www.nitromater.com - NHRA News http://www.nitromater.com/ en Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:06:58 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.nitromater.com/images/misc/rss.jpg www.nitromater.com - NHRA News http://www.nitromater.com/ DSR drivers Capps and McClenathan to make Indy area appearances for Full Throttle http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26213-dsr-drivers-capps-mcclenathan-make-indy-area-appearances-full-throttle.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:57:28 GMT DSR DRIVERS CAPPS AND MCCLENATHAN TO MAKE INDY AREA APPEARANCES FOR FULL THROTTLE BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 30, 2010) - Don Schumacher Racing drivers... DSR DRIVERS CAPPS AND MCCLENATHAN TO MAKE INDY AREA APPEARANCES FOR FULL THROTTLE

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 30, 2010) - Don Schumacher Racing drivers Ron Capps and Cory McClenathan will make two separate appearances in the Indianapolis-Brownsburg area on Thursday, Sept. 2, on behalf of Full Throttle, sponsor of the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

With the series' first race of the Countdown to the Championship being held Sept. 3-6 at the prestigious U.S. Nationals at Raceway Park in Clermont, Ind., local and visiting fans will have a chance to meet and chat with McClenathan, pilot of the FRAM Top Fuel dragster, and Capps, driver of the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger Funny Car, in an informal setting. Fans will also be able to sample the new and improved Full Throttle Energy Drink.

Thursday, Sept. 2, 5-6 p.m.:
Ron Capps
Marsh Supermarket
6121 Crawfordsville Rd.
Speedway, IN 46224

Thursday, Sept. 2, 6-7 p.m.:
Cory McClenathan
Marsh Supermarket
843 E. Main St.
Brownsburg, Ind. 46112

"This is a great opportunity to meet and chat with the fans before we get serious about competing in our first Countdown race of the year on Labor Day weekend," said Capps, who is fifth in the Funny Car point standings. "It will be our last chance to relax before the drama begins."

"There's nothing better than meeting our fans on behalf of Full Throttle and talking up our Countdown to the Championship as we prepare for the excitement of our first race of the playoffs that weekend," added McClenathan, second in Top Fuel points. “Maybe they can provide us some tips on how we can win our first championship.”

Fans are also invited to the Don Schumacher Open House on Sept. 3, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 1681 E. Northfield Drive, Brownsburg, IN 46112.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version Name: dsrlogo.gif Views: N/A Size: 4.8 KB ID: 1743  
]]> NHRA News PJ Sapienza http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26213-dsr-drivers-capps-mcclenathan-make-indy-area-appearances-full-throttle.html Kenny Koretsky, Clay Millican team up for Reading race http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26209-kenny-koretsky-clay-millican-team-up-reading-race.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:46:01 GMT Kenny Koretsky, Clay Millican team up for Reading race. Clay Millican is returning to NHRA Top Fuel racing in October with sponsorship from... Kenny Koretsky, Clay Millican team up for Reading race.

Clay Millican is returning to NHRA Top Fuel racing in October with
sponsorship from former car owner Kenny Koretsky’s Nitro Fish Apparel.
The popular driver from Drummonds, Tenn. will be making his first 2010
appearance at the Toyo Tires Nationals, Oct. 8-10, at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading, Pa. He will be in the same MPE Motorsports dragster he drove to a 10th place a year ago en route to his first Full Throttle Drag Racing Series top 10 finish.

“I am happy to be able to help Clay and Mark (Pickens of MPE Motorsports)
race this year,” Koretsky said. “Maple Grove is my home track and there
will be a lot of family and friends cheering for the Nitro Fish teams that
weekend. We’d like to see Clay and Mark at every race in 2011.”
Koretsky was the team owner when Millican won 13 races and two IHRA world championships in 2005 and 2006. He also claimed the $106,000 top prize in a special event, the Rocket City Nationals at Huntsville, Ala., in 2005.

Millican said he and Pickens have spent much of this year searching for
marketing partners. “We’ve done a lot of talking and we hope to get back to
the track on a regular basis next year. Right now, I know I will be very
excited to mash the Nitro Fish dragster’s gas pedal at Maple Grove.
“I’m very happy he wants us to be there,” Millican continued. “We hope
to make him proud of our performance at his home track.”

The opportunity comes at the right time, commented Pickens, because the
team has finished refurbishing its shop in Munford, Tenn., following May’s
devastating floods. “The guys have been working on the car, motors and
everything necessary to get us ready to go. “We are excited about the chance to get back to racing,” Pickens continued. “Clay will be able to stay current driving the car. We fully expect to be out there next year with all of other the teams.”

“It would be great if we could have a repeat performance of our 2008 race
at Reading,” Millican said. After a 13-event layoff, the team returned and
he qualified 13th. He began eliminations with an upset win over No. 4
qualifier J.R. Todd in the first round, and he followed it by beating No. 5
qualifier Morgan Lucas in the quarterfinals. Millican lost to Tony
Schumacher, the No. 1 qualifier and eventual race winner, in the semifinals.

