American Racing News - issue 7 by American Racing News

NASCAR INDYCAR DRAG RACING MOTORCYCLES DIRT TRACK ASPHALT OFF ROAD ROAD RACE

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IndyCar at the Glen

Volume 1 Issue 7

A DenKel Media Publication

Vol 1, Issue 7 American Racing News is a bright,bold, colorful glimpse into the world of racing in the USA. Each issue will bring you a variety of series,stars and cars (or bikes) that make us die hard racing fans. Subscriptions and back issues are available at americanracingnews.com If you have a press release that you would like to submit for consideration, please send it to: denkelmedia@usa.com

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Columns 4 Bench Racer 18 Straightline 43 Next Issue 44 Subscribe

IndyCar visits the Glen

5 Toyota’s Best Shot

33 Du Quoin’s Ted Horn 100

6 Flashback: Some of Darlington’s Retro Cars

36 Shelton Equals USAC Record at Eldora

8 The Buzz! Drivers Take on John Nemechek 13 14 16 28

37 ARCA:Hessert victory at DuQuoin 38 Scott Bloomquist Bags Gas and Go: Don’t miss Jackson 100 Alex Striler’s newest book 39 Tanner Foust TV Outlaw Goes Legit 40 Final Flight of Danny Langdon Takes St. Louis Thompson’s Challenger II Top Fuel’s Top Spot 42 Trans Am will hold 4 race Super Boats In Mentor, West Coast Championship Ohio

30 Vaught Shines in Larry Phillips Memorial 31 Inductees for the National Midget Hall of Fame 32 Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals

Rico at Eldora

What are you doing to make the sport safer? Safety advancements are needed in short track racing.

one are full of these popular complaints.

How many people do we need to lose before we do something? How many more orphans and widows will there be before enough is enough?

Well let me tell you what NASCAR has done. They have made stock car racing safer than it ever has been. Five point safety harnesses, fuel cells, on-board fire extinguishers, purpose-built racing seats, soft wall technology and head and neck restraints all have either been a direct result of NASCAR's efforts or boosted by them.

We at American Racing News normally stay away from the dark side of racing. Crash photos rarely make it to our publication, and we completely pulled and changed an issue when a beloved racer was tragically taken from us. Maybe we are not "hard" news reporters and, that's okay with us. We like the lighter, enjoyable side of our sport and, we won't apologize for that. Today is different. Today I must voice my opinion. We all like to rip on NASCAR and, I have done my share too. We all like to cry foul when the big guys do something we don't approve of. NASCAR did this and, NASCAR did that. Editorials like this

Where are the other groups? Who is making sprint cars safer? I'm not saying that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not out there, I just want to hear from them. What are you doing? What can we do to help? Racers have not been the most cooperative when it comes to safety. While it typically is expensive for competitors to buy new equipment, what price is too much to save a life? Racers and fans alike worry these safety measures will slow down or, otherwise have

a negative affect on the racing action. Whatever the reasons, resistance to safety improvements has been shamefully prevalent. I am no engineer but I don't believe all changes have to be big things. I saw a sprint car with a test dummy dropped upside down and the dummy's head hit the ground with enough force to be devastating. Could a clamp-on safety cage or loop give a driver's head life saving room? Perhaps a ratcheting harness would hold the driver safely in the seat. Maybe all new sprint cars should have a taller cage. I don't know the answers. Hell, I don't even know all the questions except this one. What are you doing to make the sport safer? American Racing News will do anything we can to help companies or organizations that are trying and, we'll never ask you for a penny to do it. Email denkelmedia@usa.com with your ideas.

Toyota Poised to Sweep NASCAR Championships By Dennis Keeley | Photos from NASCAR PR

William Byron

Martin Truex Jr.

Daniel Suárez

There is no such thing as “A Sure Thing” but William may be as close as it gets in NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series.

What can we say about the outsiders from Colorado that hasn’t already been said. The little team that could, is now teamed up with possibly the most dominant team in NASCAR for 2016.

Daniel is the long shot of this trio and, many would pick Erik Jones but, this native of Monterrey, Mexico has 21 top-ten finishes this year, which edges out Erik’s 16. While Erik has more wins, Daniel seems to be on an upward momentum curve that could mean the difference between individual victories and a championship.

William has demonstrated maturity and poise beyond his 19 years. His ability to adjust his driving style throughout a run to get the best from his Toyota Tundra. Backing Byron’s talent is the truck series juggernaut, Kyle Bush Motorsports. This team seems to win at will regardless if it is William, Erik Jones or the boss, Kyle Bush at the wheel. William Byron is Toyota’s best shot at NASCAR gold this year.

Joe Gibbs Racing brings a wealth of support and resources to Martin this year. The only reason that we have William Byron listed as Toyota’s best chance is the level of competition Martin faces in the Sprint Cup Series. This will be Martin’s best chance ever at taking it all.

Like Truex ,and Jones for that matter, Suarez benefits from the Joe Gibbs organization. Daniel needs to get by Elliot Sadler which will be a huge challenge. Toyota’s best chance of grabbing all the gold rest in the hands of these three drivers

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get out the Polariods and take a look at our favorite retro paint schemes from Darlington.

The BUZZ! John Hunter Nemechek won Sunday's Camping World Truck Series race after roughing up the No. 00 of Cole Custer at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, drawing plenty of scrutiny from his peers on Twitter. The pair got physical briefly after the race as well, eliciting a colorful response from other NASCAR drivers. Dale Earnhardt Jr. @DaleJr - damn kids Jimmie Johnson @JimmieJohnson - How about that for a finish!?!? Jeff Burton @JeffBurton - Winning should be honorable Denny Hamlin @dennyhamlin - boys these days... Clint Bowyer @ClintBowyer - Hmmm, that was pretty dirty! Kyle Larson @KyleLarsonRacin - Hey @JHNemechek that was not big picture racing there. Hope the 00 makes your life trouble in the chase.... Elliott Sadler @Elliott_Sadler - That was dirty racing at its best Darrell Wallace Jr @BubbaWallace - Hahahahahahah!!!!!! Yes!!!!! @colecuster00 you are my hero!!! If 00 doesn't make the chase, he can be the Kenseth of the truck series and makes sure the 8 don't win it. But hey... Ryan Blaney @Blaney - Not that hard to pass someone clean in that corner bud. Josh Wise @Josh_Wise - John Hunter punt return average is now -3 yards

What drivers had to say Brennan Poole @brennanpoole - Why is everyone upset about @JHNemechek win? Racing is for entertainment. I was entertained. I loved the drama. This is what it's about Justin Marks @JustinMarksDG - @brennanpoole When you're leading the next race and I'm in 2nd, I'm going to 'entertain' everyone

WATKINS GLEN, NY – It’s safe to say Scott Dixon is happy the Verizon IndyCar Series is back at Watkins Glen International. The No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet driver capped off a perfect weekend, leading 50 of 60 laps in today’s INDYCAR Grand Prix at The Glen presented by Hitachi to collect his fourth win on the 3.37-mile permanent road course. Stretching his final tank of ethanol over the final 19 laps, Dixon cruised across the finish line 16.5308 seconds ahead of Josef Newgarden. Meanwhile, the battle for the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series cham-

pionship was whittled to two drivers. Leader Simon Pagenaud finished seventh in the race and takes a 43-point lead over Team Penske teammate Will Power into the double-points finale, the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma on Sept. 18. “It was a pretty eventful day," Pagenaud said after completing his first Verizon IndyCar Series race at The Glen. “The last caution made it so the guys in front had to save a lot of fuel, and we didn't save enough at the start of the stint and were very slow. We made it back

in seventh and, for the championship, the day was very good. “We collected a lot of points and we have a bit of a cushion going into Sonoma. We still have to race hard, but it's going to be a lot more comfortable.” Power crashed out in 20th place after making contact with Charlie Kimball on Lap 39. Power, who missed the season opener with an inner-ear infection, was checked and released from the infield care center but not cleared to drive pending further evaluation of concussion-like symptoms. After pacing every practice session and winning the Verizon P1 Award for pole position on Saturday, Dixon was unstoppable in collecting his 40th career Indy car win, moving the 36-year-old alone into fourth on the all-time list ahead of Al Unser. Dixon also now has led 4,899 laps in his 16-year career, moving him ahead of Bobby Unser into sixth on that all-time chart. “The car was just fantastic,” Dixon said after scoring Chip Ganassi

Photo | Chris Jones

By Mitch Robinson | IndyCar PR

Racing’s 102nd Indy car win, “and the track, I love. I love coming to upstate New York and this track is one of the old-school great American tracks that we're lucky enough to come back here and race. “Huge credit to everybody at Team Target and the whole Ganassi organization,” added the four-time champion, “from the people back at the workshop to the guys that are here on the weekend to make this opportunity possible.”

