TOP FUEL POINTS LEADER TROXEL IS NO. 4 QUALIFIER IN ATLANTA
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
COMMERCE, Ga. (May 6, 2006) - Melanie Troxel continued her top-drawer performance in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Top Fuel category this weekend, qualifying the Skull Shine/Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel dragster in the No. 4 spot at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.
After qualifying No. 9 in her first pass on Friday, a 4.791-second elapsed time at 303.98 mph, she maintained the No. 4 position through the ensuing three rounds, after first posting a 4.541/327.03, then a tire-smoking 10.009/87.50 in the heat of the day, and, finally, a 4.625/324.98.
"The No. 4 spot is good," said the Top Fuel points leader. "It's not as good as the No. 1 spot we had last week in Bristol, but it's a lot better than we had been qualifying earlier in the year.
"We have a lot of confidence in the fact that we can qualify anywhere and do well on Sunday.
"This is the first race where it's been hot in qualifying," she explained. "Tomorrow, I know the weather is supposed to change, so who knows what that's going to do for everybody?
"We put a good number down on Friday, and then came out the first pass today and tried out the new one-piece body on the Skull Shine/Torco Race Fuels dragster. I think everything went pretty well with it, but we went ahead and put the old body panels back on for the final run. We want to go back to what we know for race day.
"The hot weather is a change for us. We haven't had that many passes in these conditions. We made it down one of the two today. We have a good feeling on what the track will hold, but, obviously, I feel better going down the track in a little cooler weather because we have more passes under those conditions. But, I guess everyone else out here is in the same position."
As for race day, "It's supposed to be overcast," she said, "and it'll be early in the day so we know the conditions will be cool. I'm just going to go up there and have the confidence that Richard (Hogan, crew chief) is going to do what he does best, and I'll go out there and do my job."
Troxel faces Bob Vandergriff Jr. in first round of eliminations on Sunday.
STEVENS JR. MISSES THE CUT FOR SOUTHERN NATIONALS
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
COMMERCE, Ga. (May 6, 2006) - For the first time in his Don Schumacher Racing two-year Pro Stock tenure, Richie Stevens Jr., has failed to qualify for an NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event. The driver of the Team Mopar/Valspar Dodge Stratus R/T will not compete in this Sunday's Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.
His 29-race qualifying streak was snapped today after being bumped from the Pro Stock field by a mere three-thousandths of a second in today's final qualifying session at Atlanta Dragway.
After posting a 6.763-second pass at 202.88 mph in the opening session, which was good for No. 8, he was unable to take advantage of the excellent cooler conditions Friday night to improve his position. He ran an identical time of 6.763 seconds at 203.03 mph and fell to No. 15.
The third and fourth attempts today in the heat of the Atlanta sun (6.757/204.45 and 6.774/204.51) failed to move him up in the field, despite being the seventh and 11th quickest, respectively, in those rounds, resulting in his first DNQ.
"On Friday night we got caught up in the groove or something on the track," he explained. "Warren (Johnson) said there was moisture on the track, but I don't know. Something was pushing us towards the wall. We had good numbers at the start, but it was almost like when one of the Funny Cars drop a cylinder and the car pushes to one side."
Before today, Stevens had qualified in the top half of the field in five of the first six races of the season.
Crew chief David Nickens was equally dismayed by the Friday night session: "That session was about everything for the weekend, and we didn't make a good run," he said. "We might have been one of the top few cars in the other three sessions, but it wasn't good enough to get into the show. Obviously we just didn't do a good enough of a job in the right session. That's the way
it goes in Pro Stock sometimes. The Friday night run can be all or nothing," said the Pro Stock veteran who holds 30 event wins as a crew chief.
"I don't know what it's going to be like being at the track tomorrow and not racing," Stevens said of his being on the sidelines on Sunday. "It's like going to your favorite restaurant and not being able to eat the food. We just got this Team Mopar/Valspar Dodge Stratus R/T in the top 10 in points, and now we'll fall back out of it. It can happen to anybody in this class. Last week it was Dave Connolly, a few weeks before that it was Greg Stanfield, but hopefully it is my first and last of the year. I hate it; it hurts you so bad in the points.
"But, we'll be here tomorrow to root on our DSR Funny Car, Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle teammates, and hopefully one or more of them will get into the winner's circle."
Stevens will get back to action in two weeks at the NHRA Nationals at National Trail Raceway (Columbus, Ohio), May 18-21.
Bernstein, Force, Anderson and Brown Top Qualifiers at the NHRA POWERade Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac
Brandon Bernstein is #1 in Top Fuel (4.521 @ 328.06) and Georgia's Bob Vandergriff, Jr. qualified in the 13th spot ( 4.613 @ 322.81). Points leader Melanie Troxel is #4 with a 4.541 @ 327.03.
In Funny Car, John Force is #1 with a 4.686 (new track record) at 329.58 mph. Former Atlantan Whit Bazemore is #8 at 4.780 @ 317.27. Points leader Ron Capps is #10 with a 4.803 @ 319.14.
Pro Stock points leader Greg Anderson once again takes the #1 position in Pro Stock with a 6.704 (new track record) @ 205.22 mph. Kurt Johnson qualified #2 with a 6.714 @ 205.19 and WJ is #7 with his 6.734 @ 205.79 mph (new track speed record). Barry Grant missed the cut with his 24th best 6.840 @ 202.52.
