The High Limit Sprint Car Series has finalized the acquisition of the All Star Circuit of Champions. NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson and four-time World of Outlaws Sprint Cars champion Brad Sweet will take over ownership of the regional series owned by three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Eldora Speedway owner Tony Stewart. (more…)
Tony Stewart
Stafford Speedway (Race Two) Camping World SRX Series Race Notes
Welcome To Stafford Speedway: The second race of the 2023 Camping World SRX Series season is at Stafford Speedway in Stafford, Connecticut on Thursday July 20. Stafford also hosted the first event of the season on July 13, where a sellout crowd watched Denny Hamlin score victory in his first SRX Series appearance.
New Season of SRX Series Racing Brings “Thursday Night Thunder” Back to ESPN Beginning July 13
Kicking off six consecutive Thursday nights of prime time racing action, the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) Series makes its debut on ESPN on Thursday, July 13, at 9 p.m. ET, bringing “Thursday Night Thunder” back to ESPN. The Camping World SRX Series pits champion-level drivers from different racing series against each other in identically-prepared race cars, competing on some of America’s iconic short tracks. (more…)
Josh Berry Marches #4Ward
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (June 21, 2023) – One of the most coveted seats in the NASCAR Cup Series has been filled.
Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has named Josh Berry the driver of its No. 4 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning with the 2024 season. He will replace the retiring Kevin Harvick, whose 23-year Cup Series career will come to an end following the season finale Nov. 5 at Phoenix Raceway.
NASCAR Cup Series News & Notes – Sonoma Raceway
Busch’s bid for a third title seems more and more likely
For the first time since 2010-2011, the Richard Childress Racing organization has put up back-to-back seasons (2022-2023) of at least three NASCAR Cup Series wins. Over the last two years, the one common denominator in the RCR Victory Lane celebrations has been crew chief Randall Burnett, who has led Tyler Reddick to three wins in 2022, and now has led veteran Kyle Busch to three wins this season.
NASCAR Cup Series News & Notes – Charlotte Motor Speedway
As it has each year for nearly a decade, the NASCAR community will come together to formally honor and recognize the United States Armed Forces during Military Appreciation Month through the annual NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola program.
This marks the ninth season of NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola celebrating the service and sacrifice of U.S. military members and their families through a multitude of at track integrations, original content features and fan engagement opportunities.
NASCAR Officially Names 75 Greatest Drivers In Celebration of 75th Anniversary
Daytona Beach, Fla. (May 12, 2023) – Last night’s announcement of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers completed the list after a several-week rollout. The drivers, honored in celebration of NASCAR’s 75th anniversary, will be recognized during the annual Throwback Weekend at Darlington Raceway.
Doug Coby Looks To Add Another Spring Sizzler To His Legacy at Stafford
MILFORD, Conn. – Doug Coby grew up racing at Stafford Motor Speedway, and as a two-time track champion, he also has four NAPA Spring Sizzler wins. As one of the most prestigious races in all of Modified racing, the Sizzler still stands tall today.
The Monster Mile at Dover Motor Speedway Awaits the NASCAR Cup Series
After a wild Talladega Superspeedway race last Sunday that saw Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch grab his second victory of the 2023 season, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Dover Motor Speedway for this Sunday’s Würth 400 at 2 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at the always unique ‘Monster Mile’.
Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin are Coming to Stafford Speedway for SRX Race
See them both compete in the SRX Racing Series (more…)
‘The Godfather’ Dave Moody Returns to Thunder Road as SRX Public Address Announcer
Barre, VT — A man who needs no introduction is returning to the Thunder Road public address system for the first time in nearly two decades. Officials have announced today that Vermont’s-own Dave Moody is making his grand return to ‘The Road’ as the announcer for the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) Event on Thursday, July 20th that will see such international stars as Tony Stewart, Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan and Brad Keselowki, among others, take to the iconic Vermont oval.
Stafford Speedway to host SRX Racing July 13th for Thursday Night Thunder Live on ESPN
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Superstar Racing Experience officials have announced their 2023 season schedule and for the 3rd consecutive season will make a stop at Stafford Speedway. Stafford Springs, CT will host the first event of the 2023 season, Thursday, July 13th. The entire SRX schedule will air live on ESPN under the “ESPN Thursday Night Thunder” branding.
