Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Today's Drag Racing News

Erica Ortiz Is A Professional Drag Racer
RightFielders Women in Sports
Not much has been mentioned in regards to Drag racing star Erica Ortiz lately. Reportedly diagnosed with Cervical Cancer last year, the lady of FFW Pro 5.0 ...
See all stories on this topic

Media Matters: Texas puts the heat on NHRA
Radioactive Drag Racing News
Not ESPN2 drag racing. The racing gets right at it from the get-go, within seconds of signing on. The build-up in drag racing is the racing ... thanks to ...
See all stories on this topic


AutoWeek
Richard Petty Motorsports cuts deal with Saudi Prince
AutoWeek
Al-Thani's drag-racing involvement has led to the construction, or plans for construction, of drag strips in Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, ...
See all stories on this topic

Some more Monster Pictures. - Old Hippie's Forums
By TrannyMan
Some more Monster Pictures. NSS-Racing.com Nostalgia Drag Racing (Nostalgia Classes) ... Visit Mopar Drag Racing. Visit Throw The Bums Out. Visit United Socialist States of Amerika · Contact Us - The Old Hippie - Archive - Top ...
Old Hippie's Forums - http://www.oldhippie.com/forums/

Flagworld.com >> News » Blog Archive » Motorsports This Week on ...
By Flag
The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series continues its Countdown to 1 playoffs as the series visits Memphis Motorsports Park for the O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals this weekend. ESPN2 will air qualifying and eliminations action, ...
Flagworld.com >> News - http://www.flagworld.com/news/

TSDR September 19th Race Recap - Street Legal TV Forums
By mark@streetlegaltv
With the season winding down in this, race number seven of the eight in the True Street Drag Racing series, many of the racers are positioning.
Street Legal TV Forums - http://www.streetlegaltv.com/forum/

Green Rod: 600 HP Natural Gas Powered Hot Rod : Gas 2.0
By Christopher DeMorro
Quite frankly CNG and LPG have been used in drag racing cars since the late 60's & early 70's… The keys are compression and timing… shave the heads and bring up the compression, use an on board computer management system to control the ...
Comments for Gas 2.0 - http://gas2.org/

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

National Guard ADRL Opens Adrenaline Zone Online





O’FALLON, MO (Sep. 28, 2009) — It just got easier than ever to fly your National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL) colors. The National Guard ADRL is proud to announce the opening of its online store today, offering the same exciting, high-quality products and apparel available through its Adrenaline Zone merchandise store at all National Guard ADRL events, along with exclusive items available only through Adrenaline Zone Online.

“We’re all very excited about adding Adrenaline Zone Online,” National Guard ADRL Director of Membership Services Aimee Visney says. “It’s something that many people have been working on for several months and personally, I can’t wait to finally open its virtual doors for business.”

Adrenaline Zone Online is accessible though a link on the series’ official Web site (www.ADRL.us) and offers a wide variety of officially licensed ADRL merchandise, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, souvenirs and novelties.

“This is not the same old race wear,” Visney states. “We’ve really tried to find and develop designs that reflect modern fashion sensibilities. We’ll also be constantly adding new merchandise in cutting-edge styles and colors, in addition to running special sales.”

While all prices at Adrenaline Zone Online remain very reasonable, official National Guard ADRL members will be rewarded with a 15 percent discount and all orders totaling more than $100 will be delivered with no additional shipping fees.

“We feel like this is the perfect time to launch Adrenaline Zone Online,” Visney says. “With Christmas not so far away, I hope all National Guard ADRL racers and fans will drop by and pick up their gifts online this year.”

The National Guard ADRL Adrenaline Zone store will be in attendance and open for business Oct. 23-24, at the LenMar Motorsports ADRL World Finals V in Ennis, TX, just south of Dallas.

Today's Drag Racing News

Two new books document American racing
Huffington Post (blog)
"We Were the Ramchargers - Inside Drag Racing's Legendary Team" by Dr. Dave Rockwell; published by the Society of Automotive Engineers/SAE International The ...
See all stories on this topic

NHRA: Countdown to 1 Continues in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing
PaddockTalk
The tour's annual stop in "the birthplace of the Blues" is being contested for the third straight season in what should be cooler climes from its previous ...
See all stories on this topic

Downtown Syracuse: Drag racing days
The Post-Standard - Syracuse.com
Most of my drag-racing days took place between '61 and '63. Then, the two really hot stock cars were the Chevy 409 and the Pontiac 421. ...
See all stories on this topic

Mike Coughlin wins at JEGS sportsnationals
Radioactive Drag Racing News
... an unprecedented run of success for Coughlin at the JEGS sportsnationals races, which highlight competitors in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. ...
See all stories on this topic

Vintage snowmobile grass drag racing thrills sledders
Wausau Daily Herald
By Charles Menchaca • Wausau Daily Herald • September 28, 2009 STETTIN -- Some of the snowmobile grass drag races Sunday might have looked too close to call ...
See all stories on this topic

Drag Racing is Far Out
WhoWon.com
Several individuals from Community Living Haldimand had an opportunity to see, hear, and experience the exciting and colorful drag racing series and get up ...
See all stories on this topic


DiyWeek.net
Silverline Tools' drag racing event a success
DiyWeek.net
Annual power tool drag racing fun day attracts big names, including Toolstation and Makita, as well as Channel 5's The Gadget Show. ...
See all stories on this topic

A Lebanon County couple's marriage bond with a carburetor
Lebanon Daily News
"Steve's family did a lot of dirt-track racing and was always into muscle cars," she said. purchased a 1969 AMX and began drag racing in "bracket style" ...
See all stories on this topic


Top Fuel Blogster: Daily Drag Racing Update: Today's Drag Racing News
By Bill Pratt
Draglist.com searches the web every day for drag racing in the news, cool drag racing websites, and anything else we think you'll like. Then we post it right here for your reading pleasure. Plus YouTube videos, drag racing photo slide ...
Top Fuel Blogster: Daily Drag... - http://draglist.blogspot.com/