Antron Brown takes the top spot in Pro Stock Bike with a track record 7.080 (188.28 mph) on his Army Suzuki. Georgia's Chip Ellis is #7 with his G Squared Buell at 7.111 @ 188.07. Points leader Angelle Sampey is #5 with a 7.107 @ 188.33. Mike Berry took a high speed top-end tumble in qualifying and reportedly suffered broken bones in his hand and foot along with road rash, but was released from the hospital later on Saturday. NHRA Recap
Mark Billington Article
After two qualifying sessions, Mark Billington (Norcross, GA) is qualified #5 in TAFC at the NHRA Southern Nationals with a 5.745 @ 250.83 mph best. Bob Frey wrote an interesting article about Mark for DragRaceCentral.com. Read the Mark Billington article here.
Bernstein, Force, Anderson and Hines Lead Pro Qualifying at the NHRA POWERade Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac
Several track records fall in the evening session after rain delays.
NHRA Recap
WJ Hopes to Reap the Benefits of his DRCE R&D in Atlanta
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
GM Performance Parts GTO crew targets sixth NHRA national event win at home track
Sugar Hill, Ga., May 4, 2006 - Throughout his career, GM Performance Parts GTO driver Warren Johnson has established an unparalleled record for success, scoring at least one national event win in 24 of the last 25 years, with his career total of 96 easily setting the standard in the NHRA’s highly competitive Pro Stock category. His many achievements are a testament to his tireless work ethic, as well as his long-standing commitment to continuously searching for ways to improve his race car’s performance. From funny-car style roll cages and improved braking systems to the General Motors Drag Racing Competition Engine (DRCE), virtually every car in the Pro Stock pit area reflects Johnson’s influence in the sport.
Over the last few years, Johnson's primary focus has been on developing the third generation of the legendary DRCE, which he first introduced to the "factory hot rods" over twenty years ago. After running the latest version in Bristol one week ago, the Johnson-led crew will look to put that knowledge to good use at this weekend's Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals in Atlanta, GA.
"This engine, which is the most recent iteration of the DRCE 3 was fresh off the dyno when we ran it in Bristol," described Johnson. "It showed some potential there, so we will use it once again this weekend to confirm what we found, so we can then start working on a second unit for (son) Kurt's car.
"Our R&D program is really starting to gel right now because we are getting enough of a variation of parts that we can make some real progress. Now it's a matter of taking the power that we are generating and do an effective job of getting it to the racetrack, matching the set-up in our GM Performance Parts GTO with the tune-up in this engine. We took some steps in that direction in Bristol, and we're looking to keep moving forward this weekend in Atlanta."
Johnson will be looking to return to the winner's circle in familiar territory this weekend, as the POWERade Drag Racing Series makes its annual visit to Atlanta Dragway. Located in Commerce, GA approximately one half-hour north of the team’s headquarters in Sugar Hill, it has been a favorite testing facility for "The Professor" and crew over the years. In addition, Johnson has competed in every NHRA national event held there, dating back to 1981, compiling a record unmatched in the Pro Stock category with five wins in eight final round appearances. Even so, he is quick to downplay any notion of a home track advantage.
"Although we have certainly had our share of successes at Atlanta Dragway, it comes more from doing a good job of adapting to the racetrack than any inside knowledge we may have, "e xplained Johnson. "It all comes down to track preparation. What the management does to the track prior to a test session is completely different from what the NHRA does to it before a national event. As a result, the performance characteristics change dramatically, as does the set-up necessary to get down it.
"That is particularly true this year, as the NHRA works to get a handle on the new tire for the fuel cars. We never really know what kind of track we will be racing on until we get there. About the only thing we might be more familiar with is the location of any bumps in the two lanes. The key to our success this weekend will be how good of a job we do adapting our GM Performance Parts GTO to what the track will give us. Based on that, I believe we should be in good shape."
Quick Notes on Warren Johnson & the GM Performance Parts GTO team entering The Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac:
WJ has been all business in Commerce: This will be Warren's 26th career NHRA national event at Atlanta Dragway. In his previous 25 starts in Commerce, he has five wins (most recently in 2003) in eight final rounds, which is the most by any Pro Stock competitor.
Warren's Atlanta Dragway Qualifying Stats: In 25 Atlanta Dragway starts, WJ has 10 No. 1 qualifying performances (most recently one year ago), 21 starts in the top four positions and an extremely strong 2.84 average starting position.
Atlanta Dragway Track Record Holder: WJ holds the Atlanta Dragway Pro Stock track top speed record with his 204.54 mph run from one year ago.
One Year Ago: Warren captured the 133rd No. 1 qualifying position of his career (adding to his NHRA record total) with a 6.749-second elapsed time with a top speed of 204.54 mph, and advanced to the semifinals.
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 Maximizes Short Work Week to Prepare for Atlanta
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
ACDelco crew puts in long hours to cover all the bases for the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals
Sugar Hill, Ga., May 3, 2006 - For the second time this season, the NHRA's POWERade Drag Racing Series will be competing on consecutive weekends, heading directly from Bristol, TN to Commerce, GA for the running of the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac. With only four days between events, teams will be working overtime to make the 230-mile drive and complete their between-race maintenance and repairs.
However, following a challenging weekend in Tennessee, the short week presents an even greater challenge for Kurt Johnson and his ACDelco Cobalt crew, who face an abnormally hectic schedule prior to the first qualifying session at Atlanta Dragway.
"The ACDelco crew has been on it since Bristol," said Johnson. "Right after the semifinals, we pulled the motor, which had been smoking during eliminations, out of my Cobalt and loaded it into our shop pickup and drove back to Georgia, so we could start working on it.
