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Everything to Know About SRX, the Latest Motorsport Series

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A fan gives Tony Stewart the thumbs up in the autograph signing tent


Take a dozen of the finest race car drivers in motorsports, put them behind the wheel of identical stock cars, then let them tear up a short track as fast as they can. That’s the basic premise of The Camping World SRX race series, which kicked off Saturday night at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway.

 

 

SRX, or the Superstar Racing Experience, is the creation of Sandy Montag, George Pyne, Ray Evernham, and racing icon Tony Stewart.

After finishing third in the season’s inaugural event, the NASCAR Hall of Famer told Men’s Journal the concept of the series is, “To pick the best drivers in the world to run six straight weekends, and go to some of the best and coolest short tracks most people haven’t heard of.”

A fan gives Tony Stewart the thumbs up in the autograph signing tent. Nicholas McClelland

Motorsports fans in the know appreciate a short track for rapidly vacillating action. “The shorter track makes for more excitement. Quick, fast laps with everybody fighting for position—it’s definitely fun to watch,” says Eric Marquis, who came to watch the race in Stafford from Portland, CT.

Stewart believes many race fans have a thirst for new, more unique experiences, and SRX is an attempt to quench that. “I just feel like the future of motorsports, the best part of it is going to be done on short tracks,” he says. “The fan base that goes to short track races on a weekly basis speaks for itself.”

Spectators cheering at Stafford Motor Speedway.
Spectators cheering at Stafford Motor Speedway. Nicholas McClelland

Those fans came out in droves. Over 10,000 spectators sold out the event at Stafford. One such aficionado, Joe Carofano, of East Haven, CT, says he frequents many of New England’s short tracks. “It’s an unbelievable time,” he says. “I’m a big Tony Stewart fan!” But he did have a complaint: “The one thing I’m disappointed about with this new series is they ran out of SRX shirts. That’s the only thing. How do you run out of merch when it’s a new series?”

This is about good drivers coming together in cars we’ve never driven to slug it out.

While running out of merchandise is a bummer for fans keen on grabbing some in-person, it’s certainly a good sign for both the potential popularity of the series for a larger TV audience and the fan excitement for events to come. Plus, spectators who missed out, or were watching on the CBS Saturday Night broadcast, can always order memorabilia online.

If you missed the race in Stafford, here are six things to know about the new series.

1. The Drivers

The series will feature 10 of the biggest names in racing as full-time drivers. Tony Stewart, of course, joins Tony Kanaan, Paul Tracy, Bobby Labonte, Willy T. Ribbs, Bill Elliott, Ernie Francis Jr., Marco Andretti, Helio Castroneves, and Michael Waltrip. The field at each race will be bolstered to 12 with at least one local hero racer invited to suit up alongside the regulars. “Make 12 even cars and let the drivers’ personalities and driving styles shine,” Stewart says. “That’s what it’s all about.”

2. The Tracks

After SRX’s debut at Stafford, the series heads to a duo of dirt tracks at Knoxville Raceway in Iowa on June 19, then Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. On June 26, the drivers will find themselves racing on pavement ovals again on July 3, at Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis. Racers will hit the track at Slinger Speedway in Wisconsin on July 10 before its season finale July 17 at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway for the culmination of the championship.

3. The Cars

During the series, racers are driving stock machines designed by NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief and team owner Ray Evernham. They have a 700 horsepower Ilmor 396 motor fitted with Edelbrock Group components. They’re also built to trade a rather good bit of paint, so race fans can expect to see some contact and cars come back to the field in short order after repairs. Given that cars are drawn at random before each event, drivers will likely be sitting behind a different wheel each race. Racers will also swap out pit crews every time.

Doug Coby leading the race at Stafford./
Doug Coby leading the race at Stafford. Nicholas McClelland

4. The Format

The SRX folks have made the events easy to follow—even for motorsport novices: There are two 15-minute heats followed by a 100-lap main event (150 at Slinger Speedway.) A random draw sets up the starting order in the first heat, while the lineup in the second heat is determined by the first session’s finishing position, which is flipped, so last is first. For the main event, position is set by the finishing order of heat two. Points are awarded in all three race stages and at the end of the season, the driver with the most triumphs is champion.

5. The Wild Card Locals

In the season opener at Stafford, the local driver and not-a-big-name legend emerged victorious. Connecticut native Doug Coby, who’s found his success on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, notched the win after leading 80 of 100 laps in the main event.

“Home track knowledge definitely helped,” says Coby, who’s won at Stafford 30 times in various formats. So the season regulars and viewers should keep an eye on the local talent. “It’s fun to be acknowledged, to have a seat at the table,” he adds, still beaming on the track after his win. “More discussion and more inclusion of short tracks, modified, that’s just good for racing.”

Local racers for the upcoming events include four-time Knoxville track champion Brian Brown, five-time USAC Silver Crown champion Kody Swanson at Eldora, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour winner Bobby Santos III at Lucas Oil Raceway, and the winner of the July 6 Slinger Nationals will fire up a motor at the Slinger event.

“This is about lots of good drivers coming together in cars we’ve never driven to slug it out,” Coby said.

6. The Broadcast

Even for fans who can’t make it to the races, the TV experience should be fantastic to watch on TV or streaming.
Along with a typical broadcast battery of cameras, each car is outfitted with two cameras on board, while numerous drones will add dynamic views of the action. The races will be broadcast on CBS as well as Paramount +.

 

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10 Best Porters to Drink Right Now

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A bottle of Deschutes Black Butte Porter




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Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength

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Barbell Back Squat


The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.

“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.

If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.

Directions

Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.

Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength

Circuit 1

Marius Bugge

A. Barbell Back Squat

Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts renegade row
Marius Bugge

B. Renegade Row

Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side

Circuit 2

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing renegade row Dumbbell Bentover Row in gym
Marius Bugge

A. Dumbbell Bentover Row

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised 
Marius Bugge

B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised 

Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps

Circuit 3

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Marius Bugge

A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat

Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Marius Bugge

B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift

Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side

Circuit 4

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing pullup
Marius Bugge

A. Pullup

Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Marius Bugge

B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press

Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps

Circuit 5

A. Dumbbell Pushup

Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps

B. Biceps Curl

Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps


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The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout

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The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout




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