Eldora to Host Richest Sprint Car Race in Motorsports History With $1 Million-To-Win ‘Eldora Million’ on July 13, 2023
Tony Stewart To Make NHRA Driving Debut at Las Vegas
COLUMBUS, Ind. (Oct. 24, 2022) – After two multi-day sessions at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School and a handful of tests over the last two years in both a Top Alcohol dragster and a Top Fuel dragster, Tony Stewart is ready for the real thing.
The versatile racer who owns driving championships across NASCAR, INDYCAR and USAC, along with hundreds of victories on oval tracks, dirt tracks and road courses, will throttle up behind the wheel of a Top Alcohol dragster during the NHRA Nevada Nationals Oct. 28-30 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
NASCAR Xfinity Series – Friday Night Under Lights at Daytona International Speedway
Just four races remain in the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular season (Daytona, Darlington, Kansas and Bristol) and a lot can happen to shake up the standings as the 2022 season winds down. After a weekend of road course racing at Watkins Glen International, the Xfinity Series returns to the World Center of Racing – Daytona International Speedway – for the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca Cola on Friday, August 26 under the lights at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
Matt Kenseth To Race in Next 3 Camping World SRX Series Races
NASCAR Champion Matt Kenseth will join the 2022 SRX Series beginning this weekend at Nashville Fairgrounds and compete in the final three races of the season. (more…)
SRX Racing Series To Make Return to Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway July 9
Nashville, TN (Friday, July 1, 2022) – The Camping World SRX Series and its cast of auto racing superstars return to Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway on Saturday, July 9th for a huge night of racing action. SRX will be joined by the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour for the 10th Running of the Rackley Roofing Masters of the Pros 150 Pro Late Model race.
Camping World SRX Series at Lucas Oil Raceway – News & Notes
WHAT: Camping World SRX Series (Round 4 of 6)
WHERE: Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg, Indiana
WHEN: 8 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 3
DISTANCE: Feature consists of 76 laps (preceded by two 12-minute heat races, which sets starting lineup)
CARS: Purpose-built SRX racecars
TV: LIVE on the CBS Television Network with streaming on Paramount+ Premium at 8 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 3
● Host: Lindsay Czarniak
● Booth: Allen Bestwick (play-by-play) and Dario Franchitti (driver analyst)
● Pit Reporter: Matt Yocum
● Roaming Analyst: Brad Daugherty
● Producer: Pam Miller
● Director: Jim Cornell
THE TRACK: Lucas Oil Raceway (.686-mile, paved oval)
● Banking: 7.5 degrees in the turns; 2 degrees on the straightaways
● Width: 48 feet on frontstretch; 58 feet on backstretch; 54 feet in corners
● Frontstretch Length: 699 feet
● Backstretch Length: 699 feet
SPOTTER GUIDE: Car color, car number, driver and series they represent
● Black: No. 98 of Marco Andretti (INDYCAR)
● Teal: No. 18 of Bobby Labonte (NASCAR)
● Yellow: No. 2 of Ernie Francis Jr.(TRANS AM)
● Red: No. 3 of Helio Castroneves (INDYCAR and IMSA)
● Lime Green: No. 13 of Paul Tracy (INDYCAR)
● Purple: No. 9 of Bill Elliott (NASCAR)
● Magenta: No. 48 of Tony Kanaan (INDYCAR)
● Gold: No. 41 of Scott Speed (FORMULA ONE and RALLYCROSS)
● Indigo: No. 17 of Willy T. Ribbs (TRANS AM, IMSA and INDYCAR)
● Patriotic: No. 22 of Bobby Santos III (LUCAS OIL ALL-STAR)
● Orange: No. 14 of Tony Stewart (NASCAR, INDYCAR and USAC)
● Blue: No. 15 of Michael Waltrip (NASCAR)
ROUND 1: June 12 at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut (half-mile, paved oval)
● Feature Winner: Doug Coby (Local All-Star)
● Heat Race No. 1 Winner: Greg Biffle (Ringer)
● Heat Race No. 2 Winner: Doug Coby
ROUND 2: June 19 at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa (half-mile, dirt oval)
