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Baughman Rips Through Tri-City Raceway Park Sprint Field; Holden, Bish, and Speer also Win

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FRANKLIN, PA (May 30, 2021): Josh Baughman rolled into Western Pennsylvania from Odessa, TX to do a little testing in preparation for Western Pennsylvania Speedweek. If Sunday’s performance is indicative of his level of preparation, the other racers better burn the midnight oil because they have some catching up to do. Baughman, who has not sat in a Sprint Car since last August, showed no signs of rust in racing to the win in the Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprint Cars.

JImmy Holden (Krill Recycling 358 Modifieds), Curtis J. Bish (Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks), and Dalton Speer (4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks) also celebrated in victory lane.

“That was pretty fun,” Baughman said. “I lost my brakes on lap eight, so I had to go to the bottom.” he added. Baughman gave props to Sye Lynch and his crew for helping him throughout the night. Baughman is a sponsor of Lynch’s racer.

Bob Felmlee sat on the pole for the twenty-five lap feature event in the Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprint Cars. Next to him was Brandon Matus. Behind them were Goerge Hobaugh, Jr. and Carl Bowser, with teammates Lynch and Baughman in the third row. Brandon Spithaler lined up next to last week’s winner and current point leader, Jack Sodeman, Jr. Gale Ruth, Jr. and Clay Riney had their mounts in row five, with Ken Rossey and Brent Matus in row six.

Felmlee led the snarling Sprint cars into turn one, but Brandon Matus found some bite on the high side in turns one and two to take an early lead. But Felmlee battled back and he nailed turns three and four to be scored as the leader of the opening lap. Felmee was hitting his marks, with Matus running second, Baughman in third, and Hobaugh in fourth. Sodeman was up to fifth in the early going.

There was a three-car battle for the lead with a handlul of laps complete. As the leaders approached traffic, Baughman weaved his way through to take the lead with eight klaps in the books. Felmlee held second, but he was under attack from Brandin Matus. Soon, Sodeman was in the hunt.

A caution for debris brought Baughman back to the rest of the racers. Sodeman used the restart to his advantage, sweeping into second in the first two turns. But he was no match for the fleet Texan.

A red for a spectacular crash involving Clay Riney and Bob McMillin in the middle of the back stretch brought out the red. Neither driver was hurt, but the fence running along the track took the brunt of the impact.

Baughman raced out front the rest of the way, with Sodeman making up some ground as the laps wound down. But Sodeman ran out of time and fortified his points lead with the best of the rest finish this night.

Taking third was Felmlee for his best outing of the season. Lynch crossed in fourth, with Brandon Matus fifth. Bowser, Ruth, Rossey, Kyle Colwell, and Brent Matus rounded out the top ten.

Scoring heat wins for Donovan & Bauer Auto Group were Sodeman and Hobaugh. There was no B Main for the Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprint Cars.

Sid Unverzagt, Jr. and Max Smoker brought the field to the chalk stripe in turn four for the start of the twenty lapper in the Krill Recycling Modifieds. Lonny Riggs and Kyle Fink were in row two, with Jimmy Holden and Kevin Hoffman in the third. D.J. Schrader and Jeremiah Shingledecker were in row four, with Brian Sadler and Curt Bish, Jr. in the fifth row.

Unverzagt and Smoker ran wheel to wheel on the opening lap before Unverzagt took control. Riggs settled into third, with Schrader and Holden following. Holden moved into second on lap three and Jeremiah Shingledecker followed him into third.

A caution on lap five put Holden on Unverzagt’s flank with Shingledecker and Riggs hot on their tails. Holden and Shingeldecker both scooted past Unverzagt before another caution slowed the pace. Another caution for debris kept the drivers from getting into a comfort zone.

However, the remainder of the race was completed without incident. Although Holden maintained control, he was challenged in the last few laps by Shingledecker.

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Shingledecker rolled up on the leader in traffic and got a nose inside of him coming off turn four. But Holden reached the lapped cars first and they were running single file on the inside. So Holden used them as a pick to get separation from Shingledecker. Holden maintained his lead to the finish.

