Blast From the Past Photos - M/T Mustang Funny Cars
posted by David @ 12:49 PM
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Friday, March 02, 2007
2007 Old Drag Racers Reunion - September 28-30 - Panama City, Florida
Sol and Anne Stewart's 7th Annual Old Drag Racers Reunion will be held September 28-30, 2007 in Panama City, Florida. Don't miss it!
Flyer
Flyer
posted by David @ 12:34 AM
Thursday, March 01, 2007
ELUSIVE PERFORMANCE BARRIERS COULD FALL NEXT WEEKEND IN VALDOSTA
Courtesy CompetitionPlus.com
VALDOSTA, Ga. – Track records are expected to fall next weekend in Valdosta, Georgia and if you’re a fan of 500-inch Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Mountain Motor Pro Stock and Pro Modified – the 8th annual Eastern Spring Test Nationals presented by Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com has all the ingredients to deliver. Initial weather forecasts are predicting clear weather and low-Seventies throughout the week.
Top 500-inch Pro Stock racers such as GM Stalwarts Warren and Kurt Johnson, Greg Stanfield; Mopar sensations Allen Johnson (no relation to the aforementioned), Richie Stevens, Larry Morgan, Erica Enders, and Rodger Brogdon are all pre-entered and gunning for low-6.50s. Allen Johnson is the current track record holder with a 6.592.
The Pro Stock Motorcycles are gunning for the low- 6.90s. Among those pre-entered are defending NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Andrew Hines with his potent Harley-Davidson. He’s expected to be challenged by the Suzuki contingent of Karen Stoffer, defending ESTN champion Matt Smith and past NHRA U.S. Nationals victor Steve Johnson. The current Pro Stock Motorcycle track record stands at a 6.93.
A large contingent of Mountain Motor Pro Stockers are pre-entered and gunning for the 6.2-second zone. Rickie Smith, a seven-time IHRA World Champion (5 in Pro Stock), has the SGMP track record in his grip with a 6.309 hit in recent Valdosta testing. He’ll be joined by defending IHRA Torco’s Competition.com Pro Stock champion Pete Berner, current class record holder Robert Patrick (6.315) as well as past world champions John Nobile, Brian Gahm and Steve Spiess.
Pro Modified brings to the table the largest entry count at thirty-six of the quickest and fastest the NHRA and IHRA has to offer. The mix of cars will include supercharged, nitrous-injected and turbocharged. Defending ESTN champion and the first legal five- second runner Josh Hernandez leads the way for the NHRA AMS cars. Defending IHRA Torco’s CompetitionPlus Pro Modified World Champion Quain Stott and Jim Halsey will be gunning with their proven rides while Mike Castellana, Shannon Jenkins and Scott Cannon, Jr., (new track record holder 6.06, 238) will be breaking in new.
A score of other cars will make test runs over the course of the weekend including several nitro burners. Scotty Cannon will make his first runs behind the wheel of Evan Knoll’s Top Fuel dragster. Georgia favorite Bob Vandergriff, Jr., will bring his UPS- sponsored digger for some testing as well.
Thursday and Friday are unlimited test days. Saturday will be run on a schedule with the event slated to complete at 5 PM. Testing resumes on Sunday and continues through Wednesday.
Spectator tickets are $20 for adults and children that are under 6 - 12 years are $5. College students and military are $15 with a valid ID.
Professional drivers who pre-enter are given free entry for up to three crew members.
To pre-purchase tickets, visit SGMP .
To view the complete pre-entry list, visit Torco's CompetitionPlus.com .
VALDOSTA, Ga. – Track records are expected to fall next weekend in Valdosta, Georgia and if you’re a fan of 500-inch Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Mountain Motor Pro Stock and Pro Modified – the 8th annual Eastern Spring Test Nationals presented by Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com has all the ingredients to deliver. Initial weather forecasts are predicting clear weather and low-Seventies throughout the week.
Top 500-inch Pro Stock racers such as GM Stalwarts Warren and Kurt Johnson, Greg Stanfield; Mopar sensations Allen Johnson (no relation to the aforementioned), Richie Stevens, Larry Morgan, Erica Enders, and Rodger Brogdon are all pre-entered and gunning for low-6.50s. Allen Johnson is the current track record holder with a 6.592.
The Pro Stock Motorcycles are gunning for the low- 6.90s. Among those pre-entered are defending NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Andrew Hines with his potent Harley-Davidson. He’s expected to be challenged by the Suzuki contingent of Karen Stoffer, defending ESTN champion Matt Smith and past NHRA U.S. Nationals victor Steve Johnson. The current Pro Stock Motorcycle track record stands at a 6.93.
A large contingent of Mountain Motor Pro Stockers are pre-entered and gunning for the 6.2-second zone. Rickie Smith, a seven-time IHRA World Champion (5 in Pro Stock), has the SGMP track record in his grip with a 6.309 hit in recent Valdosta testing. He’ll be joined by defending IHRA Torco’s Competition.com Pro Stock champion Pete Berner, current class record holder Robert Patrick (6.315) as well as past world champions John Nobile, Brian Gahm and Steve Spiess.
Pro Modified brings to the table the largest entry count at thirty-six of the quickest and fastest the NHRA and IHRA has to offer. The mix of cars will include supercharged, nitrous-injected and turbocharged. Defending ESTN champion and the first legal five- second runner Josh Hernandez leads the way for the NHRA AMS cars. Defending IHRA Torco’s CompetitionPlus Pro Modified World Champion Quain Stott and Jim Halsey will be gunning with their proven rides while Mike Castellana, Shannon Jenkins and Scott Cannon, Jr., (new track record holder 6.06, 238) will be breaking in new.
