2017 North American Auto Club (SILLY SEASON!)

Ratings: Both driver's car class will be Rank B.

Carl Winston: Rank B
Nicholas Radcliff: Rank A (you can put his aggression at 100-100 for the lolz because this Canadian is very aggressive).

Carl Winston's home town is Idabel, Oklahoma.
Nicholas Radcliff's home town is Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.

Lexie Percy irate after second consecutive incident with Rogers-Ashby

Lexie Percy was left angered after the Lehigh Valley 150 at Nazareth Speedway after she was involved in an incident with Matthews Atlantic Motorsports driver Kellan Rogers-Ashby for the second race in a row. Last week at Waterbury Park, Kellan Rogers-Ashby got into the back of Percy, nearly turning her around as Percy was holding the bottom to let faster cars by. Both cars were multiple laps down at the time of the incident, and Percy eventually got turned by Lucy Barnton later on in the stint.

During this weeks race at Nazareth, Kellan Rogers-Ashby turned the #45 of Trey Ashby exiting the second turn, sending him spinning into the path of Lexie Percy, who suffered major damage in the accident. Percy was able to continue but ended up involved in a lap 100 incident, again in turn 2, which eventually eliminated her from the race.

However, it was the incident with Lexie Percy that had her uncharacteristically riled up, as she didn't hold back during a post-race interview.

"I'm fine. It was a tough race, but I'm starting to learn that some people don't deserve to be driven with respect out there." said Percy, "I'm just starting to get really tired of getting pushed around, especially by [Kellan] Rogers-Ashby. Last week at Waterbury really annoyed me, because she didn't even try to pass me cleanly, and it's the same thing again this week. She wrecked someone out of impatience and I got caught up in it. It's okay, though. I just know how to race her in the future."

Percy then asked if the previous incidents during the Dash Cup days between Kellan Rogers-Ashby and her older sister Hannah Percy had any impact on her feelings, but Percy shook her head side to side.

"No. That didn't have anything to do with it. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since that's how she's always driven, though."

After a tough run of race, Lexie Percy drops to 19th in points, still winning the team battle ahead of Riley McKee, who is 22nd in points. Part timer Cassie Collins has both drivers beat, however, as she is still sat 15th in points despite having only been in 11 races so far.

Tender leaves Reach Motors in frustration, Team owner to finish off season
After a disastrous season to say the least, Max Tender announced he was leaving Reach Motorsports effective immediately.
"I have had it up to here with the incompetence of my crew. Lorne [Stevenson] is a great guy and all, but I'll be damned if I ever came across a crew who is more incompetent than what I witnessed all season." Tender told to reporters.
Shortly afterwards, team owner Lorne Stevenson had announced that he will step in the #71 Polymer Oil Inglesby for the final three races. Stevenson told reporters that "It is only a temporary solution and my team intends on hiring anyone with experience who is interested in racing for us."

Lee Schmidt wins 3rd career race

In what would be called a wacky race in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Lee Schmidt came out of the chaos with career win #3 and his first since Chicago in 2017. With a up and down 2018 season, this was the 3rd straight top 10 for Lee. He also jumped 6 spots to 17th in the standings.

Harsh penalties following Farmstop 200k

After what could only described as a complete wreckfest, series officials sent a multitude of penalties, beginning with the #61 of Emma Yan, which was penalized with 25 championship points, the #75 of Grant Carsons will not be allowed to take part in first practice for Texas, #83 of Tammy Barnton was docked 15 points, Charlie Smith was penalized with 5 points, Michelle Overton and Kelly Ashcroft were docked 10 points each, closing the penalties for the weekend, Andrew Cross was penalized 5 points.

Series president Paul Martin called a press conference following the race and declared in it: "We saw too many completely unnecessary incidents, that are overshadowing the great battle for the title we've been seeing, if it has to be this way, then it'll be this way then, we'll start a zero tolerance system, if you wreck someone in a way we deem detrimental or dangerous to the other drivers, you will suffer strong penalties. I believe most people want to be done with this behavior, and I really don't want to force it, but at this point, the series will have to come in with a strong arm."

