Wednesday, July 31, 2013

NHRA NEWS: PRO STOCK DRIVER GRAY BRINGS MOMENTEUM AND CONFIDENCE INTOO'REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS AT PACIFIC RACEWAYS

KENT, Wash. – Shane Gray brings his Gray Motorsports Chevy Camaro to this weekend's O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Pacific Raceways riding a wave of momentum and feels like he is on the verge of earning his first win of the season.

To secure a victory Gray will have to hold off a tough field of factory hot rods as he and all the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series drivers look for wins at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event, Aug. 2-4 at the scenic multi-purpose motorsports facility just south of Seattle. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car), and Erica Enders Stevens (Pro Stock) were winners last year at the event which ends the grueling Western Swing.  

Gray is fourth in Pro Stock points on the strength of three runner-up finishes which is a single season career best for the four year veteran. He’s pleased with the success the team has had this year and believes they have a shot at winning each time they pull into an event. 

7/31/13 Drag Racing News

News
William Tyler Remakes Cult Drag-Racing Film for 'Portrait of Sarah ... SPIN
As IMDb helpfully points out, the film tells the "story of two men drag racing across the USA in a primer grey '55 Chevy," which means Tyler's new video pretty ...
See all stories on this topic »
We've Got Mail! Drag Racing Online Magazine
Ford's decision to downsize its NHRA presence is a great disappointment, but not unexpected. I'm not a Ford guy, but know how important it is to drag racing.
See all stories on this topic »
NHRA Pro Stock: Arana Jr. Returns To Winning Ways At Sonoma Cycle News
When he won the first three NHRA Mello Yellow Drag Racing Series events of the season, there was no reason not to think that Lucas Oil Buell's Hector Arana ...
See all stories on this topic »
WMDRA to Support Forgotten Heroes at Sturgis MotorcycleUSA.com
The Western Motorcycle Drag Racing Association will be donating a portion of the gate sales from Sturgis to help America's Forgotten Heroes vehicle to keep the ...
See all stories on this topic »

Second chance at first event for Gordon Crawford OzRacingWrap
Crawford says there has been an intense learning curve attached to the craft of nitro drag racing both in tuning the bike and riding a machine that at over ...
See all stories on this topic »
Off-road racing brings anti-bullying message to rally South Shore Now
On Saturday drag racing saw Gerard Acker taking home first place in the six-cylinder class and Mr. Milbury took second in the pro-lite division. The rally is part of ...
See all stories on this topic »
Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals Next Stop for Drag ... Inside Track Motorsport News
Along with these three drag racing series, the Stratford Spectacular Hot August Nationals presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts will feature a ...
See all stories on this topic »
2013 NHRA: The Al-Anabi Racing Team - Seattle NHRA Preview PaddockTalk
Langdon joined the Al-Anabi Racing team prior to the 2012 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. He won the 2007 and '08 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag ...
See all stories on this topic »

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

NHRA NEWS: WITH STAR CONTINUING TO RISE, FUNNY CAR DRIVER COURTNEY FORCE RETURNS TO SITE OF FIRST VICTORY AT O'REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS

KENT, Wash. – It may be a year later, but as NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series star Courtney Force returns to Pacific Raceways near Seattle, the memory of her first Funny Car win remains just as strong.

Force’s star continues to rise, moving at a seemingly meteoric rate after standing in the winner’s circle for the first time in her Funny Car career just one year ago at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals.

This year she enters the event, which takes place Aug. 2-4 at the scenic multi-purpose motorsports facility, as the defending champ, along with Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock). The race marks the final stop in the grueling three-race Western Swing and will be televised on ESPN2 HD (qualifying Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET and eliminations, Sunday, 7 p.m. ET).

Many eyes will again be on Force, the youngest daughter of legendary 15-time world champion John Force, who couldn’t help but feel nostalgic heading back to the Pacific Northwest.

