NM Motorsports Report

NEW MEXICO

SPECIAL EDITION 2017

VO L # 2 I S S U E # 1

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SUPER NATIONALS

CUSTOM AUTO SHOW

MAVERICK AUTO

BLAZIN A TRAIL

SEE INSIDE

LOCAL RACING SCHEDULES 2017

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Call the Exper ts.

341 Eubank ne albuquerque, nm 87123 (505) 293-9190 Toll Free (855) 411-YWPC WWW.YEARWOODPERFORMANCE.COM 2 NMMotorsportsReport.com

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SPECIAL EDITION VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1

Supernationals Custom Car Show By: David Swope NMMotorsportsReport.com

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Publisher RaDine William, LLC Editor Dominic Aragon Design & Layout David Lansa DL Graphic Design Photographers

Scott Welch, Motor Sports Photojournalist, scottwelchphoto.com WJR Photography David Swope Jeremy Thompson Double Barrel Photography

Blazing A Trail

By: Dominic Aragon DAragon@TheRacingExperts.net

Editorial Contributors Dominic Aragon Jim Costa David Swope

Witnessing History Article By: Kyle Magda Photos By: Jeremy Thompson TheRacingExperts.com

Scott Welch, Motor Sports Photojournalist, scottwelchphoto.com Kyle Magda

Publication Sponsors ABQ Dragway Car Crafters NAPA Auto Parts Unser Racing Museum Yearwood Performance Cover Photo

Kenny Hauk, Huak Designs 1948 Willys Pickup Hauk .45

2016 Albuquerque Dragway Champions

By: David Swope NMMotorsportsReport.com Photos By: Double Barrel Photography

NM Motorsports Report copyright 2016ÂŽ. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted by NM Motorsports Report, alls rights reserved. Reproduction of any articles, advertisement or material from this issue is forbidden without permission of the publisher. Publisher assumes no responsibility and is not to be held liable for errors beyond the cost of the space occupied by advertisers.

NMMotorsportsReport.com • 3

26th Anniversary Route 66 Casino Hotel

CUSTOM AUTO SHOW By: David Swope NMMotorsportsReport.com

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he Southwest’s largest indoor Hot Rod & Custom Car Show rolled into the New Mexico State Fairgrounds and transformed the Manuel Lujan Complex, Creative Arts Building, School Arts Building and Flower Building into a Motorhead Heaven. More than 250 of the Nation’s top Hot Rods, Custom Cars, Trucks, Muscle Cars and Motorcycles compete for over $20,000 in cash and awards. Over 11 states are represented for 2017 and the 26th edition of this New Mexico tradition. Many of the vehicles are National Magazine Cover and Special Feature Vehicles.

“Rare Air” owned by Gil Losi from Murrieta, California started as a Plymouth project based on an Art Morrison spec-built chassis. With an abundance of performance suspension parts including a Ford 9-inch, Detroit Locker diff, Strange axles, a four-link and a Panhard bar. Up front, the Morrison independent system utilizing Mustang spindles, RideTech air bags, Baer discs and Detroit Speed rack and pinion. Losi powered the project with a 2006 Dodge Charger SRT-8 Hemi producing 400+HP fitted with a 545RFE five-speed automatic tranny.

The Super Nationals Celebrity for 2017 is Butch “Eddie Munster” Patrick. The Munsters (1964) is still one of the most popular series in history. Edward Wolfgang Munster made Patrick a worldwide, iconic TV character and a family favorite for over 50 years. Patrick worked with many stars for the 50’s and 60’s including Burt Landcaster, Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney as well as TV shows from My Favorite Martian, Gunsmoke and Bonanza.

“Sinfandel” owned by Jerry & Lorrie Jabobs is a full competition engineering tubular chassis, suspension components and an

Olds Cool

The STARS of the Super Nationals are always the cars! “Hemisfear,” owned by Don and Elma Voth from British Columbia, Canada.

It is the culmination of a 16 year personal dream of Chip Foose. In 1990, during his senior year at the Art Center College of Design, Foose and his classmates were tasked with a Chrysler sponsored graduation project. “Hemifear” was the result and what a unique creation at that.

“Olds Cool,” a 1939 Olds Convertible owned by Billy and Debra Thomas from Corpus Christi, Texas is a four year build completed for the Detroit Autorama 2016 in an attempt to raise the bar for the Riddler Award.

“Overcast,” a 1961 Blazer owned by Rich Tillema from Parker, Texas is a Blazer born of a 612 Chevy Suburban. Chervolet never made an early 60’s body style Blazer, they were Suburbans, Carry-Alls or Panels so Tillema had to create his own.

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aerospace components differential found in Dragsters. The car is lengthened 4” and front end narrowed 4” with one of a kind “performance machine” aluminum. The 573ci, all aluminum Keith Black Racing engine built by Clay Smith with SDS electronic fuel injection and a 8-71 Billet Blower is accented by stainless steel piping throughout.

