Brannan-Hammes All Ford South Event This Weekend at Cumming Fairgrounds

Sunday (April 2) is the last day of Ford drag racing great Dick Brannan's Ford show at Cumming Fairgrounds (Cumming, Georgia)! I attended the event on Saturday and had a great time. Old cars, new cars, drag cars, stock cars, drag racing legends - you won't be disappointed! Dick did a great job putting this event together and if you like cars, you'll be glad you made the short trip to Cumming, GA. I'll be posting photos as soon as possible. Again, DON'T MISS THE LAST DAY OF THIS GREAT EVENT!!!!

New - Just added!!! Photos

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KJ Will Start Fifth in Houston

Contact: Jon Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.

Kurt Johnson completed his best qualifying effort of the young NHRA season on Saturday, slotting his ACDelco Cobalt fifth for Sunday’s final eliminations of the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals. Johnson's run of record at Houston Raceway Park came on Friday night, when he tripped the quarter-mile clocks in 6.706-seconds with a top speed of 205.54 mph.

"After a strong start on Friday, our ACDelco Cobalt made decent runs today, but just didn't seem to go anywhere. We should be able to run a 6.69 without a problem, but we're about five hundredths off. Looking at the information we have at our disposal, I think we can make some adjustments for tomorrow and get back at least three of them, but we won’t be happy until we get all five.

"We'll go over our notes, go back to what works and get after it. We know what the track needs, as well as what the car and the motor needs. The key is putting it all together. We’ll be on it tomorrow."

WJ Qualifies 11th in Houston

Contact: Jon Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.

On the strength of 6.724-second, 204.57 mph run made on Friday afternoon, Warren Johnson qualified his GM Performance Parts GTO 11th for Sunday’s final eliminations of the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston, TX. Although this opening performance secured his position in the field, the moment that may have given him his best chance to defend his 2005 win at this event may have come on his final qualifying attempt.

Running in the right lane on Saturday afternoon, his car slowed almost immediately after launch due to a malfunction, depriving him of a chance of improving on his starting position. However, had it come one run later, it would have ended his day in the first round.

"That last run was a very strange deal. Without warning, it didn't sputter, it didn't do anything, it just didn’t have any power, pulling it down to 4400 rpm, slowly driving off in the sunset. It was fine on the burnout, it staged like it was supposed to, going right on the rev limiter, but when I let the clutch out, it decided it wasn't going to work on that run. Fortunately, it happened in qualifying and not eliminations.

"Before that, the car was decent. Last night, of course, it got into the water and took a hard right turn. We tried a couple things with mixed success today, including recording the quickest sixty-foot time of the weekend. However, we need to deal with these issues that keep coming up.

"Between tonight and the first round tomorrow morning, we will go over our GM Performance Parts GTO and get to the bottom of this issue, so we can rock and roll in eliminations."

BAZEMORE COLLECTS NO. 9 IN HOUSTON QUALIFYING

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus

BAYTOWN, Texas (April 1, 2006) - Whit Bazemore and crew chief Brian Corradi continue to make strides with the performance of the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car in the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, as was demonstrated during qualifying for the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway.

Bazemore held on to the No. 9 spot he maintained through the last three sessions with the 4.818-second elapsed time at 312.50 mph he posted in the final round today. His first attempt of the weekend produced his second strongest run, of 4.821/323.19, good for No. 3 at the time.

The Matco Tools Dodge team struggled through the other two rounds, while learning how to tune the car for the new tire mandated by NHRA at the last event, posting a 9.984/90.69 and a 14.380/77.39.

"The Matco Tools Dodge is continuing to come around, but, like a lot of other teams in Houston, we're really struggling with the narrow window of performance that this new tire presents us," said Bazemore. "When you get it figured out and it goes down the track, it's good. But the margin of where the car will go down the track, at least for us, is very, very narrow, and apparently for a lot of other people - witness the fact that so many cars didn't go down the race track this weekend so far.

"As the top qualifiers (John Force, Robert Hight 1-2) have proved, when you do have a handle on it, it's very strong running tire. It's up to us to continue to test and try to figure the thing out.

"We're not in a good position where we're spending time in qualifying, trying to improve the race car and trying to come up with a good combination for race day. Unfortunately, this weekend we've been in a situation where we're just trying to figure out how to get the thing to go down the track from A to B without shaking or smoking the tires. In that regard, it's a little frustrating.

"Like I said, we're making progress. We may test on Monday. What I can tell you is the Matco Tools Dodge team pulls out all the stops and gives it the very best effort that's possible. Ultimately, that's why we're going to be successful."

Bazemore faces his old nemesis, Tony Pedregon, in first round of eliminations on Sunday.

FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT RACE, TROXEL GETS INTO THE SHOW IN FINAL QUALIFYING RUN

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus

BAYTOWN, Texas (April 1, 2006) - NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Top Fuel points leader Melanie Troxel narrowly escaped not qualifying for the NHRA O'Reilly Spring Nationals today, until she produced a solid 4.581-second elapsed time at 326.32 mph in her last qualifying attempt at Houston Raceway.

Driving the Skull Gear/Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel dragster, Troxel claimed the No. 7 spot with that run after spending the end of each previous session out of the 16-car field. Her previous best pass was in the second round, a 5.128/192.00.

This marks the second race in a row that she has headed into the last qualifying run in a go-fast or go-home situation, and each time she has planted the car firmly in the field.

Troxel, who has reached the final round in the last four NHRA events and won once, has relied on consistency, not highlight-reel qualifying runs, to build her 73-point lead, so she is not worried heading into Sunday's final eliminations. "As long as you're in the show on Sunday, you've got a shot. I don't worry about where I'm qualified or that we only got down the track once because these Skull Gear guys really make it happen when it counts," she said.

Troxel qualified in the top half of the field only once in the 2006 season (No. 3, Phoenix), but has reached the finals in each of the first three races.

"I'd rather have rounds on race day than a good qualifying spot," the Colorado native said.

Troxel admits that she felt more pressure today than in Gainesville where she also relied on a final qualifying run to make the show. "I don't know if it's because we are staying in this No. 1 position later in the season, and building more of a points lead, but I felt more pressure to hold onto that and get in the field. You go up there and know you have to block out all of these distractions to do your job
right, but it gets tougher and tougher when you come into that last session and you're the first pair of cars on the track."

Troxel depends on the Richard Hogan-led team to give her the best car. "I have such incredible confidence in these guys that I knew they would get it sorted out," she said, "but you hate being in that position for everyone involved. For the team, sponsors and everyone, you hate to wait that late to get into the field.

"They changed a lot of things heading into the last run, stuff that I'm not really privy to. I think they know I'm nervous enough as it is, so I don't think they want to tell me a bunch of unnecessary information. Whatever they do to it doesn't really matter; it's my job to get it down the track."

Troxel will face Alan Bradshaw in the first round of eliminations Sunday.

IN A STRANGE TWIST, REIGNING FUNNY CAR CHAMP SCELZI FAILS TO QUALIFY IN HOUSTON

Contact: Judy Stropus
DON SCHUMACHER RACING

BAYTOWN, Texas (April 1) - No, this is not an April Fool's joke. Gary Scelzi wishes it was, but the reigning NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car champion (and three-time Top Fuel champ) failed to qualify for and event for only the second time since joining Don Schumacher Racing in 2003. The first was 70 races ago, in Las Vegas in April of that year.

The driver of the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T struggled through all four qualifying rounds for the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals this weekend at Houston Raceway, and only made it into the field one time, in the first session. He moved into No. 16 after Tommy Johnson Jr.'s run was disqualified for crossing the centerline.

Scelzi's lap times reflected the difficulty the car was having getting down the quarter-mile: 9.261/85.19, 7.515/117.00, 6.853/132.32, and finally his best, a 5.307/303.64, which was not good enough to qualify.

"I don't know what's going on here," said Scelzi, who also became a trivia question, when it was declared that he was the first defending Funny Car champion in 21 years to have DNQ'd at an event in the year following his title win. "We made a huge change after the first run today and the car did not respond to anything. It either should have smoked the tires, or it should have done something different. It's just like it's got a governor on it.

"Mike (Neff, crew chief) is in there looking at the computer trying to figure out what to do, but it's got to stop. There's no question about it. We made drastic changes with no response, it just did the same thing.

"We'll test here on Monday," he continued. "We need to test here at Houston Raceway. We don't need to go to Dallas or anywhere else. We need to just go right back where we came from and try to find the problem.

"It's not anybody's fault but our own and, believe me, we won't be down for long."

Next up is the NHRA Summitracing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway April 7-9.

Cory Mac, Force, Line and Sampey Top Pro Qualifiers at the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil

Georgia Notes:
Bob Vandergriff is #15 in Top Fuel with a best of 4.665 @ 320.51.

Whit Bazemore is #9 in Funny Car at 4.818 @ 323.19.

In Pro Stock, Kurt Johnson is #5 (6.706 @ 205.54), WJ is #11 (6.724 @ 205.44) and Barry Grant is #16 (6.756 @ 205.07). Congratulations to Barry as this is the first time he has qualified in some time after several near misses!

Chip Ellis is #3 in Pro Stock Bike with a 7.063 @ 190.14.

In Pro Mod, Eddie Ware is #2 with his 6.121 @ 231.44.