Long Family Autosport Stun Paddock, Take 4th Place Finish

In a crash filled race full of drama and controversy, the highlight of the standings was provided by a small family operation with a lawyer turned driver. The #191 New York University Saar driven by Ryan Long was able to weave his way through the chaos and claim the team's first top 5 since 2016, Ryan's first career top 5, and hearts of racing fans.

Ryan Long's race manager, Jason Vedder, and brother Tony Long decided to copy the strategy of eventual race winner Ryan Griffin.

"At the time, we didn't really think we had a chance at a top 10" Vedder stated. "We just wanted to do something that was easy to follow and wouldn't risk a bigger problem of fuel shortage."

As the race started, several incidents happened around Ryan that gave Vedder and the Long brothers hope of a possible great result. Several front runners including Thomas Tucker, Kelly Ashcroft, and Joel Rodriguez tripped over each other and over lapped cars to propel the 191 up the standings sheet.

"I kept seeing these wrecks happening and destroyed cars almost everywhere" Vedder said. "But I also saw that Ryan's car was very clean and I kept watching his position get closer and closer to 1st. It kept making me more and more nervous seeing him closer to the top 5 so fast in his career."

"Ryan kept asking me what position he was in" Tony started. "I wouldn't tell him exactly, I would just tell him to focus on the road and not about the number next to you on the standings sheet. I didn't tell where he was until 3 laps to go and I have never heard him so confused by anything."

Ryan Long was able to keep his cool as he does in the courtroom and bring the car home almost 38 seconds back of the winner to finish 4th, claiming another huge result for the small family operation. While Ryan Griffin was celebrating in victory lane, the 191 crew were the loudest at Virginia International Raceway as they were seen celebrating their massive result.

After climbing out of the car, several race reporters, drivers, and team owners went up to the 191 car to congratulate Ryan and the crew on their fantastic showing.

"I am absolutely amazed," Ryan stated to a reporter. "This whole season, we felt like we were not going to do much...but we persevered, kept working, kept fighting to show the others, the fans, and the media that a small team can get great results. We have had several top 15s and top 10s but...P4!?!?...are you kidding me!?!?...this is unreal. (Pointing at the crew) These guys got me this result, they were great all day long, they have had my back all season, and they earned this finish. This crazy idea Tony had worked out a little *laughs*. I can't wait for 2019."

The North American Auto Club Launch Energy Series finishes the 2018 season with a stop in Texas and in Las Vegas.

Matthews: Cut the crap, drivers - NOW
In what could best be described as a - er, contentious - post-race debriefing, Matthews Atlantic Motorsports team boss Ryan Matthews laid down the law to his quartet of drivers.

The next driver to mess with Lexie Percy answers to him.

With several high-profile incidents involving MAM drivers and the No. 2 car driven by Percy (who drives for one of Matthews' best friends, Ben Atkins) in recent weeks dominating headlines, Matthews made it clear that further shenanigans involving Percy - or any other HQS Racing driver, for that matter - would not be looked on kindly.

"I think I made my point," he said. "I didn't bring this group together so they could tear up equipment and wreck race cars - mine or someone else's. Either their driving standards improve or I'll find other drivers. It's that simple."

GRIFFIN SCORES 2ND CAREER NAAC WIN; RETAKES CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD AFTER TUCKER'S DNF

Ike Durbin Racing's, Ryan Griffin came into this season with the goal of being a championship contender. For much of this season, that has been the case with having the most top 5s and top 10s of the drivers current in the top 10 in points. However, the Michigan native felt that to truly be a legitimate championship contender he needed to find victory lane.

Then the Nazareth NAAC Launch Energy event happened. After causing of the two major accidents to occur that day, he found himself going from 5 points behind title rival Thomas Tucker to 23 behind. Griffin, while he did not comment publicly on what happened, did privately apologize to those involved.

