Featured | Karnac Racing News

Gravel Powers to Opening Night Win at FVP Knoxville Nationals

World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car rookie edges Sweet; Stewart leads points

080713_KNOXVILLE_NITE1POSTstory KNOXVILLE, Iowa. – Aug. 7, 2013 – David Gravel earned the biggest victory of his young career when he drove around Greg Hodnett early then held off Brad Sweet to the checkered flag during Wednesday’s opening night of the 53rd FVP Knoxville Nationals featuring the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series at Knoxville Raceway.

Gravel, the leading contender for the series’ Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award, got off to a stellar to start. Taking the green in fourth, he was in second by the end of the first lap when a caution then flew as Johnny Herrera’s machine rolled to a stop on the front stretch. On the restart, Gravel shot to the lead on the low side of turn one around Greg Hodnett. The start, however, was called back as Shane Stewart hit the orange cone, leading to a caution to assess the penalty.

On the following restart Hodnett went to the bottom to defend the line. Gravel then shot to the top, and after another lap and a half used his momentum to swing the FMR Racing-sponsored car to the lead. Gravel led the rest of the race nearly unchallenged until the final front stretch run, where his car stumbled from running out of fuel. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-08T16:32:32-04:00August 8th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Sheppard Outmaneuvers Bowman to Capture Super DIRTcar Series Win at Merrittville Speedway

Matt Sheppard and Danny Johnson Charge Ahead in Lapped Traffic to Podium Finishes

080513_MvillePressRelease-page001 THOROLD, ONTARIO – Monday, August 5, 2013 – After battling through lapped traffic for the lead over St. Catharines racer Mike Bowman, three-time Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series Champion Matt Sheppard took his second series win of the season at Merrittville Speedway Monday, Aug. 5.

“We’ve had a lot of great race cars at Merrittville over the years, and I think this is probably the best one we’ve ever had,” said Sheppard, of Waterloo, N. Y. Before Bowman’s win in 2012, Sheppard claimed three consecutive Super DIRTcar Series races at Merrittville Speedway. “I love this place, I have a lot of success here.”

Bowman sought to repeat his success in last year’s Bob St. Amand Sr. Memorial Super DIRTcar Series feature, in which he led all 100 laps to claim his first-ever series win. At the green flag in Monday’s race, he charged ahead of pole-sitter Gary Tomkins claiming first before the completion of lap 1. The local star stayed ahead of the pack in the No. 71, leaving Chris Steele and Gary Tomkins behind him in a fight for second. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-06T17:47:32-04:00August 6th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off

Lanigan Scores Another Hard-Fought World of Outlaws Late Model Series Victory At Independence Motor Speedway

Defending Tour Champ Finds Himself In Battle To Finish At Hawkeye State Track For Second Consecutive Year

080513_IndeVL INDEPENDENCE, IA – Aug. 5, 2013 – Wins don’t come easy for Darrell Lanigan at Independence Motor Speedway.

But they definitely come – as evidenced by his hard-fought march to victory in Monday night’s 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main that put him in the spotlight at the Hawkeye State track for the second consecutive year.

Lanigan, 43, of Union, Ky., battled forward from the seventh starting spot to take the lead from Shane Clanton of Zebulon, Ga., on lap 37 and turned back a furious late challenge from local hero Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, to secure his series-leading eighth triumph of the 2013 season.

Closely following his path he took to a narrow victory over Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., in last year’s WoO LMS feature at Independence, Lanigan couldn’t take a breath until the checkered flag finally flew over his Rocket Chassis machine.

“It was pretty tough out there,” said Lanigan, who earned $10,600 for his series-best 49^th career win. “The track was just super-racy – and just to get the lead starting where we did, that was pretty good. Then we just had to hold on.” (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-06T14:55:22-04:00August 6th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Late Models|Comments Off

Sunoco 100 Presented By: KARNAC.com It’s Time To Race!

8-10-13-Citrus

This Saturday the FL United Promoters Series will return to The Friendliest Track in the South, Citrus Co. Speedway for the running of the SUNOCO 100 Presented By KARNAC.com

It was just two weeks ago that the series visited Citrus with 26 entries for the Powell Memorial, series & track officials are expecting just as many for another exciting night of racing.

Series points leader Wayne Anderson of Wildwood will be trying for his 7th win of the season. He will be challenged by young Daniel Webster of Brooksville who along with Anderson put on one awesome show in the closing laps two weeks ago.

Joining in the fray will be Sarasota’s Jessie Dutilly who currently sits third in the point standings, Naples will be represented by the Bigley Boys, father Billy Jr. and son Dylan, along with Troy McNabb in tow. Also expected are, Ocala’s Jake Perkins, Randy Anderson, Anthony Cataldi, Jeff Scofield, Todd Brown, Herb Neumann Jr, Mike Bresanhan, Scott Grossenbacher, T.J. Duke, and many more.

