Drag Racing Press Releases
by John Davison
(JOLIET, Ill. May 21, 2023 - NHRA) Top Fuel veteran Clay Millican powered to his first win in five years, claiming the victory over Josh Hart on Sunday in the final round of the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway.
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Volume 2023, Issue 5, Posted 11:08 PM, 05.21.2023
by John Davison
(JOLIET, Ill. - May 20, 2023 – NHRA) Camrie Caruso drove to the win at the first NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout, claiming the victory over Aaron Stanfield on Saturday as part of the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 Raceway.
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Volume 2023, Issue 5, Posted 11:48 PM, 05.20.2023
by John Davison
JOLIET, Ill. May 19, 2023 – NHRA Release - On a day filled with tracks records, Robert Hight set two in Funny Car, powering to the provisional No. 1 position on Friday as the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returned to Route 66 Raceway for the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK Performance.
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Volume 2023, Issue 5, Posted 11:03 PM, 05.19.2023
by John Davison
(CONCORD, N.C. April 30, 2023 - NHRA) – John Force Racing swept the nitro classes on Sunday at zMAX Dragway, as Austin Prock and Robert Hight rolled to wins in Top Fuel and Funny Car, respectively, at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.
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Volume 2023, Issue 4, Posted 11:25 PM, 04.30.2023
by John Davison
(CONCORD, N.C. April 29, 2023 - NHRA) – Brittany Force made the quickest run in zMAX Dragway history on Saturday, as the defending Top Fuel world champion rocketed to the No. 1 spot at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
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Volume 2023, Issue 4, Posted 9:36 PM, 04.29.2023
by John Davison
(CONCORD, N.C. - April 28, 2023 - NHRA) Josh Hart put himself in position for his first career No. 1 qualifier, powering to the provisional top spot in Top Fuel on Friday at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
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Volume 2023, Issue 4, Posted 12:27 AM, 04.29.2023
by John Davison
(CONCORD, N.C. April 26, 2023 - NHRA press release) Legendary Funny Car driver John Force has always held zMAX Dragway in high regard and the 16-time world champion has also posted impressive results at the track in recent years, especially in the highly unique and thrilling four-wide setting.
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Volume 2023, Issue 4, Posted 5:16 PM, 04.26.2023
by John Davison
LAS VEGAS (April 15, 2023) – Cruz Pedregon raced to his second straight No. 1 qualifier, hanging on to the top spot at Saturday’s NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
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Volume 2023, Issue 4, Posted 9:30 PM, 04.15.2023
by John Davison
LAS VEGAS (April 14, 2023) – Defending Top Fuel world champion Brittany Force continued to roll at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, powering to the provisional No. 1 qualifier position on Friday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.
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Volume 2023, Issue 4, Posted 9:30 PM, 04.14.2023
by John Davison
Pomona, Calif. - NHRA (April 2, 2023) – In a rematch of last year’s Top Fuel final round at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, Justin Ashley picked up his second straight win at the storied event, powering past Austin Prock on Sunday at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
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Volume 2023, Issue 4, Posted 10:26 PM, 04.02.2023
by John Davison
POMONA, Calif. (April 1, 2023) – Justin Ashley picked up the win in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge as part of the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, also racing to the No. 1 qualifier position in Top Fuel to close out Saturday at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
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Volume 2023, Issue 4, Posted 10:34 PM, 04.01.2023
by John Davison
Pomona, Calif. (March 31, 2023) – Reigning Top Fuel world champion Brittany Force powered to the provisional No. 1 spot on Friday, making the quickest run of the day to kick off the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.
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Volume 2023, Issue 3, Posted 10:10 PM, 03.31.2023
by John Davison
Ashley, Hight and Caruso Earn Wins In Front Of Sellout Crowd At Final NHRA Arizona Nationals
Chandler, Ariz. (March 26, 2023) – Top Fuel’s Justin Ashley closed out the final NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Motorsports Park with a victory in a front of a sellout crowd, powering to a win over Shawn Langdon in the championship round on Sunday.
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Volume 2023, Issue 3, Posted 9:51 PM, 03.26.2023
by John Davison
Chandler, Ariz. (March 25, 2023) – Alexis DeJoria claimed the victory in the first Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge as part of the NHRA Arizona Nationals, defeating J.R. Todd in the Funny Car final round of the bonus event on Saturday in front of a sold-out crowd at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.
