Thursday, August 26, 2021

ARCA West 2021 At Irwindale: Race Recap

#ARCA West 2021 At Irwindale: Race Recap By Nascarvd NascarvΓ©dΓ©

Three in a Row for Jesse Love at Irwindale

Bridget Burgess lets the Leader Jesse Love Pass on Inside
(
Courtesy of Diego Alvarado)

 

Irwindale, CA (August 21, 2021) - Jesse Love seems to have found the perfect recipe on the half mile at Irwindale Speedway.  In three races here, he had the perfect score, not letting anyone but him visit Victory Lane. This second victory this season in the NAPA AUTO PARTS 150 PRESENTED BY SUNRISE FORD allows him to extend his lead in the ARCA Menards West Series championship as he is now 11 points ahead of his teammate Cole Moore and 14 over rookie Jake Drew.

 

 

The practice / qualifying session had nevertheless reserved a nice surprise for us with the pole of Paul "PJ" Pedroncelli, Jr. The latter having achieved a final lap in 18.424 seconds (97.699 mph) allowing him to snatch a pole for 67 thousandths against Jesse Love. A session disrupted by two accidents. If that of Mariah Boudrieau was not too serious since the Performance P-1 Motorsports team led by crew chief Dave McKenzie managed to make a makeshift repair. “We made repairs. It wasn't 100% because the frame rail was rolled over” said Joe Nava, the owner. It was not the same for the Colombian rookie Sebastian Arias whose Toyota n° 5 entered by Bill McAnally Racing was not repairable in the allotted time, barely two and a half hours before the start of the race. . Much to his disappointment, he had to forfeit. He will have to wait until the race in Las Vegas to make his first career start in the ARCA Menards West Series.

 

Finally, it should be noted that Ryan Partridge returned to service at the last minute by taking the wheel of the n°9 Ford of Bruncati Racing to replace the unfortunate rookie Dean Thompson, forced to stay at home after having tested positive for COVID-19. Ryan, who has been Dean's spotter since the start of the season, had not been in a West race since the final at Bakersfield in 2018.

 

The 198th poleman in the history of the West Series since its inception in 1954 couldn't enjoy it much, being overtaken by local specialist Trevor Huddleston as soon as the green flag waved. Huddleston followed like his shadow by Jesse Love and Jake Drew. The first caution intervening in the fourth lap following a spun from the Japanese Hiroyuki Ueno. A trick that he masters to perfection since he does it at least one per race! Fortunately, without damage for the driver of Ford n° 38 entered by John Wood.

 

At the restart, Trevor Huddleston leaves no one the possibility of taking the leadership from him by perfectly controlling his closest pursuers. At lap 11, Paul Pedroncelli, P.J.'s father, joins the pitlane, with a problem with the brakes. The brakes will be in question a lot during this race. The leader started to complain about them around the 60th lap. The second caution will be caused by Johnny Borneman III whose Ford n° 8 goes around in turn 1 following the puncture of his right front tire. The heat dissipated by the brake disc is the cause of this problem. It is funny to note that the misfortunes of Borneman make the happiness of Todd Souza who receives the free pass. As a reminder, in the first race at Irwindale this year, Borneman and Souza crashed as they crossed the finish line.

 

In front, things are going fast, very very fast since there are already only the first seven drivers remaining in the leader's lap. The third caution caused by Eric “Bubba” Nascimento, for the same reason as Borneman previously, will do the peloton good. The Officials took the opportunity to combine it with the five-minute break at the halfway point. Partridge receives the free pass.

 

The restart was given on lap 80 with still Huddleston leading ahead of Love, Jake Drew, Joey Iest, P.J. Pedroncelli who completed the top-5. But very quickly the driver of the blue and orange Ford of Bruncati Racing will feel a big weakness in his brakes. On lap 88 Jesse Love took the lead. Trevor Huddleston will do everything to keep in touch. Brian Kaminski, whose his first start on a short track, caused the fourth caution by hitting the wall in turn 4. Jesse Love perfectly mastered the restart on the 114th lap even if behind him, the threat no longer comes from Huddleston. who begins to lose positions, but by the teammate of the latter, the rookie Jake Drew. Joey Iest, winner in Colorado, is also showing more and more threat. Cole Moore transiently enters the top-5 against P.J. Pedroncelli, but that will only be an illusion. Moore also having problems with overheating his brakes.

