Playing at a high tempo suits England’s Paul Drinkhall; that fact was underlined earlier this year when he won the men’s singles title at the 2019 ITTF Challenge Serbia Open, beating Frenchman, Abdel-Kader Salifou in the final. He recovered from a two games to nil deficit to impose himself on the contest (8-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-3, 11-2, 11-1).
Against Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic it was very much the same, he trailed by three games to one before pressing the accelerator to secure a full distance win (11-7, 5-11, 6-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-5).
“He’s strong from the backhand, so I tried not to let him play his strength. He did miss some backhands. I tried to impose my gain; even when I was losing 3-1 I felt good in myself. It was important to try to establish a fast tempo; also in the seventh game I made a really good start, at 10-4 he played an outrageous backhand but to win he would had to do that again and again.” Paul Drinkhall
The surprise winner the previous day in opposition to Portugal’s Marcos Freitas (11-9, 13-15, 5-11, 11-3, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6); facing another left handed top spin attacking player, Romania’s Alexandru Cazacu experienced a reversal of fortunes. He was beaten by Frenchman, Enzo Angles (9-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-8, 12-10).
“In the first game I didn’t serve that well, I was throwing the ball too high. After the opening game I created more angles when I served; I played better when I stepped around my backhand to play my forehand. He plays with a great of top spin, so I had to keep varying the play.” Enzo Angles
Match after match, facing adversaries from foreign shores, Chinese players have progressed; that scenario was halted by Thailand’s Supanut Wisutmaythangkoon. He withstood a brave recovery by Zhang Yudong to reserve his place in round four (11-5, 13-11, 11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 2-11, 11-5).
“At the start of the match I was doing well in the short play but after the third game he changed and started to flip the ball more. In the seventh game I think he became nervous; I became more confident in the open play.” Supanut Wisutmaythangkoon.
While the intense qualification action continues, the seeded stars are preparing to take to the stage.
Defeats for Sweden’s Anton Källberg and Elias Ranefur but the host nation’s morning was saved by left-hander Viktor Brodd, who outpaced his Croatian counterpart Andrej Gacina in emphatic style (11-9, 11-7, 11-4, 11-9).
“Good tactics, I think today I was perhaps too fast for him but also my ball placement was accurate. I received service well; I expected he would use the forehand reverse serve more. I moved well, overall it was a solid performance.” Viktor Brodd
Responsible for Jonathan Groth’s exit on the opening day of qualification but Mehdi Bouloussa’s journey is over with the Frenchman falling to Belarusian Pavel Platonov in a seven-game thriller (10-12, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 11-5, 9-11, 11-7).
“Mentally I felt really good before playing Mehdi; the fact we won the mixed doubles match gave me a real boost. It was a question of focus on every point; I was down two games to one but came back. He was very aggressive; he is very powerful, very strong from the backhand. In the seventh I was down 2-4 and then level at 5-5. I felt calm in my mind and maintained concentration.” Pavel Platonov
One of Japan’s up-and-coming names, Takuya Jin continues to pick up noteworthy results with his latest coming in preliminary round three of the men’s singles qualification tournament in Stockholm. Taking on Romania’s Ovidiu Ionescu, the young Japanese star needed just four games to extend his stay in the competition (11-9, 11-8, 11-8, 11-3).
Arguably the standout performance of the 10.10am session came courtesy of Brazil’s Gustavo Tsuboi and Bruna Takahashi, who combined to beat 2017 World Junior Championships runners-up Cristian Pletea and Adina Diaconu in straight games (11-9, 11-6, 11-2).
“I don’t think we did anything special, we were able to win the rallies: that was the difference, not the short play.” Bruna Takahashi
“It was important not to give Cristian time to play, not let him into the match. I was able to top spin the first ball and Bruna could then finish the point.” Gustavo Tsuboi
Here’s what Jakub Dyjas and Natalia Partyka had to say following their opening round success:
“Service and receive was the key, Yuan had problems with my service; Natalia was team captain today.” Jakub Dyjas
“Even though we were 5-9 down I felt confident, we just played our game.” Natalia Partyka
Jang Woojin and Yang Haeun have enjoyed a winning start to their mixed doubles campaign in Stockholm after the pair from Korea Republic successfully dealt with Sweden’s Anton and Christina Källberg 3-1 in preliminary round one (12-10, 6-11, 11-9, 15-13).