A score of other cars will make test runs over the course of the weekend including several nitro burners. Scotty Cannon will make his first runs behind the wheel of Evan Knoll’s Top Fuel dragster. Georgia favorite Bob Vandergriff, Jr., will bring his UPS- sponsored digger for some testing as well.
Thursday and Friday are unlimited test days. Saturday will be run on a schedule with the event slated to complete at 5 PM. Testing resumes on Sunday and continues through Wednesday.
Spectator tickets are $20 for adults and children that are under 6 - 12 years are $5. College students and military are $15 with a valid ID.
Professional drivers who pre-enter are given free entry for up to three crew members.
To pre-purchase tickets, visit SGMP .
To view the complete pre-entry list, visit Torco's CompetitionPlus.com .
posted by David @ 11:50 PM
Chip Ellis/G2 Motorsports NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Racing News
DRAG Specialties back with Ellis and G2
Motorcycle parts retail powerhouse DRAG Specialties will return as the primary sponsor for Chip Ellis and the G2 Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle in the 2007 NHRA POWERade Series. DRAG Specialties will also increase their dealer hospitality presence this season, pumping up the atmosphere around the G2 pit. "We are very happy to be sponsoring Chip Ellis and G2 Motorsports for a second year," said Jeff Fox, president/CEO of DRAG Specialties. "We saw great results last year and felt it was an excellent opportunity for DRAG Specialties again in 2007."
"I'm very proud to represent DRAG Specialties for a second year," said Ellis, who finished a strong 4th in the final 2006 point standings. "I visited their facility in Wisconsin at the end of last year and it was awesome. I'm really looking forward to seeing all their dealers at the track all season long."
"We're really glad that DRAG Specialties will be more involved at the events," said Jackie Bryce, G2's vice president of operations. "We think that NHRA POWERade drag racing is a great venue to bring their dealers in to experience the excitement of Pro Stock Motorcycles, and they're really gonna like being in the pits with the team. We also think that it's a great opportunity to introduce DRAG Specialties to all the potential customers who follow the NHRA."
"I'm tickled that DRAG Specialties re-signed with the G2 team," said 6-time national champion tuner George Bryce, G2 director of racing operations. "I think it's a really good move on everybody's part because we all acquired a lot of equity in 2006, and now it's time to cash in on the synergy that was developed. It's gonna be great to be able to meet with the dealers who come to the races for the DRAG Specialties hospitality at the G2 pit. And like Jackie said, it will be neat to introduce those new people to our sport of NHRA POWERade drag racing, and introduce the NHRA crowd to DRAG Specialties."
G2's president George Smith will serve as crew chief for the DRAG Specialties Buell, as some of George Bryce's time will be spent in the G2 customer pit of Karl Klement Racing as co-crew chief and tuner for that new team. "I'm really looking forward to it," said Smith. "George Bryce will handle the KK Racing bike and I've been pressed into service to assume full responsibility for the DRAG Specialties/S&S Buell. I'm going to have to work harder this year, but I have the best chief mechanic in the business, Ken Johnson, and Chip's dad Dale working on the bike to keep me out of trouble.
"George and Jackie and I will collaborate as necessary until Chip meets up with (Klement driver) Peggy Llewellyn in eliminations," noted Smith. "We are all really looking forward to that and intend to have a lot of fun this year."
"I'm excited to be on the DRAG Specialties team again this year and
can't wait to get the season off to a good start," said Johnson, the defending Full Throttle Championship winning chief mechanic.
S&S Cycle will also return as the major associate sponsor for the S&S powered Buell, which ran a quickest-ever for the class 6.911 last year in Sonoma, California. "The 2007 NHRA race season promises to be an exciting one for S&S," said Brett Smith, president of S&S Cycle and son of G2's George Smith. S&S designed and builds the billet V-twin Pro Stock motor that has burst open the doors to competitive participation in the class. "With the focus that G2 is putting behind the DRAG Specialties bike, we're confident that Chip will be in the running for a national championship. I wish my dad, Ken, and Chip the very best this season and look forward to standing with them in the winner's circle!"
MAC Tools also returns as a major associate sponsor for Ellis and G2. "We are very glad to re-up with MAC Tools for 2007," said George Bryce. "We are building a very strong team and the combo of DRAG Specialties and S&S, and having MAC Tools stay with G2 Motorsports also is just what the doctor ordered. We are all going to work together to be successful on and off the track. Our goal is to have winning performance on the track and to help these companies grow in their markets, and have them be as proud as we are for joining forces with them."
Chip Ellis and G2 Motorsports start the new season March 15-18 at the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Florida.
G2 Motorsports Sponsors
Everyone at G2 thanks DRAG Specialties http://www.dragspecialties.com , S&S Cycle http://www.sscycle.com , MAC Tools http://www.mactools.com , Gates Corporation http://www.gates.com , Itelligence, Inc. http://www.itelligencegroup.com , Mazak Corporation http://www.mazak.com , RK Racing Chain http://www.ftmbiz.com , SAP http://www.sap.com , and Red Line Oil http://www.redlineoil.com .
G Squared Motorsports can be seen on the web at http://www.g2motorsports.net
2006 Final NHRA/POWERade Point Standings
4. Chip Ellis 892
Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle
6. Chip Ellis 505
2006 Final Full Throttle NHRA Pit Crew Championship Point Standings
1. DRAG Specialties/S&S Buell Chip Ellis/Ken Johnson 474
G2 Motorsports History
Named for the two George's, George Bryce & George Smith, G2 Motorsports was initially formed in 2003 as a collaborative effort between the pair to field an S&S Cycle powered V-Twin NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle. The company has since evolved into the development of late-model hot rod V-Twins for both the street and strip. G2 Motorsports also stocks a full line of S&S Cycle engines and support parts for drag racing enthusiasts, as well as for other motorcyclists, dealers and distributors. The G2 Motorsports web site (www.g2motorsports.net) is continually updated with the latest race press releases, photos, engines in stock and information on complete turnkey motorcycles.