 

One of the highlights of the race came on lap 131 when Huddleston came to a stop on the backstretch. Losing three laps before being able to rejoin the pack. New disillusionment for the one who had won his first career victory here in 2019. The 2021 season is cruel to him. If he manages to snatch tenth position at the end of the race, in the championship, after the mid-season, he is now seventh, 27 points behind the leader. This neutralization made the happiness of Takuma Koga who benefited from his second consecutive free pass and came back in the lead lap. Thanks to this he will obtain his best result of the season with the eighth position at the lowering of the checkered flag.

 

At the restart, Jesse Love, well established in command, controls his closest pursuers while sparing his Toyota Camry n ° 16. John Wood, who had been doing a good race in the top10 until then, fell to 15th position due to electrical problems. The last yellow flag comes on the 147th lap when Bridget Burgess goes into a spin on turn 2 causing a final tightening of positions. It is abandonment, rear end problem.

 

Everything will play out during the overtime ! Not really.

 

Jesse Love eventually won the race, the fifth in his career, the 98th in the West Series for BMR including 16 in 30 races at Irwindale, ahead of Jake Drew and P.J. Pedroncelli who finished the race strong. P.J. equalizing his career best result at Sonoma at the start of the season. The top-5 is completed by Joey Iest and Ryan Partridge who demonstrate that he has lost none of his talent by perfectly replacing Dean Thompson.

 

Jesse credits his success on this oval with experience gained here in the past. “I don’t know if it’s easy as much as it is that I’ve been running this track for a long time.” he said. “I've been here in Super Lates and ARCA cars. My first real shot with Toyota Racing was here in the combine. ” The 16-year-old Californian joins the club of three-time winners in a row at Irwindale with Jason Bowles, Brendan Gaughan and Todd Gilliland.

 

Cole Moore, Todd Souza, Takuma Koga, Eric Nascimento and Trevor Huddleston follow from sixth to tenth position. Canadian Amber Balcaen had a serious run but failing in 11th place just ahead of veteran Bobby Hillis, Jr.

 

Some news from Bobby Hillis, Jr. that we had highlighted a few days ago (see his interview : Bobby Hillis, Jr. The ultimate underdog! : http://kickinthetires.net/.../bobby-hillis-jr-the.../...). I asked him how his race went.

 

Vincent Delforge: How did the practice/qualifying session go ?

 

Bobby Hillis, Jr.: “Practice is never really very great on older tires but I’ve been doing it for so long that I’m just used to it. I generally only buy one set of tires and I save them for the race. Running on older tires over the years has taught me some pretty good car control and let’s me know what the car will be like at the end of the race. We still have some crash damage to the rear bumper from Phoenix and it doesn’t quite fit the template exactly”

 

VD: During the race, the car seemed difficult in the middle of the turn. The suspension seemed to sag in the front right, especially at the end of the race. What happened?

 

BH: “As I get more accustomed to the car I’m pushing it more and more and picking up more speed. We were more than a second a lap faster this time compared with the Fourth of July race in racing conditions. It’s something that we need to look at but I suspect that the right front spring is a little bit too soft. I also lost the brake pedal for a while in the middle of the race. I tend to trail brake (my road racing experience) and that puts more heat in the brakes. I quit doing it, let the car roll the middle, and the brakes came back”

 

VD: Finally, Satisfied with the 12th pos.? Was the top10 possible?

 

BH: “Ummm, ya, pretty disappointed with 12th. Like I said quite a bit faster in racing conditions compared with the Fourth of July but we were two positions worse in the finishing order. Really felt like we should’ve been 7-8. Not as many cars fell out compared to July either and that was a big contributor as well”

 

VD: Now direction Portland for the last road circuit of the season, the top10 is a realistic goal?

