Author: Mike Haag

Courtesy of TMS Media Relations FORT WORTH, Texas – For the first time in nearly a decade, the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame will be inducting two new members at its annual event that benefits the Speedway Children’s Charities Texas Chapter. Helio Castroneves will become the 21st member inducted into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame when he is honored during a special ceremony held in The Speedway Club’s Grand Ballroom on Saturday, Nov. 3, during the AAA Texas 500 NASCAR playoff tripleheader weekend. Castroneves joins retired NASCAR star Carl Edwards, who was announced as the 20th inductee last week.…

ENNIS, Texas – Defending NHRA Funny Car world champion Robert Hight had several good reasons to celebrate after winning the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals on Sunday at the Texas Motorplex. For one, Hight did not get to celebrate his last win two weeks ago in St. Louis with his team. Shortly after crossing the finish line at Gateway Motorsports Park, his car exploded and crashed into the guardwall. That sent Hight to the hospital with a broken collarbone, which later required surgery, just nine days before qualifying began on Friday. Secondly, the 48-year old driver was determined that once he…

ENNIS, Texas – For years NHRA drag racer Steve Torrence has always dreamed about winning a Top Fuel race at the Texas Motorplex. Sunday afternoon at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, Torrence’s dream came true when the 35-year old resident of Kilgore and cancer survivor outraced Terry McMillen to win his third straight NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel race. “We were just here to go rounds,” Torrence said. “I don’t have a Top Fuel championship. I have a Top Alcohol championship and the year that I won that I won at Dallas. So, we’ve been trying to…

ENNIS, Texas – News and notes from Sunday’s AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex. Close but no cigar: Jeg Coughlin’s bid for an 81st victory in the Pro Stock class came up short Sunday afternoon. The five-time champion lost to Tanner Gray in the finals but aside from that he is ranked third in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series point standings. Gray edged Coughlin in the finale with a 6.622 at 207.62 mph to Coughlin’s 6.636 at 207.82 mph pass in his JEGS.com Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro. “I like the way we’re trending because the only thing left…

ENNIS, Texas – Nothing these days seems to be stopping NHRA Funny Car driver Robert Hight from his quest to win a third NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championship. Two weeks ago at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals in St Louis, Hight took over the points lead with a semifinal win over Tommy Johnson Jr. and then padded his lead by outracing Tim Wilkerson in the finals. It was his third victory of the season and 44th of his career. But the win came with a price. As Hight’s Nitro Funny Car crossed the finish line, the…

ENNIS, Texas – News and notes from Saturday’s AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex. In need of a victory: Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro drivers Greg Anderson and Jason Line need a victory this weekend to remain in contention for 2018 NHRA Countdown to the Championship in the Pro Stock class. On Saturday, both drivers gained bonus points as a couple of the quickest cars. Line, who is the defending event winner, claimed the most bonus points of all for the team (six) through four sessions of qualifying. Line collected three extra points for his 6.612-second pass at 207.78…

ENNIS, Texas – It appears that Steve Torrence has a love/hate relationship with the Texas Motorplex. Torrence, who is a resident of Kilgore and driver of the Capco Contractors Top Fuel dragster on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series circuit, loves the all-concrete drag racing facility, mainly because this place is considered his home track. However, the Texas Motorplex has not been very kind to the 35-year old cancer survivor and 2005 Top Alcohol Dragster World Champion. At last year’s AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, this track played a key role in denying him the title that would have made…

ENNIS, Texas – The Force sisters – Brittany and Courtney Force – will go pink for October in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The two NHRA drag racers will unveil their pink Advance Auto Parts hot rods this weekend at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals and at the NHRA Carolina Nationals. Both drivers’ cars will feature TrueTimber’s Sassy B pink camo, which makes a bold statement while expressing support of breast cancer awareness. “Fall racing is in full swing, and we’re excited to team up with Courtney and Brittany Force to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month on the…

By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service LAS VEGAS – The NASCAR Xfinity Series regular season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was high action and great drama with a first time winner in Ross Chastain and the 12 championship eligible drivers entering the race maintaining their contention for the opening round of the Playoffs, which begin next week at Richmond, Va. Chastain’s Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 Chevrolet held off five-time season winner Justin Allgaier and fellow Playoff bound driver Cole Custer for his first career victory in 132 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts. Allgaier wrapped up the regular season title…

News, notes and photos courtesy of NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Next Race: Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard The Place: Indianapolis Motor Speedway The Date: Sunday, September 9 The Time: 2 p.m. ET TV: NBCSN, 1 p.m. ET Radio: IMS Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Distance: 400 miles (160 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 50), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 100), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 160) Team Penske Is Hitting On All Cylinders Team Penske’s 1-2 finish Sunday night at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway was not only historic in the big picture, but course-corrective in…