Photo | IndyCar PR

With the late caution for Power’s incident forcing the leaders to stretch their fuel consumption, Dixon saved just enough to score maximum points in the 2016 season’s penultimate race. Dixon moved to third in the point standings, 104 behind Pagenaud, but not enough to remain in the championship hunt.

Newgarden (No. 21 Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka/ECR Chevrolet) finished second, bolting past James Hinchcliffe on the last lap when the No. 5 Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda driver ran out of fuel and finished 18th. Helio Castroneves (No. 3 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet) placed third, his first

Photo | Chris Jones

Photo | IndyCar PR

podium showing in seven races at The Glen.

Refinish Chevrolet) spinning, but the track remained green.

“Once we got off strategy, we passed a lot of cars,” said Newgarden, who moved up to fifth in points but was also mathematically eliminated from championship contention, 109 points behind Pagenaud. “Able to make the fuel thanks to Chevy and then I think we just had a great Fuzzy's Vodka car today, and that's ultimately what made the difference for us to secure second.”

Aleshin’s day got worse on Lap 15 when his left-rear lost air in Turn 4, sending the Russian spinning into the wall and bringing out the first caution. Aleshin was uninjured.

Castroneves passed Conor Daly (No. 18 Jonathan Byrd’s Hospitality Dale Coyne Honda), who also ran out of fuel but coasted home in fourth. Sebastien Bourdais (No. 11 Hydroxycut KVSH Racing Chevrolet) rounded out a top five made up of five different teams at the end of the day. Dixon led the field to the green flag as cars fanned three and four wide in a mad fight for position behind, but as the field funneled into Turn 1, several made contact, sending Bourdais, Mikhail Aleshin (No. 7 SMP Racing Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda) and Juan Pablo Montoya (No. 2 PPG Automotive

The second caution of the race came out on Lap 20 when Kimball (No. 83 Tresiba Chevrolet) made contact with Graham Rahal (No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda), sending Rahal into the wall at the exit of Turn 1, ending his day.

On separate strategy, Carlos Munoz led the field to the Lap 42 restart ahead of teammate Marco Andretti and AJ Foyt Racing’s Takuma Sato. After clearing Castroneves, it took Dixon less than two laps to find his way back to the lead and he was able to stretch his final 18.5 gallons of Sunoco E85R ethanol to the checkers

“He decided to not give me any room,” Rahal said of Kimball. “That’s a hard hit. That’s probably the hardest hit I’ve taken in my life. It’s just a shame. The United Rentals cars was phenomenal.” The championship took another wild turn on Lap 39 when Power made contact with Kimball at the exit of Turn 4 and was turned into the barrier. Most of the leaders pitted on Lap 41, when Castroneves beat the rest off of pit road, but with 19 laps to go, all had to save fuel in order to make it to the checkered flag. Photo | Chris Owens

Photo | Chris Owens

MOTORSPORTS MARKETING AND SPONSORSHIPS EXPLAINS WHAT SPONSORS WANT FROM THEIR INVESTMENT IN RACE TEAMS Lucas Oil PR - Lucas Oil's Alex Striler publishes Motorsports Marketing and Sponsorships to help racers raise money from sponsors. As of September 2016, the book is being used at Vanguard University in the business school’s Action Sports Marketing class. "Many of us at Lucas Oil are frequently approached by racers trying to raise money. Ironically, many of them offer exposure in return for sponsorship. Lucas Oil operates eight racing series, produces over 300 hours of television annually, entitles the Lucas Oil Stadium, owns the Lucas Oil Speedway, the Lucas Oil Racing TV Network and MAVTV... we really don‘t need another team to give us exposure. There are a variety of different things they can do for us—and their other sponsors that would create a lot of value," Striler said, "This book is my attempt to help teams uncover these hidden assets. If every team out there can double or triple their sponsorship income, then motorsports will continue to grow, and Lucas Oil is spearheading that grassroots growth." Motorsports Marketing and Sponsorships contains advice from over 30 professional racers and marketing executives on how to design decks and create proposals, discuss return on investment, value tangible and intangible assets, create effective social media

and publicity campaigns, work with agents and agencies, produce Proof of Performance reports, differentiate between advertising, marketing, and branding, the responsibilities of being a company's brand ambassador, and basing sponsorship prices on value, not costs. It contains input from marketing executives from Rockstar Energy, Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, K&N, Makita Power Tools, Mac Tools, Monster Energy, Lincoln Electric, SEMA, Safety-Kleen, Hewlett-Packard, Troy Lee, 4 Wheel Parts, Permatex, Speedco, and other companies. Motorsports Marketing and Sponsorships also includes money- raising tips from several professional racers, including John Force, Brian Deegan, Ken Block, Ron Capps, Tanner Foust, and Ricky Johnson. Motorsports Marketing and Sponsorships is available on Amazon.com.

Editors note: I received a copy of this book and I must say say that I am impressed. Alex truly knows what he talking about. This book covers the principals of

sports marketing and sponsorship in a clear concise way. No hype, just expert advise from a seasoned pro. We are approaching the offseason for most series. Now is the perfect time to pick up this book and get started with a well thought out sponsor search.

'Big Chief' makes NHRA debut

Story and Potos | NHRA.com

Justin “Big Chief” Shearer, star of the reality TV show Street Outlaws, made his official NHRA debut during the first qualifying session of the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. Shearer’s ’68 Firebird, running a turbocharged 455-based iron Pontiac engine in a class in which billet Hemi-powered behemoths rule, recorded an early-shutoff 7.12 at 160.27 mph that placed him in the No. 23 spot after the first of four qualifying sessions. The run was later disqualified for a fuel infraction, Before Shearer’s debut, he met with the media in the famed Parks Tower to discuss his goals and plans and how his lifelong dream to

become a professional drag racer and run at the biggest drag race on Earth became reality. “Being good at something most people frown upon has evolved, and before you know it, you’re seeing your dream of being a professional drag racer right in front of you,” he reflected. “Then you’re at the U.S. Nationals with a 30-foot piece-of-crap trailer and a truck with 260,000 miles on it. Sometimes I think I’m in the wrong place, and then I wake up, and I know I’m supposed to be here. “When I pulled in, I couldn’t believe how many cars are at this race, which just shows you how many people want to be at this race and work their whole life to be at this race. This is the biggest,

most prestigious drag race; it’s hallowed ground.” Shearer had to spend a lot of time and money to upgrade safety components on his car, including a $16,000 upgrade to carbon-fiber brakes, but he quickly admitted that when his parachute failed to blossom on his first 200-mph quarter-mile pass last weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park, he was grateful for the rules. “They were worth every penny,” he said. “It’s all going to all be worth it when I let off the button to go down this racetrack.” Shearer, whose best run in licensing so far has been 6.42 at 223 mph, has no allusions of being able to run with the top cars in the series, some of which are running the

equivalent of Top Alcohol Funny Car engines in their cars while he’s making do with a factory-based cast-iron 455 with cast cylinder heads and an Edelbrock Performer manifold and cylinder heads. “You could fit two of my engines inside one of theirs,” he joked. “I look pretty goofy with this little bitty motor, but I have to abide by the same rules as them because it’s not their fault I have a crappy motor. I had a lot of Super Stock guys come over and tell me that my engine is more stock than theirs. It’s worked really well for me before, but coming into this arena, I’m realizing that I’m behind the eight ball as far as horsepower goes." Asked about how he manages his “outlaw” persona with his entrée into professional drag racing,

