Racing News (9351)
Racing News from around the World
The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards returns to Lucas Oil Raceway for the rescheduled Shore Lunch 200 on Saturday, October 6. The race was originally scheduled for September 7, but was postponed due to a weekend-long storm system that drenched the Indianapolis area for five consecutive days.
Sheldon Creed (No. 28 United Rentals Toyota) comes into the Shore Lunch 200 with a 405-point lead in the series championship with two events remaining. Creed has recently been named to compete in the final four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races of the season, but will have his attention laser focused on closing out the ARCA championship.
Creed has three wins so far in 2018, including a short track win at Iowa Speedway in July.
"We have had a really strong season," Creed said. "The short tracks haven't been our strong suit. Zane (Smith) has been a little stronger than we have been on the short tracks so he might have a little advantage going in, but we're going to run as hard as we can. We want to close out the season on a strong point and get the championship locked up."
Zane Smith (No. 41 LaPaz Margarita Mix/ICON Vehicle Dynamics Toyota) is Creed's closest competitor in the battle for the ARCA Racing Series championship. Smith, Creed's teammate at MDM Motorsports, has four wins in 2018, including a pair of victories on short tracks at Nashville and Toledo.
While Smith may have an uphill battle to steal away the overall series championship, he is in a great position to take home the Sioux Chief Short Track Challenge, a championship within the overall series championship conducted on tracks under one mile in length.
"It would be great for a young guy like myself to have the Sioux Chief Short Track Challenge championship on my resume," Smith said. "We've had a really good season on the short tracks. We might not have a realistic chance at the overall championship but we're taking the short track championship very seriously. We're going to do everything we can to win it."
The Shore Lunch 200 will also see the return of veteran driver Tom Hessert III (No. 22 NutriChomps Ford) to the series. Hessert has 185 career series starts, with six career wins and 110 top ten finishes. Hessert's first career win came with Cunningham Motorsports in 2010; team owner Chad Bryant bought the assets of that organization in the off season from owners Kerry Scherer and Briggs Cunningham.
Hessert's last start came earlier this season at Daytona. At LOR, he will drive the car originally assigned to 2016 series champion Chase Briscoe. Briscoe could not return due to obligations with his NASCAR XFINITY Series team, opening the door for Hessert.
"I've been talking to Chad Bryant about doing a race or two all season," Hessert said. "He's been focused on his primary deal with Joe Graf, and I've been busy taking care of business on my end so it just hasn't worked out. When the race was postponed I figured Chase wouldn't be able to make it back. I have a lot of history with Chad and his team, so it's like going back and racing with family."
Discounted tickets for Saturday’s race can be purchased at Indianapolis area Menards stores for just $20 or can be ordered by calling 217-764-3200 for just $5 more. Tickets will be available at the gate on raceday as well. For detailed information regarding schedule, pricing, etc., visit www.trackenterprises.com.
ARCARacing.com will have exclusive live coverage of all on-track activity from the Shore Lunch 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway for registered users, including live audio streams of practice starting at 2 pm ET and General Tire Pole Qualifying at 4:15 pm ET. ARCARacing.com will have an exclusive live four-camera video stream of the race starting at 7:15 pm ET. ARCARacing.com will also have live timing & scoring of all on track activity. Registration to access all of the exclusive content from the Shore Lunch 200 is free.
ARCA Racing PR
Bonsignore, Coby, Canadians, & JR Motorsports Join Big Name Entries For Richmond
02 Oct 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonIf the latest group of entries is any indication, the inaugural PASS Commonwealth Classic at Richmond Raceway is shaping up to be something truly special. The Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Models will be one of the headline divisions at Richmond on Saturday, October 20 and will compete for 100 laps and $10,000 to win in the penultimate event of the PASS National Championship series. Two of Canada’s biggest names have pushed the total number of Super Late Model entries to 30. Quebec’s Patrick Laperle and Martin Latulippe are teaming up in a pair of Frameco-sponsored entries as they look to take the big prize back North of the border.
