Picture your favorite track: Surrounded by mountains, a lush green forest, a serene river, or a picturesque desert setting.

Some of natures finest creatures like fish in the water, a deer in the woods, or birds flying overhead may accentuate your feelings. How can you experience this and not feel you’re in your own little part of God’s Country?

Nature truly reflects our Creators power, His greatness, and His artistry.

And this is only the first chapter in the Book of Life for a follower of Jesus.

God created our environment and designed it with a purpose for people to inhabit, maintain, and enjoy to the max. It may even make you want to party to the max!

The scene now changes: You’re strapped inside the capsule of a Top Fuel Hydro sitting out on the holding rope with a 10,000 horsepower nitrofed motor cackling right behind your head ready and willing at your command—of stepping on the throttle— to blast down the racetrack. This can be like God’s Country to anyone brave enough to venture to this far off land of volatile motorsports.

These machines are incredibly fast…after the warm-up where fans were gassed…fear is now a thing of the past…if on the loud pedal your foot can last…only a brief shadow on the water will be cast…a record run will be a heck of a blast.

Biblically speaking, when you think of God’s Country, most would likely try to describe Paradise [heaven] and how they imagine it would look. A place peaceful and soothing to the heart, pleasurable and appealing to the eye, restful and gentle to the soul, no problems or worries to be bur-

dened with, an incredible sense of unconditional love surrounding you, and comforting to your spirit.

Right now at this very moment, heaven can be found in your personal surroundings. It’s as close as your own heart. Even is the midst of this hectic, crazy, volatile, and mixed up world; your treasure can be found where your heart is. The Bible tells us not to store up treasures on earth, because everything we see won’t be here forever.

I recently discovered God’s Country in another interesting location. I was doing a memorial service for a good friend on a boat out in the Pacific Ocean off Oxnard, CA. While closing the service in prayer, I was sitting at the back of the “Sunfish” boat as it was slowly swaying out in the blue Pacific. An incredible peace came over me: No noise, no commotion, and no distractions, just a beautiful time of enjoying God’s presence and peace out on the water on a warm Saturday morning. It was a heavenly time of talking with God. I honestly could have prayed all day. I prayed for the family whenever they felt ill at ease in the coming weeks or months, to bring to mind today’s perfect peace out on the Pacific Ocean for any needed comfort!

This world is in the process of decaying [entropy]. It is slowly passing away (quite different from an engine exploding in a mille-second). The honest truth is we’re just managers of all the natural wonders on this planet. We’re given the responsibility of stewardship of God’s property, including your entire racing program.

Straight Line | American Racing News | 23

Straight Line Great cities and buildings become old and eventually have to be replaced.

Our cars wear out. Our clothes become tattered after many wearing and washings. And come to think of it, most drag boats have a fairly short life expectancy (except the old Garform boat, but fifty years compared to eternity isn’t much either).

There is nothing wrong with possessions, and there is surely nothing wrong with having a lovely place where you can get away for a few days, or more. But if we desire these things above God who created them, they then become the center of our affection instead of Him. As was mentioned earlier, your heart is usually wherever your treasure is.

What we perceive as being important normally captures our attention. If our eyes and hearts are set only on the material things of life, they can easily take the forefront of our thoughts and time.

Balance is important in life. Places and things are a way of life, but we must learn to keep ourselves focused on God first, family second, and then third place can be racing or work or school, depending on a few variables.

What brings joy to your life? Is your heart set on what you have and what you see? It could easily all be gone tomorrow. Possibly gone before you finish reading this story, but if you have a solid relationship with Jesus, your treasure is kept for eternity.

For many people God’s Country can be things like building an engine, smelling nitro, tuning an engine, reading computer graphs, deciding on the correct tune-up and set-up. It’s all part of the good life in racing.

Becoming a Christian—literally a follower and disciple of Jesus—is being eternally God’s property from the day you first believed. This means being content where you are. It also means being in God’s will for the rest of your earthly life: Living in God’s Country.

The Bible tells us to be content wherever you are. If you long for a special place, put your hope in the promise of Heaven. Remember, rich or poor, well feed or hungry, at home or out-of doors, good health or sick, in need or satisfied, rain or shine, sunny or cloudy, hot or cold, windy or calm, win or lose—believers are in God’s Country!

Have you found the Promised Land?

