Series | Karnac Racing News

14-Year-Old Kyle Benjamin Wins Wild Watermelon 100 & Scores 2012 ARCA/CRA Super Series Southern Tour Championship

Cordele, Georgia (Saturday, October 27^th, 2012): 14-year-old Kyle Benjamin, just a week away from his 15^th birthday (November 3^rd) picked up the thrilling victory in the Watermelon 100 at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Georgia on October 27^th and in doing so, he also clinched the 2012 ARCA/CRA Super Series Southern Tour Championship to become the youngest driver in CRA History to Win a Title!

“I can’t believe this! Especially after spinning out just a couple of laps in the race and then to watch those guys in front of me battle like they were. To be standing here in victory lane and to win the Championship, this is unreal!” The driver of the #71 Benjamin Motorsports / Ford excitedly exclaimed in victory lane. “After what we’ve gone through over the past two weeks, tonight was all about redemption and this whole team never gave up and here we are.” He added.

Earlier this season, the Easley, South Carolina teenager became the youngest driver in ARCA/CRA Super Series and JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance History to Win an event in each of the premier tours within Champion Racing Association (CRA) when he took the checkered flag at Winchester (IN) Speedway in Winchester, Indiana in a JEGS/CRA race, the Winchester 100 Presented by JEGS.com on May 6^th and then at Lucas Oil (IN) Raceway in the Fatheadz 100 Presented by Team Construction for the ARCA/CRA Super Series race on July 27^th. (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-29T14:20:07-04:00October 29th, 2012|CRA Racing Series, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

Top Gun Sprints Race Report 10-20-12

The Top Gun Sprints made their second visit of 2012 to North Florida Speedway on Saturday October 20, 2012. There were 14 cars at the track to give fans two heat races and a 25 lap feature race.

Shawn Murray in the 22 car had the pole with Tony Agin in the 38 on the outside for the start of the SCORPION heat race. Shawn took the lead on the start, and then it was Robbie Smith went around and took the win. The 3A of AJ Maddox had the pole for the SHOCK DYNO heat race, with Darren Orth in the 34 car on the outside. On the start A J took the lead on the start, and then it was Mark Ruel Jr. went around and never looked back and took the win. The 22 of Shawn Murray had the pole for the start of the SIMPSON feature race event, with the 92 of Matt Kurtz alongside. On the start Matt took the lead and the checkered flag, followed by Danny Martin in the 82 car, Mark Ruel Jr. in the 83 car, Shawn Murray in the 22 car and Robbie Smith in the 6S car rounding out the top 5.

The staff and racers of the Top Gun Sprints would like to thank everyone for their support and hope to see you at Bubba Raceway Park for the October 27, 2012 race. Congratulations go out to Danny Martin for winning the KSE Hardcharger Award. (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-26T04:24:38-04:00October 26th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Top Gun Sprints|Comments Off

Southern All Stars return to Toccoa for James Garrison Memorial/GA State Championship Oct 27th

First SAS visit since April of 2010 to the oldest dirt track in Georgia

HUNTSVILLE, AL (October 17, 2012)—After a two year absence, the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series will return to Toccoa (GA) Speedway for the James Garrison/Georgia State Championship race.

Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA enjoyed Southern All Stars Victory Lane in the most recent series visit to Toccoa Speedway in April of 2010. This time the SAS travelers will be the headliner of a busy night of racing for Toccoa Speedway running for the $3,500 top prize in the 40-lapper. ‘We are very excited in having the Southern All Stars back to Toccoa Speedway’ stated Race Director Brad York. “We should have huge crowd for this event as the people in town have been talking about it all week, this should be one of our biggest crowds of the year.”

A full show of Practice, VP Racing Fuels Qualifying, Hoosier Racing Tire Last Chance Showdowns and the 40-lap Feature event await the SAS on Saturday Night October 27.

The Speedway has announced earlier start times for the Georgia State Championships as the gates for grandstands and pits will both swing open at 1:00 pm and the Drivers Meeting will be at 4:00 pm with Hot Lap sessions beginning shortly after. On October 27^th the Grandstands admission will be $20.00 with $30.00 in the Pits and Trackside. The night before, Friday October 26^th the Speedway will host an open practice for all divisions from 5-9 pm with the cost of just $10 for Pits and Trackside. (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-25T20:38:34-04:00October 25th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Southern All Stars, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Attention Shifts to PEAK Motor Oil World Finals Presented by NAPA

Schatz is on tap to secure his fifth World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series championship

CONCORD, N.C. – Oct. 24, 2012 – Following the first week off since Easter, focus on the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series shifts to the popular PEAK Motor Oil World of Outlaws World Finals Presented by NAPA Auto Parts.