NHRA Recap

Kalitta, Force, Line and Brown Lead First Day Pro Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil

NHRA Recap

"Black Magic" 1970 Mustang Information and Photos Needed

Jeff Mitchell is looking for photos and info regarding a 1970 Mustang that was raced in Georgia and Alabama during the years 1970 to 1976. Jeff said the car had been seen at Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway and Green Valley Dragway (Alabama). The black Mustang was named "Black Magic" and was possibly owned by the late Larry Wolfe. Larry owned and raced a 1957 (or 1959) Ford Galaxie in northern Alabama using the same "Black Magic" name.

Jeff currently owns the Mustang and would like to restore it to its former racing glory. If anyone can assist Jeff in his quest for information to aid in the restoration of the "Black Magic" Mustang, please contact him at 816-224-2453 or cjjeff@hotmail.com .

BAZEMORE BACK IN FAST LANE FOR HOUSTON

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus

BAYTOWN, Texas (March 29, 2006) - Whit Bazemore had grown accustomed to living life in the fast lane, whether it was winning 19 times on a quarter-mile in the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Charger Funny Car or pedaling his Seven Cycle at high speed on a Velodrome.

As he heads to Houston Raceway this weekend for the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals, the fourth round of the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, Bazemore finds himself back in that familiar fast lane after struggling through the end of last season and earlier this year.

Following a sound No. 2 qualifying effort at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., and a successful Monday test session following the event, the two-time U.S. Nationals champion and the Matco Tools team are regaining their old form of being a thorn in their competitors' sides.

"We feel good coming into Houston because the Matco Tools team has definitely made a lot of progress since the beginning of the year," said Bazemore. "That's exciting and that's what it's about, always trying to improve, especially when you need to improve.

"We had a really productive Monday after Gainesville testing and I think it's become fairly obvious that we have a car that's capable of setting low elapsed time at any time and what we are working on now is trying to make it more consistent.

"I think we went a long way towards making that happen Monday in testing, so we're probably the most confident we've been this year in that we can go to Houston knowing that we have a car that's capable of setting low ET and if we work hard we'll be in a good position where we can maybe win the race," added Bazemore, who is aiming for a 20th career victory this weekend.

Bazemore's best results at Houston Raceway are a runner-up finish in 1998 and a No. 1 qualifying effort in 2002.

SCHEDULE:
On Friday, March 31, professional qualifying sessions are at 3 and 6 p.m.
On Saturday, April 1, pro qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
On Sunday, April 2, final eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, April 1, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 8 p.m. (ET).
Sunday April 2, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will broadcast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, April 2, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final eliminations at 4 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE:
Friday, March 31, 10-10:30 p.m. (ET) - Galaxy 11 / Transponder 13K
(downlink freq: 11960, MHz horizontal)
Saturday, April 1, 10:30-11 p.m. (ET) - Galaxy 11 / Transponder 13K
(downlink freq: 11960, MHz horizontal)
Sunday, April 2, 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) - SBS 6 / Transponder 17K (downlink
freq: 12117, MHz horizontal)

WHIT BAZEMORE QUICK FACTS:
* 12th in 2006 Funny Car point standings after three events
* Two-time U.S. Nationals champion, 1997 and 2001
* Ninth in 2005 Funny Car point standings
* Won two events in 2005 (Gainesville, Las Vegas), No. 1 qualifier once (Columbus)
* Qualified No. 12 at 2005 O'Reilly Spring Nationals, lost second round to John Force
* Runner-up here in 1998, qualified No. 1 in 2002
* First Funny Car driver to break 325-mph barrier (U.S. Nationals 2001)
* Career quickest ET is 4.713 seconds, career fastest speed is 333.25 mph, both set at Route 66 Raceway in 2004 in what was at the time the quickest and fastest speed in Funny Car history
* Has 19 career Funny Car event wins in 43 final rounds in 321 races
* Took the 2003 championship chase to penultimate race in Las Vegas in an exciting final round against eventual champion Tony Pedregon
* Was second twice in the Funny Car championship in 2001 and 2003, third in 1997 and '99 and has finished in the top five six times and 13 times in the top 10 since 1992
* Age 43, born in New York City, an avid cyclist, lives in Indianapolis with wife Michelle, a competitive amateur cyclist, and son Dashiell Aidan, born March 12, 2005 (same as Bazemore's birthday)
* 2006 is his sixth season with Don Schumacher Racing

The Professor Works to have All Systems "Go" in Houston

Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing

GM Performance Parts GTO team set to defend crown at O’Reilly Spring Nationals
Sugar Hill, Ga., March 29, 2006 - After a one week hiatus, the NHRA's POWERade Drag Racing Series returns to action this weekend with the running of the O'Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston, TX. Warren Johnson and the GM Performance Parts GTO Racing team enter this event as the defending champions, and head to the Lone Star State ready to repeat their winning performance. However, in order to do so, they must take a page from one of Houston's most famous residents - the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, better known as NASA, and have a safe and effective launch.