Central Florida Racing Complex Drag & Drift | Central Florida ...
By admin
Friday night drag racing & drift event. Friday Sept 18th – 6pm to Midnight. $10 general admission PLUS $25 TO DRIFT TECH OR PLUS $5 DRAG TECH. Click HERE to check out our drifting rules. This entry was posted on Monday, September 28th, ...
Central Florida Racing Complex - http://cfracingcomplex.com/

blog of warez #1: IHRA Drag Racing Sportsman Edition RIP[87 MB]
By warezshare
IHRA Drag Racing Sportsman Edition RIP[87 MB]. Image. Information about the game: Name: IHRA Drag Racing: Sportsman Edition Genre: Racing Simulator Platform: PC Developer: Bethesda Softworks Publisher: Bethesda Softworks ...
blog of warez #1 - http://warez-share.blogspot.com/

Wow! What a season! | chrisbray.co.uk
By Chris Bray
Good Weather For Airstrikes · Kean Walmsley's Through the Interface · Down With Tractors · The Hype Machine · Iain Baker's Westway · VZi at Volkszone · DIGGSML Geotechnical Data Transfer · VW Drag Racing · Web Hosting by Freshly Hosted ...
chrisbray.co.uk - Random musings... - http://www.chrisbray.co.uk/

Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc.: The Fastest Chevy 292 ...
By Ryan Taylor
Our drag racing customers have been able to realize the full potential of cryogenic treatment. Cryogenic treatment allows drag racing engines to deal with the extra stresses and heat related to higher levels of horsepower and torque. ...
Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. - http://www.nitrofreeze.com/blog.html


Monday, September 28, 2009

Outlaw Top Sportsman at Redline Raceway, September 2009

Drag Racing Results: Outlaw Top Sportsman at Redline Raceway, September 2009 by Danny and Gena White. The Outlaw Top Sportsman group returned to Redline Raceway in Caddo Mills for the fourth time this season. A field of 12 cars showed to race for the eight car field with eleven making it to the starting line.

2009 NHRA Northern Sports Nationals Final Results

Click to see the photo! Drag Racing Results: 2009 NHRA Northern Sports Nationals Final Results by NHRA. Monday's final results from the NHRA Fifth annual JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals at National Trail Raceway, Hebron, Ohio.

THACKER, LOMBARDO MAKE A TRIP TO THE WINNER’S CIRCLE AT TEXAS MOTORPLEX

GLENDORA, Calif. (Sept. 28, 2009) – NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster pilot Marty Thacker scored his first national event win of the season this weekend at Texas Motorplex’s O’Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals. The Robinson, Ill., racer joined John Lombardo Jr., Brea, Calif., in the winner’s circle after Lombardo earned his first ever NHRA national event win in Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Thacker started eliminations from the No. 9 qualifying spot and made his best runs of the weekend in the semifinal and final rounds – identical 5.372-second laps. In the final he squared off against Delta, B.C., resident Shawn Cowie who ran 5.418 seconds at 265.74 mph. This was Cowie’s first final-round appearance at a national event this year but he has notched wins at each of the six divisional races he has attended.

Lombardo made his best eliminations run in the Top Alcohol Funny Car final. He took on Alexis De Joria of Bronson, Fla., and laid down a 5.691-second, 252.61 mph run. De Joria actually made her worst run of eliminations in the final when she slowed to a 5.861-second, 242.54 mph effort.

Comp Eliminator racer Bruno Massel, Woodbridge, Ill., cushioned his lead in the Comp Eliminator point standing by scoring a win at the Motorplex. He faced off in his ’08 Cobalt against Tom Schmidt, Lindstrom, Minn., who was in his ’03 S-10 truck. Massel also won the national event at Heartland Park Topeka and was runner-up at Brainerd Int’l Raceway.

Claremore, Okla., resident Bryan Chaney wheeled his ’92 Camaro Super Stocker to the win over veteran racer Bobby Dennis of Shorter, Ala., who was driving his ’90 Calais. In Stock Eliminator, Monty Bogan, Centerville, Va., ousted former NHRA national champion Kevin Helms, Shriever, La., in the final, while Baytown, Texas’s Lloyd Parfait scored the win in Super Comp. Parfait knocked out Mark Powers, Buda, Texas, in the final. The win in Super Gas went to Kemp, Texas, racer David Jones, who wheeled his ’86 Firebird to the win over Roger Warren, Jacksonville, Texas, in his ’97 Cutlass.

O'REILLY NHRA MID-SOUTH NATIONALS PREVIEW PACKAGE

AFTER JUST MAKING THE COUNTDOWN TO 1 PLAYOFFS, HIGHT NOW FOCUSED ON WINNING FUNNY CAR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – In the sport of NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing, every racer knows that in just a few seconds – less than the blink of an eye – a racer can go from being a hero to a zero, and vice versa.

Nobody knows that better than Robert Hight.

Highly touted as a pre-season favorite to win the Funny Car championship, many expected to see Hight visit every winner’s circle on the circuit. However, his Auto Club Ford Mustang team encountered one of the worst slumps in recent memory and had a horrible regular season performance. They barely squeaked into the Countdown to 1 playoffs in dramatic fashion at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

At the time, he said he believed if his team got in the Countdown they could win it. Now he’s proving it.

After winning the first two playoff events in Charlotte and Dallas, the team has regained its swagger, and is focusing on finishing the deal. They have moved from ninth to first in the standings and now hold a 13-point lead over second place Ashley Force Hood.

“The first two weeks of the Countdown couldn’t have been any better for us,” Hight said. “We won them and went from worst to first, so it’s very exciting for me. It’s something I never thought was going to happen. I never lost faith in my team. You dream big, but this is huge.”

Hight will try to extend his points lead and come even closer to winning his first NHRA season title with a strong performance at the 22nd annual O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals presented by Pennzoil, Oct. 2-4 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car); Mike Edwards (Pro Stock); and Craig Treble (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are the defending winners of the event, which will be televised on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD.

After the season he’s had – which has included an uncharacteristic seven first round losses and two DNQs – the change in performance has given his team a powerful second wind that may just propel Hight to the podium at the awards ceremony.

“The first part of the year, we stunk this place up,” Hight said. “It was terrible. You begin to wonder, you know, if you can win because winning these races out here, they’re not that easy to win. Every round… if you’re a little late, if something happens, any little thing, you’re gonna lose.”