That brings us to VIR. After series officials issues a penalty to the 86 machine, Griffin found himself starting 14th in a car he had limited practice time in. But, sometimes you just need a bit of luck. Griffin found himself on Tucker's rear bumper when Tucker and Emma Yan got to together sending the then championship leader of the road and out of the hunt for the race win. Realizing the opportunity ahead of him, Griffin quietly worked his way into contention for the race win. After then leader Bud Abbott had a run in with Jamaal Schmidt, the #1 car slowed allowing Griffin to close the gap and Griffin took command of the lead after contact with the lapped car of Yan caused Abbott to slid off track and out of the lead.

Griffin would not look back leading the most laps in route to his first win of the year and 2nd of his NAAC career. Griffin had a lot to say post race.

"First and foremost, I want to apologize to Bud [Abbott] and that entire 1 team. I don't know what the 61 was doing and I knew I wanted to get by her as soon as I could I don't like that the 1 team had to get the short end of that.

Man, I can't begin to express how much I love this crew and this team. These guys work their butts off week in week out and I really felt like I disappointed them the most in Nazareth. But, to come out here, limited practice time, and for them to give me what I had today is just too much. I know Thomas [Tucker] had a rough day. Again the 61 was brainless, we almost ended up with 9 in the same situation, but luck was with us today and we made the most of it.

This championship battle is not over by any means and just because we had an xx amount a point lead doesn't mean anything. All I can say is I hope Thomas and his team give it their all and we do as well and may the best team win."

Griffin holds a 22 point lead over Tucker with 2 races remaining on the schedule.

Thomas Tucker and Ashcroft Family Racing win the 2018 NAAC Launch Energy Championship Series

After 200 exciting laps, Thomas Tucker was the man to lift the North American Auto Club Founders' Cup, team owner and former four-time NAAC Champion Jack Ashcroft was the first to congratulate Tucker as he went out of the car, and was reported saying "We knew you could do it son, you had it in you.", Julia Ashcroft, which drove the #9 from 2007 until 2016, when she hand picked Tucker to drive the car was among the team members that hoarded Tucker as he got into Victory Lane with race winner Megan MacDonald.

"This is unbelievable, since 2014 we've been hitting the post, failing to get one, and now Tommy finally gives us something to celebrate about, I feel like I'm gonna melt in happiness, man." - said an extremely ecstatic Tom Ashcroft.

This is Ashcroft Family Racing's 10th title since the foundation of the team in 1991, effectively making it the most successful active team in series' history by fairly large margin.

Fitzgerald, Moore, McKee, Ashcroft, Hanley and Wyman released from infield care center

After two large wrecks early and late in the race, Carter Fitzgerald, Alexis Wyman, Luke Lanigan, Kelly Ashcroft and Mac Hanley were reported to get taken to the infield care center, there were conflicting reports of Fitzgerald getting taken to the University Medical Center for further evaluation due to a possible injury or concussion scare.

Another two drivers were taken to UMC for further evaluation, being Fitzgerald's teammate Flannery Moore and Riley McKee, which were involved in a large scale wreckage with eight laps remaining, with Moore flipping and McKee "soaring" with all four wheels in the air. Both took an slightly extended time to get out of their cars, but were able to get out with minimal assistance from the safety crews.

Neither Matthews Atlantic Motorsports or HQS Racing has commented on the matter so far.

Other drivers taken to the infield care center were Kelly Ashcroft, which declared "I'm fine, couldn't be better, but we need to look into these wrecks, the cars may be safer than in the past, but these superspeedways are still quite dangerous in itself. As for me, I'll be fine, will just feel sore in the morning, I guess."

Marcus Stanton Motorsports teammates Mac Hanley and Alexis Wyman were not reached for commentary at the writing of this article.