Pickens is uncertain how many times Millican will race this year. “There
may be two more,” said Pickens. “It depends on how well we do.”
The only two stops on the 2010 schedule after Reading are at Las Vegas
(Oct. 29-31) and the season finale at Pomona, Calif., Nov. 11-14.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version Name: clay-pickens.jpg Views: N/A Size: 90.7 KB ID: 1739  
]]> NHRA News PJ Sapienza http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26209-kenny-koretsky-clay-millican-team-up-reading-race.html Nostalgia funny car cacklefest to highlight fifth annual dsr open house on sept. 3 http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26205-nostalgia-funny-car-cacklefest-highlight-fifth-annual-dsr-open-house-sept-3-a.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:14:09 GMT BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 18, 2010) – Five nostalgia Funny Cars will again roar to life during the Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) Open House on Sept. 3,... BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 18, 2010) – Five nostalgia Funny Cars will again roar to life during the Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) Open House on Sept. 3, 2010. The popular cacklefest will feature five of the legendary floppers from match-racing lore: the Stardust ‘Cuda, Chi-Town Hustler Charger, Jungle Jim Camaro, Motown Shaker Vega, and Brand X Camaro.

DSR will open the doors of its 100,000-square-foot shop to race fans from 10 a.m.-3 pm. on Sept. 3 when DSR hosts its fifth annual Open House to benefit Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. The open house coincides with the opening day of professional qualifying for the 56th annual U.S. Nationals at nearby O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.

"Funny Cars came of age back in the 1970s and a select group of cars and drivers captured headlines and magazine covers across the country,” DSR Sr. Vice President Mike Lewis said. “We are thrilled to have five of the most famous cars from that era coming to this year's DSR Open House to share some old fashioned, ground pounding excitement with all our fans. We are grateful to everyone involved for bringing their cars to this great event."

The fifth annual benefit DSR Open House also will feature the Indy Hi-Winders Car Club Car and Motorcycle Show and an autograph session with all seven DSR professional drivers: Tony Schumacher, Cory McClenathan, Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Jack Beckman, Matt Hagan and Rod Fuller. The autograph session is scheduled for Noon and the cacklefest cars will start simultaneously around 1 p.m. in the DSR parking lot. Fans will have the opportunity to win racing collectibles as part of a raffle drawing and there also will be a silent auction during the open house.

The cacklefest Funny Cars are recreations of some of the more famous floppers from the early years of Funny Car racing in the early 70s. The original ’73 Stardust ‘Cuda was owned and driven to many wins by Don Schumacher. The current Stardust car is owned by Justin Grant and driven by DSR Sr. Vice President Mike Lewis. Al Bergler has rebuilt his Motown Shaker ’73 Vega. Texan Henry Gutierrez restored the "Jungle Jim" Camaro, currently driven by Jon Capps, and the new Brand X Camaro to be piloted in U.S. Nationals exhibition runs by Mike Smith, son of legendary tuner Paul Smith. The original Jungle Jim Camaro was made famous by Funny Car icon “Jungle Jim” Liberman. Cecil Lankford drove the Brand X Camaro in its heyday. The Chi-Town Hustler Charger, raced today by Troy Martin, was driven by Pat Minnick and tuned by Austin Coil years before he crew-chiefed John Force to the most wins in NHRA racing.

DSR has raised more than $90,000 over the last five years with its Open House and Bowling for Riley charity tournament. The second annual charity bowling event generated more than $12,000 for Riley this May. All proceeds from the DSR Open House go to Riley Hospital for Children. For more information, contact DSR at (317) 858-0356.

About Riley Children’s Foundation
Riley Children’s Foundation supports Riley Hospital for Children, Camp Riley for Youth with Physical Disabilities and the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home. As Indiana’s only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families since 1924. Every year children from all 92 Indiana counties turn to Riley Hospital and its regional clinics throughout the state more than 250,000 times. Riley Hospital’s partnership with Clarian Health and strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine make it the leader in pediatric care in the state and the region. RileyKids.org

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., consists of six professional NHRA teams: The U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster driven by seven-time world champion Tony Schumacher; the FRAM dragster of Cory McClenathan, and the Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster of Antron Brown. The Funny Car teams are the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge driven by Ron Capps, the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge piloted by Jack Beckman, and the DieHard/shelor.com Dodge driven by Matt Hagan. DSR also manages the Abu Dhabi/Yas Marina Circuit Top Fuel dragster driven by Rod Fuller. Since 1998, Don Schumacher Racing teams have won 147 national events in 284 final rounds and eight world championships. Don Schumacher Racing

WHO: Don Schumacher Racing

WHAT: Fifth annual DSR Open House benefitting Riley Hospital for Children

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 3, 2010

TIME: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

HIGHLIGHTS: DSR Autograph Session, Noon, Cacklefest, 1 p.m.

