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Racing News: NMCA Drivers Wrap Up Season With World Street Finals

Compiled by SEMA Editors

nmca
The NMCA season wrapped up last weekend at the 16th Annual SDPC Raceshop NMCA World Street Finals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.

NMCA Drivers Wrap Up Season With World Street Finals

The 16th Annual SDPC Raceshop NMCA World Street Finals, held September 21–24, at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, provided plenty of powerful performances, holeshot wins and championship-deciding drama.

VP Racing Fuels Xtreme Pro Mod: Steve Summers secured the win in his Camaro with a 3.80 over Mark Luton’s 3.92, and took a trip to the Aerospace Components Winner’s Circle.

Mickey Thompson Radial Wars: DeWayne Mills pushed his Camaro to a 3.88 to win over Josh Klugger, who motored to a 3.97 in his Fox-body Mustang.

VP Racing Fuels Street Outlaw: The final round featured Daniel Pharris and Charlie Cooper in a pair of Mustangs. Pharris picked up the win with a 4.42 to Cooper’s 4.45.

Holley EFI Factory Super Cars: Cobra Jet drivers Chuck Watson and Gardner Stone faced off in the finals, where Watson wheeled to the holeshot win with an 8.30 to Stone’s 8.29.

ARP Nitrous Pro Street: In Don Baskin’s Cutlass, Joey Bucaro blasted to the win with a 7.34 over Josh Ritli’s 7.58.

Edelbrock Xtreme Street: Jessie Coulter cruised his turbocharged Camaro to the final, but he ran into issues and wasn’t able to race. Nick McGrath took the tree on a solo run and coasted down track in his Mustang for the win.

Dart Pro Stock: Kevin Lawrence made it to the final in his Cobalt, but he ran into issues and was not able to line up alongside Rob Pearce and his Studebaker. Pearce claimed the win with a 7.32-second pass.

Boninfante Racing NA 10.5: Robbie Blankenship flew his Mustang to a 7.89 to claim the victory over Dwight Ausmus, who had him on the tree but was 7.97 on the top end.

Chevrolet Performance Stock presented by Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center: Jesse Wilson ran a quicker 10.22, but Haley Rounsaval rounded up the win with a 10.23 on a holeshot.

FSC Stock/Super Stock Combo: The final round belonged to Chris Stephenson and his Firebird and Doug Duell and his Barracuda, where Stephenson earned the win in the double-breakout race with a 10.80 on his 10.81 dial to Duell’s 10.51 on his 10.54 dial.

ATI Nostalgia Super Stock: Russ Berens and his Belvedere and Jeff Frees and his Barracuda met in the final, where Berens won with a 9.73 on his 9.75, while Frees was 9.46 on his 9.50.

Detroit TrueTrac Nostalgia Muscle Car: In the double-breakout final, Jerry Stamps took the win with an 11.98 on his 12.00 index in his Duster, while Mike Moistner posted an 11.93 on his 12.00 index in his Mustang.

MagnaFuel Open Comp: Ricky Pennington pulled off the win with a 10.61 on his 10.60 dial in his Chevelle, while Susan Roush-McClenaghan slowed to a 9.64 on her 9.55 dial in her Mustang.

FSC Top Sportsman: Don O’Neal in his VP Racing Fuels-sponsored Monte Carlo used a 6.93 on a 6.92 dial to win over Roger Wellman, who was 7.19 on a 7.17 in his Probe.

Baskin Truck Sales Factory Appearing Stock Tire: David Dudek drove a tight race to win over Don Giannone, while Jim Johnston was victorious over Mike Leyes in the Factory Stock division.

Gear Vendors True Street: Walter Herd was the overall winner with an 8.93 average in his Camaro, and Bob Mandabach was the runner-up with a 9.63 average in his Nova. Nick Lohmeyer was the 9-second winner in his Mustang, Jason Struckman was the 10-second winner in his Mustang, Keith Seymore was the 11-second winner in his Chevelle, John Revor was the 12-second winner in his Camaro, Scott Brown was the 13-second winner in his Camaro and Angelo Taylor was the 15-second winner in his PT Cruiser GT.