 

BH: “I’m a seven time ASA Western Division road race champion. With the new car we just got from Levin Racing I believe that we have what we need to possibly even get a top 5! Really looking forward to it and I just hope that the car will perform well”

 

Next race September 10 at the Portland International Raceway, Portland, OR, the second and last road track of the season. The West has already performed there five times but the last time was in 2012. A track where for once statistics do not put BMR at the top of the list. Indeed, the team based in Roseville has never won here. Conversely, his great rival Bob Bruncati has one success there in 2011 with Luis Martinez, Jr. Dean Thompson will be back in the 51. Dave Smith will be at the wheel of the n° 77 of PP1M that Mariah Boudrieau will find on the Las Vegas Bullring. Race where we will have the pleasure of seeing Rich DeLong, III, whose last start was in Sonoma in 2019.

 

Full race results on Racing-Reference: https://www.racing-reference.info

 

The driver standings: www.racing-reference.info/standings/2021/AW

 

Bobby Hillis, Jr. in Front of Paul Pedroncelli
(
Courtesy of Steve Himelstein)

Jesse Love gets out of his Car to Celebrate his Victory
(Courtesy of Diego Alvarado)

Takuma Koga & the rest of the peloton avoid Eric Nascimento
(Courtesy of Diego Alvarado)

 


 


Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Weekend Race Schedule (NASCAR Cup & Xfinity; ARCA + W Series)

Daytona International Speedway; the Milwaukee Mile; Spa-Francorchamps

Weekend Race Schedule (NASCAR Cup & Xfinity; ARCA + W Series)

Weekend Race Schedule (NASCAR Cup & Xfinity; ARCA + W Series)

 

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 returns to Daytona International Speedway as the Regular Season Finale under the lights on the famed high banks! With only 16 Playoff spots up for grabs, anything could happen as the stage is set for NASCAR to crown a Champion. Be here to witness the intensity as drivers go all out to keep their championship hopes alive.

 

The Xfinity Series will kick off the weekend on Friday Night with the running of the Wawa 250. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has an off week.

 

 

The Milwaukee Mile, a one mile long oval race track located at Wisconsin State Fair Park will host the ARCA Menard Series on Sunday. It is three series in one: 

  1. ARCA Menards Series 2021: Race 16/20 
  2. ARCA Menards Series East 2021: Race 7/8 
  3. Sioux Chief Showdown 2021: Race 8/10

 

Last but not least, the W Series returns on Saturday after its mid-season break. The ladies will be competing at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, a motor-racing circuit located in Stavelot, Belgium. Go SabrΓ© Cook - America’s only entry. This will be her first experience on this 4.352 mile / 20 turn track.

 

SundayAugust 29

ARCA Racing (East & Sioux Chief Showdown)

  • Sprecher 150
  • Milwaukee Mile
  • 3 p.m. ET

 

Saturday August 28

NASCAR Cup

  • Coke Zero Sugar 400 
  • Daytona International Speedway 
  • 7 p.m. ET

 

 

WSeries

  • Spa-Francorchamps
  • Belgium 
  • 10:30 a.m. ET

 

 

Friday August 27

NASCAR Xfinity

  • Wawa 250
  • Daytona International Speedway
  • 7:30 p.m. ET

 

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

A Daytona Sweep Tough to Clean Up Two Wins in Single Season at rhe World Center of Racing

A Daytona Sweep Tough to Clean Up Two Wins in Single Season at rhe World Center of Racing

McDowell, Cindric, Hope to Break Trend in Coke Zero Sugar 400 and Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola At DAYTONA

A Daytona Sweep Tough to Clean Up Two Wins in Single Season at rhe World Center of Racing

 

NASCAR Michael McDowell and Austin Cindric have tall tasks in front of them. Even though they were Daytona International Speedway Champions with victories this past February to open their respective seasons, the challenge of sweeping races during the same season at the iconic venue is just as tough as getting that first victory at the World Center of Racing. 

 


When Cindric, winner of the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 this past February, takes the green flag in the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola this Friday, Aug. 27, he will seek to join only Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in 2003 to capture victories in both of Daytona’s NASCAR Xfinity Series races in a year (track has had two Xfinity races each year on the 31-degree tri-oval since 2002).