7/30/13 Drag Racing News

News

Penultimate round of 2013 drag racing series at Raceway The Queensland Times
EIGHTH-mile fever returns to Willowbank Raceway on Saturday with the running of the penultimate round of the 2013 JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series ...
See all stories on this topic »
Hundreds turn out to see drag races at Jamestown's airport Jamestown Sun
(Charly Haley / The Sun) Two cars prepare to go down the runway Sunday in the Jamestown Drag Racing Association's annual races at Jamestown Regional ...
See all stories on this topic »
Reed satisfies thirst for speed with drag racing Ludington Daily News
KALEVA — There's nothing like the adrenaline of driving wide open down an asphalt ribbon with another car doing the same right next to you for Fountain's ...
See all stories on this topic »
Al-Anabi's Langdon claims fourth race win of season Gulf Times
In the United States, the Brownsburg, Ind. based operation is a two-car NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series team that is managed by Alan Johnson Racing.
See all stories on this topic »

Blogs
Analysis: Ford Announces End Of All NHRA Professional Drag ... Brian Lohnes
"Ford is not getting out of drag racing. We are fully committed to continue our support of grassroots sportsman drag racing with our Mustang Cobra Jet, parts ...
BangShift.com

Monday, July 29, 2013

Racin & Rockin Show on 7/29 Canceled as Lightning Takes out Studio

Hi everyone. Sorry to report that our Racin & Rockin with Draglist.com radio show with Frank Iaconio is postponed due to a lightning strike near the studio in Myrtle Beach, SC. Everything is fried and Jeff will have to rebuild. We will have Frank back on as soon as we can. Bill Pratt

Racin & Rockin Radio: Frank Iaconio on July 29!


Join us on Monday night, July 29, as we welcome one of the top Pro Stock racers in history -- Frank Iaconio! Frank was one of an elite group of top racers who competed for championships for more than two decades in Chevys, Fords, and Oldsmobiles!




Plus John Bockelman does "JB's Take" with thoughts on music and drag racing.


MONDAYS, 8-9 PM Eastern Time (7-8 Central, 6-7 Mountain, 5-6 Pacific) 


REPLAY: 1 AM Eastern Time (Midnight Central, 11 PM Mountain, 10 PM Pacific)

Then all week long after the initial show!

LISTEN ON THE INTERNET:

http://racersreunion.com/play/ RacersReunionRadio/


CALL IN: 843-712-1887

JOIN OUR LIVE CHAT during the show:

http://drag.racersreunion.com/chat


RECORDED ARCHIVES OF RECENT SHOWS!
http://racersreunionradio.com/category/archives/racin-rockin/


Producers: Barb Santucci, Bud De Boer

Grudge Races at MIR! Custom T's Afterdark Underground comes to MIR this Saturday, Aug 3rd!



Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter

NHRA NEWS: TORRENCE HOPING TO DEFEND SEATTLE TOP FUEL VICTORY TO BOLSTER COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP CHANCES

KENT, Wash. – With only three races remaining until the top 10 teams in each Mello Yello Series category are locked in for the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs, every team on the bubble and those on the outside of the top 10 know the time is now to make a move.

In Top Fuel, Steve Torrence is feeling that strong sense of urgency.

Sitting 10th overall and recently squandering a couple of great qualifying performances with a pair of first round losses at Denver and Sonoma, Torrence feels like he needs to get back on the winning track at the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals, Aug. 2-4 at scenic Pacific Raceways near Seattle. Courtney Force (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) joined Torrence as winners last year of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at the multi-purpose motorsports facility. Once again, the race will be the final stop in the grueling three-race Western Swing and it will be televised on ESPN2 HD (qualifying Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET and eliminations, Sunday, 7 p.m. ET).

7/29/13 Drag Racing News

News

Playoff scenario update: Hight cracks top 10 NHRA.com
With just three races to go in the regular season of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, former NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car champ Robert Hight moved ...
See all stories on this topic »
NHRA Family Keeps The Faith Patch.com
The drivers in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series still come together as a ... The drag racing community is extremely close-knit, forged by the pressure to ...
See all stories on this topic »
Massey, Smith clinch Countdown playoff berths NHRA.com
Top Fuel racer Spencer Massey and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Matt smith both clinched their berths in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown ...
See all stories on this topic »

WNY Auto Racing: Lancaster win fills Vitez with emotions Buffalo News
Following his well-earned victory in the traveling Joe's Transmission Service TNT Super Series on Friday night during the drag racing competition at Elegant ...
See all stories on this topic »

Sunday, July 28, 2013

NHRA NEWS: MELLO YELLO SERIES SUNDAY RESULTS FROM SONOMA

CAPPS, LANGDON, NOBILE AND ARANA JR. EARN VICTORIES AT THE NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS

SONOMA, Calif. – In an exciting Funny Car final, Ron Capps raced to his second win of the season Sunday and continued his recent domination at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event, the 15th of 24 in the 2013 season.