The sixth edition of the prestigious event, which also features the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the Big-Block Modifieds from the Super DIRTcar Series, concludes the season Nov. 1-3 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

“It’s really a fun event,” Steve Kinser said. “You get to watch a lot of good racing and a lot of different divisions, so it’s fun for the competitors along with the race fans.”

While Kinser – a 20-time champion and the winningest driver – is on pace to wrap up his unprecedented 31^st top-five finish in the standings, his Tony Stewart Racing teammate Donny Schatz is set to earn his fifth career championship and his first since claiming four straight from 2006-09.

Schatz is riding a hot streak of eight wins, 20 podiums and 24 top fives in the last 27 points events to hold a 176-point advantage entering the final weekend at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, where he swept the PEAK Motor Oil World Finals Presented by NAPA last season. (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-25T05:18:32-04:00October 25th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Sprint Cars, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Super DIRTcar Series Takes Pilgrimage Charlotte

Competitors prepare for November’s season finale, PEAK Motor Oil World of Outlaws World Finals presented by NAPA Auto Parts

CONCORD, N. C. – Oct. 24, 2012 – With only two feature events left in the Super DIRTcar Series, Big-Block Modified competitors are prepping for one of the biggest dirt racing events of the year, PEAK Motor Oil World of Outlaws World Finals presented by NAPA Auto Parts at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Thursday, Nov. 1, through Saturday, Nov. 3.

Not only is PEAK Motor Oil World of Outlaws World Finals presented by NAPA Auto Parts one of only three events that hosts the three premier dirt track series, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, and the Super DIRTcar Series, but it is the last event of the season for all three.

“It’s almost like the Mecca of dirt track racing,” said Jimmy Phelps, of Baldwinsville, N. Y., currently second in points in the Super DIRTcar Series. “You’ve got the three major traveling series all on the same property in front of a huge crowd. It’s an unbelievable facility.”

Performing well at the two Super DIRTcar Series features at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, set for Friday, Nov. 2, and Saturday, Nov. 3, is especially vital for Phelps, who trails the series point leader and two-time defending champion Matt Sheppard by just 92 points. Points are awarded for each 40-lap race according to a 150-point schedule.

“It’s the end of the year and everything’s on the line,” Phelps said. (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-25T05:16:24-04:00October 25th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Super DirtCar Series, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Pollard Looks to Get Second CRA Southern Tour Title at Watermelon this Weekend

Salem, IN October 22, 2012) – Senioa, Georgia native Bubba Pollard, arguably the winningest late model driver in the country over the past two seasons, will be looking to get his second straight ARCA/CRA Super Series Southern Tour Championship in this Weekend’s Watermelon Twin 100’s, which will take place at Watermelon Capital Speedway, in Cordele, GA on Saturday. The event will feature both the ARCA/CRA Super Series Southern Tour in a 100 lap Season Championship feature and the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance in a special non-points 100 lap feature.

Pollard won the 2011 ARCA/CRA Super Series Southern Tour Drivers Championship, while the WearCrete Racing Team with owner Curtis Veneable and drivers Jeff Fultz and Daniel Hemric, got the 2011 ARCA/CRA Super Series Southern Tour Owners Championship. Pollard looks to take the combined Championship in 2012 driving for himself in his #26 JEGS.com sponsored machine.

Pollard will have a battle on his hands as he comes into Saturday’s event with only a one point lead over 14 year old South Carolina Hot Shoe Kyle Benjamin. Benjamin has two CRA victories in 2012, one with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour at Winchester Speedway and one in a Northern ARCA/CRA Super Series event at Lucas Oil Raceway, while Pollard’s best finishes have been second twice, once to Kyle Busch at SpeedFest 2012 at Watermelon Capital Speedway in January and second to T.J. Reaid at the Northern ARCA/CRA Super Series season opener at Anderson Speedway in April. Pollard got a CRA victory in 2011 at Gresham Motorsports Park. (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-25T05:14:03-04:00October 25th, 2012|CRA Racing Series, Featured, Front Page News, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

“BOW TIE BRIGADE” POWERED BY CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE CT 525 HEADS FOR THE COTTON PICKIN’ 100 AT THE MAG

CARTERSVILLE, GA – The five-driver “Bow Tie Brigade” will be headed to Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MS this weekend with Super Late Model race cars powered by the $7,000 Chevrolet Performance CT 525 Engine. They will give race fans and competitors a preview of the economical future of dirt late model racing.

Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN, Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA, David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN, Chase Edge of Lafayette, AL and David Jackson of Winchester, TN will compete in the $15,000-to-win 9^th Annual Southern Belle Cotton Pickin’ 100 on the 3/8-mile black ice clay oval at Magnolia Motor Speedway this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

They will be competing with the $7,000 all-aluminum Chevrolet Performance CT 525 Engine that is built and sealed at the Chevrolet factory to prevent any expensive modifications. The engine is based off the stock production LS Corvette Engine and has been modified by Chevrolet Performance for dirt late model competition. (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-25T05:02:41-04:00October 25th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Racecar Engineering to Sponsor Awards at Watermelon this Weekend

Salem, IN October 22, 2012) – CRA officials have announced that Racecar Engineering has agreed to be an Award Sponsor with the Watermelon Twin 100’s, which will take place at Watermelon Capital Speedway, in Cordele, GA this Saturday. The event will feature both the ARCA/CRA Super Series Southern Tour in a 100 lap feature and the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance in special non-points 100 lap feature.

Racecar Engineering will award the winner of both 100 lap feature events as well as the fifth, tenth and fifteenth place finishers in each event with $50 Product Certificates. Steve Dorer, owner of Racecar Engineering, has been a part-time competitor with the ARCA/CRA Super Series during the 2012 season.

Racecar Engineering opened in 1998 in Winter Park, Fl. The company was moved to Lakeland in 2003. They are dedicated to pleasing their customers and providing them with excellent service, price and selection for their racing needs. They are continuously adding new parts to their inventory and if they don’t have it in stock they will get it for you. They pride themselves on having the most innovated parts available for your needs. They have a 17,000 sq. ft. warehouse full of parts, fuel and even complete cars in stock

Racecar Engineering is proud to say their friendly sales staff is made up of knowledgeable and experienced racers. Their customers can be confident knowing they receive genuine advice and care from a staff that shares their same hobby and passion. Racecar Engineering inventory includes parts for Asphalt Racing, Dirt Racing, Street, Strip, Circle Track and Off-road. More information on Racecar Engineering is available at www.racecareng.com.

Additional event information and additional information on all the CRA Series can be found at www.craracing.net.

By Scott|2012-10-23T17:32:32-04:00October 23rd, 2012|CRA Racing Series, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

Thunder On The Hill Special this Weekend at Mayetta

MAYETTA, Kan. (Oct. 22) – Feature events for five IMCA divisions are on the schedule for both nights of Thunder Hill Speedway’s Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26-27 Thunder On The Hill Special.

IMCA Modified features pay $2,000 to win, a minimum of $150 to start, and are qualifying events for the 2013 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot.

Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods have a top prize of $750 and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars run for $600 to win each night. IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks run for $400 to win, Mach-1 Sport Compacts for $150.

Purses are based on minimum 20-car fields. Lap money is also to be paid.

An open practice will be held from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25. Pit passes are $10.

Gates at Mayetta open at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Drivers’ meetings are at 6:30 p.m. both nights with hot laps and racing to follow.

Grandstand admission each night is $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and free for five and under. Pit passes are $30 a night or $55 for both Friday and Saturday.

More information is available by calling 785 313-5140 or by emailing thillspeedway@gmail.com.

By Scott|2012-10-23T17:23:01-04:00October 23rd, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, IMCA, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Lanigan Looks To Cap Spectacular Season At PEAK Motor Oil World of Outlaws World Finals Presented by NAPA Auto Parts

Presumptive 2012 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Champ Has Never Won At The Dirt Track At Charlotte

CONCORD, NC – Oct. 22, 2012 – Darrell Lanigan has entered the PEAK Motor Oil World of Outlaws World Finals Presented by NAPA Auto Parts with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship already in his back pocket, and he’s gone into the season-ending spectacular locked in a dramatic battle for the points title.

Not surprisingly, the 42-year-old star from Union, Ky., prefers the decidedly less-stressful first option, which happens to be the way he’ll go racing in this year’s PEAK World Finals Presented by NAPA on Nov. 1-3 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Thanks to his record-breaking 2012 campaign, he’ll clinch his second career WoO LMS crown when he drives through the pit gate of the four-tenths-mile oval.

“It’s a lot less pressure on a guy to go down there and not have to worry about where he finishes,” said Lanigan, who cemented the 2008 WoO LMS championship by simply showing up for the PEAK World Finals Presented by NAPA and two years later lost the title to Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., in a down-to-the-wire thriller. “We always go there to win the race, but being in a point race definitely gives you something else to think about. I’m glad that this year the points are done so we can just go there to win the race.” (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-23T17:18:31-04:00October 23rd, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series|Comments Off