2016-07-26

NASCAR K&N Pro Series News & Notes: Iowa

NASCAR K&N Pro Series News & Notes: Iowa
Annual Combination Event Highlights Best of the East and West

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 26, 2016) — It's become a tradition. Each summer the NASCAR K&N Pro Series teams from both of its East and West converge upon Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, and engage in a head-to-head battle. And though separate points will be handed out at the end of the Casey's General Store 150 presented by Vatterott College on Friday night, make no mistake: this one's about bragging rights.

There have been a total of 13 previous combination races at Iowa, with at least one race being held at the track each season since 2007, with the first seven overall winners coming from the East. As the two series converge on the biggest stage of the season for K&N Pro Series teams, Justin Haley holds a commanding 40-point lead over Kyle Benjamin in the East standings, while Ryan Partridge nurses a slim three-point cushion over Todd Gilliland in the West.

Since 2012, when Corey LaJoie won at Iowa to lead a charge of East teams sweeping the top eight positions, the West has rebounded in a big way. West teams have won three of the last six combination events at the .875-mile, D-shaped oval, capped by a dominant 2015. Driving for West series staple Bill McAnally Racing, Brandon McReynolds won both of the races at Iowa last season from front row starting positions.

If that wasn't enough to show the playing field at Iowa has been leveled, the battles behind McReynolds certainly were. Three of the top six finishers in this race a year ago were West drivers, while the previous visit to the track earlier in the season produced three of the top seven at the checkered flag representative of the West.

RACE: Casey's General Store 150 presented by Vatterott College

PLACE: Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa

DATE: Friday, July 29

TIME: 8 p.m. CT

TV SCHEDULE: NBCSN, Friday, August 5, 2 p.m. ET

TRACK LAYOUT: .875-mile D-shaped oval

2015 WINNER: Brandon McReynolds

2015 POLE WINNER: Brandon McReynolds

EVENT SCHEDULE: Friday, July 29 – Garage opens: 8 a.m.; Practice: 12-1 p.m.; Final Practice: 2-3 p.m.; Driver autograph session: 3:15 p.m.; Qualifying: 5 p.m.; Casey's General Store 150: 8 p.m.

TRACK CONTACT: Edward Williams, (641) 791-8038, ewilliams@iowaspeedway.com

TWITTER: @IowaSpeedway

EVENT HASHTAG: #Caseys150

NASCAR IMC CONTACT: Brooke Franceschini, (386) 631-6142), bfranceschini@nascar.com.

 

Fast Facts:

The Race: The Casey's General Store 150 will be the 10th of 14 races on the 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule and will be the series' 14th visit to Iowa Speedway. It is also the eighth of 14 races on the 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West schedule and will be the 15th race for the series at Iowa.

 

The Procedure: The starting field is 36 cars, including provisionals. The first 28 cars will qualify through the two-lap time trial process while the remaining eight spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 150 laps, spanning 131.25 miles, and there will be a five-minute break at or near the conclusion of Lap 75. Note: Each driver will be credited with a finish and points respective to the series they've designated.

 

The Track: This is the 14th combination race for the K&N Pro Series at the 0.875-mile D-shaped oval dating back to May 2007. There has been at least one race held at the track in each season since. Designed by Rusty Wallace, it plays host to NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races annually.

 

Race Winners: There have been 12 different winners in the 13 combination races held at Iowa, with Brandon McReynolds being the only multi-time winner at the track after sweeping the two races there in 2015. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kyle Busch won there in 2009, while 2015 Daytona 500 winner Joey Logano won the inaugural event in 2007.

 

Records: The one-lap series qualifying record at Iowa was established by Kyle Busch on May 17, 2009 at 135.484 mph (23.250 seconds). The 150-lap race record was set by Ben Rhodes on May 17, 2014 at 93.287 mph (1 hour, 24 minutes, 25 seconds).


Casey's General Store 150 Notes:

Winner, Winner: Many of the drivers who have won in K&N Pro Series competition at Iowa Speedway have gone on to find success in NASCAR national series rides. 2015 Daytona 500 winner Joey Logano won the inaugural K&N Pro Series event at Iowa in 2007, followed by Brian Ickler and Kyle Busch in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Chase Elliott's first career NASCAR win came at Iowa in 2012, and current NASCAR Xfinity Series competitor Brandon Jones won at the track in 2014. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers Ben Rhodes and Cole Custer have also made trips to Victory Lane at Iowa in K&N Pro Series combination races.