Capps powered his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger to his fourth win at the scenic Bay Area track with a holeshot performance of 4.085 seconds at 307.79 mph to hold off the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang of 15-time world champion John Force in the final round. It marked the 40th career win for the California native.

"You're not just racing any car in the final - you're racing John Force,” said Capps, who has won at Sonoma Raceway three of the last four seasons. “It can be intimidating to a lot of people."

"This place has a lot of great memories,” he added. "We have a big NAPA presence here and were the only Don Schumacher Racing car in the final. No pressure, right? I try to stay humble. I have a lot of great people behind me to keep me focused. I think we can accomplish that goal of getting to the top.”

Capps outran Del Worsham, Jeff Arend, and Courtney Force to reach the final round. He leaves the event No. 2 in the Mello Yello points standings, his highest ranking since he left the Gainesville event tied for first in mid-March.  Event top qualifier Matt Hagan, who was upset in the opening round by Alexis DeJoria, continues to lead the series standings by 27 points over Capps.                       
    
In Top Fuel, points leader Langdon claimed his fourth win of the season and fifth of his career by defeating former high school classmate Morgan Lucas in the final round. Langdon powered his Al-Anabi Racing dragster to a performance of 3.920 at 240.47 to hold off Lucas’ GEICO/Lucas Oil dragster, which slowed near mid-track.

“This is a dream season,” Langdon said. “To get four wins at this point in the season feels like we have a strong car. Racing Morgan was pretty cool because we grew up together and went to high school together. A lot of memories racing with friends.”

With the win, his first at Sonoma, Langdon extends his series points lead to 102 over second place Spencer Massey. Langdon outran Houston winner Bob Vandergriff, veteran Doug Kalitta and defending world champion Antron Brown to advance to the final round.

In Pro Stock, Nobile and his Mountain View Tire Dodge Avenger team picked up their second win of the season. In the final round, Nobile drove to victory with a performance of 6.572 seconds at 208.58 mph against four-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. whose JEGS.com/Mopar Avenger shook the tires and shut off.

"This was an interesting day for sure but we were long overdue for a win,” Nobile said. "In the final, our engine was hurt in the water box and I thought I was a sitting duck. That's a helpless feeling. Jeg is someone I've always looked up to when I was little. He is still one of the best, if not the best driver out here."

The victory is Nobile’s second of the season and seventh of his career, moving him to fifth in points. Nobile defeated Jason Line, points leader and event top qualifier Mike Edwards and Greg Anderson to reach the final round.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Arana Jr. claimed his fourth win of the season, riding his Lucas Oil Buell to a performance of 6.878 at 195.45 to beat event top qualifier and Viper Motorcycle Company Buell rider Matt Smith in the final round. It is Arana Jr.’s seventh career victory and first at Sonoma.

"It was nice to have a little momentum to get back to the top,” Arana Jr. said. “It had been a while for us. After I won those three races, I started to think about winning the race before winning the first round. Not anymore.”

Arana Jr. beat Scotty Pollacheck, Jerry Savoie and Katie Sullivan to reach the final round. With the victory, Arana Jr. remains the series points leader.  With the runner-up finish Smith clinched a berth into the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six-race postseason playoffs that begin Sept. 13-15 at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, N.C.

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series continues Aug. 2-4 with the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways near Seattle.

* * *

SONOMA, Calif. -- Final finish order (1-16) at the 26th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway.  The race is the 15th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL:
1.  Shawn Langdon; 2.  Morgan Lucas; 3.  Spencer Massey; 4.  Antron Brown; 5.  Doug Kalitta; 6. Khalid alBalooshi; 7.  David Grubnic; 8.  Tommy Johnson Jr.; 9.  Bob Vandergriff; 10.  Clay Millican; 11.  T.J. Zizzo; 12.  Brandon Bernstein; 13.  Terry McMillen; 14.  Steve Torrence; 15. Brittany Force; 16.  Tony Schumacher.

FUNNY CAR:
1.  Ron Capps; 2.  John Force; 3.  Alexis DeJoria; 4.  Courtney Force; 5.  Jack Beckman; 6.  Robert Hight; 7.  Johnny Gray; 8.  Jeff Arend; 9.  Bob Tasca III; 10.  Tony Pedregon; 11.  Cruz Pedregon; 12.  Del Worsham; 13.  Tim Wilkerson; 14.  Gary Densham; 15.  Matt Hagan; 16.  Todd Lesenko.