Next to cross was Riggs for his best finish of the season so far. Unverzagt also cracked the top five for the first time this season. Getting fifth was Hoffman. Eric Beggs, Smoker, Sadler, Nathan MacDowell, and Ryan Riffe completed the top ten.

“It was smooth top to bottom when we went out for hot laps, but Mother Nature does what it does. It was pretty smooth in the groove,” Holden observed. “This is the best that our car has been all year. My dad stayed ahead of the track.”

Taking the wins for the Donovan & Bauer Auto Group heat races were Riggs and Fink, who was an early retiree due to a mechanical failure. There was no B Main in the Krill Recycling LLC 358 Modifieds.

In the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks, Randy Wyant and Jackson Humanic battled fro the lead from their front row starting spots. Wyant took control and led the way until his car broke on lap thirteen while leading. Although Himanic had the lead, he was unable to hold back the Bish brothers, who were racing hard.

Curtis J. Bish took the lead on the restart and Curt Bish Jr. was nipping on his heels until he got crossed up in turn two. That enabled William Hurrelbrink to scoot by for second.

Curtis J. Bish took the checkers, followed by Hurrelbrink, and Bish Jr. Humanic held on for fourth with Tyler Wyant upholding the family name in fifth. Josh Seippel, Darr Diegelm,an, Pat Fielding, Bob McMillen, and Randy Wyant were scored in the top ten.

The Donovan & Bauer Auto Group heat winners in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks were Randy Wyant, Duke Davidson, and Curtis J. Bish.

Dalton Speer led wire to wire despite losing his power steering during the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stock feature race. Justin Bailey chased him home. Chad Greeley was third, with D.J. Macrae and Brandon Seippel taking fourth and fifth. Positions six through ten went to Evan Sobieski, Kevin Wice, Jesse Armstrong, Michael Barr, and Trevn Shaffer.

Chad Greeley was named the hard charger for the night, advancing fourteen pots in the Mini Stock Feature. He picked up a bonus from Fisher & Father Napa Auto Parts.

The two Donovan & Bauer Auto Group heat races belonged to Bailey and Todd Hanlon. There was no B Main in the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks.

Remember that Tri-City Raceway Park will be part of history next weekend when the Western PA Sprint Car Speedweek resumes after several years’ absence. The track will host the finale of the five-race series, which will pit the Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprints against all comers. You will not want to miss this event! Also on the card will be the Krill Recycling LLC 358 Modifieds, The Gary Glass Automotive and Washington House RUSH Sprints (without wings), and the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks. The Hovis Auto and Truck Supply Pro Stocks will have the week off, but they will return for the Sunday Thunder shows that will be held on June 13 and June 20. All dads will receive a free gift on June 20.

Additional information about Tri-City Raceway Park can be obtained by calling the track office at 724-967-4601, or by e-mail to tricityracewaypark2020@gmail.com. You can also check the website at Tri-CityRacewayPark.com, or Facebook at Tri City Raceway Park. Tri-City Raceway Park is located on Oakland Township, which is just a short drive from Franklin. For the GPS, 3430 State Route 417, Franklin, PA 16323.

Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprint Cars: Josh Baughman, Jack Sodeman, Jr., Bob Felmlee, Brandon Matus, Carl Bowser, Gale Ruth, Jr., Ken Rossey, Kyle Colwell, Brent Matus, Clay Riney, Bob McMillin, Matt Sherlock, George Hobaugh, Brandon Spithaler, Davey Jones.
Krill Recycling LLC 358 Modifieds: Jimmy Holden, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Lonnie Riggs, Sid Unverzagt, Jr., Kevin Hoffman. Eric Beggs, Max Smoker, Brian Sadler, Nathan MacDowell, Ryan Riffe, Dillon Barr, Tyler Clark, D.J. Schrader, Kyle Fink, Curt Bish, Jr., Travis Shingledecker, Steve Barr, Nick Joy (DNS).

Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks: Curtis J. Bish, William Hurrelbrink, Curt Bish Jr., Jackson Humanic, Tyler Wyant, Josh Seippel, Darr Diegelman, Pat Fielding, Bob McMillen, Randy Wyant, Duke Davidson, Jason Johns, Dylan Cecee, Larry Kugel, Jamie Duncan, Mike Bordt, Josh Blum, Matt Bernard, Bobby Whitling (DNS), Jordan Perkins (DNS), Doug Iorio, II (DNS), Andy Buckly (DNS).

