CITRUS COUNTY SPEEDWAYFrank Kimmel Drives to Eighth Career Win on Springfield Dirt
(SPRINGFIELD, Ill.) – In recent weeks, Frank Kimmel has shown flashes of his old dominance in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards – notably returning to Victory Lane after 75 races away and leading over half of another race in the midst of five consecutive top-five finishes.
Today, the ThorSport Racing driver made another step in his ongoing quest for a 10th ARCA championship, leading 51 laps in the Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds to earn his sixth consecutive top-five, but more importantly, his 76th career win and eighth on the Springfield dirt.
Kimmel (No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota) started just 10th but took the lead for the first time on Lap 40 when Kevin Swindell (No. 55 Curb Records Toyota) drove to pit road and surrendered the lead. Kimmel gave the lead back after pitting to close Lap 76, but passed Alex Bowman (No. 22 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Dodge) on Lap 87 and led the final 14 laps to take his second win in 24 days. (more…)
Cale Gale ESR Race Report — VFW 200 at Michigan International Speedway
Cale Gale and the No. 33 Rheem team finished 20th on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway after gambling on fuel strategy. The Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender was running fourth with three laps to go when Gale came across the radio informing the crew that he was out of fuel and needed to come down pit road. Once re-fired, Gale rejoined the competition and crossed the finish line in the 20th position.
Due to a new surface on the two-mile oval, teams in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) were allowed extra practice time throughout the weekend to evaluate their trucks and make necessary changes. With competitors running wide open around the entire facility, the racing began to resemble what is typically seen only on superspeedways as many drivers teamed up in packs to gain speed around the track. (more…)
Richards Returns To World of Outlaws Late Model Series Glory With Victory In Rough-And-Tumble NAPA Auto Parts Merritt 50
Former Tour Champ Leads Rocket Chassis House Car Teammate Brandon Sheppard To Finish Line At Michigan’s Merritt Raceway
LAKE CITY, MI – Aug. 18, 2012 – Welcome back, Josh Richards.
In just his second World of Outlaws Late Model Series start following a four-month absence to pursue his NASCAR Nationwide Series aspirations, Richards flashed his vintage hard-charging form with a triumphant run to victory in Saturday night’s NAPA Auto Parts Merritt 50 at Merritt Raceway.
Richards, 24, of Shinnston, W.Va., started from the pole position and led all but one circuit of a rough-and-tumble 50-lap A-Main. He repelled a late-race challenge from his Rocket Chassis house car teammate Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., who finished second to give Richards’s father, Mark, a memorable sweep of the top-two spots in a dirt Late Model feature for the first time in his career as a car owner. (more…)
Conclusion Of The Florida State Thunder Stock Championship
Jim Rouse, Ocala, FL (8-18-12) – As the 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks completed their Florida State Championship the RaceCar Engineering Late Models, Twisted Tea Top Gun Sprint Cars, and the Hobby Stocks put on a show not soon to be forgotten.
Hobby Stocks went first and outside pole sitter Mark Maresca took a wild ride very similar to the one he took nearly a year ago only this time it was 1 roll rather than a bunch. Joe Boyd would lead early on before a lap 3 caution for Scott Haas. Haas would allow Tim Powers and Tim Gay to close in on race leader Boyd. Under caution Hunter Gustafson, who was having a strong run, was parked for not having the Raceceiver all drivers are required to have. Just 2 laps later Richard Calmes, Jr. and Mick Kulak made contact that would destroy body work on both cars. The restart saw Tim Gay and Rodney Wright, who were fighting for 3rd, make contact- Wright went around and Gay went to the tail. (more…)
Steve Francis Dominates COMP Cams Topless 100 at Batesville Motor Speedway
LOCUST GROVE, AR (August 18, 0212) – Leading all 100 laps, Steve Francis of Ashland, KY dominated the 20th Annual COMP Cams Topless 100 on Saturday Night at Batesville Motor Speedway. Francis, piloting the Valvoline, Barry Wright House Car collected $40,000 for his first win in the crown jewel event sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
Former Topless 100 winner and hometown driver Jared Landers of Batesville, AR finished second followed by Eric Wells of Hazard, KY; Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN; and Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN.