Shearer explained, “I still wear the clothes, I still wear the goofy socks, I still carry a bandana in my pocket, I still have tattoos. I can’t flip the image switch, but I can be respectful. I understand when

things mean something, and I understand passion, and I’m very respectful of people who have passion, and I’m respectful for the people here who have the passion." Shearer has aspirations of going full-time Pro Mod racing and is looking for partners that will enable him to run a full season in 2017. “I’ve had a lot of offers to drive really nice cars, and I’ve had a lot of really good offers to get really nice engines, but I’m being very careful because I need to choose a like minded person,” he said. “I’m being very careful because I want this to go the right way. “But I’m at the U.S. Nationals with my motor, my car, my truck, my trailer; I tune it, I build it, I drive it. That is so cool. Everyone has a story of their first U.S. Nationals, and now 20, 30, or 40 years later if I’m still here, I’ll have mine.”

Shawn Langdon won his third Top Fuel race of the year, and in the process, he defeated Antron Brown, Doug Kalitta, and Tony Schumacher, who were ranked first, second, and third entering the event. The AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals is the second race of the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. Langdon powered his Red Fuel/Sandvik Coromant dragster to a 3.798-second pass at 323.66 mph to defeat eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher’s 3.783 at 317.49 in his U.S. Army dragster on a holeshot. Langdon notched his 14th career win and first at Gateway Motorsports Park. The 2013 Top Fuel world champion moved to fourth in the points. He outlasted reigning world champ and points leader Antron Brown, three-time 2016 event winner Doug Kalitta, and No. 1 qualifier Richie Crampton en route to the final round. “We didn’t really have a dominant car in qualifying, but we just kept picking away at it,” said Langdon, who also won in Bristol and Norwalk. “That’s what we’ve been do-

ing since we got those two victories [earlier this year]. The car has just responded well. All in all, this was a great team effort. The whole team did a great job and gave me a great race car today.” Schumacher, the most successful Top Fuel driver in NHRA history, qualified second and outlasted Chris Karamesines, Phoenix winner Leah Pritchett, and Sonoma winner J.R. Todd before meeting Langdon in the final. Brown held his grip on the points lead despite the early exit and is followed by Kalitta in second and Schumacher in third.

Risk Is the Price You Pay For Opportunity All of the steps attempted to be choreographed with any type of high-speed racing machine can be quite an adventure for everyone, including the driver, the crew, and spectators too. The crew’s responsibility is to ensure the machine is safely prepared to the best of their ability. The person in the precarious position of piloting a powerful and perfectly prepared machine is theoretically the only one at risk when he or she steps on the loud pedal. Let’s face it: There is some risktaking in everything we do in life. From a young child going through the adolescent stages of walking, running, riding a bicycle, swinging, swimming, and now-a-days attending school. Parents hope and pray for their kids’ well-being! In motorsports, you start out going through the adolescent stages of learning to drive and control a highhorsepower machine. Some drivers have jumped in with both feet and skipped the slower class machines, but the risk is multiplied without early-on experience. Risk, literally means a situation involving exposure to danger with the possibility that something unpleasant or unwelcome will happen. No one involved in motorsports wants any unpleasant situation to arise. For the driver, it is ultimately risky for their physical well-being. For the crew and family the risk is an emotional one where they are fearful for their loved one for a few seconds during a high-speed highrisk run down the track.

Racing associations and promoters face risk too. But theirs is based on a financial risk of not having a successful event or a successful season. There are many factors where these risks can come into play during the course of any given year, with the weather probably being the greatest factor, along with the state of the economy. When a nitro powered engine comes to life—whether in the pits or out on the track—there is always the risk of parts breakage which can be the first cause of a disaster. Even changes in track or atmospheric conditions can have a serious effect on how an engine performs. An all-aluminum racing engine is purchased to perform at a high-level, but there are no ten thousand mile warrantees. Once the engine is in its place, it doesn’t know it is at risk. But the person paying the bills knows there’s always a risk this seventy-five thousand dollar motor may only perform for a few seconds before expiring…right after firing…maybe it’s a problem with the wiring…or the crew you were hiring…you were too busy looking and admiring…and with a big nitro load it may become simply too tiring. As humans, we are designed to be fruitful and multiply, but we don’t always consider the risk of parenting. It’s easy to become a parent; almost everyone can do it, but how many of us really sat down and considered the actual cost of raising children (not the monetary part). If

we knew then, what we know now, we might reconsider all of our options. The opportunity to have grandkids is within reach of most of us, but first we must start out with our own kids, and then allow them to multiply too. A few years ago we took two of our grandkids to the Grand Canyon. When the older one said she was going to push the younger brother over the edge, I realized being the one responsible to get both of them back home safely was scarier and riskier than simply being a parent. I told her, “I wasn’t going to be the one to call your dad and say we are only bringing one of the kids back!” The opportunity to raise some trouble as youngsters, race, raise kids, reap the blessings of life, realize the importance of a good job, learn the responsibility to live the Golden Rule is a noble risk we take for the rewards it brings. It is worth the risk, but unfortunately far too many others who have given up on their responsibility to whom they are responsible for. Consider other types of risk in today’s world: Riding a dirt bike or a quad, taking your lake boat out for a full-throttle day of water skiing, hiking in 110 degree heat in Arizona, climbing the Himalayas, going to an amusement park, big game hunting, even football and baseball have inherent danger. The truth is, until we allow God to manage our life; we will be man-

aged by our own risks which may lead to future problems. For the past few thousand years, even believers in God have faced intense risk for their faith. Noah tolerated one hundred twenty years of harassment building an ark where there was no water, and it never rained, risking his reputation on hearing from God. Daniel risked not bowing down to the king, and it got him a date with hungry lions. Saul (Israel’s first king) took a risk not waiting on God, it cost him his kingdom and relationship with God. Sampson took a risk revealing where his strength came from, it cost him everything he had, including his life. Ruth took a risk as a widow to stay with her widowed mother-in-law and her risk paid off as she was in the linage of Christ. Peter took a risk and stepped out of his boat on to the water. History tells us many of Christ’s followers risked their lives for the Gospel— literally the Good News! Today in many parts of the world, people are risking their lives when they profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. A British publication called The Spectator calls it “The war on Christians” and reports 80% of all acts of religious discrimination are directed at Christians. An average of 100,000 Christians are martyred every year—eleven every hour—every day. And if you pay attention to what is going on in this country, Christianity is under fire from all sides. There may be a day in the not too distant future in which we may have to make the choice whether to confess Christ, or bow down to something else. Don’t think it won’t happen in this country, it’s happening all around us! There’s a saying, “No risk, no re

ward.” You can’t race if you don’t buy a boat. You can’t win a race if you don’t compete. You can’t live your life in the past. You can only live for today and tomorrow. In actuality, accepting Christ is not a risk—as it comes with a terrific rewards! Do you remember your last race? Do you remember every run you’ve made? Do you remember every night you stayed up late to work on your hot rod? Do you remember every knuckle you busted turning a wrench? If you don’t remember all those, it’s alright. Be glad you can read the questions and have the ability to function as a human being who has enjoyed life. When I accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord on February 5, 1988, Linda and I had several couples of close friends we partied with, went to the races with, went camping with, played softball with, and went to concerts with. These were our best friends on the planet. But guess what? When I told them we were Christians now, and we began attending church, I didn’t know we were at risk of losing our BFF’s. One-by-one they walked away. But, God gave me the opportunity to not only become a follower of Jesus Christ; He gave me the opportunity to become a pastor to motorsports and beyond—gaining hundreds of new friends. Drag racing had literally been my God for thirty years (1958 – 1988). During those days, we took risks at the races, doing plenty of risky things we shouldn’t have been doing (partying too much, leaning over the guardrail at the track, driving home with the kids in the car etc.). I didn’t realize the eternal risk I was taking not knowing Jesus and not having faith in Him.