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Volume 2023, Issue 3, Posted 9:40 PM, 03.25.2023
by John Davison
Kalitta, Alexander and C. Cuadra Take Provisional No. 1 Spots at NHRA Arizona Nationals
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Volume 2023, Issue 3, Posted 10:36 PM, 03.24.2023
by John Davison
Gainesville, Fla. (March 12, 2023) – In a matchup of the last two Funny Car winners at the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Matt Hagan drove past J.R. Todd in the final round on Sunday to kick off the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, also giving Tony Stewart a second straight victory at Gainesville Raceway.
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Volume 2023, Issue 3, Posted 7:15 PM, 03.12.2023
by John Davison
GR Supra Takes the Form of New Jr. Roadster For NHRA
PLANO, Texas (March 8, 2023) – Toyota continues to make its mark on the NHRA after more than 20 years competing professionally in the series with the collaboration effort to unveil the new Jr. Roadster. In support of NHRA, Half Scale and Antron Brown to establish this new class, Toyota and TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) engineers developed the GR Supra Jr. Roadster as the first of its kind. The addition to the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League hopes to encourage families interested in getting their kids involved in drag racing at a young age to look at this as an additional option to the popular Jr. Dragster class.
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Volume 2023, Issue 3, Posted 2:01 PM, 03.11.2023
by John Davison
Revised Schedule for Sunday’s Eliminations
At Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
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Volume 2022, Issue 4, Posted 4:13 PM, 04.30.2022
by John Davison
Josh Hart scored a monumental NHRA Top Fuel upset in Sunday's DEWALT NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway; Hart edged Top Fuel points leader Brittany Force Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car), Kyle Koretsky (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also scored victories on Sunday at the Bellagio of drag strips
Charlotte Motor Speedway's Fall Season of Speed continues with the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 Oct 9-10
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Volume 2021, Issue 9, Posted 6:10 PM, 09.19.2021
by John Davison
Forces Dominate Nitro, Stanfield Tops Pro Stock, Steve Johnson Quickest Motorcycle at DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals
NHRA Release: CONCORD, N.C. – Both Brittany and John Force enjoyed another impressive performance in qualifying on Friday, as each raced their way to provisional No. 1 positions in Top Fuel and Funny Car, respectively at the DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway.
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Volume 2021, Issue 9, Posted 11:25 PM, 09.17.2021
by John Davison
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Volume 2021, Issue 5, Posted 10:54 PM, 05.14.2021
by John Davison
CONCORD, N.C. – The ladders are set for eliminations at the 10th annual NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Mike Salinas, who recently won his first Top Fuel event in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, secured his No.1 qualifier position with his run from Friday night when he set the track E.T. record at zMAX Dragway. This will be only the third time in his career to start eliminations from the top spot on the ladder.
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Volume 2019, Issue 4, Posted 10:18 PM, 04.27.2019
by John Davison
TODD AND M. SMITH SECURE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES; TORRENCE, TODD, GRAY AND M. SMITH WINNERS AT SEASON ENDING AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS
Todd secured his first Funny Car career world championship during the opening round of eliminations; M. Smith locked-in his third Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship and fourth event victory of the season; Torrence made history by sweeping the Top Fuel wins during the playoffs; Gray clinched his eighth Pro Stock win of the season
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Volume 2018, Issue 11, Posted 10:48 PM, 11.11.2018
by Ron Fleshman
WATKINS GLEN, NY - RIS - Denny Hamlin was fastest at the Watkins Glen road course with the fastest lap of the day on Saturday to win the provisional pole for Sunday’s GoBowling at the Glen, pending post-qualifying inspection Sunday morning.
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Volume 2018, Issue 8, Posted 12:45 AM, 08.05.2018
by John Davison
CONCORD, N.C. (March 16, 2018) – Fans can expect more power than ever when drag racing’s most spectacular four-wide thrill show returns to zMAX Dragway April 27-29. NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.), Inc. on Friday announced their entitlement sponsorship of the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.