Stock car racing’s oldest division, the ground pounding Tour-Type Modifieds, will return to Richmond for the first time since 2002 and are garnering quite a lot of attention. Hailed as the South’s biggest Tour-Type Modified race of the year, newly crowned Whelen Modified Tour Champion, Justin Bonsignore and 5-Time Tour Champion, Doug Coby, have both filed entries as they look to take home the win in this North-South Showdown of top open-wheel talent. They are joined by fellow Tour driver Blake Barney, as well as Sammy Rameau, Richard Savory, Chris Finocchario, and Riverhead Raceway standout, Kyle Soper.
For Coby, Richmond Raceway is a place he has dreamed of racing. And, as a graduate of the University of Richmond, it will give the champ a chance to race in front of friends and family that rarely get to see him compete in person.
“Our team put this race on the calendar as soon as we heard about it and I’m really excited for the opportunity to race at Richmond,” says Coby, driver of the Mayhew Tools #2. “We loved coming down south in the past and it seems like Richmond is taking over as the “must-attend” event in the region. I consider Richmond to be home turf and I want to win that race about as bad as any other on our schedule.”
NASCAR-style Late Model Stocks will also be making their return to Richmond Raceway for the first time in a number of years, and both of the Dale Earnhardt, Jr.-owned Chevys of Josh Berry and Sam Mayer are entered in the Solid Rock Carriers 75 lapper. Third-generation racer Ty Gibb will be driving for Greg Marlowe, while Virginians Austin Thaxton, Mark Wertz, and Rodney Boyd will be looking to keep the money in the Commonwealth. Justin Crider and Will Burns are also entered, as well as former Caraway track champion, Ryan Wilson, Concord, NC’s, Terry Brooks, Jr., and a strong contingent from the Myrtle Beach area led by Chad McCumbee, Matt Cox, and Chris Throckmorton.
The Limited Late Models and Street Stocks will be completing this great weekend of grassroots racing under the lights at Richmond Raceway. Virginia’s Richard Caldwell, Richard Storm, Doug Warren, Cole Bruce, and Reid Murphy, along with North Carolina’s Thomas Chappel have filed Limited Late Model entries. While Street Stock drivers from Maine to California have entered including Randy Clark, Chris Flowers, Ricky Locklair, Jr., Corey Hutchings, Jim McLaughlin, Cody Demarmels, Jeff Melton, Rusty Blackford, Kenny Green, Chris Finocchario, Robert Divanna, Matt Gain, and Dillon Crouch.
The weekend will begin on Thursday, October 18 with hauler parking and safety inspection for all divisions from 11 AM – 5 PM. A practice day for the PASS Super Late Models, Tour-Type Modifieds, Solid Rock Carriers Late Model Stocks, Limited Late Models, and Street Stocks is scheduled for Friday, October 19, starting with gates opening and more parking at 7 AM and practice from 10AM – 5 PM. On Saturday, October 20, practice will begin at 9 AM, qualifying at 1 PM, and features starting at 4 PM with 100 laps for the PASS Super Late Models, 75 laps for the Tour-Type Modifieds and Solid Rock Carriers Late Models Stocks, 50 laps for the Limited Late Models, and 40 laps for the Street Stocks.
Entry forms for all divisions, the complete weekend schedule, and additional information is available at ProAllStarsSeries.com.
Fans can purchase tickets online at RichmondRaceway.com leading up to the PASS Commonwealth Classic or at the speedway the weekend of the event. And, as an added bonus, fans will be able to access Richmond’s brand new, state-of-the-art Fan Zone and watch everything going on in the garage area throughout the weekend with a paid general admission ticket.
The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America’s premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and boasts such marquee events as the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway, PASS South’s Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway, and the inaugural Commonwealth Classic at Richmond Raceway. For technical information concerning all PASS divisions please send questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. And, don’t forget to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.