Gear Vendors True Street Bracket: Dietrich Bollinger used a 10.59 on a 10.58 dial in his Camaro to oust Colton Coffey, who broke out with a 10.29 on his 10.40 dial in his Camaro.

Additionally, NMCA and the Victory Performance Nostalgia Super Stock series joined for the Nostalgia Super Stock All-Stars race presented by FueLab. Victory’s Jeff Blichensderfer took the win over NMCA’s DW Hopkins by driving his Dart to an 11.00 on his 11.00 index, while Hopkins hot-shoed his Thunderbolt to a 9.51 on his 9.50 index.

A new year of NMCA action will spool up with the 16th Annual NMCA Muscle Car Mayhem, March 8–11, 2018 at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida.

Turn 3 Media Acquires Sprint Car & Midget Magazine

Doug Auld, former publisher of Sprint Car & Midget magazine, has announced that the publication and associated assets have been sold to Turn 3 Media LLC. Turn 3 Media, whose portfolio consists of Speed Sport magazine, multiple digital platforms and the Suzuki Presents Speed Sport television program on MAVTV, will seek to expand Sprint Car & Midget magazine into the digital space with an all-new www.sprintcarandmidget.com website, active social media and video productions, while continuing to serve the traditional print subscribers and advertisers. Auld will stay on with the magazine to assist with the transition and provide consultative and editorial services to Turn 3 Media.

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Team Dick Cepek angler Brandon Palaniuk was named the 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year.

Team Dick Cepek Angler Brandon Palaniuk Named Bassmaster Angler of the Year

After six top-12 finishes this season, Team Dick Cepek angler Brandon Palaniuk was named the 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year (AOY) after the final tournament of the season at Mille Lacs Lake in Onamia, Minnesota. Palaniuk took home the $100,000 AOY cash prize, which pushed his career earnings past $1 million with B.A.S.S. He finished 20th in the Lake Mille Lacs tournament, but garnered enough points throughout the previous 2017 Elite events to secure the top spot in AOY standings. Palaniuk finished 14 points ahead of Oklahoma pro Jason Christie, ending the year with 902 points and his first AOY win. Palaniuk’s Toyota Tundra, featuring Dick Cepek’s Fun Country tires and DC Matrix wheels, will be on display in the Dick Cepek/Mickey Thompson booth (#43035) during the 2017 SEMA Show, October 31–November 3 in Las Vegas. 

Sonoma Raceway Selected for Make the Future California Featuring Shell Eco-Marathon Americas in 2018

Shell Oil Company, in conjunction with Speedway Motorsports Inc., has announced Sonoma Raceway as the 2018 location for Make the Future California featuring Shell Eco-marathon Americas, April 19–22, 2018. Make the Future California provides a platform for innovation, collaboration and conversation around the world’s energy challenges, as part of a global series of events through 2018. At the heart of the events is Shell Eco-marathon, an energy-efficiency competition for students, requiring them to design, build and test ultra-energy-efficient vehicles, push the boundaries of what is technically possible, and inspire thinking about the challenges and opportunities for future mobility. Make the Future California will host two Shell Eco-marathon competitions: Shell Eco-marathon Mileage Challenge, where students compete to see whose vehicle design can go the farthest on the least amount of fuel, and Shell Eco-marathon Drivers’ World Championship Regional Final, which marries energy efficiency with speed in a race to be crowned the regional champion, and secure their place in the Drivers’ World Championship Grand Final, to be held in London in 2018. For the last 11 years, students participating in Shell Eco-marathon Americas have designed ultra-energy efficient vehicles, with some achieving more than 3,500 mpg. Student teams compete in two vehicle classes. The Prototype class invites students to enter futuristic, streamlined vehicles, and the UrbanConcept class focuses on “roadworthy,” energy-efficient vehicles aimed at meeting the real-life needs of drivers. Entries are divided into three energy categories: Internal Combustion: gasoline, diesel, and ethanol; Hydrogen Fuel Cell; and Battery Electric. Student teams wishing to compete in the 2018 Shell Eco-marathon Americas in California should register by October 12, 2017. For more information, visit the Shell Eco-marathon website.

