(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet) won his first NASCAR Cup Series title Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, joining his father, Bill, as champions of stock-car racing’s top division. At 24 years, 11 months and 11 days old, Elliott became the third-youngest Cup Series champion in NASCAR history. Only Jeff Gordon, who claimed his first title at 24 years, three months and eight days old in 1995, and 1950 champ Bill Rexford (then 23 years old) were younger. “I’m not sure that I still even know,” Elliott said when asked what the championship means to him. “I just, man, I’m at a loss for words. This is unbelievable. Oh, my gosh. We did it. I mean, we did it. That’s all I’ve got to tell you. Unreal. “Championship crew chief, Alan Gustafson, is now a NASCAR Cup Series champion, and very deserving. I just can’t say enough about our group. I felt like we took some really big strides this year, and last week was a huge one. To come out of that with a win and a shot to come here and have a chance to race is unbelievable.” Elliott ended up leading a race-high 153 laps, including the final 43 circuits after passing Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Shell/Pennzoil Ford) on Lap 270 of 312. Elliott’s margin of victory was 2.740 seconds over Logano’s teammate Brad Keselowski (No. 2 team Penske Ford). Logano finished third. Elliott became the fourth driver to bring a driving championship to team owner Rick Hendrick. His march to the title gave Hendrick Motorsports its 13th title and its first since 2016, when teammate Jimmie Johnson scored the last of his record-tying seven championships — all with Hendrick Motorsports. Hendrick’s other titles came from Gordon, a four-time champ who spent all of his Cup Series career with the organization, and 1996 title winner Terry Labonte. Elliott's Sunday triumph brings the championship back to the small town of Dawsonville, Georgia, where Bill Elliott’s march to his only Cup Series title was celebrated in 1988. The Dawsonville Pool Room, a shrine to the Elliotts and other Peach State racing legends, regularly cheered Bill Elliott’s wins by sounding its signature “si-reen.” The pool room’s owners shifted those victory cries to mark Chase Elliott’s accomplishments as he climbed through the NASCAR national series ranks. Like his father, Chase Elliott carried the No. 9 to a championship. They are the third father-son duo to win Cup Series titles, following Lee and Richard Petty, and Ned and Dale Jarrett — all NASCAR Hall of Famers. The title was also a first for crew chief Alan Gustafson, who completed his fifth season atop the No. 9 team’s pit box. Gustafson’s crown came in his second Championship 4 appearance; he also helped guide four-time champ Jeff Gordon to the title round in his final full season in 2015. (Thank you to NASCAR.com)
Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet) won his first NASCAR Cup Series title Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, joining his father, Bill, as champions of stock-car racing’s top division. At 24 years, 11 months and 11 days old, Elliott became the third-youngest Cup Series champion in NASCAR history. Only Jeff Gordon, who claimed his first title at 24 years, three months and eight days old in 1995, and 1950 champ Bill Rexford (then 23 years old) were younger. “I’m not sure that I still even know,” Elliott said when asked what the championship means to him. “I just, man, I’m at a loss for words. This is unbelievable. Oh, my gosh. We did it. I mean, we did it. That’s all I’ve got to tell you. Unreal. “Championship crew chief, Alan Gustafson, is now a NASCAR Cup Series champion, and very deserving. I just can’t say enough about our group. I felt like we took some really big strides this year, and last week was a huge one. To come out of that with a win and a shot to come here and have a chance to race is unbelievable.” Elliott ended up leading a race-high 153 laps, including the final 43 circuits after passing Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Shell/Pennzoil Ford) on Lap 270 of 312. Elliott’s margin of victory was 2.740 seconds over Logano’s teammate Brad Keselowski (No. 2 team Penske Ford). Logano finished third. Elliott became the