 

With a stellar field that includes former Daytona Champions’ Noah Gragson and Justin Haley, and a host of other incredible driving talents, it will be an uphill battle for the 2020 Xfinity Series Champion and five-time 2021 winner Cindric.

 

For McDowell, who claimed his first career triumph in the DAYTONA 500 earlier this year, the challenge awaits in Saturday’s Aug. 28 Coke Zero Sugar 400. Since the track opened in 1959 and began hosting two NASCAR Cup Series races a year, only five times has the DAYTONA 500 Champion backed it up with a Coke Zero Sugar 400 triumph.

 

The list of names is a “Who’s Who” of NASCAR royalty that includes: Fireball Roberts (1962) Cale Yarborough (1968) LeeRoy Yarbrough (1969) Bobby Allison (1982) and Jimmie Johnson (2013).

 

Roberts, Yarborough and Allison are NASCAR Hall of Famers,  and Johnson is a shoo-in once he becomes eligible, while Yarbrough won NASCAR’s Triple Crown in ’69.

 

After his win in the DAYTONA 500, McDowell said, “Not everybody makes it to Victory Lane, and for 14 years I didn’t. Whether I win this race or not, it is not what defines you…..just to be here now is just so amazing.”

 

What makes Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 even more “amazing” is that it will be the final race of the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, the last-chance race for a driver sitting on the outside of the playoffs who will need a victory to make it in the 16-driver championship field. If McDowell can win the Coke Zero Sugar 400 (7:00 p.m. ET start), his career will be defined more clearly as a two-time DAYTONA Champion in the same season.

 

 

To find out if McDowell can make history, fans can purchase tickets starting at $49 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Those fans can also purchase access to the UNOH Fanzone for $60. Here, fans can participate in events before the race. This includes, but is not limited to, the return of the traditional Coke Zero Sugar 400 Pre-Race Concert featuring Chris Lane, pre-race ceremonies, driver introductions, access to the large grass ballfield, signing the start/finish line through the middle of the 18-degree, banked trioval. Also scheduled is LIVE entertainment on the main UNOH Fanzone Stage, including Fan Q&A, which includes (scheduled) McDowell, Aric Almirola, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suarez and two-time DAYTONA winning crew chief Drew Blickensderfer. Fans can also get photos with the winning trophies of the weekend in Ruoff Mortgage Victory Lane.

 

 

Tickets to the Xfinity Series Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, which is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET green flag start, begins at $35 for adults and FREE for kids 12 and under. Access to the UNOH Fanzone will be available before this race as well! A Two-Day Pass is available which includes access to the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, and the Wawa 250 on Friday. These passes start at $69 for adults. Fan Q&A is also scheduled for Friday and will include Cindric, Gragson, Haley, AJ Allmendinger and Justin Allgaier.

 

As part of the “Welcome Back” weekend for fans, the track’s outside Midway (In Front of Sunoco, Toyota, Axalta, Chevrolet and AdventHealth Injectors) and UNOH Fanzone will be the site of a host of exciting interactive activities, featuring eNASCAR Racing, along with other speedway partner exhibits like Pit Boss, Coca-Cola, GEICO, Chevrolet, Toyota, Wawa, Air Force (featuring a fighter jet), Door Dash, Busch Beer, General Tire and a NASCAR Kids Zone.

 

The first 10,000 fans through the gates on Saturday will receive complimentary Coke Zero Sugar 400 drawstring bags.

 

 

Monday, August 23, 2021

Ryan Blaney Wins at Michigan

Ryan Blaney Wins at Michigan

Marks 7th Win In A Row For Ford Performance

Ford Performance and Roush Yates Engines won their seventh straight NASCAR Cup race at Michigan International Speedway with Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney

 

Ford Performance and Roush Yates Engines won their seventh straight NASCAR Cup race at Michigan International Speedway with Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney in the FireKeepers Casino 400. This was Blaney’s second win of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Season and Ford retained the Michigan Heritage Trophy, presented to the winning manufacturer at the 2-mile track.

