Sunday
Apr152018
APRIL 18, 2018
Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 10:37AM 
(Photo by Stephen King/INDYCAR)
Alexander Rossi (No. 27 Andretti Autosport NAPA AUTO PARTS Honda) dominated the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach from the pole on Sunday, leading all but 14 of the 85 laps on the 1.986-mile, 11-turn temporary street course that's hosted Indy car races for the last 35 years. The 26-year-old Californian crossed the finish line 1.2413 seconds ahead of Will Power (No. 12 Team Penske Verizon Chevrolet), grabbing the championship lead in the process. It was the third Verizon IndyCar Series win for Rossi, in his third season, and win No. 58 in the Indy car history of Andretti Autosport. "I can't really put into words how good the car was all weekend," Rossi said. "I think we proved that and I'm just so glad we were able to capitalize and nothing crazy happened. This one I'll definitely remember for a very long time for a lot of different reasons." Ed Jones (No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing NTT DATA Honda) finished a solid third in the No. 10 NTT DATA Honda, tying the career best that the second-year driver from Dubai accomplished at last year's Indianapolis 500. Next up for theVerizon IndyCar Series is the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at the Barber Motorsports Park road course in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sunday, April 22. The race airs live at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN and the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network.
Alexander Rossi (No. 27 Andretti Autosport NAPA AUTO PARTS Honda) dominated the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach from the pole on Sunday, leading all but 14 of the 85 laps on the 1.986-mile, 11-turn temporary street course that's hosted Indy car races for the last 35 years. The 26-year-old Californian crossed the finish line 1.2413 seconds ahead of Will Power (No. 12 Team Penske Verizon Chevrolet), grabbing the championship lead in the process. It was the third Verizon IndyCar Series win for Rossi, in his third season, and win No. 58 in the Indy car history of Andretti Autosport. "I can't really put into words how good the car was all weekend," Rossi said. "I think we proved that and I'm just so glad we were able to capitalize and nothing crazy happened. This one I'll definitely remember for a very long time for a lot of different reasons." Ed Jones (No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing NTT DATA Honda) finished a solid third in the No. 10 NTT DATA Honda, tying the career best that the second-year driver from Dubai accomplished at last year's Indianapolis 500. Next up for theVerizon IndyCar Series is the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at the Barber Motorsports Park road course in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sunday, April 22. The race airs live at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN and the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network.
(Photo by Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR)
(Pirelli World Challenge)
Italy’s Daniel Mancinelli (No. 31 TR3 Racing Ferrari 488 GT3) won a spirited battle with Finland’s Toni Vilander (No. 61 RFerri Motorsports Ferrari 488 GT3) on Sunday to win his first Pirelli World Challenge GT Sprint race at the 44th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Mancinelli pressured early leader and pole-sitter Vilander from the start and passed the factory Ferrari racer with about six minutes left in the race, finishing 2.179 seconds ahead on the 1.968-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit. Alvaro Parente of Portugal (No. 9 K-PAX Racing Bentley Continental GT3) finished third.
Italy’s Daniel Mancinelli (No. 31 TR3 Racing Ferrari 488 GT3) won a spirited battle with Finland’s Toni Vilander (No. 61 RFerri Motorsports Ferrari 488 GT3) on Sunday to win his first Pirelli World Challenge GT Sprint race at the 44th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Mancinelli pressured early leader and pole-sitter Vilander from the start and passed the factory Ferrari racer with about six minutes left in the race, finishing 2.179 seconds ahead on the 1.968-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit. Alvaro Parente of Portugal (No. 9 K-PAX Racing Bentley Continental GT3) finished third.
(Pirelli)
Daniel Ricciardo (No. 3 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing) won the Chinese Grand Prix from sixth on the grid after a remarkable late charge through the field. Ricciardo took advantage of a fresh set of tires to take the lead and the win. Valtteri Bottas (No. 77 Mercedes AMG Petronas) was second and Kimi Raikkonen (No. 7 Scuderia Ferrari) finished third. The two leading championship contenders Lewis Hamilton (No. 44 Mercedes AMG Petronas) and Sebastian Vettel (No. 5 Scuderia Ferrari) finished in fourth and eighth respectively. The race looked to be in Vettel’s grasp until pit stops and a late safety car changed the direction of the race, when he was clipped by Max Verstappen (No. 33 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing). Hamilton reduced his championship points deficit to Vettel from seventeen to nine points. It was Ricciardo’s sixth career victory and the first time he has won in China.