WHERE: Don Schumacher Racing
1681 E. Northfield Drive
Brownsburg, IN 46112
(located two miles west of O’Reilly Raceway Park off of 136)
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version Name: Chi-town_0234s%5B6%5D.jpg Views: N/A Size: 78.1 KB ID: 1735  
]]> NHRA News PJ Sapienza http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26205-nostalgia-funny-car-cacklefest-highlight-fifth-annual-dsr-open-house-sept-3-a.html DSR to host fifth annual Open House to benefit Riley Hospital for Children Sept. 3 http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26115-dsr-host-fifth-annual-open-house-benefit-riley-hospital-children-sept-3-a.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:49:04 GMT BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 30, 2010) * Don Schumacher Racing will again open the doors of its 100,000-square-foot race shop to fans on Sept. 3, 2010,... BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 30, 2010) * Don Schumacher Racing will again open the
doors of its 100,000-square-foot race shop to fans on Sept. 3, 2010, when
DSR hosts its fifth annual Open House to benefit Riley Hospital for Children
in Indianapolis. The open house coincides with the opening day of
professional qualifying for the 56th annual U.S. Nationals at nearby
O¹Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.

The popular event will be highlighted by the Indy Hi-Winders Car Club Car
and Motorcycle Show and will feature an autograph session with all seven DSR
professional drivers: Tony Schumacher, Cory McClenathan, Antron Brown, Rod
Capps, Jack Beckman, Matt Hagan and Rod Fuller. The DSR Open House will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. while professional nitro qualifying is scheduled
for 7 p.m. at O.R.P.

"Don Schumacher and the DSR staff are proud to showcase our facilities to
NHRA fans and share a commitment to Riley Hospital for Children with DSR
drivers, sponsors and fans,² DSR Sr. Vice President Mike Lewis said. ³The
doctors, medical personnel and families at Riley are miracle workers and
we're inspired every year by Riley Kids. It's great to share the excitement
of the NHRA U.S. Nationals with the greater Indianapolis community and
especially our friends at Riley Hospital for Children."

Race fans will have the opportunity to tour DSR¹s racing headquarters which
houses the U.S. Army, FRAM and Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragsters and the NAPA, DieHard/shelor.com and Valvoline/MTS Dodge Charger Funny Cars. Visitors also will be able to see DSR¹s in-house fabrication area and
machine shop and have the opportunity to win racing collectibles as part of
a raffle drawing. There also will be a silent auction during the open house
event.

³The annual Don Schumacher Racing Open House is a terrific event and we are grateful for the continuous support and generosity of Don Schumacher Racing, and are overwhelmed with the time and energy they devote towards helping children,² said Greg Williamson, vice president of regional development at Riley Children¹s Foundation. ³Don Schumacher Racing understands the vital
role Riley Hospital plays in securing a healthy future for children.²

DSR has raised more than $90,000 over the last five years with its Open
House and Bowling for Riley charity tournament. The second annual charity
bowling event generated more than $12,000 for Riley this May. All proceeds
from the DSR Open House go to Riley Hospital for Children. For more
information, contact DSR at (317) 858-0356.

About Riley Children¹s Foundation
Riley Children¹s Foundation supports Riley Hospital for Children, Camp Riley
for Youth with Physical Disabilities and the James Whitcomb Riley Museum
Home. As Indiana¹s only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the
care of children, Riley Hospital has provided compassionate care, support
and comfort to children and their families since 1924. Every year children
from all 92 Indiana counties turn to Riley Hospital and its regional clinics
throughout the state more than 250,000 times. Riley Hospital¹s partnership
with Clarian Health and strong affiliation with the Indiana University
School of Medicine make it the leader in pediatric care in the state and the
region. RileyKids.org

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., consists of six
professional NHRA teams: The U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster driven by
seven-time world champion Tony Schumacher; the FRAM dragster of Cory
McClenathan, and the Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster of Antron Brown. The
Funny Car teams are the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge driven by Ron Capps, the
Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge piloted by Jack Beckman, and the
DieHard/shelor.com Dodge driven by Matt Hagan. DSR also manages the Abu
Dhabi/Yas Marina Circuit Top Fuel dragster driven by Rod Fuller. Since 1998,
Don Schumacher Racing teams have won 146 national events in 281 final rounds and eight world championships.

WHO: Don Schumacher Racing

WHAT: Fifth annual DSR Open House benefitting Riley Hospital for
Children

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 3, 2010

TIME: 10 a.m. * 3 p.m.

WHERE: Don Schumacher Racing
1681 E. Northfield Drive
Brownsburg, IN 46112
(located two miles west of O¹Reilly Raceway Park off
of 136)

-30-

Don Schumacher Racing
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version Name: dsr.gif Views: N/A Size: 4.8 KB ID: 1730  
]]> NHRA News PJ Sapienza http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26115-dsr-host-fifth-annual-open-house-benefit-riley-hospital-children-sept-3-a.html Beckman to race Freightliner Trucks Dodge Funny Car in Brainerd http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26112-beckman-race-freightliner-trucks-dodge-funny-car-brainerd.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:40:19 GMT [coverattach=1]BECKMAN TO RACE FREIGHTLINER TRUCKS DODGE FUNNY CAR IN BRAINERD

NORCO, Calif. (Aug. 9, 2010) - Freightliner Trucks will be featured on the Dodge Charger Funny Car that Jack Beckman will race at the 29th annual NHRA Nationals at Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway this weekend, the final event of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series "regular" season. The Countdown to 1 playoffs kick off for the top 10 in points in the final six races of the year, beginning with the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on Labor Day weekend.