“MAE” a 1959 Lincoln radical custom owned by David Hoekstra from Roswell, New Mexico is a stripped down build. A 520ci big block Ford built by John Kaase Racing Motors with Hemi aluminum heads and Inglee’s eight stack injection transfer the power to the street via a Hughes 4L80 tranny. The car is floored, tubbed, firewalled

and chopped 2 ½” with custom glass, trim, molded one piece tail lights and floating front grill. Air ride suspension provided by Accuair and supported by Colorado Custom wheels resembling factory 56 style caps. Axalta black on black and Tuxedo style interior by Ron Mangus Custom Hot Rod Interiors, Kicker stereo and tons of chrome by Tim Blair complete this iconic 562 Continental.

“Pearl” a 1949 62 Convertible Cadillac owned

by Tracy Chapman from Andice, Texas. 950+ HP Chevy LSX 454 with Magnuson 2300 induction, custom heads by Donald Hardy and Custom Greening Auto valve covers, GM-LS9 based ignition, CHRA hand-made stainless steel headers flowing through Borla Mufflers with Stainless Works tube mufflers in the rear.

“Hauk .45” a 1948 Willy’s pick-up brandishing iconic guns from the Wild West is truly a work of art from Kenny Hauk from Chamderburg, Pennsylvania. The cab features an 8 inch stretch and a 3’ chop. The engine bay is stretched 11” to accommodate the 12 valve Cummins Powerplant.

Detail such as the hand engraved filigree and antique aged walnut bed complete this tough, off-road monster.

“Pretty Penny” a 1933 Ford Roadster owned by Harold Chapman from Audice, Texas is fitted and gapped and the fenders on all four corners cut extensively to create the same side to side look which becomes pleasing to the ear. The all steel Ford body with hand-made panels from CHRA and Steve’s Auto Restoration add to the beauty of this Roadster. Cosmetics on the hood and grill give it a great look accented

by Greening Auto headlights styled after the early ford commercial pieces.

The 26th Annual SUPER NATIONALS is truly a feast for the eyes done as only Reggie Tibbets and Matt Torres can do. Can’t wait for the 27th!

Feb 3, 4 & 5, 2017 at EXPO New Mexico

Overcast 61 Blazer MAE 59 Lincoln

Pretty Penny

Hemisfear

Scott Welch

Motor Sports Photographer Photojournalist

Rare Ai

Images for Marketing and Fine Art

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Feature Author and text for marketing. scottwelchphoto.com 505-934-SCOT(7268) NMMotorsportsReport.com • 5

SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO

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SNMSPEEDWAY.COM SHORT TRACK SHOOTOUT, THURSDAY-SUNDAY

Weekly Racing Series, Saturday, June 10, 2017

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ASCS Southwest 360 Shootout + Fireworks, March 31-April 1, 2017

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Casa Nissan Legends Spring Fling, presented by Sound & Signal, April 20-22, 2017

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18th Annual USRA Fall Nationals, Thursday-Sunday, October 19-22, 2017

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29-April - Points 6-May - Points 13-May - Points May 27 - 28 - Founders Day/Weekend 3-June - Points 10-June - Points 17-June - Points June 30 - July 1 Witten Warriors 8-July - Points 15-July - Points 22-July - Points 29-July - Points 5-August - Points 12-August USRA Show 26-August - Points 2-September - Points 9-September - Points 16-September - Final Points September 29-30 Last Race Weekend STATE ROAD 605 NORTH MILAN, NM 87021 DIRECTIONS: I-40 TO EXIT 79, THEN 0.2 MILE NORTH, THEN 0.3 MILE WEST, THEN 2 MILES NORTH

NMMotorsportsReport.com • 7

BLAZING A TRAIL By: Dominic Aragon DAragon@TheRacingExperts.net

MAVERICK AUTO

W

hat started as building a vehicle out of necessity, Will Epps translated his hands-on approach to working on cars—for business and pleasure—for more than 23 years.

Will owns Maverick Auto & Fabrication in Albuquerque’s Northeast quadrant. The local business owner has been in business for five years with three full-time employees and two employees who help with special projects.

Will’s past experience includes running and operating auto shops in the East Mountains, Rio Rancho, Colorado and Arizona.

With his current business, Will says he’s fortunate enough that his business stays busy year-round. He and his crew work four ten-hour shifts during the week, saving two days, Monday and Saturday, for special appointments.

Additionally, Will has had the opportunity to be in the national spotlight, having a car he took on as a project displayed in the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada in November of 2016.

Auto Electrical Repair

Metal Fabrication

WHAT MAKES ABQ DIFFERENT “The number one thing about Albuquerque is that I can drive 20 minutes in any direction and find some open dirt to play in. There’s a lot of open space here. (laughs) “We don’t just build them; we build them and then we use them. Not everything we build is show and shine with lots of powdered coating and ridiculous budgets.

“That’s what’s cool about Maverick, we do a bunch of different things, so

Street Rod Fabrication

Engine Rebuilds

everyday I come to work, knowing I get to do something different. There’s always different projects and a new vehicle that needs [work done].”