Richmond Raceway is America’s Premier Short Track annually hosting two NASCAR race weekends, featuring the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series, on a ¾-mile D-shaped oval. Richmond is a regional leader for events including sports, live music and consumer trade shows. The Richmond Raceway Complex’s 1,000 plus acre multipurpose facility hosts more than 200 live events annually including concerts with top national recording artists at The Classic Amphitheater. To learn more, visit RichmondRaceway.com and richmondracewaycomplex.com.
Richmond Raceway PR
Falci Adaptive Motorsports, DireenTech, and Furniture Row have combined efforts to allow people with physical disabilities and paralysis the opportunity to gain independence through the ability to drive a NASCAR Cup race car with key modifications. An event will be held at Dover International Speedway on the morning of Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 9 a.m. ET to demonstrate these modifications.
A select group of spinal cord-injured individuals will ride along with NASCAR driver, Regan Smith, and will be given the chance to drive the specially equipped NASCAR car. This year’s adaptive car is equipped with special technology using motion sensors in the helmet for steering in addition to straw-powered acceleration and braking.
“Anybody at any level of injury can ride or drive if they wanted too,” Dr. Scott Falci, Founder of Falci Adaptive Motorsports, said during testing of the newly built modified, No. 78 Toyota Camry last month.
Last year’s event at Dover International Speedway was a success offering rides to paraplegic individuals. Adaptive hand controls gave wheel chair-bound drivers the ability to take a few laps around the one-mile track.
FRR PR
Lucas Lasserre: “If I see an opportunity to win the title, I will take it”
02 Oct 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonAt some point, few weeks before the season opener in Valencia, he didn’t expect to have a seat for the 2019 season and a few weeks ago he absolutely didn't expect to lead the ELITE 1 points standings entering the October 20-21 Circuit Zolder Finals. Yet Lucas Lasserre now has a chance to pull off something truly extraordinary in arguably the most exciting Finals in NASCAR Whelen Euro Series history, with four contenders separated by just 12 points in the race for the Euro NASCAR title.
“If I have an opportunity to win the title, I will take it. That's it. And it would be the best memory and accomplishment of my entire career. Alon and Frederic will feel a lot of pressure and I will be ready to take advantage,” said a relaxed Lasserre. “We don't have the resources of the big teams, I’m doing this working as my own crew chief, with two mechanics and that makes it even more special”.
The 2010 NWES Champion found a last minute deal in March thanks to the great support of Mirco Schultis when the Mishumotors owner had to relocate to Florida due to personal reasons. Lasserre got an opportunity and with it the keys to Mishumotor’s Wiesbaden shop, the #33 and the #70 cars, two mechanics and a trailer. With such a light organization, the Pau native is acting as his own team manager and crew chief, literally sending his setup parameters via email to Germany in the weeks prior to each event and taking care of everything inside the team at the track.
Lasserre and Schultis are both enjoying this battle between their team and the Goliaths of Euro NASCAR and Mishumotors is working in a very efficient way. At Franciacorta, in May, the Frenchman collected his first win since returning to NWES with a spectacular last lap pass and got two podium finishes in the Semi Finals weekend in Hockenheim. He's leading Alon Day by 2 points, Frederic Gabillon by 4 and Loris Hezemans by 12 in the race for the Euro NASCAR title with just two double-points races left.
It will be all or nothing in Zolder, Belgium, but Lasserre is not feeling the pressure and believes that a different approach is the key to this year's success.
“I am just focusing on my job, first finding a very good global balance for the car and then working on my driving style. I don't look for the last tenth of a second by messing around with the settings. The setup accounts for about 85% of the performance, then it's up to me to find the 15% by using everything the car can give me,” continued Lasserre. “My best race was definitely Hockenheim. We broke an engine and had many problems, including a crash in ELITE 2, so bringing home two podiums was amazing because I've been very solid mentally.”
Hockenheim also hosted Schultis’ return at the wheel of the #70 Chevrolet and the German driver/owner, who will also race the Zolder Finals, enjoyed a fantastic weekend with two wins in the Legend Trophy and his Mishumotors team on top of the ELITE 1 standings.
If he was just a NASCAR fan, Lasserre wouldn't miss the October 20-21 NASCAR GP Belgium.