Long Family Autosport Claims 11th in Teams Championship, Ryan Gets 3rd in ROTY

As the North American Auto Club Launch Energy Series closes the book on 2018, Long Family Autosport looked back at a season full of surprises, controversy, and heroism by a surprising name.

The season started off hot for Tony Long as he was able to claim a top 10 in Miami after a 5th place qualifying effort. Tony was, however, quoted as calling the Saar Carolina an "underpowered lawnmower" after his race complaining of how the engine was in the car.

Tony was able to qualify for both superspeedway races even though he crashed out of both of them. He made headlines with fellow competitor Ben Atkins after the race at New York Autoring. After claims by Atkins that they "had the race in the bag," Tony voiced his displeasure at the HQS owner for his claims. The displeasure erupted in to a small Twitter feud between the 2 that eventually died out before the race at Watkins Glen.

"I think we both overreacted" Tony said. "I understood why he (Ben Atkins) said that and I believe he understood my displeasure about it. It was childish on both of our parts and their is water under the bridge on my part and I hope Ben feels the same way."

Tony's 2018 NAAC season ended just short of the finish line with another crash at the end of the race in Vegas with Tammy Barnton. While Tony's campaign in NAAC didn't go well, his older brother Ryan is able to tell a much more positive story full of triumphs.

Ryan Long entered the 2018 season in the Launch Energy series with many doubters pointing out his lack of experience in any sort of racecar. He started proving his doubters wrong as early as Lake Afton.

Lake Afton saw very treacherous driving conditions on a very narrow race track. In these treacherous conditions, Ryan Long was able to qualify 4th and he finished the race in 11th on his first road course race. As if one treacherous road course race wasn't enough, he managed to get a top 10 in a rain soaked race in Trois-Riveires.

Ryan claimed his first career top 10 in the controversial race at IRP with a 9th place effort fending off fellow rookies Carter Fitzgerald and Cassie Collins and veterans such as Danny Hamilton and Boyd Abbott.

Ryan was able to claim 2 massive results for Long Family Autosport late in the season which helped boost the team to finish tied for 11th in the teams championship and helped Ryan finish 3rd in Rookie of the Year.

At Waterbury Park, home of Matthews Atlantic, Ryan was able to take a 33rd place qualifying effort and turned it in to a fantastic 6th place effort after avoiding a massive crash which took out several cars and involved many others.

Just 2 races after his stellar run in Waterbury, he went to VIR, the final road course race of the year and pulled off Long Family Autosport's first and only top 5 of the season with a 4th place finish in a crashed filled race seeing several incidents involving the front runners.

"The results in Waterbury, IRP, Trois-Rivieres, Lake Afton, and VIR were not seen coming by any of us" Ryan stated. "I just did what my brother told me to do, 'keep the car clean and don't worry about where you are running.' Turns out that was some pretty good advice to go with and it paid off in the long run."

Ryan finished his stellar rookie season by coming home with a 12th place effort in Vegas which helped him finish 3rd in Rookie of the Year narrowly beating out Cassie Collins and helped Long Family Autosport finish tied for 11th with Turbosports in the teams championship.

"I had a great time driving this season" Ryan said. "I accomplished way more than I expected or what anyone expected with a few top 10s and that 4th in VIR which I still can hardly believe happened. I have a lot to look forward to this season with the birth of my first child and hopefully taking this operation to a new level."

Overall, 2018 was a massive success for Long Family Autosport that has the team extremely excited about 2019 and what the next decade will hold for them. Their has been some very quiet talks amongst the Long brothers of possibly opening a 3rd car for the 2020 season with 2 full time drives and a part time drive. Neither Ryan nor Tony was going to comment on the rumor although Tony stated, "maybe."

Official statement on status of Carter Fitzgerald and Flannery Moore
In today's event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway drivers Carter Fitzgerald and Flannery Moore were both involved in scary incidents in which both drivers' cars went airborne.