The book of Hebrews tells us the Old Testament believers were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. The place God prepared for them. It beckons all of us to come to the heavenly Jerusalem the city of the living God. God can bring you to a place of tranquility. That place of holiness. That place of contentment. That place of peace and perfection which is set in the hearts of humans. I found God’s Country on the morning of February 5, 1988—the day I accepted Christ. I’m still there!

How can this be you ask? If you are His, you’re in God’s Country. You might be in a place you currently don’t

By Jim Jack care for, or in a place that doesn’t seem beautiful. You might be in a place that seems lonely, or thinking of loved ones who left this world. But remember, God’s Country is where God’s people are.

Motorsports spectators think they are in God’s Country. Any racing machine is a part of their dreamland. The race course is their paradise. The smells and the noises are heavenly. They wish the event would go on eternally.

These folks are simply content.

Where have you taken up residence?

Wherever it may be, it has been your choice to reside there. If it is God’s Country, you are where you belong. If it is not God’s Country, you can be there by simply understanding God’s calling on your life. He would like all people to have a little taste of heaven before the real thing comes to pass.

Remember, life is an adventure on your way to Paradise. At times, the winners circle may seem like God’s Country, or hanging out with family may seem like the best place to be…it surely isn’t being stung by a bee…at times it may be too far off to see…you’re willing to go even if it costs you a big fee…watch out for that low-hanging tree…cause it’s high-time you were set totally free.

Did You Know?

Besides the United States, Team RFC® has international chaplains serving in Canada, Kenya, Australia, and Finland.

Photo | RFC PR

24 | American Raciang News | Straight Line

Jared Mees Wins His First Mile Race of 2016 Jared Mees dominated the inaugural Oklahoma City Mile at Remington Park, making it his first Mile victory of the 2016 AMA Pro Flat Track season. Mees had the victory in sight for the entire 25lap main event, commanding the field to win by an impressive margin of 2.114 seconds over second place finisher No. 42 Bryan Smith and third-place No. 17 Henry Wiles.

The Michigander boosted to a strong lead from the outset on his Las Vegas Harley-Davidson XR750, pulling away to an 11.870-second lead over major rival Smith on Lap 20 before a red flag came out to recover the No. 69 Briggs Auto.com Harley-Davidson XR750 of Sammy Halbert. On the restart, Smith grabbed the point and held it for two laps, but Mees wasn't going to surrender. The defending

champ made a comeback on the 23rd lap and held on to take home the victory.

Smith came to Oklahoma City on the heels of three Mile victories aboard his Crosley/Howerton Kawasaki Ninja 650, but wasn't able to continue his streak. Third place finisher, Wiles, made his first podium appearance of the season on Saturday riding his Kawasaki Ninja 650, finishing just in front of No. 54A Dan Bromley.

"The team worked really hard," Wiles said. "We broke our good bike early on today. We had a lot of fun out there and I think it was Brandon Robinson who really helped my program out there on the restart but we broke early on.

A lot of guys broke in the Main event and it's kind of a tradeoff.

I'm just happy to be up here on

the box because I know how hard my team works."

In the GNC2 class, No. 16S Tristan Avery once again proved his dominance on a Mile circuit over second place finisher No. 28J Charles Gerencer. No. 27U Jamison Minor came in third.

"It feels great to win a third National," Avery said. "With Father's Day being tomorrow, it was definitely a special one because right before we were getting ready to go out I actually asked my dad if he wanted a victory lap tonight; he got one and I think we are all going home happy. I can't believe I won another one but I definitely had to work for this one, that's for sure. Gerencer definitely put on a great battle."

AMA Pro Racing/Brian J. Nelson

Motorcycle | American Racing News | 25

MILWAUKEE - With a furious burst of moto thunder HarleyDavidson® Flat-Track Racing opened ESPN's X Games in Austin.

In its second year as an X Games medalled event, Harley-Davidson Flat-Track Racing features top motorcycle racers from around the world going head-to-head on the challenging Circuit of The Americas dirt half-mile.

Harley-Davidson is an official sponsor of X Games Austin, featuring some of the best skateboard, motorcycle and BMX competitors, plus nightly concert events, X Games Austin is one of the world's premier action-sports festivals.

"Motorcycle flat track racing is arguably the original action sport," said Dino Bernacchi, Harley-Davidson U.S. Marketing Director. "The X Games provides a perfect showcase for this exhilarating motorsport and the skill and tremendous courage of these racer-athletes. Harley-Davidson was excited to be kick off X Games Austin with the thrilling Harley-Davidson Flat Track race. Then all weekend long, had a huge presence at X Games as we share our passion for competition and the freedom of the open road. Fans got to check out our all-new XG750R flat track motorcycle, our first new flat tracker in over 40 years!"