FAVORITE PROJECTS “There’s so many different categories. In the rock crawler category, my favorite project was an ‘85 Toyota 4Runner. The goal was to make a lowest frame ground clearance with the biggest tires; so we did exactly that and ended up with 40 inch tall tires.

“My top show clean was the 2016 SEMA build that we did. It was a 2016 F-250, and came off of that. Everything had to be done; bumpers, adjustable suspension, powder coating, it was my pretty truck.”

HAVING A CAR DISPLAYED AT SEMA “When you’re invited to go to a show like that, and display something you put together, it’s really a culmination of your boyhood dreams that people are going to look at something you got to put together.”

Taking pracTical To new heighTs SpeciAlizing in FOur WHeel Drive AnD cuStOM FAbricAtiOn Will eppS, OWner - JASOn bryAnt, MAnAger

Maverick auto & Fabrication 3612 HigH St • Albuquerque

505.974.9541 www.MavericknM.coM Facebook.coM/MavericknM NMMotorsportsReport.com 88 NMMotorsportsReport.com

REPRESENTING NEW MEXICO AT SEMA “It’s really nice to be able to state that we are New Mexico, we’re part of the United States, and we can hang too (laughs).

SEMA IN 2017 “We will take on whatever projects want to be done, and we’ll probably be there again this year, because I am personally working on a line of in-house bumpers and in-house suspension systems, so we’re hoping to be able to get a couple vehicles and debut those there as our own standing manufacturer here in Albuquerque.

“Time, money, everything like that has to fall into place, [so hopefully,] we’ll be there next year.”

Contact Will Epps at MaverickNM.com for more information or to schedule an appointment.

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potential

By: Dominic Aragon DAragon@TheRacingExperts.net

milestones in 2017

There are less than eight weeks away until the Daytona 500. The 2017 season could provide the potential for various driver milestones.

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Barring any missed races, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (595 starts) would hit the mark at Auto Club Speedway in March and would become 26th driver in series history to start 600 races.

—Two 2016 full-time drivers could make their 500th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start in 2017.

Kurt Busch (576 starts) would hit the mark at Bristol Motor Speedway in August and would become 27th in series history to start 600 races.

Barring any missed races, Kasey Kahne (468 starts) would hit the mark at the Kansas Speedway race in October.

Kevin Harvick (574 starts) would make start 600 at Richmond International Raceway in September and would become 28th driver in series history to do so.

Casey Mears, who has 488 career starts in the series, has not announced his 2017 racing plans in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at the time of publication.

39 drivers have hit the mark in the history of the series. The most recent drivers to make their 500th start were both Jamie McMurray and Greg Biffle in the same race at Chicagoland Speedway in September of 2016.

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—Three drivers with full-time rides in 2017 could make their 600th Sprint Cup Series start this season.

25 drivers have made 600 or more starts in the history of the series. Matt Kenseth became the most recent driver to hit the mark in the August 2016 race at Watkins Glen International.

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—Four drivers who ran full time in 2016 have the chance to score their 100th career top-five finish in the series in 2017.

Kasey Kahne has 89 career top-five finishes, Joey Logano has 81 and Brad Keselowski has 79.

sandiamx.com

Greg Biffle, who has 92 career top-five finishes, has not announced his 2017 racing plans at the time of publication.

40 drivers have hit the mark in the history of the series.

Moriarty MX Race Series Schedule 2017 Practice dates to be announced April 22-23 Race Series Round 1 May 19-21 Race Series Round 2

LORATTA LYNN’S AREA QUALIFER June 17-18 Race Series Round 3 July 15-16 Race Series Round 4 August 19-20 Race Series Round 5 September 16-17 Race Series Round 6 October 14-15 Race Series Round 7 10 NMMotorsportsReport.com

Denny Hamlin was the last driver to score their 100th top-five finish in the series with his thirdplace finish at Darlington Raceway in September of 2015.

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—If Jimmie Johnson is able to score at least five victories in 2017, he will move to fourth on the all-time wins list. Johnson currently has 80 career victories and sits seventh on the series’ all-time wins list. Cale Yarborough has 83 victories, and Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip have 84 apiece.

Furthermore, if Johnson can win 13 races next season, he will tie Jeff Gordon for third all-time on the wins list at 93.

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—A championship win by Jimmie Johnson in 2017 would make the 41-year-old driver the most title-winning driver in series history at eight.

A Johnson championship in 2017 would mark eight titles in 12 seasons.

Johnson’s 2016 title tied him with Richard Petty and the late-Dale Earnhardt for first on the alltime championship wins with seven each.

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—If Kasey Kahne starts in each of the first 32 races this season, he will become the 18th driver in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history to start 500 consecutive races.

Kahne currently has started 468 consecutive races and has not missed a race since his debut in the Daytona 500.

Barring any missed races, Kahne would hit the mark at Kansas Speedway in October. The last driver to hit 500 consecutive starts in the series was Greg Biffle at Phoenix International Raceway in November of 2016.