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Volume 2018, Issue 3, Posted 11:35 AM, 03.22.2018
by John Davison
- The No. 1 seeds from Top Fuel (Steve Torrence), Funny Car (Ron Capps), Pro Stock (Bo Butner) and Pro Stock Motorcycle (LE Tonglet) kicked off this weekend’s NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway with a media luncheon on Thursday
- The Sept. 15-17 NHRA Carolina Nationals are the first of six Countdown races that will decide champions in all four nitro categories
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Volume 2017, Issue 9, Posted 4:12 PM, 09.14.2017
by John Davison
-- For Immediate Release -- Street legal and race-tuned vehicles welcome for Friday night summer showdowns at the Bellagio of drag strips
Vehicle registration starts at $20 for Junior Dragsters and $30 for cars and motorcycles; Admission is $10 at the gate and FREE for kids 13 and under
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Volume 2017, Issue 6, Posted 6:24 PM, 06.16.2017
by John Davison
GLENDORA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2017) — Throughout the 2017 season NHRA national events will feature exhibition passes from the popular jet cars. Known for their exciting pre-run flame shows and after burner pops, jet cars are thrust driven vehicles propelled by jet engines and are a fan favorite attraction.
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Volume 2016, Issue 8, Posted 5:03 PM, 01.19.2017
by John Davison
Englishtown, N.J. – Former Top Fuel racer Doug Herbert will be honored as the grand marshal at the NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, June 9-12. The NHRA Summernationals is the 10th of 24 events on the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
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Volume 2016, Issue 6, Posted 5:17 PM, 06.09.2016
by John Davison
Wednesday, June 08, 2016 - The 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule has been announced by NHRA officials. The 24-race circuit continues to reach more U.S. markets than any other major motorsports series and will once again thrill millions of fans with its unique brand of high-horsepower entertainment that features photo finishes by the world’s fastest race cars that dazzle with speeds in the 330-mph zone.
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Volume 2016, Issue 6, Posted 5:29 PM, 06.09.2016
by John Davison
Fast Facts: NHRA 4-Wide Nationals Presented by Lowes Foods
WHAT: Sixth annual NHRA 4-Wide Nationals presented by Lowes Foods, the fifth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle drivers earn points leading to 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.
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Volume 2016, Issue 4, Posted 11:07 PM, 04.21.2016
by John Davison
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT
JOHN FORCE, JEFF GORDON TRIBUTE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS, MET WITH MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA AT ZMAX DRAGWAY TO DISCUSS THE REASON BEHIND THE JEFF GORDON TRIBUTE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS.:
TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW THE JEFF GORDON TRIBUTE CAR CAME ABOUT AND WHAT YOUR IDEAS WERE WITH IT: "Well I've known Jeff (Gordon) since he was a young kid. I met him when he was 16/17 years old and he still looks 16 or 17. Hell, I've had so many interviews this week, radio and TV shows and stuff I'm just saying the same thing over and over. I was actually out at a race. I'm not trying to say we are not close buddies, we don't hang out. I've never been to dinner with him unless it was a function. Did the AARWBA Banquet with him and a number of banquets when we were on the All-American team and that's where I kind of got to know him. We worked with the Action collectible group, which is now Lionel. It kind of evolved from that. Dale Earnhardt, Sr., (Dale Earnhardt) Junior, we did autograph sessions when those kids were starting. When I go to NASCAR races and that is about what I know. You can love somebody and you can respect somebody and you don't have to be their friend. I mean I guess we are friends. We are racers in that deal. He is on his schedule and does what he does and I do what I do. This was, to me, more of one legend to another to say, man, thank you. Thank you for what you've done to our sport. If you haven't seen him he has been coming the last two or three years, maybe longer, he always shows up here on Sunday, dressed in a little hat and a shirt, you wouldn't know it was Jeff Gordon. He's got his two kids with him and he's up and down… loves this place.
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Volume 2015, Issue 8, Posted 6:19 PM, 09.19.2015
by John Davison
NHRA Unveils 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Schedule
Season highlighted by prestigious Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis and tradition-rich opening and closing races at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
Glendora, Calif. (Sept. 5, 2015) – NHRA officials unveiled the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule today during the running of the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. The 23-race series remains motorsports’ most geographically dispersed U.S. touring circuit and will make its traditional stops across the country, thrilling millions of fans with its unique brand of high-horsepower entertainment.