Freightliner Trucks, a division of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, has been a Don Schumacher Racing associate sponsor for six years and DSR has used Freightliner tractors since 2004. The team currently counts eight Freightliner tractors among its fleet.

“Freightliner is excited to have Fast Jack Beckman representing us in the upcoming race in Brainerd,” said David Hames, General Manager, Marketing & Strategy, Daimler Trucks North America. “Don Schumacher Racing has been a longtime valued partner of Freightliner and showcases our trucks and equipment to a nationwide group of loyal NHRA fans.”

Said team owner Don Schumacher: "Freightliner has been supplying us with outstanding equipment for six years now. Featuring Freightliner Trucks on the Funny Car that Jack Beckman will drive in Brainerd is our way of showing our appreciation to them for being such a solid and longtime supporter of our teams."

"It's an honor to be representing Freightliner Trucks in Brainerd," said Beckman, who primarily races the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger in the series. "They've been a large supporter of motorsports for many years and they know all about teamwork and trying to achieve success."

Fourth in the point standings, the California native has already clinched a spot in the Countdown, but hopes to close out the "regular" season with his second win of the year.

"It looks to me like John Force and Robert Hight have locked up the first two spots and it's between them battling for first," said Beckman, who was runner-up in Brainerd in 2008. "And it looks like the Schumacher cars (Matt Hagan, Beckman and Ron Capps) are battling for third, fourth and fifth.

"No matter what, we've had a good initial part of the season. We’re going to be a top-five car going into the Countdown, we're solid, we've been in multiple finals (three in 2010), we've got a race win. Everybody wants that championship and I think throughout the first part of the year the top six or seven cars have kind of stood out.

"I have no reason to think that we can't close the regular season with a win. If we can accomplish that, we can go into Indy - with the points reset - in third place, and well within striking distance of the championship.

"I'm very confident that (crew chief) Rahn Tobler and (assistant crew chief) John Collins have enough data to make us quick right out of the box in Brainerd."

Freightliner Trucks is a division of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and is the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets Class 4-8 trucks and is a Daimler company, the world's leading commercial vehicle manufacturer. Freightliner Trucks received the highest overall ranking for vocational products in the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Heavy Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study(SM). For more information, go to Freightliner Trucks, New Freightliner, New Freightliner Trucks .

Mail Terminal Services will continue to send boxes of post cards of support and encouragement, along with hand-out cards of DSR drivers, National Dragster and Drag Racing Action magazines to soldiers overseas. This year the program expands the opportunity to participate beyond just the NHRA fans and are including schools and service organizations. If a school or organization would like to write post cards of encouragement to the U.S. troops, the request should be sent to mts.mfh@gmail.com. MTS will be pleased to send post cards for the project and signed handout cards from Funny Car driver Jack Beckman and a Certificate of Service for the school or organization.

To find out more about Mail Terminal Services go to MTS - Mail Terminals Services .

JACK BECKMAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 4 in 2010 Funny Car points after 16 events: including five semifinal finishes, a victory in Phoenix and two runner-ups (St. Louis and Sonoma)
* Was 2008 runner-up in Brainerd
* Qualified No. 16 in 2009 Brainerd, lost semis to Tony Pedregon
* Has 25-15 round-win record for 2010
* Ended 2009 No. 5 in point standings, winning two events in five final rounds (Atlanta; Norwalk, Ohio)
* Entered 2009 Countdown to 1 in fifth place
* His 2009 round win-loss record is 29-22
* No. 3 in 2008 Funny Car point standings, with three victories - Phoenix, Reading, Concord - in seven final rounds
* Was bumped out of the 2007 Countdown to Four playoffs standings at the Richmond, Va., event, after his teammates Gary Scelzi and Ron Capps reached the semifinal round. Ended the season No. 5 in points
* In his 104 national events in Top Fuel and Funny Car, he has won nine times in 20 final rounds (all in Funny Car), and has a career round win-loss record of 123-90
* Is the 2007 U.S. Smokeless Showdown winner ($100,000 bonus event held at U.S. Nationals)
* Set national elapsed-time record of 4.662 seconds and national speed record of 333.66 mph (on quarter-mile) at final 2006 event in Pomona, Calif. The ET record has since been eclipsed. Beckman still holds the speed record
* As a Funny Car rookie in the last five races of 2006, he qualified No. 1 once (Pomona 2), reached two final rounds (Las Vegas 2 and Pomona 2), won once (Vegas 2), and set both ends of the national record (Pomona 2)
* Residence: Norco, Calif.
* Hometown: Granada Hills, Calif.
* Date of birth: June 28, 1966
* Married, Jenna (wedding date 11/7/06), son Jason Russell (3/8/07)
* Height/weight: 6'0", 185 lbs.
* Former instructor and current consultant at Frank Hawley's NHRA Championship Drag Racing School; former Sergeant in U.S. Air Force (1984-88); cancer survivor; licensed in nine different NHRA categories
* First Start in TF: Las Vegas 1 2005
* First Start in FC: , Dallas, Texas, 2006
* Competed in only 12 TF events in 2005, ended season 15th in points
* Career-best elapsed time racing to 1000 feet is 4.040 seconds (Concord 1 '09)
* Career-best speed racing to 1000 feet is 314.61 mph (Chicago '10)
* Career-best FC (quarter-mile) elapsed time: 4.662 seconds (Pomona 2 '06)
* Career-best FC (quarter-mile) speed: 333.66 mph (Pomona 2 '06)
* Career-best TF (quarter-mile) elapsed time: 4.563 seconds (TF, Brainerd 2005)
* Career-best (quarter-mile) TF speed: 324.28 mph (TF, Brainerd 2005)
* In 2003 won Super Comp world championship in Lucas Oil Series and Division 7 Super Comp championship
* Leads 14-time champion John Force in head-to-head round wins: 12-6 (2-1 in final rounds) - DOES NOT INCLUDE CONCORD FOUR-WIDE EVENT