One of the standout encounters of the session took place over on table 6: leading by two games to one but Poland’s Jakub Dyjas and Natalia Partyka were slow off the mark in game four, trailing France’s Emmanuel Lebesson and Yuan Jia Nan 5-9 on the scoreboard. Showing great resolve Dyjas and Partyka won six points in a row to secure victory (12-10, 3-11, 11-4, 11-9).
Which players do you think will join the seeded entries in the main event?
The time for the second day of qualification to commence has arrived – here’s a look at the day’s schedule:
The daily training took place at the Sveti Martin training hall, adjacent to the Golfer Hotel where all participants were accommodated.
Education plays an integral part of the High Performance pathway, two educational sessions were scheduled in addition to intensive table tennis training: a strengthening and conditioning theory session (complemented by a practical session as part of the training programme) and a lecture on nutrition. The first was conducted by fitness expert Mario Starek and the second by nutritionist Gracia Petek.
ITTF High Performance Manager Massimo Costantini outlined the proceedings in detail:
“This time the work was divided into three parts: footwork / control – power / game-like situation. The mornings were usually dedicated to one-on-one sessions, while in the afternoons we focused on many balls sessions. This was complemented with light fitness units. Of course there were also times when athletes could perform individual drills…
…Consistency is the issue when a player comes to the table and is ready to perform a long series of strokes. The question is: do I need to play 15-20 balls consecutively while the length of the rally in a regular match is on average only 3-4 balls? It looks like at times players want to succeed in a very long-lasting rally and do not care enough when the rally is very short. I know this can be a good subject of discussion and I am very glad to start it and reply to questions if there are any…
…The camp was very well organised. We were met by good local sparring partners, and players enjoyed watching a Champions League match between the local team STK Starr and French side GV Hennebont. The match ended 3-1 for the guests.” Massimo Costantini
The 2019 ITTF High Performance does not end with this camp. Next up will be the World Cadet Challenge in Poland, preceded by a Hopes Team training camp. In December, the Hopes Squad, comprising players selected after the World Hopes Week and Challenge held in Oman this past July will convene for their first training camp together, and another opportunity for Under 21 players is under consideration.
Sachin Shetty, coach of Diya Chitale, had nothing but praise for the camp’s organisation:
“The practice sessions were well planned by Massimo. He requested feedback from all coaches partaking in the camp, which created a sense of bonding and a positive attitude amongst the coaches. The sequences were planned according to match situations, which was very important for the players in order to prepare for the tournament and give them an edge. Planning these kinds of camps before a tournament is very good for players and coaches, as it helps to understand where the student may need to improve…
…I am really happy to have been part of this camp. Thanks to ITTF, Max and TTFI (Table Tennis Federation of India) for giving me and Diya this opportunity.” Sachin Shetty
Are you a flashy wing? A workhorse of a lock? A prop who doesn't take a backward step? Or a fly-half who directs the team?
With England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales all deep into their World Cup campaigns in Japan, find out where you would fit into their line-ups.
Just answer these questions to find out which rugby position suits you best.*
*Part - or in fact all - of this fun quiz is based on classic generalisations and well-worn stereotypes that may or may not be true in real life...
Warren Gatland's players joined a select club with their momentous World Cup win over Australia on Sunday, becoming only the second Wales team to win in seven encounters with the Wallabies in the tournament's history.
Ross Moriarty, however, could already claim some sort of honorary membership, as both his father and uncle were in the last Wales side to triumph in a World Cup match against Australia.
That was back in 1987, the third-place play-off in the first edition of the competition, when dad Paul was at number eight and uncle Richard was in the second row.
The brothers were renowned as fierce, imposing competitors and Ross has upheld the family's reputation as an abrasive back-rower.
Paul must have been beaming with pride, then, when he watched from the crowd at Tokyo Stadium on Sunday as his son come on as a replacement to help Wales cling on to a monumental win.