"After making some headway with the engine on Monday morning, I did a quick media tour in the Greenville - Spartanburg area in the afternoon, talking about this weekend's race with the TV stations there. At the same time, Kevin and Justin (ACDelco crewmembers Horst and Belfance) stayed in Tennessee getting the transmission fixed on our hauler.
"I then got back to work on both Dad’s (six-time champion Warren Johnson) and my engines, while the guys will hop on the car when they get back to Sugar Hill. We'll take a little time on Wednesday night to sign autographs at Jim Hardman Pontiac in Gainesville, but other than that, we will be wide open getting ourselves ready for a good weekend in Atlanta."
After an uncharacteristically slow start, the Johnson-led crew has started to display the trademark performance that has made them a perennial title contender. With a win and a semifinal finish in their last two races, the team has jumped seven positions in the championship standings and looks to continue their forward motion this weekend at their home track.
Located just 20 minutes north of the team's headquarters in Sugar Hill, the Commerce quarter-mile has been the site of some family and NHRA racing history, as in 1993 the two Johnsons squared off in the sport's first father-and-son professional final round, with the senior member taking home the win. Having captured his own Atlanta winner’s trophy in 1996, KJ looks to add to his collection this weekend.
"A lot has been made about Atlanta being our home track, but the only real differences between racing here and at any other track is that we sleep at home, know the back roads into the track, and the size of the party if we win," stated Johnson. "In fact, since I last won there in 1996, I consider myself as being in a bit of a slump there.
"Having said that, I believe we should be in the thick of things this weekend. We have our ACDelco Cobalt dialed in, we'll have any engine issues we may have had straightened out, and everyone on the team is focused on getting the job done. I'd say this team is overdue for a home win."
Quick Notes on Kurt Johnson & the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team entering The Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac:
Kurt has been right at home at Atlanta Dragway: This will be KJ's 14th career appearance at Atlanta Dragway, where he has one win in 1996 in three final round appearances, and a 21-12 elimination round record for a .636 win percentage.
KJ's Qualifying Stats in Georgia: In his 13 previous career starts in Commerce, Kurt has ten starts in the top half of the field, with an average starting position of 6.85.
One year ago: Kurt qualified fourteenth with an elapsed time of 6.789 seconds and a top speed of 204.23 mph, and advanced to the semi-finals.
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, May 5: Two qualifying sessions at 3:30 & 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 6: Two qualifying sessions at 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 7: Pre-race ceremonies starting at 10:00 a.m.
First Round of Eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway May 4-7
VANDERGRIFF READY FOR PARTY IN ATLANTA
2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 7 of 23
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals
Atlanta Dragway
Commerce, Ga.
Race Date: May 5-7
Commerce, Ga. (May 3, 2006)- Bob Vandergriff Jr. is getting ready for a party at this weekend's Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.
Vandergriff will have plenty of family and friends cheering him on as his UPS Top Fuel dragster gets to compete at his hometown track. Add to that his extended family from nearby UPS Corporate headquarters, Vandergriff is looking to provide an exciting weekend for all of his guests. "This is obviously a big race for us. I’m excited about being in front of my friends, family and supporters. There is a lot of added pressure, but if we perform well, there is no better place to be than Atlanta Dragway, in front of my hometown sponsor and fans,” said Vandergriff." Atlanta Dragway has been a home to Vandergriff in many ways. He served as Vice President of Atlanta Dragway and this job gave him his first taste of actually racing down the quarter mile. Now he returns here with his neighbors from UPS at his side to do battle on his home turf. "We have made some steps towards performing better and more consistently in the past few races," Vandergriff said. "That should give us the opportunity to be very competitive this weekend. We are certainly headed in a direction where that could be a reality."
"We are all looking forward to bringing home a trophy, for everyone that has supported us this year," Vandergriff said. When that occurs, there will be quite a party in Atlanta.
RACE SCHEDULE:
Friday, May 5, professional qualifying sessions are at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 6, pro qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 7, pre-race ceremonies are 10 a.m. Final elimination's begin at 11 a.m.
Ken Sklute
Vandergriff Motorsports Public Relations
www.VandergriffMotorsports.com
TOP FUEL POINTS LEADER TROXEL SET FOR ATLANTA
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
COMMERCE, Ga. (May 3, 2006) - Top Fuel points leader Melanie Troxel looks to maintain the performance consistency of the Skull Shine/Torco Race Fuels Top Fuel dragster she drives for Don Schumacher Racing this weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.
With five straight NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series final-round appearances to start the season, (six counting the last event in 2005), two victories so far in 2006, one pole position, an 18-4 round win-loss record for the year, a points lead she's held since the first event, and a 139-point margin over the next driver in the standings, Troxel and crew chief Richard Hogan aim to
keep following that path.
"We want to continue our consistency," says Troxel. "That is going to be the important thing in order to hold on to this points lead, or at least maintain it, if we can't build it.
"I think we've been moving in the right direction with our qualifying," she said of struggling to qualify earlier in the season, then nabbing a No. 1 at Bristol Dragway last weekend. "We've improved a lot in the last few races. We just need to keep moving in that direction."
Troxel broke her string of final-round appearances in Bristol with an uncharacteristic red light in the second round. "For me it's going to be nice to be able to go out and start racing again to get this red light out of my mind," she says. "Getting back out there as soon as possible helps.
It's kind of like getting back up on the horse after you fall off.