The turning point came after his DNQ at Brainerd. In an unprecedented move, he switched cars and crew chiefs with team owner John Force for the race in Reading. After that brief experiment, the two drivers went back to their primary teams at Indy, and Hight and crew chief Jimmy Prock responded with a No. 1 qualifying performance and a runner-up finish to make the playoffs.

“It’s been a crazy month,” Hight said. “With all the switching we did with me going to John’s car (team owner John Force) and vice versa. It has been crazy. But for whatever reason, it has worked out. John Force, he’s not a tuner, but he definitely knows how to shake things up and whatever he did, it’s worked.”

Now that Hight and Prock are in the zone that many expected for the regular season, they can transform their less than spectacular regular season effort into a playoff run that could become known as one of NHRA’s greatest championship comebacks.

“Robert’s car has been running great and my personal opinion is Robert Hight is the favorite to win the whole thing,” said teammate Mike Neff, who is in ninth place in the point standings. “It is all about hitting your stride at the right time. They hit their stride in Indy.”

Hight has been the top qualifier at Memphis Motorsports Park three times – in consecutive seasons from 2005 to 2007. He has yet to reach a final at the Tennessee track but hopes to change that statistic this weekend.

“This is probably the best race car I’ve ever had,” Hight said. “We’ve won races and been close to winning the championship, but we’ve never been this dominant, this consistent, this steady; it’s going down the racetrack every run.”

Among the top threats to Hight’s late-season surge are Funny Car regular season champ Tony Pedregon, championship challenger Ron Capps, who led the point standings for most of the regular season, and defending winner Wilkerson, also last year’s championship runner-up. All three drivers are past winners here. Hight’s teammate, Ashley Force Hood, may have the most consistent car in the category, as her Castrol GTX Ford Mustang has posted two victories in seven final rounds and raced to five No. 1 qualifying positions. And no one can count out John Force, a five-time winner at the Tennessee track, the most for any pro driver in any category.

In Top Fuel, Tony Schumacher moved back into the series points lead with a win at Dallas, in a sizzling final round against rival Larry Dixon. Both drivers are past winners at Memphis Motorsports Park. Veteran driver Cory McClenathan held the series points lead for the first time in more than a decade after his emotional win in the first round of the playoffs. A two-time winner at Memphis, McClenathan has been a runner-up in his quest for the world championship crown four times and finished third in three other seasons. Others to watch in the 7,000-horsepower category include regular season champ Antron Brown, who will be driving a special red and white dragster with Toyota/Matco Tools sponsorship on the side. Brown won here on two wheels in 2004.

Defending Pro Stock winner Edwards comes to Memphis as the hottest driver in the category. NHRA’s new 3-2-1 qualifying bonus points system has been a boost for his championship dreams. At Charlotte he scored 10 extra points during the four rounds of qualifying and went on to win the race, and at Dallas he netted the maxium 12 bonus points and finished with a 90 point total for the event. He currently leads Jeg Coughlin by 65 points. Four-time world champ Coughlin, a two-time Memphis winner, is hoping for a three-peat under the Countdown format. Other favorites in the 200-mph category include hard-charging Greg Stanfield, who posted back-to-back runner-up finishes at Indy and Charlotte, and past champions Greg Anderson and Jason Line, Summit Racing teammates who are both past winners at this track. Anderson earned his second victory of the season this past weekend in Dallas, and moved to third in the standings, 80 points behind Edwards.

Hector Arana also benefitted from the new qualifying bonus system and powered his Lucas Oil Buell to wins in Charlotte and Dallas to open his series lead over defending world champ Eddie Krawiec. A runner-up finish here last year helped Krawiec win the championship title. Three-time world champ Andrew Hines, rookie Doug Horne and 2007 champ Matt Smith are the other favorites in the two-wheel category.

SCHEDULE: Pro qualifying sessions for the O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals presented by Pennzoil, are scheduled for 2:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2 and 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4.

TICKETS: Tickets are available for the O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals presented by Pennzoil by calling (866) 40-SPEED, or via the Web at www.memphismotorsportspark.com.

ON TV: ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 10:30 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, Oct. 3. On Sunday, Oct. 4, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will feature NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show, at 11 a.m. (ET), and three hours of eliminations coverage at 7 p.m. (ET).

LUCAS OIL SERIES: The O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals presented by Pennzoil also will feature competition in four categories in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series, where the future stars of the NHRA Full Throttle Series earn their racing stripes. Lucas Oil Series qualifying begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2. Lucas Oil Series eliminations begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3.

ON THE WEB: For complete online coverage of the O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals presented by pennzoil please visit www.nhra.com.

O’REILLY NHRA MID-SOUTH NATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 22nd annual O’Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals presented by Pennzoil, 21st of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and the third of six races in the Countdown to 1, NHRA’s championship playoffs. The top 10 drivers in four categories - Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle - earn points leading to 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Memphis Motorsports Park, Memphis, Tenn. Track is located off Fite Road between Raleigh-Millington and Highway 51, seven miles north of I-240. Take Interstate 240 to the Warford Road Exit (Exit 6). Go north on Warford Road six miles to Raleigh Millington Road. Turn left onto Raleigh Millington Road and continue to Fite Road. Turn left onto Fite Road at MMP Billboard and continue on Fite Road for 0.4 miles.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Oct. 2-4.

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, Oct. 2 - Sportsman qualifying begins at 9 a.m.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 2:15 and 4:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, Oct. 3 - Sportsman eliminations begin at 8:30 a.m.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.

SUNDAY, Oct. 4 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:

Saturday, Oct. 3, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 10:30 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, Oct. 4, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at 11 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, Oct. 4, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).


SATELLITE (Analog feed) :

Friday, Oct. 2, 8 - 8:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 16 / Transponder 14K (11980 MHz, horizontal)

Saturday, Oct. 3, 7:30 - 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 16 / Transponder 14K (11980 MHz, horizontal)

Sunday, Oct. 4, 7 - 7:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 16 / Transponder 14K (11980 MHz, horizontal)

Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.