Francis, who started on the pole, took the lead at the start and then had to withstand several caution flags on his way to a convincing win. At least three drivers took a shot at Francis during the race, but only Landers consistently stayed within striking distance of him.
“I have to thank Barry and Lance Wright, this car was fast from the time we unloaded here on Thursday, I was worried about tire wear, but the Hoosiers still look good after the race, so I am happy for that! This is Barry’s first win in this race, and I have only run it a handful of times in the past,” said the 44-year-old driver, who captured his fifth LOLMDS win of 2012. (more…)
Kasey Kahne Racing Teammates Ready for Oil City Cup
Saldana, Darrah have combined for four wins in last six Outlaws events at Castrol
EDMONTON, Alberta – Aug. 18, 2012 – It’s a long trip to Castrol Raceway, but one that Kasey Kahne Racing teammates Joey Saldana and Cody Darrah both look forward to.
The duo has combined to win four of the last six World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series events at the 3/8-mile track, which hosts the Outlaws on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24-25, for the Oil City Cup to conclude this season’s events in Canada.
“It was definitely a good stop we had there last year,” Darrah said. “We got our first Outlaws win with Kasey there.”
“Working off of Joey’s notes … that was probably our biggest success. To go off his feedback and to be able to pull a win off of it really shows how good Kasey Kahne Racing is there.”
Saldana missed the trip last year because of an injury, but is excited to return to the unique venue. (more…)
Ladouceur Beats Odds for 100th Career Pro Stock Win
Number 92 Pro Stock Driver Reaches Milestone
AKWESASNE, N. Y. – August 18, 2012 – Friday night wasn’t looking good for Joey Ladouceur at Mohawk International Raceway. With the pressure on and the stakes high, the defending Bailey Motor Company Pro Stock Series Champion with 99 career DIRTcar Pro Stock wins faced a competitive 15-car field – from the very back.
After problems in the qualifier put him last in his heat, Ladouceur started at the tail for the 35-lap feature Friday, Aug. 17, the final of 3 races in the Bailey Motor Company Pro Stock Series. However, the 2011 DIRTcar Pro Stock Series champion faced the challenge head-on, charging ahead of early race leaders George Renaud and Stephane Lebrun for his landmark 100th DIRTcar Pro Stock victory.
“It was fun to win one that way,” said Ladouceur, who feels comfortable racing Mohawk’s 4/10-mile semi-banked oval.
“I’ve always run well at Mohawk,” he said. “I guess I just go there, kind of relax, and I know the track well, so I make the most of it.” (more…)
Smith Defends Demolition Derby Title; Buttrick Runs Away with 50- Lap Sportsman Spectacular, $1K
The back end of Ronnie Smith’s Crown Victoria was completely crunched, folded up nearly beyond the back tires. And this was the winning car. Welcome to the Demolition Derby. Smith, a former Allen Turner Pro Late Model champion, successfully defended the Demo Derby title he won last year, thrilling a capacity crowd along the way. “I do it for the fans,” Smith said. “I came out here and tested the other day. No, I’m just kidding.” The “Master of Disaster” had to do some improvising late in the crash fest when the throttle became stuck wide open. Smith was forced to run with his brake. Amazingly enough, it worked to perfection as he finished off the win when he nearly put Robert Balkum’s camouflage car on its side. Smith crawled out of the wreckage and lifted his hands high as the fans roared with delight. (more…)
Swindell Overcomes Kinser, Schatz to Claim Victory at River Cities
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Aug. 17, 2012 – It was a tale of two obstacles for Sammy Swindell on a perfect Friday evening at River Cities Speedway.
First, outduel 20-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion Steve Kinser for the lead on the racy, action-packed track. Second, outlast the hottest driver of late – Donny Schatz – in challenging traffic.
Swindell successfully completed both tasks to record his series-leading ninth victory in Round 2 of The Duel at the Dakotas Presented by Gerdau and Sleep Inn & Suites.
“It seemed like the first part just took forever to get going and then we went on a pretty long run it seemed like,” he said. “We were able to get the win and hold everybody else off there.”
The 40-lap event began with Swindell darting to the lead before a violent crash between Kerry Madsen and Greg Nikitenko forced a red flag on lap two. Kinser, who drove from ninth to fifth place in the dash, charged to second on the restart and quickly challenged Swindell for the top spot. (more…)