Contact
Jackie Bryce at G2 Motorsports
This team report was prepared by Tim Hailey
Photo by Matt Polito, http://www.dragbikephotos.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FURNISHED BY:
G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS
OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH
DISTRIBUTED HERE BY:
Jerry Battle - Webmaster
see partial clients listing at
www.1webshop.com .
1WEBSHOP owns the
following sites:
www.jerrybattle.com
www.1honeydolist.com
www.americusga.us
www.andersonvillegeorgia.com
www.ellavillega.com
www.nearplainsgeorgia.com
www.georgia-motorsports.com
www.1patriot.us
.................................
IN GOD WE TRUST
.................................
Motorcycle parts retail powerhouse DRAG Specialties will return as the primary sponsor for Chip Ellis and the G2 Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle in the 2007 NHRA POWERade Series. DRAG Specialties will also increase their dealer hospitality presence this season, pumping up the atmosphere around the G2 pit. "We are very happy to be sponsoring Chip Ellis and G2 Motorsports for a second year," said Jeff Fox, president/CEO of DRAG Specialties. "We saw great results last year and felt it was an excellent opportunity for DRAG Specialties again in 2007."
"I'm very proud to represent DRAG Specialties for a second year," said Ellis, who finished a strong 4th in the final 2006 point standings. "I visited their facility in Wisconsin at the end of last year and it was awesome. I'm really looking forward to seeing all their dealers at the track all season long."
"We're really glad that DRAG Specialties will be more involved at the events," said Jackie Bryce, G2's vice president of operations. "We think that NHRA POWERade drag racing is a great venue to bring their dealers in to experience the excitement of Pro Stock Motorcycles, and they're really gonna like being in the pits with the team. We also think that it's a great opportunity to introduce DRAG Specialties to all the potential customers who follow the NHRA."
"I'm tickled that DRAG Specialties re-signed with the G2 team," said 6-time national champion tuner George Bryce, G2 director of racing operations. "I think it's a really good move on everybody's part because we all acquired a lot of equity in 2006, and now it's time to cash in on the synergy that was developed. It's gonna be great to be able to meet with the dealers who come to the races for the DRAG Specialties hospitality at the G2 pit. And like Jackie said, it will be neat to introduce those new people to our sport of NHRA POWERade drag racing, and introduce the NHRA crowd to DRAG Specialties."
G2's president George Smith will serve as crew chief for the DRAG Specialties Buell, as some of George Bryce's time will be spent in the G2 customer pit of Karl Klement Racing as co-crew chief and tuner for that new team. "I'm really looking forward to it," said Smith. "George Bryce will handle the KK Racing bike and I've been pressed into service to assume full responsibility for the DRAG Specialties/S&S Buell. I'm going to have to work harder this year, but I have the best chief mechanic in the business, Ken Johnson, and Chip's dad Dale working on the bike to keep me out of trouble.
"George and Jackie and I will collaborate as necessary until Chip meets up with (Klement driver) Peggy Llewellyn in eliminations," noted Smith. "We are all really looking forward to that and intend to have a lot of fun this year."
"I'm excited to be on the DRAG Specialties team again this year and
can't wait to get the season off to a good start," said Johnson, the defending Full Throttle Championship winning chief mechanic.
S&S Cycle will also return as the major associate sponsor for the S&S powered Buell, which ran a quickest-ever for the class 6.911 last year in Sonoma, California. "The 2007 NHRA race season promises to be an exciting one for S&S," said Brett Smith, president of S&S Cycle and son of G2's George Smith. S&S designed and builds the billet V-twin Pro Stock motor that has burst open the doors to competitive participation in the class. "With the focus that G2 is putting behind the DRAG Specialties bike, we're confident that Chip will be in the running for a national championship. I wish my dad, Ken, and Chip the very best this season and look forward to standing with them in the winner's circle!"
MAC Tools also returns as a major associate sponsor for Ellis and G2. "We are very glad to re-up with MAC Tools for 2007," said George Bryce. "We are building a very strong team and the combo of DRAG Specialties and S&S, and having MAC Tools stay with G2 Motorsports also is just what the doctor ordered. We are all going to work together to be successful on and off the track. Our goal is to have winning performance on the track and to help these companies grow in their markets, and have them be as proud as we are for joining forces with them."
Chip Ellis and G2 Motorsports start the new season March 15-18 at the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Florida.
G2 Motorsports Sponsors
Everyone at G2 thanks DRAG Specialties http://www.dragspecialties.com , S&S Cycle http://www.sscycle.com , MAC Tools http://www.mactools.com , Gates Corporation http://www.gates.com , Itelligence, Inc. http://www.itelligencegroup.com , Mazak Corporation http://www.mazak.com , RK Racing Chain http://www.ftmbiz.com , SAP http://www.sap.com , and Red Line Oil http://www.redlineoil.com .