2008 EVENT WINNERS: Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel; Tim Wilkerson, Funny Car; Mike Edwards, Pro Stock; Craig Treble, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

TRACK RECORDS:

Top Fuel - 3.825 sec. by Brandon Bernstein, Sept. ’08; 313.88 mph by Bernstein, Sept. ’08

Funny Car - 4.079 sec. by Ashley Force Hood, Sept. ’08; 302.28 mph by Melanie Troxel, Sept. ’08

Pro Stock - 6.591 sec. by Allen Johnson, Sept. ’08; 209.17 mph by Greg Anderson, Sept. ’07

Pro Stock Motorcycle - 6.892 sec. by Chip Ellis, Sept. ’07; 193.21 mph by Ellis, Sept. ’07

(Top Fuel and Funny Car race distance is 1,000 feet; Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle race distance is 1,320 feet)

NATIONAL RECORDS:

Top Fuel - 3.771 sec. by Tony Schumacher, Oct. ’08, Richmond, Va.; 319.22 mph by Antron Brown, September ’09, Indianapolis

Funny Car - 4.023 sec. by Ron Capps, Feb. ’09, Chandler, Ariz.; 312.13 mph by Ashley Force Hood, April ’09, Atlanta

Pro Stock - 6.528 sec. by Greg Anderson, Feb. ’09, Pomona, Calif.; 212.03 mph by Mike Edwards, March ’09, Baytown, Texas

PS Motorcycle – 6.860 sec. by Andrew Hines, May ’09, Madison, Ill.; 197.45 mph by Hines, March ’05, Gainesville, Fla.

(Top Fuel and Funny Car race distance is 1,000 feet; Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle race distance is 1,320 feet)

TICKETS: Order tickets by phone at (866) 40-SPEED. Tickets also are available online at memphismotorsportspark.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - Friday Only: Adult, $32; Youth (12 years and under) Free.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $42; Youth (12 years and under), $20. Saturday: Adult, $42-52; Youth (12 years and under), $10-20. Sunday: Adult, $42-52; Youth (12 years and under), $10-20.

NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES COUNTDOWN TO 1 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif. -- Point standings (top 10) for NHRA professional categories following the 20th of 24 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series -

Top Fuel

1. Tony Schumacher, 2,272; 2. Larry Dixon, 2,245; 3. Cory McClenathan, 2,218; 4. Antron Brown, 2,207; 5. Shawn Langdon, 2,188; 6. Brandon Bernstein, 2,155; 7. Spencer Massey, 2,152; 8. Morgan Lucas, 2,124; 9. Doug Kalitta, 2,074; 10. Clay Millican, 2,062.

Funny Car

1. Robert Hight, 2,241; 2. Ashley Force Hood, 2,228; 3. Jack Beckman, 2,196; 4. Tony Pedregon, 2,182; 5. Bob Tasca III, 2,170; 6. Ron Capps, 2,147; 7. John Force, 2,131; 8. Tim Wilkerson, 2,129; 9. Mike Neff, 2,099; 10. Del Worsham, 2,085.

Pro Stock

1. Mike Edwards, 2,288; 2. Jeg Coughlin, 2,223; 3. Greg Anderson, 2,208; 4. Allen Johnson, 2,179; 5. Jason Line, 2,177; 6. Greg Stanfield, 2,169; 7. Johnny Gray, 2,146; 8. Kurt Johnson, 2,113; 9. Ron Krisher, 2,093; 10. Rickie Jones, 2,020.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

1. Hector Arana, 2,318; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 2,291; 3. Andrew Hines, 2,207; 4. Matt Smith, 2,170; 5. Douglas Horne, 2,156; 6. Michael Phillips, 2,139; 7. Karen Stoffer, 2,127; 8. Shawn Gann, 2,125; 9. Craig Treble, 2,104; 10. Matt Guidera, 2,020.

Grand Bend Motorplex Results, September 26, 2009

ONDR COMP

Champion – Ray Ruehle #9X57 Washington, MI – 57 Chev 
RT .016, ET 10.736, MPH 117.05 D/I 10.73

R/U – Ron Elford #355A
RT .056, ET 10.725, MPH 118.14 D/I 10.77

ONDR STREET

Champion – Al Senour #77 Peterborough, ON – 35 Willys
RT .158, ET 14.321, MPH 91.95 D/I 14.25

R/U – Steve Klein #286 Stratford, ON – 63 Ford Falcon  
RT -.035, ET 13.166, MPH 101.77 D/I 13.26

ONDR GAS

Champion – Bob Perkins #1967 Mississauga, ON – 67 Dodge
RT .124, ET 10.545, MPH 166.71 D/I 10.50

R/U— Kris Dewit #6767 Petrolia, ON – 67 Belvedere
RT -.022, ET 12.214, MPH 108.09 D/I 12.20

Today's Drag Racing News

Drag racing thrills sledders
Wausau Daily Herald
STETTIN — Some of the snowmobile grass drag races Sunday might have looked too close to call, but Jay Nieuwenhuis knew when he won. ...
See all stories on this topic

20th Annual Grass Drag Racing in Wausau
WSAW
Snowmobile enthusiasts are pulling out their sleds a little early this year to race against the clock in an annual competition. ...
See all stories on this topic


(RC racing) Drag racing, Car Race Games | car games
By cargames
Cars Trucks.Manufacturers of air be in control of cars. Information hither the kits and parts, in area of HPI and other R/C touring cars. Free Car Racing Game -
car games - http://cargames.edublogs.org/

Bobby's 4x4 truck - Tremek Car Videos - Street Car Drag Racing Videos
By MCA
I dont know who the fock is Bobby but this truck made my day Thats a crazy mofo, I would love to see her on the street.
Tremek Car Videos - Street Car... - http://www.tremek.com/forum/

tires for drag strip - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia ...
By kcostrello123
welded diff is actually a good thing for drag racing works like a detroit locker would off the line. edit: nitto 555 drag radials have gotten a lot of good reviews we would have to know what exactly your trying to do, stock ka? what ...
Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX... - http://zilvia.net/f/

Delta drag results - Kawasaki ATV Forum
By minimus
Assorted Competition For drag racing, TT, hillclimbing, and any and all other forms of racing. LinkBack · Thread Tools. Old Today, 01:29 PM. minimus. Premium Member. Feedback Score: 0 reviews. minimus's Avatar · Premium Member ...
Kawasaki ATV Forum - http://www.kawieriders.com/forum/

The Plain Truth: UCAR Racing has beat the Economy
By Bob Barney
Drag racing, boat racing and even SCCA type sports car racing (a more wine and cheese type racer) have felt hardships. There is an exception to this dilemma, many "entry level" or "cheap" racing series have started to explode during ...
The Plain Truth - http://www.plaintruth.com/the_plain_truth/


Sunday, September 27, 2009

2009 IHRA Budds Creek Final Results

Click to see the photo! Drag Racing Results: 2009 IHRA Budds Creek Final Results by IHRA. Sunday's final results and updated 2009 series championship points from the IHRA President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway, Budds Creek, Maryland.