In the first three races, the incremental numbers and top speeds have shown that Johnson's GM Performance Parts GTO has been among the very best in the final eighth of a mile. However, in the early stages of the run, the team has battled to effectively transfer the 1,400 horsepower produced by their DRCE 3 engine to the race track. After extensive analysis and testing, "The Professor" believes he has a handle on the situation and hopes to have all systems "go" for liftoff at Houston Raceway Park.

"This weekend I guess we will be among many people in the Houston area looking to launch as quickly as possible," quipped Johnson. "Our GM Performance Parts GTO's numbers in the back half of the runs have been fine - in fact, they are usually among the best in the class, along with (son) Kurt's. However, we have quite honestly struggled to get off the starting line.

"What has been most perplexing about our current situation is that it is obviously not an impossible task, because several of our competitors have already done it. It’s hard to say that we have to back down on our horsepower, because that goes against one of the golden rules of racing. You don't back down on power, you just learn how to use it more effectively, which is what we have been working on. If we can get the performance in the first 60 to 330 feet, we can set sail from there."

As with any assignment, Johnson has attacked this latest challenge on multiple fronts. In the ten days since the last race, he has pored over his notes from the last four years, comparing the performance of previous race cars with his current model, looking for any indication of the cause of this current condition. A checklist with possible solutions was then created, followed by testing in both Gainesville and Atlanta to gauge their effectiveness. Although not quite ready to clear the tower, the six-time champion is cautiously optimistic that, at the very least, the countdown has resumed.

"Our test the day after Gainesville was effectively an extension of what we had done for the first round on Sunday, namely trying to get the car to go straight at the start," stated Johnson. "We confirmed that we had worked ourselves into an unfavorable condition as far as the chassis was concerned, and started working our way out of it. Our approach seemed to be working its way back to where we were as much as two years ago, because once you go off on a tangent, it's sometimes hard to back track. I believe we are now in a position where we will at least be competitive in the early part of the run.

"The changes you can make are dictated by what a particular track can take. Of course, you can't hang your hat on one particular set-up because the tracks vary so much, especially now that the NHRA is struggling to find the ideal surface preparation for the new tire the Fuel cars are using. That compounds our problems even further because you don’t know what kind of racetrack you will have until you get there. The bottom line is that we have to come up with a set-up that is as forgiving as possible.

"For example, last year we had a set-up for Houston Raceway Park that went down the track on every run, and helped us to get to the winner's circle. Although we will rely on those notes heavily, as well as what we did on Sunday in Gainesville, we will still have to adapt them to whatever kind of conditions we are given. Fortunately, I have raced on just about every type of surface over the years, so we should be in good shape. It's just a matter of taking care of the details. We're definitely optimistic heading into Baytown."

Quick Notes on Warren Johnson & the GM Performance Parts GTO team entering the O'Reilly Spring NHRA Nationals:

WJ is at the Head of the Class in Houston: This will be Warren's 23rd career race at Houston Raceway Park. In his previous 22 starts, he has 6 wins in 7 final round appearances, which is the most in Pro Stock, and a strong 39-16 elimination round record for an impressive .709 win percentage

Warren's Qualifying Stats in Baytown: In 22 Houston Raceway Park starts, WJ has nine No. 1 qualifying performances, and a strong average starting position of 2.68. During that time, he has only one start outside the top half of the field and 18 starts in the top three positions.

One year ago -Defending Champion: Warren was the No. 1 qualifier with an elapsed time of 6.696 seconds and a top speed of 205.63 mph, and defeated Richie Stevens, Greg Stanfield, Dave Connolly and Jason Line en route to the 93rd NHRA national event win of his career.

Career Best Elapsed Time: 6.679 seconds, Gainesville, FL, 3/20/05
Career best top speed: 207.50 mph, Englishtown, NJ, 6/19/05

KJ Determined to Start His Excavation Project in Houston

Contact:Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing

Johnson & crew look to return ACDelco Cobalt to winner's circle

Sugar Hill, Ga., March 29, 2006 - Kurt Johnson and his ACDelco Cobalt Racing team find themselves in unfamiliar territory entering this weekend's O'Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston, TX. After struggling to establish the consistency necessary to contend in the first three races of the 2006 NHRA season, they arrive in the Lone Star State outside the top ten in the POWERade championship standings. However, even though he faces the somewhat daunting task of having to claw his way back into contention in one of the most competitive divisions in all of motorsports, Johnson's outlook remains unchanged, with his sights set squarely on returning to the winning form for which he is so well known.