G Squared Motorsports can be seen on the web at http://www.g2motorsports.net
2006 Final NHRA/POWERade Point Standings
4. Chip Ellis 892
Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle
6. Chip Ellis 505
2006 Final Full Throttle NHRA Pit Crew Championship Point Standings
1. DRAG Specialties/S&S Buell Chip Ellis/Ken Johnson 474
G2 Motorsports History
Named for the two George's, George Bryce & George Smith, G2 Motorsports was initially formed in 2003 as a collaborative effort between the pair to field an S&S Cycle powered V-Twin NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle. The company has since evolved into the development of late-model hot rod V-Twins for both the street and strip. G2 Motorsports also stocks a full line of S&S Cycle engines and support parts for drag racing enthusiasts, as well as for other motorcyclists, dealers and distributors. The G2 Motorsports web site (www.g2motorsports.net) is continually updated with the latest race press releases, photos, engines in stock and information on complete turnkey motorcycles.
Contact
Jackie Bryce at G2 Motorsports
This team report was prepared by Tim Hailey
Photo by Matt Polito, http://www.dragbikephotos.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FURNISHED BY:
G SQUARED MOTORSPORTS
OWNERS: GEORGE BRYCE & GEORGE SMITH
DISTRIBUTED HERE BY:
Jerry Battle - Webmaster
see partial clients listing at
www.1webshop.com .
1WEBSHOP owns the
following sites:
www.jerrybattle.com
www.1honeydolist.com
www.americusga.us
www.andersonvillegeorgia.com
www.ellavillega.com
www.nearplainsgeorgia.com
www.georgia-motorsports.com
www.1patriot.us
.................................
IN GOD WE TRUST
.................................
posted by David @ 11:07 PM
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Brainerd Optimist Dragstrip Hall Of Fame Inductees
Congratulations to the Brainerd Optimist Dragstrip Hall Of Fame Inductees!
Wendall Williams
Tommy Reed *
Larry May *
L.C. Bigham
Johnny Cash
Cotton Perry
Rick Millard
John Labbous
Jim Reece *
Russell Stewart
Gary McGill
Floyd Cheek
Robert Ladd *
Ron Tucker
Robert Nance *
Steve Longley
Wayne Holland
Hugh Greeson
Dale Allen
Thurman Callaham
Eddie Caheely
Bo Adams
*Deceased
Wendall Williams
Tommy Reed *
Larry May *
L.C. Bigham
Johnny Cash
Cotton Perry
Rick Millard
John Labbous
Jim Reece *
Russell Stewart
Gary McGill
Floyd Cheek
Robert Ladd *
Ron Tucker
Robert Nance *
Steve Longley
Wayne Holland
Hugh Greeson
Dale Allen
Thurman Callaham
Eddie Caheely
Bo Adams
*Deceased
Information and photos of Dale Allen, Hugh Greeson, Bo Adams, Thurman Callaham and Wayne Holland furnished by Wayne Holland. Thanks for the update, Wayne!
posted by David @ 9:45 PM
Monday, February 26, 2007
Pete Robinson Photos Needed
Kevin Barthel has requested assistance in his search for Pete Robinson photos. Here is the message (and photos) that he sent me recently. If you can help, please contact me - or Kevin at dragrace@tds.net . Thanks!
I have just came across some really interesting items and hope that you or someone else may be able to help. I have both side panels from Pete Robinson's Tinker Toy. Possibly #4 car or #5 car. Possibly from the car he crashed at Irwindale in a tire test. Or the car Steve Carbone drove while Pete was mending from that crash. I would like to find a good picture of the Pete Robinson car that these panel are from. I have searched all over with no luck. Hope someone out in nostalgia land may be able to help. Thanks, KB dragrace@tds.net
I have just came across some really interesting items and hope that you or someone else may be able to help. I have both side panels from Pete Robinson's Tinker Toy. Possibly #4 car or #5 car. Possibly from the car he crashed at Irwindale in a tire test. Or the car Steve Carbone drove while Pete was mending from that crash. I would like to find a good picture of the Pete Robinson car that these panel are from. I have searched all over with no luck. Hope someone out in nostalgia land may be able to help. Thanks, KB dragrace@tds.net
posted by David @ 9:34 PM
Kurt Johnson Drives to a Big Win in Phoenix
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
ACDelco Cobalt crew reaches winner's circle in NHRA season's second race
Sugar Hill , Ga., February 25, 2007 – Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team scored an important victory on Sunday, battling their way to the winner's circle at the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals in Phoenix, AZ. After qualifying seventh, Johnson combined a very consistent race car with some tremendous driving to score early round wins over Jeg Coughlin, Richie Stevens and Erica Enders in the second race of the 2007 POWERade Drag Racing season, before squaring off against No. 1 qualifier Jason Line in the final.
Knowing he would need a near-perfect performance to take home the trophy, Johnson took control from the start, using a stellar .016 reaction time to gain the advantage by over three hundredths of a second and never looked back, crossing the finish line in 6.694 seconds with a top speed of 206.67 mph to score a hole-shot win over the defending Pro Stock champion, who recorded a quicker 6.676-second time in the losing effort. It was Johnson's 36 th national event win, first of the 2007 season, and third at Firebird Raceway.
"We knew Jason (Line) would be tough in the final," said Johnson. "That's a good team and they've won a lot of races. However, I also have a lot of confidence in my ACDelco Cobalt crew. Over the last two days, we got a handle on the tune-up, allowing us to make the right calls and put ourselves in a position to win. For the final, we just concentrated on doing the best we could. Fortunately, I did my part behind the wheel, and we ended up in the winner's circle. It was just a great day in the desert."
Today's win was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Johnson crew. After struggling to match their race car to the tough Phoenix quarter-mile on Friday, they entered the second day of qualifying outside the field. However, after poring over his tuning notes from previous outings, Johnson decided to revert to a formula used successfully in the past. The end result was the quickest pass of the final qualifying session at 6.658 seconds and a seventh starting position.