2009 NHRA Division 1 Race of Champions results

Drag Racing Results: 2009 NHRA Division 1 Race of Champions results by NHRA. NHRA Northeast Division Summit Racing Series Finals Race of Champions results.

2009 NHRA Ennis Final Results

Drag Racing Results: 2009 NHRA Ennis Final Results by NHRA. Sunday's final results and up to date Full Throttle championship points from the 24th annual O'Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec at Texas Motorplex, Ennis, Texas.

Today's Drag Racing News


New math makes every run count at NHRA's O'Reilly Fall Nationals
Dallas Morning News
The change was a surprise for some on the drag racing circuit, and not necessarily a nice one. There were gripes that the format should have been ...
See all stories on this topic
Budds Creek: Series Saturday notebook
Motorsport.com
For anyone who thinks that drag racing is just two cars going in a straight line really fast, you couldn't be any further from the truth. ...
See all stories on this topic
Dallas: John Force Racing Saturday notes
Motorsport.com
I am a drag racing fan so I follow drag racing all over. I remember my first day when I first qualified for an NHRA national event so I am excited for him ...
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Hight To Face One Swede Ride In Super Stockholm Elimination
RacinToday.com
He's over here in America, living the dream and drag racing in the Fuel Funny Car class. He's got to be on top of the world." Helander, 65, is at least a ...
See all stories on this topic
NIGHT OF FIRE PROMISES TO BE A HOT NIGHT OF RACING
RacingWest.com
Salt Lake City, Utah -- Rocky Mountain Raceways is set to host an explosive night of drag racing with their annual Night of Fire Jet Car Show on Saturday, ...
See all stories on this topic
JOHN FORCE RACING TEAMS WITH DOUG STANLEY FORD
Autochannel (press release)
In addition to the Forces, who drive 310 mile-an-hour Ford Mustang Funny Cars sponsored by Castrol GTX and Castrol GTX High Mileage on the pro drag racing ...
See all stories on this topic

NitroJam.com
For Bunny Burkett, the sport of drag racing has been many things. From providing a stage to climb from poverty to stardom, to providing a second family, to acting as a form of medicine, the sport of drag racing has been Burkett's life ...
IHRA Motorsports - http://www.ihra.com/
HIGHT STAYS NO.1 AT HOT FALL NATIONALS « HELL ON WHEELS MOTORSPORTS
By paul
I am a drag racing fan so I follow drag racing all over. I remember my first day when I first qualified for an NHRA national event so I am excited for him and I am glad he qualified. We still have to go out and do our job and try and ...
HELL ON WHEELS MOTORSPORTS - http://paulcd.wordpress.com/

Woodburn Wheelstanders

Click to see the photo! Drag Racing Pictures: Woodburn Wheelstanders by George & Karen Adams. George & Karen of Northwest Drag Racing sent these great wheelstand photos from the 2009 National Dragster Challenge race at Woodburn Dragstrip.

2009 Medford LODRS Friday Results

Drag Racing Results: 2009 Medford LODRS Friday Results by NHRA. Final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Champion Raceway, Medford, Oregon.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

2nd Old Time Drag Racers Reunion Coming October 4

2nd Old Time Drag Racers Reunion.  Bring your old photos, old race cars and old racers.  Free Event.  Food for sale.   Reunion to be held Sunday, October 4, 2009 at Elsie Carter's restaurant (Little Blue House on Poplar Alley) by the RR tracks in downtown LaGrange, KY.  Time is Noon to 4PM with a cacklefest at 3PM.  For more info contact:


Dave Huber
502-937-9781
huber771984@bellsouth.net


Dale Funk
270-668-2151


Bill Stebbins
502-367-8155
wstebbins94@aol.com


Thanks
Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame
www.kentuckymotorsportshalloffame.com

Maple Grove Claims Summit Division 1 Finals

Drag Racing Results: Maple Grove Claims Summit Division 1 Finals by NHRA. The home team from Maple Grove Raceway picked up their second straight team title at the NHRA Summit Racing Series Northeast Division Finals this weekend.

2009 NHRA Ennis Final Qualifying

Drag Racing Results: 2009 NHRA Ennis Final Qualifying by NHRA. Final pro qualifying results and first-round pairings for Sunday's professional eliminations Sunday at the 24th annual O'Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec at Texas Motorplex, Ennis, Texas.

TOPMA: Dallas Raceway, September 2009

Click to see the photo! Drag Racing Results: TOPMA: Dallas Raceway, September 2009 by Celeste Smith. The Texas Outlaw Pro Mod Association returned to Dallas Raceway in Crandall, Texas, for the September race. Ken Thomas topped a field of 20 cars.

OTS: North Star Dragway, September 2009

Click to see the photo! Drag Racing Results: OTS: North Star Dragway, September 2009 by Shelly Frost. Jim Brinkerhoff took the crown when the Outlaw Top Sportsman series returned to North Texas to race at North Star Dragway in Denton. 

Saturday's JEGS NHRA Northern SPORTSnationals

Daniels Takes NHRA Mopar Hemi Challenge

HEBRON, Ohio (September 26, 2009) – Saturday’s racing activities at the 5th annual NHRA JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals have been cancelled due to persistent rain showers. Scheduled to run was the Stock and Super Stock class eliminations, including the popular NHRA Mopar Hemi Challenge. The class winners were determined from Friday’s lowest elapsed time of the qualifying runs, which gave Jim Daniels of Bristol, Pa., the $5,000 winner-take-all cash prize and the Mopar Hemi Challenge title.