Also on the schedule for the night are the Legends where only 34 points separate the top 4 contenders.

Joining them will be the Bando’s, Mod Mini’s, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks, Hornets, & DWARF’s. There will be an open practice on Friday from 5:00pm. – 9:00pm., Sat. pits open at 12pm. Grandstands at 4pm, Racing at 5:30pm.

Follow the series at www.floridaunitedpromotersseries.com

By rick|2013-08-06T14:45:49-04:00August 5th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Racing News|Comments Off

Rookie LaJoie takes second straight ARCA superspeedway win

lajoie_win (LONG POND, Pa.) – Corey LaJoie is definitely on a roll.

The Richard Petty Motorsports development driver came from the back of the 36-field Friday to win the ModSpace 125 at Pocono Raceway. It was his first-ever visit to the track. He took the lead with two laps to go when the leader, Erik Jones, scrapped the wall and went to pit road.

“It just all worked out again,” he said. “Either way, we’re here in victory lane.”

Driving a Roulo Brothers Racing Ford, LaJoie also won at Chicagoland Speedway in July when the leader ran out of gas coming to the white flag. His second ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards win was just as dramatic. He was in the lead when he pitted on lap 34. He came out and eventually had a battle with Chase Elliott for the second position, but was about five seconds behind Jones.

“I don’t know what happened to him,” LaJoie said. “I was digging for all it was worth. We were catching him. His car was getting bigger in my windshield, but he was too far ahead.”

However, with two laps to go, Jones, in the No. 15 Venturini Motorsports Toyota, went to pit road. LaJoie grabbed the lead, saw the white flag and finished 17.013 seconds ahead of runner-up Frank Kimmel. Justin Boston, in the ZLOOP Computer & Electronics Recycling Toyota, finished third and Brennan Newberry in the Qore 24 Chevrolet fourth.

“People might say we got lucky twice, but if we weren’t in that position, we wouldn’t have been here,” LaJoie said. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-05T19:22:47-04:00August 5th, 2013|ARCA, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

Georgia Madness at Albany and Needmore Goes for SAS Racing Series August 9, August 10

Fayetteville, TN- August 4, 2013- The Southern All Star Racing Series will visit a pair of new venues for the tour with the Georgia Madness doubleheader weekend at Albany Motor Speedway in Albany, GA on Friday August 9 and Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, GA on Saturday August 10. Both events will be 40 laps in distance and pay the winner $4,000 for their efforts and pay $300 to start at each event.

The Southern All Star Racing Series event at Albany Motor Speedway on Friday August 9 will feature a complete program of practice, WhitePerformance.com A-B Group Time Trials, PPM Racing Products Last Chance Showdowns, and will conclude with the 40 lap, $4,000 to win Georgia Madness A-Main. Support divisions set to join the Southern All Star Racing Series in action at Albany Motor Speedway on Friday August 9 will be the track’s Limited Late Model and Enduro divisions. Albany Motor Speedway will also have an open practice for all competitors on Thursday evening August 8 from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and all drivers are invited. Also, all Super Late Models in competition at Albany Motor Speedway on Friday August 9 must be equipped with mufflers per track rules.

The Southern All Star Racing Series event at Needmore Speedway on Saturday August 10 will feature a complete program of practice, WhitePerformance.com A-B Group Time Trials, PPM Racing Products Last Chance Showdowns, and will conclude with the 40 lap, $4,000 to win Georgia Madness A-Main. Support divisions set to join the Southern All Star Racing Series in action at Needmore Speedway on Saturday August 10 will be the track’s Limited Late Model, Super Street, Hobby, and Enduro divisions. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-05T19:19:14-04:00August 5th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Southern All Stars|Comments Off

Driver Appreciation Night At Bubba Raceway Park!

Jim Rouse, Ocala, FL- The Limited Sprint Cars will tackle the 3/8 mile oval, as will the Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks, 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks, and Rent-N-Roll Gladiators. All drivers receive free entry for this week-end’s races and all drivers have a shot at a $1000 prize!

The Limited Sprints will make their first appearance of the season, but the same cast should be playing similar roles. Matt Kurtz and Danny Martin, Jr. have dominated the Sprint Car ranks for the past three seasons, but drivers like “Captain” Tony Agin, Terry Witherspoon, and Robbie Smith are closing in on a big win. With a different rules package for the Limited Sprints, we could see a magical run dethrone Kurtz and Martin, but it won’t be the easiest thing to do.