(IMSA)
Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner (No. 4 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R/Michelin) scored their second consecutive victory in Southern California Saturday afternoon, winning the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTLM class victory in the 100-minute BUBBA burger Sports Car Grand Prix at Long Beach. Milner took the lead from Earl Bamber in the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR shortly after a restart with under 23 minutes remaining as Bamber encountered a right-front suspension failure. From there, he cruised to a 2.157-second victory over Ryan Briscoe in the No. 67 Ford GT. "There is something about Long Beach,” Milner said. “Something about having magic here. I don't know what it is. We had it today. We had it last year. Whatever it is, I want to keep it. Really tough race today. The track was really, really tough with the marbles off line. Super difficult. I almost threw it away on the last corner, last lap. Really, really tough conditions. But, Corvette was great. Michelins were great. They were super strong right to the end. Just had that little bit of magic, little bit of luck and that's all we needed today!" It was Milner’s third career Long Beach win and Gavin’s record-extending fifth career victory on the street course. It also was the seventh win in twelve Long Beach races for Corvette Racing and the eighth Long Beach win for Chevrolet, tying with Porsche for most manufacturer victories at the venue. Ryan Briscoe/Richard Westbrook (No. 67 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT) were second, and Polesitter Joey Hand and co-driver Dirk Mueller finished third in the No. 66 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT.
Daniel Ricciardo (No. 3 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing) won the Chinese Grand Prix from sixth on the grid after a remarkable late charge through the field. Ricciardo took advantage of a fresh set of tires to take the lead and the win. Valtteri Bottas (No. 77 Mercedes AMG Petronas) was second and Kimi Raikkonen (No. 7 Scuderia Ferrari) finished third. The two leading championship contenders Lewis Hamilton (No. 44 Mercedes AMG Petronas) and Sebastian Vettel (No. 5 Scuderia Ferrari) finished in fourth and eighth respectively. The race looked to be in Vettel’s grasp until pit stops and a late safety car changed the direction of the race, when he was clipped by Max Verstappen (No. 33 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing). Hamilton reduced his championship points deficit to Vettel from seventeen to nine points. It was Ricciardo’s sixth career victory and the first time he has won in China.
(IMSA)Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner (No. 4 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R/Michelin) scored their second consecutive victory in Southern California Saturday afternoon, winning the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTLM class victory in the 100-minute BUBBA burger Sports Car Grand Prix at Long Beach. Milner took the lead from Earl Bamber in the No. 912 Porsche 911 RSR shortly after a restart with under 23 minutes remaining as Bamber encountered a right-front suspension failure. From there, he cruised to a 2.157-second victory over Ryan Briscoe in the No. 67 Ford GT. "There is something about Long Beach,” Milner said. “Something about having magic here. I don't know what it is. We had it today. We had it last year. Whatever it is, I want to keep it. Really tough race today. The track was really, really tough with the marbles off line. Super difficult. I almost threw it away on the last corner, last lap. Really, really tough conditions. But, Corvette was great. Michelins were great. They were super strong right to the end. Just had that little bit of magic, little bit of luck and that's all we needed today!" It was Milner’s third career Long Beach win and Gavin’s record-extending fifth career victory on the street course. It also was the seventh win in twelve Long Beach races for Corvette Racing and the eighth Long Beach win for Chevrolet, tying with Porsche for most manufacturer victories at the venue. Ryan Briscoe/Richard Westbrook (No. 67 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT) were second, and Polesitter Joey Hand and co-driver Dirk Mueller finished third in the No. 66 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT.
(IMSA)
Joao Barbosa and Filipe Albuquerque (No. 5 Action Express Mustang Sampling Cadillac-branded DPi-V.R.) won overall in Saturday's BUBBA burger Sports Car Grand Prix at Long Beach. Ryan Dalziel/Scott Sharp (No. 2 Tequila Patrón ESM Nissan DPi) were second, 4.766 seconds back and Jordan Taylor/Renger van der Zande (No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac-branded DPi-V.R.) finished third. The No. 31 Cadillac-branded DPi-V.R. of Felipe Nasr and No. 6 Team Penske Acura DPi of Juan Pablo Montoya led much of the first half of the race before being passsd by Albuquerque on an impressive pit stop by the No. 5 team. “Our strategy all day was perfect,” said Albuquerque. “When I got in after the pit stop, I was able to get in the lead. We were in control and it was a great race for us. Action Express was amazing today. They gave me a great car.” Next up for the WeatherTech Championship is the Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Sunday, May 6. Tickets are available now at www.midohio.com.