In the first round of eliminations on Sunday, Johnson opened a solid 6.676-second, 206.83 mph pass to overcome Jeg Coughlin's starting line advantage and score his first elimination round win of the young season. After eliminating a tire-shaking Richie Stevens in the second round, he used a .025 light and a 6.698-second, 206.48 mph pass to overcome the lack of lane choice and score the hole-shot win over Erica Enders in the semifinals, who recorded a 6.687-second time in defeat. This sent Johnson to the 66th final round of his Pro Stock career, where he would square off against Jason Line.
"We got off to a slow start this weekend, but we never gave up, doing whatever we needed to make the car better," said Johnson. "Over the last few months, we had been trying different combinations in our ACDelco Cobalt seeing what we could do to go quicker and faster. Unfortunately, we got off on a tangent that hurt our consistency. Finally, on Friday night we got to the point where were out of the show and struggling.
"That's when we decided to go back to the set-ups we had used when we first got this particular car. As a result, we came out with two strong runs on Saturday and a consistently fast car for race day with which we were able to win. Now I feel we can make small changes in the tune-up to not only adjust for the conditions, but make even better runs. This turned out to be a productive weekend in more ways than one."
Despite the rigors of competition, Johnson still took time throughout the day to salute Roy Johnson, father of fellow Pro Stock racer and close friend Allen Johnson, who had been hospitalized the night before following a heart attack. In each of the four rounds, Kurt put a piece of tape on his driver's side window sending get well wishes including humorous touches such as an apology in the semifinals for eliminating Richie Stevens, who drives Allen Johnson's team car the second round.
"At the end of the day, very little matters other than your family and friends," said Johnson. "We've known Allen and Roy for many years, and they're good friends. Naturally, we were very worried when we heard the news. I felt so sorry Allen – after all, that's his father and they almost lost him a couple times last night. I'm sure he didn't sleep at all. Fortunately, it sounds like he's on the road to making a full recovery, so I taped some encouraging words on the window of our ACDelco Cobalt each round, making sure they knew we were thinking about him"
Finally, in addition to extending a streak that has seen him win at least one national event in each of the last 13 years, which is the longest such streak in the highly competitive Pro Stock category, Johnson also saw the benefit today's success would have on the outlook of the entire Sugar Hill, GA based operation.
"This win was an important one for the entire organization," stated Johnson. "We've had some new people come on board, including Terry Adams, and wanted to win as soon as we could for them, as well as our great sponsors, ACDelco and Chevrolet. Everyone has been working extremely hard, doing what they can to help us succeed, and it makes a big difference all the way around when one of our cars makes it to the winner's circle.
"For example, just before the final, everyone on both crews got involved in getting our car ready, making sure every little detail was taken care of, and we were able to come out on top. It doesn't matter if it's my ACDelco Cobalt or Dad's (six-time champion Warren Johnson) GM Performance Parts GTO, when one of us wins, the entire team wins."
TMG Sports Marketing
ACDelco Cobalt crew reaches winner's circle in NHRA season's second race
Sugar Hill , Ga., February 25, 2007 – Kurt Johnson and the ACDelco Cobalt Racing team scored an important victory on Sunday, battling their way to the winner's circle at the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals in Phoenix, AZ. After qualifying seventh, Johnson combined a very consistent race car with some tremendous driving to score early round wins over Jeg Coughlin, Richie Stevens and Erica Enders in the second race of the 2007 POWERade Drag Racing season, before squaring off against No. 1 qualifier Jason Line in the final.
Knowing he would need a near-perfect performance to take home the trophy, Johnson took control from the start, using a stellar .016 reaction time to gain the advantage by over three hundredths of a second and never looked back, crossing the finish line in 6.694 seconds with a top speed of 206.67 mph to score a hole-shot win over the defending Pro Stock champion, who recorded a quicker 6.676-second time in the losing effort. It was Johnson's 36 th national event win, first of the 2007 season, and third at Firebird Raceway.
"We knew Jason (Line) would be tough in the final," said Johnson. "That's a good team and they've won a lot of races. However, I also have a lot of confidence in my ACDelco Cobalt crew. Over the last two days, we got a handle on the tune-up, allowing us to make the right calls and put ourselves in a position to win. For the final, we just concentrated on doing the best we could. Fortunately, I did my part behind the wheel, and we ended up in the winner's circle. It was just a great day in the desert."
Today's win was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Johnson crew. After struggling to match their race car to the tough Phoenix quarter-mile on Friday, they entered the second day of qualifying outside the field. However, after poring over his tuning notes from previous outings, Johnson decided to revert to a formula used successfully in the past. The end result was the quickest pass of the final qualifying session at 6.658 seconds and a seventh starting position.
In the first round of eliminations on Sunday, Johnson opened a solid 6.676-second, 206.83 mph pass to overcome Jeg Coughlin's starting line advantage and score his first elimination round win of the young season. After eliminating a tire-shaking Richie Stevens in the second round, he used a .025 light and a 6.698-second, 206.48 mph pass to overcome the lack of lane choice and score the hole-shot win over Erica Enders in the semifinals, who recorded a 6.687-second time in defeat. This sent Johnson to the 66th final round of his Pro Stock career, where he would square off against Jason Line.
"We got off to a slow start this weekend, but we never gave up, doing whatever we needed to make the car better," said Johnson. "Over the last few months, we had been trying different combinations in our ACDelco Cobalt seeing what we could do to go quicker and faster. Unfortunately, we got off on a tangent that hurt our consistency. Finally, on Friday night we got to the point where were out of the show and struggling.
"That's when we decided to go back to the set-ups we had used when we first got this particular car. As a result, we came out with two strong runs on Saturday and a consistently fast car for race day with which we were able to win. Now I feel we can make small changes in the tune-up to not only adjust for the conditions, but make even better runs. This turned out to be a productive weekend in more ways than one."