“I would go to Zolder for sure. You can't miss four guys battling to win the title and so many drivers with the chance to win the races. It is going to be an incredible meeting, everything will be on the line,” concluded the points leader.
All the Euro NASCAR Finals races from Zolder will be streamed live on Fanschoice.tv, the EuroNASCAR Facebook page and Youtube Channel, the EuroNASCAR Twitter account, Motorsport.tv and a vast network of websites and social media profiles across the globe.
NASCAR Euro Series PR
Axalta Launches axaltaracing.com Celebrating its Global Racing Partner Portfolio
01 Oct 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonAxalta (NYSE: AXTA) announced today the launch of its new Axalta Racing website, the race fan's home for up-to-date news and information regarding the company's network of global partnerships in motorsports.
Axalta's racing partnership teams include defending Formula 1 Constructors' Champion Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, 12-time NASCAR Cup Series owner's championship winner Hendrick Motorsports, seven-time Team World Champion Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, two-time Rolex 24 At Daytona champions Ford Chip Ganassi Racing, and more.
"We are thrilled to be launching the new axaltaracing.com, that will offer our customers, employees, partners, and race fans around the world a one-stop shop for news, information, and content across Axalta's entire racing portfolio," said Joseph McDougall, Executive Vice President and President Global Refinish and EMEA. "The site is truly unique because it offers global racing content for fans across more than a dozen racing series all on one site, and with access that allows us to offer perspectives directly from the track."
"Axalta's nearly 30-year history in racing has been about performance along with the style and flair of the sport," continued McDougall, "and that's exactly what this new website will celebrate. Axalta paints winners and axaltaracing.com represents the commitment we have to our partners, teams, and drivers across all of our racing series."
Axalta's presence in racing dates back to the early 1990s, headlined by a partnership with Hendrick Motorsports and Jeff Gordon that launched in 1992. While that relationship has continued, Axalta's motorsports involvement has spread all over the world to Formula 1, MotoGP, IMSA, WEC, Snocross, and NHRA Pro Stock, in addition to participating in series across Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina.
The new racing website will feature a regular interview series hosted by legendary driver and four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon that will take you around the world and inside the minds of the most popular drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, and personalities in all of motorsports. In addition, axaltaracing.com will showcase upcoming paint schemes and the stories behind some of the most iconic looks, as well as the latest on Axalta's technologies, a behind-the-scenes view into the world of motorsports, and weekly race recaps from around the globe.
"In racing you must constantly improve," McDougall said. "Once a race ends, your competitors know everything you've done. You then must reinvent yourself for success the next week. That constant passion for improved performance is fully aligned with Axalta and our values. Our ability to learn from our partners about technology, speed, and their passion to win, are all enormous benefits for Axalta."
"Our website will be regularly updated with new information and we hope our followers check in often to catch up on the latest news," concluded McDougall. "We are excited that our customers and fans will have the opportunity to engage with the Axalta brand in a unique way and connect even closer with our drive for performance in everything we do."
Watch Axalta Racing's video celebrating the site's launch and visit axaltaracing.com to keep up with the latest in motorsports.
Axalta Racing PR
Hulman Motorsports Announces Chief Marketing Officer Transition
01 Oct 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonFollowing the conclusion of another successful Verizon INDYCAR Series season, Hulman & Company President and CEO Mark Miles announced that C.J. O'Donnell, chief marketing officer of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has decided to leave Hulman Motorsports at the end of the calendar year.
"We've made noteworthy strides at Hulman Motorsports in recent years," Miles said. "Our fan base has grown significantly, and we've seen improvement across all key marketing metrics. I am pleased with our progress and thankful to C.J. for his strong leadership. His passion for the sport, dedication to his team and tireless effort have produced meaningful results."
Since being hired in November 2013, O'Donnell has built a team committed to driving increased fan engagement, adding over 1 million followers to INDYCAR's social platforms and lifting TV viewership by 23 percent. In addition, INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway produced several years of attendance growth, including the sellout of the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2016.