Racing at National Trail Raceway is scheduled to begin Sunday at 8:30 a.m. with Round 1 eliminations in Stock Eliminator, Super Street and Super Stock, followed at 10:30 a.m. with final, Round 2 qualifying in Top Dragster, Top Sportsman and Competition Eliminator.

For ticket information, contact National Trail Raceway at (740) 928-5706. For additional information about the event, visit NHRA.com or NationalTrailRaceway.com.

2009 IHRA Budds Creek Final Qualifying

Click to see the photo! Drag Racing Results: 2009 IHRA Budds Creek Final Qualifying by IHRA. Heavy rain and less than favorable conditions have forced Saturday’s action at the 2009 IHRA President’s Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway to be cancelled, leaving the following final pro qualifying results and first round pairings.

New race fans - "Drag racing is far out!"









CAYUGA, ONTARIO (September 20, 2009) - The Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) and Quick 32 Sportsman Series teams made some new friends at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario on the weekend.

Several individuals from Community Living Haldimand had an opportunity to see, hear, and experience the exciting and colorful drag racing series and get up close and personal with drivers Eric Latino, Bruce Boland and Melanie Simmons as guests of the series.

Community Living Haldimand is a non-profit organization that provides support and special needs to over 100 individuals with an intellectual disability and their families in Haldimand County for over 50 years.

John Anderson, Trevor Cole, Adam Gosden and Mike McGovern had an opportunity to meet many of the teams and spend time experiencing the event from the VIP Suite in the tower.

Eric Latino gave Trevor Cole and Mike McGovern team uniform shirts that the drivers autographed, which has created a dilemma at Community Living Haldimand. It seems they are trying to get the shirts off them long enough to have them washed.

The quote of the day came from Trevor Cole, when he asked, "What do I have to do to drive one of these things?"

Cars in the series are capable of low six-second times at over 200 miles per hour in the quarter-mile.

Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) - www.pmra.ca

Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts - www.Quick32.ca

Photo Credit: Bill Mehlenbacher Photography - www.nxphoto.com

IHRA President's Cup Nationals - Saturday Notebook







BUNNY’S BACK

For anyone who thinks that drag racing is just two cars going in a straight line really fast, you couldn’t be any further from the truth.

There is so much more to the sport than just the action seen on the track. Just ask the living legend known the world over simply as Bunny.

For Bunny Burkett, the sport of drag racing has been many things. From providing a stage to climb from poverty to stardom, to providing a second family, to acting as a form of medicine, the sport of drag racing has been Burkett’s life for the past 44 years and will continue to be her life for as long as she lives.

“I never dreamed that when I first started racing on that little rinky dink track in Manassas, Virginia in 1965 that I would still be here 44 years later,” Burkett said. “But the fact that I have been able to stay in the sport with the amount of money and all that has to be spent today and still be here today – I never dreamed I would get to do this.”

To fully understand the story of Carol Burkett – the given name of Bunny – you have to travel all the way back to 1945 in the hills of West Virginia where Burkett was born. Growing up in poverty, Burkett and her family moved to Virginia at the age of 13 where she was introduced to the sport for the very first time.

Getting her start behind the wheel of her boyfriend’s ’55 Mercury at the age of 15 at Old Dominion Speedway, Burkett knew from an early age that all she ever wanted to do was race.

“It got in my blood early,” Burkett said with a laugh.

By the age of 19 Burkett finally had her very own car – a 1964 Mustang – and by 20 she was winning races on a regular basis. But in 1967, Burkett hit a bit of a snag.

Running into financial trouble, Burkett began work as a hostess at the former Playboy Club in Baltimore to help earn some extra money to continue racing and by the end of the year Burkett was back with a new car and a brand new nickname – Bunny.

Burkett continued to race off and on over the next few years before fully committing to the sport in the 1980s. And it was during that time that Burkett claimed her very first championship.

Moving from the world of door cars to funny cars, Burkett quickly became one of the most dominating drivers in the sport behind the wheel of an Alcohol Funny Car. And in 1986, 26 years after the first time she sat in a racecar, Burkett was crowned champion for the very first time.

In the first year of Alcohol Funny Car in the ranks of the International Hot Rod Association, Burkett went out and dominated the field, beating out Greg Moss to claim the very first IHRA AFC championship and beginning her reign as the First Lady of Funny Car.

“I try not to think of it that way. I know a lot of people do think of it and it is no secret that I have acquired the title of the Second Lady of Drag Racing and the First Lady of Funny Car, but Shirley (Muldowney) made the path and it was pretty narrow,” Burkett said. “All I did was help widen it.”

Over the next few years Burkett continued to compete, winning races and championships with both the IHRA and NHRA before finally cutting back on her schedule now well into her 60s.

But even though she wasn’t as dominating as she once was, during the 90’s and into the new millennium Burkett’s love of the sport continued to grow. And it is the fans, Burkett will admit, that keeps her going even at the age of 64.

“At this stage in my life it is definitely the fans that keep me going. If it were for money I would have had to quit a long time ago. And if it were for the glory, lets just say I have been there done that,” Burkett said. “I just keep coming back because it is the fans that get me out of every predicament, every illness and every crash.”

And Burkett has had her share of predicaments.

From a crash that nearly took her life in 1995 to being diagnosed with cancer twice, Burkett has battled her way through nearly every obstacle possible, but continues to drive and be an inspiration to people across the globe.

“I have died, had breast cancer, a mastectomy, hysterectomy, I have fell and broke my leg, had a hip replacement, had another form of cancer, but every single time all I could think of is getting back in that car,” Burkett said. “I had commitments and I had my fans. I mean they just get in a tizzy when I am not out here.”

Still, even after all she has accomplished over the course of her incredible career, Burkett doesn’t want to be remembered for her accomplishments on the track.

“I don’t ever think of what I have done as being the first lady or being a lady in the sport. All I want is to be remembered as a good drag racer, a good driver and most of all a good person,” Burkett said.

No matter what happens, one thing is for certain – Bunny Burkett will not be forgotten.

From her accomplishments on the track to her inspiration off the track, Burkett will always be remembered as one of the greatest drag racers of all time.

And at Maryland International Raceway this weekend Burkett will once again show why she is considered one of the best in the business with a match race against Bill Naves. Parked right next to the concession stand that proudly displays her 1986 championship funny car on its roof, Burkett is thrilled to be back at her home track this weekend giving her fans another taste of Bunny and the Boys.

“I am so excited for this weekend. When I rolled in here yesterday and I got to park right beside my ’86 world championship car, my IHRA car up on that tower, I looked at Royce (Miller) with tears in my eyes and told him my life, my racing career is complete being able to be here again and park beside my IHRA world championship machine,” Burkett said. “Being the first funny car champion in IHRA and then having the honor of being on top of the snack bar while I am still active, while I am still alive is an incredible honor.

“Imagine that, I already have my own memorial.”

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Friday, September 25, 2009

2009 Medford LODRS Friday Qualifying

Drag Racing Results: 2009 Medford LODRS Friday Qualifying by NHRA. Friday’s qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Champion Raceway, Medford, Oregon.

2009 IHRA Budds Creek Final Qualifying

Click to see the photo! Drag Racing Results: 2009 IHRA Budds Creek Final Qualifying by IHRA. Heavy rain and less than favorable conditions have forced Saturday’s action at the 2009 IHRA President’s Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway to be cancelled, leaving the following final pro qualifying results and first round pairings.

NHRA Northeast Division Summit Racing Series Finals, Friday

NHRA SUMMIT RACING SERIES DIVISION FINALS CONTINUE AT MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY

READING, Pa. (Sept. 25, 2009) – The best bracket racers in NHRA’s Northeast division are battling it out at Maple Grove Raceway in the Summit Racing Series Northeast Division Finals. More than 700 racers in four categories, Super E.T., Pro Eliminator, Street and Motorcycle, are vying for team and individual honors.

The event started Thursday with time runs for each competitor. Today they had one more hit at the track before heading into eliminations. Eliminations will continue Saturday until there is only one racer left standing in each class. Those four racers will have the opportunity to advance to compete against winners from NHRA’s other six divisions at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November for a national championship. They will each receive $3,500 for competing in the Finals and the winner in each class will receive an additional $5,000.

Once racing is completed on Saturday, the drivers from each track who were among the top points earners will square off in head-to-head competition in the Race of Champions.

Also running this weekend is the High School Eliminator presented by Luzerne County Community College.

The squad from Maple Grove took the team title last year. Individual winners were Bob Avalos in Super E.T.; Brock Moshier in Pro Eliminator; Mike Van den Huevel in Street; and Bob Carlson in Motorcycle. The High School winner was Joe Albrecht.

Tommy Gray crowned Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association Blower Points Champion for 2009





9-24-2009 Baltimore, MD – Undertaker Team started 2009 with allot to prove. No major sponsorship and the possibility of selling the complete operation loomed near. Tommy, a long time member of the NEOPMA decided he would stick with the unique series format that was close to home and a one day event to keep expenses down. The first race of the season at Virginia Motorsports Park started what would be the beginning of a winning streak that witnessed Tommy Gray and team in his Jan-Cen Racing Engines powered 68’ Vanishing Point Camaro winning the first two events of the season at VMP, MIR, at which Tommy set the track record with a 5.90, and a runner up position in the third race of the season at Maple Grove. Tommy built an insurmountable lead that led him to the point’s championship in the Pro Mod Blower division of the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Series.

“The NEOPMA series is my favorite series to run. The format fits our needs, and it’s a friendly and competitive series to boot”, said Tommy. “First and foremost, I would like to thank my father, partner and best friend Tom Gray Sr., whom without his knowledge and support we would not be racing. My Wife Fran, son Brandon, daughters Ashley and Carley who fully support me on and off the track. I would also like to thank Richard Dixon for all he does for the team”.

An integral part of this championship season was the support and great products from Richards Automotive, Mohegan Sun Resorts, Goodyear, Gil Davis Race Engines, Wright Racing, Palmer Race Fuels, Santhuff Struts and Shocks, Connelly Funeral Home, Duncan Brothers Plumbing and Heating, Callies, Chester County Auto Parts, JS performance, Scriba Welding and Gray Transport.

Tommy would also like to thanks his team, Chick Hobson, Dale Heil, Roger Duncan, Richard Dixon, Gil Davis, Glenna Herman and Billy Kotowski. Their not only just the crew, but heavily involved in the decision making, and the championship shows just how good they are.

Tommy and the team are looking forward to the 2010 Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Series

2009 Final Top 20 Division Points Standing Blower/Turbo Class: (1) Tommy Gray 1214 (2) Tim O’Hare 719 (3) Frank Patille 636 (4) Pete Farber 580 (5) Derrick Townes 536 (6) Barney Squiers 476 (7) Andrew Parise 465 (8) Larry Plummer 400 (9) Jim Barker 375 (10) Chris Russo 334 (11) Scott Cannon 301 (12) Steve Drummond 284 (13) Steve King 278 (T-14) Billy Gibson 235 (T-14) Kevin McCurdy 235 (16) Benny Alfonso 162 (17) Fifi Montrond 159 (18) Chip King 125 (19) Timothy Taub 50 (20) Dina Parise 25

2009 NHRA Ennis Friday Qualifying

Drag Racing Results: 2009 NHRA Ennis Friday Qualifying by NHRA. Results Friday after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 24th annual O'Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec at Texas Motorplex, Ennis, Texas.

2009 NHRA Northern Sports Nationals Friday Qualifying

Drag Racing Results: 2009 NHRA Northern Sports Nationals Friday Qualifying by NHRA. Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Fifth Annual JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals, Hebron, Ohio.

IHRA President's Cup - Friday Notebook








FAITH DRIVES TOP FUEL CHAMPION

When it comes to winning races, signing autographs and living the life of a celebrity, Top Fuel driver Bruce Litton is just fine with the attention he receives on the weekends.

After all, with a lucrative sponsor in Lucas Oil and a job that allows him to drive over 300 miles per hour and get paid doing it, what is not to like about living the life of a professional race car driver?

But that is not what drives Bruce Litton.

What drives Litton is something that runs much deeper than just racing, it goes beyond all of the fame and fortunate associated with being one of the best Top Fuel drivers in the sport today.

What drives Litton is his faith and it is that belief system that keeps him motivated and competing at such a high level.

“Faith plays the whole role in my life and racing is just a part of that. Everything we do is tied to faith. I am a firm believer and it doesn’t have anything to do with winning and losing, it has to do with our life and caring for the people around you,” Litton said.

And it is that giving nature that has made him such a popular figure on the Nitro Jam tour.

On any given race weekend you will find hundreds of people gathered around his pits as he takes the time out of his busy schedule to sign autographs and chat with fans. During races you will also find people helping out in his pits as honorary crew members, people Litton has helped at some point in his life.

All of this and Litton still finds time to win races and be in championship contention week in and week out. And all of this, Litton admits, wouldn’t be possible without his firm belief in God.

“I have been a Christian for 10 years now and I see things differently now. I feel for people that are in need and I want to help,” Litton said. “I meet people who are struggling either physically or financially and I try to make a difference in their lives.

“I am blessed in what I do. This sport has been good to me and I am blessed because I have a sponsor who helps me do what I do in Lucas. It really has been a fascinating ride.”

One example of Litton’s charity is his involvement with the Riley Hospital for Children and Karsyn Bell.

Karsyn Bell lost her battle with cancer earlier this year at the age of four and since then Litton has dedicated his season to raising awareness for the Riley Hospital for Children and their efforts to work toward the care and cure of children facing terminal illnesses.

With a bright pink sticker on the front of his dragster with Karsyn’s face and the hospital logo, Litton has brought awareness and thousands of dollars to the hospital thanks to his dedication to making a difference.

Litton even invited Karsyn’s parents to the Northern Nationals in Martin, Mich. earlier this year to be a part of the team.

“It is great to see people come behind the efforts of this team to promote the good work of Riley with their support and prayers,” Litton said. “Every victory for this Lucas Oil team is hopefully a small victory for Karsyn and Riley Hospital as well.”

Along with his work off the track, Litton admits that faith has played a major role in his life on the track as well.

After suffering a horrific crash at New England Dragway in September of 2006 that cracked his skull, broke his nose and elbow and required numerous surgeries, Litton admits that faith allowed him to get back in the car just four weeks later.

“I got beat up pretty good and I was fortunate that I came through it,” Litton said. “After the accident I thought it through and decided to come back in Rockingham a few weeks later to test and see if I could still do it. I wanted to get back in the car and get that under my belt.”

Litton returned to the car that Fall and, little did he know at the time, his decision to get back in the car played a key role in his championship the following season.

“When I got back in the car and saw that everything was alright it gave us confidence going into the next year. I wanted to make a hard charge for the 2007 season and it was that year that we went on to win the championship,” Litton said.

Fast forward two years later and you will still find Litton in a dragster going 300 miles per hour and once again he in the middle of the championship hunt.

But don’t think for a second that a championship and a record 48 career final rounds has changed the humble driver from Indianapolis.

Before every run you will still find Litton saying a little prayer and after every run you will find Litton graciously accepting both victory and defeat.

“For several years right before I start the car I generally say a prayer. I pray for the safety for whoever I am running and myself,” Litton said. “Then I pray for the outcome to be for the glory of God.”

And it is that attitude that makes Litton one of the most well liked drivers in the pits, in the stands and anywhere racing and generosity meet.

“I am out here because I get sponsored to do this and because I feel that God allows me to be out here,” Litton said. “It is my faith and love for what I do that keeps me going.”

FLYING UNDER THE RADAR

At first glance there are a lot of names that stand out entering the 2009 version of the Elite 8 Pro Stock Shootout.

Drivers such as Frank Gugliotta, John Montecalvo and Pete Berner top that list, while even some lesser known drivers such as rookie Mark Martino, Elite Motorsports headman Richard Freeman, most recent race winner Bob Bertsch and surprise standout Cary Goforth can make a case for why they should be considered a favorite entering the $40,000 shootout this weekend at the IHRA President’s Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway.

Then there is J.R. Carr.

Quiet, confident and without a doubt one of the dark horses entering this weekend’s event, Carr has thrived in his first full IHRA season flying under the radar and quietly climbing the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock ladder.

A member of the three-car Elite Motorsports gang along with Gugliotta and Freeman, Carr has made quite a splash in his first season with two semifinal appearances and an 8-7 win-loss record in seven races.

“We are making progress and we are happy with that, but there is room for more improvement,” Carr said. “Still, we are happy with where we are at, especially with how tough the drivers are in this class.”

Thanks to that consistency, a season that includes six consecutive races with at least a round win, Carr has climbed from eighth to fifth in points over the last four races entering this weekend’s President’s Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway.

Carr has also been a consistent qualifier and it is his passes prior to Sunday that has positioned himself in the Elite 8 Pro Stock Shootout this weekend.

“I have never been in anything like this before so I am thrilled to have this opportunity and glad to be in it,” Carr said.

With points awarded solely on qualifying, Carr qualified seventh of eight cars for the shootout and will unfortunately be matched up with teammate and point leader Gugliotta in the opening round.

“I got a good draw, didn’t I,” Carr said with a laugh. “But I am not complaining. I would rather be in it than not be in it so we are excited and we are going to give Frank a good race.

“I know I can get by Frank.”

In two prior tries Carr has yet to beat his teammate, but if Carr can get around Gugliotta on Saturday – watch out.

Carr is undefeated against Martino and Bertsch, the other two drivers in the bottom half of the bracket, and he is 1-1 against drivers in the top half of the bracket making Carr a serious contender for this weekend’s $40,000 shootout.

But it won’t be easy.

Gugliotta has been to four Pro Stock Shootout finals in the past six years including a win in 2003. Berner and Montecalvo are also former winners of this race, making the field very top heavy with former champions.

All of this and, of course, there is still a national event to be run as well.

“I would love to win one or the other. Heck I will take both if I can,” Carr said.