Joao Barbosa and Filipe Albuquerque (No. 5 Action Express Mustang Sampling Cadillac-branded DPi-V.R.) won overall in Saturday's BUBBA burger Sports Car Grand Prix at Long Beach. Ryan Dalziel/Scott Sharp (No. 2 Tequila Patrón ESM Nissan DPi) were second, 4.766 seconds back and Jordan Taylor/Renger van der Zande (No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac-branded DPi-V.R.) finished third. The No. 31 Cadillac-branded DPi-V.R. of Felipe Nasr and No. 6 Team Penske Acura DPi of Juan Pablo Montoya led much of the first half of the race before being passsd by Albuquerque on an impressive pit stop by the No. 5 team. “Our strategy all day was perfect,” said Albuquerque. “When I got in after the pit stop, I was able to get in the lead. We were in control and it was a great race for us. Action Express was amazing today. They gave me a great car.” Next up for the WeatherTech Championship is the Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Sunday, May 6. Tickets are available now at www.midohio.com.
(Photo by Chris Clark)
Ernie Francis, Jr. (No. 98 Frameless Shower Doors Ford Mustang) won for the second time in the 2018 Trans Am Championship presented by Pirelli on Sunday with a flag-to-flag victory in the South Florida Sports Car Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It was a dominant victory - the twelfth for Francis Jr. in the TA class - and he set a new track record in the process. Chris Dyson (No. 20 Plaid/CD Racing Ford Mustang) had worked his way up to second position on the 28th lap of the 45-lap contest but was punted from behind by the RJ Lopez (No. 06 Tina Bazuca/Republica Brewing Chevrolet Corvette), which caused Dyson to spin. Officials black flagged the No. 06 for avoidable contact and ordered a drive-through penalty, which was served. Lawrence Loshak (No. 2 Pennzoil/ETE/GoShare Chevrolet Camaro)took advantage of Dyson’s misfortune, retaking his second-place starting position at the finish, while holding off Amy Ruman (No. 23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette), who finished third. Dyson ended up fifth at the end.
Ernie Francis, Jr. (No. 98 Frameless Shower Doors Ford Mustang) won for the second time in the 2018 Trans Am Championship presented by Pirelli on Sunday with a flag-to-flag victory in the South Florida Sports Car Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It was a dominant victory - the twelfth for Francis Jr. in the TA class - and he set a new track record in the process. Chris Dyson (No. 20 Plaid/CD Racing Ford Mustang) had worked his way up to second position on the 28th lap of the 45-lap contest but was punted from behind by the RJ Lopez (No. 06 Tina Bazuca/Republica Brewing Chevrolet Corvette), which caused Dyson to spin. Officials black flagged the No. 06 for avoidable contact and ordered a drive-through penalty, which was served. Lawrence Loshak (No. 2 Pennzoil/ETE/GoShare Chevrolet Camaro)took advantage of Dyson’s misfortune, retaking his second-place starting position at the finish, while holding off Amy Ruman (No. 23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette), who finished third. Dyson ended up fifth at the end.
(World RX)
Johan Kristoffersson (No. 1 VW RX Team Sweden) has been named the winner of the World RX of Catalunya-Barcelona, round one of the 2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy, after first-on-the-road Mattias Ekstrom (No. 5 EKS Audi Sport) was disqualified from the final following an incident with Petter Solberg (No. 11 Petter Solberg World RX Team). Sebastien Loeb (No. 9 Team Peugeot Total) was second, while Andreas Bakkerud (No. 13 EKS Audi Sport) finished third.
(DS Automobiles)
Sam Bird (No. 2 DS Virgin Racing) took a historic victory during today’s inaugural Formula E race in Rome to pick up his seventh win in the series to date and move him, and his team, into second place in the championship standings. The British driver held off Lucas di Grassi (No. 1 Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler) in the closing stages. di Grassi finished second and Andre Lotterer (No. 18 Techeetah) came in third.