200

—If Aric Almirola can win a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race in 2017, it will mark the 200th win for the No. 43 car in the series.

Richard Petty won a total of 192 times with the No. 43.

Drivers Bobby Hamilton and Jim Paschal won twice in the No. 43; and Aric Almirola has won once with the number along with John Andretti and Lee Petty. From 1959 to 1984, a total of 1,054 races in the series were run with the No. 43 car winning 195 times, approximately an 18.5 percent. The last time the No. 43 visited victory lane was with Aric Almirola in July 2014 at Daytona International Speedway.

The No. 43 is the second most winning car in the history of the series. The No. 11 car has visited victory lane a total of 209 times.

SWMS has a Class for all Cars!

SouthWest MotorSport Welcomes Enthusiasts at All Levels

Let the Racing Begin!

2017 RACING NS RETUR TO SWMS SANDIA !

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2017 SCHEDULE March 25 - 26 Arroyo Seco Raceway April 22 - 23 Sandia Speedway May 3 - 4 Sandia Speedway August 26 - 27 Sandia Speedway September 23 - 24 Sandia Speedway

www.swms.org SouthWest MotorSport is a non-profit organization dedicated to recreational Road-Racing based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Originally formed as an outlet for Vintage and Gt racers, SWMS welcomes everyone who has an interest in recreational Road-Racing and karting.

NMMotorsportsReport.com • 11

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Witnessing History at Homestead-Miami

Speedway Article By: Kyle Magda Photos By: Jeremy Thompson TheRacingExperts.com

J

immie Johnson’s magical run in 2016 ended with a victory and the championship in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series finale at HomesteadMiami Speedway in November.

Johnson bided his time throughout the 267lap event and charged around Kyle Larson in NASCAR overtime to grab his first win at the South Florida track and also tying Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for his seventh Cup title.

“It’s big, it has a different meaning,” Johnson said.

“The No. 7 has a very special place in my heart with Ricky Hendrick. As a lot of people know. For some reason I just felt good and calm today and things just kind of unfolded at the end for us.

I know it was help from above. In my heart I wanted to believe it would happen. It has and I just can’t believe it. Thank you so much!”

It appeared Carl Edwards was in command among the four Chasers while battling with defending Cup champ Kyle Busch late in the race but everything changed when the caution came out for Dylan Lupton’s flat tire. In the current Chase format, the highest finisher of the four contenders wins the championship and for most of the race Edwards closed in on his elusive first title.

Joey Logano snuck into the Final Four with a win in the Eliminator Round at Phoenix International Raceway to give Ford another shot at winning a Cup championship. Logano’s masterful restarts at Homestead not only gave the 26-year-old driver a great shot at taking home the title but kept his No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford up front.

The turning point of the Ford EcoBoost 400 came when Edwards tried to block Logano after a restart with 10 laps to go and did so unsuccessfully with the Team Penske Ford right there as the two made contact and ended Edwards’ championship hopes.

“I think it was shared, feel like it was just racing,” Edwards said. “The way I had it figured is: First of all, it was the race of my life up to that point. It was a lot of fun. Joey was so good on the short run, I don’t know how he got that restart. It was a really good restart. I thought everything was 14 NMMotorsportsReport.com

going to work out and Jason [Hedlesky] told me he was looking low and he told me basically he was there. I know what Jason was saying and I just pushed the issue as far as I could because I figure that was the race there.”

“Joey just timed it perfectly, he moved down, I thought I could feel it a little and I just thought I could clear him or force him to lift. I thought I just had a little more time but he drove down as far as a guy could be, expected to drive down.”

Edwards came to the No. 22 pit box to shake hands with the crew members of Logano’s effort.

“I just wanted to say hey that’s just racing and good luck to you guys,” Edwards added.

“There’s so much on the line. I wanted to make sure I didn’t do anything extra to mess with Joey. He’s done a good job and hope they make it a good, fair race.”

Toyota took home its first manufacturer’s title in the Cup Series since making their way into NASCAR’s top-tier series in 2007.

Saturday night’s XFINITY Series event featured a first-time champion taking home the hardware. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Daniel Suarez became NASCAR’s first international champion by winning the Ford EcoBoost 300 and winning JGR’s first driver’s title in the series since Kyle Busch in 2009.

Suarez powered around three-time series bridesmaid Elliott Sadler with three laps to go after beginning his Saturday with claiming the pole for the race and led the most laps on the evening with 133.

“It’s very hard to put into words,” Suarez said after winning the title. “I’m speechless right now.

I’m just very proud of everyone and thankful to have the family that I have – my mom, my dad.

They gave me all the tools to be here right now.

They put me in a car even when we didn’t have the support or the racing background. They supported me and right now we are just living a dream.”

The No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing team also clinched the NXS owner’s title while Suarez scored a perfect driver rating of 150.00 with his championship-caliber performance. At one point during the race, all four championship contenders ran 1-2-3-4 in pursuit of their first title.