Local Harley-Davidson dealers drummed up excitement for the races with tailgates at their dealerships and then rides to the races. Onsite for the weekend, Harley-Davidson was in the Galleria area with X Games athletes, its new 2016 motorcycles and the H-D™ JUMPSTART™ riding experience. Harley also hosted appearances and autograph sessions with X Games athletes and a lounge area to stay cool with free giveaways and more.

26 | American Racing News | Motorcycle

AMA Pro Racing/Brian J. Nelson

�Our first new flat tracker in over 40 years!"

Motorcycle | American Racing News | 27

Photo | AMA PR

The Expert Singles Class was the first class to run during Wednesday’s race. Jay Sallstrom and John Koester were the first two riders and set the fast pace with 7.611and 7.688-second rides. Sheldon Farnsworth, Johnny Curry, Devin Sweitzer and Nick Briggs broke into the 8.5 - 8.8-second range but it was Joseph Lowe who took the third spot in the first round with his 8.122-second finish. The second run featured faster times, however, no one would be able to beat the eventual TiLUBE Top Gun Award recipient, Sallstrom and his initial time of 7.611 seconds. Farnsworth stood third on the podium

with 8.042 seconds while Lowe and Curry rounded out the top 5.

The Xtreme Class also started out with top runners as Koester and Phil Libhart were the first two riders. The only four riders who would break into the 7-second range during the first run were Koester, Libhart, Jockamo Baldina and Sallstrom, as Farnsworth finished just outside the group with 8.112 seconds. Koester's 7.089 seconds was half of a second faster than Libhart's 7.566 and Baldina's 7.592. Koester was able to better his time the second round with a 6.682-second run. Sallstrom also broke into the sixes

28 | American Racing News | Motorcycle

with a time of 6.954 seconds.

Strickler was able to take a podium finish in third with his second run time of 7.481 seconds. Libhart and Baldina both had 8.5-second runs to take fourth and fifth.

The Unlimited Class saw reigning champion Koester take to the hill first as he blasted the circuit with a 6.485-second run, while Sallstrom would join him with 6.759 seconds and Libhart followed close behind with a 7.054 finish.

Koester, Sallstrom and Libhart held onto the top three positions while Curry and Lowe followed with 7.448 and 7.517 finishes to take fourth and fifth positions.

BRYCE PRINCE: 2016 MOTOAMERICA SUPERSTOCK 600 CHAMPION

By Matthew Miles Photography by Brian J. Nelson

Bryce Prince arrived at Utah Motorsports Campus for the Moto America Superbike Championship of Utah with one goal in mind: win the Superstock 600 title.

“We had a huge lead in the championship coming into this race,” said the 23-year-old Riders Discount Tuned Racing rider, "and I really wanted to win.”

Prince was third in opening practice, first in the second, and top qualifier, nearly half a second quicker than HB Racing/Meen Yamaha’s Richie Escalante, who is back in top form following an offseason leg injury.

On Friday, Prince finished second in 16-lap race one, 15 seconds behind Escalante.

Saturday’s race was much closer.

“Depending on how the start went, that is how the race was going to go,” Prince said. “I made sure I got up to the front by the first couple of corners.

Margin of victory after 16 laps was 0.340 seconds. Prince is the first MotoAmerica rider to lock up a championship this season.

“A good crew was a huge part of our success," Bryce Prince said.

"My crew chief, Rocky Stargel, and mechanics, Wesley Eastveld and ‘Uncle’ Randy Wheeler, gave me the most comfortable bike I’ve had in my racing career.”

With two race weekends remaining—Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and New Jersey Motorsports Park—Prince and Tuned Racing coowner Mike Pond are weighing their options for the rest of the season.

“We’re still on the fence as far as what we’re going to do for the last two rounds,” Prince said. “We might try to ride Supersport or we might stay in Superstock 600.

We’re not sure yet.”

“I would like to do Supersport to help elevate my game going into next season. I think it would be a smart move for my career. I don’t have any expectations of winning, but hopefully I can be competitive with some of the guys up front.”

Superstock 1000 is also on their radar. “We have talked about doing Superstock 1000 next year,” Prince said. “We even debated Laguna Seca. Problem is, I don’t have any test time on a liter bike. We might do it at New Jersey.”