"I've never been one to use revisionist history, so we’re not going to dwell on the first three races," stated Johnson. "It certainly wasn't the start we wanted, but we can't change what has already happened, so this ACDelco Cobalt crew is simply going to focus on what lies ahead. After all, it's a lot more productive to look out the windshield instead of constantly checking the rear view mirror."

Naturally, the first step Johnson and his talented crew must take involves their race car. Although horsepower is clearly not an issue, as evidenced by their impressive top speeds in the first three races, they must transfer this strength more effectively to the race track. A crucial element in a productive quarter-mile run lies in the car's performance in the first 330 feet, and is the area in which the second-generation racer has concentrated his efforts over the last few weeks. However, instead of using a new and untried approach, K.J. is banking on a proven set-up with which he won two races and advanced to four consecutive final rounds one year ago.

"I'm confident in the package we have assembled with this ACDelco Cobalt team," said Johnson. "We have all the right parts necessary to go rounds and get ourselves back in the fight - we just have to make sure to put the right pegs in the proper holes.

"In the first three races, we were more aggressive and made several major changes, which ended up hampering our ability to make adjustments. Starting with this weekend, we are going to return to a set-up similar to what we used so effectively last summer, trying to regain our consistency and start going rounds. It's going to take some work, but we will get this program turned around.

Another seeming ally in Johnson's corner is his record at Houston Raceway Park, site of this weekend's event. With two wins in three final round appearances, as well as a string of strong starting positions, the Baytown quarter-mile could be the perfect prescription for Johnson to start his comeback.

"It takes a good deal of chassis management to negotiate the racetrack at Houston Raceway Park," said Johnson. "The surface isn't getting any younger, and it's not aging gracefully, either. We will have to keep our eye on it throughout the weekend so we know what changes to make in order to keep going down it smoothly. We did that in 2003, making major adjustments after qualifying and ended up winning the race. We'll rely on those notes, and some from other years, to help guide us on what is a very tricky surface. Besides we've given everyone else enough of a head start. It’s about time this ACDelco Cobalt crew got our season started."

Quick Notes on Kurt Johnson & the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team entering The O'Reilly Spring Nationals:

Kurt has things handled in Houston: This will be KJ's 18th career appearance at Houston Raceway Park, where he has two wins (in 1999 & 2003) in three final round appearances, and a 24-15 elimination round record for a .615 win percentage.

KJ's Qualifying Stats at HRP: In his 17 previous career starts in Baytown, Kurt has two No. 1 qualifying performances and only two starts outside the top half of the field, with a 5.18 average starting position.

One year ago: Kurt qualified seventh with an elapsed time of 6.726 seconds and a top speed of 205.57 mph, but was upset in the first round.

Career Best Elapsed Time: 6.663 sec., Dallas, TX, 10/7/05
Career best top speed: 207.72 mph, Pomona, CA, 2/12/06

Event Schedule:

Friday, March 31: Two qualifying sessions at 3:00 & 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 1: Two qualifying sessions at 11:30 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 2: Pre-race ceremonies starting at 10:00 a.m.
First Round of Eliminations at 11:00 a.m.

Television Coverage:
Qualifying: Saturday, April 1: 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Eliminations: Sunday, April 2: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
NHRA2Day: Sunday, April 2: 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.
(All times Eastern. Please check your local listings for exact broadcast times in your area.)

TOP FUEL POINTS LEADER TROXEL REALISTIC ABOUT HER HOT STREAK

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus

BAYTOWN, Texas (March 28, 2006) - Melanie Troxel is a savvy, smart competitor. She doesn't give an inch when it comes to racing in the premier category of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. And, after reaching the final round in each of the four last Top Fuel events, including the first three of 2006, winning once, and leading the points standings by 73 points
despite a 25-point penalty for oildowns, she's wise enough to know that hot streaks can cool down.

This weekend's O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway brings her again to a venue she hasn't competed on in several seasons. This is one challenge she'll face here in her first full season of Top Fuel competition since rejoining Don Schumacher Racing midway through 2005. Another is as a target for other Top Fuel racers to aim at as they attempt to topple her off the podium.

The Colorado native who drives the Skull Gear/Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel Dragster was disappointed at losing the last event, in Gainesville, Fla., until reality set in and she realized that, despite a runner-up finish, she had made a stunning leap in the points standings, from 14 ahead to 73 ahead.

"It's kind of funny," she says. "Regardless of how things are going, when you don't win in a final round, you have that natural instinct to be disappointed for a while about it. But you really have to take a reality check and let that disappointment wear off and appreciate the fact that we
are leading the points, we're running very consistently, and we're going a lot of rounds.

"When we said earlier in the year that our goal was to have a legitimate shot at the championship late in the year we couldn't have asked for a better start to the season. The consistency of going rounds is way more important than winning any one individual event.