In what will be the third Limited Late Model race of 2013, Tim Powers and Tyler Clem enter as the drivers with victories. Powers has more Hobby Stock wins than Clem has years on earth, but the eleven year old Clem will be looking for back-to-back victories. Nahunta, Georgia’s JO Nobles, last year’s division champion, will join the fight up front and make it a battle of the states after his impressive win in his Late Model last week. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-05T19:11:13-04:00August 5th, 2013|Bubba Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

Billy Ogle, Jr. Bags SAS Racing Series Collins/Ledford Memorial at Volunteer Speedway

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Bulls Gap, TN-August 3, 2013- The Southern All Star Racing Series would makes its second visit of the 2013 season to Volunteer Speedway on Saturday evening for the Herman Collins/Dewey “Red” Ledford Memorial event and Billy Ogle, Jr. of Knoxville, TN would score the win in a thrilling event. Ogle, Jr. would pick up the victory in the Larry Garner owned Blount Motorsports/Blount Excavating/ Massey Electric/Al Blankenship Enterprises/Stowers CAT Machinery/Cherokee Millwright sponsored #201 Rocket Chassis which sports a Vic Hill Race Engine beneath the hood.

The victory by Ogle, Jr., 48 years of age, was his second Southern All Star Racing Series victory of the 2013 season and his tenth career win with the Southern All Star Racing Series, who owns the 2011 SAS Racing Series championship.

Vic Hill of Mosheim, TN would jump to the lead at the start of the event and set a blistering pace, although the event would be slowed by three caution periods during the first 13 laps of the contest. Ogle, Jr. would settle into the second position after the lap 13 restart and he and Hill would pull away from the rest of the pack, which would be led by third place running Stacy Boles of Clinton, TN. As the front pair caught a group of heavy traffic by lap 26, Ogle, Jr. would close in on Hill and the pair would engage in a classic side-by-side struggle for the lead beginning on lap 30 and ending on lap 34 when Ogle, Jr. secured the lead for good. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-05T16:32:41-04:00August 5th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Southern All Stars|Comments Off

Brian Campbell Breaks Through At Home Track For First ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered By JEGS Win Of 2013

Scores 11th career ARCA/CRA Triumph and Fifth at Berlin Raceway

20campbelltrophy Marne, Michigan (Saturday, August 3, 2013): The ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS made a return visit to the fast and tricky 7/16s (0.437) mile semi-banked paved oval of Berlin Raceway, located west of Grand Rapids in Marne, Michigan on Saturday, August 3rd and it was a familiar face standing in victory lane as Brian Campbell broke through at his home track by scoring his first victory of the season in the Tri-State Car Collector Appraisers 125 Presented by T.A.A.G. Incorporated on Duck Dynasty Night at the track featuring cast members from the hit television show on the A&E Network, Willie & Korie Robertson as well as Justin Martin who served as Grand Marshals for the entire night.

In 15 career ARCA/CRA appearances at Berlin, Campbell has accounted for 1/3 of the wins as he scored his fifth career triumph at his home track and 11th overall of his ARCA/CRA Super Series career. “We were really good all day long. We weren’t showing all of our cards until we passed Travis (Braden) for the lead, then I wanted to get as far away from everyone as possible.” The Wyoming, Michigan driver stated in victory lane surrounded by family and members of his team. “We’ve been struggling a little bit this year, but this definitely feels good to get back to where we belong.” The driver of the #20 KBR Development / Ford added.

23 cars were on the property and after Three-Time & Reigning ARCA/CRA Super Series Champion, Johnny VanDoorn, won his third EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier Award of the season and drew a six for an inversion, it would be Berlin Raceway regulars in the tracks Budweiser Super Late Model Series, Dave Lake and Tom Thomas bringing the field down to Chief Starter, Scott Menlen’s green flag and it would be the veteran Lake, a Three-Time Track Champion in three different divisions in three different seasons at the speed plant (2006 Pro Stocks, 2010 Super Stocks & 2011 Modifieds), grabbing the lead. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-05T16:33:16-04:00August 5th, 2013|CRA Racing Series, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

McCreadie Banks $50,000 Victory In World of Outlaws Late Model Series USA Nationals At Cedar Lake Speedway

New Yorker Registers Biggest Win Of Decade-Long Dirt Late Model Career

080313_LM_USANATIONALS NEW RICHMOND, WI – Aug. 3, 2013 – Tim McCreadie celebrated like he’s never celebrated before after capturing Saturday night’s 26^th annual USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway.

With the $50,150 score representing the biggest and most prestigious triumph of his decade-long dirt Late Model career, the 39-year-old star from Watertown, N.Y., did joyful donuts in his Sweeteners Plus Warrior car off turn four, applauded the standing-room-only crowd in Victory Lane and even invited the fans to join him at his team’s trailer for a raucous post-race party.

Yes, it was a memorable evening for McCreadie, the 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion who has been chasing a signature win since returning fulltime to the national tour in 2010 following a brief foray into NASCAR (2007) and six months on the sidelines in 2009 due to a back injury.

“After everything I’ve gone through just with health and where I thought my career was going five years ago and where it ended up,” said McCreadie, “yeah, this is probably definitely at the top of the list.” (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-05T16:33:50-04:00August 5th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Late Models|Comments Off