I was even leading my family in the opposite direction of heaven if you know what I mean…my understanding of God was quite lean…from the world I needed to wean…God gave me an awareness of what needed to be seen…it wasn’t about my family gene…there was so much of Jesus I needed to glean. Racers are at risk every time they step on the gas. But for a driver, their mind tells them the opportunity—and excitement—is greater than the risk. They feel they are capable of handling all of the power their motor can put out. No fear. No worry. No problem. In the eternal scope of things, there is no risk in living for Christ: It’s justly filled with eternal ecstasy. It bulges with everlasting hope. It’s filled with overwhelming joy. It’s loaded with unsurpassed peace. It’s overflowing with perpetual love. It’s the sweetest melody ever sung. It’s the best love story ever written. It’s motivated from the heart of our eternal God Heavenly treasure catches the eye of the beholder…it’s not for those getting spiritually colder…but for those lives beginning to smolder…who desire to be God’s soldier…from information found in an ancient folder…of a kings title you’ve become a holder…and discover the Rock of Ages really is the Infinite Boulder.

PRESENTED BY

Black Hills AMA Pro Racing/Dave Hoenig

Cover Story

Bryan Smith wins the Black Hills Half-Mile during the 76th Sturgis Rally Bryan Smith powered into victory on Tuesday, August 9 at the Black Hills Half-Mile, held in conjunction with the 76th running of the Sturgis Rally. Jared Mees raged a hard-fought battle for second on his No. 1 Harley-Davidson XR750 and Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. followed close behind to secure a third place finish aboard his No. 2 Harley-Davidson XR750. Smith and Mees did not disappoint the crowd, with several dozen lead changes over the race’s 25 laps. At the end, Smith earned his first Half-Mile circuit win of the 2016 season with a 0.207 second margin of victory over Mees. "It feels great," Smith said. "It's crazy when you think about it that I just stepped off of the podium. Last year, Jared won here and had bad luck at Charlotte, and this year I had bad luck at Charlotte and won here, so it's kind of like roles reversed. Hopefully the roles will continue to be reversed and I'll be the number one guy at the end of this year. “I'm pumped to finally run with these Harleys on the Half-Miles,” Smith continued. “We had a little bit of success before but we felt like the Kawasaki was the bike to have today. My team just did their homework in the last week and got me a bike that was completely dialed and the best bike out there. I'm just pumped to let Jared know that we're there to win this Championship."

Central New York

AMA Pro Racing/Brian J. Nelson

Jared Mees wins the Central New York Half-Mile Defending Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines Champion Jared Mees put on a masterclass performance in front of a packed house at the Rolling Wheels Raceway Park on Saturday, Aug. 20 to score his fourth win of the season and extend his championship lead to 16 points over Kawasaki's Bryan Smith. Joining the pair on the podium was Jeffrey Carver, Jr. for his first podium of the season. As time runs out in the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines Championship, Mees knew going into the Central New York Half-Mile that he had to pad his points lead before the series went into the final two rounds on Smith's favored Mile tracks. The No. 1 Rogers Racing Harley-Davidson XR750 rider did just that, even though it looked as though Smith on the No. 42 Crosley/Howerton Kawasaki Ninja 650 had the speed to beat Mees. Mees credited his 1.555-second victory to what he learned from the Heat Races earlier in the day and the experience of his team behind him. "Just not overriding the race track," Mees said simply. "I knew watching the Heat Races what a good start and running your own race, not trying to push so hard to catch the guy in front of you and make more mistakes... So I wanted to go there and I clicked my laps over and over and over again. We made a few changes for the Main Event. It's phenomenal what we're doing this year, honestly. I mean Bryan (Smith) was the guy to beat; he was. All day long, he was so tough. I'm like, man he is really riding strong on these Half-Miles lately and I knew I needed to get a good start and just run my own race." The master plan worked. Smith got caught up behind Carver, Jr. on the No. 23 BriggsAuto.com Harley-Davidson XR750, and even when Smith got past him, Mees had too much of a lead. Although it wasn't a major points loss to his rival, Smith was disappointed not to leave with a win after having a strong day. the final."

Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. wins Springfield over Mile Specialist Bryan Smith The Springfield Mile never fails to disappoint

and this year's second running of the legendary Mile race at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill. was no exception. Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. came out on top in a last-lap thriller, taking the win by .009 of a second to end Bryan Smith's win streak at Springfield and shake up the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines Championship. It also marked the No. 2 Zanotti Racing Harley-Davidson XR750 rider's first win of the season, and Coolbeth, Jr. was overjoyed to get that win at Springfield. "Harley won Springfield [Woohoo]!" Coolbeth, Jr. said. "It's good. It's been up and down. It's not due to lack of effort, that's for sure. It's just racing. We just keep striving and it's paying off and you know we can carry this momentum to Santa Rosa." Smith may have been the man to beat at the Springfield Mile II, as the No. 42 Crosley/Howerton Kawasaki Ninja 650 rider topped every session except the final one, but Coolbeth, Jr. knows a thing or two about the Miles himself.

Springfield II AMA Pro Racing/Brian J. Nelson

Brad Baker clinches the win at the Ramspur Winery Santa Rosa Mile

Santa Rosa AMA Pro Racing | Brian J. Nelson

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (Sept. 25, 2016) – Brad Baker may have won the battle at the Ramspur Winery Santa Rosa Mile presented by Triumph, but Bryan Smith won the war. It was a dominant win for Baker, the No. 6 Factory Harley-Davidson XR750 rider crossing the finish line 10.5 seconds clear of Smith. “I can’t even describe the way it feels,” Baker said. “It’s been a roller coaster of a year. And it seems like every time, I’d have an eight ball. If anything that could happen badly, it did. It was the battle for second though, that had everyone captivated. A thrilling battle in the final moments which served as the climax of a season long battle for the Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines Championship between Smith on the No. 42 Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Jared Mees on the No. 1 HarleyDavidson . Mees put up a great fight, but Smith was not going to let his first Grand National Championship slip out of his grasp once again. Smith finally had his fairytale ending, but describing what it felt to win his first GNC1 Championship was not easy for the Flint, Mich. Rider. “It’s something you can’t explain,” Smith said. “To win it and come down that close, I would have liked for Jared (Mees) not to catch me. My heart rate went to about 360 that last lap. I had also all of my friends and family out here and all of my friends who are like family, including my whole team. It means so much to have them all here supporting me. Thanks to all the fans, all my friends and everybody that’s been behind me since I was a seven-year-old punk in Scotty Parker’s garage. Everybody back home watching, including Scotty Parker, thanks man, I love you. I wouldn’t be here without you.”