"Dad's very emotional when it comes to me playing rugby, especially for Wales," says Ross.
"To be involved for this World Cup again, it was a big one. They just know, bench or start, when I've come off I will have given everything - that's all they know I can do.
"My dad and my uncle were in the 1987 team that last beat Australia at a World Cup. My parents came out for the game and have gone home now, but it was a special day for me."
Do Moriarty's parents have plans to return to Japan at some point?
"When we get to the final, yeah," he laughs.
Moriarty is quick to clarify that is a light-hearted remark, but it is not without sincerity.
Even if Wales' players and coaches are not thinking beyond next week's Pool D match against Fiji, they have given themselves the perfect start with two wins from their opening two matches.
There is a strong belief among the group in Japan that they could become the first Wales side to win a World Cup, but they will not allow themselves to look that far ahead at this point.
That is because there can be no room for complacency in this squad, not when a seemingly nailed-on first-choice player such as Moriarty has been limited to two appearances from the bench so far in this tournament.
The 25-year-old was Wales' starting number eight as they won the Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year and, with 36 caps to his name, the 2017 British and Irish Lions tourist is playing in his second World Cup.
But it is his 22-year-old Dragons team-mate, Aaron Wainwright, who has started in his place in Japan so far, enhancing his burgeoning reputation with two excellent performances alongside the ever-impressive Justin Tipuric and Josh Navidi in the back-row.
"I've started a lot of games in the last few campaigns. To be on the bench is obviously disappointing for myself, but I know my role in the team and when I come on the pitch it changes that mindset for me," Moriarty says.
"I came on for 35 minutes at the weekend and it felt like I'd played the 80. For those boys starting it is tough. I've got quite a lot of experience and 36 caps.
"I've started a lot of those games, but coming off the bench I'm aiming to give the boys energy and put my front foot forward."
For a player so aggressive on the pitch, Moriarty seems remarkably measured when he assesses his own role in the Wales side.
It is genuine too, and head coach Gatland has praised the Dragons enforcer for the way he has responded to losing his place in the team.
"It was disappointing not to get the start, but putting that aside the bigger picture is to help the team and make sure we prepare as well as we can and be that opposition in training," Moriarty adds.
He has certainly done that, training with the kind of ferocity that saw blood spilled during some sessions last week, according to captain Alun Wyn Jones.
Moriarty is a man who plays the game on the edge, a bulldozing carrier and a wholehearted tackler prone to the occasional moment when the red mist descends.
No wonder, therefore, that Wales played with such intensity against Australia, having prepared with such fiery training sessions.
"We want to push each other as hard as we can, whether that's physicality, fitness, and when we have to smash each other, we just smash each other," says Moriarty.
"It's 100% going into training because we know that's going to be the best way to prepare ourselves for tough games.
"Obviously not all the time but I was quite fresh and maybe some of the other boys weren't quite so fresh. I enjoyed that side of training last week and that obviously showed in the game, so we prepped well and we put it in on the pitch."
Moriarty played his part in a memorable victory, replacing Wainwright early in the second half to help Wales withstand a strong Australian fightback.
Wainwright has been one of the breakthrough stars of this World Cup, and his industrious display against the Wallabies will make it difficult for Moriarty to reclaim his starting place.
Whether it is for the whole 80 minutes, 40 or less, however, Moriarty knows what makes him a valuable member of this squad.
"Presence and imposing myself physically on opponents," he says.
"Coming off the pitch, I know I've put 100% into every tackle I've done.
"My intention is never to go out and hurt anyone or do anyone harm, but to put that physicality into the game and to do what I need to be doing is a big boost for the team."
Rugby World Cups take time, because the turnaround between games has to allow recovery, and Rugby World Cups create time, because there is only so much training even a professional's body and mind can take.
Into those gaps can come boredom, and mischief, and trouble. There might be computer games, quizzes, box sets. Into the empty hours too can come more intellectual stimulation than you might imagine.
This England rugby team have been enjoying a little cricket in their downtime. They were at it on the open spaces between their hotel and the Toyohira river up in Sapporo on the morning of their opening match against Tonga, and they have spread the field once again here in Tokyo.
