Porsche has begun testing final-bodied prototypes for the second-generation Panamera sedan, and the shooters at KGP Photography have grabbed the first look of it testing on a Porsche test track.

The new Panamera is riding on an all-new, Porsche-developed platform, dubbed "MSB." Along with underpinning the next Panamera photographed here, the MSB is expected to provide the basis for the Bentley Flying Spur. But that's not all. Thanks to its reported modular flexibility, a version of the MSB platform is also expected to be used for the next mid-engine Boxster/Cayman, along with the next rear-engined 911. But before all of those spin-offs come to fruition, the Panamera will serve as the launch vehicle for the new MSB platform.

The next-generation Panamera is expected to get more pleasing styling, reportedly removing a lot of the awkward lines of today's model. Just as Porsche stylists found their stride on the latest versions of the Cayenne, the second go at the Panamera should be much more successful. The new Panamera is expected to spawn a wider model-array than the current version, with a Shooting Brake/Wagon variant taking cues from 2012's Sport Turismo concept, to be joined by a large two-door coupe and convertible. The coupe/convertible spin-off is viewed as the spiritual successor to the Porsche 928, and it might spawn its own model designation if Porsche decides not to try to stretch the Panamera line too far.

Given Porsche's traditionally slow development process, this second-generation Panamera is expected to reach the market in ’16 as a ’17 model.

Photo credit: KGP Photography

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Ford Mustang Teams Gear Up for Final Fight of 2014 Formula DRIFT Season at Irwindale Speedway
With one race left in the 2014 Formula DRIFT season, Ford Motor Co. heads to Irwindale Speedway in California. Vaughn Gittin Jr., in third place, and Justin Pawlak, in seventh, will compete in customized Ford Mustangs, October 10–11, in the final fight of the seven-event series. Ford has supported drivers in Formula DRIFT since 2005, when the sport triggered a successful Ford Racing Performance Parts engine-development program for a supercharged 4.6L V8 crate engine.

Ford will give fans the opportunity to enter to win an EcoBoost-powered Fiesta ST. The sweepstakes winner will receive personal drift lessons from Gittin Jr., a trip to Ford’s ST Octane Academy and a visit to Hoonigan Racing headquarters. The deadline to enter the contest online is October 13, at 11:59 a.m. (EDT). For more information, visit www.formuladrift.com.

	The 15th Annual NMRA Ford Nationals will be held on May 1–3, 2015, at Maryland International Raceway

NMRA to Return to Maryland International Raceway, Summit Motorsports Park in 2015
The 15th Annual NMRA Ford Nationals will be held May 1–3, 2015, at Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville, Maryland. The NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals Series brings Street Outlaw racers capable of side-by-side 200+ mph action along with classes including Renegade, Coyote Modified, Modular Muscle, Super Stang, True Street and more.

NMRA will return to Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, June 11–14, 2015, and NMCA will return August 27–30, 2015. High-horsepower, supercharged and nitrous-powered Mustangs get ready for heads-up competition in the Street Outlaw and Renegade classes. In the King Ford event, bracket class winners of Fast Ford, Quick Ford, Street Ford and Nostalgia Ford will face off for the right to be crowned King Ford. When the NMCA Flowmaster series heads to Norwalk in August, all-brands of American muscle compete side-by-side on the dragstrip. Super quick classes include the 250+ mph Pro Mods, Street Outlaw, Radial Wars and Xtreme Street.

Holley EFI to Sponsor CRAWL Magazine Off-Road Event in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Holley has announced its sponsorship of CRAWL magazine’s Reader’s Ride South off-road event for 2014, which returns to the Wishbone Ranch off-road park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, September 27. Wishbone Ranch boasts more than 110 acres with more than 20 trails. Open trail riding is available Friday, September 26, from 12:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m., Saturday morning, September 27, is the main event day, with Wishbone Ranch opening at 6:00 a.m. The Holley EFI Bump and Hustle obstacle course competition takes place at 10 a.m., and trail riding is open until 7:30 p.m. The Wishbone Ranch will also be available for open trail riding Sunday, September 28, from 6:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

Ben Coffman and his 600hp Ultra 4 buggy powered by Holley Terminator EFI will be present at the event. Ian Johnson, host of "Xtreme Off-Road TV," will also be present at the event with his Holley-equipped Big Tire Garage 4x4. For more information on this event, visit the CRAWL magazine website, or call the Wishbone Ranch at 270-991-5882.