champion
Champion will again be the title sponsor of the Williams Grove National Open sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, September 28–30, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Champion Racing Oil National Open Returns to Williams Grove Speedway

Champion will again be the title sponsor of the Williams Grove National Open sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, September 28–30, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. This year’s three-day competition offers a pair of 25-lap, $10,000-to-win mains, September 28–29, plus a 40-lap Championship Race paying $50,000 to win September 30. In addition, there will be a rain make-up race September 28 for the Champion Racing Summer National Title.

Toyo Tires presents Ken Block's “Climbkhana: Pikes Peak”

Toyo Tires presents Climbkhana,” the next generation of Ken Block’s Gymkhana series of viral videos. The all-new concept is a hybrid of the driving showcased in the previous films, blended with a rally-road-style attack on unique roads around the world. To kick off this new series, Block chose Pikes Peak Highway outside Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is billed as America’s second oldest continually running race, and one of the first places Block ever raced in his career. For production duties, Block brought his long-time friend and business partner at Hoonigan Brian Scotto to direct and eight-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Champion and Radical Media Director Jeff Zwart. Block tackled Pikes Peak in his ’65 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR, powered by a Hoonicorn V2—a 1,400hp, twin-turbo, methanol-fueled engine. The film, presented by Toyo Tires, Ford and Pennzoil, premiered last week at The Petersen Museum in Los Angeles.

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Trevor Huddleston (left) is interviewed in the Irwindale press box after winning the Irwindale Speedway’s 2017 LKQ Pick Your Part Late Model Championship and the California state title. Photo credit: IEC
 

Relay for Life American Cancer Society “Paint Your World Purple” Night at Irwindale Event Center

LKQ Pick Your Part Late Models – 50 Laps Double Points
1) Sean Woodside, Valencia
2) Lawless Alan, Sherman Oaks
3) Nick Joanides, Woodland Hills

Trevor Huddleston (Agoura Hills): 2017 Irwindale LKQ Pick Your Part Late Model Champion

Matt Johnson (Corona): LKQ Pick Your Part Late Model Rookie of the Year

Jan’s Towing INEX Legends – 30 Laps
National Legend Car Qualifier
1) Darren Amidon, Lakeside
2) Ricky Schlick, Claremont
3) Chad Schug, Oak Hills

Jan’s Towing INEX Legends Race 2 – 25 Laps
1) Ricky Schlick, Claremont
2) Chad Schug, Oak Hills
3) Austin Farr, Lomita

Sharkey’ s Spec Late Models – 20 Laps
1) Tim Huddleston, Agoura Hills
2) Robby Hornsby, Yucaipa
3) Ed Cutler, Ventura

Seidner's Collision Centers Irwindale Race Trucks – 35 Laps
1) Connor Cantrell, Pacifica
2) Ken Michaelian, Irwindale
3) Lucas McNeil, Saugus

Robert Solar Southwest Tour Trucks – 25 Laps
1) Jeremiah Wagner, Las Vegas
2) Dustin Vandermooren, Cerritos
3) Neil Conrad, Arcadia

Paint Your World Purple Night Figure 8 Race – 20 Laps
1) Rodney Argo
2) Eddie Howell
3) James Bolinas

ORMHOF
Ricky Johnson and Sara Price will host the 2017 Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) Induction & Awards Ceremony presented by SCORE International. 