● Feature Winner: Tony Stewart
● Heat Race No. 1 Winner: Tony Stewart
● Heat Race No. 2 Winner: Scott Bloomquist (Ringer)
ROUND 3: June 26 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio (half-mile, high-banked, clay oval)
● Feature Winner: Tony Stewart
● Heat Race No. 1 Winner: Tony Stewart
● Heat Race No. 2 Winner: Marco Andretti
DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: After Round 3 of 6
1. Tony Stewart (129 points)
2. Helio Castroneves (96 points, -33)
3. Ernie Francis Jr. (90 points, -39)
4. Marco Andretti (80 points, -49)
5. Bobby Labonte (75 points, -54)
6. Paul Tracy (64 points, -65)
7. Michael Waltrip (57 points, -72)
8. Bill Elliott (46 points, -83)
9. Tony Kanaan (45 points, -84)
10. Willy T. Ribbs (38 points, -91)
Note: Points are awarded in both heats and the feature. In each heat, the winner receives a maximum of 12 points. Second place earns 11 points with every position in descending order receiving one fewer point, with the 12th-place finisher earning one point. Points increase in the feature, with the winner receiving 25 points, second place 22 points, third place 20 points, fourth place 18 points, fifth place 16 points, sixth place 14 points, seventh place 12 points, eighth place 10 points, ninth place eight points, 10th place six points, 11th place four points and 12th place two points.
CREW CHIEF CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: After Round 3 of 6
1. Mike Beam (297 points)
2. Jeff Hammond (217 points, -80)
3. Local Legends (216 points, -81)
4. Todd Parrott (209 points, -88)
Tim Clauson is the local legend crew chief at Lucas Oil Raceway. Clauson was the 2011 USAC Crew Chief of the Year and he is co-owner of Clauson Marshall Racing (CMR), winner of the 2018 USAC National Sprint Car championship and the 2019 USAC National Midget championship, both with driver Tyler “Sunshine” Courtney. The team is an evolution of his late son’s enterprise, Bryan Clauson Racing, which ended tragically on Aug. 7, 2016 when Bryan succumbed to injuries sustained in a crash at the Belleville (Kansas) Midget Nationals. Last November, Courtney won his third consecutive Western World Nationals to give CMS its 65th feature victory.
THE LOCAL ALL-STAR: BOBBY SANTOS III
Hometown:Franklin, Massachusetts, United States
Social: IG: @bobbysantosiii / Twitter: @bobbysantosiii
● Nicknamed “Bobby New England” and is best known for his success on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. He has 149 career starts with 19 victories, 54 top-five finishes and 18 pole positions to go along with his 2010 series championship.
● Won the 2016 Whelen All-Star Shootout exhibition race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
● Santos has excelled in USAC, scoring 10 career Silver Crown wins, including four at Lucas Oil Raceway. Two of his seven career National Sprint Car victories have come at Lucas Oil Raceway, as well as one of his 11 career victories in the Champion Midget category.
● A four-time winner of the A.J. Foyt Championship (2006, 2011, 2017 and 2020), which is awarded to the driver with the season-best points tally at Lucas Oil Raceway in USAC’s top-three series – Silver Crown, Sprint Car and Midget.
● Midget victories also include the prestigious Turkey Night Grand Prix at Irwindale Speedway in 2008 and the Copper World Classic at Phoenix Raceway in 2009.
THE RINGER: SCOTT SPEED
Hometown: Manteca, California, United States
Social: IG: @scott_speed / Twitter: @scottspeed / Facebook: @scottspeed
● First American driver since Michael Andretti in 1993 to race in Formula One, driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2006 and 2007.
● After sampling Formula One, turned attention to NASCAR, working his way up the racing ladder, from the ARCA Menards Series, to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and, ultimately, the NASCAR Cup Series.
● Three-time Global Rallycross champion (2015, 2016 and 2017).
● Won inaugural American Rallycross Series Championship (ARX) in 2018.
● Three-time X-Games gold medalist in Rallycross.