PRO STOCK:
1.  Vincent Nobile; 2.  Jeg Coughlin; 3.  Allen Johnson; 4.  Greg Anderson; 5.  Mike Edwards; 6. V. Gaines; 7.  Shane Gray; 8.  Rickie Jones; 9.  Larry Morgan; 10.  Jason Line; 11.  Rodger Brogdon; 12.  Chris McGaha; 13.  Steve Kent; 14.  JR Carr; 15.  Deric Kramer.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
1.  Hector Arana Jr; 2.  Matt Smith; 3.  Hector Arana; 4.  Katie Sullivan; 5.  Eddie Krawiec; 6. Angie Smith; 7.  LE Tonglet; 8.  Jerry Savoie; 9.  Steve Johnson; 10.  Adam Arana; 11.  Scotty Pollacheck; 12.  Karen Stoffer; 13.  Andrew Hines; 14.  John Hall; 15.  Shawn Gann; 16.  Michael Ray.


SONOMA, Calif. -- Sunday's final results from the 26th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway. The race is the 15th of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Shawn Langdon, 3.920 seconds, 240.47 mph  def. Morgan Lucas, 4.628 seconds, 183.69 mph.

Funny Car -- Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.085, 307.79  def. John Force, Ford Mustang, 4.072, 311.13.

Pro Stock -- Vincent Nobile, Dodge Avenger, 6.572, 208.59  def. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 7.627, 137.95.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.878, 195.45  def. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.877, 195.45.

Super Stock -- Jody Lang, Chevy Malibu, 10.883, 119.26  def. Staci Smith, Dodge Daytona, 9.672, 133.99.

Stock Eliminator -- Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 11.007, 117.20  def. Brent Calvert, Ford Mustang, 9.743, 132.21.

Super Comp -- Steve Williams, Dragster, 8.928, 181.11  def. Ken Mostowich, Chevy Cavalier, 8.958, 167.16.

Super Gas -- Rick Beckstrom, Pontiac Grand Am, 9.911, 168.51  def. Mike Blodgett, Chevy Vega, 9.891, 143.22.

Top Dragster -- Bob Button, Dragster, 6.807, 187.55  def. George Prather, Dragster, 6.693, 196.73.

Top Sportsman -- Jeff Gillette, Pontiac GTO, 6.962, 200.14  def. Mike Ferderer, Pontiac Grand Am, 7.376, 180.60.



SONOMA, Calif. -- Final round-by-round results from the 26th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, the 15th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:


TOP FUEL:

ROUND ONE -- Antron Brown, 3.787, 322.58 def. Clay Millican, 3.795, 323.12; Shawn Langdon, 3.743, 324.51 def. Bob Vandergriff, 3.786, 320.66; Khalid alBalooshi, 3.794, 323.50 def. Brandon Bernstein, 3.872, 322.27; David Grubnic, 3.795, 324.59 def. Terry McMillen, 3.876, 321.65; Tommy Johnson Jr., 3.786, 324.51 def. Steve Torrence, 3.918, 310.63; Doug Kalitta, 3.785, 326.87 def.
Brittany Force, 4.770, 163.35; Spencer Massey, 4.291, 242.71 def. Tony Schumacher, 5.380, 148.35; Morgan Lucas, 3.757, 328.30 def. T.J. Zizzo, 3.835, 321.81;

QUARTERFINALS -- Massey, 3.822, 324.59 def. alBalooshi, 3.820, 323.97; Brown, 3.835, 314.31 def. Johnson Jr., 6.996, 85.31; Lucas, 4.296, 266.16 def. Grubnic, 4.323, 193.68; Langdon, 3.799, 324.67 def. Kalitta, 3.819, 326.87;

SEMIFINALS -- Lucas, 3.808, 322.50 def. Massey, 3.832, 317.72; Langdon, 3.804, 324.98 def. Brown, 5.346, 114.57;

FINAL -- Langdon, 3.920, 240.47 def. Lucas, 4.628, 183.69.


FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Johnny Gray, Dodge Charger, 4.057, 315.42 def. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.941, 157.25; Ron Capps, Charger, 4.066, 311.20 def. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 4.855, 188.94; Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.705, 185.08 def. Matt Hagan, Charger, 5.228, 189.87; Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.057, 313.29 def. Todd Lesenko, Charger, DQ; John Force, Mustang, 4.073, 312.86 def. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.267, 258.22; Jeff Arend, Charger, 4.170, 287.23 def. Gary Densham, Charger, 5.081, 151.70; Courtney Force, Mustang, 4.088, 317.72 def. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.831, 168.94; Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.018, 317.49 def. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.105, 312.21;

QUARTERFINALS -- C. Force, 4.089, 315.34 def. Beckman, 4.067, 313.51; J. Force, 4.057, 313.95 def. Gray, 4.991, 153.14; DeJoria, 4.145, 306.33 def. Hight, 4.127, 283.91; R. Capps, 4.099, 308.35 def.
Arend, 6.018, 115.56;

SEMIFINALS -- R. Capps, 4.048, 315.34 def. C. Force, 4.506, 186.59; J. Force, 4.086, 311.34 def. DeJoria, 4.095, 309.84;

FINAL -- R. Capps, 4.085, 307.79 def. J. Force, 4.072, 311.13.


PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Vincent Nobile, Dodge Avenger, 6.565, 210.70 def. Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 6.573, 210.97; Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.562, 210.54 def. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.586, 211.43; Rickie Jones, Camaro, 6.541, 211.56 def. Larry Morgan, Ford Mustang, 6.563, 210.57; V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.555, 211.96 def. Steve Kent, Camaro, 6.608, 210.05; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.571, 211.36 def. JR Carr, Mustang, 6.608, 208.91; Mike Edwards, Camaro, 6.541, 212.09 was unopposed; Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.523, 212.23 def. Deric Kramer, Avenger, 6.608, 209.43; Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.534, 211.93 def. Chris McGaha, Avenger, 6.600, 210.47;

QUARTERFINALS -- Anderson, 6.559, 211.30 def. Gaines, 6.541, 212.06; Nobile, 6.559, 211.16 def. Edwards, 6.532, 212.33; Johnson, 6.534, 212.06 def. Jones, foul; Coughlin, 6.544, 211.43 def. Gray, 6.541, 211.89;

SEMIFINALS -- Nobile, 6.557, 211.39 def. Anderson, foul; Coughlin, 6.556, 211.53 def. Johnson, 6.539, 211.63;

FINAL -- Nobile, 6.572, 208.59 def. Coughlin, 7.627, 137.95.


PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:

ROUND ONE -- Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.824, 195.56 def. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.873, 195.00; Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.874, 195.11 def. Adam Arana, Buell, 6.838, 195.79; Angie Smith, Buell, 6.866, 193.99 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.830, 195.51; Katie Sullivan, Suzuki, 6.871, 191.08 def. Michael Ray, Buell, 7.635, 140.43; LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.858, 194.55 def. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, foul; Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.842, 194.83 def. Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.854, 193.79; Hector Arana, Buell, 6.805, 198.15 def. John Hall, Buell, 6.884, 192.82; Matt Smith, Buell, 6.826, 196.44 def. Shawn Gann, Buell, 6.922, 194.10;

QUARTERFINALS -- Sullivan, 6.928, 190.35 def. A. Smith, foul; Arana Jr, 6.851, 196.64 def. Savoie, 6.872, 195.11; M. Smith, 6.843, 196.73 def. Krawiec, 6.842, 196.87; H. Arana, 6.816, 198.44 def. Tonglet, 6.868, 195.22;

SEMIFINALS -- Arana Jr, 6.856, 195.25 def. Sullivan, 6.904, 190.89; M. Smith, 6.827, 195.59 def. H. Arana, 6.891, 196.07;

FINAL -- Arana Jr, 6.878, 195.45 def. M. Smith, 6.877, 195.45.


SONOMA, Calif. -- Point standings (top 10) following the 26th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, the 15th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series -

Top Fuel

1.  Shawn Langdon, 1,210; 2.  Spencer Massey, 1,108; 3.  Tony Schumacher, 1,106; 4.  Doug Kalitta, 924; 5.  Antron Brown, 904; 6.  Khalid alBalooshi, 865; 7.  Clay Millican, 769; 8.  Morgan Lucas, 768; 9.  Bob Vandergriff, 726; 10.  Steve Torrence, 688.

Funny Car

1.  Matt Hagan, 1,034; 2.  Ron Capps, 1,007; 3.  Cruz Pedregon, 983; 4.  John Force, 961; 5. Johnny Gray, 945; 6.  (tie) Jack Beckman, 910; Courtney Force, 910; 8.  Tim Wilkerson, 804; 9.  Del Worsham, 799; 10.  Robert Hight, 782.