"I've never run a Top Fuel car at Atlanta Dragway, so this will be a new experience for me. I'm looking forward to it."
MELANIE TROXEL QUICK FACTS:
* Top Fuel points leader by 139 points after Pomona and Las Vegas wins and runner-up finishes in Phoenix, Gainesville, Fla., and Houston
* First NHRA Top Fuel driver to reach the final round in the first five events of a season
* Troxel has reached six consecutive final rounds (two wins) dating back to final event of 2005. The string was broken at Bristol Dragway last weekend
* With Tony Schumacher's five straight final-round appearances to end 2005, Don Schumacher Racing has been in 12 consecutive final rounds this season
* 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
* She has qualified No. 1 once so far, at Bristol Dragway last weekend. She also has two No. 2s (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.
FUNNY CAR POINTS LEADER CAPPS RIDING THAT WAVE INTO ATLANTA
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy StropusCOMMERCE, Ga. (May 3, 2006) - Funny Car points leader Ron Capps just keeps riding that killer wave he's been surfing since the beginning of the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. As the NHRA circus heads to the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals this weekend at Atlanta Dragway, Capps is enjoying a 122-point lead over 13-time champ John Force, a record of five final-round appearances in six events, including three wins, and a season round win-loss tally of 20-3.
For the driver of the Brut Dodge Stratus R/T, with support from Torco Race Fuels, who missed out on winning his first Funny Car championship by eight points in 2005, this season is looking like it could be the one. But Capps is not one to count those chickens just yet.
While he's never won at Atlanta Dragway, he does have three runner-up finishes - two in Funny Car (2000, 2001) and one in Top Fuel (1995).
"Atlanta is a place where I've done real well in the past," he says."It's always a place I'm happy to go to. That being said, now we're going to get to these tracks where conditions are going to be a little bit warmer and there will be some more humidity than we've seen. You've heard people say in the past that championships are won in the summer months.
"Some of the conditions we're going to see coming up here in the next few races, especially Atlanta, are going to be tough, and we're in a two-race swing on top of that.
"I'm very excited, but I'm apprehensive. We need to stay focused and try to keep what we have going on. It's real easy to drink your own bath water, so to speak, when you start reading your own press and getting excited. You have to remember it's a long year. You don't want to get too excited. I've said this before, it's like a football player running wide open and is going to score a touchdown and starts dancing around before he gets to the end zone and drops the ball. You just don't want to do that, especially in this game.
"Atlanta is the home of POWERade and Coca-Cola. A lot of companies are close to Atlanta, so you get a lot of the corporate people coming out. I think it's important that we put on the best show we can for them and I think right now the fans are getting their money's worth, both on TV and in person when we come to their area. I know for sure that every year we go to Atlanta
they pack the grandstands. I'm sure it will be the same this year."
RON CAPPS QUICK FACTS:
* Leading 2006 Funny Car point standings after six events, by 122 over John Force
* Has three wins, two runner-up finishes, one semifinal finish in 2006 so far
* Quallified No. 2 at 2005 Summit Racing Nationals, lost in semis to Robert Hight
* Had three wins, four runner-up finishes in 2005 (St. Louis was his first win for DSR in '05), won at Chicago 2 at Route 66 Raceway and Las Vegas 2
* 2005 Funny Car championship runner-up, eight points short of title
* Qualified No. 1 once in 2005, in Dallas; first time since Brainerd 2000
* A perennial fan favorite, Capps has driven and won in both Top Fuel and Funny Cars since he began his pro NHRA career in 1995
* His best season points finishes were seconds in Funny Car in 1998, 2000 and 2005
* He has 20 event wins in 42 final rounds to his credit (19 national event wins in Funny Car, one in Top Fuel)
* His career best elapsed time (established during an event) is 4.694 seconds, set in 2005 in Dallas
* His career best speed is 329.02 mph (Chicago 2, '05)
* Age 40 (June 20, 1965); born and raised in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
* Lives in Carlsbad, Calif., with wife Shelley and daughter Taylor (9) and son Caden (3)
* Is the subject, along with son Caden and the Brut racing crew, of a number of Brut ads appearing in mainstream magazines, such as People, Sports Illustrated, etc.
* New to Don Schumacher Racing in 2005 after eight years with Don Prudhomme.
* Has tested for IROC Series and competed in Skip Barber Formula Ford, Dirt Late Models and Go-Karts
SCHEDULE:
Friday, May 5, professional qualifying sessions are at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 6, pro qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 7, pre-race ceremonies are 10 a.m. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, May 6, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 9 p.m. (ET). Sunday May 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, May 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, May 5, 9-9:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6 / 2K (11749.5 MHz, vertical)
Saturday, May 6, 8:30-9 p.m. (ET) SBS 6 / 2K (11749.5 MHz, vertical)
Sunday, May 7, 9:30-10 p.m. (ET) SBS 6 / 2K (11749.5 MHz, vertical)
***
SCELZI'S GOT HIS CAR BACK, HEADS TO ATLANTA
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
COMMERCE, Ga. (May 3, 2006) - Reigning NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car champion Gary Scelzi is back on top of the world after a strong semifinal-round finish at Bristol Dragway last Sunday in the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Stratus Charger R/T.