That’s a discussion for another day.

For now, during their 14-hour drive back to Bakersfield, California, Prince and Pond can bask in the glow of their first national championship.

Bryce Prince (74) and Richie Escalante (54) battled for the win in race two at Utah Motorsports Campus.

Motorcycle | American Racing News | 29

“Tony Hulman Classic”

Robert Ballou (#1) passes Thomas Meseraull (#66) for the race lead during Wednesday night's "Tony Hulman Classic" feature at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track.

(DAVID NEARPASS PHOTO)

30 | American Racing News | Dirt

TERRE HAUTE, IN……...Robert Ballou slid his way into the record books Wednesday night, surpassing A.J. Foyt and Roger McCluskey on the all-time USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car win list with his 24th career series win and becoming just the third driver in the 46-year history of the “Tony Hulman Classic” to win in back-to-back years after out dueling Thomas Meseraull in a torrid race-long battle to collect the coveted rifle at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track.

As the green flag flew at the start of the 30-lap feature, pole-sitter Meseraull shot out to the front of the pack. But, it was secondquickest qualifier and inside row-three starter Ballou who quickly charged to the second spot by lap two, setting the stage for an epic battle between the two for the top spot.

After a pair of cautions slowed the pace with just four laps completed, Meseraull and Ballou rode the cushion, spraying Terre Haute’s newly-painted red, white, and blue wall with rooster tails through each of the four turns. On lap nine, Ballou followed Meseraull with a full head of steam into turn three, jetting to the bottom at the entrance of three and throwing a massive slider that stuck, giving him the lead as the two exited turn four.

However, the move was all for naught due to the stoppage of Landon Simon’s stalled machine at the top of turns three and four, bringing out the yellow flag.

The yellow did not deter Ballou one iota. As soon as the green dropped on the ensuing restart, Ballou went to the well once again, replicating the same move he made on Meseraull just before the caution fell, diving to the inside guardrail before sliding up to the wall between turns one and two. But Meseraull didn’t blink, instead, staying on the throttle with just inches to spare between Ballou’s

right side Hoosiers and the concrete, taking back the lead as they exited turn two.

“SALUTES TO INDY”

A rejuvenated Jon Stanbrough threw his hat in the ring of contenders after slipping past Ballou for 2nd at the flag stand on lap 10. However, Ballou would reload and reclaim the second spot from Stanbrough, the 2002 “Hulman Classic” victor, one lap later and now found Meseraull clearly within sight on his radar.

Ballou and Meseraull engaged in an exhibition of sliders on laps 17 and 18 that put the sizable Wabash Valley crowd on its feet. The two exchanged the lead on three separate occasions in that lap and a half span, as they traded slide jobs at the end of the straightaways at the entrance of turns one and three, culminating with Ballou and Meseraull banging wheels at the exit of four on lap 18 as Mesearull reemerged at the head of the field.

On lap 22, Ballou threw one last jab for good measure, executing a picture-perfect slider on Meseraull for the lead. From that point until the drop of the checkered flag, nobody was game for Ballou’s presence down the stretch as the Rocklin, California driver ultimately delivered the final knockout blow, pulling away for a 4.422-second margin of victory over Meseraull, Stanbrough, Bacon, Chris Windom (from the 20th starting spot), Chase Stockon, Shane Cottle, Dave Darland, Jerry Coons, Jr. and Justin Grant.

Ballou was able to add another rifle to his growing collection of “Hulman Classic” hardware after picking up his first series victory in three months in his Ballou Motorsports/MPHG Promotions – Blakesley’s Auto/Maxim/Ott. He joined Steve Butler (1987-88) and Levi Jones (2008-09) as one of just three drivers to win the classic event in consecutive years and also became just the fourth defending USAC National Sprint Car champ to win the race, adding his name to a list that includes Pancho Carter (1975), Steve Butler (1987-88) and Levi Jones (2009)

32 | American Racing News | Dirt

Austin Williams drinks the chocolate milk in victory lane after winning last Saturday night's "Salute to Indy" at Perris (Cal.) Auto Speedway.

(LOUDPEDAL PRODUCTIONS)

AUSTIN WILLIAMS WINS CRA’S “SALUTE TO INDY” Perris, CA……..Austin Williams of Yorba Linda, Calif. wheeled his John Jory Corporation/AMA Plastics Spike/Shaver to victory in Saturday night’s 30-lap “Salute to Indy” USAC/CRA AMSOIL Sprint race at Perris Auto Speedway. He led all 30 laps and beat Richard Vander Weerd, Jake Swanson, Mike Spencer and Damion Gardner to the checkered flag.