Pro Stock

1.  Mike Edwards, 1,339; 2.  Allen Johnson, 1,273; 3.  Jeg Coughlin, 1,147; 4.  Shane Gray, 948; 5. Vincent Nobile, 918; 6.  Jason Line, 902; 7.  Greg Anderson, 821; 8.  Erica Enders-Stevens, 743; 9. V. Gaines, 742; 10.  Rodger Brogdon, 660.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

1.  Hector Arana Jr, 795; 2.  Matt Smith, 646; 3.  Michael Ray, 599; 4.  Hector Arana, 553; 5. John Hall, 534; 6.  Scotty Pollacheck, 523; 7.  Eddie Krawiec, 465; 8.  Adam Arana, 462; 9.  Shawn Gann, 428; 10.  Steve Johnson, 424.

Atlanta Dragway - Summit ET Series event

RICHARDSON AND BRYANT TAKE FIRST SUMMIT ET SERIES WIN OF THE SEASON; HEISLER, ABNEY AND RHYNE ENJOY SECOND WIN OF SEASON

(Commerce, GA – July 27)  Midway through the racing season, Doug Richardson and Travis Bryant enjoyed their first 2013 Summit ET Series win after winning their respective classes.  Jimmy Heisler, Mel Abney and Jay Rhyne enjoyed their second win.  For what seems the first time in months, weather was not a factor in today's event.


            Super Pro winner Doug Richardson from Ballground, GA enjoyed his first 2013 win after defeating Wayne Brooks' Between, GA based Race Tech dragster in final round action.  Richardson left first, and maintained the lead for the entire course, crossing the win stripe in his '02 Miller dragster ahead of Brooks with a 5.11 second pass at 127.16mph (5.08 dial).  Brooks' car spun the tires down track and he then chose to slow to a 4.90 at 112.08mph (4.60 dial).  Retired fireman Joe Rampley returned to action today in his '85 Olds Calais, and made it all the way to the semi-final round before bowing out of action.  "Thank the good Lord first.  Then, thanks to my wife and family.  I couldn't, wouldn't do it without them.  It's been a good day," added Richardson.

7/28/13 Drag Racing News

News
Hagan, Grubnic, Edwards and Arana Sr. Lead Qualifying at NHRA ... RacingWest.com
Sonoma Raceway became the fifth NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series track to showcase four-second Funny Car runs. Jack Beckman drove his ...
See all stories on this topic »
Champions crowned at Eastern Conference Finals NHRA.com
Alec Harper picked up his second straight NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals presented by ViperizerRacing.com Wally when he ...
See all stories on this topic »
Death will have to wait; there's racing to do The Province
Shawn Cowie, a local drag-racing driver who, in 2011, was nearly killed in a motorcycle crash in Tennessee., with his drag race car in Burnaby, BC., July 19, ...
See all stories on this topic »
Business Watch: Custom engine shop opens Topeka Capital Journal
A custom-built drag racing engine can cost more than $45,000, he said. "I do a lot of performance engines as far as circle track racing, drag racing, muscle cars," ...
See all stories on this topic »
Al-Anabi teams take fourth, sixth spots in qualifying Peninsula On-line
... Nationals some 45 miles north of San Francisco, the 15th of 24 events making up the United States' 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
See all stories on this topic »
Blogs
Drag racing Cobra - Club Cobra BOURRET
Here is a video showing my Cobra at "Le Castellet" where I went drag racing last week-end. I finished in the quarter final. Snakysquaw Cobra.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Weekly Video Review


X-DRL: Weather Causes Mayhem at the Creek


Budd's Creek, MD (July 27, 213): Despite the extraordinary efforts of the X-DRL and Maryland International Raceway track crews, excessive rain has put a halt to the action at Mayhem at the Creek for Saturday.
Interim race director Royce Miller worked diligently with X-DRL management to establish a plan that would produce the most exciting event for race fans. The schedule which was announced in February, called for quarter final eliminations for all classes to start at 7:00 pm. The event was heavily promoted to local race fans with the emphasis being that the professional classes would start eliminations at 7:00 pm and the never-before-seen X-DRL action under the lights.
"Our fans at MIR have made it known that Saturday nights are for racing and MIR and the X-DRL were poised to deliver a great show.  We were in the difficult situation of meeting the fans expectations by keeping the original elimination schedule or adjusting the Saturday schedule in the event of weather, and disappoint loyal race fans. The last thing we wanted to do was to have fans arrive to only see the end of the show.  We felt it was important to honor the fans and deliver an evening program if at all possible," said Royce Miller, track owner and operator at Maryland International Raceway.
"Royce and his staff exceeded our expectations in the race promotion and on-track support.  He delivered great crowds all weekend creating one of the best racing environments I have had the opportunity to experience.  It was a huge disappointment when the weather moved in early and ended eliminations on Saturday," said Jeff Mitchell, president and owner of the X-DRL.
Racing is scheduled to resume Sunday morning at 9:00 am with gates opening at 8:00 am for spectators. All Saturday tickets will be honored for full admission on Sunday. Race fans unable to attend the event on Sunday with tickets purchased before 4:00 pm will receive a 50% credit applicable to a future event at Maryland International Raceway. Tickets purchased after 4:00 pm will receive full face value at a future event at Maryland International Raceway.