It's been a tough start to this season for the four-time NHRA champion who's famous for setting top speeds across the nation - 21 in Funny Car to be exact since joining Don Schumacher Racing in 2003. He's had four early-round losses and a DNQ before Bristol's semifinal result. Following pre-Bristol productive test sessions, the always-competitive, ever-hot team of Gary Scelzi and young crew chief Mike Neff are beginning to see that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
Scelzi was No. 1 qualifier at Atlanta Dragway last year en route to his first Funny Car championship. He's never won Funny Car here, but is a two-time Top Fuel titlist at this dragstrip. Winning this Sunday would certainly pump up his and the Mopar/Oakley team's spirits.
"After the weekend in Bristol, we've finally got our race car back," says the Fresno, Calif., native. "It may be a little too late to win a championship, but we can still do a lot of damage.
"I feel good. Going into Bristol and now Atlanta, it's the best I've felt all year long. I know we have a hot rod that can win, and it should qualify in the top half of the field.
"We're digging ourselves out of this hole," he says of his 363-point deficit between his 11th place in the standings and the lead. "The first thing we have to do is concentrate on getting back in the top 10, then just start moving up the food chain."
GARY SCELZI QUICK FACTS:
* Eleventh in 2006 Funny Car points after six events
* Claimed the 2005 Funny Car championship, his first, by eight points over his teammate Ron Capps, 32 over third-place John Force
* Won three times in 2005 (Bristol, Chicago 1 and Sonoma); was low qualifier six times (Las Vegas 1, Atlanta, St. Louis, Reading, Las Vegas 2, Pomona 2)
* Became only the second NHRA driver to have won crowns in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. Kenny Bernstein is the first
* Has two Top Fuel wins at Atlanta Dragway, in 1999 and 2000, one TF runner-up in 1997, and a Funny Car runner-up in 2004
* At 2005 Summit Racing Equipment Nationals he qualified No. 1, lost second round to Cruz Pedregon
* Has set 21 Funny Car top speeds since joining Don Schumacher Racing in
2003
* Is a member of the largest team in NHRA pro history: Don Schumacher Racing, with nine teams - two in Top Fuel, three in Funny Car, two in Pro Stock, two in Pro Stock Motorcycle (all four pro categories)
* Is first Funny Car driver to break the 330-mph barrier (330.15 mph at Route 66 Raceway in 2004)
* Career Funny Car bests: 4.697-second ET (Chicago 2 '05), 332.51 mph (Pomona 1 '06)
* Qualified in top five 19 times in 2005, No. 1 six times
* Age 45, born and raised in Fresno, Calif., where he lives with wife Julianne and sons Dominic and Giovanni
* Dominic, 8, races Junior Sprints
* Runs Scelzi Enterprises, a custom truck body design and manufacturing business in Fresno with his two brothers
* Is a three-time Top Fuel Dragster champion
* Won his first Top Fuel crown as a rookie
* Has seven Funny Car wins, 25 Top Fuel wins
* Sixth in 2003 Funny Car points, his first full season in that class
* 2006 is his fourth straight season racing for Don Schumacher Racing
* Is the only NHRA driver to have won in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car. He accomplished this feat at Infineon Raceway in 2003
* Is one of the few Funny Car drivers who has a round winning record against the 13-time Funny Car champion John Force: 9-8, 3-1 in final rounds
SCHEDULE:
Friday, May 5, professional qualifying sessions are at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 6, pro qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 7, pre-race ceremonies are 10 a.m. Final eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, May 6, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 9 p.m. (ET). Sunday May 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET). Sunday, May 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, May 5, 9-9:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6 / 2K (11749.5 MHz, vertical)
Saturday, May 6, 8:30-9 p.m. (ET) SBS 6 / 2K (11749.5 MHz, vertical)
Sunday, May 7, 9:30-10 p.m. (ET) SBS 6 / 2K (11749.5 MHz, vertical)
***
Ashley Plans on Rebound in Atlanta
Commerce, Georgia/May 2, 2006 - Since day one of the 2006 NHRA season, SKULL Shine/TORCO Race Fuels Funny Car driver Mike Ashley has been saying the same thing: the first half of the season will be spent concentrating on building the team, its engine and car combination, and gaining behind-the-wheel experience. Ashley's goal is to be a contender by mid-season, and, in spite of a DNQ in Bristol, he feels the team is right on schedule.
The mortgage banker from Melville, NY is more excited then ever as the tour pulls into Commerce, Georgia for the Summit Racing NHRA Southern Nationals, and he has good reason to be.
"What's important to realize is that our team put forth number one qualifier results at Bristol, but, unfortunately, I didn't," Ashley said. "The Friday night session was the one that 15 of the 16 cars qualified in. We were well on our way to a 4.74 - 4.75 run when I let the car get away from me, and that was the difference.
"The moral of the story is that we have a contending engine combination and now we need to combine that with my driving," he said.
Ashley and his crew chief, Mark Oswald, are no strangers to building championship teams. Both have won World Championships and both are currently focused along with the Worsham's on returning to championship form.
"I know where we're going with this program," he said. "The future of this team and our results are crystal clear for me. No matter the challenge we are committed as a team to do whatever it takes to contend in a long term and serious way."
Ashley qualified 18th in Bristol on a run that required more than just finesse, it demanded the strength of a physically fit driver to make it happen. For some inexplicable reason, his Chevrolet Monte Carlo darted across the track towards the other lane. If not for a masterful recovery job, Ashley's best run would have been disqualified for crossing the center-line.
Ashley, however, looks at the big picture; if not for that erratic turn of events he could have enjoyed a 4.74.
"That's just a part of racing you have to learn to accept," he said.
"I don't have to like it, but I do have to accept it. We'll just get after it more in Commerce."