AMA Pro Racing Announces Re-brand of American Flat Track series DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 25, 2016) - AMA Pro Racing has proudly announced the official rebranding of the all-new American Flat Track (AFT) series - formerly known as AMA Pro Flat Track. The rebranding of the series coincides with the dawn of a new era for America's favorite motorcycle sport, which includes a restructured class system as well as a re-envisioning of the event format. While holding true to the legacy of a sport rich in history, the modifications are designed to provide a more understandable and exciting format for the modern fans and make the series more accessible to new fans.

"We are extremely excited about the rebranding of the series," said Michael Lock, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. "The rejuvenation of the sport will bring a new level of excitement to racers and fans. Everyone will be able to easily understand what's happening on the track and will be able to enjoy all of the action from the moment they arrive to when they head home. It's a very exciting time for the sport of professional Flat Track racing." The restructured class system consists of the AFT Twins class, the premier class where the best Flat Track riders in the world battle for top honors on firebreathing Twins, and the AFT Singles class, which will host dirt track racing's stars of tomorrow. The reclassification of the new series is categorized in an easily comprehensible format: The AFT Twins class will consist of twin-cylinder motorcycles (650 - 999cc), which contain the latest in motorsport technology and will be piloted by the fastest athletes on the dirt. In the AFT Singles class, the up-and-coming riders will command the tracks on 450cc single-cylinder motorcycles as they compete for their chance to make it to the prestigious AFT Twins ranks. There are also changes to event format which promise an action-packed program of racing. The traditional

format will move to a tournament style format, where the fastest 48 riders from timed qualifying advance to the heats. From there, the race program will consist of four six-lap Heats with nine of the 12 riders transferring to one of the two Semis. What was traditionally a last chance effort to make the Main, the new Semi format is a knockout round where 18 riders duke it out for the nine spots that transfer them to the 18-rider Main. The Main events themselves see little changes, with the premiere AFT Twins class keeping its traditional 25-lap Main and the support AFT Singles class sees a slight increase from 12 to 15 laps. Adding to the excitement in 2017, the American Flat Track series will also be the battleground for one of the oldest rivalries in motorcycle racing - Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle. The American Flat Track series in its entirety will continue its growth by introducing new global manufacturers to the sport and will see elevated support from current and new partners. In keeping with the goals to streamline and modernize the series, AMA Pro Racing has worked diligently with the Advisory Group to rewrite and enhance the rulebook for the 2017 season. The driving force behind the updated rulebook is to focus on the safety and performance of the overall racing experience. The list of partners and the 2017 rulebook will be available at later dates. Earlier in the 2016 season, AMA Pro Racing announced the formation of subsidiary company AFT Events and the brand-new apparel line American Flat Tracker. These companies have served as a springboard for the launch of the American Flat Track series and will continue to innovate in new ways to elevate the level of the entire event experience for fans, teams and the overall sport of professional Flat Track. For more information about American Flat Track and to keep up-to-date with the latest news in professional Flat Track racing, please visit http://www.amaproracing.com/flat-track. AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

Cat Can Do and Team WHM Take Top Spots in Mentor, Ohio Cat Can Do and Team WHM Motorsports took first place in Superboat Unlimited and Superboat respectively. The inaugural event was a hit with race teams and fans as the beaches and boat spectator fleet were packed for nearly two miles!

The Unlimited race between Cat Can Do and Wake Effects was quite a display of power as the ‘two cats′ fought it out lap after lap. It

wasn’t until midway through the race that Lucas Oil moved into second and Cat Can Do took over the 1st position for the day.

WHM Motorsports ran a great race and kept the sponsors pointed forward as they took the lead after lap 4, as Team Performance Boat Center broke a blade that ended their day. Appearing to be a crowd favorite, the WHM Team raced down the back stretch filled with established boat spectators of nearly 3500 boats. When one estimates how many spectators are on those boats, it makes for a great inaugural event for Super

Boat International (SBI) and the city of Mentor. Cat Can Do and Team WHM Take Top Spots in Mentor, OhioPresident of Super Boat International, John Carbonell commented, “the Team of Cleveland Construction, Mark Small, police, fire, medical, and the entire volunteer network assembled by the city, put on a spectacular race weekend. We are very pleased with the way the first time event was organized and promoted. The City of Mentor and everyone involved rolled out the red carpet for us and the SBI race teams.” There was mutual appreciation by race teams enjoying their first experience in the City of Mentor, as well as locals and business owners who were pleased Super Boat teams were racing again on Lake Erie. The event, projected to bring tens of thousands of spectators, didn’t disappoint as great water and weather conditions filled the race course and event space.

About Super Boat International Founded by John Carbonell in 1989, Super Boat International races take place all around the country. With more than 37 years experience as a powerboat events promoter, in addition to 10 years experience racing powerboats, Carbonell uses his hands-on knowledge to attract some of the most competitive racing teams in the world. Super Boat International is the premier national and international sanctioning body for offshore powerboat racing around the world. The series has attracted many celebrity racers over the years, including Don Johnson, Kurt Russell, Chuck Norris, Bruce Jenner and Jason Priestley. With an estimated million race fans attending Super Boat International races yearly and a significant increase in membership and attendance over the past three years, Super Boat International is poised for future success. The rectangular racecourses average five miles in length, and the aptly named offshore boats power through the waves at speeds up to 180 mph. The action-packed races have attracted a large fan base, and superboats have even been highlighted in big-screen productions such as the 2006 hit, “Miami Vice,” starring Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell and on NBC Sports television. Racing’s elite also, featured on NASCAR’s “Countdown to Green,” “The Today Show” and featured in Forbes magazine. The superboats continue to attract new fans and keep loyal fans coming back for more. This year will mark the 36th anniversary of the Key West World Championships in Key West, FL.

VAUGHT SHINES IN LARRY PHILLIPS MEMORIAL Wheatland, Missouri (September 3, 2016) - When the checkers flew on the 2016 edition of the Larry Philips Memorial at Lucas Oil Speedway, it was all smiles for the Will Vaught and his team. Considering all of the success Vaught has had throughout his career, oddly enough, prior to Saturday, he had never won a feature of any kind at the Wheatland, Missouri track. "Everything fell in place tonight," stated Vaught in Andy's Frozen Custard Victory Lane. "About two weeks ago we did this shock package and spring package for this place, because we haven't been so good in the features. Tonight we had something there."

Vaught fired from ninth and noted how special it was for him to win the race honoring Larry Phillips. "Wow, the Larry Phillips Memorial, man that's one of my idols when I was little," Vaught continued. "To win that little trophy means more than about anything. " From lap 13 to 37 however, it looked like a Jesse Stovall runaway. He took command of the race from Jason Papich, and led by over a straightaway, when he had engine trouble and pulled off. "I've been beat a lot leading laps like Jesse was," Vaught further elaborated. "He was setting a blistering pace, he might have had the best car. I was trying to

bide my time, not saying I would have caught him. He had heartbreak there." Friday's Lakeside Speedway winner JC Wyman was the top qualifier and started the feature from the DirtOnDirt.com pole. He led the opening 10 circuits before Jason Papich emerged from a fierce three way battle, which included Stovall, with the lead. Once Vaught took control at lap 38, he rolled on the final 12 laps unchallenged. Josh Hughes quietly worked his way forward after starting 13th. He ended the night second. It marked Hughes' best finish in a Lucas Oil MLRA series event. "It feels really good," Hughes said to the crowd after the race. "Lance Wright is here. He tuned it before I went out, and it made a giant difference. I messed up several times, but I'm happy with the run." The race for third was intense late. It appeared Tim Manville had it sewn up, but Wyman had one last push and made his way back inside the top three. "I wanted that podium finish," commented Wyman. "I think the driver just decided to show up and drive the rest of the year. We changed motors, and I think that might have helped me be a little better." Tim Manville settled for fourth, and Chase Junghans was strong for the second night in a row. He completed the top five.