"I think it would be unrealistic for me to say that we can keep going to every final round for the rest of the year. I'm sure we will have those weekends where we go out first round. We're bound to have those. But I certainly think that we have something going right now, whether it's
chemistry within the Skull Gear/Torco Race Fuels team or a really good handle on the tune-up that (crew chief) Richard Hogan has right now. I certainly expect to continue that in Houston.

"I think we have a great race car and we will continue to go rounds, barring one of those inevitable bad weekends that you have here or there. I think right now we have the best race team on the circuit."

As for Houston Raceway, "It's a place where we've seen big ETs and big speeds," she says. "That's always exciting. The facility and the track surface are great, so we're looking forward to seeing what the performance of the car will be and what we can do with it."

SCHEDULE:
On Friday, March 31, professional qualifying sessions are at 3 and 6 p.m. On
Saturday, April 1, pro qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. On
Sunday, April 2, final eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, April 1, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of
qualifying highlights at 8 p.m. (ET). Sunday April 2, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD
will broadcast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30
a.m. (ET). Sunday, April 2, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of
final eliminations at 4 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE:
Friday, March 31, 10-10:30 p.m. (ET) - Galaxy 11 / Transponder 13K
(downlink freq: 11960, MHz horizontal)
Saturday, April 1, 10:30-11 p.m. (ET) - Galaxy 11 / Transponder 13K
(downlink freq: 11960, MHz horizontal)
Sunday, April 2, 8-8:30 p.m. (ET) - SBS 6 / Transponder 17K (downlink
freq: 12117, MHz horizontal)

MELANIE TROXEL QUICK FACTS:
* Top Fuel points leader by 73 points after Pomona win and runner-up finishes in Phoenix and Gainesville, Fla.
* Won her first national Top Fuel event in Pomona, Calif., Feb. 12, 2006
* 2006 is her first full season of Top Fuel competition
* 33 years old, born Aug. 31, 1972
* Born in Littleton, Colo., lives in Avon, Ind., with husband and Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr.
* Two national event wins in Alcohol Dragster in 1999 (Seattle and Topeka)
* Has four runner-up finishes in Top Fuel: in 2000 (Dallas 2), 2005 (Pomona 2), Phoenix 2006, Gainesville 2006
* Two No. 2s are her best qualifying efforts so far (Dallas '05 and Pomona 2 '05)
* Drove limited schedule for Don Schumacher Racing in 2000, her first year in Top Fuel
* Rejoined DSR in the 13th event of 2005 (Denver)
* Runner-up in Alcohol Dragster points in 1999
* Ran limited Top Fuel schedule in 2002 and 2003
* Career quickest elapsed time in Top Fuel is 4.458 seconds, set in 2005 in Dallas
* Career fastest speed is 330.31 mph, set in Dallas '05
* In 2005, in 11 races, Troxel had eight round wins
* Troxel is the quickest and fastest female driver in NHRA history, after clocking the 4.458-second pass and 330.31-mph speed in Dallas '05.

VANDERGRIFF READY TO ROCK HOUSTON

Contact: Ken Sklute
Vandergriff Motorsports Public Relations
Official Vandergriff Motorsports Photographer

BAYTOWN, Tex. (March 27)- Bob Vandergriff gets up each day and has two passions on his mind. His thoughts very rarely drift away from drag racing and golf. Although a scratch golfer, he hasn't had any time lately to devout to the game. The dogwood trees are in bloom in Atlanta and it's a wonderful time to be outdoors, on the links. His energy is being applied to getting the UPS Top Fuel dragster into race mode for this weekends O'Rielly NHRA Springnationals at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas.

The Jim Dupuy-led crew is eager to get the 7,000 horsepower monster out of the shop and back to the racetrack. "We felt that after we ran a 4.52 blast in the first round of elimination's in Gainesville last weekend, we had a car that could have won the race," Vandergriff said. "Unfortunately, we succumbed to parts failure. We have remedied that situation and we can't wait to get on the track in Houston."

Even though the team began the season a little behind from their late start in finishing the United Parcel Service racecar, they are ready to be back in the winners circle. Dupuy and company have been working together for a few years now and are used to the dedication it takes to be a championship contender. They provided 5 time NHRA Top Fuel Champion Joe Amato the power for the late Darrell Russell's wins and number one qualifier awards as well as Morgan Lucas' visits to 7 final round appearances and two number one qualifying awards.

"Jim and the guys are giving me a strong racecar and I'm anxious to rock Houston," Vandergriff said. "I'm ready to watch them work hard through 4 rounds on Sunday."

On Friday, March 31, Professional qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4 PM and 7 PM. On Saturday, April 1, Pro qualifying continues at 12:30 PM and 3 PM. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday at 11 AM.