Defending Truck Series champ Erik Jones came up short in his bid to win back-to-back titles in two different series but graduates to the Sprint Cup Series in 2017 with Furniture Row Racing.

Next year’s XFINITY Series will feature four fulltime title shots out of the JR Motorsports camp including some new and returning faces to the series. Michael Annett dips down from Cup to wheel the No. 5 Pilot/Flying J Travel Chevrolet and 2016 seven-time Truck Series winner William Byron also joins JRM for his rookie year. Matt Tifft

battled back from a brain aneurysm in June to return to the circuit and will run full-time in JGR next season.

Friday night’s Camping World Truck Series event began and ended with Kyle Busch Motorsports driver William Byron having a perfect day by winning both practice sessions, the pole and the race for KBM’s four consecutive owner’s title. Byron’s shot at the championship went up in smoke when his engine blew with 20 laps to go at Phoenix but put himself in the right position at Homestead-Miami Speedway for a rookie-record seventh win on the season.

With KBM celebrating the team title, it was Johnny Sauter hoisting his first Truck Series championship trophy with a third-place run in the race and finishing highest among the four title contenders. Sauter’s strong run to end 2016 began with a victory at Martinsville Speedway in October holding off Sprint Cup Series interloper Chase Elliott and added another win the next week at Texas Motor Speedway by getting around two-time series champ Matt Crafton in the closing laps for his third win of 2016. Byron may have won the battle at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but Sauter won the war, bringing the title back to his home state of Wisconsin.

“I just ran a smart race,” Sauter said after winning the title. “I’m not going to lie when we qualified as poorly as we did today. I thought this was going to be tough to do because you’ve got to take tires here on every pit stop. There is not

real easy way to get track position, so I knew we were going to have to do it by pit stops and passing people. I just can’t thank everybody at GMS Racing, Allegiant Travel and Chevrolet, ECR horsepower, this is awesome. To be a champion, I’m speechless.”

Sauter won the championship in his first season with GMS racing, bookending the season with a Daytona win and the Truck Series title for Chevrolet’s first since James Buescher and the defunct Turner Scott Motorsports in 2012.

For me, this year’s Ford Championship Weekend at HomesteadMiami Speedway was redemption Going to see Jeff Gordon have the chance to go out of the Cup Series with a championship in 2015 is something I’ll never forget. Just being a 22-year-old college student going to South Florida to see his boyhood driver go for the title with all of the championship storylines buzzing around the weekend.

With Jimmie Johnson winning his record seventh-tying title now being on the same pedestal as Petty and Earnhardt, it was history in the making and the first time to see something of that magnitude in my 15 years in the sport. Since I began watching NASCAR in mid-2001, only one time has HomesteadMiami Speedway not hosted championship weekend and expect it to continue there for many years to come.

NASCAR Coverage Your Top Source of Auto Racing News since 2010

#TheRacingExperts www.theracingexperts.net NMMotorsportsReport.com • 15

2017

NASCAR CUP SERIES SCHEDULE

DATE

RACE

TRACK

LOCATION

TIME ET

TV

2/18, Sat 2/23, Thu 2/26, Sun 3/5, Sun 3/12, Sun 3/19, Sun 3/26, Sun 4/2, Sun 4/9, Sun 4/23, Sun 4/30, Sun 5/7, Sun 5/13, Sat 5/20, Sat 5/28, Sun 6/4, Sun 6/11, Sun 6/18, Sun 6/25, Sun 7/1, Sat 7/8, Sat 7/16, Sun 7/23, Sun 7/30, Sun 8/6, Sun 8/13, Sun 8/19, Sat 9/3, Sun 9/9, Sat 9/17, Sun 9/24, Sun 10/1, Sun 10/7, Sat 10/15, Sun 10/22, Sun 10/29, Sun 11/5, Sun 11/12, Sun 11/19, Sun

Daytona Shootout Can-Am Duel Daytona 500 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Kobalt 400 Good Sam 500(k) Auto Club 400 STP 500 O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 Food City 500 Toyota Owners 400 GEICO 500 GoBowling.com 400 All-Star Race Coca-Cola 600 AAA 400 Drive for Autism Axalta "We Paint Winners" 400 FireKeepers Casino 400 Toyota / Save Mart 350 Coke Zero 400 Quaker State 400 New Hampshire 301 “Your Hero's Name Here' 400 Pennsylvania 400 TBA 355 at The Glen Pure Michigan 400 Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Bojangles' Southern 500 Federated Auto Parts 400 Chicago 400 New England 300 Delaware 400 Bank of America 500 Hellman's 500 Hollywood Casino 400 Goody's Fast Relief 500 AAA Texas 500 Can-Am 500(k) Ford EcoBoost 400