8 INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED FOR NATIONAL MIDGET HALL OF FAME Five drivers, two car owners and a race organizer comprise the 2017 class of inductees for the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame. Alphabetically they are: Steve Cannon, Sim Clark, Jay Drake, Billy Garrett, Johnny Mantz, Mitch Miller, Wes Saegesser and Gary Zarounian. They will be officially inducted during ceremonies in Tulsa, Okla. on January 14 during the week of the Chili Bowl Nationals Midget event. Cannon, of Oakwood, Ill., was one of two brothers (Larry) who excelled in motorsports. Especially proficient on the small bullrings of the Midwest, Cannon racked up 21 USAC National Midget wins during his career. A licensed barber in Danville for 50 years, he also was a firefighter and was once named "Firefighter of the Year. He began racing modifieds in the early 1960s and in 1974 he won USAC's Indoor Midget title. He succumbed to Parkinsons Disease in 2015.

Western States Midget king, he went on to claim the 2004 USAC Sprint Car crown. Named the USAC National Midget Most Improved driver, he won the 2000 Hut Hundred and the 2001 Chili Bowl. He also competed in the Infinity Pro Series. In 2000 he was the USAC Indiana Sprint Week Champ Garrett, born in Princeton, Ill. in 1933, won the 1954 and 1955 URA Midget Championship and graduated to Championship cars where he started the 1956 ad 1958 Indianapolis 500s He finished 16th in 1956 but encountered mechanical problems in 1958. He suffered critical injuries in the 1958 100-mile championship race at the Milwaukee Mile and never fully recovered. He passed away in 1999 in California.

Clark, after a stint with ARDC on the East coast in the pre and post-war era, moved to California and excelled as a car owner. In 1951 he won the Indoor BCRA Midget car owner title with Ed Normi as the driver. Later, he fielded title winning cars for Tommy Copp indoors in 1959 and 1961, plus full titles for Dick Atkins in 1964, Bob DeJong in 1969 and Hank Butcher in 1971 and 1972. One of his early hotshoes was also Billy Vukovich, Jr.

Mantz, born in Hebron, Ind., earned reknown for his exploits in the National Championship and Stock Car series, although his expertise spanned several motorsports venues. A top-ranking URA Midget driver, he was second in the 1947 Blue (Offy) circuit and fourth in the Red (Non-Racing Engines) Circuit. He debuted in the Indianapolis 500 in 1948, then returned and finished seventh in the 1949 race. In 1956 he earned the inaugural championship of the very competitive USAC National Stock Car Series. In 1950 he became the first winner of the famous "Southern 500" NASCAR race at Darlington, S.C. He was fatally injured in a highway crash in 1972.

Drake, another transplanted Californian, had tremendous success not only in USAC's National Midget Series, where he scored 17 victories, but also in the Silver Crown cars (5 wins) and Sprint Cars (25 wins). USAC's 1990 and 1991 TQ Midget Champ and 1996

Miller, a Colorado motorsports icon, is credited with having founded the prestigious "Belleville Midget Nationals" in 1978, a race which continues to this day. He has long been associated with the sport, was heavily involved with the Rocky Mountain Midget Rac-

ing Association (RMMS) and organized the Southwest Independent Midget Series (SWIMS) and the AIMS. Between 1966 and 1984 he served as a seven-time President of RMMRA as well as Competition Director and Business Manager. He is a member of the Colorado and Belleville High Banks Motorsports Halls of Fame. Saegesser, who eventually took a post as the AAA Southwest Zone Supervisor in the 1940s, retired from driving in 1950 after a long and distinguished Midget racing career that included more than a hundred feature victories. He scored wins in 11 states and Canada and his first win came at Kansas City in 1937. He was the 1937 Southwest and Tulsa Midget Champion, then won the 1942 Texas/Oklahoma title and was the Houston Speed Bowl king in 1942. All this while competing with a shortened left arm which sported no hand! Zarounian, whose family built car dealerships in central California, immersed himself in not only auto racing but also in numerous business ventures and in 1976 he competed in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, Nev. The Zarounian team hired the best drivers in the business and their success was immense. In addition to eight USAC Silver Crown victories and 11 in the USAC National Midget wars, they fielded cars for drivers like Sleepy Tripp, who racked up two National and seven Western States titles. During the 1980s and 1990s the Tripp-Zarounian Western team was nearly unbeatable. In 1990 Jeff Gordon also posted a victory at Ascot Park in Gardena, Calif. driving a Zarounian Midget. George passed away in 2014 at the age of 93.

Mike Marlar Magnificent; Wins Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals

KNOXVILLE, IOWA (September 17, 2016) - Mike Marlar led the final 60 laps of the 100 lap Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals - capturing the biggest win of his career. Marlar earned $40,000 for the victory in Saturday Night's 13th Annual Event in the Ronnie Delk Racing/Delk Equipment Sales/Cornett Racing Engines/Capital Race Car.

"It's a good life, it's awesome to win here," said the 38-year-old Marlar in Lucas Oil Victory Lane. Knoxville [Raceway] is one of my favorite tracks, if not my favorite to race at. It can scare you to death, but it's awesome! I knew Bloomquist was on me. When he pulled alongside me a few times and got by I just let the car go up top and it stuck."

The current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points leader, Scott Bloomquist finished in second. Bobby Pierce came home in third; Shane Clanton and Billy Moyer completed the top five.

"We had an awesome car. We are not a full-time race team, but we put it on them tonight. I said on Wednesday when I left the house, I am confident going into this event. You don't drive 14 hours to one of the biggest races in the country when you aren't. We've got the equipment and the team. We've got the stuff to do this," said Marlar after posting his sixth career LOLMDS victory.

Jimmy Owens led the first ten laps of the race until Josh Richards took over the top spot. Richards then lead until lap 39 when Marlar powered to the point from his fourth starting position. Marlar held off Bloomquist and Richards the rest of the way for the win. Richards slowed with five laps to go and headed pitside, giving up a podium finish.

Bloomquist drove his Reece Monument Company/Crop Production Services/Sweet-Bloomquist Chassis to finish second, solidifying his series points lead. "Maybe some

long runs would have helped us. I just had to get some heat in the front tires. He [Marlar] had a great run tonight. He ran a good-line all night. You can't help but have fun at this place. If you're not having fun at this place, then you need to quit." In his first appearance at Knoxville since 2012, Bobby Pierce battled to the third spot when Billy Moyer ran out of fuel on the final lap. "I can't say enough about the car. We started to get tight there at the end. It was really fun out there. I fell way back for a while. We got lucky here and there. Some guys fell out with fuel issues. I don't think I have any fuel left in the car right now. I would like to thank Berger Marina for coming on board this weekend helping us with a motor." Completing the top ten were Jimmy Mars, Tim McCreadie, Kyle Bronson, Dennis Erb Jr., and Darrell Lanigan.

RICH FORMAN PHOTO

Chris Windom Wins "Ted Horn 100" at Du Quoin Chris Windom of Canton, Ill. enters the USAC Silver Crown Championship finale September 24 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio with a 10-point deficit behind defending two-time series champion Kody Swanson after winning Saturday's "Ted Horn 100" at the Du Quoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds.

high-side pass in turn three on the 98th lap and held on for the final two and a quarter circuits for the win. Swindell took second ahead of ProSource fast qualifier Swanson, while Casey Shuman took fourth and defending two-time race winner Shane Cockrum was fifth.