THE REGULARS:
MARCO ANDRETTI
Hometown: Nazareth, Pennsylvania, United States
Social: IG: @marcoandretti / Twitter: @marcoandretti
● Third-generation racer, son of INDYCAR champion Michael Andretti and grandson of the legendary Mario Andretti.
● Racing select NTT INDYCAR Series races in 2021 (which included the Indianapolis 500).
● Winner of the 2006 INDYCAR Series Rookie of the Year.
● Tested for Honda Racing’s Formula One program in 2006 and 2007.
● Purchased childhood home in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and runs a successful real-estate business.
● Prepared to run the 2020 New York Marathon before the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellation of the event.
HELIO CASTRONEVES
Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Social: IG: @heliocastroneves / Twitter: @h3lio / Facebook: @h3lio
● Four-time and reigning Indianapolis 500 winner (2001, 2002, 2009 and 2021).
● Winner of the 2021 Rolex 24 at Daytona with co-drivers Filipe Albuquerque, Ricky Taylor and Alexander Rossi.
● Credited with beginning the tradition of climbing the fence after a race win, which he did after scoring his first career INDYCAR victory at the 2000 Detroit Grand Prix.
● Mirror Ball Trophy winner on Season 5 of Dancing With The Stars in 2007, alongside partner Julianne Hough.
BILL ELLIOTT
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia, United States
Social: Twitter: @billelliott9 / Facebook: @billelliott
● Affectionately known as “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville”.
● Won the 1988 NASCAR Cup Series championship and is a two-time Daytona 500 winner (1985 and 1987).
● Still holds the track qualifying records at Daytona International Speedway (210.364 mph) and Talladega Superspeedway (212.809 mph), both set in 1987.
● Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015.
● Voted NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver by fans a record 16 times.
● Father of reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott. They are the third father-son duo to win NASCAR championships, joining Lee and Richard Petty, and Ned and Dale Jarrett.
ERNIE FRANCIS JR.
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Social: IG: @erniefrancisjr / Twitter: @erniefrancisjr
● Winningest driver in the 55-year history of the SCCA Trans Am Series, all while being just 23 years old.
● At 16, became the youngest champion in Trans Am history and is the youngest professional driver to win seven consecutive championships.
● One of his most impressive performances came in the 2018 Trans Am race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. He had to miss qualifying because of a NASCAR commitment, but still won the race from the back of the grid.
● Has made select starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR K&N Series.
● Grandfather immigrated to New York City from Haiti five decades ago.
● Counts Willy T. Ribbs as a mentor and, like Ribbs, making a name for himself in Trans Am.
TONY KANAAN
Hometown: Salvador, Brazil
Social: IG: @tkanaan / Twitter: @tonykanaan / Facebook: @tonykanaan
● Won the 2004 INDYCAR championship.
● Winner of the 2013 Indianapolis 500.
● Splitting 2021 NTT INDYCAR Series season with seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson in Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 48 entry, competing in all of the series’ oval races.
● Lebanese ancestry but grew up in Brazil; member of racing “Brat Pack” with Dario Franchitti, Max Papis and the late Greg Moore.
● Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and English.
● Avid triathlete and has completed Ironman event in Hawaii.
BOBBY LABONTE
Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
Social: IG: @bobby_labonte44 / Twitter: @bobby_labonte
● Won the 2000 NASCAR Cup Series championship and 1991 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship.
● Won 2001 International Race of Champions (IROC) title, which was the precursor to SRX.
● Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2020.
● Is a television analyst for FOX, specifically FS1’s RaceDay.
● Competes in the Southern Modified Auto Racing Tour (SMART).
● Founded Longhorn Chassis in 2010 with his brother, Terry, building dirt late model racecars. (Terry is a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, earning titles in 1984 and 1996.)
● Owns a Red Mango yogurt shop on the campus of Duke University.
WILLY T. RIBBS
Hometown: San Jose, California, United States
Social: Twitter: @willyribbs
● First African-American to compete in the Indianapolis 500 (1991 and 1993) and the first African-American to test a Formula One car (1986 with Brabham in Estoril, Portugal).