 

 

“Congratulations to Ford, Ryan, Todd, Roger, and the entire No. 12 crew for the strong finish and making it 7 wins in a row at Michigan,” said Doug Yates

 

“This is such a big deal for our company, for our employees,” said Mark Rushbrook, the global director of Ford Performance. “To come here and race in front of all of our employees and their friends and families and have Ryan go get that win with Team Penske and Roush Yates power. We are taking the Heritage Trophy back to Dearborn.”

 

 

“Congratulations to Ford, Ryan, Todd, Roger, and the entire No. 12 crew for the strong finish and making it 7 wins in a row at Michigan,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “We have always strived to finish strong at Michigan and this year was no exception. We are thankful for the continued leadership and commitment from Ford Motor Company and honored to power these Mustangs.”

 

Blaney started the race in third position but was quickly shuffled to mid-pack at the start of the race. Blaney and the No. 12 team continued to make adjustments and finished stage 1 & 2 just outside of the top 10. There were 20 lead changes throughout the race and the last half of the race came down to pit strategy and race execution. With 20 laps remaining, there was a brief caution for rain and another following a 7-car incident with 14 to go. With 8 laps remaining, Blaney was able to take the lead and hold off the hard charging second position by 0.077 seconds.

 

#NASCAR Cup Race Winner Ryan Blaney started the race in third position.

 

“We come up here every year and know it is important to the Blue Oval and the Ford family and Mr. Penske as well. It is a really big race for all of our group including the Penske side. To have Edsel here, I haven’t seen Edsel in over a year so it was great to have him out. I am excited to get him in victory lane. Everyone from Ford does so much for us. It really is a big family and I am just happy to be a part of it.” commented Blaney.

 

“We come up here every year and know it is important to the Blue Oval and the Ford family and Mr. Penske as well."  Ryan Blaney

 

Matt DiBenedetto with Wood Brothers Racing finished P6, Brad Keselowski with Team Penske in P9, and Chase Briscoe with Stewart-Haas Racing finished P11.

 

Matt DiBenedetto with Wood Brothers Racing finished P6,

 

The NASCAR Xfinity Series raced on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway while Ford Performance teammates finished in the top 12 as Riley Herbst with Stewart-Haas Racing finished in P7 and Ryan Sieg with RSS Racing finished P12.

 

Riley Herbst with Stewart-Haas Racing finished in P7

 

NASCAR Cup and Xfinity series will race at Daytona International Speedway this upcoming weekend. This race will be the last regular season race for the Cup series while the Xfinity series has 4 remaining prior to the playoffs. Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Michael McDowell, Aric Almirola, and Kevin Harvick have clinched a spot in the playoffs.

 

 

source: Roush Yate PR 
Photos courtesy of NASCAR Media / Getty Images.

Saturday, August 21, 2021

ARCA West 2021 At Irwindale: Race Preview

ARCA West 2021 At Irwindale: Race Preview

August 21, 2021 “NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by Sunrise Ford at Irwindale Speedway” Irwindale, CA (150 laps/75 miles)

By Nascarvd NascarvΓ©dΓ©

#ARCA West 2021 At Irwindale: Race Preview

 

Here we are at the mid-season of the ARCA Menards West Series. And what could be better than returning to the magnificent half mile of Irwindale, CA. We were there not too long ago since it was July 3rd. A race won by the 2020 champion Jesse Love.

 

 

I'm not going to redo the presentation of the oval, just to point out that Bill McAnally Racing is increasing his lead even further in terms of victory since this figure is now 15 out of 29 races. Very very far ahead of Bruncati Racing (4) and Performance P-1 Motorsports (1).

 

This will therefore be the 30th race of the West Series on this oval since 1999.

 

Beautiful entry list made up of 20 drivers including a newcomer in the person of the Colombian Sebastian Arias. A very "international" list but I suggest you see all this in detail now.

 

#08 John Wood

Discreet, but so appreciated, return to Colorado for our veteran who led his Chevrolet to 12th position.v

This will be his 5th race at Irwindale, the first since 2016. His best result being a 16th position in 2014 and 2016. It will be his 86th start in the West Series. Mike Holleran will be the crew chief. A largely century-old duo (almost 118 years old!) If we add their respective ages!