	The Kobalt Tools Ford Fiesta ST leads the way in Los Angeles. Photo credit: Olsbergs MSE

Double Podium for Olsbergs MSE in GRC Doubleheader
The Olsbergs MSE team scored a pair of Red Bull Global Rallycross podiums in the Los Angeles doubleheader last weekend, with second- and third-place results bringing the championship title closer for Red Bull/Bluebeam Ford Fiesta ST driver Joni Wiman. The rookie Wiman climbed two positions in the championship standings. With just two races remaining in the season, Wiman is now a close second in the overall title chase, behind fellow Ford driver Ken Block. Kobalt Tools Ford Fiesta ST driver Patrik Sandell also had a strong showing in Los Angeles, and is in the top five heading into the championship's penultimate round near Seattle.

Wiman finished third last Sunday following a second-place result a day earlier. The top results helped Olsbergs MSE partner Ford to clinch the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship's manufacturers title before the conclusion of the season. It is Ford's fourth-consecutive championship win. Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship competition resumes with the ninth round of the 2014 season, GRC Seattle, September 26–27. Full coverage of the race will air on NBC, Sunday, September 28, at 4:30 p.m. (EDT).

MAVTV to Telecast 2014 the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Banquet
The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing—home of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame—has announced the 24th annual International Drag Racing Hall of Fame presented by Lucas Oil induction banquet will be televised on the MAVTV cable channel. The first airing will be made on the network’s “Inside Drag Racing” program, Thursday, October 2, at 1:30 p.m. (EDT). The program will feature the introduction of the 2014 inductees—John Abbott, Al Bergler, Frank Hawley, Tom Hoover, Forrest Lucas and Warren Johnson, and Founder’s Award recipient Kenny Youngblood. Master of Ceremonies Bob Frey will provide his insightful, commentaries. The program will re-air Thursday October 2 at 6:30 p.m. (EDT), and Saturday October 4 at 1:30 p.m. (EDT).

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Ford Mustang Teams Gear Up for Final Fight of 2014 Formula DRIFT Season at Irwindale Speedway
With one race left in the 2014 Formula DRIFT season, Ford Motor Co. heads to Irwindale Speedway in California. Vaughn Gittin Jr., in third place, and Justin Pawlak, in seventh, will compete in customized Ford Mustangs, October 10–11, in the final fight of the seven-event series. Ford has supported drivers in Formula DRIFT since 2005, when the sport triggered a successful Ford Racing Performance Parts engine-development program for a supercharged 4.6L V8 crate engine.

Ford will give fans the opportunity to enter to win an EcoBoost-powered Fiesta ST. The sweepstakes winner will receive personal drift lessons from Gittin Jr., a trip to Ford’s ST Octane Academy and a visit to Hoonigan Racing headquarters. The deadline to enter the contest online is October 13, at 11:59 a.m. (EDT). For more information, visit www.formuladrift.com.

	The 15th Annual NMRA Ford Nationals will be held on May 1–3, 2015, at Maryland International Raceway

NMRA to Return to Maryland International Raceway, Summit Motorsports Park in 2015
The 15th Annual NMRA Ford Nationals will be held May 1–3, 2015, at Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville, Maryland. The NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford Nationals Series brings Street Outlaw racers capable of side-by-side 200+ mph action along with classes including Renegade, Coyote Modified, Modular Muscle, Super Stang, True Street and more.

NMRA will return to Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, June 11–14, 2015, and NMCA will return August 27–30, 2015. High-horsepower, supercharged and nitrous-powered Mustangs get ready for heads-up competition in the Street Outlaw and Renegade classes. In the King Ford event, bracket class winners of Fast Ford, Quick Ford, Street Ford and Nostalgia Ford will face off for the right to be crowned King Ford. When the NMCA Flowmaster series heads to Norwalk in August, all-brands of American muscle compete side-by-side on the dragstrip. Super quick classes include the 250+ mph Pro Mods, Street Outlaw, Radial Wars and Xtreme Street.

Holley EFI to Sponsor CRAWL Magazine Off-Road Event in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Holley has announced its sponsorship of CRAWL magazine’s Reader’s Ride South off-road event for 2014, which returns to the Wishbone Ranch off-road park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, September 27. Wishbone Ranch boasts more than 110 acres with more than 20 trails. Open trail riding is available Friday, September 26, from 12:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m., Saturday morning, September 27, is the main event day, with Wishbone Ranch opening at 6:00 a.m. The Holley EFI Bump and Hustle obstacle course competition takes place at 10 a.m., and trail riding is open until 7:30 p.m. The Wishbone Ranch will also be available for open trail riding Sunday, September 28, from 6:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

Ben Coffman and his 600hp Ultra 4 buggy powered by Holley Terminator EFI will be present at the event. Ian Johnson, host of "Xtreme Off-Road TV," will also be present at the event with his Holley-equipped Big Tire Garage 4x4. For more information on this event, visit the CRAWL magazine website, or call the Wishbone Ranch at 270-991-5882.

	The Kobalt Tools Ford Fiesta ST leads the way in Los Angeles. Photo credit: Olsbergs MSE

Double Podium for Olsbergs MSE in GRC Doubleheader
The Olsbergs MSE team scored a pair of Red Bull Global Rallycross podiums in the Los Angeles doubleheader last weekend, with second- and third-place results bringing the championship title closer for Red Bull/Bluebeam Ford Fiesta ST driver Joni Wiman. The rookie Wiman climbed two positions in the championship standings. With just two races remaining in the season, Wiman is now a close second in the overall title chase, behind fellow Ford driver Ken Block. Kobalt Tools Ford Fiesta ST driver Patrik Sandell also had a strong showing in Los Angeles, and is in the top five heading into the championship's penultimate round near Seattle.

Wiman finished third last Sunday following a second-place result a day earlier. The top results helped Olsbergs MSE partner Ford to clinch the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship's manufacturers title before the conclusion of the season. It is Ford's fourth-consecutive championship win. Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship competition resumes with the ninth round of the 2014 season, GRC Seattle, September 26–27. Full coverage of the race will air on NBC, Sunday, September 28, at 4:30 p.m. (EDT).

MAVTV to Telecast 2014 the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Banquet
The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing—home of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame—has announced the 24th annual International Drag Racing Hall of Fame presented by Lucas Oil induction banquet will be televised on the MAVTV cable channel. The first airing will be made on the network’s “Inside Drag Racing” program, Thursday, October 2, at 1:30 p.m. (EDT). The program will feature the introduction of the 2014 inductees—John Abbott, Al Bergler, Frank Hawley, Tom Hoover, Forrest Lucas and Warren Johnson, and Founder’s Award recipient Kenny Youngblood. Master of Ceremonies Bob Frey will provide his insightful, commentaries. The program will re-air Thursday October 2 at 6:30 p.m. (EDT), and Saturday October 4 at 1:30 p.m. (EDT).

By SEMA Editors

	The most dynamic feature of the SEMA Show's new Mobile App is the “Locate Me” option that pinpoints the location of users at the Show and provides turn-by-turn directions to any place on the Show floor.

The 2014 SEMA Show Mobile App makes navigating the annual event easier than ever and features useful trade show tools, such as exhibitor lists, seminar schedules, event listings, route generators and more.

“This is not your ordinary trade show app,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “Our new app is built to help move attendees around the Show as efficiently as possible so that they can see more great products, while helping exhibitors fill their day with quality meetings. We can’t wait for everyone to benefit from it.”