On a video posted on his social media platforms, Maro Itoje can be seen dismissing his Saracens team-mate Jamie George with a brute of a ball that leaps off a length to produce a catch at short leg.
It's an impressive delivery, the classic fast bowler's wicket, but not particularly representative of how the 24-year-old has been relaxing before a match against Argentina that the Pumas' hooker Agustin Creevy has said will resemble a war.
"A lot of my team-mates have a laugh at my techniques for bowling," flanker Itoje told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"But sometimes it's dangerous to underestimate your opponents. And I'm afraid Jamie George underestimated me. And what do you know, he's been sent packing.
"There's a lot to do out here. There are also a lot of distractions - you can do 101 different things in each city. For me, I'm here to play rugby, so my preparation gets me in shape."
That preparation has included listening to political podcasts and reading books on cultural history. Itoje's politics degree from the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies may be in the bag, but the interests have kicked on past.
"I had one or two modules with Japan, mainly about the imperial past, contrasting the Japanese empire with other empires that were around in the West and in Africa, which was really interesting," says Itoje.
"I'm a big fan of podcasts. I've actually just started a new one - The Economist Asks - which is very good.
"I've been listening too to Political Thinking with Nick Robinson, I'm a fan of that one. Reasons to be Cheerful with Ed Miliband. Then there's the Alastair Campbell one which is awesome - very, very good.
"I've also been listening to the audiobook of Emma Dabiri's Don't Touch My Hair, which is about a black woman's experience of hair.
"The black woman's experience of hair is very different to the Western or Caucasian experience of hair, and it goes into racism, it goes into different stereotypes and assumptions that are made. It's very interesting."
Itoje, perhaps unsurprisingly, was the England player chosen to thank their hosts in Japanese at the team's official welcome in Miyazaki two weeks ago.
While he is modest about how he fared compared to World Rugby chairman and former England skipper Bill Beaumont - "I think my pronunciation was a little bit better than his, but it probably still wasn't great" - he also sees reflections of his own experiences in the players around him.
"Courtney Lawes is the most Zen in the squad. I've never seen a man more chilled out than Courtney," he adds.
"He never rushes anywhere - always relaxed, always in control. It's a very nice trait to have.
"I'll talk about books and big ideas with Sam Underhill. He's pretty political. He's quite engaged on all those types of things.
"There are also two of our security who have some kind of political history, so most of my conversations are actually with them, to be honest."
Pumas hooker Creevy has also described England's style as "boring" in the build-up to a game in which victory would mean almost certain qualification for the quarter-finals for Eddie Jones' men.
Argentina have not beaten England in their past nine meetings, and George - intimidated less by his opposite number than short-pitched bowling - is sanguine about the pre-match barbs.
"I don't think we do play boring rugby. I'm not overly surprised that he's tried to say that - but he's entitled to his opinion and hopefully we prove him wrong on Saturday.
"I don't think it's very justified. I'm sure he's just trying to rattle us a bit. He's more than welcome to try."
France needed three late tries to survive a scare and see off the United States for their second World Cup win.
Yoann Huget and Alivereti Raka scored early tries but France conceded regular penalties and made handling errors to keep Gary Gold's side in touch.
The USA, ranked 13th in the world, got within three points in the 64th minute but Gael Fickou and Baptiste Serin crossed in the space of three minutes.
With the bonus point secured, Jefferson Poirot added a fifth try late on.
France forward Bernard Le Roux said afterwards his side thought the match was going to be "a bit easier" and they got a "big surprise" in the first half.
"They got stuck in and gave us a tough time at the breakdowns and we didn't get clean ball," he said.
"So it was really tough, especially in the first half, and the bench did well when they came on.
"They made a big difference and we got some go-forward and our set plays opened up play on the outside."
The win moves France up to second in Pool C, one point behind England.
Eddie Jones' side ran in seven tries when they beat the US last Thursday and, despite the late points, France's performance only strengthens England's position as group favourites.
England play Argentina on Saturday and France meet Tonga on Sunday before the sides meet on 12 October in their final games of the pool stage.