Despite the rigors of competition, Johnson still took time throughout the day to salute Roy Johnson, father of fellow Pro Stock racer and close friend Allen Johnson, who had been hospitalized the night before following a heart attack. In each of the four rounds, Kurt put a piece of tape on his driver's side window sending get well wishes including humorous touches such as an apology in the semifinals for eliminating Richie Stevens, who drives Allen Johnson's team car the second round.
"At the end of the day, very little matters other than your family and friends," said Johnson. "We've known Allen and Roy for many years, and they're good friends. Naturally, we were very worried when we heard the news. I felt so sorry Allen – after all, that's his father and they almost lost him a couple times last night. I'm sure he didn't sleep at all. Fortunately, it sounds like he's on the road to making a full recovery, so I taped some encouraging words on the window of our ACDelco Cobalt each round, making sure they knew we were thinking about him"
Finally, in addition to extending a streak that has seen him win at least one national event in each of the last 13 years, which is the longest such streak in the highly competitive Pro Stock category, Johnson also saw the benefit today's success would have on the outlook of the entire Sugar Hill, GA based operation.
"This win was an important one for the entire organization," stated Johnson. "We've had some new people come on board, including Terry Adams, and wanted to win as soon as we could for them, as well as our great sponsors, ACDelco and Chevrolet. Everyone has been working extremely hard, doing what they can to help us succeed, and it makes a big difference all the way around when one of our cars makes it to the winner's circle.
"For example, just before the final, everyone on both crews got involved in getting our car ready, making sure every little detail was taken care of, and we were able to come out on top. It doesn't matter if it's my ACDelco Cobalt or Dad's (six-time champion Warren Johnson) GM Performance Parts GTO, when one of us wins, the entire team wins."
posted by David @ 11:39 AM
BAZEMORE RACES TO SEMIFINALS AT PHOENIX
News From David Powers Motorsports
CONTACT: Ted Yerzyk
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 25, 2007) – Whit Bazemore achieved another first in his brief Top Fuel career Sunday at Firebird International Raceway as he advanced to the semifinals of the 23rd annual CSK Nationals. Following two of 23 races on the 2007 NHRA schedule, the 20-time NHRA winner ranks fourth in the POWERade Top Fuel standings.
The veteran nitro pilot qualified his Matco Tools dragster in the No. 6 position with a 4.507 second elapsed time and defeated Hillary Will in the opening round of eliminations. He then edged energetic Top Fuel racer Clay Millican before falling to teammate Rod Fuller in the semifinals.
In his first round match-up against the second-year Top Fuel starlet, Bazemore used a Lee Beard tune-up to score the round wind. As the third pair of dragsters to battle the tricky F.I.R quarter mile, the drivers used nearly identical reaction times, but it was the Beard tune-up that made the difference. Bazemore powered the Matco Tools rail to a pass of 4.513 seconds at 326.95 mph to score the car-length victory over Will and her 4.589-second elapsed time.
The Indianapolis racer advanced to his first career Top Fuel semifinal by besting fellow Matco Tools racer Millican in the quarterfinals. The Matco Tools Iron Eagle team caught a break as Millican’s dragster had mechanical problems near the finish line. Bazemore powered to a solid 4.58 at 321.73 to drive around Millican’s bright blue dragster, which recorded a run of 4.650 seconds after jumping to an early lead. It marked the fifth time that Bazemore has advanced to the semifinals at the Phoenix race.
Facing his teammate for the second straight race, both the Matco Tools and Valvoline dragsters put on a great show for the fans in the Valley of the Sun. Bazemore’s dragster was on a solid pass until the tires came loose mid-track causing the veteran racer to slow to a run of 4.808 at 246.66. Fuller cruised to a performance of 4.525 at 326.87 to advance to the final round at F.I.R. for the second straight year. Fuller went on to claim his fourth career NHRA Top Fuel victory and second straight win at the Phoenix track.
"The team continues to work really hard," Bazemore said. "We had a lucky day, but we'll take it. Clay (Millican) had us beat in the second round. I'd rather earn them than be lucky. Like I keep saying, we've got a great team with huge potential. I think we’re going to realize our full potential really soon just like our teammate has."
The next NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event is the 38th annual ACDelco Gatornationals, March 15-18, at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Fla. Last season, Bazemore qualified second at the Gainesville race. He won at Gainesville Raceway in 2005 defeating Bob Gilbertson in the final round.
R1 BAZEMORE (.104) 4.513 ET, 326.95 MPH def. Will (.093) 4.589 ET, 321.88 MPH
R2 BAZEMORE (.120) 4.582 ET, 321.73 MPH def. Millican (.074) 4.650 ET, 253.71 MPH
R3 Fuller (.097) 4.525 ET, 326.87 MPH def. BAZEMORE (.108) 4.808 ET, 246.66 MPH
www.matcotools.com
CONTACT: Ted Yerzyk
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 25, 2007) – Whit Bazemore achieved another first in his brief Top Fuel career Sunday at Firebird International Raceway as he advanced to the semifinals of the 23rd annual CSK Nationals. Following two of 23 races on the 2007 NHRA schedule, the 20-time NHRA winner ranks fourth in the POWERade Top Fuel standings.
The veteran nitro pilot qualified his Matco Tools dragster in the No. 6 position with a 4.507 second elapsed time and defeated Hillary Will in the opening round of eliminations. He then edged energetic Top Fuel racer Clay Millican before falling to teammate Rod Fuller in the semifinals.