● Winner of the 1977 Dunlop/Autosport Star of Tomorrow Formula Ford 1600 championship.
● A 17-race winner in the SCCA Trans Am Series. Was the 1983 Trans Am Rookie of the Year on the strength of five wins and finished second in the series championship to teammate David Hobbs.
● Won 10 IMSA GTO races driving for the legendary Dan Gurney.
● Showed versatility by competing in Trans Am, IMSA, INDYCAR and various NASCAR divisions, including the Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series.
● Made 46 INDYCAR starts between 1990-1994.
● After retiring from racing, became a professional shooter in the National Sporting Clays Association. Ribbs’ son, Theodore, is also a professional shooter.
● In the Disney Channel cartoon The Proud Family, character Penny proud and her friends attend Willy T. Ribbs Middle School, where the mascot is “Racer.”
● Ribbs was the subject of the 2020 Netflix documentary, Uppity: The Willy T. Ribbs Story.
TONY STEWART
Hometown: Columbus, Indiana, United States
Social: IG: @tsrsmoke / Twitter: @tonystewart / Facebook: @tonystewart / YouTube: @tonystewart14
● Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (2002, 2005 and 2011), 1997 INDYCAR Series champion and four-time USAC champion.
● Stewart is the first and only driver to win championships in stock cars, Indy cars and open-wheel Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown cars.
● Co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, winner of two NASCAR Cup Series championships (2011 and 2014).
● Owner of Tony Stewart Racing, winner of 26 championships – 14 in USAC, nine in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and three in the All Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midgets.
● Inducted into numerous halls of fame, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame (2020), the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame (2020), the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (2019), the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame (2019), the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame (2019), the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame (2018), the USAC Hall of Fame (2016) and the National Midget Racing Hall of Fame (2001).
● Formed the Tony Stewart Foundation in 2003.The 501(c)(3) organization’s goal is to raise funds primarily distributed to serving three specific groups – chronically ill and physically disabled children, animals that are endangered or at-risk, and drivers injured in the sport of motor racing. To date, the Foundation has awarded nearly $7 million to assist charitable initiatives for more than 150 well-qualified organizations throughout the United States.
PAUL TRACY
Hometown: Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Social: IG: @paultracyofficial
● Current NBC TV commentator for its INDYCAR broadcasts.
● Won the 2003 INDYCAR championship.
● Finished second to Helio Castroneves in the 2002 Indianapolis 500.
● Has competed in NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, and dabbled in professional downhill mountain bike racing.
MICHAEL WALTRIP
Hometown: Owensboro, Kentucky, United States
Social: IG: @mwr55 / Twitter: @mw55 / Facebook: @michaelcwaltrip
● Two-time Daytona 500 winner (2001 and 2003).
● Younger brother of three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip.
● Color commentator for FOX’s broadcasts of NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, as well as pre-race commentator for FOX’s broadcast of NASCAR Cup Series races.
● Author of a New York Times best-seller in 2011, In the Blink of an Eye: Dale, Daytona, and the Day that Changed Everything. A documentary film adaptation was released in 2019.
● An avid runner, competed in the 2000 Boston Marathon.
● Participated in season 19 of Dancing With The Stars in 2014.
About Camping World SRX Series:
The Camping World SRX Series was created by a team consisting of Sandy Montag and The Montag Group, George Pyne, NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief and team owner Ray Evernham, and legendary driver Tony Stewart. The Montag Group leads business operations and Evernham oversees all racing operations. Pyne is a member of the Board and serves as an advisor. For more information, please visit us online at www.SRXracing.com, on Facebook, on Twitter and on Instagram.
Camping World SRX Series Event No. 2 at Knoxville – Notes
Camping World SRX Series at Knoxville
Round 2 of 6 – Knoxville Raceway – June 19 LIVE on CBS (more…)
Fans Speak, Camping World SRX Series Listens
Shorter Heat Races, Revised Procedure for Starting Grid, Adjusted Feature Length and More Driver Identification on Racecars Starting at Knoxville
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 16, 2021) – The season-opening race of the inaugural Camping World SRX Series last Saturday night at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway was an unabashed success with local all-star Doug Coby taking the victory over NASCAR legends Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart.