TROXEL, CAPPS QUICKEST AT TUESDAY TESTING FOR MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS

CLERMONT, Ind. – Melanie Troxel and Ron Capps posted the quickest runs in their respective categories Tuesday at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis during testing for the 53rd annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the world’s most prestigious drag race.

Troxel and Capps will be among the many drivers competing in the $2.6 million event, Aug. 29 — Sept. 3 at the legendary multi-use motorsports facility. ESPN2 will provide more than 10 hours of event coverage of the historic race.

Troxel’s Vietnam Veterans/POW-MIA dragster clocked the quickest Top Fuel run of the day, with 4.530 second run at 328.46 mph.

“We made three runs today and two of them we got down the track so we’re feeling pretty good about the test session in general,” Troxel said. “I’m looking forward to getting out here tomorrow and seeing if we can’t improve on those times.”

Troxel found herself within 2 points of the eighth-place cutoff spot in the Countdown to the Championship heading into the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals last week in Reading, Pa. but was unable to make it into the Top 8 after a first round loss to teammate Morgan Lucas. Though Troxel finds herself on the outside of the Countdown playoffs, her motivation in testing is to test some of the smaller things on her dragster in preparation for next week’s event in Indy.

“We’ve just been testing some little things,” Troxel said. “Trying some new clutch discs and just generally getting ready for qualifying here at Indy. I would imagine that is what we are going to do out here tomorrow. A little bit of testing and a little bit of getting ready for our U.S. Nationals tune-up.”

Following a close second during the test session was U.S. Army dragster pilot and five-time U.S. Nationals winner Tony Schumacher. Schumacher piloted his dragster to a 4.572 second run at 325.85 mph. Schumacher is the defending event winner in Indy and is currently fourth in the POWERade Championship point standings.

Capps held the fastest run in Funny Car for most of the day, driving his Brut Dodge Charger to a 4.852 second at 317.12 mph run. Currently sitting in the No.1 position in the points in Funny Car, Capps is ready to see what will happen in Indy next week.

“I’m so excited with the Countdown starting,” Capps said. “You can feel the excitement and there is so much going on. We got in the lanes right at 8 o’clock and ran a 485 and right now, to be honest with you, we’re not testing. We’re practicing. And we’re practicing running race day attitudes, approaching night qualifying and getting ready. It’s just exciting. I wish next weekend was here all ready.”

Capps’ teammate, Gary Scelzi, drove his HEMI/Oakley Dodge Charger to the second spot during testing with a 4.869 second run at 321.19 mph. “Fast” Jack Beckman completed the Don Schumacher Racing Funny Car trio, driving his Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger to the sixth spot in testing with a 5.229 second run at 207.72 mph.

Pro Stock driver Kevin Lawrence ended the day with the fastest run in his category. Lawrence drove his Modern Carraige Werks Chevy Cobalt to a 6.866 second run at 193. 18 mph.

Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Joe DeSantis was the only rider to make a successful run down the track, posting a 7.958 second run at 130.15 mph.

Mac Tools U.S. Nationals testing continues Wednesday at 10 a.m.

CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Tuesday's best runs, listed in order of elapsed time, in Funny Car at the NHRA, Indianapolis Test Session:

Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed

1. Ron Capps Brut Charger 4.852 317.12

2. Gary Scelzi Hemi Oakley Charger 4.869 321.19

3. Mark Oswald Torco Racing Fuels Charger 4.974 294.82

4. Jerry Toliver Rockstar Energy Drinks Solara 4.995 311.13

5. Kenny Bernstein Monster Energy/Lucas Oil Charg 5.010 264.18

6. Jack Beckman MTS Charger 5.229 207.72

7. Gary Densham Torco/Racebricks Impala 7.420 114.45

8. Scott Kalitta DHL Solara 9.889 87.11

CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Tuesday's best runs, listed in order of elapsed time, in Top Fuel at the NHRA, Indianapolis Test Session:

Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed

1. Melanie Troxel Vietnam Veterans/POW-MIA Drags 4.530 328.46

2. Tony Schumacher U.S. Army Dragster 4.572 325.85

3. Whit Bazemore Matco Tools Dragster 6.451 127.67

4. Phil Burkart Hartley Racing Dragster 6.644 129.49

5. Hillary Will KB Racing Dragster 6.692 118.04

6. Scott Kalitta Mac Tools/Jesse James Dragster 7.367 106.22

7. Bob Vandergriff UPS Dragster 10.062 82.58

CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Tuesday's best runs, listed in order of elapsed time, in Pro Stock at the NHRA, Indianapolis Test Session:

Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed

1. Kevin Lawrence Modern Carriage Werks Cobalt 6.866 193.18

2. Matt Scranton GTO 6.869 200.74

3. Steve Schmidt Schmidt Competition Engines Co 6.870 201.22

4. Kenny Koretsky Indicom Cobalt 7.199 146.99

5. Matt Hartford GTO 7.421 130.69

CLERMONT, Ind. - SUMMIT FastNews - Tuesday's best runs, listed in order of elapsed time, in Pro Stock Motorcycle at the NHRA, Indianapolis Test Session:

Psn Rider Vehicle ET Speed

1. Joe DeSantis Suzuki 7.958 130.15

RELENTLESS RAIN AT MAPLE GROVE PUSHES ELIMINATIONS TO MONDAY

MOHNTON, Pa. - The 23rd annual Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals have been postponed until Monday after a light but steady rain halted the action midway through the first round of Funny Car eliminations and continued to fall for many hours thereafter. Action will resume at the exact same spot in the proceedings Monday morning at 10 a.m.

A few things were decided in the first round of Top Fuel. The pool of drivers fighting for the final spot in the Countdown to the Championship was pared from six racers to three, with Dave Grubnic, Doug Herbert, and Cory McClenathan still alive. All three of those men advanced to Round 2, along with points leader "Hot Rod" Fuller, J.R. Todd, Morgan Lucas, Doug Foley, and Clay Millican.

In Funny Car, Ron Capps edged Kenny Bernstein, with John Force and Tim Wilkerson also advancing to the quarterfinals.

Woodburn Ford Fever Classic Results

Ford Fever Classic Results

WOODBURN DRAGSTRIP Woodburn, Ore. (Aug. 19)

The slight bit of moisture that fell overnight only served to freshen-up the air and improve the performance of the many Ford enthusiasts who attended the 10th Annual Ford Fever Classic sponsored by Hillyer’s Mid City Ford, Dearborn Classics, and Capitol Area Mustang Club. Cars from five states and Canada demonstrated their loyalty to the blue-oval logo and performed extremely well. A car show, swap meet, and display of the finest of the new year’s product, as well as an attractive display of Roush Mustangs only added to a great day of racing. Race results are listed below:

SUPER PRO
W: Roberta Van Scoyk, Willamina, OR ('67 Mustang) - 10.435, 127.64 (10.43 dial).
R/U: Jerry Odman, Pendleton, OR ('70 Maverick) - broke.
Semi's: Tracy Popham, Clarkston, WA ('66 Falcon);

PRO ET
W: Rob Merriman, Pendleton, OR ('67 Mustang) - 12.131, 110.82 (12.11 dial).
R/U: Dave Flett, Tillamook, OR ('67 Mustang) - foul.

SPORTSMAN
W: Matt Schumacher, Sublimity, OR ('03 Ford Lightning) - 13.212, 103.60 (13.10 dial).
R/U: Richard Watson, Portland, OR ('00 Ford) - 14.285, 96.70 (14.28 dial).
Semi's: Kathy Figini, Oregon City, OR ('76 Maverick);
Mike Harrison, Tillamook, OR ('72 Maverick).

Stick Shift
W: Dave Abslag, Redmond, OR ('06 Mustang) - 13.856, 103.72 (13.70 dial).
R/U: Vernon T Benguerel, Silverton, OR ('93 Mustang) - 13.459, 102.92 (13.40 dial).
Semi's: Steve Erickson, Portland, OR ('07 Shelby GT 350);

RUN TUFF
W: Chuck Gordon, Portland, OR (01 Mustang) -14.225, 103.28 (14.20 dial)
R/U: Tim Elvord, Abbotsford, BC (87 Mustang) –foul
Semi’s: Mike Morales, Coos Bay, OR 65 Mustang -foul

RACE RESULTS: WOODBURN DRAGSTRIP Woodburn, Ore. (Aug. 18)
On the final event of the VP Fuels Championship Series, racers were vying for every possible point to earn a spot on the Woodburn Dragstrip Summit ET Finals Team. Track Champions were crowned at this event. Tim Schillereff, from Portland OR topped all others in Super Pro. Vancouver, WA’s Steve Kelly earned top honors in Pro Bracket. Kathy Figini, from Oregon City, out-drove all the guys in Sportsman Bracket and Brian Carr, from Clackamas, OR claimed the Motorcycle Championship. A complete listing of team members will follow at a later date. Following is the results of the finals for today’s race:

SUPER PRO
W: Randy Pressel, Colton, OR ('01 V.E. Dragster) - 8.470, 148.36 (7.83 dial).
R/U: Donny Richards, Gladstone, OR ('66 Chevy Nova) - foul.
Semi's: Dennis Weddle, Salem, OR ('57 Chevy);

PRO
W: Mike Bales, Jr, Florence, OR ('65 Ford) - 11.747, 112.83 (11.72 dial).
R/U: Scott Ranelle, Tacoma, WA ('70 Nova) - foul.
Semi's: Casey DePeel, Gladstone, OR ('27 Roadster); Tony Price ('63 Nova).