***
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version Name: 2010_FREIGHTLINER_FC_rev_3.jpg Views: N/A Size: 95.9 KB ID: 1727  
]]> NHRA News PJ Sapienza http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26112-beckman-race-freightliner-trucks-dodge-funny-car-brainerd.html Red Hot Allen Johnson Heads to Brainerd in Search of Second Straight Triumph http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26110-red-hot-allen-johnson-heads-brainerd-search-second-straight-triumph.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:28:52 GMT Auburn Hills, Mich. — NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Pro Stock star Allen Johnson broke through for his first win in four 2010 final-round... Auburn Hills, Mich. — NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Pro Stock star Allen Johnson broke through for his first win in four 2010 final-round appearances at the previous NHRA event, the Mopar® Mile-High NHRA Nationals. The Mopar Dodge Avenger driver and his J&J Racing team aim to build on the positive energy gained from their recent triumph with a second-straight victory this weekend at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., Aug. 12–15.

The Team Mopar veteran’s second consecutive win at his primary sponsor’s headline event is just one of many reasons Johnson has to feel good heading to Brainerd International Raceway. The Greeneville, Tenn. native has clinched the second spot in the NHRA Countdown to 1 playoffs, earned single-season career highs in final-round appearances (four) and No. 1 Qualifier Awards (four, including a current streak of two), and matched his 2009 round-win total (30)—all with seven races remaining in the season.

“We’re definitely not cocky, but we are confident,” said Johnson, who notched his eighth career Pro Stock win at the Mopar Mile-Highs event. “We’re confident with the motors, the setup of the Mopar Dodge Avenger, and I feel confident as a driver. We need to just keep doing what we are doing and keep the momentum going.”

Johnson knows full well the need to avoid overconfidence in the Pro Stock class, where races are decided by hundredths and thousandths of a second. The Mopar/J&J Racing team kept sharp during the long break prior to Brainerd with a test session last week at Farmington (N.C.) Dragway.

“We wanted to try to keep the cobwebs off while we had some down time,” said Johnson. “We made four runs, testing out a few new things. It keeps the rust off and keeps the momentum going for Brainerd.”

Johnson isn’t using the final race of the NHRA regular season to experiment. He’s coming to Brainerd—where he advanced to the semifinals in 2008 and 2009—as if the NHRA Countdown to 1 playoffs has already begun.

“We are already in Countdown mode. We’ve got everything on an even keel,” said Johnson. “Brainerd has always been a track that we’ve done pretty well at. It can get pretty hot and the air isn’t optimum, sort of like Denver. Hopefully we’re going to go there and be No. 1 or No. 2 every single run in qualifying and go out and win the race. We’ll go up and enjoy ‘The Zoo’ a little bit.”

Johnson’s Statistics of Note

At Brainerd International Raceway

Qualified No. 2 at Brainerd in 2009 and advanced to the semifinals
Earned the No. 4 starting spot at the 2008 event, posting a strong semifinal-round finish
2010 Season

Currently ranked second in the NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock point standings
Scored his first win of the season at the previous NHRA event, the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, his second straight win at his primary sponsor’s race
Advanced to four final rounds and has earned four No. 1 Qualifier Awards, both single-season career highs
Has captured two consecutive No. 1 Qualifier Awards (Sonoma, Denver), giving him 11 for his career
Has a 30-15 round win record through 16 events
Has advanced to at least the semifinals in 10 of 16 events this season
Advanced to the final round at the NHRA event in Norwalk, Ohio
Banked his ninth career No. 1 Qualifier Award at the NHRA Bristol race
Scored his second final-round appearance of the season at the NHRA event in Topeka
Earned his eighth career No. 1 Qualifier Award at the NHRA Atlanta event
Claimed his 200th career round win at the NHRA St. Louis race
Advanced to four straight semifinals to start the season in his new Mopar Dodge Avenger
Banked his first final-round appearance of the year at the NHRA Houston event

2009 Season

Clinched a spot in the 2009 NHRA Countdown to 1 six-race playoffs
Captured two wins, at Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals in Denver and O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals in Topeka
Finished seventh in NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock point standings
Made three finals appearances, scoring a runner-up finish at NHRA Gatornationals
Captured seventh career No. 1 Qualifier Award at NHRA event in Seattle, reaching semis
Made eight semifinals appearances
Posted a 30-20 round win record for the season
2008 Season

Finished seventh in NHRA Pro Stock standings
One of only 10 drivers to qualify for NHRA Countdown to 1 six-race playoffs
Won K&N Horsepower Challenge bonus event at Norwalk, recording perfect .000 reaction time to defeat Greg Anderson for victory
Powered to three No. 1 Qualifier Awards
Made eight semifinals appearances
Posted two straight runner-up finishes at Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals and Schuck’s Auto Supply NHRA Nationals
Racked up 28-24 round win record
2007 Season

Finished career-best fourth in NHRA Pro Stock point standings
One of only four Pro Stock drivers to qualify for inaugural NHRA Countdown to 1 playoff
Claimed win at Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals in Denver
2006 Season

Finished sixth in NHRA Pro Stock standings, scoring win at Seattle
Career

Qualified for Countdown to 1 in each of first three years since NHRA adopted playoff format in 2007
Claimed eight career NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock wins
Claimed more than 200 career round wins
Has a career best elapsed time of 6.545-seconds and a career best speed of 211.73 mph
Recorded 21 career final round appearances
Competed in 300th race at 2009 NHRA St. Louis event
Scored second career win at Atlanta in 2002 and finished eighth in point standings
Seized first career win in 1999 at Richmond and went on to claim first top 10 finish in standings
Made NHRA Pro Stock debut in 1996, driving a Mopar-powered Dodge Avenger
Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals is scheduled to take place Aug. 12–15 at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn. Two hours of qualifying coverage will air on Saturday, Aug. 14, beginning at 11 p.m. (EDT) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. Three hours of eliminations coverage will air on Sunday, Aug. 15, beginning at 10 p.m. (EDT) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. For more information on the NHRA, log on to NHRA.com.

Mopar-First Features
Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features including:

Camper trailers: first to introduce off-road camper trailers
Vehicle-information apps: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with consumers
Electronic owner manuals: first to introduce traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format
FLO TV: first to offer live, mobile television
WiFi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot
WiTECH: first to support vehicle diagnosis and software updates leveraging off-the-shelf personal computers and a dedicated wireless tool network
About the Mopar Brand
Mopar is Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand.

Mopar distributes approximately 280,000 parts and accessories in more than 90 countries and is the source for all original-equipment parts for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep® and Ram Truck vehicles. Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles—a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. A complete list of Mopar accessories and performance parts is available at Mopar - Authentic Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Accessories, Service & Parts.

More than 70 Years of Mopar

When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.

Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. It also was widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s—the muscle-car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth “package cars” equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of “special parts” for super-stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.

# # #

ON THE INTERNET
Visit Chrysler’s Media Services Web site at http://www.media.chrysler.com for additional Chrysler and Mopar news. For additional information about Mopar, log on to Mopar - Authentic Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Accessories, Service & Parts or Mopar Speed - Home.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version Name: mopar20logo.jpg Views: N/A Size: 10.8 KB ID: 1725  
]]> NHRA News PJ Sapienza http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26110-red-hot-allen-johnson-heads-brainerd-search-second-straight-triumph.html Rowe earns Unleashed Pro Mod win at O’Reilly Raceway Park http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26108-rowe-earns-unleashed-pro-mod-win-o-reilly-raceway-park.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:23:40 GMT [coverattach=1]Danny Rowe took top honors in the Pro Mod class at the inaugural NHRA Unleashed presented by Lucas Oil event held at O’Reilly Raceway Park on Saturday night. In the finals it was Rowe, who is currently second in the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod category facing up against rival Roger Burgess. At the start Burgess red lit by .008 seconds and handed the win to Rowe in his 1968 Sterling Bridge Camaro who went on to run a pass of 5.991 seconds at 244.52 mph.

“We are extremely excited about the win and running in the NHRA Unleashed presented by Lucas Oil event and we feel that is not only good for the sport but also good for the Pro Mod class,” said Rowe following the race. “I love this sport, I’m very fortunate to be able to do this for a living, the win is great and this is huge for everybody. It is good to be in the seat and I really enjoy it.”

Danny Rowe, near lane, took Pro Mod honors over red-lighting Roger Burgess.