Ashley and Team Gotham take to the quarter mile again at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. this Friday at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia. Qualifying continues at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and eliminations begin on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
For More Information about Mike Ashley and Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: www.GothamCityRacing.com
BAZEMORE NOSTALGIC ABOUT RETURN TO ATLANTA DRAGWAY
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
COMMERCE, Ga. (May 2, 2006) - Two-time U.S. Nationals champion Whit Bazemore gets nostalgic each time he competes at Atlanta Dragway, where he saw his first Funny Car run as a teenager, then vowed to race a Funny Car some day. The driver of the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car returns to the area where he grew up for this weekend's Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals.
The 43-year-old Indianapolis resident remembers the emotional wins - and losses - he's had here after becoming that Funny Car driver: in 1999 as runner-up to his perennial nemesis John Force, then a huge win over the 13-time champion in 2002, and his last victory, against his teammate Gary Scelzi in 2004.
After two semifinal-round finishes in the last two NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series races of the 2006 season, Bazemore is also pumped by the car's and the Matco Tools team's performance following last Sunday's event at Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway.
"It's always exciting for me to go back to Atlanta," says Bazemore. "I say it every year, but it is the place where my dream kind of started. I'm just one of those lucky individuals who has been fortunate enough in my life to live my dream and do what I love doing. And the fact that it started in Atlanta and Commerce, where I saw my very first Funny Car run - Tom McEwen
in 1977- means a lot to me to come back here. It's a special place.
"Seeing that McEwen run was powerful. I was hooked," he adds. "However, there was one problem the car was so fast and quick that I was intimidated and didn't know if I could ever drive it or not."
He has since proven he could.
"We've won here twice," says Bazemore, who has 19 national event wins to his credit. "Those are nice trophies. Some races are just races. Every race is equally as hard to win as any other race, but there's no denying the fact that some mean more than others. And, obviously the U.S. Nationals means the most, and then you have some of the lesser races, which Atlanta is, but they mean a lot to different people for different reasons. And Atlanta means a lot to me because I grew up here."
WHIT BAZEMORE QUICK FACTS:
* Ninth in 2006 Funny Car point standings after six events and two semifinal finishes
* Two-time U.S. Nationals champion, 1997 and 2001
* Ninth in final 2005 Funny Car point standings
* Won two events in 2005 (Gainesville, Las Vegas), No. 1 qualifier once (Columbus)
* Qualified No. 12 at 2005 Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals, lost first round to John Force
* Has two wins here at Atlanta Dragway, 2002 and 2004, and one runner-up, in 1999
* 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 324 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
GILBERTSON LOOKING TO REBOUND AT ATLANTA
Courtesy Berserko Bob
Atlanta, prerace: After a disappointing race last weekend at Bristol where he didn't qualify you'd expect Funny Car racer Bob Gilbertson to be down in the dumps but he's just the opposite. Gilbertson is really upbeat about returning to the Atlanta Dragway for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals.where he's had success in the past.
"It was a miserable weekend for this team at Bristol, everything that could go wrong did," Gilbertson said. "We get four chances to qualify, the first run we smoked the tires, ran a 4.93 in second lap with a flat front tire that was one of the wildest rides I've ever taken, I had to click it early, it would have been a low 4.80 I'm sure. Third run a parachute popped out early and to add insult to injury the clocks malfunctioned and we didn't get any of the early numbers to use for our last shot at qualifying. We went to the line for our final chance to get into the show with what we thought would work but it just wasn't enough."
So why is Gilbertson excited to go to Atlanta?
"Three big reasons," Gilbertson added. "First of all by the grace of God we're still in the NHRA POWERade top ten points. That gives me and the team an incentive to dig deep and do what it takes to improve. These guys work really hard and have their heart and soul into winning and they're going to do their job and I have all of the confidence in the world in them. Second it's a home-track race for us and my whole family, a lot of friends and supporters and employees will be there to cheer me on. Best of all is that my wife Sally will be coming to the races for the first time this year and will get to see in person the big 30th wedding anniversary decal I have on the race car. Third and most of all is that I've had a lot of success at Atlanta, went to the semi finals in 2004 and if I remember correctly I beat John Force there a few years ago."
TELEVISION SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 6, 2006 Qualifying 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM ET (ESPN2)
Sunday, May 7, 2006 Eliminations 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM ET (ESPN2)
Record Smashing Import Event at South Georgia Motorsports Park
By Marvin T. Smith
The NOPI South Georgia event brought a wide range of activities to South Georgia Motorsports Park. Two days of drag racing, car show, drifting exhibition, burnout contest, and partying was punctuated by record setting performances in several categories. The Pro Compact class had the largest field. In a strange twist from the usual NOPI field, number one qualifier was Kevin McCurdy in his blown Alan Johnson powered Pontiac Firebird Pro Mod-style car at 6.511. After three rounds of eliminations, Brad Personett's Scion beat Matt Scranton's Celica with a fine 6.566 at 217.007. Personett set the mph record in the class at 217.53.
In Pro Outlaw Front Wheel Drive, Jason Hunt ran a final 7.557 196.93 in his Chevy Cobalt to set a new elapsed time record and defeat James Jones' Honda Civic.
In Pro Outlaw Rear Wheel Drive, Paul Efantis' Toyota Solara ran a strong 7.269 to beat Carl Stevens' fouling Nissan 350Z. Efantis was number one qualifier at 7.09 199. Dennis Lugo cracked the magic 200 mph mark in his 93 Mustang at 200.50 during qualifying, but failed to back up his speed for the record.