Johan Kristoffersson (No. 1 VW RX Team Sweden) has been named the winner of the World RX of Catalunya-Barcelona, round one of the 2018 FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy, after first-on-the-road Mattias Ekstrom (No. 5 EKS Audi Sport) was disqualified from the final following an incident with Petter Solberg (No. 11 Petter Solberg World RX Team). Sebastien Loeb (No. 9 Team Peugeot Total) was second, while Andreas Bakkerud (No. 13 EKS Audi Sport) finished third.
(DS Automobiles)Sam Bird (No. 2 DS Virgin Racing) took a historic victory during today’s inaugural Formula E race in Rome to pick up his seventh win in the series to date and move him, and his team, into second place in the championship standings. The British driver held off Lucas di Grassi (No. 1 Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler) in the closing stages. di Grassi finished second and Andre Lotterer (No. 18 Techeetah) came in third.
(Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
Kyle Busch (No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Skittles Toyota) executed a textbook bump-and-run against Kyle Larson (No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing McDonald's Chevrolet) and pulled away on Lap 495 of 500 to win Monday’s rain-delayed Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. It was his second straight victory of 2018 and his seventh win at Thunder Valley, most among active drivers. It was the 45th Monster Energy win of Busch's career, breaking a tie with NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott for 16th on the all-time win list. Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Lowe's For Pros Chevrolet) finished third, posting his first top five of the season after starting from the rear because of a tire change after qualifying.
Kyle Busch (No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Skittles Toyota) executed a textbook bump-and-run against Kyle Larson (No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing McDonald's Chevrolet) and pulled away on Lap 495 of 500 to win Monday’s rain-delayed Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. It was his second straight victory of 2018 and his seventh win at Thunder Valley, most among active drivers. It was the 45th Monster Energy win of Busch's career, breaking a tie with NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott for 16th on the all-time win list. Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Lowe's For Pros Chevrolet) finished third, posting his first top five of the season after starting from the rear because of a tire change after qualifying.
(VW)
The I.D. R Pikes Peak, Volkswagen’s first fully-electric racing car, will be unveiled to the international media on Sunday, April 22. The unveiling will take place at the racetrack in Alés, France – home of world-class driver Romain Dumas - who will be at the wheel for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb record attempt. The official test program for the machine gets underway just one day later. VW will attempt to break the record for electric racing cars at Pikes Peak on June 24, 2018.
The I.D. R Pikes Peak, Volkswagen’s first fully-electric racing car, will be unveiled to the international media on Sunday, April 22. The unveiling will take place at the racetrack in Alés, France – home of world-class driver Romain Dumas - who will be at the wheel for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb record attempt. The official test program for the machine gets underway just one day later. VW will attempt to break the record for electric racing cars at Pikes Peak on June 24, 2018.
(Chevrolet/IMS)
The 2019 Corvette ZR1 is the official Pace Car for the 2018 Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. This marks the fifteenth time a Corvette has served as the official Pace Car since 1978, and the 29th time a Chevrolet has led the field dating back to 1948, when a 1948 Fleetmaster Six convertible paced the race. Like all Corvette ZR1 machines, the 2019 Corvette ZR1 Pace Car features a 6.2L supercharged LT5 Small Block V8 with 755 hp and 715 lb-ft of torque coupled to a 8-speed 8L90 paddle-shift automatic gearbox; and a bunch of other stuff, of course. The Corvette ZR1 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.85 seconds and reach a top track speed of 212 mph, making it the fastest Corvette in history. The 102nd running of the iconic race will take place on Sunday, May 27.
The 2019 Corvette ZR1 is the official Pace Car for the 2018 Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. This marks the fifteenth time a Corvette has served as the official Pace Car since 1978, and the 29th time a Chevrolet has led the field dating back to 1948, when a 1948 Fleetmaster Six convertible paced the race. Like all Corvette ZR1 machines, the 2019 Corvette ZR1 Pace Car features a 6.2L supercharged LT5 Small Block V8 with 755 hp and 715 lb-ft of torque coupled to a 8-speed 8L90 paddle-shift automatic gearbox; and a bunch of other stuff, of course. The Corvette ZR1 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.85 seconds and reach a top track speed of 212 mph, making it the fastest Corvette in history. The 102nd running of the iconic race will take place on Sunday, May 27.