 

#4 Eric Nascimento, Jr.

Bubba had a great race in Colorado getting 5th position. With his family team, he should be a strong candidate for the top 5 because he has shown that he knows how to use the excellent Toyota from Don Wood's Velocity Racing team. His crew chief will again be a Nascimento with Henry at the helm and no longer his father Mike.

 

#5 Sebastian Arias

The Bogota, Colombia native, he will make his West Series debut. But he will immediately have an excellent car as he will drive the #5 entered by BMR. Aged 21, he started karting at the age of 11. And then ... Not much to say about his career. A career, so far funded by his father, which he will really start at a high level here at Irwindale. He will have the opportunity to show his skills in two more races in Las Vegas and Phoenix. He hopes to be full-time in 2022. He will be the 84th driver to compete in a West race for BMR but the first to use the #5. Gary Collins will be the crew chief.

 

#6 Trevor Huddleston

Trevor knows this oval perfectly, he won his first career victory in 2019 and last year he finished 2nd behind Jesse Love. But he was only 6th this year. Before another disappointment in Colorado with a modest 10th position. To his defense, there were problems with engine cut-offs causing him to lose a lap that he will not be able to resume. Truly a difficult season for the experienced Bruncati Racing driver.

 

#7 Takuma Koga

Another driver to experience terrible bad luck this season. On paper, Takuma had to explode his stats with Jerry Pitts' #7. But the reality is quite different. Mechanical problem or accident… In July in Irwindale, he was hooked by Amber Balcaen. This means that his 10th position obtained in 2020 still remains his one and only top10 here despite 11 starts.

 

Like John Wood, this Saturday will be his 86th career start.

 

#8 Johnny Borneman, III

It's his oval! 12 top10s in 22 races. The most experienced of all the drivers entered, since it will be his 122nd start this Saturday, hopes so much to obtain his first victory on this oval. He finished 8th in July crossing the finish line epically as he climbed Todd Souza's car at the same time. Will there be a scent of revenge in the air? It's up to Tony Caputo, his crew chief, to find the right words to calm Johnny's ardor!

 

#9 Jake Drew

4th here in July, he got a 3rd position in Colorado. The rookie is in good shape and improving race after race. It does honor to Bob Bruncati, talent scout since 2004! He will be a serious contender for victory.

 

#13 Todd Souza

Until this year, Irwindale had never really succeeded in Todd with a mere 10th position as the best result in 7 races. But 2021 is an incredible season for him and he was able to transcend himself and get a 7th position in July after having made "buddy-buddy" with Johnny Borneman. In Colorado he finished 7th again. He's no longer the championship leader, but he remains in the title race. For a full time driver, he has the best position average at the start of the races with 4.0 and still has the 2nd best average at the finish with 6.8. Just behind Cole Moore (6.3). This will be his 93rd race in the West Series.

 

#16 Jesse Love

100% victory at Irwindale as in two races he has known nothing but the joys of Victory Lane. If the championship leader wins the race for the 3rd time in a row, he will join Brendan Gaughan, Jason Bowles and Todd Gilliland, the only other drivers to have achieved this performance at Irwindale.

 

#19 Amber Balcaen

The Canadian made her West Series debut here in July. A relatively disappointing race. If she had been able to keep a pace close to the top10, her accident on the 117th lap did not allow her to materialize. It's up to her to use her experience in the field to join the top10.

 

#27 Bobby Hillis, Jr.

It will be his 85th career start, 12th at Irwindale and surely his first top10 here! Finally, I hope I will bring him luck since the fluorescent yellow Chevrolet #27 will have nice VD stickers on its body! I invite you to read the interview with Bobby that I conducted and which is available on the website www.KickinTheTires.net by clicking on the following link: www.kickinthetires.net/nascar/arca/bobby-hillis-jr- the-ultimate-underdog /

 

#31 Paul Pedroncelli

He took a liking to it! It will be his 4th career race. After retiring due to a transmission problem in Colorado, he hopes to do as well as in July when he posted his career best result with an 11th place finish.