Daytona International Speedway Daytona International Speedway Daytona International Speedway Atlanta Motor Speedway Las Vegas Motor Speedway Phoenix International Raceway Auto Club Speedway Martinsville Speedway Texas Motor Speedway Bristol Motor Speedway Richmond International Raceway Talladega Superspeedway Kansas Speedway Charlotte Motor Speedway Charlotte Motor Speedway Dover International Speedway Pocono Raceway Michigan International Speedway Sonoma Raceway Daytona International Speedway Kentucky Speedway New Hampshire Motor Speedway Indianapolis Motor Speedway Pocono Raceway Watkins Glen International Michigan International Speedway Bristol Motor Speedway Darlington Raceway Richmond International Raceway Chicagoland Speedway New Hampshire Motor Speedway Dover International Speedway Charlotte Motor Speedway Talladega Superspeedway Kansas Speedway Martinsville Speedway Texas Motor Speedway Phoenix International Raceway Homestead-Miami Speedway

Daytona, FL Daytona, FL Daytona, FL Hampton, GA Las Vegas, NV Avondale, AZ Fontana, CA Ridgeway, VA Fort Worth, TX Bristol, TN Richmond, VA Lincoln, AL Kansas City, KS Concord, NC Concord, NC Dover, DE Long Pond, PA Brooklyn, MI Sonoma, CA Daytona, FL Sparta, KY Loudon, NH Indianapolis, IN Long Pond, PA Watkins Glen, NY Brooklyn, MI Bristol, TN Darlington, SC Richmond, VA Joliet, IL Loudon, NH Dover, DE Concord, NC Lincoln, AL Kansas City, KS Ridgeway, VA Fort Worth, TX Avondale, AZ Homestead, FL

8:00p 7:00p 2:00p 2:30p 3:30p 3:30p 3:30p 2:00p 1:30p 2:00p 2:00p 2:00p 7:30p 6:00p 6:00p 1:00p 3:00p 3:00p 3:00p 7:30p 7:30p 3:00p 3:00p 3:00p 3:00p 3:00p 7:30p 6:00p 7:30p 3:00p 2:00p 2:00p 7:00p 2:00p 3:00p 1:00p 2:00p 2:30p 2:30p

FS1 FS1 FOX FOX FOX FOX FOX FS1 FOX FOX FOX FOX FS1 FS1 FOX FS1 FS1 FS1 FS1 NBC NBCSN NBCSN NBC NBCSN NBCSN NBCSN NBC NBCSN NBCSN NBCSN NBCSN NBCSN NBCSN NBC NBCSN NBCSN NBC NBC NBC

PrintableTeamSchedules.com

16 NMMotorsportsReport.com

IF YOU ARE INTO IT, WE ARE INTO IT! Whether it has 2 Wheels or 4, asphalt or Dirt track racing, off-roaD or park anD shine. We coVer it all The New Mexico Motorsports Report (NMMR) on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM, The TEAM, is hosted by David Swope every Saturday morning from 8am to 9am. The NMMR radio show focuses on motorsports and related automobile activities around the state and on the national scene each and every week. You are invited to get involved by calling 994-1017 during the show, e-mailing dswope@1017TheTEAM.com, following us on twitter @NMMReport and liking us on Facebook. Join in the fun with your comments on the topics and questions for the guests.

This is New Mexico’s only show devoted to motorsport related eVery saturDay 8am-9am activities with a full hour devoted to our passion. Podcasts of exclusiVely on 101.7 fm shows are available on demand at 1017TheTEAM.com. Check out our new website at NMMotorsportsreport.com.

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NMMotorsportsReport.com • 17

FOUNDED IN 1977 TO REPRESENT THE AUTO HOBBY IN NEW MEXICO www.nmcarcouncil.com

EVENT LISTING

NMCCC SPONSORED EVENTS MEMBER CLUB-SPONSORED EVENTS and OTHER NEW MEXICO EVENTS

FEBRUARY

MAY MAY

JUNE JUNE

February 3-5 26th Annual Supernationals – EXPO NM, Albuquerque – Matt 294-7273, Reggie 269-0496 or www.thesupernationals.com

May 7 Route 66 Rodders Swap Meet – Morris Field, Los Lunas – Details available later – Save the date

June 2-3 19th Classic Car Show – Brandenburg Park, Red River, NM – C of C (575)754-2366 or www.redrivernewmex.com

February 24 Veterans’ Cruise Nite – Borman Honda, Las Cruces – Rich Lewis (575)525-4556

May 20 Kiwanis Kars for Kids Show – Young Park, Las Cruces – Jim Pudlewski (575)525-9478

June 17 22nd Annual Mopar Fest – Haynes Park, Rio Rancho – Open to Mopars – Paul (505)896-8115 or www.moparclub.com

February 25 Veterans’ Car Show – Borman Honda, Las Cruces – Rich Lewis (575)525-4556

May 21 NMCCC/Albuquerque Museum 33rd Annual Car Show – Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Rd. NW, Albuquerque – Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Albuquerque Museum 1967-2017 www.nmcarcouncil.com or joyce@nmcarcouncil.com