"INDYCAR, fueled by our tremendous drivers, teams and sponsors, has experienced five years of steady growth," O'Donnell said. "In a short time, we've ignited new levels of interest in the IndyCar Series and the Indy 500. I am grateful to Mark Miles for this experience and very thankful to my entire team for their dedication and hard work. This project is not complete, but I am encouraged by our progress and proud of what we've accomplished together."
O'Donnell will now focus on a smooth transition for his team. This includes furthering INDYCAR's strategic plans with NBC Sports and assisting in the development of a comprehensive transition strategy for the marketing and communications departments.
IndyCar PR
Hailie Deegan Makes History With K&N Pro Series West Win at Meridian
30 Sep 2018 Written by Steven B. WilsonHailie Deegan’s first season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series has been full of historic achievements.
She topped them all Saturday night.
The 17-year-old from Temecula, California, led one lap in the NAPA Auto Parts/Idaho 208 at Meridian Speedway. But it was the most important of them all. Deegan used a pass on the white-flag lap to claim the victory and become the first female driver to win in the history of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series.
Twice before Deegan had finished second in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race, most recently at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway two weeks ago. That tied the series’ record for highest finish by a woman in either the K&N Pro Series East or West.
Saturday night, she did one better.
“Oh my god,” Deegan said in Victory Lane. “This has to be the best day of my life right here. It doesn’t get any better than this. People don’t understand how many days, how many hours I’ve put into this. How much work I’ve done to get to this moment. It’s just amazing … this is the happiest day of my life. We did it. WOOHOO!”
Racing-Reference: Hailie Deegan’s 2018 K&N Pro Series West Statistics
The East lineage dates to the formation of the old Busch North in 1987, while the West records go back to the Pacific Coast Late Model Series’ first season in 1954.
At Vegas, Deegan became the first female to win the pole in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series race. The NASCAR Next driver has five top fives and 10 top 10s in 12 starts, and took over the lead in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings.
The winning move was on her Bill McAnally Racing teammate Cole Rouse entering Turn 1, a maneuver that Deegan said she thought about before performing it.
“I was in bed last night thinking, ‘If it comes down, last lap, I’m in second, I’m a car length off of him, what am I going to do?'”, Deegan said. “And I found that Turn 1 spot. I knew what exactly I had to do there. I was doing it to some other people just getting right under them to get them a little light to get them, not wrecking loose, nothing crazy, but enough to just get a little under them and make the pass happen. We did that. I knew exactly what I had to do the last lap. I did it, we executed, and we made it happen.”
But one driver’s triumph is another driver’s disappointment, as Rouse came home in second place, marking the third time in the last four races he’s been the runner-up.
“We were going into Turn 1 … and she doesn’t lift and drives into me, gets me completely sideways,” Rouse said, looking at his beaten and battered left rear quarter panel of his No. 99 NAPA Filters Toyota. “We were going to win that race if it was run clean, but unfortunately it wasn’t. I’m just going to go into the next two races, not give her any slack and we’re going to win both of those. It was a good night, but I don’t really care about second, honestly.”
Pole sitter Derek Kraus brought his No. 16 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota home in third, completing a podium sweep for Bill McAnally’s stable out of Roseville, California. But after leading over 190 laps without relinquishing the top spot, third was a huge letdown and another in the string of bad luck for the Stratford, Wisconsin native.
“We led 190+ laps, then a lapped car spun again,” Kraus said. “I was predicting he was going to roll down because he didn’t have his brakes on yet. But he stayed there, and I was already committed (to the top) … and I guess NASCAR ruled me third. I don’t know, I guess we’ll go onto Roseville and Kern and win them two.”
K&N Pro Series West championship points leader Derek Thorn maintained his lead thanks to a fourth-place finish, as Sunrise Ford teammate and challenger for the title Ryan Partridge rounded out the top five. Thorn leads Partridge and Rouse by 32 apiece.
Trevor Huddleston, Matt Levin, Jeff Jefferson, Kody Vanderwal and Stingray Robb completed the top 10 at Meridian.