Windom is seeking his first USAC National title and has finished no worse than fifth in any of the eight races held to date. Five of those finishes resulted with appearances on the "podium." Saturday's 100-mile race at Du Quoin, presented by Casey's General Stores, found Swanson on the front row with Windom lined up ninth. Swanson led the first 15 laps before yielding to Jeff Swindell, who was seeking his first series win in 23 years. Swindell led for 21 laps before Windom came to the forefront on lap 37. Windom led the next 27 before Swindell returned to the lead on lap 64. Windom, though, had different ideas in his RPM Auto Enterprise Maxim/J & D. He caught Swindell with a

NEIL CAVANAH PHOTO

Rico Romps in Eldora 4-Crown Midget Rout

Rossburg, Ohio.........Rico Abreu arrived at Eldora Speedway Saturday evening via an airplane ride alongside Tony Stewart after competing in the afternoon's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in New Hampshire. As soon as the St. Helena, California driver hit the western Ohio half-mile for the first time on Saturday, it almost seemed as if Abreu

was still on-board a jet as he piloted his Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports entry to a complete sweep of the night's USAC National Midget events, recording ProSource Fast Qualifying time, then following that up with a new 8-lap track record run on his way to a heat race victory before slashing his way to third from his sixth starting position by the end of the first lap of the feature.

Abreu rocketed around the outside of teammate Tanner Thorson in turn two on the second lap, and then quickly ran down leader Chad Boat by the time the two got to turn three. Abreu instantly shot down to the bottom of turn three for a classic Eldora slide job right up in front of Boat to take the top spot as Boat countered underneath Abreu and

his way through the back markers while the lap counter on the scoreboard ticked away, but with just four laps remaining, Abreu's lead would be wiped away as Tyler Courtney slowed with a broken U-Joint. On the lap 22 restart, it was no contest as Abreu pulled away without missing a beat, but the battle for second waged between Boat, Thorson and Brady Bacon became the race to watch as Thorson slid by Boat for second entering turn one. Bacon slipped past Boat as well for third and made a mad-dash toward Thorson for second in turn one a lap later that came up short. Rico Abreu won his second "4-Crown" USAC Midget race Saturday night at Eldora Speedway. The St. Helena, California driver also won in 2013. Yet, in the distance was Abreu who finished off one of the most impressive drives in "4-Crown" midget history as he lapped up to sixth place on his way to his second career USAC Midget victory at Eldora (2013) in his Keith Kunz - CurbAgajanian/DC Solar - Abreu Vineyards/Bullet/Speedway Toyota. "Keith Kunz gives me phenomenal race cars every time I come and race with him. I'm very fortunate I get to race with him," Abreu praised. "It's special every time I get to stand up here (at Eldora). I've come close a lot this year and last year, but just never was able to get a win, but we've had solid finishes here."

drag raced to the line with Abreu beating Boat back to the stripe by a wheel. Boat, who won both nights at the "Belleville Midget Nationals," one month ago, made one more attempt on Abreu into turn one on the third lap, but came up short as Abreu shot out of a cannon off the turn two cushion to instantly leave Boat in his afterthoughts. By the tenth lap, Abreu had established a full-straightaway lead that continued to grow as he sliced, diced and pureed

Minden, Nevada's Tanner Thorson took second in his Keith Kunz - Curb-Agajanian Motorsports/TRD - JBL Audio/Bullet/Speedway Toyota as he edged his way into the thick of a tightened USAC National Midget point race where he now sits just 30 points out of the lead behind Spencer Bayston who dropped out on the sixth lap of Saturday night's feature and finishing in the 22nd position. Brady Bacon, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, finished third in his FMR Racing/Beast/Toyota. With five races remaining, Bacon finds himself 27 points out of the lead in the series standings and just five behind Boat.

Rich Forman Photo

Shelton Equals USAC Record with 5th Place Run at Eldora USAC National Midget driver Holly Shelton continues to impress during her rookie campaign in the series. Just last Saturday at Rossburg, Ohio's Eldora Speedway, the 20 year-old Sacramento, California native recorded her first career topfive finish of the season. That accomplishment put her in exclusive company. Shelton became just the third female driver to record a top-five finish in a dirt USAC National Midget feature event. She joins the late Jeri Rice and Sarah McCune as the only ones to accomplish the feat. Tucson, Arizona's Rice recorded a 5th place finish at Eagle (Neb.) Raceway on Aug. 2, 1988 and Perrysburg, Ohio's Sarah McCune was

a 5th place finisher at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois on June 4, 2003. Shelton's result was the best finish - pavement or dirt - for a female in a USAC National Midget feature in three years when Taylor Ferns from Shelby Township, Michigan took 5th on the pavement at Fountain, Colorado's Pikes Peak International Raceway on June 29, 2013. No female has ever won a USAC National Midget, National Sprint Car or Silver Crown feature. The best ever finish for a woman in a USAC National event was a 2nd, earned by McCune at a midget race at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway on Sept. 19, 1999. Other top-fives earned by ladies throughout the history of USAC Na-

tional Midget racing include Zionsville's Bev Griffis, who finished 3rd at Winchester on April 7, 1991, and Westfield, Indiana's Stephanie Mockler - the only female driver to score multiple top-fives in USAC National Midget competition - who took a 3rd at Indianapolis Raceway Park on May 27, 2006 and a 5th at Toledo (OH) Speedway on July 6, 2007. Furthermore, Shelton currently stands 8th in the 2016 USAC National Midget points standings. Ferns, back in 2013, is the only female to finish in the top-10 of the National Midget points (9th). With only five races remaining in the season and holding a 51-point advantage over her nearest competitor, Shelton may very well add that to her rapidly growing rĂŠsumĂŠ.

Venturini Motorsports adds win no. 42 with Hessert victory at DuQuoin TOLEDO, Ohio (Sept. 6, 2016) Venturini Motorsports added its 42nd career ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards victory Sunday night at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds dirt mile when Tom Hessert "parked it" in victory lane. The win in the General Tire GRABBER 100 also ended a twoyear winless drought for Hessert, whose last victory came at Salem Speedway on September 13, 2014. It also marked the first win for the combination of Hessert and his crew chief Dave Leiner. "So proud of this team," said Hessert. "Dave (Leiner) and the guys have done a heck of a job the last few races. I feel we had one taken away from us at Berlin, and we didn't roll over. We just keep pressing on. I'm gonna enjoy this one for a few days and then get ready to focus on Salem." Hessert's good at focusing on Salem having already won three times on the storied high-banked, half-mile in southern Indiana, twice with Cunningham Motorsports and once with Ken Schrader Racing.

Hessert's win Sunday was Venturini's second victory at DuQuoin, having won there with Steve Aprin in 2010. The weekend win places Hessert second in championship standings, 505 point behind leader Chase Briscoe with four events remaining - Salem, Chicagoland, Kentucky and Kansas. Hessert's Venturini Motorsports teammates Ken Schrader and Trista Stevenson finished third and 10th respectively, giving the team three finishes inside the top-10. "We had a lot of fun out there tonight," said Schrader. "Our Federated Auto Parts Toyota was hooked up all night long but just couldn't catch Hessert there at the end." Schrader's car owner Billy Venturini added, "Everyone needs to know working with Ken Schrader is as much fun as I've had in a long time. What a cool cat. Was a pleasure and an honor." Twenty-five year old Trista Stevenson turned in a solid top-10 performance in her ARCA Racing

Series debut. "What a great night," said Stevenson. "I had a lot of fun out there and was able to bring my Lighthouse Lodge-Excel Bottling Company Toyota home in 10th place. It was definitely a learning experience. The longer we practiced the better we got. The same went for the race...the longer it went the better things went. I'm really happy with our day and thankful for the opportunity. "We got hot during that first run and had to cool down the car on that first pit stop; but once we got back out and settled in, our times picked up and we were running close to the leaders." Surrounded by a huge contingency of supporters on pit road, Stevenson took a moment after the race to give credit to her crew chief, Jeff McClure, and spotter, Landon Huffman, for their contributions. "I had great team support all day long. Jeff and Landon were awesome and really helped me make the adjustment and get up to speed today. They pushed me when I needed it and made this day a lot of fun. I'm ready for another 100 laps," added Stevenson.