SPORTSMAN
W: Patrick Arnott, Redmond, OR ('82 Camaro) - 13.732, 97.16 (13.77 dial).
R/U: Rodney Holt, Portland, OR (Mopar) - 14.857, 86.73 (14.90 dial).
Semi's: Karl Hart, Portland, OR ('84 Pontiac);

MOTORCYCLE
W: Mike O’Leary, Richland, WA ('81 Kawasaki) - 9.230, 134.08 (9.23 dial).
R/U: Craig Rych, North Bend, OR ('76 Kawasaki) - 9.821, 127.49 (9.83 dial).
Semi's: Brian Carr, Clackamas, OR ('83 Suzuki);

RACE RESULTS: WOODBURN DRAGSTRIP Woodburn, Ore. (Aug. 17)
Sports Compact racers gathered on a Friday evening for an exciting afternoon and evening of drag race competition. Results from this race were critical in the determining of which competitors would earn the right to represent Woodburn Dragstrip at the Summit ET Finals, September 7-9, 2007. By virtue of a runner-up finish, Derrick Jackson earned the number one position in Sports Compact Sportsman. Joining him as the Sports Compact Pro representative will be Bud Kuhns, who cemented his position in the first round of competition. Complete final results are listed here:

SPORTS COMPACT SPORTSMAN
W: John Floyd, Jr ('01 Honda) - 17.799, 74.34 (17.74 dial).
R/U: Derrick Jackson ('98 Suzuki) - 18.996, 70.49 (18.85 dial).
Semi's: Aaron Mauldin ('97 Honda); Keith Duber ('96 Acura).

SPORTS COMPACT PRO
W: Pamela McClaskey ('77 Datsun) - 12.536, 106.62 (12.30 dial).
R/U: Jereme Lennig ('91 Honda) - 13.575, 107.44 (12.83 dial).
Semi's: Bernd Arndt ('93 VW);

STREET BIKE SHOOTOUT
W: Eric Johns ('79 Kawasaki) - 12.662, 104.94 (12.55 dial).
R/U: Roger Wolff (Kawasaki) - 9.319, 146.84 (9.32 dial).
Semi's: Daniel London ('01 Suzuki);

SALEM HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO HOST ALL HARLEY DRAG RACING ACTION IN WOODBURN, OR ON AUGUST 25TH AND 26TH

WINSTON-SALEM, NC, August 16, 2007—The All Harley Drag Racing association (AHDRA) is approaching the final five mark of the Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts National Championship Series and with that- fierce competition is expected at the upcoming Salem Harley-Davidson Northwest Nationals on August 25th and 26th at Woodburn Dragstrip.

There is still plenty of room in several of AHDRA’s sixteen classes of competition for upsets and comeback championship titles as competitors load up for the action at Woodburn Dragstrip.

Fans can expect to see competitors from the east and west battle it out on the 1/4-mile for the prize purse, totaling over $60,000.

Fueling the excitement for this year’s event is a brand new title sponsor, Salem Harley-Davidson. AHDRA President, Craig Tharpe says that his organization is very appreciative of the outstanding promotional support that Salem Harley-Davidson is bringing forth to the event and he expects the event to be the biggest yet at Woodburn Dragstrip.

Salem Harley-Davidson will lead off the pre-race activities on Thursday, August 23rd (5:00-8:00pm) at the Salem Harley-Davidson AHDRA Nitro Party. The dealership will host drag bike displays and autograph sessions featuring several AHDRA teams, live entertainment by the Ty Curtis Band, discount race tickets and more! Salem Harley-Davidson is located at 3601 Silverton Road NE in Salem, OR.

Saturday and Sunday, in addition to the action on the track and ample vendor displays, AHDRA proudly welcomes the Harley Owners Group for an Official H.O.G. Pitstop at Woodburn Dragstrip. H.O.G. members will receive a free pin at the Pitstop with paid admission.

Racing gets underway Saturday at Woodburn Dragstrip with qualifying at 9:00am.

Sunday, eliminations for sportsman categories get underway at 9:00am and the Pros take the track at 12:30pm.

Admission is $50 for the weekend and $30 for a single-day pass. H.O.G. members receive a $5 discount at the gate. Children 11 and under are admitted free. Discount tickets are available Salem Harley-Davidson and discount coupons are available at many Bi-Mart locations. Admission includes full access to the pits.

For more information on the Salem Harley-Davidson Northwest Nationals, August 25th and 26th contact 336-924-2095 or visit www.ahdra.com. For more track information contact 503-982-4461 or visit www.woodburndragstrip.com.

San Antonio Pro-Am Postponed
NORWALK, Ohio (August 16, 2007) – This weekend’s Pro-Am event in San Antonio, Texas, has been postponed due to the imminent severe weather conditions expected from Tropical Storm Erin, which came ashore near Corpus Christi Thursday morning.

The Renegades double-event Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by Mr. Gasket race was scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19.

Stay tuned to www.ihra.com for more information.

100 Foot Drag Racing News
Better get your 60 foot times in order, gang, because you only have 40 more feet of top end!

Model Car Memories
What a neat site. I built quite a few of these babies and this site really took me back.