NHRA NEWS: MELLO YELLO SERIES RESULTS SATURDAY FROM SONOMA RACEWAY

HAGAN, GRUBNIC, EDWARDS AND SMITH LEAD QUALIFYING AT NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS

SONOMA, Calif.  – Funny Car driver Matt Hagan has returned to championship form in 2013 and on Saturday he raced to his third No. 1 qualifying position of the season at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

David Grubnic (Top Fuel), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also will lead their categories into Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations as the No. 1 qualifiers at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.

No one bettered Hagan’s track record performance of 3.986 seconds at 320.51 mph in his Magneti Marelli/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger from Friday and the Virginia driver earned his 13th No. 1 of his career. He will face Alexis DeJoria in the first round of eliminations as the 2011 world champ tries for his fourth win of the season and first ever at Sonoma Raceway.

“We were pressing pretty hard in the first session today, and it felt good to lay down a 4.07 for the second-quickest run of the last session,” Hagan said. “Those bonus points all add up, so we’ll take every one of them that we can get. It’s great to be up here in Sonoma and get a No. 1 qualifier under our belt.

“Dickie [Venables, crew chief] and the Magneti Marelli/Rocky Boots guys put a great horse underneath me that I had the opportunity to ride without messing it up. This team has a lot of confidence after starting the year being thrown together at the last-minute. I knew Dickie was good, but I had no idea that he was this good.”

Cruz Pedregon, second in points and most recent Funny Car winner, qualified 10th and will face seventh place qualifier Courtney Force.

In Top Fuel, Grubnic in his Optima Batteries dragster, raced to his first No. 1 qualifying position of the season with his pass of 3.765 at 324.28. This is his first top qualifying position of the season and the 10th of his career. It is his first No. 1 qualifying position at Sonoma Raceway where he has two runner-up finishes. He will face Terry McMillen in the first round of eliminations.

“Being the No. 1 qualifier here is great,” Grubnic said. “This sport has its ups and downs, and you have to take the good with the bad. So far, we’ve been very fortunate to have one of our better weekends. We felt pretty good about making the best run on a 120-degree track in the first session today. Hopefully, we can carry that momentum tomorrow.”

Steve Torrence will start from the second qualifying position with his run of 3.766 at 323.27 and will face Tommy Johnson Jr. Top Fuel points leader Shawn Langdon in his Al-Anabi Racing dragster will race Bob Vandergriff in the first round of eliminations.  

Spencer Massey added his name to the Countdown to the Championship roster in Top Fuel by qualifying for the event.

In Pro Stock Edwards earned his 11th No. 1 qualifying position of the season and the 52nd in his career in his K&N Filters/I Am Second Chevy Camaro. This is his second No. 1 qualifying position at Sonoma Raceway, a track where he has yet to win. Edwards has three wins this season after qualifying No. 1.

“It’s about time to do something; I’ve been a bridesmaid here a couple of times,” Edwards said. “Tomorrow is another day but the K&N Camaro ran very well today. It was close this weekend so you have to make the right decisions and the driver will be the most important thing. My biggest concern is Mike Edwards. If I can pull up there and do my job, I’ll have a chance to win the race. Hopefully we’ll have a good long day tomorrow.”
                                                                                                                                                               
Edwards’ nearest competitor in Pro Stock points, 2012 world champion Allen Johnson, qualified third and will race Chris McGaha. Shane Gray qualified second and will look for his first win of the season when he lines up against Deric Kramer.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Smith powered his Viper Motorcycle Company Buell to the No. 1 qualifying position with his performance of 6.838 at 195.73. This is his third No. 1 qualifying position of the season and 21st of his career. The 2007 Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion will face Denver winner Shawn Gann in the opening round.