Backed In | Photo

JOHNSON SWEEPS PEORIA'S "SALUTE TO INDY" WEEKEND Peoria, AZ........Defending USAC Southwest Sprint Car Champion R.J. Johnson completed a "sweep" of this weekend's "Salute to Indy" events at Canyon Speedway Park, winning Sunday night's 30-lap feature event in the Kodiak Products/Beal's Auto Body Sherman/Ford. He Passed Josh

COLUMBUS, MS (June 18, 2016) - Darrell Lanigan came from the sixth starting spot to win his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event of the year on Saturday Night at Magnolia Motor Speedway. Lanigan passed race leader Jimmy Owens with 12 laps to go for his second career LOLMDS victory.

It was Lanigan's first series win since September of 2013, when he won a preliminary at the Knoxville Nationals. Owens finished second, followed by pole sitter Brandon Sheppard, Scott Bloomquist, and Jared Landers.

lapped traffic using the inside lane of the track while Owens stayed up against the wall.

"I think we have one of the best crews out there working on these cars, Anthony, Cory, and everybody else at the race shop. Like I said, I can't thank those guys enough. We can definitely build on this. I have told these guys all year, we need to be in the ground. We have had a lot of wheel spin this year.

We changed a lot on the cars this week and it definitely showed here tonight."

Owens had another podium finish in the R&W Motorsports/E3 Spark Plugs/Barry Wright Race Cars number 20. He led from lap four until he was overtaken by Lanigan on lap 49.

"I stayed up on the topside too long", said Owens.

"The bottom started coming into it and he [Lanigan] had a run on me and I couldn't hold him off. I was trying to clear that last lapped car and he cut in front of me and it just killed my momentum. We had a good car here tonight. Congratulations to Darrell and his crew. They deserved the win. We will hopefully build off of these finishes for the rest of the year."

Lanigan debuted a new Georgia Boot/Peak Antifreeze/ Club 29 Race Car for Clint Bowyer Racing and kept a steady pace during the first-half of the race before gradually picking off the top five in front of him during the caution-free 60 lap feature.

"We saved our tires there early on. My car really came on. We built this piece this week. When we hot lapped here on Thursday night it was really in the ground. I'd like to thank Clint and Casey Bowyer for giving me this chance," said the 46-year-old, who was making his first appearance at the track in ten years.

Sheppard in another strong run for the Best Performance Motorsports team came home in third. "I think we had a pretty good car all night long. Both Darrell and Jimmy had good cars tonight. I moved back up to the top and was gaining on those guys. I had a pretty maneuverable car. We definitely made some good strides tonight," said last year's LOLMDS Rookie of the Year.

Completing the top ten were Dennis Erb Jr., Jonathan Davenport, Wendell Wallace, Don O'Neal and Earl Pearson Jr.

Lanigan; in his first full season running the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series for Clint Bowyer Racing; moved into second on lap 34 overtaking Landers for that position. He then tracked down Owens in heavy

Dirt | American Racing News | 33

Chip Ganassi Racing's Steve Arpin and Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross' Tanner Foust took a victory apiece in this weekend's Red Bull Global Rallycross doubleheader from Daytona International Speedway.

Arpin's victory, his first in a Supercar final, was also the first for Ganassi; Foust's win was his third in the season and extended his championship lead.

“This weekend is honestly so incredible," said Arpin. "Racing for such an iconic team owner, coming

34 | American Racing News | RallyCross

to the most iconic motorsports track in the world and being able to add to his trophy collection right here just makes this an unbelievable weekend.”

“I really, really love bringing home a win for the guys this weekend," added Foust. "They have been working through the heat, and we were here until 6 in the morning. We had two impacts in the previous round, and the crew had to fix both sides of the car.”

“This weekend is honestly so incredible,"

Story and Photos | redbullglobalrallycross.com

Story and Photos | Lucas Oil Inc PR

Estero Beach thrills packed house in Round 7 For the second year in succession, the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, presented by GEICO, brought the action south of the border to Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, and into the beautiful confines of the Estero Beach Resort, right at the beach at the south end of this fantastic port city. This track is like no other in this series, as its relatively flat layout and extremely speedy nature harkens back to short courses of old, and the drivers love to compete here.

