NEWS NUGGETS
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Rahn Tobler
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NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
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| Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
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TOBLER NAMED NEW CREW CHIEF FOR CAPPS IN RESTRUCTURING AT DON SCHUMACHER RACING: Rahn Tobler has been named crew chief for the NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car of Ron Capps effective immediately, team owner Don Schumacher has announced. Don Schumacher Racing also has hired veteran tuner Todd Smith as the new crew chief for the Valvoline NextGen Funny Car driven by Jack Beckman in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Smith's first race with the team will be the April 13–15 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at Charlotte (North Carolina) Motor Speedway's zMAX Dragway. Tobler also will be the lead tuner for Beckman's team for at least the next two Full Throttle events as Smith transitions to his new position. John Collins will assist Tobler on the NAPA Auto Parts team and Terry Snyder will assist Smith on Beckman's car.
NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS PRESENTS UNIQUE CHALLENGE: The NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 13–15, is one of the greatest spectacles in motorsports, so winning means that much more; a victory at the race is one of the most sought after on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series circuit. Just ask past event winners John Force, Greg Anderson, and Jack Beckman how it feels to race and win. When they return with other NHRA stars to zMAX Dragway, they will attempt to make history as the only two-time winners of the four-wide event. Fans can purchase two tickets to any day of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals for $60 and receive a choice of two T-shirts, two beer vouchers or two Coca-Cola soft drinks and two hot dogs. Children 13 and younger will be admitted free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR 58TH ANNUAL MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS AT LUCAS OIL RACEWAY: Tickets for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals are on sale. This year, the event will run August 29–September 3 at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis and will showcase all four classes in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series: Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Tickets range from $10 to $61 and can be purchased by logging on to NHRATix.com or calling 800-884-6472. Those purchasing tickets in advance will have an advantage over those waiting until the race as advance ticket purchases will cost less than those purchased the days of the races. Also, purchasing your ticket in advance will secure you a premium seat.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS, zMAX DRAGWAY, April 13–15: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its first of two stops of the season in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the only four-wide national event. Winners from 2011 were Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800-455-FANS (3267) or log on to CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com. For media credentials, contact Media Relations Manager Alex Baca at abaca@nhra.com.
O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRING NATIONALS PRESENTED BY SUPER START BATTERIES, ROYAL PURPLE RACEWAY, April 27–29: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its first stop of the season in the Lone Star State for the sixth race of the season. Winners from 2011 were Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Jeff Arend (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 281-383-RACE (7223) or log on to RoyalPurpleRaceway.com. For media credentials, contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.
SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS, ATLANTA DRAGWAY, MAY 4–6: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Georgia for the seventh race of the season, one of NHRA’s long-established events. Defending winners are Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com. For media credentials, contact Senior Communications Manager Scott Smith at ssmith@nhra.com.
HE SAID, SHE SAID
SWITCHING UP THE THOUGHT PROCESS: Spencer Massey has earned two victories in 2012 by crossing the finish line first four times in a row at each race, but as the NHRA heads to zMAX Dragway for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, the format changes, and so does his thought process: “Last year, I remember I was right behind Del Worsham and remember thinking, ‘OK, I hope I’m second, I hope I’m second, I hope I’m second, and we were second.’ It’s a little different strategy, but that’s what makes it that much better for the fans, that much better for all of us. Because it’s four-wide drag racing at 300 mph. It’s awesome.”
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
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DID YOU KNOW |
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| 4: THE NUMBER OF THE WEEK: The next event is the one and only
four-wide race of the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season,
and it is one of the most exciting. With four 7,000-hp nitro-burning
engines racing side by side at the Bellagio of dragstrips, the
excitement and competition level is sure to rise.
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TESTING THE WATERS IN TOP FUEL: John Force is famous for being
the most successful Funny Car driver in NHRA history, and two of his
daughters have followed in his Funny Car tire tracks, but his daughter
Brittany has a different plan. She intends to take the Force family name
to the Top Fuel ranks in 2013. The team has been testing her Top Fuel
car with a Boss 500 motor following several events this season,
including the Monday after the Las Vegas race. Brittany made family
history when she became the first Force in the sub-four-second range
with her 3.962-second pass. Although that stat is unofficial because it
wasn’t in NHRA competition, it is likely official in the Force family.
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