4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks: Dalton Speer, Justin Bailey, Chad Greeley, D.J. Macrae, Brandon Seippel, Evan Sobieski, Kevin Wice, Jesse Armstrong, Michael Barr, Trevn Shaffer, James Tasker, Kelly Clark, Brianna Parker, Howard Garlick, Todd Hanlon, J.R. Shaner, Diezel Marvin, Tim Callahan, Charles McClintock, Brody McClintock (DNS), Nick Steiger (DNS).

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Alex Palou and Scott Dixon grab Top 10’s to lead Chip Ganassi Racing at St. Pete

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Penske Entertainment: James Black

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (March 10, 2024) – Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou and Scott Dixon grabbed Top 10 finishes in Sunday’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Presented by RP Funding.

Palou, the defending and two-time series Champion, started 13th on grid and by the midway point in the race he had worked his way up to the 11th spot in the No. 10 DHL Honda.

Palou continued to gain spots and after his final pit stop he was just outside the Top 5, finishing sixth.

“I’m happy to finish in the top-six and it’s a great start,” said Palou, who was the fourth biggest mover over the course of the race (+7). “That first yellow really didn’t help us, as it put everyone in the same position so we had 35 laps less of the race to do something. We finished two spots better than what we did last year. We started struggling at the beginning of the weekend, so it was an amazing recovery by Chip Ganassi Racing and the No. 10 DHL Honda team. ”

Dixon started right outside the Top 10 in the 12th position and on the opening lap avoided disaster when several drivers split Romain Grosjean, who appeared to approach Turn 1 cautiously.  Grosjean drifted right to avoid the driver on his left, only to make contact with Dixon’s No. 9 PNC Bank Honda.  Luckily Dixon was able to continue without damage to his machine eventually finishing 9th.

“It was a bit of a bland day,” said Dixon, who will be inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame on Tuesday. “I thought we had a good situation at the start and then it all kind of closed down to go off-track to make sure that we didn’t hit anybody. There was just no tire degradation so there wasn’t as much racing as I would have liked. Ultimately, I think the PNC Bank crew should have had a fifth, sixth or seventh, so it’s not the absolute best way to start the season.”

Rookie Kyffin Simpson impressed in his INDYCAR debut, starting 23rd and advancing 9-positions to finish 14th in the No. 4 Journie Rewards Honda.

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“What an incredible day,” said Simpson, who finished the day as the top placing rookie. “I’m stoked to have such a good first race in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. I felt like we had a good start to the race and then we just kept it clean. It was definitely tight at times with some side-by-side racing, but we were able to push through and keep things clean. We were able to really push it on the greens at the end with great pace. I’m very happy with the entire day for the Journie Rewards team.”

Linus Lundqvist was running ahead of Simpson and was sitting in 15th place at the midway point of the race and was methodically picking up spots.  Disaster struck on Lap 64 when Grosjean attempted a pass approaching Turn 10, sending the No. 8 American Legion Honda backwards into the tire barrier.  The No. 8 CGR crew replaced the rear wing on pit road and sent the 2022 INDY NXT Champion back into the fight.  Grosjean took responsibility for the ill-advised attempt and served a drive-thru penalty but that little solace for the No. 8 team.

“We were fighting on the edge of the top-10 and then sadly got taken out,” said Lundqvist. “It’s quite unfortunate because the guys and girls with the American Legion team did such a phenomenal job to be fighting for that top-10 position. It is a long season and we will definitely bounce back from that and bring the positives from the speed that we had.”

Marcus Armstrong and the No. 11 Ridgeline Lubricants Honda also showed speed all weekend and was the best qualifying car out of the CGR stable starting 11th and working his way into the Top 10 during the first 25-laps of the race.

Turn 10 challenged drivers all day because of a tricky tail wind going into the turn and Armstrong fell victim on Lap 27 when he ended up in the tire barrier.