France gave the score-line a flattering look with the late points that secured the precious bonus point, but for large parts of the game they were hugely disappointing.
In total they conceded 10 penalties to the USA's four and conceded 18 turnovers to their opponents' 13.
They were just six points ahead at half-time and when AJ MacGinty kicked a penalty for the USA with 16 minutes to go his side had the momentum and there appeared a real chance of an upset.
However, France took advantage when their opponents tired to follow their narrow victory over Argentina with another win.
There had been flashes of brilliance in the first half in particular, with both tries being created by the boot of fly-half Camille Lopez - the first a chip over the top and the second an excellent cross-field kick.
During a frustrating period in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, errors halted France's progress and their sloppiness was summed up when an excellent break by Sofiane Guitoune was spoiled when he passed forward to Raka when the winger had a clear run to the line.
The USA made plenty of errors of their own and could have caused France even greater problems had they made better use of good positions in the second half.
USA coach Gary Gold said:"I felt we went toe-to-toe. We did make some mistakes but we never gave up the fight.
"It's a bit sad we didn't get a try on the scoreboard, but it was just a very, very good performance."
France: Ramos; Raka, Guitoune, Fickou, Huget; Lopez, Machenaud; Baille, Chat, Setiano; Le Roux, Gabrillagues; Iturria; Camara, Picamoles (capt).
Replacements: Guirado, Poirot, Slimani, Vahaamahina, Alldritt, Serin, Ntamack, Medard.
USA: Teo; Scully (capt), Brache, Campbell, Iosefo; MacGinty, Davies; Fry, Taufetee, Lamositele; Brakeley, Civetta; Lamborn Germishuys, Hanco, Dolan
Replacements: Fawsitt, Kilifi, Mullen, Peterson, Pinkelman, De Haas, Magie, Palamo
Two-time defending champions New Zealand scored nine tries to thrash Canada and record their second convincing win at the 2019 World Cup.
Brothers Beauden, Jordie and Scott Barrett all went over as the All Blacks hit this World Cup's highest score.
They were given a penalty try after four minutes and Jordie Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams and Beauden Barrett also crossed before half-time.
Scott Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Brad Weber and Shannon Frizell also scored.
There were four tries in the first 10 minutes at the start of the second half as New Zealand tore their opponents' defence apart.
The All Blacks move up to second in Pool B, one point behind Italy - out in front courtesy of two bonus-point wins - who they play after facing Namibia on Sunday.
The victory extends New Zealand's winning run at World Cups to 16 matches - their last defeat was to France in the 2007 quarter-final - and continues their record of having never lost a pool game in the competition.
This may not have been the most balanced encounter of the tournament - pitting the winners of the past two World Cups against the second-lowest ranked team in the tournament - but New Zealand's attack was devastating.
They powered over the line inside 70 seconds but Canada were able to hold the ball up.
However it wasn't long before the first try arrived and it did so in typically imposing fashion as New Zealand forced the Canada scrum back over the line under their own posts for a penalty try.
The All Blacks had threats throughout their team with fly-half Richie Mo'unga, who also kicked eight conversions, pulling the strings and Beauden Barrett a constant menace from his new position of full-back.
The Barrett brothers became the first sibling trio to start in a World Cup for New Zealand and the family hat-trick would have been completed even earlier had Scott not dropped the ball when over the line in the first half.
Beauden also had the chance to score a 10th All Blacks try, and take the team's total to 70, but he inexplicably spilled the ball in the final minute when looking certain to score.
On the rare occasions New Zealand did have to defend they did so clinically, turning the ball over to repel Canada when they ventured into their 22.
New Zealand saw off one of their main rivals for the trophy, South Africa, in their first pool game and this emphatic win continues their ominous momentum as they bid for a third consecutive World Cup.
New Zealand: B Barrett; J Barrett, Goodhue, Williams, Ioane; Mo'unga, Perenara; Moli, Coltman, Ta'avao, Tuipulotu, S Barrett, Frizell, Todd, Read (c).
Replacements: Taylor, Tu'ungafasi, Laulala, Whitelock, Savea, Weber, Crotty, Smith.