Both drivers were evaluated at the infield care center and transferred to University Medical Center for precautionary reasons. Fitzgerald was evaluated for concussion-like symptoms and subsequently diagnosed with a Grade 1 concussion and was held overnight for observation. We're pleased to report she has since been released and is returning home to her (very relieved) husband.

Flannery Moore reported similar symptoms and received a similar diagnosis. She was also treated and released.

We will have no further comment on this matter at this time.

GRIFFIN LOSES TITLE TO TUCKER BY A SINGLE POINT; SCORES BEST CAREER POINTS FINISH

It was day that started all smiles but ended in defeat. Ike Durbin Inc. driver, Ryan Griffin started the day with a 2 point lead over Thomas Tucker in the championship standing. However 200 eventful laps, the Michigan native was left wondering what could have been.

Upon exiting his 86 machine, Griffin's first move was to find and congratulate Tucker on his title win. Returning from where the makeshift champions victory lane was, Griffin address the reporters who had gathered around him.

"I first want to apologize to Austin [Sanders] and the #7 team. I got a good run off [turn] 2 and tried to power under him and I hooked him. It was unintentional, but I wrecked him and I hate it for that team.

We did all we could today. There were times Thomas [Tucker] was better then us and he'd come back to us. It was just a chess game all day today. He was where he needed to be at the end. It was a fantastic battle till the end and I hope we can do it again next season and get one spot better.

I'm not sure what happened that last green flag lap though. I was just trying to get all I could and next thing I know I had car slam my right side and the spotter was yelling caution and I just was doing what I could to hang on to the car.

I can't say enough about this 86 team. We fought hard this year and I feel like I let these guys down but not giving them what they really deserve. It's been an absolute blast and I can't wait for next season."

After speaking, Griffin received a number of back pats from his crew members and crew chief. He was also spotted heading for the #7 hauler apparently on his way to apologize to Sanders and his crew.

Riley McKee uninjured after monster accident at Las Vegas

HQS Racing have confirmed that Canadian Riley McKee was uninjured after a frightening airborne accident with only a handful of laps to go in the NAAC season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The incident was sparked when Tammy Barnton and McKee's HQS teammate, Caitlin Richler made contact entering turn 1. Richler and Joel Rodriguez spun up the track, and hit the wall, before McKee drove under the #52 of Richler. McKee was then struck by Flannery Moore in an impact that sent McKee high into the air, and sent Moore flipping down the banking.

McKee took time to get out of his car, and was eventually assisted by series officials and teammate Caitlin Richler, who was also eliminated from the race due to the accident. McKee appears to catch his breath after the impact, while friend Richler seemingly expressed her concern. Eventually McKee walked with Richler to the ambulance and was released after an extensive check up.

McKee was not interviewed immediately after the accident but Richler was immediately after being released from the care centre.

"It scared the life out of me." said Richler, "I wasn't too frightened by being on top of Riley's car, but I saw Flannery [Moore] come into the wreck and I actually heard the impact it was so hard. I'm lucky my car didn't get launched into the air, or the catchfence, but I wasn't concerned about that at the time. I just wanted to know Riley and Flannery were okay more than anything. I ran over to Riley's car and was the first there but he told me he was just winded. I'm still concerned for him, though. It was a hell of a crash."

"I'm not really sure about what caused the accident, but times like this just open your eyes to the fact that it really doesn't matter. As long as everyone climbs out of their cars to race another day, that's what's really important."

McKee was later interviewed about the incident later on in the post race, and he confirmed that he was okay.

"I'm fine. It was a hell of a hit, but I was super lucky it was the passenger side that took the impact." said McKee, "I was concerned for Caitlin at first because she took a pretty big hit to end up on top of my car, but then I was flying before I knew it. I'm okay, though. Hopefully Flannery is okay after that one. She really took a nasty lick there."

McKee was rather teasingly questioned about Caitlin Richler's reaction to the accident, to which he found amusement in it.