 

Big-Time BMR: It's been the Bill McAnally Racing show in the K&N Pro Series West this season, with BMR teams scoring wins in five of the first seven races of the year. Todd Gilliland picked up his third win of the season in the most recent event at Stateline Speedway in Idaho, while defending series champion Chris Eggleston won back-to-back races at California's Orange Show Speedway and Colorado National Speedway. Yet, even with all the trips to Victory Lane, BMR teams are still chasing Bruncati Racing driver Ryan Partridge, who leads Gilliland by three points heading to Iowa.

 

Finchum Returns: Chad Finchum is set for his third K&N Pro Series East appearance of the season this weekend at Iowa. Finchum's first start of the season with the Eric McClure-owned No. 33 team was a dominant one, as Finchum led 112 laps en route to winning the PittLite 125 Bristol Motor Speedway in April. The Knoxville, Tennessee, driver also competed at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

 

Gragson Heads West: Noah Gragson, runner-up for the K&N Pro Series West championship in 2015, has declared for the West this week at Iowa. The Las Vegas, Nevada, driver has competed full-time in the East this season, scoring his first win at Stafford, Connecticut, in June. Gragson has run every race in both the East and West divisions thus far in 2016 — all for team owner Jerry Pitts — and he currently sits third in the East standings and fourth in the West standings.

 

Little Set To Compete: Jesse Little, the second-generation driver out of Sherrills Ford, North Carolina, will attempt his third start of the season at Iowa. Little, who competed at Mobile and Loudon this season, was credited with the East win in this race a year ago after finishing second to Brandon McReynolds while driving a Hattori Racing Enterprises entry.

 

Feels Like The First Time: Through the first nine races of the season, there have been eight different NASCAR K&N Pro Series East winners — including seven first-time winners. Noah Gragson became the seventh first-time winner added to the list when he won the Stafford 150 at Stafford Motor Speedway in June. Gragson used a bold three-wide move on a green-white-checkered restart to claim his first career win in his 19th career start.

 

NASCAR Home Tracks: Companion event at Iowa Speedway

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series joins the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Iowa Speedway this weekend. The U.S. Cellular 250 is scheduled for Saturday night.

 

Contact:

Brooke Franceschini     

NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications


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Wood Returns to Airborne Park Speedway

Wood Returns to Airborne Park Speedway


PLATTSBURGH- It's been nearly three years since Plattsburgh's Robin Wood collected a checkerd flag at Airborne Park Speedway. Wood will make that return this Saturday night as a part of the "Canadian Invasion" of the Autodrome St-Eustache Limited Late Models. 
              Wood was a regular at Airborne until car count dwindled in the Limited Late Model division and forced the speedway to do away with the division. The following season, he decided to travel to St-Eustache and continue to run his Limited Late Model. 
              "I'm excited to be back," Wood said. "It's been almost three years."
              The race this weekend will be the second leg of a Triple Crown for the Canadian series. Autodrome Montmagny was the site of the first series race and Wood was victorious, giving him the edge coming into Airborne. 
              In addition to the point advantage, Wood arguably has an advantage this weekend as he will have more laps on the local half-mile than the rest of the field.
              "I think I have an advantage on the track with the amount of laps I've turned in my career, but this is a new rules package with the Limited Late Models compared to what we previously ran here so our old notes won't be as useful."
              Some other notable drivers that will compete this weekend include two time St-Eustache track champion the "sheriff" Jean-Francois Bouvrette in his number 38, former American Canadian Tour driver Martin Lacombe in the number 03 and Martin Feauteux in his number 10. 
              "All three of those drivers have experience at Airborne," Wood noted. "Those guys competed in the American vs. Canadian challenge a few years back, they'll be good competition."
              The Ernie's Discount Tools Sportsman Modifieds, Jeffords Steel Renegades and Busch Beer Mini Mods will also be in action for regular distance races. 
              Racing action will be at 7 with main gates opening at 4. Pit gates will open at 3. Ticket prices will be $12 for adults, $3 for kids age (6-12) and $25 for a family of two adults and two kids. For more information, visit our web page www.airborneparkspeedway.com or our Facebook at Airborne Park Speedway.


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2016-07-25

Airborne Park Speedway

Ce weekend à Airborne Park Speedway s'ajoutent aux classes locales un hommage aux vedettes du passé, l'invasion canadienne des Sportsman Autodrome St-Eustache.


Racing action resumes this Saturday night at 7:00 PM. It will be a special night at the speedway as we pay tribute to the Racing Legends of the Past throughout the evening. Robin Wood will make his long awaited return, along with the stars of the Canadian Limited Late Models for the second leg of their Triple Crown Series.  Plus all of our regular weekly divisions will be in action.