Canada: Parfrey, Hassler, Trainor, Hearn, Van Der Merwe; Nelson, McRorie; Sears-Duru, Howard, Keith; Olmstead, Keys; Rumball, Heaton, Ardron (c).
Replacements: Quattrin, Buydens, Ilnicki, Sheppard, Larsen, Mack, Paris, Coe
OSWEGO, N.Y. – Tyler Thompson will make his pavement modified debut with Keith Rocco Racing during Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park’s World Series of Speedway Racing, Oct. 11-13.
Thompson will compete in the Sunoco Modified division at the World Series, behind the wheel of the same machine that gave NASCAR K&N Pro Series East winner Max McLaughlin his first modified start with Keith Rocco Racing.
Rocco is a seven-time Sunoco Modified champion at Thompson Speedway and currently leads the division’s point standings in 2019, with four wins on the season.
“This is another fantastic opportunity to continue to try new things,” said Thompson. “We have had on our eyes on modifieds in the past, and this opportunity to race for Keith (Rocco) at Thompson is one we could not pass up. It will be fun to pull double duty on one of the biggest asphalt racing weekends in the country.”
Thompson will also compete in the ISMA supermodified portion of the weekend, driving the Jason Simmons Racing No. 98 supermodified.
Just weeks ago, Thompson won his first winged supermodified main event in the Midwest Supermodified Series Fall Brawl at Lucas Oil Raceway Park in Indiana.
This recent partnership comes on the heels of last week’s announcement that Thompson will also compete in the 34th annual Chili Bowl Nationals, driving for Seymour Racing in January.
Thompson, who recently turned 18 years old, is the youngest champion in the history of Oswego Speedway’s Budweiser Int’l Classic 200 for supermodifieds. He most recently qualified for the $53,000 to win Fonda 200 in dirt modified competition.
HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The tense championship battles in the Professional Drag Racers Ass’n will tighten up this weekend as the series heads to Darlington Dragway for the penultimate race on the Road to the Finals, the Fall Nationals presented by $hameless Racing, Oct. 3-5.
The PDRA had to cancel their most recent event, PDRA Drag Wars presented by Pro Line Racing at GALOT Motorsports Park, because of Hurricane Dorian. Racers with a solid points lead breathed a sigh of relief, while competitors trying to move up in pursuit of the PDRA world championships will be feeling the pressure as they have just two races left to gain ground on the points leaders.
“Those round wins went from important to very important real quick with losing Drag Wars,” said Tyler Crossnoe, race director, PDRA. “We hated to lose that event – Drag Wars has always been a staple on the PDRA calendar – but Darlington is up next and the Fall Nationals will be solid as well. The points championships are going to be as dramatic as they’ve ever been now that four rounds are off the table.”
In the PDRA’s quickest and fastest class, Moroso Pro Boost, 2016 world champion Kevin Rivenbark leads the charge in his ProCharger-boosted GALOT Motorsports ’69 Camaro. Rivenbark won the season-opening East Coast Nationals at GALOT Motorsports Park and runnered-up at the Northern Nationals in Ohio.
He’s followed by Kris Thorne, who defeated Rivenbark in the Ohio final and won the North-South Shootout in Maryland in his turbocharged ’16 Corvette to sit 93 points behind first. Defending world champion Tommy D’Aprile is just 21 points behind Thorne with a win and two runner-up finishes in Al Billes’ supercharged ’69 Camaro.
Nitrous Pro Modified veteran Jim Halsey is on top in Switzer Dynamics Pro Nitrous after winning the first two races of the season and taking runner-up at Ohio in his Fulton-powered ’68 Camaro. Two-time world champion Tommy Franklin is mounting a late-season charge in his Musi-powered “Jungle Rat” 69 Camaro with 192 points behind Halsey after a dominant win at Ohio. Defending world champion Jason Harris in the Musi-powered “Party Time” ’69 Camaro sits 9 points behind Franklin with a win and a runner-up finish.
“You’re going to see two styles of racing at Darlington: you’re going to see a defensive racer and an offensive racer,” Crossnoe said. “You’re going to see the guys who are fighting for it and going at it from first round to the finals, then you’ll see the guys like Rivenbark and Halsey playing defense more than offense, trying to stay the course and keep turning on win lights.”