Racing-Reference: NAPA Auto Parts/Idaho 208 Results
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will take a week off before visiting All American Speedway in Roseville, California, for the Toyota/NAPA AutoCare 150 presented by TriCo Welding Supplies on Saturday October 13.
The NAPA Auto Parts/Idaho 208 is scheduled to air Friday October 5 at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
NASCAR PR
Hailie Deegan made history on Saturday night by winning the NAPA AUTO PARTS Idaho 208 at Idaho’s Meridian Speedway and becoming the first female driver to win in the history of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series.
The 17-year-old NASCAR Next driver from Temecula, California was making just her 12th start in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West - driving Bill McAnally Racing’s No. 19 Mobil 1 / NAPA Power Premium Plus Toyota Camry.
Deegan edged out BMR teammate Cole Rouse with a last-lap pass to win by .329 seconds and lead a 1-2-3 finish for BMR. Derek Kraus, who led 190 laps in dominating the event ended up third.
“I was behind Cole and I knew we were faster,” Deegan said of the closing laps. “Cole was over driving a little bit and I knew I was faster if I hit my marks. The last few laps I hit my marks. I knew I had to give Cole a little push up in (Turn) 1 to get past him. I gave him a little nudge and got him a little loose and I got under him and we won.”
Deegan talked about being the first female driver to win in the series.
“It hasn’t even sunk in yet,” she said. “It’s going to be a crazy next couple of days.
“I’m so happy that Toyota and Bill took a chance on me this year,” she said. “They took a chance on me – Jack Irving and Toyota, NAPA, and Bill. They’re the ones who took the chance on me and it paid off.”
Deegan had become the first female to win a pole in the series, setting the fast mark in qualifying at the most recent event on the circuit – at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track earlier this month. Her previous best career finish was second, which she registered on two occasions this year – at Las Vegas and at Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Oregon in June.
Kraus, also a 17-year-old NASCAR Next driver, dominated the Meridian race – leading from the pole in the No. 16 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry and pacing the field for 190 circuits of the 208-lap event. He lost the lead when he took evasive action to avoid a lapped car that spun. Rouse moved by Kraus to put his No. 99 NAPA Filters Toyota Camry into the lead, with Deegan close behind.
Rouse led the field to the restart and Deegan mounted her challenge as the laps would down, making the pass for the lead coming to the finish.
With her win, Deegan regained the lead in rookie points for the series and moved to fifth in the overall championship standings. In 12 starts, she has one win, five top-five, and 10 top-10 series finishes.
Deegan has won multiple championships in off-road racing, where she began her racing career at the age of 8. Her racing resume also includes competition in late models and super late models.
The runner-up finish by Rouse moved him into a tie for second in the championship standings – 32 points out of the lead. The 21-year-old from Fort Smith, Arkansas has six top-five and 11 top-10 finishes this season.
Kraus, who on Saturday night captured his fifth pole this season and sixth of his career, is fourth in the standings – seven points behind Rouse. Kraus of Stratford, Wisconsin leads the series with three wins and has seven top fives and nine top 10s.
In advance of the race, the BMR drivers made a special appearance for the Dyson Group at a store front sales event at the NAPA AUTO PARTS Store in Meridian on Friday. A large group of NAPA guests, including store owners and shop owners from NAPA Spokane, turned out on Saturday and were treated to a VIP Hospitality at the history-making event.
The Meridian race is slated to be televised on NBCSN on Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. PT.
The next event on the K&N Pro Series West schedule will be the NAPA AutoCare / Roseville Toyota 200 presented by TriCo Welding Supplies & the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame at All American Speedway in Roseville, California on Oct. 13.
BMR PR
Veteran Late Model Stock Car racer Stacy Puryear and two-time ValleyStar Credit Union 300 winner Tommy Lemons Jr. will make up the front row in Saturday night’s ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway.
The pair will be the only two drivers locked into the feature race, and they will not have to race in the qualifying races.