Round 7 of the 2016 championship unfolded, and the extremely passionate local fans, whose enthusiasm for the sport is unrivaled, filled the stands to the brim, as they enjoyed great weather and even better racing.

after a fire in yesterday’s practice burned up his first loom. Second was MacCachren, while third was LeDuc, fourth was Fortin, and fifth was Renezeder, who got his #17 Lucas Oil/KMC Wheels Ford past Adler on the final lap.

Pro Lite Unlimited Next up were the Pro Lite Unlimiteds, and it was Ryan Beat heading the pack ahead of Brandon Arthur, Jerett Brooks, Brock Heger, and Ronnie Anderson. Jeff Hoffman came to a stop at a dangerous spot just off track on the second lap, which forced a full course yellow at the end of the lap.

On the restart lap, Anderson hooked a rut in turn four and rolled immediately, which brought the full course yellow right back out, and handed fifth place to Jeremy Stenberg.

Pro 4 Unlimited Kicking things off in spectacular fashion were the Pro 4 Unlimiteds, and it was top qualifier Bryce Menzies who led the way early after starting from pole.

At the end of a tight race, MacCachren was closing rather quickly on Menzies, and over the final lap, he gave Menzies a good run, remaining a close threat throughout the lap. However, Menzies was just too quick, as he brought home the win for his crew, who’d gone back north of the border for a new wiring loom and then spent all night getting his truck back together

36 | American Racing News | Off Road

The field was allowed to race back to the start/finish line, and Brooks got past Arthur to take over second place.

On the restart lap following Anderson’s rollover, Stenberg passed Heger to snag fourth place, but with a nice inside pass at turn five a few laps later, Heger got the position back.

The top five drivers then remained relatively quiet, as they all maintained their positions through the checkered flag. Up front, it was Beat who brought home his first win of the season, ahead of Brooks,

Straight Line

By Jim Jack

Pro Buggy Unlimited In the open wheel ranks, pole starter Eliott Watson ran up front after lap one, ahead of Kevin McCullough, Darren Hardesty Jr., Mike Valentine, and Garret George. On lap two, Valentine lost control going through the whoop section between turns three and four, and slid off the track coming into turn four, dropping him back to seventh.

George moved up to take over fourth as a result, with Bud Ward moving into the top five.

The top five drivers held their positions through the Competition Yellow at the end of lap five, but on the restart lap, George got by Hardesty Jr. going into turn one to take over third spot.

George then moved up to challenge for the lead on the next lap, and he made the pass on Watson coming out of turn four. Hardesty Jr. was next in line, and after coming past the white flag alongside Watson, he moved ahead and into second place early on the final lap. Ward also got close, but at the stripe, an ecstatic George was the winner, ahead of Hardesty Jr.

Pro 2 Unlimited The final race of the afternoon was Pro 2 Unlimited, and in this one, it was Patrick Clark who led the way after lap one, ahead of Doug Mittag, Jeremy McGrath, Rob MacCachren, and RJ Anderson.

Later, Clark lost his power steering coming into the whoops, ending his charge prematurely, and that handed the lead to McGrath. At almost the same moment, Anderson picked up a right rear flat tire, which sent him into the Hot Pits at the end of the lap, and dropped him off of the lead lap in the process.

MacCachren then closed right in on the leader McGrath before the Competition Yellow, which fell at the end of lap six.

By the final lap, MacCachren gave it his all to try and make something happen, but with the track rutting up badly, there was simply nowhere for MacCachren to go to try and make a move. McGrath was also driving quite well, and he crossed the stripe first to pick up his second consecutive win.

Off Road | American Racing News | 37

Sam Posey

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Known for both a remarkable versatility and a captivating personality which both carried over from the race track to the broadcast booth, dual legend Sam Posey will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) at the 28th Annual MSHFA Induction Ceremony Presented by Bridgestone on June 29 at The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, Florida.

top 10 five times, with a best finish of third in 1971. After retiring from racing in 1974, Posey became an ABC commentator. He now works for NBC Sports Network on Formula One coverage and has written numerous well-regarded books and magazine articles on motorsports subjects.

“Sam Posey’s induction brings a true renaissance man into the hall’s ‘Heroes of Horsepower’ pantheon,” said MSHFA President Ron Watson. “Perhaps our most articulate racing analyst on TV, he is also a gifted artist, architect, author and model railroader. And of course, he also just happened to be an excellent race car driver.”