The mobile app includes traditional features, such as a customizable schedule of events, searchable list of exhibitors, and connectivity to the most popular social media sites. The most dynamic feature, however, is the “Locate Me” option that pinpoints the location of users at the SEMA Show and provides turn-by-turn directions to any place on the Show floor.

“Attendees at the SEMA Show want to spend their time meeting with exhibitors. The last thing anyone wants to do is spend their time trying to track down a specific booth,” said MacGillivray.

The 2014 SEMA Show Mobile App is available free of charge through iTunes and Android stores. Those who downloaded previous SEMA Show apps will need to download a new one. Those whose mobile devices are not compatible with traditional apps can access a web version.

By SEMA Editors

	The most dynamic feature of the SEMA Show's new Mobile App is the “Locate Me” option that pinpoints the location of users at the Show and provides turn-by-turn directions to any place on the Show floor.

The 2014 SEMA Show Mobile App makes navigating the annual event easier than ever and features useful trade show tools, such as exhibitor lists, seminar schedules, event listings, route generators and more.

“This is not your ordinary trade show app,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “Our new app is built to help move attendees around the Show as efficiently as possible so that they can see more great products, while helping exhibitors fill their day with quality meetings. We can’t wait for everyone to benefit from it.”

The mobile app includes traditional features, such as a customizable schedule of events, searchable list of exhibitors, and connectivity to the most popular social media sites. The most dynamic feature, however, is the “Locate Me” option that pinpoints the location of users at the SEMA Show and provides turn-by-turn directions to any place on the Show floor.

“Attendees at the SEMA Show want to spend their time meeting with exhibitors. The last thing anyone wants to do is spend their time trying to track down a specific booth,” said MacGillivray.

The 2014 SEMA Show Mobile App is available free of charge through iTunes and Android stores. Those who downloaded previous SEMA Show apps will need to download a new one. Those whose mobile devices are not compatible with traditional apps can access a web version.

By SEMA Editors

	The most dynamic feature of the SEMA Show's new Mobile App is the “Locate Me” option that pinpoints the location of users at the Show and provides turn-by-turn directions to any place on the Show floor.

The 2014 SEMA Show Mobile App makes navigating the annual event easier than ever and features useful trade show tools, such as exhibitor lists, seminar schedules, event listings, route generators and more.

“This is not your ordinary trade show app,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “Our new app is built to help move attendees around the Show as efficiently as possible so that they can see more great products, while helping exhibitors fill their day with quality meetings. We can’t wait for everyone to benefit from it.”

The mobile app includes traditional features, such as a customizable schedule of events, searchable list of exhibitors, and connectivity to the most popular social media sites. The most dynamic feature, however, is the “Locate Me” option that pinpoints the location of users at the SEMA Show and provides turn-by-turn directions to any place on the Show floor.

“Attendees at the SEMA Show want to spend their time meeting with exhibitors. The last thing anyone wants to do is spend their time trying to track down a specific booth,” said MacGillivray.

The 2014 SEMA Show Mobile App is available free of charge through iTunes and Android stores. Those who downloaded previous SEMA Show apps will need to download a new one. Those whose mobile devices are not compatible with traditional apps can access a web version.

By Becca Butler

The largest collection of vehicles participating in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational will be featured at SEMA Ignited—a new post-SEMA Show event, Friday, November 7, from 4:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., at The LINQ in Las Vegas.

The coveted vehicles will parade over to SEMA Ignited after being on display during the 2014 SEMA Show's OPTIMA Street Car Alley—a special feature located between the Westgate (formerly the LVH) and the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The vehicles are some of the hottest high-performance street-legal cars in the country. While the search for vehicles to compete in the OPTIMA challenge continues, confirmed cars include:

• Robert Jackson’s ’67 Volvo Amazon: Madill, Oklahoma-based Robert Jackson created a true one-off hot rod with his ’67 Volvo. The shell is all that remains of the original car, as Jackson created the custom suspension (which he now offers as a bolt-in kit for other early Volvo owners) and shoehorned in a GM LS-series V8 for power.