Ricky Johnson and Sara Price to Host 2017 Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Ceremony

Ricky Johnson and Sara Price will host the 2017 Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) Induction & Awards Ceremony presented by SCORE International, October 30, at the South Point in Las Vegas. More than 400 guests, including Parnelli Jones, Malcolm Smith, Larry Ragland and Rod Hall, will be on hand to welcome the ORMHOF Class of 2017: Dave Ekins, Cliff Flannery, “Baja Bob” Gordon and Bill Savage.

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Ron Capps secured his category-best seventh victory of the season and 57th of his career with a 3.968-second pass at 326.48 mph in his Napa Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T. 

Capps, B. Force, Butner and Krawiec Emerge Victorious in Second Race of Countdown to the Championship at Reading

Ron Capps powered to the Funny Car victory last Sunday at the 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Bo Butner (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also victorious in their respective categories at the second of six playoff events during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. Capps secured his category-best seventh victory of the season and 57th of his career with a 3.968-second pass at 326.48 mph in his Napa Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T to take down Courtney Force’s 3.993 at 311.70 in her Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro in the final round. Capps retook the points lead in the Countdown to the Championship with the victory. B. Force took down Steve Torrence in the final round of Top Fuel action with a 3.756 pass at 326.24 in her Monster Energy dragster to secure her second victory of the season. In Pro Stock, Butner drove to victory with a 6.613 at 209.95 in his Jim Butner’s Auto Chevy Camaro to defeat Greg Anderson’s 6.660 at 206.95 in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro in the final round. Krawiec rode to the Pro Stock Motorcycle victory with a 6.852 at 196.70 on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson to better LE Tonglet on his Nitro Fish Racing Suzuki in the finals. He earned his fifth victory of the season and third consecutive to improve his lead in the points standings. The 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues with the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis, September 29–October 1.

torc
Proven veterans and seasoned youngsters earned championships last weekend in the Kenda Final Rounds at ERX Motor Park. 

TORC: The Off-Road Championship Round 13 Results

Round 13 of the Kenda Final Rounds wrapped up the 2017 TORC Series season at ERX Motor Park last weekend, where proven veterans and seasoned youngsters earned championships. In the PRO 4 race CJ Greaves took the win and his third PRO 4 championship of his career. The PRO 2 field saw 14 trucks come to the line, but when the chaos and slinging dirt finally subsided, only 10 remained and Brad Lovell led them all through the checkered. In PRO Light, the Kleiman brother duo of Cody and Kyle charged from their third-row positions to eventually battle for the lead, but they didn’t count on Chad Rayford having his best race of his TORC Series career. In the PRO Stock UTV class, Zach Martin grabbed the early lead from Greaves and never relinquished it. In the PRO Mod UTV class, Kyle Chaney held the slimmest of margins over Rodney Van Eperen, who handed over driving duties at the start of the weekend to Johnny Greaves due to injury. Jumping out to an early lead, Chaney held off Greaves lap after lap, and in the process brought home the championship.

fidanza
Fidanza Performance will host the Streetwise Motorsports GC8 Subaru Impreza rally car in its booth #25069 at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Fidanza Performance to Host Streetwise Motorsports GC8 Subaru Impreza Rally Car at 2017 SEMA Show

Fidanza Performance will host the Streetwise Motorsports GC8 Subaru Impreza rally car in its booth #25069 at the 2017 SEMA Show. The car is piloted by Kolab Founder and CEO Ernie Manansala, along with co-driver Chong Pak. The pair had a top-three championship finish in the California rally series during Manansala’s rookie season. The 2017 season has positioned him to make a charge for the 2018 NASA rally sport championship. Now in its fifth generation the Impreza, specifically the WRX and WRX STI, have made an impact on the performance aftermarket, and is a major rival to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The performance upgrades to the GC8 aim to bring a heightened sense of the emerging rally/tuner enthusiasts, while living on the legacy of the Subaru brand. The GC8 piloted by Manansla and Pak will compete in eight events in 2018.