Everett Brashear

Posey’s exploits over the course of several decades made him one of the motorsports industry’s most recognizable and respected personalities. During his driving career, Posey raced in Can-Am, Trans-Am, IndyCar, sports cars, Formula One and NASCAR competition. He raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 10 times, finishing in the

38 | American Racing News | Hall of Fame

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Everett Brashear, one of the top dirt-track motorcycle racers of all time, will be one of seven motorsports luminaries inducted into Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) at the 28th Annual MSHFA Induction Ceremony Presented by Bridgestone on June 29 at The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach.

Brashear won a total of 15 AMA national races from 1952-1960. He won four of those races in 1953, before a severe injury cut short a potential championship campaign.

When he retired from competition, Brashear immersed himself in other areas of the motorcycle industry, working for Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Yamaha and Kawasaki. In all, he spent 47 years in the industry. Brashear was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1988.

Brashear also tried his hand in motorcycle road racing, finishing sixth in the 1964 Daytona 200. And he briefly considered NASCAR and Indy Car as well; he made one NASCAR start, finishing 38th in the 1957 race on the Daytona BeachRoad Course. “Motorcycle racers are a different breed,” said Ron Watson, president of the MSHFA,

“and Everett Brashear’s competitors considered him the toughest of the tough. Ask any of the twowheeled heroes in the hall of fame and they will tell you, unanimously, that Everett’s induction is well earned.”

Dave McClelland

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – “The Voice of the NHRA,” Dave McClelland, will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) at the 28th Annual MSHFA Induction Ceremony Presented

by Bridgestone on June 29 at The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach.

McClelland is one of the most legendary voices in all of motorsports and certainly the most legendary in the history of National Hot Rod Association drag racing. Thanks to McClelland’s years of NHRA-related work on ESPN, SPEED and The Nashville Network his face is very recognizable, too.

In addition to his work behind the microphone and in front of the camera, McClelland also has worked as was a race track executive and the NHRA’s publicity and public relations director.

Among the many honors he has received throughout his career is

the 2013 Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented annually to pioneers in the hot rod and automobile restoration industry.

“When Dave McClelland is inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, he will take his rightful place among the great voices in the history of racing,” said Ron Watson, president of the MSHFA. “He will join legends such as Ken Squier, Sid Collins, Tom Carnegie and Chris Economaki, who each had a significant impact on whatever form of motorsports they covered.”

his driver (1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93, ’94).

He has won 14 championships in NASCAR national series competition, second-best all time. Childress entries have won the DAYTONA 500 twice – with Earnhardt in 1998 and Kevin Harvick in 2007 – and the Brickyard 400 three times. He has a total of 212 victories collectively in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. In addition to his MSHFA induction, Childress will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in January 2017.

Richard Childress

“Richard Childress is the ultimate team-builder and leader,” said MSHFA President Ron Watson.

“His prolific partnership with Dale Earnhardt alone was incomparably induction-worthy. In addition, he has continued to mold successful group achievements with a dynamic organization that is consistently competitive at all levels of NASCAR racing.”

DAYTONA BEACH, FL. (June 3, 2016) – One of NASCAR’s most successful car owners, Richard Childress, will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) at the 28th Annual MSHFA Induction Ceremony Presented by Bridgestone on June 29 at The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach.

Childress joins Gary Gabelich, Chip Ganassi, Bob Sweikert, Everett Brashear, Dave McClelland and Sam Posey in the MSHFA class of 2016.

Childress’ remarkable career evolved from being a struggling stock car driver to becoming one of the premier owners in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He won six Sprint Cup championships with 2002 MSHFA inductee Dale Earnhardt as

“This is really an honor I’m going to cherish for a number of reasons that are both personal and professional,” Childress said. “One reason is I get to have my name placed on the same list as Dale Earnhardt, Louis Chevrolet, Gaston Chevrolet and other legends. And to be part of the first class inducted in Daytona Beach, where I’ve had a lot of success, will make things even more special.”

Hall of Fame | American Racing News | 39

Sargeant leads VMS charge at Winchester CONCORD, NC – Venturini Motorsports (VMS) wrapped up six weekends of consecutive racing with the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Sunday afternoon at Winchester Speedway, coming away with three solid finishes in the Herr’s Potato Chips 200.

Venturini Motorsports’ three-team effort was led by 18year-old Dalton Sargeant who turned in his best performance of the season, leading 59-laps and finishing second to race winner Chase Briscoe.