In his first round match-up against the second-year Top Fuel starlet, Bazemore used a Lee Beard tune-up to score the round wind. As the third pair of dragsters to battle the tricky F.I.R quarter mile, the drivers used nearly identical reaction times, but it was the Beard tune-up that made the difference. Bazemore powered the Matco Tools rail to a pass of 4.513 seconds at 326.95 mph to score the car-length victory over Will and her 4.589-second elapsed time.
The Indianapolis racer advanced to his first career Top Fuel semifinal by besting fellow Matco Tools racer Millican in the quarterfinals. The Matco Tools Iron Eagle team caught a break as Millican’s dragster had mechanical problems near the finish line. Bazemore powered to a solid 4.58 at 321.73 to drive around Millican’s bright blue dragster, which recorded a run of 4.650 seconds after jumping to an early lead. It marked the fifth time that Bazemore has advanced to the semifinals at the Phoenix race.
Facing his teammate for the second straight race, both the Matco Tools and Valvoline dragsters put on a great show for the fans in the Valley of the Sun. Bazemore’s dragster was on a solid pass until the tires came loose mid-track causing the veteran racer to slow to a run of 4.808 at 246.66. Fuller cruised to a performance of 4.525 at 326.87 to advance to the final round at F.I.R. for the second straight year. Fuller went on to claim his fourth career NHRA Top Fuel victory and second straight win at the Phoenix track.
"The team continues to work really hard," Bazemore said. "We had a lucky day, but we'll take it. Clay (Millican) had us beat in the second round. I'd rather earn them than be lucky. Like I keep saying, we've got a great team with huge potential. I think we’re going to realize our full potential really soon just like our teammate has."
The next NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event is the 38th annual ACDelco Gatornationals, March 15-18, at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Fla. Last season, Bazemore qualified second at the Gainesville race. He won at Gainesville Raceway in 2005 defeating Bob Gilbertson in the final round.
R1 BAZEMORE (.104) 4.513 ET, 326.95 MPH def. Will (.093) 4.589 ET, 321.88 MPH
R2 BAZEMORE (.120) 4.582 ET, 321.73 MPH def. Millican (.074) 4.650 ET, 253.71 MPH
R3 Fuller (.097) 4.525 ET, 326.87 MPH def. BAZEMORE (.108) 4.808 ET, 246.66 MPH
www.matcotools.com
posted by David @ 11:31 AM
Sunday, February 25, 2007
FULLER DOMINATES THE DESERT, WINS SECOND STRAIGHT AT PHOENIX
News FromDavid Powers Motorsports
CONTACT: Ted Yerzyk
Leads POWERade Standings For The First Time
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 25, 2007) – Rod Fuller likes Arizona. The rising Top Fuel star claimed his second straight victory at Firebird International Raceway Sunday during final eliminations of the 23rd annual CSK Nationals. Fuller ran his F.I.R. round win streak to 15. He joins Dick LaHaie and Brandon Bernstein as the only two Top Fuel drivers to win the Phoenix race in consecutive years. It is Fuller’s fourth career Top Fuel win and 17th NHRA national event title.
Fuller, who leads second place racer Bernstein by 43 points, entered the day in the No. 2 qualifying slot with a career-best 4.471-second blast during qualifying on Friday afternoon. He knocked off No. 15 qualifier Dave Grubnic, Bob Vandergriff, Jr. and teammate Whit Bazemore before sneaking by Melanie Troxel in a rematch of the 2006 Top Fuel final.
The Las Vegas racer earned his 12th consecutive round win at F.I.R. by driving to a wire-to-wire win over the Australian native, Grubnic. Racing in the left lane, Fuller used Rob Flynn horsepower to blast to the quickest pass of his career, 4.466 seconds at 326.91, to defeat a tire-smoking Grubnic. Fuller bettered his previous personal best E.T., 4.471 seconds, which he clocked on his first qualifying run of the weekend.
The decorated NHRA sportsmen competitor advanced to the semifinals for the second consecutive race of ‘07 and ran his F.I.R. round-win streak to 13 by knocking off Vandergriff and the UPS team in the quarterfinals. Fuller used more of that "Canadian Power" from Flynn to card a stout 4.476 at 328.14 in the Valvoline rail. Vandergriff slowed to a run of 5.253 seconds. It was Fuller’s third 4.4-second E.T. of the weekend and the third quickest run of his career.
The veteran NHRA racer powered to his second consecutive final round appearance at the Phoenix-area track by knocking off his teammate for the second straight race. After meeting in the quarterfinals of the season-opening Winternationals, Fuller faced off against the 20-time NHRA winner again, this time for a trip to the money round. Both the Valvoline and Matco Tools teams put on a great show until Bazemore’s car spun the tires allowing Fuller to cruise to the victory with a run of 4.525 at 326.87. That gave Fuller lane choice over Troxel, who carded a time of 4.539 seconds in a semifinal victory over Tony Schumacher.
In his ninth career final round, the longtime Valvoline driver used a slight reaction time advantage to race to the wire-to-wire win and a fourth career trip to the Top Fuel winner’s circle. The Flynn-tuned red, white and blue car clocked a run of 4.490 at 327.19 to edge Troxel, who earned a time of 4.536 at 325.61.
"How cool is this to be back in the winner’s circle in Arizona," Fuller said. "Going into the final, I knew I was going for 15 straight rounds wins here. I was thinking, is this going to end? When it made it through the wiggle part of the track at about 300-feet, I knew it made it.
"We finished last season really strong, and now I have an entirely new race crew except for two guys. My group has really gelled and they’ve done it right away. It's amazing! The way Rob Flynn is tuning this car, I'd buy stock in him. This really is one team with two race cars. After we beat Whit (Bazemore), Lee Beard and all the Matco guys were over helping our team. Now, we're going to Gainesville with the points lead. We've got a great team. I'm confident that we can win the championship."