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Volume 2015, Issue 8, Posted 1:53 PM, 09.05.2015
by Dusty Brandel
GLENDORA, Calif. (-RIS-) – NHRA announced today that Terry Blount, an award-winning sports journalist, author and broadcast commentator, who has covered every major motorsports event as well as Super Bowls, World Series and NCAA Final Fours, among others, has been named vice president of public relations and communications.
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Volume 2015, Issue 7, Posted 4:23 PM, 07.10.2015
by John Davison
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NHRA Officials Announce Changes To Pro Stock Designed To Address Technology And Stimulate Fan Interest
Glendora, Calif. (July 25, 2015) – NHRA announced today a series of changes for the Pro Stock category designed to increase spectator appeal, make the class more relevant from a technology standpoint, and to enhance the overall pit experience for fans of the 200-mph factory hot rod class.
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Volume 2015, Issue 7, Posted 2:29 PM, 07.25.2015
by John Davison
40,000 Horsepower, Three Days, One Track:
NHRA 4-Wide Nationals By the Numbers
-- For Immediate Release -- by zMAX Dragway
CONCORD, N.C. (March 2, 2015) – With the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway less than one month away, fans are already getting revved up for the most intense motorsports spectacle around. The nitro-fueled thrill show, March 27-29, brings three days of excitement unlike anything else in sports, with the fastest-accelerating machines on the planet unleashing a 40,000 horsepower assault on the Bellagio of drag strips. For this exclusive event, we’ve gathered the numbers that racing fans will only experience at zMAX Dragway.
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Volume 2015, Issue 3, Posted 11:22 PM, 03.02.2015
by Dusty Brandel
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 8, 2015) - Not bringing home the NHRA Wally trophy from the season opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals is only a slight disappointment for Spencer Massey and the Red Fuel Powered by Schumacher/Sandvik Coromant dragster team.
The Red Fuel/Sandvik team strung together six runs ranging from 3.74 seconds to 3.81 seconds throughout three days at the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season-opener at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif.
"We can't be completely disappointed because we have an absolutely fantastic, fast race car and that makes us happy," Spencer said. "We really wanted to make it an all DSR final round in the nitro categories and give our team owner Don Schumacher the best medicine there is, so that's the only thing that we weren't able to do. But I know there is a Wally in our very near future because this car is just performing so well."
Schumacher is resting at home this weekend while undergoing treatments following a successful surgery to treat Stage 1 Squamous cell carcinoma in November.
The Red Fuel team led by crew chiefs Phil Shuler and Todd Okuhara qualified fourth and defeated Clay Millican and Steve Torrence before being ousted by No. 1 qualifier Shawn Langdon in a close semifinal round.
"It's great to come out here for the first race and put good, solid, consistent runs in the books," Spencer said. "We didn't smok the tires all weekend and that says a lot for this team. Our slowest run was a 3.81 and that's not slow. We're pleased. Could be happier, but we aren't going to hang our heads after this one."
But there is one more thing that Spencer isn't pleased about - the wait to crawl back into his 10,000-horsepower nitro machine at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park on Feb. 20-22.
"Another disappointing thing about this is I have sit through an off weekend before I can hop back in this Red Fuel dragster and I don't want to wait any longer. We're ready to continue our strong performance at Phoenix."