• Dieter-Heinz Kijora’s ’14 Mercedes Benz AMG: Kijora’s HG Motorsports shop is well-known in San Diego for tuning imports (both Euro and Asian) for use on the track. His experience in NASA and the Redline Time Attack refined the driving skill required to push already outstanding cars (like his AMG) to the very limits of their performance capability.

• Kyle Tucker’s ’70 Chevy Camaro: Tucker is no stranger to the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car arena, and his proven ’70 Camaro is outfitted with a full suite of upgrades from his company, Detroit Speed & Engineering. Tucker is a perennial threat to win the overall title, and this year will prove no different.

• Wes Drelleshak’s ’59 Chevrolet Pickup: Drelleshak has been steadily upgrading this truck since he first acquired it a few years back, and 2014 represents the most radical year of improvements yet, with a complete No Limit Engineering front suspension finding its way under the truck. Rumor has it he’ll have a full rear suspension upgrade done in time for the competition.

Open to the public, Ignited will not only provide a first-hand look at the world’s finest vehicles and street machines, the post-Show celebration will also feature demonstrations, celebrities, music, food and fun from the 2014 SEMA Show. Those interested in SEMA Ignited can secure tickets online.

Following SEMA Ignited, the OPTIMA vehicles will compete in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, November 8–9, at the Las Vegas Speedway. This exciting event is now in its seventh year, and has continued to grow steadily.

Tickets are available for spectators at Eventbrite or at OPTIMAInvitational.com. Tickets are $30 each and include one 2014 OPTIMA Invitational T-shirt, which guests will receive at the event (while supplies last).

Robert Jackson’s ’67 Volvo Amazon	Dieter-Heinz Kijora’s ’14 Mercedes Benz AMG
Kyle Tucker’s ’70 Chevy Camaro	Wes Drelleshak’s ’59 Chevrolet Pickup

By Becca Butler

The largest collection of vehicles participating in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational will be featured at SEMA Ignited—a new post-SEMA Show event, Friday, November 7, from 4:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., at The LINQ in Las Vegas.

The coveted vehicles will parade over to SEMA Ignited after being on display during the 2014 SEMA Show's OPTIMA Street Car Alley—a special feature located between the Westgate (formerly the LVH) and the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The vehicles are some of the hottest high-performance street-legal cars in the country. While the search for vehicles to compete in the OPTIMA challenge continues, confirmed cars include:

• Robert Jackson’s ’67 Volvo Amazon: Madill, Oklahoma-based Robert Jackson created a true one-off hot rod with his ’67 Volvo. The shell is all that remains of the original car, as Jackson created the custom suspension (which he now offers as a bolt-in kit for other early Volvo owners) and shoehorned in a GM LS-series V8 for power.

• Dieter-Heinz Kijora’s ’14 Mercedes Benz AMG: Kijora’s HG Motorsports shop is well-known in San Diego for tuning imports (both Euro and Asian) for use on the track. His experience in NASA and the Redline Time Attack refined the driving skill required to push already outstanding cars (like his AMG) to the very limits of their performance capability.

• Kyle Tucker’s ’70 Chevy Camaro: Tucker is no stranger to the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car arena, and his proven ’70 Camaro is outfitted with a full suite of upgrades from his company, Detroit Speed & Engineering. Tucker is a perennial threat to win the overall title, and this year will prove no different.

• Wes Drelleshak’s ’59 Chevrolet Pickup: Drelleshak has been steadily upgrading this truck since he first acquired it a few years back, and 2014 represents the most radical year of improvements yet, with a complete No Limit Engineering front suspension finding its way under the truck. Rumor has it he’ll have a full rear suspension upgrade done in time for the competition.

Open to the public, Ignited will not only provide a first-hand look at the world’s finest vehicles and street machines, the post-Show celebration will also feature demonstrations, celebrities, music, food and fun from the 2014 SEMA Show. Those interested in SEMA Ignited can secure tickets online.

Following SEMA Ignited, the OPTIMA vehicles will compete in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, November 8–9, at the Las Vegas Speedway. This exciting event is now in its seventh year, and has continued to grow steadily.