Both ends of the Pro Stock record were smashed in qualifying by Norris Prayoonto in his Clutch Masters Honda Insight at 9.794 141.13 mph. In eliminations, Prayoonto broke his block in two pieces and had to watch his teammate, Saul Saleeda, take the win in his Acura Integra.
In B.F. Goodrich Pro Street Tire, Krystos Efantis took the win in his Toyota Supra with a strong 8.193 at 180.79 over John Kolivas' 95 Mustang's 8.62 171. Efantis' time bettered the current elapsed time record, but he failed to back it up during the event.
Chuck Seitsinger was the class of the field in Pro 4 Cylinder and took the much-deserved win. Seitsinger ran 8.30, 8.41, and 8.70 - all times below the current record, but none of the times were within the required 1% backup to set a new record. Runner-up was Authur Wang in his Honda.
Manny Bugings qualified number one and won GT class in his 93 Mustang. In the final he ran 7.694 at 172 to beat Bryan Jimenez' Honda (8.65 127). Other winners included Mark Remick in ER Street, Stacey Hyche in Sportsman Comp 4, Mat Keller in BO Street, and Patrycja Wodecka in NOPI Chic.
VANDERGRIFF BESTED IN ROUND ONE
BRISTOL, Tenn., (April 30, 2006)- The UPS Top Fuel dragster was dismissed from Sundays elimination's at the O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway by first round opponent David Grubnic. Bob Vandergriff Jr. drilled Grubnic off the line in round one with a reaction time of .086 to the Australian's light of .105. The Alpharetta, Ga. based Vandergriff was slowed as he dropped a cylinder allowing Grubnic to reach the stripe first with an elapsed time of 4.566 seconds at 327.27 mph, shutting out the Jim Dupuy-tuned efforts of 4.612 seconds at 317.94 mph.
"We are still growing as a team and are still learning what the car wants in order to be happy," Vandergriff said. "It can be frustrating at times, but we are moving forward. We made our quickest run of the weekend, but it wasn't good enough."
The next stop on the 23-race NHRA POWERade Drag Racing series will be the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga., May 5-7. The nearby Atlanta area is home to both Vandergriff and UPS Corporate Headquarters.
Ken Sklute
Vandergriff Motorsports Public Relations
www.RacersEdgePhotography.com
CAPPS OUSTS FORCE IN BRISTOL FINAL, WINS THIRD RACE OF SEASON
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
RISTOL, Tenn. (April 30, 2006) - Funny Car points leader Ron Capps continues to tear up the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series quarter-miles with the outstanding performance consistency of the Brut Dodge Stratus R/T Funny Car. He did it again today, disposing of 13-time Funny Car champion John Force in the final round of the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway - on a holeshot advantage.
Capps won his third race of the season, 20th of his career in 42 finals, and extended his points lead over Force to 122 (602-480).
En route to his fifth final round in six events of 2006, the California native sent Scott Kalitta packing in the first round with a 4.782-second elapsed time at 296.50 mph, then bounced out No. 1 qualifier Eric Medlen with a 4.857/318.39 in the second, and his teammate Gary Scelzi in the semis with another steady 4.821/318.47 before meeting up with Force in the final.
With lane choice, Capps launched first off the line with an .080 reaction time (.000 is perfect) to Force's .104. That was enough to take the win over Force with a slower but winning 4.793/319.52. Force crossed the line nine feet later, posting a quicker but losing 4.788/310.13.
Capps' round win record against Force is now 14-37, with Capps winning seven of their last 10 meetings. He is now 6-1 versus Force since St. Louis in 2005. Capps' only loss was in the semis in Phoenix this year, the only race in which Capps didn't reach the finals.
"It's just a good win," he said of beating Force. "You're going into the final and the first thing I think of is we're giving the fans something for their money. They want a big match-up in the final. It's the intrigue that keeps the fans glued to the TV, and if the points leader - myself - and
Force are going to square off in the final, I think that's great for the sport.
"When [track and TV announcers play it up] I think it does nothing but make our sport better. It's the way it should be. We're leading the points, we'd better be in the final round. And Force is 'The Man.' He's won all those championships. I think it's just good for everything. It was great for us, don't get me wrong, but I think it's just good for everything.
"I gave [team owner Don Schumacher] a big hug (at the top end). I even kissed him. He's just a great boss. He hires great people and lets them do their jobs and Ace (crew chief Ed McCulloch) was calling for the left lane every time. A couple of times we didn't have lane choice, but we were still over here (in the left), even though guys were taking the other lane."
As for the points chase, "I'm still almost embarrassed," he said. "They call you the points leader, they pat you on the back. It's so early, and I've been there before. I've finished three times No. 2 in the championship, so I've been down that road. I'm a little more seasoned when it comes to that. I'm learning to enjoy this.
"I'm in awe of my crew and especially Ed McCulloch. He raced here years ago, as did Don Schumacher. So, to come to places like this and just have those little thoughts in your head - are we in the right lane, did they pick the right lane, do we have enough to beat this guy? - and to pull it off without lane choice (is awesome).
"If the in-car camera we had last year was still in the car you'd see me shaking my head because I'm in disbelief. I got on the radio and said, I can't believe it, we won again. And it's not because I doubt our guys, it's just I can't believe I'm having this good a time.
"I love this class right now. Everything is great right now as far as competition. I think [NHRA] did a great job with the rev limiter change they made. They're doing everything they can to work with us.