"She's a hell of a girl, isn't she? She came running over to me and checked that I was okay, then stuck by my side the entire time, still concerned. Even so, it's good to have friends in the garage like that. It shows the good nature of everyone in NAAC."

Riley McKee will return to the #22 team in 2019, while Caitlin Richler will also make her full-time return to the series, joining McKee at HQS Racing.

Thomas Tucker takes first NAAC championship in sensational battle with Ryan Griffin

It was a battle to remember at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as Thomas Tucker overcame a slight point deficit to Ryan Griffin to come out on top, winning the NAAC Launch Energy Championship Series title by just a single point. Tucker took only two wins en route to his championship, and scored less top 5's and 10's to Griffin, but was consistent, finishing inside the top 20 in every race he finished, and leading 10% of the laps he ran; a better ratio than anyone else in the series.

Tucker, in his second season with Ashcroft Family Racing, has given the team their 10th championship since their inception in 1991, and becomes the fourth driver to win a NAAC championship in the famous #9 car; the first not born into the Ashcroft family.

Tucker did not hold back in his interview, coming to tears when explaining how he felt.

"This is an absolutely incredible feeling." said Tucker, "It's... really hard to take this all in at the moment. It honestly doesn't feel real! To come from where I have in the past... to make the mistakes I have... and to be given a lifeline and be here now. It's so hard to fathom that after all that has happened in my life that I can, and have done something like this. For the Ashcrofts to take a chance on me means the world to me and this is my way of thanking them. Even still, I'm so grateful for the chance I've been given and this really means the world to me."

"It just shows... if you put your mind to something, you can achieve anything. I use to be so pessimistic about dreams coming true, but the last couple of years in my life, where I've matured and bettered myself as a person.. I've learned that dreams do come true, but you have to work for them. I hope people take from what I've done with the help of my family, who never gave up on me, my team, my friends... to just go for what you want. It takes a hell of a lot, but it's damn well worth it. This is the best thing to ever happen to me and I know I'm going around in circles, but again, I'm just thankful."

"My family kept pushing me to pursue my dreams. Seeing my sister, Ashley, win races and going for the champion in TM Lights a few years ago was a massive inspiration for me. When my relationship with my sister was rebuilt, she never once gave up on me. She always told me that I could do it. The people who motivated me got me here, and now I want to do the same for those dear me around me. It's the best thing I can do."

Tucker will attempt to defend his NAAC title in 2019 as he returns to the famous #9 car for Ashcroft Family Racing.

The GripAll Challenge Series is the main of the two NAAC touring series, formed in the late 80's as an answer to the SCRA.

The championship bases much of its racing in the American northeast and eastern Canada, with the 2017 schedule dedicating 13 of its 22 races to the region. The series is perceived as the largest stock car racing sanctioning body outside of PCC and often serves the purpose of driver development, even more so with the advent of the promotion/relegation system employed by PCC, which impedes teams from participating in more than one series.

The Imago Super Late Model tour is a summer series that only contests races in the northeastern United States. More often than not its field is composed by veterans from the GripAll challenge and rookies seeking to take their first steps into stardom. The short, 8 race calendar allows multiple teams to contest it without needing to travel nationally.

The system will be the same across both series.

In NASCAR Racing 2003 Season, each AI car has a set of ratings that determines its competitiveness in multiple categories.

The ratings that people are to send in are divided into the following sections:

ratings sections:

All pit crews will be rated 0-100 in everything except Strategy, which will be 80-100.

For each section, you will submit ratings of 3, 6, 9, and 12. These are the numbers added to the base rating in each section. If you do not send me ratings, you will default to the base ratings with no modifications, which will be a slight disadvantage.

ratings classes:

Ratings class assignments for all drivers and teams in both NAAC touring series are listed in the spoilers below, organized alphabetically by first name. Drivers and teams will remain in the same class regardless of the series that they participate in.

driver classes:

team classes: