Author: Mike Haag

Courtesy of the NHRA TOPEKA, Kan. – Coming off arguably the best three-week stretch in his Top Fuel career, Steve Torrence heads to Heartland Park Topeka, the site of this weekend’s 29th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties, a confident driver. Torrence has advanced to three straight final rounds and has posted back-to-back NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series victories in his 10,000-horsepower Capo Contractors Inc. dragster, knocking off a number of considerable stalwarts in the process. That has supplied plenty of confidence and momentum for Torrence and his seasoned team, and it also has him anxious to…

Courtesy of the Verizon IndyCar Series INDIANAPOLIS — Seven drivers whose images are immortalized on the famed Borg-Warner Trophy for winning the Indianapolis 500 are among those named to entries filed for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on May 28. Thirty-three drivers have been named for the 33 entered cars at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. The list includes 18 Hondas and 15 Chevrolets. Click HERE for the 101st Indianapolis 500 Entry List The former winners include reigning champion Alexander Rossi, who scored an underdog victory as a rookie last year.…

By Reid Spencer NASCAR Wire Service KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Martin Truex Jr. finally ended his Kansas hex. Truex streaked away on the final restart with two laps left in Saturday night’s Go Bowling 400 to win his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. Truex led a race-high 104 of 267 laps to win for the ninth time in his career and for the second time this season. Three times in the past, Truex had led the most laps in a Kansas race—without winning. But on this Saturday, Truex had the speed and the closing power.…

KANSAS CITY, Kansas – A photographic look at the NASCAR racing action on Saturday at Kansas Speedway. All photos courtesy of NASCAR and Getty Images.

Courtesy of the Verizon IndyCar Series INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Will Power used the backdrop of iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway to move past a pair of Team Penske greats in the Indy car record book. Driving the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, Power dominated today’s INDYCAR Grand Prix on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course to collect win No. 30 in his 13-year Indy car career. The milestone victory pushed the 36-year-old Power ahead of current teammate Helio Castroneves and retired Team Penske legend Rick Mears for sole possession of 11th place on the all-time list. INDYCAR GRAND PRIX: Box score…

SIMON PAGENAUD (No. 1 Menards Team Penske Chevrolet): “We had a good day. I mean it was a difficult weekend for us on the No. 1 Menards Chevrolet car. I didn’t have the speed this weekend. I couldn’t find how to feel more comfortable with the tires; the new Firestone tires they brought this weekend. I didn’t have the speed Will (Power) had. Overall, bringing home a fourth-place finish is good. We’re still in the lead for the championship which is what I want. I’m just super excited next is the Indy 500. It’s my No. 1 goal this…

Courtesy of Rob Geiger, Geiger Media Global HOUSTON, Texas – The auctioning of drag racing legend Shirley Muldowney’s one-of-a-kind Super Comp dragster modeled after her iconic “Last Pass” Top Fuel dragster — the proceeds of which will benefit her namesake charity, Shirley’s Kids — has been postponed due to the recent death of Muldowney’s son John Muldowney. The Danny Nelson-built Racecraft Chassis, powered by a 582-cubic-inch Chevrolet Head Hunter motor from Sunset Performance, will now be sold at Dana Mecum’s Auction to be held Sept. 6-9 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. “Shirley has been devastated…

Courtesy of Richard Petty Motorsports CHARLOTTE, N.C. – For the second consecutive year, the Petty family will reunite during the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, one of the most successful and popular charity rides in the country, for its 23rd annual motorcycle trek. Kyle Petty will ride alongside his wife, sisters Sharon and Rebecca, brother-in-law Terry, and father, “The King” Richard during the Ride presented by Manheim. The Ride engages celebrities, motorcycle enthusiasts, fans and local communities to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction, a camp for kids with serious health care needs. Kyle will lead his immediate…

By Reid Spencer NASCAR Wire Service KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Kyle Busch didn’t do a celebratory burnout when he won Friday night’s Toyota Tundra 250 at Kansas Speedway. He didn’t do his customary bow after notching his 47th victory in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Heartbreak for Ben Rhodes, who was leading by more than a second when his engine expired with eight laps left, provided the stroke of serendipity that launched Busch into Victory Lane. And Busch knew it. “That’s one of the worst ones to swallow right there, for sure,” Busch said of Rhodes’ misfortune. “I didn’t…

KANSAS CITY, Kansas – A photographic look at the NASCAR racing action on Friday at Kansas Speedway. All photos courtesy of NASCAR and Getty Images.