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Tagliani Goes For Western Swing Sweep on Wednesday

View & Share This Release: http://nas.cr/2arCQy7     
Entry List & Event Schedule: http://nas.cr/2a8F7f3

 

Pinty's News & Notes: Saskatoon

Tagliani Goes For Western Swing Sweep on Wednesday

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 25, 2016) – Alex Tagliani showed why he belongs in the NASCAR Pinty's Series championship conversation after his dominating win on Saturday in Edmonton. He'll try to stay hot Wednesday at Saskatoon's Wyant Group Raceway.

 

The Lachenaie, Quebec, native enters the Prairie Velocity Thunder 250 on a two-race win streak and will try to become the first driver since Scott Steckly in 2013 to win three races in a row.

 

With the help of three wins, Tagliani has moved to third place in the standings – just 26 points behind leader Andrew Ranger.

 

The 44-year-old entered this season never winning more than one race a year and has already scored three victories in the five races he's entered so far in 2016.

 

While Tagliani is gaining in the driver's championship, his back-to-back wins helped propel his car owner Colin Livingston into the lead in the car owner's championship race.

 

RACE: Velocity Prairie Thunder 250

PLACE: Wyant Group Raceway, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

DATE: Wednesday, July 27

TIME: 7:30 p.m. MT

TELECAST: TSN – Aug. 6, 4:30 p.m. ET; RDS – Sept. 3, 1:30 p.m. ET

TRACK LAYOUT: .333-mile asphalt oval

2015 WINNER: Scott Steckly

2015 POLESITTER: Scott Steckly

EVENT SCHEDULE: Practice 1:30-2 p.m., Final Practice 2:30-3 p.m., Qualifying 5:15 p.m., Driver Autograph Session 6 p.m.

TRACK CONTACT: Brian Swidrovich,brianswid@sasktel.net, 306-956-3225

TRACK TWITTER: @wyantgrprace

EVENT TWITTER HASHTAG: #VPT250

NASCAR CONTACT: Tim Southers, 386-235-3634,tsouthers@nascar.com, Twitter: @tsouth1968

 

Fast Facts

The Race: The eighth annual Velocity Prairie Thunder 250 will be the seventh of 12 events on the 2016 NASCAR Pinty's schedule, and the lone trip to Saskatchewan and Wyant Group Raceway.

 

The Procedure: The maximum starting field is 24 cars, including provisionals. The first 21 cars will have secured starting positions through two-lap time trials while the remaining three spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race is scheduled for 250 laps (83.25 miles) and will have a five-minute midway break at or near the conclusion of Lap 125.

 

The Track: Wyant Group Raceway was constructed as a .333-mile oval with graduated banking in 2005 and opened to stock car auto racing in 2006. The track has welcomed the Pinty's Series each year since 2009.

 

Pole Winners: The first seven WGR races have produced four different pole winners, led by J.R. Fitzpatrick, D.J. Kennington and Scott Steckly with two apiece. Steckly set the track qualifying record at 14.616 seconds (82.020 mph) in 2014.

 

Race Winners: Kennington leads active drivers with two wins. Scott Steckly owns overall record with three wins. L.P. Dumoulin earned his first oval victory in this race in 2014.

 

Velocity Prairie Thunder 250 Notes

Tagliani Looks To Tie Mark:  Alex Tagliani will try and become the third driver in the history of the Pinty's Series to win back-to-back races during the annual western trip. Scott Steckly swept both races last year and D.J. Kennington equaled that mark in 2012.

 

Looking For Return To Form: Two former Wyant Group Raceway winners are still looking for their first win of the season – L.P. Dumolin and DJ Kennington. Dumoulin, the most recent Wyant Group winner slated to compete Wednesday, heads into the Velocity Prairie Thunder 250 having won the event in 2014. He is coming off a second place finish at Edmonton on Saturday. Kennington, who was running second at Edmonton before mechanical problems ended his night with only six laps to go, is a two-time winner at the Saskatoon track in 2010 and 2012, respectively.

 

Can Lapcevich Finally Get First Win?: Cayden Lapcevich has already proven he's a talented driver in the Pinty's Series. The Josten's Rookie of the Year points leader has already scored a pair of runner-up finishes and rebounded from an accident to finish third just three days ago in Edmonton. He'll go after his first win at WGR.