TOP FUEL
Event Winner: Shawn Langdon (Alan Johnson Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Shawn Langdon (Alan Johnson Racing) 3.700, 328.30 mph
SPENCER MASSEY, Red Fuel Powered By Schumacher/Sandvik Coromant Top Fuel Dragster
Qualifying position: No. 4
First round: MASSEY (3.751, 323.74) def. Millican (6.941, 96.89)
Second round: MASSEY (3.808, 325.37) def. Torrence (3.821, 324.05)
Semifinal: Langdon (3.762, 326.48) def. MASSEY (3.778, 327.98)
QUALIFYING
FRIDAY: 3.818 sec., 326.87 mph, (Session 1); 3.761, 328.30, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.745, 332.18 mph, (Session 3); final session called due to weather
2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Standings
(unofficial after Pomona)
TOP FUEL
1. Shawn Langdon, 124
2. Antron Brown, 92
3. Spencer Massey, 78
4. Larry Dixon, 73
5. Doug Kalitta, 61
6. Richie Crampton, 59
7. Steve Torrence, 54
8. Leah Pritchett, 52
9. Tony Schumacher, 36
10. Brittany Force, 33
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Volume 2015, Issue 2, Posted 12:51 AM, 02.09.2015
by Dusty Brandel
POMONA, CA ---- For only the third time in the last fifteen seasons John Force Racing did not advance a Funny Car to the final round of the Circle K NHRA Winternationals. Robert Hight drove his Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car to a semi-final finish today at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. JFR had won the previous five Winternationals and seven of last nine; Hight, 2006, 2008 and 2011; John Force, 2010, 2012 and 2014; and Courtney Force, 2013. Hight will leave the first stop of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series in third place in the Mello Yello Funny Car point standings.
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Volume 2015, Issue 2, Posted 12:50 AM, 02.09.2015
by Dusty Brandel
POMONA, Calif. RIS-(Feb. 8, 2015) -From feeling like a roasted marshmallow on Friday to taking the cake on Sunday, Matt Hagan experienced it all during this weekend's NHRA Circle K Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif.
During a qualifying session on Friday at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season-opener Matt's 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car suffered a fiery explosion that severely damaged the Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Funny Car body and components, forcing the team to bring out their back-up 2015 Dodge Charger R/T body branded in the Rocky Boots colors.
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Volume 2015, Issue 2, Posted 12:49 AM, 02.09.2015
by Dusty Brandel
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2015) -Don Schumacher Racing started the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series on Friday at Pomona, Calif., where it left off last November when Tony Schumacher and Matt Hagan won world championships.
After opening day of the NHRA Circle K Winternationals, Tommy Johnson Jr. is on the provisional pole in Funny Car while Schumacher is No. 2 in Top Fuel.
The final two qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday leading to Sunday's championship eliminations.
Johnson and the Make-A-Wish team led by crew chief John Collins produced the first provisional pole in the first race for DSR's all new 2015 Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car body designed and developed by Mopar with assistance from DSR. The carbon-fiber bodies took nearly a year to develop and is the only all-new Funny Car body style competing in the Mello Yello series.
Johnson, who finished a career-best third in last year's standings, uncorked a time of 4.018 seconds at the day's top Funny Car speed of 314.46 mph in the opening day's second qualifying session at Auto Club Raceway.
"The new body is a welcome addition," Johnson said. "The vision is so much better. That actually paid off on that run. This is a hard place to see. When the sun is going down and with all the clutch dust in the car it can be a very difficult track to see. Having the extra vision really, really helped.
"The first run was on a really good one but it came loose out in the middle of the track," he said of the run in 4.227 (236.71).
"It was an easy adjustment for John and the guys to make. John just made some subtle changes in the middle of the race course to soften it up a little through there. It was just a nice, easy, clean 4.01, not even really getting after it. It leaves a lot of hope for two more runs tomorrow. There's a legitimate shot at going into the (3-second range)."
In Top Fuel, DSR's reigning world champion Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army team is qualified No. 2 with a time of 3.757 (320.20) while teammate Spencer Massey and the Red Fuel Powered by Schumacher/Sandvik Coromant team is third with a time of 3.761 at the day's top speed of 328.30. Antron Brown and the Matco Tools/U.S. Army team is qualified 10th at 3.803.
When Schumacher competed in the season finale at Pomona he left with his eighth world championship.
"When you've got the Countdown (to the Championship) format, you've got to go out and you've got to win," he said. "But, really, it starts with the first run of the season. You want to show your strength and you want that No. 1 on the side of the car to portray to the rest of the guys and the fans that you are the champ for a reason. (Crew chief) Mike Green and (and assistant) Neal Strausbaugh and the rest of the guys really have this Army car thumping."
Johnson almost was upstaged by DSR teammate and reigning world champion Matt Hagan and the Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Dodge who jumped to No. 8 in qualifying with a second-session run of 4.090 (310.70) but a few feet past the finish line an engine explosion led to a fireball.
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Volume 2015, Issue 2, Posted 2:06 AM, 02.08.2015