Tony Johnson, near lane, scored in the Aerospace Components 10.5 Outlaw class, defeating Ed Parker in the final round.
The Pro Mods weren’t the only class putting on a great show as all the winners at the end of the event were thrilled to be hoisting one of the most iconic trophies in all of racing, a NHRA Wally. Winners include Keith Szabo in Aerospace Components Limited Street; Tony Johnson in Aerospace Components 10.5 Outlaw; Chad Henderson in Aerospace Components EZ Street; Aerospace Components 8.5 Index was won by Brian Farrar; Aerospace Components 9.0 Index was won by Rex Simmermaker; Aerospace Components 9.5 Index was won by Jeff Vaughn; Matt Gibbons in Aerospace Components 10.0 Index; Louis Weatherford, Jr. was the winner of Aerospace Components 11.0 Index; Jerry Stamps as Aerospace Components 12.0 Index champion; and Robert Peffley took home top spot in Aerospace Components 13.0 Index.

A special ‘Wally Challenge’ race followed the event and Aerospace Component 10.0 Index winner Matt Gibbons was given the opportunity to re-race John Acton who he had just defeated in the finals. Gibbons was faced with the choice of keeping his Wally or putting it and an extra $1,000 on the line in a final race against Acton. Gibbons chose to run the race but that decision didn’t work out for him as he was defeated in the race on a double break out loss. With the win Acton took the $1,000 and also won his very first Wally of his racing career.

Many exciting events took place for those in attendance including a car show with a wide variety of cars, vendors and racer pits that were open to the public to give those in attendance a unique look into the world of drag racing.

Those at each NHRA Unleashed presented by Lucas Oil event will be sure to tune into Fox Sports Net’s owned and operated regional networks to watch the two half our shows that were filmed at O’Reilly Raceway Park event starting on Nov. 7. Steve Watson and Sara Karges will host the NHRA Unleashed presented by Lucas Oil television shows and they will be produced by Disrupt/ive Studios when they hit the airwaves. Disrupt/ive Studios are producers of the wildly popular Pink, Pinks All Ou and Pinks All Outtakes.

Also during the course of the event fans were able to take part in the second casting session for Who Wants to Be a Race Car Driver? a new reality TV show in development with Disrupt/ive Studios. Would be racers moved through the audition line to see if they have what it takes to get a shot at their dream job: a one-year completely funded ride in an NHRA series.

Winners of the car show were Best of Show winner Don Fink from Indianapolis with his 1941 Willy, this car also won the best Open Class Category as well. The top honors in the Mopar class went to Mike and Lori Benge of Lebanon in their 1974 Plymouth Duster. Richard Dodrill of nearby Brownsburg was the winner in the Ford category with his wonderfully rebuilt 1934 Ford Coupe. Charles A. Briscoe of Madison, Tenn., took home Best General Motors with his 1979 Chevrolet Camaro. Best Truck was taken home by Beechmont, KY., resident Allen Brigance in his 1972 Chevy Cheyenne.

The next stop in the NHRA Unleashed presented by Lucas Oil will be at National Trial Raceway, near Columbus, Ohio on Sept. 10 – 11. Racer registration and spectator tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased by going to NHRAtix.com. Tickets for the final NHRA Unleashed presented by Lucas Oil event at Gainesville Raceway on Nov. 5–7 will go on sale Aug. 28.

NHRA UNLEASHED PRESETNED BY LUCAS OIL RESULTS
Pro Mods
Winner: Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills, CA (’68 Camaro) 5.991, 244.52, .022 reaction time
R/U: Roger Burgess, Duluth, GA (’68 Camaro) foul, .008 reaction time
#1 Qualifier: Mike Janis, Lancaster, PA (’10 Mustang) – 5.981, 239.48
Low E. T.: Mike Janis, Lancaster, PA (’10 Mustang), 5.981
Top Speed: Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills, CA (’68 Camaro), 244.52

Aerospace Components 10.5 Outlaw
Winner: Tony Johnson, Conyers, GA (‘69 Camaro) – 4.420, 155.81, .096 reaction time
R/U: Ed Parker, Baltimore, MD (’69 Camaro) – 4.760, 166.52, .038 reaction time
#1 Qualifier: Brian Harrell, Pearl, MS (’98 Mustang) – 4.410, 177.67
Low E. T.: Brian Harrell, Pearl, MS (’98 Mustang) – 4.410
Top Speed: Danny Lowry, Griffin, GA (’98 Mustang) – 178.85

Aerospace Components Limited Street
Winner: Keith Szabo, Gainesville, GA (’93 Ford) – 4.779, 164.85, .092 reaction time
R/U: Kevin Scott, Dallas, GA (’65) - 4..935, 153.89 .009 reaction time
#1 Qualifier: Keith Szabo, Gainesville, GA (’93 Ford), 4.833, 163.73
Low E. T.: Keith Szabo, Gainesville, GA (’93 Ford), 4.779
Top Speed: Keith Szabo, Gainesville, GA (’93 Ford), 164.85