 

Busy Schedule: Wednesday's Velocity Prairie Thunder 250 will be the third event in 12 days for the Pinty's Series, the most-compact portion of the 2016 event schedule. The series will get an 18-day break before resuming action at Quebec's Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres on Aug. 14.




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Touring Chase for the Colours Pole Qualifier Checks in at Peterborough Speedway

Touring Chase for the Colours Pole Qualifier Checks in at Peterborough Speedway

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

At the start of the season, every racer in the province has a wish list. For most, it includes earning a starting spot in the prestigious Autumn Colours Classic – presented by Lucas Oil Products – at Peterborough Speedway. Although the 24th annual edition of the event that has become known as the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing doesn't take the green flag until October 7th, 8th and 9th, drivers in the OSCAAR Super Late Model, Modified, Midget and Pro Midget fields will get the chance to claim front row starting spots in the marquee show during the Touring Division Chase for the Colours pole qualifier – Saturday, July 30th – at Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval.

 

This will be the first of 2 regular season appearance for the fan favourite Super Late Models. The powerful OSCAAR machines will be back Saturday, September 3rd for a 50 lap main event as part of the annual Championship Clash. Track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says the division has long been a popular attraction at the tight, tricky bullring on Mount Pleasant Road, west of the Liftlock City.

 

"We've had drivers from our regular Saturday night divisions move into the OSCAAR ranks throughout the years," said Josiasse. "Its great to have them as part of the Autumn Colours Classic and giving fans the chance to see these cars in action as part of our regular race program always draws a strong crowd."

 

For the Touring Chase for the Autumn Colours Classic event – Saturday, July 30th – pit gates will open at 2:00, with the spectator grandstands unlocked at 4:00 to allow fans the chance to enjoy the pre race corn roast. The first qualifying heat will take to the track at 6:00.

 

Looking ahead on the schedule finds the return of the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series – along with Peterborough Speedway's Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun, Jiffy Lube Mini Stock and Paul Davis Systems Thunder Cars, plus the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series – Saturday, August 6th. The next Fan Appreciation/Toonie Spectator Grandstand Admission Night – presented by Pepsi – is Saturday, August 13th. Action on the track includes 4Fun, Mini Stock, Late Model, Ontario Legends and Ontario Modifieds.

 

Bullring Bullet Points: A hand injury away from the track has kept Mike Wallace out of action, but the popular, hometown Late Model racer is expected back for Fan Appreciation Night. Matt Spence is also expected to make his first Late Model start of the year in the coming weeks.

 

Full schedule details – along with up to the minute news and results are always available atwww.peterboroughspeedway.com, by liking the track on Facebook or following it on Twitter. You can also download the free 

Peterborough Speedway app on your Smartphone.

 

Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

After being kept out of action due to a hand injury, local Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model fan favourite Mike Wallace is expected to be back on the track for the Fan Appreciation/Toonie Spectator Grandstand Admission Night – Saturday, August 13th – at Peterborough Speedway.

 

Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 



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Record de pilotes inscrits pour Saint-Félicien


Communiqué pour diffusion immédiate, 

Le 25 juillet 2016, Québec 

Record de pilotes inscrits pour Saint-Félicien 

C'est ce samedi 30 juillet que les pilotes de la Série Sportsman Qc Lucas Oil prendront la route en direction de l'Autodrome Saint-Félicien pour le programme Boutique Nascar.com 150. 

Avec un nombre record d'inscrits de 25 pilotes, ils participeront à une course de deux fois 75 tours avec inversion des 12 premiers pilotes sur le tour du meneur. 

Les séances de qualifications donneront assurément droit aux amateurs présents de voir de beaux dépassements et particulièrement la 3e où nous retrouvons 5 pilotes sur 9 dans le top 10 du classement général à qui on ajoute le #84 Martin Latulippe. 

Surveillons aussi le retour en piste du #8 Yves Pelchat de Saint-Félicien qui après une période de convalescence, reprendra le volant. Pelchat avait remporté sa séance de qualification sur ce tracé qu'il connait sur le bout de ses doigts l'an dernier. 

Le #16 Rock Poulin a toujours très bien performé sur l'ovale de Saint-Félicien. En effet, lors de la grande majorité de ses présences, il a réussi à se hisser sur le podium. Compétitif et rapide en piste, il est sans aucun doute un des pilotes à surveiller ce samedi. 

Le #25 Pier-Luc Labbé avait été un des seuls à réussir à tenir le rythme du pilote Karl Allard lors de sa présence en 2014; parviendra-t-il à être aussi rapide et solide en piste ce samedi?