Scott Bloomquist Bags Jackson 100 BROWNSTOWN, IN (September 24, 2016) - Scott Bloomquist led 97 of the 100 laps on Saturday Night at Brownstown Speedway, winning his sixth career Jackson 100. He earned $20,000 for winning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned event. Bloomquist passed Dennis Erb Jr. for the lead early in the race and was briefly challenged by Darrell Lanigan and Jimmy Owens. Bloomquist's Crop Production Services, Reece Monument Company, Mark Martin Automotive, Durham Racing Engines, SweetBloomquist Chassis outran Owens, Lanigan, Tim McCreadie, and Chris Simpson for the win. "The first few times we came here, we didn't make the race, but gradually over time we got better. It's completely different dirt than what we were winning on in the South at that time. The crowd has always been supportive of us up

here and it's a track you have to be smooth to drive on," said the winner afterwards in Lucas Oil Victory Lane. "The car was very good all night long; in the heat race it would handle anywhere on the track. When they went out and worked on the track before the main event, I am sure it helped us. Our car was able to maneuver the entire 100 laps without any difficulty. When we got into traffic late, it was still race-able." Bloomquist was challenged only on restarts by Lanigan and then by Owens as they were able to stay close to the 52-year-old Hall-ofFamer, seeking his third career LOLMDS title. As the race wore on with several long green flag runs, Bloomquist proved his dominance. Owens was pleased with his runner-up finish. "We had a good car

at Knoxville last week, but didn't get the result we wanted to. This track has always been fun to race on and with the crowd on hand that they had tonight, it makes it ever better. I thought I had a good chance to stay with Scott; and we did for several laps; but a couple of times I skated up the track and that hurt our chances." Lanigan had one of his best finishes ever at Brownstown and felt that he had a strong car for the entire race. "We keep working on this piece and it just seems to get better and better. To come to Brownstown and run third with these guys tells us how far we have come. I'd like to give a big thanks to everybody at Clint Bowyer Racing and Georgia Boot for their support." Completing the Top Ten were: Dennis Erb Jr., Don O'Neal, Dustin Linville, Cody Mahoney, and Hudson O'Neal.

RED BULL GRC Contender

Tanner Foust TEAM: #34 Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross RANK: 1st, Supercar; 465 points (leader) DEFINING MOMENT: After losing the Supercar points lead for the first time all season in Atlantic City, Foust found himself in an unfamiliar position in Seattle. He proceeded to correct course by extending his record-setting heat and semifinal win streak to 25 and winning his fourth final of the season. Those numbers are both career bests, and the main event win was also his Red Bull GRC-record 11th victory overall; the weekend performance was more than enough to reclaim the championship lead from teammate Scott Speed. ONE THAT GOT AWAY: Foust has seen bad luck strike him out of the lead multiple times this season, including a missed corner in Dallas and

an incident in Daytona. But MCAS New River was the true heartbreaker: while the rest of the field was mired in the sloppy mud, Foust was the only driver on track with a clear track and clear windshield. But after extending an insurmountable lead, a mechanical issue forced him to pull off track at the halfway point. He was classified eighth at race’s end, earning 15 points instead of the 50 that come with a win. OUTLOOK: Take luck out of the equation and Foust already has this title wrapped up. He’s been dominant to a point that Red Bull GRC has never seen in the Supercar class. There’s a reason why we don’t run these races on paper— anything can still happen—but if Foust has anything to say about it, he’ll be lifting his first championship trophy in four years next Sunday.

of Danny Thompson’s

On the morning September 17, Danny Thompson’s Challenger 2 was released from impound and made a 402.348mph return run to back up the 411.191mph run from the prior day giving Thompson a new AA/FS record of 406.7mph!*

but he was never able to get the official 400mph plus record.

Danny said, “I'm proud to say that this weekend my crew and I were able to take care of his unfinished business. A massive thank you to my family, my team, and to all of my sponsors. None of this would have been possible without their committed and steadfast support. God knows we've run into obstacles along the way. They were always behind me, and I'll remain grateful to them for that until the day I die.”

In terms of the actual run, it was much smoother than yesterday. The SCTA officials moved the track approximately 80ft eastwards, and the surface felt much nicThis was an achievement fifty years in er, especially towards the big end. The the making. Bonneville put my Mickey shutoff area was also much improved. Thompson (Danny’s father) on the map, Danny points to his newly acquired Black Hat, given to those that break a record of 200+ mph.

406 mph Challenger II IMAGES | THOMPSONLSR.COM

Additionally, we were able to run very eyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s un-backed-up 1960 run in the Chalearly in the morning compared to Satur- lenger I. day, which meant a firmer surface. We made plenty of traction and the Challenger 2 handled superbly well. Compared to yesterday's somewhat wild run, today's drive was a pleasure.

So why didn't we go faster? We had an issue with the rear engine. A screw in a barrel valve responsible for distributing fuel vibrated out, which flooded the engine and caused it to run very fat. Consequently, we were way down on horsepower. But even with that problem we were able to surpass the 400mph mark and backup our record. I couldn't be happier with that result!

For those of you who are historically minded, that's 0.1mph faster than Mick-

TRANS AM ANNOUNCES WEST COAST EXPANSION

Series will hold four-race West Coast Championship in conjunction with SVRA After a nearly decade long absence, the iconic rumble of Trans Am engines will make its long awaited return to the West Coast, with The Trans Am Race Company formally announcing an independent West Coast Championship for 2017. A stand-alone competition, the Trans Am West Coast Championship will have its own points championship and will be independent of the Trans Am Championship— which is held primarily on tracks throughout the East Coast, Midwest and South. With the addition of a West Coast Championship, Trans Am aims to regenerate a historically vibrant competitor community on both professional and SCCA Club levels. “The West Coast has always been core to the spirit of Trans Am,” said John Clagett, President of The Trans Am Race Company. “Some of the greatest races in Trans Am history took place on the West

Coast, and some of our greatest talents called it home. From 1996 to 2005 nearly a quarter of all Trans Am events were held in the West, so many of our competitors and race shops were based there— the region is engrained in our history. The Trans Am West Coast Championship is the first of many steps towards rebuilding that core competitor base and making Trans Am a national brand for our stakeholders, drivers and fans.” Trans Am will partner in the endeavor with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), as it does for many of its events in the Trans Am Championship. The Series will continue with the format of 100-mile sprint races and will enforce a modified version of the 2016 Trans Am rulebook while staffing the events with core members of the Trans Am Series staff, including the Series’ Technical Director and Chief Steward.

“The timing is just right for Trans Am,” said Clagett. “The Trans Am Championship is stable and continuing to grow as we bring in additional marketing partners for 2017. Our relationship with SVRA has presented us with the opportunity to expand westward with minimal risk while providing the vital components for success, quality venues and competition platforms, while we work to rebuild Trans Am’s presence in a region it has historically called home.”

The 2017 Trans Am West Coast Championship 2/10- 2/12

Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch

4/29- 4/30

Auto Club Speedway

7/29-7/30

Portland Interna tional Raceway

11/4-11/5

Circuit of the Americas

Coming November 30th

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