fourth driver to bring a driving championship to team owner Rick Hendrick. His march to the title gave Hendrick Motorsports its 13th title and its first since 2016, when teammate Jimmie Johnson scored the last of his record-tying seven championships — all with Hendrick Motorsports. Hendrick’s other titles came from Gordon, a four-time champ who spent all of his Cup Series career with the organization, and 1996 title winner Terry Labonte. Elliott's Sunday triumph brings the championship back to the small town of Dawsonville, Georgia, where Bill Elliott’s march to his only Cup Series title was celebrated in 1988. The Dawsonville Pool Room, a shrine to the Elliotts and other Peach State racing legends, regularly cheered Bill Elliott’s wins by sounding its signature “si-reen.” The pool room’s owners shifted those victory cries to mark Chase Elliott’s accomplishments as he climbed through the NASCAR national series ranks. Like his father, Chase Elliott carried the No. 9 to a championship. They are the third father-son duo to win Cup Series titles, following Lee and Richard Petty, and Ned and Dale Jarrett — all NASCAR Hall of Famers. The title was also a first for crew chief Alan Gustafson, who completed his fifth season atop the No. 9 team’s pit box. Gustafson’s crown came in his second Championship 4 appearance; he also helped guide four-time champ Jeff Gordon to the title round in his final full season in 2015. (Thank you to NASCAR.com)
(Photo courtesy of AUTOSPORT)
Joan Mir (No. 36 Team SUZUKI ECSTAR GSX-RR/Michelin) delivered his first MotoGP race victory at the European GP at Valencia on Sunday. Mir took the lead when Suzuki teammate Alex Rins (No. 42 Team SUZUKI ECSTAR GSX-RR/Michelin) ran slightly wide with 10 laps remaining, pulling away with a clear advantage. Pol Espargaro (No. 44 Red Bull KTM RC16/Michelin) completed the podium. Mir, who came into the race with a 14-point lead over Fabio Quartararo (No. 20 Petronas Yamaha SRT YZR-M1/Michelin), now has a 37-point advantage over both Rins and Quartararo, and he has an excellent chance of wrapping up the title at Valencia next weekend, when he will need a 26-point lead at the end of the race.
Joan Mir (No. 36 Team SUZUKI ECSTAR GSX-RR/Michelin) delivered his first MotoGP race victory at the European GP at Valencia on Sunday. Mir took the lead when Suzuki teammate Alex Rins (No. 42 Team SUZUKI ECSTAR GSX-RR/Michelin) ran slightly wide with 10 laps remaining, pulling away with a clear advantage. Pol Espargaro (No. 44 Red Bull KTM RC16/Michelin) completed the podium. Mir, who came into the race with a 14-point lead over Fabio Quartararo (No. 20 Petronas Yamaha SRT YZR-M1/Michelin), now has a 37-point advantage over both Rins and Quartararo, and he has an excellent chance of wrapping up the title at Valencia next weekend, when he will need a 26-point lead at the end of the race.
(Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli)
Boris Said (No. 2 Prototype Advanced Technique Inc. Dodge Challenger) scored a dominant win Sunday in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli TA class at Circuit of The Americas, in Austin, Texas. Said led nearly all the way to give team owner/car builder Pancho Weaver his second-consecutive CoTA victory. “It’s simple – Pancho builds a great car,” said the 2002 Trans Am champion after scoring his 17th career triumph. “Prototype Advanced Technique Inc. – the guys building the next (NASCAR) Cup car – are a great sponsor and they help us on their off time. Our winning move today was definitely going to a new transmission. Pancho’s a one-man band, but it was a family effort this weekend with everyone helping. We were broken after practice, and Greg Pickett’s guys helped, Claudio Burton’s guys and other teams. It’s funny that we can help each other off the track, and gladly put each other in the wall on the track. It’s a great series.” Ernie Francis Jr. (No. 98 ZF Custom Concepts Ford Mustang) pressured Said nearly all the way - even briefly nosing ahead with 10 laps to go - but had mechanical problems in the closing laps. He held on to finish second, 32.539 seconds back. Tomy Drissi (No. 8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet) came back from a first-lap incident to finish third.