Puryear, who sat on the outside of the front row last year, had the best time in qualifying with a lap of 20.100 seconds.
“This has got to be one of the greatest days of my racing career,” Puryear said. “This is an awesome feeling to sit on the pole here, with the caliber of competition here.
“I’m just still in shock. We had a good car here last year and learned a lot and it transferred over to this year.”
Lemons said a new rule in 2018 gives teams the flexibility of when to use the set of four tires they get for the race, and means starting on the front row is more important than ever.
“I think this year is going to be more of an advantage with the way we can play the tire game,” Lemons said. “With how they are leaving it up to the team, that’s 25 less laps that we have to worry when it comes to halfway or waiting until lap 180 to put tires on, whatever we decide to do. So, I think this year is a huge advantage.”
Philip Morris, the 2018 Whelen All-American Series National Champion and three-time Martinsville winner will start third, followed by Josh Berry and Brandon Pierce.
Mike Darne, Lee Pulliam, Layne Riggs, Ryan Millington and Dexter Canipe Jr. will round out the top-10.
Fan gates open at 1 p.m. on Saturday with the driver autograph session schedule for 1-2:30 p.m. on the frontstretch.
Three 25 lap qualifying races, followed by the 25 lap “Last Chance Heat” to set the field will start at 3 p.m.
The 200 lap feature race will begin at 8:00 p.m.
Motor Racing Network’s live coverage of the race and the free online stream of the race, on FansChoice.tv, will begin at 7:30.
Tickets to the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 are $30 for adults and $5 for children 12-and-under. Tickets can be purchased at the Speedway ticket office or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
Martinsville Speedway PR
14-Year-Old, Mini Tyrrell, to Make First NASCAR Start This Weekend at Martinsville Speedway
28 Sep 2018 Written by Steven B. Wilson14-year-old NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Racer Mini Tyrrell is preparing for the granddaddy of all NASCAR late model short-track races, the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia on Saturday, Sept. 29, announced Timmy Tyrrell Racing. He's going to have a very busy race week leading up to the event.
The outgoing young driver attended the media dinner at Martinsville Speedway, Tuesday, Sept. 25, and spent time with those who will be covering this major event.
Practice begins on Thursday, Sept. 27, so Tyrrell and the team will be doing much of the preparation on the car prior to that week. Tyrrell is really looking forward to his first NASCAR start.
"I am very lucky to have the opportunity to race the ValleyStar 300 this weekend," he said. "My family, crew & sponsors have worked very hard to afford me this opportunity. I have not lost sight of what it takes to get here. Without the help of my sponsors, I would not be able to race. TireX is our main partner this weekend and I am so thankful for their faith in me. This weekend is important to me as it is my first ever NASCAR start. The race draws over 70 cars and it is the best of the best in NASCAR late model racing that competes there, so we know we have our work cut out for us. But we believe we're ready and we're looking forward to the weekend."
Young Mini is known for his compassion toward others, as he has worked in conjunction with Jeff Gordon to raise over $400,000 for childhood cancer research and awareness. Even while preparing to race on the biggest stage of his young career, he was focused on others who need prayers and support.
"I would like to ask that everyone prays for my friend Bobby Watson, the owner of Carteret County Speedway in North Carolina," he said. "Bobby had a stroke a few weeks ago and is battling health issues. We are also aware of how important it is for us to help those in North and South Carolina affected by the Hurricane. Most importantly, please remember that September is childhood cancer awareness month and more needs to be done to find a cure for this awful disease called cancer that everyone is affected by. My hope is that I can take my passion for racing and turn it into a career, where I can someday build a hospital to help children in need like my friend Jeff Gordon has done. It is very humbling when you can take something that you love and make it work for you to help others."
The Valley Star Credit Union 300 begins with practice on Thursday, Sept. 27th. Qualifying will be on Friday, Sept. 28 with the main event being run under the lights on the ½-mile oval on Saturday, Sept. 29. For more information visit www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway will be available to fans for free on FansChoice.tv for fans who cannot attend in person.
Timmy Tyrrell Racing PR