MARCH MARCH March 18 Wheels of Dreams 2017 – Field of Dreams, Las Cruces – R. Gonzales (575)527-2508 or www.rodrunnerscarclub.com APRIL APRIL April 1 Smokin’ Oldies Show & Shine – Courthouse Park, Deming – Otis (575)456-7798 April 21-22 14th Annual Ford Show – Alameda Park, Alamogordo – Open to Fords – Pat Stevenson (575)430-7216 April 22 Annual Spring Thaw – Worldwide Automotive/ Old Car Garage, 3322 Girard NE, Albuquerque – Prepare your collector vehicle for touring in exchange for a donation to Cuidando los Ninos – Oil change and filter, lubrication, mechanical check done by experienced mechanics – Breakfast snacks and lunch will be served – Appointment is needed – Desiree at 881-2722 or wwauto@aol.com April 23 11th Annual Spring Cruise & Schmoose – Sonic Drive-In, 5000 San Mateo NE, Albuquerque – 10am- 3pm – No entry Fee – Dash Plaques, first 100 – Ron,Su,and Sheila

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May 24-27 2nd Annual Rally du Soleil Vintage Car Rally – Northern New Mexico – Open to pre-1970’s cars – All proceeds from registration fees will benefit local charities – http://rallydusoleil.org/ or (505)883-6240 – Registration is now open May 27 “Honor Flight Northern New Mexico” Car Show – Veterans’ Park, 1100 Louisiana Blvd SE (by Gibson), Albuquerque – Free event, but donations requested for Honor Flight in lieu of entry fee – Volunteer DJ is Rockin’ Rob, disabled vet, tips appreciated – Open to all types of vehicles including motorcycles – Entertainment for kids, food vendors – Joe Mascarenas (505)235-5900 or David 1-850-855-9693 May 27 1st Annual Route 66 Festival – Old Town, Albuquerque – Fred Harvey Era, Indigenous Culture, Antiques, Textiles, Vintage Clothing – Music, dancing, storytelling, luminarias, traditional local decorations, live entertainment, food & sales booths – Free event – Booths available – press@ dejavurefinery.com or (505)373-9123

June 23-24 Make-A-Wish Classic Car Show – Convention Center, Ruidoso – Ken Paul (806)236-3066 JULY JULY July 14 8th Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day – Various locations

AUGUST AUGUST August 13 NMCCC All Clubs Picnic – Oak Flat Recreation Area, Hwy 337 (Route 14), Tijeras – www. nmcarcouncil.com or joyce@nmcarcouncil.com SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER September 8 VMCCA State Fair Car Show – State Fair/ EXPO – Bill Gilmore 294-8348 September 2224 – NMCCC/Los Lunas 39th Annual Auto Swap Meet – Morris Field, Hwy 314 & Morris Rd, Los Lunas – www.nmcarcouncil.com or joyce@ nmcarcouncil.com

NOVEMBER NOVEMBER November 4 21st Annual Veterans’ Day Car Show – Veterans’ Hospital, T or C – Sam Shannon (575)894-4222

NMMotorsportsReport.com • 19

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NAPA Auto Care Centers: The Future of Auto Care

T

he Auto Care Industry is ever changing with new car models and technology requiring technicians to keep up to date on all new and existing models. These professionals ensure your vehicle gets you to and from your destination and no worry free on your ability to home after a long day at work. Auto Care Technicians can now communicate with you, sharing photos and links of what is either being repaired, serviced or replaced on your vehicle. In New Mexico, NAPA Auto Care Centers represent over 50 independent Auto Care providers combined with the NAPA Genuine Auto Parts. Check out AutoCareNM. com for a NAPA Auto Care Center near you.

Doug Wilson of American Tire & Service also commented, “Things have changed so much since I started selling tire for Parnelli Jones.

We have to provide complete service for our clients and with the constant changes, training and quality technicians is the only way to accomplish that. We are serious when we talk about “our guys.”

The purpose of this article is not just to highlight the value of taking your car to a NAPA Auto Care Center but to increase your awareness of the opportunities available for employment at one of these facilities. NAPA Auto Care Centers are growing and are in need of technicians.

Sean Guthrie of Car Crafters echoed the sentiments and additionally commented, “We are looking for technicians with the right attitude. Our training combined with the NAPA Auto Care BDG can provide a great living for someone willing to learn. This is a good job with benefits and opportunities. We are always looking for those people.”

Jim Dearholt of Dearholt Automotive and President of the NAPA Business Development Group (BDG) commented, “NAPA Auto Centers and the BDG are committed to providing the best and most prepared auto techs in the industry. Our pay and benefits package is as good as anyone. We pay to send our NAPA Auto Care Techs to training as much as possible so we can better serve our customers.”

James Santistevan of Zia Auto commented, “We are a third generation business and have built a reputation that we are very proud of.

Our decision to become a NAPA Auto Care Center is based in our ability to leverage the technology and be competitive.”

NEW MEXICO OWNED AND OPERATED 1017theteam.com ESPNRadio1017theteam

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If you are looking for a career change, advancement in your current field of auto care or to share the information with someone, visit AutoCareNM.com for open positions or to schedule an interview. The future of Auto Care in New Mexico is bright and may be brighter with you in it. Don’t wait, visit their site today or call one of the NAPA Auto Care Centers in New Mexico.

NMMotorsportsReport.com • 21

“TRICKS of the TRADE”

NITROUS

Story By Jim Costa – owner Yearwood Performance Center

S

o far, we have discussed the science of nitrous oxide, the requirements of a nitrous system, the different types of nitrous systems and some tuning tips. In this last discussion, we will cover nitrous safety; use and components.

Safety first. Nitrous oxide is a liquid until it reaches the atmosphere, then it becomes a gas. Once it transforms, it is VERY cold, -127 degrees cold. Do not, I repeat, do not get your skin in contact with nitrous, it will cause a frostbite type burn, and it hurts! Since it is so cold, it needs to be heated to increase the bottle pressure to 900 psi, this will conform to most everyone’s tune up. DO NOT use a torch on your bottle, anyone that fills your bottle will refuse if they see that it has been torched. The heat from the torch will weaken the properties of the metal bottle as could be a danger to the person filling the bottle. It is much safer using an electric bottle heater; a few different styles are available to suit your needs. You can also use a hot water bath to increase your bottle pressure. Remember, water good, fire bad.

Another aspect of safety to consider is your engine’s safety. Keeping it safe is vital for long term use of nitrous. One major concern is fuel pressure failure, sometimes components fail, can’t really predict it. That is why we recommend a fuel pressure kill switch. It goes inline on the fuel side of your nitrous system. It simply won’t allow your nitrous to work if it doesn’t measure the correct amount of fuel pressure. I always use one for catastrophic failure on my systems. I know I’m expecting 25 psi out of my pump, so I’ll put a 7 psi switch on it. Anytime the psi drops below the preset amount it will turn off the nitrous. That will keep my pistons from burning up. These switches can be used on any system, its better to be safe than sorry.

Another recommendation we like to make is the use of an engine RPM window switch. It only allows the nitrous to work within a preset RPM range. This is a great idea for cars with manual transmissions. You don’t want to miss a shift while banging gears and then have the nitrous turn on.

Nitrous bottle pressure gauges are also an important safety device. Not only with they help with your tuning, but you can see if your bottle pressure is too high. If the bottle pressure gets too high it will cause a pressure safety disc to burst. This will expel all of your nitrous. If your bottle is mounted inside the car, you should need to direct the nitrous outside. You can either use a hard tube or an 8AN braided style hose to connect to the safety valve on the bottle. We don’t want to breath the nitrous, it will have a small amount of sulfur in it (the sulfur will give you a headache).

I hope this series has shed some light on the use nitrous oxide. Regardless of the application, we can help you figure it out. Stop by either Yearwood Performance locations and let us

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2016 ALBUQUERQUE

D R A G WAY C H A M P I O N S T

he 2016 season at ABQ Dragway had many exciting weekends and tons of competition. Real Outlaw Door Slammers (RODS), McKinney Motor Company Super Pro, Howard Poward Racing Engines Pro, Pizza Castle Sportsman and Torco Race Fuels Jr. Dragster had new competitors and crafty veterans competing from April till November.

Pro

Super Pro

The 2016 Real Outlaw Door Slammers division was won by Lyle Byrum of El Paso, Texas with 497 points with 12 different drivers competing. Robert Costa was 176 points back and Mike Labbate finished the season 212 points back in third. Only 36 points separated Costa and Labbatte.

hez c n a S o l e g n A sportsman

The McKinney Motor Company Super Pro division was won by Angelo Sanchez with 6499 points with 43 different drivers competing. Lloyd Salveson was 225 points back and 2016 King of the Track, Tony Lukesh, finished the season 599 points back in third. This was Sanchez’s third consecutive Super Pro Championship.

ron rios

max tafoya

jr. dragster

justin van ostrand

The Howard Poward Racing Engines Pro division was won by Max Tafoya with 5612 points with 98 different drivers competing. Wayne Mathews was 613 points back in second and 2016 King of the Track, Vic Blea, finished the season 662 points back in third. Only 49 points separated second and third.

Tafoya has won the Pro Championship three of the last four years – 2013, 2015 & 2016.

The Pizza Castle Sportsman division and 2016 King of the Track were won by Ron Rios with 6749 points with 82 different drivers competing. Jay Jones was 2049 points back and Russ Hines finished 2062 points back in third, only 13 points between them. Rios has also won the Sportsman Championship three of the last four years – 2013, 2014 & 2016.

The Torco Race Fuels Jr. Dragsters was won by Justin Van Ostrand with 5875 points with 15 different drivers competing. Madison Tuck was 663 points back and Allena Braden finished the season 1038 points back in third. Brenda Avilez was the 2016 “Queen” of the Track. This is Van Ostrand’s first Jr. Dragster Championship.

rods

Congratulations to all the drivers, families and teams that competed in the 2016 season. We look forward to seeing you at the track in 2017!

lyle byrum NMMotorsportsReport.com • 23