"There was a lot of whining and complaining going on early in the year about the Goodyear tire. We worked our tails off to figure that tire out in preseason testing.
"I'm in disbelief. Things are so good, it's hard to believe."
Said Don Schumacher: "It's awesome. All of these teams are doing a great, great job for me," he said of the nine teams he campaigns, "and all the sponsors. But this Brut team really has been strong since the Las Vegas test. Ron doesn't really say enough about that, but he, Ace and that whole team have just been doing a great, great job, figuring out this tire, getting the race car to go down the race track every time, and having all the others over looking at what he was doing. He's really figured it out."
Crew chief McCulloch was his usual grounded self: "Sooner or later it's going to stop," he said. "Every race we go to, when we drive into the gate, the thought crosses my mind, Is this going to be the week that we're going to stumble? We're not very good in qualifying, but come Sunday we have a knack to be able to get it together and go rounds on Sunday and I guess that's what wins championships. And, believe me, I'm not counting already. We won the race but we didn't pick up that many points on Force, and to beat him in the final was huge. What can I say? We just keep trying to do what we've been doing."
Next up is the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, May 5-7.
FUNNY CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Ron Capps, 602
2. John Force, 480
3. Tommy Johnson Jr., 342
4. Phil Burkart Jr., 334
Eric Medlen, 334
6. Robert Hight, 319
7. Cruz Pedregon, 315
8. Del Worsham, 300
9. Whit Bazemore, 284
10. Bob Gilbertson, 246
11. Gary Scelzi, 239.
BAZEMORE IS SEMIFINAL FINISHER FOR SECOND STRAIGHT EVENT IN BRISTOL
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Contact: Judy Stropus
BRISTOL, Tenn. (April 30, 2006) - Whit Bazemore and the Matco Tools Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car team are more than encouraged by the improvement in their car's performance after making it to their second straight semifinal round of the season today at the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
No. 2 qualilfier Bazemore came out fighting in eliminations, first defeating Tim Wilkerson with a 4.810-second pass at 292.84 mph, then disposing of Phil Burkart Jr. in the second with a 4.853/304.46. The semifinal found him squaring off against his longtime nemesis and 13-time Funny Car champion John Force. Each launched with identical reaction times (.098) and it was a battle to the finish, until a small parts failure slowed Bazemore to a losing 4.902/269.73 pass to Force's winning 4.826/309.63. Margin of victory: .0769 of a second.
"It's not a matter of that," he said of losing to Force. "It's just how you get beat sometimes and your expectations and the effort that this team has made and the progress that the team has made because of that effort. It's been a hell of a turnaround, and we're here now where we're not particularly happy to be, as No. 2 qualifier or to be going out in the semifinals.
"All in all, it's a good result. It's a good day at the races, so we're certainly not ashamed of the effort.
"We've had a mechanical thing all day today and it's really odd and it's a weird breakage that keeps occurring. It's not unique to any set of parts, so we're kind of scratching our heads.
"It broke at about 1000 feet. We spun the tire a little bit before that; it would have been hard to beat them. I think we were ahead at the point we spun the tires. But, we spun the tire and it would have been hard to run what they ran with the tire spin.
"Having said that, with the mechanical issue, we knew we were going to have to be perfect to win that round and we were almost perfect, but not quite.
"We'll be ready to rock and roll in Atlanta."
With this result, Bazemore moved into ninth in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings.
Next stop is the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway (Commerce, Ga.), May 4-7.
FUNNY CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Ron Capps, 602 (winner today)
2. John Force, 480
3. Tommy Johnson Jr., 342
4. Phil Burkart Jr., 334
Eric Medlen, 334
6. Robert Hight, 319
7. Cruz Pedregon, 315
8. Del Worsham, 300
9. Whit Bazemore, 284
10. Bob Gilbertson, 246
11. Gary Scelzi, 239.
KJ Battles to a Semi-Final Finish in Bristol
Contact: Jon Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing, Inc.
Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team completed an eventful weekend in Thunder Valley on Sunday, powering to a semi-final finish at the O'Reilly Thunder Valley NHRA Nationals in Bristol, TN. After overcoming numerous issues to capture the 14th starting position, Johnson faced a stiff challenge in the first round, facing No. 3 qualifier Greg Stanfield, who is known as one of the best leavers in the category.
However, Johnson was up to the task, combining a quick .019 reaction with a strong 6.750-second, 204.63 mph pass to advance to the second round. Johnson then extended his elimination round win streak to six by defeating V. Gaines with his best pass of the weekend, at 6.749-seconds, 204.23 mph.
The final obstacle between Johnson and his second consecutive final round appearance was rival Greg Anderson, whom he would face without the benefit of lane choice. Although he was able to make a competitive run at 6.773 seconds, 204.51 mph, it was not enough to overcome his opponent's 6.736-second, 204.51 mph pass.
"Considering how the weekend started, and where we qualified, this was a pretty satisfying day for the ACDelco Cobalt crew. Our motor was off a little bit, and was smoking pretty badly throughout the day, but we were still able to fight our way to the semifinals.
"However, any time you make it to the semifinals, you want to get to the final and give yourself a chance to win the race. Unfortunately, the right lane was a little off and we made an ugly run, spinning the tires hard at the hit. Finishing third isn't bad, but we want to win. We just didn't have the horse today, but we'll keep working on it. We'll go back to the shop, regroup and get ready for Atlanta."
Kalitta, Capps and Line Win the NHRA POWERade O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Q