Aerospace Components EZ Street
Winner: Chad Henderson, Madison, IN (’87 Buick) 5.051, 148.05, .068 reaction time
R/U: Matt Bell, Normal, IL (’92 Mustang) – 5.149, 145.42, .069 reaction time
#1 Qualifier: Chad Henderson, Madison, IN (’87 Buick), 5.213, 146.40
Low E.T.: Chad Henderson, Madison, IN (’87 Buick), 5.213
Top Speed: Chad Henderson, Madison, IN (’87 Buick), 148.05

Aerospace Components 8.5 Index
Winner: Brian Farrar, Oak Ridge, TN (’57 Chevy) – 8.541, 155.85, .015 reaction time
R/U: Mike Ammermman, Indianapolis, IN (’78 Mustang) – 8.559, 150.50, .004 reaction time
#1 Qualifier: Brian Farrar, Oak Ridge, TN (’57 Chevy), – 8.502

Aerospace Components 9.0 Index
Winner: Rex Simmermaker, Brownsburg, IN (’67 Camaro) – 9.003, 145.17, .009 reaction time
R/U: Gary Varney, Reynoldsburg, OH (’86 T-Bird) – 8.982, 152.50, .070 reaction time
#1 Qualifier: Mike Mika, Arlington Heights, IL (‘85 Camaro) – 9.030

Aerospace Components 9.5 Index
Winner: Jeff Vaughn, Terre Haute, IN (’70 Nova) – 9.527, 131.75, .049 reaction time
R/U: Roman Keyeski, Cadott, WI (’70 Nova) – 9.517, 140.81, .076 reaction time
#1 Qualifier: Roman Keyeski Cadott, WI (’70 Nova), 9.509

Aerospace Components 10.0 Index
Winner: Matt Gibbons, (’68 Chevy) – 10.014, 126.10, .017 reaction time
R/U: John Acton, Indianapolis, IN (’64 Chevy II) – 10.009, 132.11, .045 reaction time
#1 Qualifier: Mike Goodman, Indianapolis, IN (’69 Chevy), 10. 002

Aerospace Components 11.0 Index
Winner: Louis Weatherford Jr, Indianapolis, IN (’67 Chevrolet) – 10.948, 119.56, .017 reaction time
R/U: Randy Jones, Mt. Gileno, OH (’83 Charger) – 10.925, 117.29, .033 reaction time
#1 Qualifier: Danny Black, Avon, IN (’78 Chevy) – 11.010

Aerospace Components 12.0 Index
Winner: Jerry Stamps, Greenwood, IN (’73 Plymouth) – 12.025, 109.39, .016 reaction time
R/U: Randy Dobbs, Indianapolis, IN (’64 Chevy) – 11.997, 110.59, .050 reaction time
#1 Qualifier: Randy Dobbs, Indianapolis, IN (’64 Chevy) – 12.000

Aerospace Components 13.0 Index
Winner: Robert Peffley, Waveland, IN (‘67 Plymouth) – 13.100, 106.11, .042 reaction time
R/U: John Bates, Loganville, GA (’10 Camaro) – 13.053, 94.21, .157 reaction time
#1 Qualifier: Robert Peffley, Waveland, IN (‘67 Plymouth) 13.148
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version Name: unleashed.gif Views: N/A Size: 10.2 KB ID: 1723  
]]> NHRA News PJ Sapienza http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26108-rowe-earns-unleashed-pro-mod-win-o-reilly-raceway-park.html Thompson Wins Big in Spokane while Smashing Track Record! http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26102-thompson-wins-big-spokane-while-smashing-track-record.html Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:51:44 GMT After focusing his efforts on his new nitro funny car the week before in Mission BC, Clint Thompson was back in the driver seat of his Cascade Auto... After focusing his efforts on his new nitro funny car the week before
in Mission BC, Clint Thompson was back in the driver seat of his
Cascade Auto Group Top Alcohol funny car at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing
Series Event in Spokane, July 30 - August 1st. The event billed as the
“Northwest Thunderfest” attracted a good size crowd that also featured
nitro funny cars and jets.

In qualifying, Thompson was on top of the field from the get go with a
5.83 at 250 MPH but officially sealed the deal in the final qualifying
session by two tenths with a 5.61 at 254 MPH and smashed Spokane’s
track record set by Brian Hough in the process! Since there were only
four cars that qualified, the winner of the first round would go to
the finals.

In round one, Thompson driving his Monte Carlo faced Jeff Ashwell
driving the NAPA Auto Parts Mustang. Ashwell got off the line first
with an 0.031 reaction time to Thompson’s 0.086. But that would be as
much of a lead as Ashwell would get as Thompson blasted by him for the
win with a 5.63 at 254 MPH to Ashwell’s 6.09 at 238 MPH.

In the final round, Thompson took on Brian Hough who managed to get a
single in the first round when Ken Webster couldn’t answer the call.
Thompson got out of the gate first with an 0.069 reaction time to
Hough’s 0.111. At the stripe it was Thompson taking his first victory
of the season with a 5.65 at 254 MPH to Hough’s 5.73 at 253 MPH. ]]> NHRA News PJ Sapienza http://www.nitromater.com/nhra-news/26102-thompson-wins-big-spokane-while-smashing-track-record.html