ESPN2 Television Schedule
On Saturday, April 1, Qualifying rounds will be broadcast from 8 PM-10 PM. Eliminations will be shown on Sunday from 4 PM-7 PM. All times are Eastern.

VANCICA, GILLEN, COTHRAN, SHROPSHIRE, WILHELM, AND RUTLEDGE ENJOY FIRST POINTS WIN OF THE SEASON

By Tim Glover
Photos

Atlanta Dragway(Commerce, GA - March 25) Racers were in agreement. It was COLD Saturday
afternoon and evening during the first Summit / Snap On series points race of 2006. Over 200 racers came to get their "fix" after a long off season. A steady wind and temperatures in the mid 40s made things uncomfortable for all, especially the Atlanta Dragway crew, who had to stay outside all day running the show. However, the track was prepped very well by David Young,
and the vast majority of racers had little trouble getting down the track, even though the thermometer dipped to 41 degrees near the end of competition. For safety reasons, all classes were run on the eighth mile course for this event.

The first winners of the day were the Run for the Money winners. Mike Pitman celebrated his 55th birthday today by winning the Super Pro portion with his '64 Chevrolet Impala (ran 6.630 on a 6.63 dial). Stephen Moore took the Pro portion of the purse with his '73 Duster by running 12.45 on his 12.45.

Usually, a cold track makes Super Pro dragsters more vulnerable, but for today's show, the last nine machines in Super Pro competition were dragsters. Commerce, GA racer Hank Wilhelm's "Donkey Punch Racing" '88 Spitzer dragster fared the best, winning the final round with a .001 react and an off the throttle 5.19, 119.39mph pass (5.16 target). His opponent, Wayne Brooks from Monroe, GA, had a later react, and lifted off his throttle after his '98 Racetech dragster got out of shape shortly after leaving the starting line. Brooks carded a 5.58, 89.06mph pass (4.84 dial). "Fireman Joe" Rampley ('03 Miller dragster - Gainesville, GA) and Jesse Young ('98
Racetech dragster - Danielsville, GA) were the semi-final pair. "I knew I was going to have to be good for the final. Thanks to mom, dad, Johnnie Brown, Ricki and Debbie Blackwell, Buford and Beverly Duncan, Jeremy Hancock and the rest of my friends," added Wilhelm.

A winner and runner up trophy, sponsored by A1HomeDesign.com were an added treat for the Super Pro finalists. "Cool! I'm big stuff now," exclaimed runner up Wayne Brooks. Track manager Ray Wilkings told a surprised winner Hank Wilhelm he was going to have to clear a place on his mantle for his new trophy.

Former four time Pro champ Jacob "Lucky" Rutledge from Braselton, GA experienced some more luck in the Pro final when he broke out less than his opponent, defending champion Chris Carlile of Canton, GA. The four time champion's '79 Capri took the big end stripe first with a breakout 7.39 at 92.36mph (7.42 dial), but got the nod for the win after Carlile's '69 Camaro
broke the beams with a .04 under 6.40 at 106.03mph. Andrew Wheeler ('74 Charger - Loganville, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. "I want to thank my wife Holly, who was really the smart one, staying home today," said Rutledge with a smile. He then thanked son Tyler and brother Joey for helping. Rutledge has raced at Atlanta Dragway since 1993, and has won at least one race each year, along with four track championships, since then.

Sportsman nearly saw a father and son final, but only the 16 year old son Kyle Cothran from Buford, GA survived the semi-final round. Cothran's stellar .019 reaction time gave him the room he needed at the top end of the track to tap the brakes on his '04 S10 Blazer Xtreme, which posted a .05 over 10.50 at 60.82mph. "I've been anxious to get back racing after a long
winter break," added Cothran. His opponent, J.D. Burford from Greenville, SC was a bit tardy at the line and his '00 Corvette failed to reach the target time of 8.44. His second across the finish line 8.53 at 84.51mph was good for a runner up trophy. The winner's dad, Lonnie Cothran from Buford, GA finished the day with his '76 Corvette in the semi-final round, along with Mardy Kennedy of Auburn, GA. Kennedy actually did very well to get to the semi-final round, as the transmission in his '64 Econoline "Banana Boat" pickup did not have an operating second gear. Kennedy was having to slap his shifter as quickly as possible from first to third gear each time.