Tickets are available for spectators at Eventbrite or at OPTIMAInvitational.com. Tickets are $30 each and include one 2014 OPTIMA Invitational T-shirt, which guests will receive at the event (while supplies last).

Robert Jackson’s ’67 Volvo Amazon	Dieter-Heinz Kijora’s ’14 Mercedes Benz AMG
Kyle Tucker’s ’70 Chevy Camaro	Wes Drelleshak’s ’59 Chevrolet Pickup

By Becca Butler

The largest collection of vehicles participating in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational will be featured at SEMA Ignited—a new post-SEMA Show event, Friday, November 7, from 4:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., at The LINQ in Las Vegas.

The coveted vehicles will parade over to SEMA Ignited after being on display during the 2014 SEMA Show's OPTIMA Street Car Alley—a special feature located between the Westgate (formerly the LVH) and the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The vehicles are some of the hottest high-performance street-legal cars in the country. While the search for vehicles to compete in the OPTIMA challenge continues, confirmed cars include:

• Robert Jackson’s ’67 Volvo Amazon: Madill, Oklahoma-based Robert Jackson created a true one-off hot rod with his ’67 Volvo. The shell is all that remains of the original car, as Jackson created the custom suspension (which he now offers as a bolt-in kit for other early Volvo owners) and shoehorned in a GM LS-series V8 for power.

• Dieter-Heinz Kijora’s ’14 Mercedes Benz AMG: Kijora’s HG Motorsports shop is well-known in San Diego for tuning imports (both Euro and Asian) for use on the track. His experience in NASA and the Redline Time Attack refined the driving skill required to push already outstanding cars (like his AMG) to the very limits of their performance capability.

• Kyle Tucker’s ’70 Chevy Camaro: Tucker is no stranger to the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car arena, and his proven ’70 Camaro is outfitted with a full suite of upgrades from his company, Detroit Speed & Engineering. Tucker is a perennial threat to win the overall title, and this year will prove no different.

• Wes Drelleshak’s ’59 Chevrolet Pickup: Drelleshak has been steadily upgrading this truck since he first acquired it a few years back, and 2014 represents the most radical year of improvements yet, with a complete No Limit Engineering front suspension finding its way under the truck. Rumor has it he’ll have a full rear suspension upgrade done in time for the competition.

Open to the public, Ignited will not only provide a first-hand look at the world’s finest vehicles and street machines, the post-Show celebration will also feature demonstrations, celebrities, music, food and fun from the 2014 SEMA Show. Those interested in SEMA Ignited can secure tickets online.

Following SEMA Ignited, the OPTIMA vehicles will compete in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, November 8–9, at the Las Vegas Speedway. This exciting event is now in its seventh year, and has continued to grow steadily.

Tickets are available for spectators at Eventbrite or at OPTIMAInvitational.com. Tickets are $30 each and include one 2014 OPTIMA Invitational T-shirt, which guests will receive at the event (while supplies last).

Robert Jackson’s ’67 Volvo Amazon	Dieter-Heinz Kijora’s ’14 Mercedes Benz AMG
Kyle Tucker’s ’70 Chevy Camaro	Wes Drelleshak’s ’59 Chevrolet Pickup

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

C. FORCE REGAINS CHAMPIONSHIP FORM WITH DALLAS WIN: Courtney Force recorded the 11th win by a woman this season and she is again a contender for the Funny Car world championship when she raced to her third win of the season in Dallas. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Dave Connolly (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) took home victories at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals.

“We definitely needed to make a turn for the better,” Force continued. “We needed to go some rounds today if we still wanted a shot at the championship. After the loss in Charlotte, it felt like the No. 1 spot was drifting further away. It was almost a good thing he [John Force] went out a little bit early here, and he wasn't creating such a huge gap for us to [potentially] reach that No. 1 spot. We've made a huge move up, and we're still in the hunt."

SCHUMACHER RECORDS 75TH AND 76TH WINS DURING ACTION-PACKED WEEKEND IN TEXAS: Tony Schumacher won his 75th career Top Fuel race last Saturday during the delayed eliminations for the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals held at Texas Motorplex. Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Jonathan Gray (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycycle) also took home wins at the event. Schumacher also won the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals on Sunday and picked up another Wally to add to his collection. Schumacher took advantage of early losses by top championship contenders in the Charlotte finals to begin laying a foundation to secure his eighth world championship.

"It couldn’t have come at a better time," Schumacher said. "It is the first race in the Countdown, even though we had to move it, it doesn’t really matter. In reality, fantastic timing, we took over the points lead; I don’t know where we are, but we are in the lead. If we can maintain and stay ahead of these guys for five more races, and I know we have the car capable of doing it, we’ll be there to force the issue."

READY FOR REDEMPTION: The start of Brittany Force’s first experience with the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship did not go as planned. But with four more opportunities for playoff redemption, the sophomore Top Fuel driver knows she can still put together a thrilling end to her 2014 season. Force fell in the first round of the first race in the Countdown to the Championship and those struggles continued throughout the weekend at the Texas Motorplex in Dallas when she failed to qualify for playoff stop No. 2. That put an immediate damper on Force’s title hopes in her first Countdown appearance, but a turnaround could come this weekend at the third annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park near St. Louis.

“My team’s focus is to put our best effort into these final four races so we can stand a chance next to all our tough competitors,” said Force, who is 10th in points. “The entire team feels this pressure but we are ready to dive right into it. I will admit there is definitely an added pressure going into the Countdown. I think it's the combination of competing in my first Countdown ever but also knowing that every move you make can cost you. At this point in the game you can’t afford too many mistakes. Every pass we make has to count.”

He Said, She Said

"We had two options. We could have put a motor in that would have had us up there in time and won the race knowing what we now know, or we could have put in the kick-ass-and-win-the-race motor. We chose the kick-ass-and-win-the-race motor, and we just missed the call. We’ve never hurt so many parts in one race. We were matching parts up with other engines and literally had three teams helping us do it. There was LE Tonglet’s team, White Alligator Racing, and people I didn’t even know. Three-time Top Fuel champion Larry Dixon was holding the bolts that I was grabbing out of his hands. We split [engine] cases and put the transmission from ‘A’ into engine ‘C,’ that kind of stuff. If I would have known that Hines was only going to go 7.50, I could have put in my ‘B’ engine and won the race. I wanted to tear their throats out. I wanted to have the performance we had all weekend long and win."

—Pro Stock Motorcycle racer, Steve Johnson on failing to make it to the final-round matchup against Andrew Hines in eliminations in Dallas. Hines won the event but suffered transmission damage during the pass and left Johnson to wonder about a missed opportunity.

Inside the Numbers

43: Number of points separating Pro Stock points leader Jason Line and second-place racer Dave Connolly. Line, a two-time world champion, has led the points since winning the Brainerd event. In the first two events in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, he has raced to one runner-up finish and one quarterfinal appearance. Connolly, who started the Countdown in the sixth position, has one quarterfinal finish and won the most recent event in Dallas. Connolly has finished third in the points three times and is aiming for his first career championship.

"You know, I've been very blessed," said Connolly, now a three-time winner at Texas Motorplex. "I've had a lot of great opportunities, but I've got to say that racing with Gray Motorsports is one of the best opportunities I've had. It's pretty incredible to race with such a great group of guys, and the whole family—the friendship we've created over the course of this year is unbelievable. We're out here having fun, and it couldn't be better."

Did You Know

NHRA DRIVERS TO TAKE PART IN ST. LOUIS FAN FESTIVAL: NHRA fans in the St. Louis area will have an opportunity to meet their favorite drivers in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series at the NHRA Fan Festival taking place September 25, from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. The free event will take place at Ballpark Village located next to Busch Stadium in the heart of downtown St. Louis. The event will feature interactive displays, ticket giveaways and live music. Drivers will be on hand to sign autographs for the fans from 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

View the complete 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.