John Montecalvo holds a sizable 263-point lead over Jeff Dobbins in Liberty’s Gears Extreme Pro Stock. Montecalvo drove his Sonny’s-powered ’18 Camaro to runner-up finishes at Maryland and South Georgia before adding a win at Ohio. Dobbins in his Bears Performance Dodge Avenger won the Mid-Atlantic Showdown to sit second, with just under a round over Chris Powers in his Sonny’s-powered Camaro.
The defending world champion in Schwing America Pro Outlaw 632 presented by East Side Auto Transport, Johnny Pluchino, is on track to win a second title in his Kaase-powered, naturally aspirated ’06 Ford Escort with just over six rounds on the competition. He’s followed by Wes Distefano, who has two runner-up finishes in his Musi-powered, nitrous-assisted $hameless Racing ’68 Camaro. Christopher Holdorf in his Nelson-powered ’53 Corvette is third.
The tightest battle in the pro classes can be found in Drag 965 Pro Nitrous Motorcycle, where defending world champion Ronnie “Pro Mod” Smith leads 2017 world champion Travis Davis by 55 points. Smith hasn’t lost first round all season, grabbing a decisive win at Maryland. Davis lost first round at Maryland, but won the Mid-Atlantic Showdown and was the runner-up at South Georgia. Perennial championship contender Chris Garner-Jones is third with just under two rounds behind Davis.
In addition to the professional classes, the Fall Nationals will include sportsman racing in MagnaFuel Top Sportsman, Lucas Oil Top Dragster, Coolshirt Pro Jr. Dragster presented by Knoxtown Products, Gilbert Motorsports Top Jr. Dragster and Edelbrock Bracket Bash.
Racers will start the weekend with a full day of open testing on Thursday from 12-8 p.m. Friday qualifying begins at 10 a.m., followed by Friday Night Fire with two back-to-back pro qualifying sessions starting at 6 p.m. Sportsman racers will run final qualifying Saturday at 10 a.m. and eliminations beginning at noon. Professional class eliminations will begin at 4 p.m.
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – Kevin Harvick is used to having a spotlight on him in the NASCAR world, but there will be a unique focus on the Bakersfield, Calif., driver this weekend.
This weekend at Dover Int’l Speedway, most of the talk will be about Harvick and his No. 4 Busch Beer/All Harvick Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Busch loves sponsoring Harvick – no other driver more perfectly represents its brand. But in the NASCAR world, the name Busch doesn’t just stand for crisp, cold, refreshing beer, and it’s been giving free advertising to Harvick’s rivals for too long.
To show its appreciation for Harvick and to make sure there is no confusion about who the brand’s guy truly is, Busch is going All–Harvick in Dover for the NASCAR Cup Series race.
Every Busch branded item at Dover will now say “Harvick,” instead. It won’t just be the paint scheme on Harvick’s No. 4 Ford Mustang or his firesuit, but everything at the track – even the Busch beer at the concession stands – will have the driver’s name.
“Harvick beer,” quipped the 2014 Cup champion. “It doesn’t get much better than that.”
A win at Dover in the Busch Beer/All Harvick scheme would be beneficial in a lot of ways for Harvick and the No. 4 team. If he takes the checkered flag first, he will automatically advance to the Round of 8 because, if you win, you’re in.
If he did so, Harvick would also tie his boss Tony Stewart for 14th on the NASCAR Cup Series all-time wins list at 49 career victories. And it would put him within one win of 50 Cup Series victories. Only 13 drivers are members of the 50-win club.
Harvick scored his first Dover win in October 2015, when he started 15th, led 355 of 400 laps and beat runner-up Kyle Busch by 2.639 seconds. He scored his second win at the concrete mile oval in May 2018, when he started second, led 201 of 400 laps and finished 7.450 seconds ahead of SHR teammate Clint Bowyer.
Sunday will mark Harvick’s 38th Cup Series start Sunday at Dover. In addition to his two wins, he has one pole, seven top fives, 18 top 10s and has led 1,443 laps.
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