The next NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event is the 38th annual ACDelco Gatornationals, March 15-18, at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Fla. He qualified eighth at the Gatornationals last season.
R1 FULLER (.079) 4.466 ET, 326.91 MPH def. Grubnic (.102) 9.583 ET, 79.88 MPH
R2 FULLER (.121) 4.476 ET, 328.14 MPH def. Vandergriff (.085) 5.253 ET, 194.32 MPH
R3 FULLER (.097) 4.525 ET, 326.87 MPH def. Bazemore (.108) 4.808 ET, 246.66 MPH
R4 FULLER (.076) 4.490 ET, 327.19 MPH def. Troxel (.084) 4.536 ET, 325.61 MPH
www.davidpowersmotorsports.com
CONTACT: Ted Yerzyk
Leads POWERade Standings For The First Time
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 25, 2007) – Rod Fuller likes Arizona. The rising Top Fuel star claimed his second straight victory at Firebird International Raceway Sunday during final eliminations of the 23rd annual CSK Nationals. Fuller ran his F.I.R. round win streak to 15. He joins Dick LaHaie and Brandon Bernstein as the only two Top Fuel drivers to win the Phoenix race in consecutive years. It is Fuller’s fourth career Top Fuel win and 17th NHRA national event title.
Fuller, who leads second place racer Bernstein by 43 points, entered the day in the No. 2 qualifying slot with a career-best 4.471-second blast during qualifying on Friday afternoon. He knocked off No. 15 qualifier Dave Grubnic, Bob Vandergriff, Jr. and teammate Whit Bazemore before sneaking by Melanie Troxel in a rematch of the 2006 Top Fuel final.
The Las Vegas racer earned his 12th consecutive round win at F.I.R. by driving to a wire-to-wire win over the Australian native, Grubnic. Racing in the left lane, Fuller used Rob Flynn horsepower to blast to the quickest pass of his career, 4.466 seconds at 326.91, to defeat a tire-smoking Grubnic. Fuller bettered his previous personal best E.T., 4.471 seconds, which he clocked on his first qualifying run of the weekend.
The decorated NHRA sportsmen competitor advanced to the semifinals for the second consecutive race of ‘07 and ran his F.I.R. round-win streak to 13 by knocking off Vandergriff and the UPS team in the quarterfinals. Fuller used more of that "Canadian Power" from Flynn to card a stout 4.476 at 328.14 in the Valvoline rail. Vandergriff slowed to a run of 5.253 seconds. It was Fuller’s third 4.4-second E.T. of the weekend and the third quickest run of his career.
The veteran NHRA racer powered to his second consecutive final round appearance at the Phoenix-area track by knocking off his teammate for the second straight race. After meeting in the quarterfinals of the season-opening Winternationals, Fuller faced off against the 20-time NHRA winner again, this time for a trip to the money round. Both the Valvoline and Matco Tools teams put on a great show until Bazemore’s car spun the tires allowing Fuller to cruise to the victory with a run of 4.525 at 326.87. That gave Fuller lane choice over Troxel, who carded a time of 4.539 seconds in a semifinal victory over Tony Schumacher.
In his ninth career final round, the longtime Valvoline driver used a slight reaction time advantage to race to the wire-to-wire win and a fourth career trip to the Top Fuel winner’s circle. The Flynn-tuned red, white and blue car clocked a run of 4.490 at 327.19 to edge Troxel, who earned a time of 4.536 at 325.61.
"How cool is this to be back in the winner’s circle in Arizona," Fuller said. "Going into the final, I knew I was going for 15 straight rounds wins here. I was thinking, is this going to end? When it made it through the wiggle part of the track at about 300-feet, I knew it made it.
"We finished last season really strong, and now I have an entirely new race crew except for two guys. My group has really gelled and they’ve done it right away. It's amazing! The way Rob Flynn is tuning this car, I'd buy stock in him. This really is one team with two race cars. After we beat Whit (Bazemore), Lee Beard and all the Matco guys were over helping our team. Now, we're going to Gainesville with the points lead. We've got a great team. I'm confident that we can win the championship."
The next NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event is the 38th annual ACDelco Gatornationals, March 15-18, at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Fla. He qualified eighth at the Gatornationals last season.
R1 FULLER (.079) 4.466 ET, 326.91 MPH def. Grubnic (.102) 9.583 ET, 79.88 MPH
R2 FULLER (.121) 4.476 ET, 328.14 MPH def. Vandergriff (.085) 5.253 ET, 194.32 MPH
R3 FULLER (.097) 4.525 ET, 326.87 MPH def. Bazemore (.108) 4.808 ET, 246.66 MPH
R4 FULLER (.076) 4.490 ET, 327.19 MPH def. Troxel (.084) 4.536 ET, 325.61 MPH
www.davidpowersmotorsports.com
posted by David @ 8:52 PM
KJ, Fuller and T. Pedregon Win at the NHRA POWERade Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals presented by Castrol
Tony Pedregon comes out of the race with win and a new Funny Car ET record, Kurt Johnson wins Pro Stock and Rod Fuller wins Top Fuel. .
NHRA Recap
NHRA Recap
posted by David @ 6:40 PM
Blast From the Past Photos - Funny Cars from Garry Grimes.
Thanks to Garry Grimes for sharing these funny car photos from Dallas, GA. Dale Pulde in the M/T Grand Am and the late AA/FA great Wild Willie Borsch in his Charger. Garry is drag racing Hall of Famer Hoyt Grimes' son.
posted by David @ 6:07 PM
