Courtesy of Atlanta Motor Speedway HAMPTON, Ga. – Matt Crafton and Christopher Bell swapped the lead four times over the first 111 laps in what looked like a two-truck shootout, as Crafton battled to win his second consecutive Camping World Truck Series race at Atlanta. But neither would find themselves in Victory Lane when the checkered flag flew. Crafton had led 76 laps coming to the restart with 20 laps to go after the second caution clock expiration of the race, in what looked like a sure-thing for the dominant 2014 Camping World Truck Series champion. It all changed in a…
Author: Mike Haag
Mike Haag
Mike Haag has covered motorsports in San Antonio and South Texas for more than 39 years. In addition to covering motorsports for the San Antonio Express-News for nearly 28 years, Mike also has co-hosted TrackSmack with Dawn Murphy for 19 race seasons. In addition to being a writer, Mike taught high school English and Journalism for 30 years before retiring in May, 2020.
Courtesy of the NHRA CHANDLER, Ariz. — Series points leader Ron Capps took the No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car on Saturday at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel) and Bo Butner (Pro Stock) also will lead their categories into Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations as the No. 1 qualifiers at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Wild Horse Pass Motor Sports Park. Still riding the momentum from a victory at the NHRA Winternationals two weeks ago in Pomona, Calif., Capps set a track record with a 3.925 second pass at 320.50 mph…
HAMPTON, Ga. – A day after winning and then losing the Sprint Cup Series pole, Kyle Busch was again the fastest around the track in XFINITY Series qualifying Saturday morning at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Busch, whose Sprint Cup Series car didn’t pass inspection Friday evening, is on the pole for the Heads Up Georgia 250. It’s the fifth time Busch will start first in an XFINITY Series race at AMS, but he’s still looking for his first win. The 30-year-old does have two wins here in the top series, though. “Yesterday is more important than what today is, but overall I couldn’t be…
CHANDLER, Ariz. – Courtney Force raced to the qualifying lead in Funny Car Friday with a track record performance at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. Antron Brown (Top Fuel) and Bo Butner (Pro Stock) also were top qualifiers at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix. Force, who is looking to redeem last season’s finish with a strong early season start, led the Funny Car field with a track record time of 3.930 seconds at 323.97 mph in her Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro. “It’s definitely what we hoped for,” said Force…
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”4″ gal_title=”Friday Atlanta”] Photos courtesy of NASCAR and Chevy Racing
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series travels to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend for the Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500. Below are a few storylines, news and notes that I am following this weekend. NASCAR to debut lower downforce aero package at Atlanta One thing that is for certain is that NASCAR race fans will experience a different kind of race at Atlanta this weekend. On Sunday at the Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500, NASCAR will debut its much-anticipated lower downforce 2016 aerodynamics package. The package is similar to the ones used at Kentucky and Darlington last year. Lowering the downforce…
Courtesy of Ed Carpenter Racing PHOENIX – To celebrate the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500, Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka is releasing two commemorative, limited-edition bottles of vodka. In support of this momentous occasion, Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) will feature a special Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka paint scheme for the No. 21 Chevrolet driven by Josef Newgarden. The special paint scheme depicting the commemorative bottle was unveiled today on social media, prior to Friday and Saturday’s Verizon IndyCar Series test at Phoenix International Raceway. “I’m so excited to be able to represent Fuzzy’s Vodka,” stated Josef Newgarden. “They’re a great…
Courtesy Dave Densmore PHOENIX, Ariz. – The fact that Steve Torrence rolls into this week’s 32nd annual CARQUEST Nationals as the Top Fuel point leader has everything to do with legendary crew chief Alan Johnson’s contributions as consultant to his race team – but not for the reasons one might imagine. Johnson, who as crew chief or team owner won NHRA Top Fuel Championships with five different drivers, hasn’t made any major changes since coming on board last fall. What he has done is instill a new confidence in a Capco Contractors crew carefully assembled by Torrence over the last…
Courtesy of NASCAR DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Legendary engine builders, crew chiefs, owners, drivers and the most recognizable voice in motorsports. The talents, eras and levels may differ, but all share a common thread. They shaped NASCAR, and on Wednesday, they were recognized as nominees for the highest honor the sport bestows – enshrinement into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. NASCAR today announced the 20 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017, as well as the five nominees for the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. Included among the list are five first-time nominees, all legends…
Courtesy of the NHRA CHANDLER, Ariz. – The 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season opener at Pomona marked the 100th career Funny Car race for Alexis DeJoria, and as she heads into her fifth full season, the three-time winner feels more comfortable than ever behind the wheel of her 10,000-horsepower Tequila Patrόn Toyota Camry. The improvements have been noticeable throughout her career, but DeJoria appears poised for her best Funny Car finish yet heading into this weekend’s CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. DeJoria, who finished a career-best seventh in 2014 and won…