 

#33 Paul Pedroncelli, Jr.

The impressive start to the season came to a halt in July when P.J. retired due to engine failure. But in Colorado, he showed that his performances at Phoenix and Sonoma were no fluke as he got a new top10 with the 6th position. He hopes that his 4th attempt at Irwindale will finally be crowned with success.

 

#38 Hiroyuki Ueno

He learns and has fun at the same time. But Hiroyuki isn't ridiculous either. In addition, he shows us that he has the combative spirit of "never give up". Because despite an accident, he had returned to the track after long repairs in Colorado to cross the finish line.

 

#51 Dean Thompson

What happened in Colorado? Only 11th after a difficult end of the race. But it’s Dean’s time to return to the top of the rankings. In July, he took pole and finished 2nd behind Jesse Love. Still 4th in the championship, he's only 9 points behind the leader.

 

#54 Joey Iest

First victory in his pocket, obtained in Colorado, Joey finally seems to have rid himself of the bad luck that stuck to his skin in the West Series. A victory that will call others, I'm sure. And why not this Saturday? He had already performed very well in July by obtaining the 3rd position.

 

#77 Mariah Boudrieau

After a first race at home in Colorado, Mariah was able to find the budget to put her first experience in the West Series to good use and try to get her first top10. The PP1M team has already experienced victory here with Joe Bean on August 19th…. 2000. It's not yesterday, isn't it ? LOL. At the wheel of Toyota #77 Nick Joanides had obtained the 9th position in July. So we know what the car is worth.

 

#80 Brian Kaminsky

Brian has already done 3 races in the West Series between 2020 and this year. But all on road tracks. So seeing him registered for Irwindale is above all a surprise. It's impossible to know what the Californian will manage to do with a chassis that works well in the "road" configuration since it has already obtained two top10s ... But we do not know anything in the "short track" configuration.

 

#88 Bridget Burgess

The 9th position in Colorado made us forget her accident in July at Irwindale where her best result is still her 12th position obtained last year. But the Australian family aims to do much better this time around.

 

#99 Cole Moore

For his first race in West at Irwindale last July, Cole was able to finish 5th after a modest qualifying session (10th). He knows by heart this oval which he frequents in BMRDA races. Second in the championship just 2 points behind Jesse Love, the battle between the BMR drivers promises to be superb. Cole's ambition is nothing more and nothing less than getting his first victory this Saturday.

 

ARCA West 2021 At Irwindale: Race Preview

 

Now it's time for the show.

 

Have a good race!v

All results here: https://www.racing-reference.info/entrylist/2021-05/AW/

 

 

Friday, August 20, 2021

Garage Moments – Advance Auto Parts #Sweepstakes

Garage Moments – Advance Auto Parts #Sweepstakes

My Favorite #GarageMoments

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

All most all are aware that this writer is a NASCAR Nut – a Super Fan; however, not many are aware of NRM’s hobby – entering Sweepstakes/Contest. This post is designed to educate all my friends, family and foes who have expressed their opinion that this fun venture is a waste of time – it is not. Yes folks, regular people really do win the big one!

 

I have enjoyed many amazing prizes in my thirteen-year sweepstakes adventure. However, my latest win - an awesome 2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs plus $20,000 to cover taxes is by far the biggest!

 

As a way to celebrate Father Day 2021, NASCAR racecar drivers Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric excitingly kicked off the Garage Moments sweepstakes (presented by Shell Pennzoil). Throughout the month of June, Advance Auto Parts released stories of the Blaney and Cindric father-son duos.

 

 

We also got to hear from Tommy Pike, the builder of 2016 Mustang GT!

 

 

The rules to enter were simple:

  • 1. Tweet a photo explaining a memory about cars shared between you and your child or parent (of which you are either the parent or child) with hashtags #GarageMoments and #Contest and tag @AdvanceAuto. 
  • 2. You must be a registered user of Twitter with a public account and follow @AdvanceAuto on twitter.com/AdvanceAuto to participate. 
  • 3. A “parent" can be anyone portraying a parental figure. 
  • 4. If you don't have a Twitter account and want to enter, register for a free Twitter account at http://twitter.com and visit Twitter.com/AdvanceAuto to become a follower of @AdvanceAuto.