Est-ce qu'un pilote parviendra à battre le record de piste du #67 Dominic Jacques réalisé lors de la présence de la Série Sportsman Qc l'an dernier. Avec un temps de 17,589, il avait battu son propre record effectué en 2014. 

Avec 25 pilotes en piste, la présence de pilotes tels que le #18 Marc Bégin, le #41 Samuel Charland, le #81 Dave Trevors, le #89 Marc Bertrand sans oublier le #17 Jimmy Nadeau et le #40 Sylvain Labbé, nous aurons droit à un spectacle à couper le souffle. 



Soyez des nôtres ce samedi pour encourager nos pilotes! 



Marie-Claude Levasseur, Relationniste



​

Qualification      #1

 

1e :                 77

 

2e :                    48

 

3e:                 40

 

4e :                    18

 

5e                            41

 

6e :                    25

 

7e :                61

 

8e :                     8

 

9e :

 

10e :

Qualification      #2

 

1e :             88

 

2e :                   98

 

3e:             13

 

4e :                   17

 

5e :            22

 

6e :                   37

 

7e :            07

 

8e :                     3

 

9e :

 

10e :

Qualification      #3

 

1e :           56

 

2e :                  16

 

3e:           81

 

4e :                 89

 

5e :         67

 

6e :                33

 

7e :        84

 

8e :                 93

 

9e :          4

 

10e :

 

 


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RAPHAËL LESSARD S'ILLUSTRE AVEC UNE TROISIÈME PLACE À INDIANNAPOLIS

RAPHAËL LESSARD S'ILLUSTRE AVEC UNE TROISIÈME PLACE À INDIANNAPOLIS

Performance exceptionnelle du Beauceron contre des pilotes aguerris

 

INDIANNAPOLIS, Indiana, le 22 juillet 2016 – Raphaël Lessard, jeune pilote de 15 ans de Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce, est arrivé en 3e position à sa première course à vie sur le prestigieux ovale de Lucas Oil Raceway à Indianapolis dans le cadre du Circle City 100 Presented by CSX Play It Safe en CRA Super Series. Qualifié en 4eposition, Raphaël a dû s'élancer de la 7e place puisque la série inverse les places sur la grille de départ, mais il a éventuellement su remonter parmi les meneurs durant cette épreuve de 100 tours.

 

Alors qu'il s'insérait dans le Top 3, le pilote de la Toyota Camry #99 FRL Express/Team Coach Imaging /Toyota/JBLAudio/CSX Transportation préparée par l'équipeDavid Gilliland Racing a bénéficié d'un drapeau jaune à la mi-course, ce qui l'a aidé à sécuriser sa 3e place.

 

On ne peut ignorer le talent d'exception de Raphaël alors qu'il se battait en piste contre des experts de stock car tels Steve Wallace et Erik Jones, pilotes aguerris de la sérier NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR Xfinity et Coupe Sprint.

 

D'ailleurs, David Gilliland, propriétaire de l'écurie pour laquelle Raphaël court, est très fier de son protégé : « Il a fait un boulot fantastique en piste aujourd'hui, nous sommes très fiers de ce qu'il a accompli, surtout que c'était une course très difficile. Il continue de nous impressionner à chaque épreuve. Nous sommes heureux de le compter parmi nous, et nous espérons qu'il gagnera de nombreuses courses avec notre écurie! »

 

« La course a été dure, car je suis parti de l'intérieur et ça n'a pas été facile. La ligne intérieure était beaucoup moins rapide, mais j'avais une excellente voiture pour les dépassements à l'intérieur justement. J'ai un peu manqué la dernière relance, alors j'ai perdu 2 positions et je me suis retrouvé en 5e place derrière Steve Wallace et mon coéquipier Todd Gilliland. Il a fallu que je me batte avec eux, mais j'ai réussi à passer et à me sauver. Au final, j'ai terminé avec beaucoup d'avance sur eux » a conclu Raphaël sur sa première course en série CRA.

 

Quant à ses objectifs pour sa prochaine course en série CARS Super Late Model, prévue au Orange County Speedway de Rougement en Caroline du Nord, le 30 juillet prochain,  « je veux encore bien réussir, comme la dernière course sur ce circuit où j'étais arrivé 2e derrière Christopher Bell. J'aimerais évidemment faire mieux! »

 

Nous vous invitons à visiter la page Facebook de Raphaël pour plus de détails et information sur le déroulement de ses sorties en piste, ou sur son compte Twitter@raphael_lessard. Pour des photos de Raphaël Lessard en action ou des documents de référence, veuillez cliquer sur ce lien Dropbox.

 

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