“Our Viper Motorsports team has really jelled together,” Smith said. “The last four races we have had three final rounds, two wins, couple of No. 1 qualifiers and we are running good. That was some new pieces on the bike and I didn’t want to throw it on but I did because we had a headwind when we had Q 3 and sitting number two. That is what our new stuff is going to look like for the Countdown [to the Championship], and I have to get a few laps on it and get it all tuned up but we should be really fast come countdown time.”

Points lead Hector Arana Jr. qualified second and will face Scott Pollacheck in the first round of eliminations.

* * *
SONOMA, Calif. -- Sunday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 26th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, the 15th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.  Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.
Top Fuel -- 1. David Grubnic, 3.765 seconds, 324.28 mph  vs. 16. Terry McMillen, 3.903, 317.79; 2. Steve Torrence, 3.766, 323.27  vs. 15. Tommy Johnson Jr., 3.875, 303.71; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.780, 324.83  vs. 14. Brittany Force, 3.863, 316.67; 4. Khalid alBalooshi, 3.789, 322.96  vs. 13. Brandon Bernstein, 3.841, 319.14; 5. Spencer Massey, 3.793, 321.35  vs. 12. Tony Schumacher, 3.838, 323.89; 6. Shawn Langdon, 3.797, 321.96  vs. 11. Bob Vandergriff, 3.836, 319.14; 7. Antron Brown, 3.803, 320.66  vs. 10. Clay Millican, 3.830, 318.84; 8. Morgan Lucas, 3.811, 323.66  vs. 9. T.J. Zizzo, 3.821, 319.37.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Troy Buff, 3.906, 303.91; 18. Steven Chrisman, 4.242, 264.18.

Funny Car -- 1. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.986, 320.51  vs. 16. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Camry, 4.188, 303.71; 2. Jack Beckman, Charger, 3.994, 319.67  vs. 15. Todd Lesenko, Charger, 4.165, 304.87; 3. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.012, 312.50  vs. 14. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.157, 306.26; 4. John Force, Ford Mustang, 4.025, 316.60  vs. 13. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.145, 298.27; 5. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.026, 314.09  vs. 12. Johnny Gray, Charger, 4.112, 306.46; 6. Gary Densham, Charger, 4.055, 304.32  vs. 11. Jeff Arend, Charger, 4.107, 307.23; 7. Courtney Force, Mustang, 4.057, 314.46  vs. 10. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.102, 302.89; 8. Robert Hight, Mustang, 4.058, 311.41  vs. 9. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.078, 309.13.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Jon Capps, 4.251, 283.49; 18. Jeff Diehl, 4.448, 274.61; 19. Josh Crawford, 4.457, 264.55.

Pro Stock -- 1. Mike Edwards, Chevy Camaro, 6.526, 212.56  vs. Bye; 2. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.532, 211.93  vs. 15. Deric Kramer, Dodge Avenger, 6.648, 208.17; 3. Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.536, 211.66  vs. 14. Chris McGaha, Avenger, 6.604, 209.62; 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.545, 210.57  vs. 13. JR Carr, Ford Mustang, 6.596, 209.49; 5. V. Gaines, Avenger, 6.551, 211.69  vs. 12. Steve Kent, Camaro, 6.592, 209.88; 6. Rickie Jones, Camaro, 6.554, 211.63  vs. 11. Larry Morgan, Mustang, 6.583, 209.95; 7. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.557, 211.30  vs. 10. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.568, 211.06; 8. Vincent Nobile, Avenger, 6.558, 211.03  vs. 9. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.568, 211.30.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.838, 195.73  vs. 16. Shawn Gann, Buell, 6.952, 193.43; 2. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.840, 195.73  vs. 15. Scotty Pollacheck, Buell, 6.942, 190.65; 3. Michael Ray, Buell, 6.841, 195.34  vs. 14. Katie Sullivan, Suzuki, 6.942, 191.21; 4. Hector Arana, Buell, 6.865, 195.87  vs. 13. John Hall, Buell, 6.925, 191.87; 5. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.879, 194.10  vs. 12. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.916, 193.32; 6. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.893, 192.17  vs. 11. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.908, 192.93; 7. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.898, 194.13  vs. 10. Adam Arana, Buell, 6.902, 194.63; 8. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.898, 192.47  vs. 9. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.899, 193.99.
Did Not Qualify: 17. Jim Underdahl, 6.975, 193.18; 18. Freddie Camarena, 7.067, 189.07; 19. James Surber, 7.102, 187.96; 20. Daryl Meadows, 7.184, 182.65.