“I was working on a fuel number and touched the brakes and locked the brakes immediately,” explained a dejected Armstrong. “I’m so disappointed by that mistake and I feel terrible for the No. 11 Chip Ganassi Racing Ridgeline Lubricants group because we were fast. To be honest, we weren’t pushing hard at the time. We were fuel saving and waiting for our time to push. It was a costly mistake and it stinks.”

Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden was basically untouchable all weekend leading 92-of-100 laps en route to the victory.

Next up for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the $1,000,000 non-points race at The Thermal Club.

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Racing Notebook: PA Motor Speedway cancels Test & Tune; INDYCAR at St. Pete; Kris Wright in Phoenix and more!

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Photo: Steve Skarupa

Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway cancels this weekend’s ‘test & tune’; The NTT INDYCAR SERIES gears up for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding; Kris Wright takes on Phoenix this Friday and more in the Pittsburgh Racing Now Notebook:

PPMS Cancels Test & Tune

  • Persistent rain on Tuesday and Wednesday have forced Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway to cancel this Saturday’s ‘Test & Tune’ one week before the season-opening ‘Pot of Gold 75’.  The Pits open at 9 a.m. and the Grandstands open at 11 a.m. with the Saturday program scheduled to start at Noon.  For more information visit PPMS.com.
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INDYCAR Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

  • The NTT INDYCAR SERIES kicks off the 2024 season on Friday with one practice session to get teams ready for Sunday’s season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding.  Mayor Ken Welch, PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon and other dignitaries raised the flag Thursday morning at 10 a.m. at City Hall to signify the official civic event kickoff to the race weekend.

Kris Wright Gets Ready for Phoenix

  • Wexford native Kris Wright and his Venturini Motorsports team descend on Phoenix Raceway for Friday’s ARCA Menards Series General Tire 150. This weekend marks Wright’s first start at Phoenix in the ARCA Series. Wright has previously competed in a NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) race in 2022 and a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) race in 2021 at the Avondale, Ariz., venue.  Wright has participated in two ARCA Menards Series West races, including one event with Venturini Motorsports. “I’m excited to return to Phoenix Raceway after having a fast car there in the fall. Our No. 15 Venturini Motorsports team has been working on it during the off-season, and we’re looking forward to heading back West for this race.”

Chip Ganassi Racing Unveils Season 2 Trading Cards

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Chip Ganassi Racing Unveils Season 2 of Trading Cards Series

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Chip Ganassi Racing

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (March 7, 2024) – Sports fans have a great opportunity to get their hands on some cool Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) team-official collectables and help out a great cause in the process.

CGR unveiled Season 2 of their classic trading card series Thursday, benefitting The American Legion and their Be The One initiative, which is a national platform to reduce the rate of veteran suicide. The program destigmatizes asking for mental health support, provides peer-to-peer support and resources and educates people on how they can Be The One.  Everyone can Be The One by asking veterans in your life how they are doing, listening when a veteran needs to talk and reaching out when a veteran is struggling.

Fans are invited to make a $10 donation for a single pack of eight random cards, drawing from the collection of 36 unique designs. Bulk ordering options are also available again, with quantities offered at 5, 10 and 20 packs.

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“We are excited to see the return of the Chip Ganassi Racing trading cards,” said Dean Kessel, Chief Marketing Officer of The American Legion. “This project was wildly popular last season because it not only provides a remarkable product to race fans across the country, but it also directly impacts our mission to support the veteran community and save lives. We’re proud of this partnership that continues to make a positive impact on the lives of those who have served our nation.”

Season 2 of the #CGRCards feature standard cards, unique chrome cards and rare, autographed inserts from the current Chip Ganassi Racing NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver lineup.

The chrome cards feature notable achievements from this past season and throwbacks to Chip Ganassi Racing lore, including ‘The Pass’ at Laguna Seca by Alex Zanardi, CGR’s first championship with Jimmy Vasser in 1996 and the team’s first Indianapolis 500 win in 2000 with Juan Pablo Montoya.

The trading cards will be available exclusively at ChipGanassiRacing.com/CGRCards. Only 2,000 packs of cards will be available through the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season so be sure to make a donation today and collect all 36 cards.

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