Sargeant’s teammate Tom Hessert turned in a gritty performance battling sickness and extreme temperatures, scoring a fifth-place finish for his second consecutive topfive.

NASCAR Xfinity Series regular Dakoda Armstrong, subbing for Matt Tifft, rounded out VMS’s trio with a ninth-place finish in his first series start since 2011.

Story & Photo | ARCA.COM

40 | American Racing News | Asphalt

Sargeant so close...runner-up at Winchester Dalton Sargeant battled Chase Briscoe for the top spot all afternoon in Sunday’s Herr’s Potato Chips 200 at Winchester Speedway before walking away with a hard fought yet frustrating second-place finish.

Briscoe and Sargeant were the class of the field, combining to lead all 200 laps of Sunday’s race. Sargeant, who qualified second in his No. 55 Toyota Racing Development – Windows 10 Camry, chased down Briscoe on lap 119, taking over the lead for 59 circuits, before relinquishing the lead on a dramatic late race restart inside the final 30 laps.

Prior to giving up the lead, Sargeant managed to out-duel Briscoe during two of the three final race restarts, but lost the battle on the third and final restart in the closing laps.

“We had a shot,” Sargeant said. “Once I passed Briscoe there late in the race I was able to separate myself. It was one of those deals whoever was out front was going to win. We pressured each other the entire race. I held him off on the first restart but that last one he got the best of me…I just got beat.”

Sunday’s runner up finish tied Sargeant’s career best (Toledo) and earned the Boca Raton, Florida driver his fifth top-five in seven series attempts.

Hessert battles fatigue, nets second straight top-five Tom Hessert turned in a gritty performance behind the wheel of his No. 25 People Against Distracted Driving backed Toyota in Sunday’s Herr’s Potato Chips 200 at Winchester Speedway.

Battling the extreme heat along with the competition, Hessert hung tough and raced his way to a solid fifth-place finish.

“Hard fought top-finish finish today,” said Hessert. “The 25 team did a great job giving me a strong Toyota this week.

We had a really good car and made some great progress with our car and setup. We’re headed in the right direction.”

This was Hessert’s second consecutive top-five finish and fourth overall during the season campaign.

Hessert, who battled sickness prior to Sunday’s race, commented on the difficulty of racing under extreme temperature conditions inside the car.

“That was one of the more demanding days inside the car I can recall,” added Hessert. “My health wasn’t 100% this week and the hot weather really made it a challenge. I had to really stay focused and do my best to stay hydrated. Big thanks to the track’s safety crew who provided me with some much needed fluids before and after the race.”

After Winchester, Hessert remains in the fourth position in the ARCA Racing Series driver point standings.

Asphalt | American Racing News | 41

SWANSON BEATS THE RAIN, LIGHTNING AND WINDOM IN GATEWAY SILVER CROWN SHOWDOWN Tanner Swanson maintained his dominance of the paved ovals on the USAC Silver Crown series schedule, winning his fourth race in his last five appearances on the hardtop, warding off threatening skies and an old-fashioned Midwestern thunderstorm in Saturday afternoon’s Vatterott College “Silver Crown Showdown” at the series largest venue, the 1.25-mile Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois.

In the second half of the race, Tanner, little-by little, was able to open up his lead over Windom as Nemire began to fade somewhat in the third spot.

Tanner began the race from the pole position after taking ProSource Fast Qualifier honors earlier in the day.

Tanner grabbed his first career victory at Gateway, leading the final 34 laps to defeat a distant Windom, who led 25 in the first half of the 60-lap event while Nemire, David Byrne and Joe Liguori rounded out the top-five.

With storms imminent, the urge to get to the front in a timely manner weighed heavily on each competitor as their race could be interrupted at the drop of a hat, and the drop of precipitation.

As flagman Tom Hansing threw up the crossed sticks indicating the halfway point, the temps had cooled considerably and the winds flared up as the sun drenched St. Louis afternoon quickly became a distant memory and the main race now became the sprint to defeat the rain before the checkered.

42 | American Racing News | Asphalt

With 10 to go, Tanner’s lead was three-plus seconds over Windom and his time up front went undaunted the rest of the way, except for a little precipitation on the white flag lap.

During Tanner’s victory lane celebration, the skies finally relented, opening up a deluge of rain upon fans and competitors alike. But, it was not enough to throw a damper on the Kingsburg, California native’s celebration after racking up his second series victory of the season in his Bowman Racing/Bowman Properties – Bowman-Elmore Racing/Beast/Kistler Chevy.

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