Motorcycle winner Jeff Shropshire used to race his '05 Kawasaki at Dallas (Southeastern International Dragway) before it closed in 2005, and is now branching out to other tracks. He definitely enjoyed his visit to Atlanta Dragway by getting the win light even before he launched in the final. His Dallas, GA based machine posted a 6.85 at 103.40mph (6.80 dial).
Unfortunately for his opponent, John Loney ('93 Suzuki - Dalzell, SC), the dreaded cherry colored bulb came on in Loney's lane when he left the starting line a tad too quick. Loney's bike put a 7.81 at 94.35mph (7.31 dial) on the scoreboard. Michael Wilson ('97 Suzuki - Tallapoosa, GA) earned a semi-final finish. "This is a great track. I brought my wife and three kids here today. I should have come up more often. I will be back next week anyway for the Prostar race," added Shropshire.

A very happy "Junior Romaniac" named Brittany Vancica claimed the winner's trophy in 8-12 Jr Dragster. "Wow!" was the word escaping from every few minutes from the very happy 12 year old first time racer's lips. Her dad, Danny Vancica of A1HomeDesign.com, who drives the "Romaniac" dragster, bowed out of competition early, which gave him plenty of time to help her win her first points race. He said they have not missed a Southern Nationals race in five years, and made the decision to try out drag racing after watching the Southern Nationals. Vancica's Suwanee, GA based race car actually broke out with a 9.92 at 62.45mph, (10.00 dial), but she got the win light as soon as Dylan Hutchins (11 - Monroe, GA) left the starting line with the tomato colored bulb glowing. Hutchins' ride put down a respectable 9.24 at 70.19mph
(9.22 target). Valerie Clements (12 - Central, SC) earned a semi-finalist trophy for her day's efforts. Hutchins thanked his mom, dad and Bill Gillen of Young Guns Motorsports for helping him get to another final.

Two time champion "Mad Matt" Gillen from Gainesville, GA enjoyed earning his first win of the season and the points lead in 13-17 Jr Dragster after defeating 14 year old Brett Bowman from Homer, GA. The 14 year old Gillen said he had some "dumb luck" all day, but he combined that with his skills and a Young Guns prepared Motivational Tubing car to take the final round
win light with a throttle tapping 8.18 at 79.35mph (8.16 dial). Bowman also ran a .02 over pass, carding a 9.27 at 70.03mph (9.25 dial). Defending champ Lauren Turner finished in the semi-final round. "I want to thank God, mom, dad and Motivational Tubing for their help. It's an early chance to get a good start on the season," Gillen added. He also enjoyed testing a new Motivational Tubing backed "Outlaw" Jr Dragster, which his dad Bill is also preparing for competition.

Atlanta Dragway also kicked off its Applebee's Race to the Wall of Fame program this weekend. Many of the Junior Dragster racers signed up for the challenge and will now start collecting Applebee's receipts in order to try and win the $1,000 Sponsorship for 2007. Not only will the lucky winner receive a check for $1,000, he or she will also have his or her picture featured on one of Applebee's restaurant walls and receive Applebee's racing paraphernalia. In conjunction with the program kickoff, Applebee's gave away a $50 gift certificate to a lucky racer, who happened to be junior driver Wesley Mayfield.


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SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Hank Wilhelm '88 Spitzer dragster Commerce, GA 5.19 119.39 (5.16)
R/U: Wayne Brooks '98 Racetech dragster Monroe, GA 5.58 89.06 (4.84)
Semi: Joe Rampley '03 Miller dragster Gainesville, GA
Semi: Jesse Young '98 Racetech dragster Danielsville, GA
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PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jacob Rutledge '79 Capri Braselton, GA 7.39 92.36 (7.42)
R/U: Chris Carlile '69 Camaro Canton, GA 6.40 106.03 (6.44)
Semi: Andrew Wheeler '74 Charger Loganville, GA
Semi:
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Kyle Cothran '04 S10 Blazer Buford, GA 10.50 60.82 (10.45)
R/U: J. D. Burford '00 Corvette Greenville, SC 8.53 84.51 (8.44)
Semi: Lonnie Cothran '76 Corvette Buford, GA
Semi: Mardy Kennedy '64 Econoline pickup Auburn, GA
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MOTORCYCLE BIKE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jeff Shropshire '05 Kawasaki Dallas, GA 6.85 103.40 (6.80)
R/U: John Loney '93 Suzuki Dalzell, SC (foul) 7.81 94.35 (7.31)
Semi: Michael Wilson '97 Suzuki Tallapoosa, GA
Semi:

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8-12 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Brittany Vancica 12 Suwanee, GA 9.92 62.45 (10.00)
R/U: Dylan Hutchins 11 Monroe, GA (foul) 9.24 70.19 (9.22)
Semi: Valerie Clements 12 Central, SC
Semi:
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13-17 JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: "Mad Matt" Gillen 14 Gainesville, GA 8.18 79.35 (8.16)
R/U: Brett Bowman 14 Homer, GA 9.27 70.03 (9.25)
Semi: Lauren Turner 15 Pendergrass, GA
Semi:
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