Boris Said (No. 2 Prototype Advanced Technique Inc. Dodge Challenger) scored a dominant win Sunday in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli TA class at Circuit of The Americas, in Austin, Texas. Said led nearly all the way to give team owner/car builder Pancho Weaver his second-consecutive CoTA victory. “It’s simple – Pancho builds a great car,” said the 2002 Trans Am champion after scoring his 17th career triumph. “Prototype Advanced Technique Inc. – the guys building the next (NASCAR) Cup car – are a great sponsor and they help us on their off time. Our winning move today was definitely going to a new transmission. Pancho’s a one-man band, but it was a family effort this weekend with everyone helping. We were broken after practice, and Greg Pickett’s guys helped, Claudio Burton’s guys and other teams. It’s funny that we can help each other off the track, and gladly put each other in the wall on the track. It’s a great series.” Ernie Francis Jr. (No. 98 ZF Custom Concepts Ford Mustang) pressured Said nearly all the way - even briefly nosing ahead with 10 laps to go - but had mechanical problems in the closing laps. He held on to finish second, 32.539 seconds back. Tomy Drissi (No. 8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet) came back from a first-lap incident to finish third.
(Porsche images)
The Porsche GT Team campaigns a pair of 911 RSR finished in special liveries to bid farewell to the GTLM-class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. At the final round of the season on 14 November at Sebring – the last race for the works team in the sports car series – the two vehicles will be decked out in an adaption of the American national flag. Emblazoned in letters on the underside of the rear wing is the sentiment “Thank You.” “After seven very successful years, we’re wrapping up our works program in North America with the upcoming race at Sebring. With this special vehicle design, we want to express our connection to this tremendous racing series and also want to say a big thank you to the loyal fans,” stated Pascal Zurlinden, Director Porsche Factory Motorsport. “While racing the 911 in the GTLM class, we experienced firsthand the excitement that our brand inspires in the USA. The spectators were always full of passion. They love the 911 RSR and they were unfailingly supportive. We’d also like to thank everyone involved from Porsche AG, Porsche Cars North America, our motor racing colleagues in the USA, the operations team Core Autosport and, last but definitely not least, our loyal partners. The huge successes over the last seven years would not have been possible without their trust and dedicated cooperation.” Both vehicles will contest the 12 Hours of Sebring finished in a very unique interpretation of the “Stars and Stripes.” The No. 911 RSR driven by this year’s Petit Le Mans winners Frédéric Makowiecki from France, Nick Tandy from Great Britain and New Zealander Earl Bamber features a red and white stripe running down the center line of the car from front to rear. White stars on a blue background adorn the front hood and side panels. The paintwork on the No. 912 team car shared by the reigning GTLM champions Bamber from New Zealand and Laurens Vanthoor from Belgium as well as works driver Neel Jani (Switzerland) is the mirror image: red and white stripes on the front and the sides, with white stars on a blue base in the middle. Editor-In-Chief's Note: Nicely done. -PMD
The Porsche GT Team campaigns a pair of 911 RSR finished in special liveries to bid farewell to the GTLM-class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. At the final round of the season on 14 November at Sebring – the last race for the works team in the sports car series – the two vehicles will be decked out in an adaption of the American national flag. Emblazoned in letters on the underside of the rear wing is the sentiment “Thank You.” “After seven very successful years, we’re wrapping up our works program in North America with the upcoming race at Sebring. With this special vehicle design, we want to express our connection to this tremendous racing series and also want to say a big thank you to the loyal fans,” stated Pascal Zurlinden, Director Porsche Factory Motorsport. “While racing the 911 in the GTLM class, we experienced firsthand the excitement that our brand inspires in the USA. The spectators were always full of passion. They love the 911 RSR and they were unfailingly supportive. We’d also like to thank everyone involved from Porsche AG, Porsche Cars North America, our motor racing colleagues in the USA, the operations team Core Autosport and, last but definitely not least, our loyal partners. The huge successes over the last seven years would not have been possible without their trust and dedicated cooperation.” Both vehicles will contest the 12 Hours of Sebring finished in a very unique interpretation of the “Stars and Stripes.” The No. 911 RSR driven by this year’s Petit Le Mans winners Frédéric Makowiecki from France, Nick Tandy from Great Britain and New Zealander Earl Bamber features a red and white stripe running down the center line of the car from front to rear. White stars on a blue background adorn the front hood and side panels. The paintwork on the No. 912 team car shared by the reigning GTLM champions Bamber from New Zealand and Laurens Vanthoor from Belgium as well as works driver Neel Jani (Switzerland) is the mirror image: red and white stripes on the front and the sides, with white stars on a blue base in the middle. Editor-In-Chief's Note: Nicely done. -PMD