 

Once submissions closed, a panel of judges reviewed them and determine the top three winners! The grand prize winner (me) received the Tommy Pike custom 2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT plus $20,000 to help with taxes.

 

Other prizes include an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2022 Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas and a $1,222 Advance Auto Parts gift card!

 

NASCAR Race Mom was blessed to have won this splendid Mustang with the entry below:

 

 

Check Out My Mustang Photo Gallery – This Thing is Sweet:

 

Photo Gallery

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

2016 Ford Mustang 2 Door Fastback GT customized by Tommy Pike Customs #GarageMoments

 

 

In conclusion – next time you see a company offer a sweepstakes and/or contest boasting a prize that you crave; put down that video game and enter. You never know . . . . . .

 

A quick thanks to Advanced Auto Parts, Carquest Auto Parts, Tommy Pike Custom, Pennzoil, Ryan Blaney, and Austin Cindric for this fantastic sweepstakes and allowing us to share our memories of family #GarageMoments. It was both fun to enter and submitted fantastic prizes.

 

 

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Derek Kraus: 2021 NCWTS at Gateway: Race Preview

Derek Kraus: 2021 NCWTS at Gateway: Race Preview

August 20, 2021 “Toyota 200 presented by CK Power” (Stages 55/110/160 laps = 200 miles)

By Nascarvd NascarvΓ©dΓ©

Derek Kraus: 2021 NCWTS aT Gateway: Race Preview

 

“The Gateway Arch of Glory!”

The 2021 Playoffs begin this Friday at the World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway located in Madison, Illinois. This atypic oval, created in 1997, shaped like an egg, much like Darlington, SC has done quite well so far in Derek Kraus’s .

 

Last year in his rookie season he finished the race in 13th position, his worst career result on this oval. Indeed, during his years in NASCAR K&N Pro Series, he had dominated in 2018 by winning the combined West/East race after leading almost the entire 3rd segment. The following year he got an excellent 2nd position after starting 12th. However, this 2nd position had had a bitter taste as the race had been cut off from the last 27 laps due to time constraints preventing Derek, whose car was flying on the track, to take 1st position.

 

This year, with the race in the Playoffs, Derek will only have one mission, to win it! No more calculations to do. There are seven races left before the end of the season and after poles, top10s, top5s, only one victory is missing from his CV in NCWTS.

 

And with a sponsor named "Gates Hydraulics" it would be stylish to win not far from the "Gateway Arch" of St. Louis!

 

Let's forget about Watkins Glen and focus on this race. With its banking of 11 ° in turns 1 and 2, 9 ° in turns 3 and 4 and 3 ° in the two straights. It will be necessary to make choices in the setup of the Toyota Tundra #19 NAPA Belts & Hoses / Gates Hydraulics. The first pair of turns being much tighter than the second.

 

Derek will start from 17th position. And that may be a good omen because last year Sheldon Creed  won the race just starting from 17th position!

 

 

Due to the geographic remoteness with the Cup and Xfinity races in Brooklyn, Michigan, Derek will have a new spotter in Brian Tedeschi. Originally from Custer Park, IL, he will take on this role at McAnally -Hilgemann Racing for the first time at age 25. He won't be the only new member of MHR as Andrew Diehl, 24, from Leonardtown, Maryland, was just hired by the team a few days ago (August 10). Until then he worked for JD Motorsports with Gary Keller in NXS as car chief, mechanic and even Front changer successively on cars #0, 4 and 6.

 

Among the entries are Ty Majeski and the newcomers Armani Williams and Derek Griffith. Ah yes I forgot, there will also be Josh Berry ... Hoping that the latter will avoid putting Derek in the wall as he had done in Nashville...

 

 

That's it for today, I'll try to introduce you to another MHR #19 team member soon.

 

GO Derek GO !!

 

Entry list, starting lineup and much more here: www.racing-reference.info/race/2021-16/C

 

Race live this Friday on FS1 at 9:00 p.m. ET

 

Toyota 200 - #NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

 

World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway