AIM Autosport FXDD Racing With Ferrari held on to their first-place lead in the Grand AM Rolex Sports Car Series.

AIM Autosport FXDD Racing With Ferrari Maintains Lead in Sixth Race of the Grand AM Series
AIM Autosport FXDD Racing With Ferrari held on to their first-place lead in the Grand AM Rolex Sports Car Series GT Team and Driver Championship Standings after taking second place in the EMCO Gears classic at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Team AIM Autosport FXDD is now heading the series with 185 points.

On the 25th lap, AIM Autosport's FXDD Ferrari 458 Italia driven by Emil Assentato was hit from behind by the trailing DP car—losing three positions after starting the race in sixth. On the 29th lap, Assentato passed the Audi R8 of Jim Norman. By lap 41, Assentato moved the team up to second place.

After a fuel and tire change, co-racer Jeff Segal took over keeping pace in sixth position. Segal moved the team up again, passing the Porsches of Leh Keen and Andy Lally, taking fifth place. With 30 minutes remaining, Segal moved the car up to second, trailing Bill Auberlen's BMW. Segal finished the race in second place following Auberlen's lead.

The team will race again June 23 at the Road America track in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where they will compete again to keep their 11-point first-place lead in the series.

Competitive Metals-sponsored drivers Geoffrey Cooley and Dave Mason Jr. covered the first and second positions at last Saturday's Lucas Oil Off Road Regional Race event.

Team Competitive Dominates Pro Buggy Shootout
Rookie drivers Geoffrey Cooley and Dave Mason Jr. entered last Saturday's Lucas Oil Off Road Regional Race event at the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park to gain seat time and further testing on their Alumi Craft race cars prior to the next rounds of racing in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing National series. The pair of Competitive Metals-sponsored drivers covered the first and second positions. Mason Jr. had the fastest qualifying time of the event. Cooley and Mason gave the fans a great show as they battled lap after lap with Cooley coming out on top.

Cooley and Mason are now in preparation for Rounds 7 and 8 at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, set to take place on June 23–24. Cooley enters the event with nearly all top-five finishes this year. He's currently third in the championship points and just 21 points behind leader Steven Greinke. Mason Jr. is currently 16th in the point's championship, but will look towards the podium after making some major changes to his car setup and engine package.

	Stevan McAleer leads the eventual top-four finishers at Mid-Ohio. Photo: Ken Hawking

McAleer Recovers for Action Packed MX-5 Cup Win at Mid-Ohio
Stevan McAleer recovered from a first lap off-course excursion to win his second SCCA Pro Racing Playboy MX-5 Cup race of the season last Sunday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, crossing the finish line ahead of John Dean of Sebring, Florida, and Nathan Sparks of Spanish Fort, Alabama.

The Putnam Valley, New York, resident and Scotland native started on the pole in the No. 28 Numberix/Blue Mercury Capital/CJ Wilson Children’s Charities MX-5 and led the field from the standing start to the Keyhole, Mid-Ohio’s Turn 2. Going into the corner, Dean’s No. 16 Projections Research/Sick Sideways Mazda MX-5 made contact with McAleer and sent him off the track.

McAleer rejoined the race in ninth position, and steadily moved through the field. On lap three, he was at the tail end of a seven-car train in the battle for the lead. He got the lead on the 23rd lap of 27 in the 45-minute timed race, and held the lead to the finish.

Dean was one of four different drivers who officially led at least one lap during a race that saw a front-running train of up to seven cars. Dean’s teammate, Christian Szymczak, led the opening five laps and all but one of the first 13 in the No. 34 Projections Research/Sick Sideways MX-5, with Dean Copeland leading lap six and laps 14-18.

Copeland’s shot at a win ended when, on lap 23, Dean reached for his brakes going into Turn 2 but slid into the back of Copeland’s No. 7 Sync Speed/Copeland Motorsports machine, moving him off course and out of contention. Copeland recovered for a seventh-place finish, but couldn’t rejoin the lead battle. Dean was assessed a 40-point penalty and a $500 fine by race officials for the contact.

Despite the contact, Dean led lap 16 on his way to his fourth podium finish of the season, chasing McAleer over the closing laps but unable to make a lead stick.

Sparks ran in the lead pack during all 45-minutes in his No. 3 OOTSK Performance MX-5, battling over the final laps for the third podium spot with Jeff Mosing’s No. 12 Frank’s International/Race Now For Autism MX-5. The two ran side-by-side through the Mid-Ohio “esses” in the final turn, with Sparks coming away with his first podium finish.

Szymczak finished the race in fifth. Ara Malkhassian, who was just outside the lead pack for most of the race, came away with a sixth-place after Elliott Skeer spun his No. 17 MAZDASPEED/Sparco MX-5 at the end of the backstraight on lap seven.

Alex Ratcliffe (No. 07 SyncSpeed/Copeland Motorsports MX-5), Brandon Kidd (No. 29 ModSpace Motorsports/CJ Wilson Racing MX-5), and Tim Probert (No. 26 ALARA Racing/ALARA Garage MX-5) round out the top 10 in a race where all but Skeer, who spun, finished on the lead lap.

Zachry Lee of San Antonio, Texas, won the Skip Barber Racing School MAZDASPEED Pro Series class in the No. 62 Alpha Motorsports/B+ Foundation MX-5, followed by Phil Mather (No. 95 CG-Lock/Seat Snug MX-5 and Bryan Hixon’s No. 63 Seven Devils Lodge/Tequila Me MX-5.

With the win and Dean’s penalty, McAleer takes over the Championship lead with a 20-point advantage over Szymczak, 276-256. Malkhassian is third with 250, followed by Dean (245) and Sparks (237).

	AIM Autosport FXDD Racing With Ferrari held on to their first-place lead in the Grand AM Rolex Sports Car Series.

AIM Autosport FXDD Racing With Ferrari Maintains Lead in Sixth Race of the Grand AM Series
AIM Autosport FXDD Racing With Ferrari held on to their first-place lead in the Grand AM Rolex Sports Car Series GT Team and Driver Championship Standings after taking second place in the EMCO Gears classic at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Team AIM Autosport FXDD is now heading the series with 185 points.

On the 25th lap, AIM Autosport's FXDD Ferrari 458 Italia driven by Emil Assentato was hit from behind by the trailing DP car—losing three positions after starting the race in sixth. On the 29th lap, Assentato passed the Audi R8 of Jim Norman. By lap 41, Assentato moved the team up to second place.

After a fuel and tire change, co-racer Jeff Segal took over keeping pace in sixth position. Segal moved the team up again, passing the Porsches of Leh Keen and Andy Lally, taking fifth place. With 30 minutes remaining, Segal moved the car up to second, trailing Bill Auberlen's BMW. Segal finished the race in second place following Auberlen's lead.

The team will race again June 23 at the Road America track in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where they will compete again to keep their 11-point first-place lead in the series.

Competitive Metals-sponsored drivers Geoffrey Cooley and Dave Mason Jr. covered the first and second positions at last Saturday's Lucas Oil Off Road Regional Race event.

Team Competitive Dominates Pro Buggy Shootout
Rookie drivers Geoffrey Cooley and Dave Mason Jr. entered last Saturday's Lucas Oil Off Road Regional Race event at the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park to gain seat time and further testing on their Alumi Craft race cars prior to the next rounds of racing in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing National series. The pair of Competitive Metals-sponsored drivers covered the first and second positions. Mason Jr. had the fastest qualifying time of the event. Cooley and Mason gave the fans a great show as they battled lap after lap with Cooley coming out on top.

Cooley and Mason are now in preparation for Rounds 7 and 8 at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, set to take place on June 23–24. Cooley enters the event with nearly all top-five finishes this year. He's currently third in the championship points and just 21 points behind leader Steven Greinke. Mason Jr. is currently 16th in the point's championship, but will look towards the podium after making some major changes to his car setup and engine package.

	Stevan McAleer leads the eventual top-four finishers at Mid-Ohio. Photo: Ken Hawking

McAleer Recovers for Action Packed MX-5 Cup Win at Mid-Ohio
Stevan McAleer recovered from a first lap off-course excursion to win his second SCCA Pro Racing Playboy MX-5 Cup race of the season last Sunday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, crossing the finish line ahead of John Dean of Sebring, Florida, and Nathan Sparks of Spanish Fort, Alabama.

The Putnam Valley, New York, resident and Scotland native started on the pole in the No. 28 Numberix/Blue Mercury Capital/CJ Wilson Children’s Charities MX-5 and led the field from the standing start to the Keyhole, Mid-Ohio’s Turn 2. Going into the corner, Dean’s No. 16 Projections Research/Sick Sideways Mazda MX-5 made contact with McAleer and sent him off the track.

McAleer rejoined the race in ninth position, and steadily moved through the field. On lap three, he was at the tail end of a seven-car train in the battle for the lead. He got the lead on the 23rd lap of 27 in the 45-minute timed race, and held the lead to the finish.

Dean was one of four different drivers who officially led at least one lap during a race that saw a front-running train of up to seven cars. Dean’s teammate, Christian Szymczak, led the opening five laps and all but one of the first 13 in the No. 34 Projections Research/Sick Sideways MX-5, with Dean Copeland leading lap six and laps 14-18.

Copeland’s shot at a win ended when, on lap 23, Dean reached for his brakes going into Turn 2 but slid into the back of Copeland’s No. 7 Sync Speed/Copeland Motorsports machine, moving him off course and out of contention. Copeland recovered for a seventh-place finish, but couldn’t rejoin the lead battle. Dean was assessed a 40-point penalty and a $500 fine by race officials for the contact.

Despite the contact, Dean led lap 16 on his way to his fourth podium finish of the season, chasing McAleer over the closing laps but unable to make a lead stick.

Sparks ran in the lead pack during all 45-minutes in his No. 3 OOTSK Performance MX-5, battling over the final laps for the third podium spot with Jeff Mosing’s No. 12 Frank’s International/Race Now For Autism MX-5. The two ran side-by-side through the Mid-Ohio “esses” in the final turn, with Sparks coming away with his first podium finish.

Szymczak finished the race in fifth. Ara Malkhassian, who was just outside the lead pack for most of the race, came away with a sixth-place after Elliott Skeer spun his No. 17 MAZDASPEED/Sparco MX-5 at the end of the backstraight on lap seven.

Alex Ratcliffe (No. 07 SyncSpeed/Copeland Motorsports MX-5), Brandon Kidd (No. 29 ModSpace Motorsports/CJ Wilson Racing MX-5), and Tim Probert (No. 26 ALARA Racing/ALARA Garage MX-5) round out the top 10 in a race where all but Skeer, who spun, finished on the lead lap.

Zachry Lee of San Antonio, Texas, won the Skip Barber Racing School MAZDASPEED Pro Series class in the No. 62 Alpha Motorsports/B+ Foundation MX-5, followed by Phil Mather (No. 95 CG-Lock/Seat Snug MX-5 and Bryan Hixon’s No. 63 Seven Devils Lodge/Tequila Me MX-5.

With the win and Dean’s penalty, McAleer takes over the Championship lead with a 20-point advantage over Szymczak, 276-256. Malkhassian is third with 250, followed by Dean (245) and Sparks (237).

	The team at Bob Cook Sales was named the SEMA Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year for 2011.

The deadline to submit your SEMA Industry Awards nomination forms is Friday, June 29, 2012. The awards, which are presented during the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show, include SEMA Person of the Year, SEMA Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year and SEMA WD of the Year.

Take a moment to review the SEMA Awards website, which lists the criteria established for each award, including a listing of previous honorees for each award.

If you have any questions, contact Staci Bostock at 909-978-6693 or StaciB@SEMA.org.

	The team at Bob Cook Sales was named the SEMA Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year for 2011.

The deadline to submit your SEMA Industry Awards nomination forms is Friday, June 29, 2012. The awards, which are presented during the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show, include SEMA Person of the Year, SEMA Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year and SEMA WD of the Year.

Take a moment to review the SEMA Awards website, which lists the criteria established for each award, including a listing of previous honorees for each award.

If you have any questions, contact Staci Bostock at 909-978-6693 or StaciB@SEMA.org.

	The team at Bob Cook Sales was named the SEMA Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year for 2011.

The deadline to submit your SEMA Industry Awards nomination forms is Friday, June 29, 2012. The awards, which are presented during the SEMA Industry Awards Banquet at the SEMA Show, include SEMA Person of the Year, SEMA Manufacturers' Rep Agency of the Year and SEMA WD of the Year.

Take a moment to review the SEMA Awards website, which lists the criteria established for each award, including a listing of previous honorees for each award.

If you have any questions, contact Staci Bostock at 909-978-6693 or StaciB@SEMA.org.

	The floorplan for the 2012 SEMA Show is continually updated during the Priority Space Selection process, which is currently in full swing and will conclude June 21. Buyers can now visit the site and find where the key exhibitors that they need to see are located for the 2012 Show.

The Priority Space Selection process is in full swing, and more than two-thirds of the companies exhibiting at the 2012 SEMA Show have picked their space at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Buyers can access the floorplan on www.SEMAShow.com to see the locations that exhibitors have chosen. The floorplan is updated as exhibitors continue to select their spaces, sometimes up to seven times per day.  

There are currently nearly 2,000 companies that have confirmed booth space for the 2012 SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, 2012, and more rental agreements are being received daily. Show organizers also report that the number of exhibitors in four of the Show's sections—Hot Rod Alley, Racing & Performance, Restoration Marketplace and Wheels & Accessories—have already surpassed the final number of exhibitors featured in those sections for the 2011 SEMA Show.

Buyers can register for the SEMA Show through the "Attend Show" button located on the homepage of www.SEMAShow.com.  

"Throughout the Priority Space Selection process, the floorplan for the Show has been updated about seven times per day," said Peter MacGillvray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. "This provides buyers with the most current map available of the exhibitors they need to see, making it easier to get a jump on developing a game plan for the Show.”  

In addition to a complete list of exhibitors, buyers can also scroll through the Booth Number List to see each selected company simultaneously highlighted on the floorplan. A Show Section List is also available that spotlights the Show sections contained within each hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The overview map of the Las Vegas Convention Center provides locations for additional Show attractions and areas, such as Show Registration, the Vehicle Technology Center and Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase.

Details about the 2012 SEMA Show, including information on how to attend and exhibit, are available at www.SEMAShow.com.

	The floorplan for the 2012 SEMA Show is continually updated during the Priority Space Selection process, which is currently in full swing and will conclude June 21. Buyers can now visit the site and find where the key exhibitors that they need to see are located for the 2012 Show.

The Priority Space Selection process is in full swing, and more than two-thirds of the companies exhibiting at the 2012 SEMA Show have picked their space at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Buyers can access the floorplan on www.SEMAShow.com to see the locations that exhibitors have chosen. The floorplan is updated as exhibitors continue to select their spaces, sometimes up to seven times per day.  

There are currently nearly 2,000 companies that have confirmed booth space for the 2012 SEMA Show, October 30–November 2, 2012, and more rental agreements are being received daily. Show organizers also report that the number of exhibitors in four of the Show's sections—Hot Rod Alley, Racing & Performance, Restoration Marketplace and Wheels & Accessories—have already surpassed the final number of exhibitors featured in those sections for the 2011 SEMA Show.

Buyers can register for the SEMA Show through the "Attend Show" button located on the homepage of www.SEMAShow.com.  

"Throughout the Priority Space Selection process, the floorplan for the Show has been updated about seven times per day," said Peter MacGillvray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. "This provides buyers with the most current map available of the exhibitors they need to see, making it easier to get a jump on developing a game plan for the Show.”  

In addition to a complete list of exhibitors, buyers can also scroll through the Booth Number List to see each selected company simultaneously highlighted on the floorplan. A Show Section List is also available that spotlights the Show sections contained within each hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The overview map of the Las Vegas Convention Center provides locations for additional Show attractions and areas, such as Show Registration, the Vehicle Technology Center and Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase.

Details about the 2012 SEMA Show, including information on how to attend and exhibit, are available at www.SEMAShow.com.

NEWS NUGGETS

HIGHT LOOKING TO DEFEND FUNNY CAR TITLE IN BRISTOL AS FUNNY CAR COMPETITION HEATS UP: It is good to be on top. Robert Hight knows this firsthand, and he finds himself on top of the mountain as the NHRA heads to Bristol Dragway for the June 15–17 Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers. The 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car champion heads to Thunder Valley as the defending event champion and the points leader. After a stellar start to the season, Hight looks to add another Bristol win to his already-impressive resume. He always considered Bristol one of the NHRA’s premier facilities, and his win at the historic track in 2011 only added to his love of Thunder Valley. One person who will look to stop Hight’s attempt to defend his title is 2011 Funny Car world champ Matt Hagan. Hagan is having an uncharacteristic season, struggling outside the top 10 in points. However, his performance at the NHRA’s last event in Englishtown has him optimistic about his return to Bristol.

BRISTOL DRAGWAY A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR NHRA’S FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND: Fans of all ages love the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, but kids now have one more reason to head to Bristol Dragway to share Father’s Day with their dads: free admission. In celebration of Father’s Day, Sunday’s Junior tickets (ages 12 and younger) will be free with the purchase of an adult admission ticket. The promotion is limited to two free kid tickets per adult ticket. Junior-weekend-combo ticket prices have been lowered to reflect the free Sunday admission. To take advantage of the offer, adult tickets for the event must be purchased by Thursday, June 14, at 5:00 p.m. For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

NITRO HARLEYS TO BE FEATURED IN BRISTOL: The NHRA Screamin’ Eagle Nitro Harley-Davidson exhibitions will make their second and final scheduled appearance of the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season at the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, June 15–17. The NHRA Screamin’ Eagle Nitro Harley-Davidson exhibitions feature eight-bike fields and will be showcased Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The high-powered, nitromethane-fueled Nitro Harleys can reach speeds of more than 200 mph and are always a huge hit with fans. For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THE O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS: The 15th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries, June 28–July 1 at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, will mark the 11th stop of 23 races in the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season. As always, ticket holders are granted exclusive pit access and treated to spectacular sights, including jet cars on Friday, Saturday’s JEGS Allstars bonus race for Sportsman competitors and Sunday’s Nitro Generation track walk. Also, Chicago’s Chi Town Hustler and Stardust Funny Cars will be taking fans back in time on Saturday night as they race down Route 66 Raceway. For tickets, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or log on to Route66Raceway.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

FORD NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS PRESENTED BY TRI-CITIES AREA FORD DEALERS, BRISTOL DRAGWAY, June 15–17: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 10th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS PRESENTED BY SUPER START BATTERIES, ROUTE 66 RACEWAY, June 28–July 1: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 11th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season in Chicago, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or log on to Route66Raceway.com.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT MOTORSPORTS PARK, July 5–8: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 12th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season in Norwalk, Ohio, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 419-668-5555 or log on to SummitMotorsportsPark.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

BRISTOL IS A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR THE GRAY FAMILY: The Gray family is the perfect example of Nitro Generation. Dad Johnny is coming off his first win of the season at the Toyota NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey; son Shane is debuting a new Chevy Camaro at the 15th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway this weekend; and youngest son Jonathan will compete in Comp in Bristol—his fourth national event this year. Johnny is ecstatic to spend Father’s Day racing with his boys: “Of course, we’d like to turn around and double up with a win in Bristol in our NTB/Service Central Dodge, and I’d sure like to see Shane and Jonathan do well, but what’s really special is having the family all together. Jonathan and his family weren’t able to make it to Englishtown, but we’ll all be reunited in Bristol, and I’m really looking forward to that. Not every guy is as fortunate as I am to have their kids all together doing what we love to do.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

10: JEGS ALLSTARS LINEUPS SET IN 10 SPORTSMAN CLASSES: The annual JEGS Allstars race is set to run during the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, June 28–July 1. The fields have been set with one representative from each of the seven NHRA divisions plus one blocker to round out each eight-car field. The race is one of the biggest of the year for the NHRA Sportsman classes and is a huge honor for all those who get to participate.

DID YOU KNOW…

TORRENCE TO FLY SPECIAL PAINT SCHEME TO HONOR THE LATE JOHN MITCHELL IN BRISTOL: John Mitchell, driver turned team owner, lost his life June 2. He was involved in the sport for decades and was responsible for helping many of today’s NHRA stars get their starts in NHRA Drag Racing, including Ron Capps, Larry Dixon, Tony Pedregon and David Grubnic. Richard Hogan, crew chief on Steve Torrence’s Top Fuel team, also got his start thanks to Mitchell, and to honor Mitchell, Torrence will be running a special Montana Express paint scheme in Bristol.

NEWS NUGGETS

HIGHT LOOKING TO DEFEND FUNNY CAR TITLE IN BRISTOL AS FUNNY CAR COMPETITION HEATS UP: It is good to be on top. Robert Hight knows this firsthand, and he finds himself on top of the mountain as the NHRA heads to Bristol Dragway for the June 15–17 Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers. The 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car champion heads to Thunder Valley as the defending event champion and the points leader. After a stellar start to the season, Hight looks to add another Bristol win to his already-impressive resume. He always considered Bristol one of the NHRA’s premier facilities, and his win at the historic track in 2011 only added to his love of Thunder Valley. One person who will look to stop Hight’s attempt to defend his title is 2011 Funny Car world champ Matt Hagan. Hagan is having an uncharacteristic season, struggling outside the top 10 in points. However, his performance at the NHRA’s last event in Englishtown has him optimistic about his return to Bristol.

BRISTOL DRAGWAY A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR NHRA’S FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND: Fans of all ages love the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, but kids now have one more reason to head to Bristol Dragway to share Father’s Day with their dads: free admission. In celebration of Father’s Day, Sunday’s Junior tickets (ages 12 and younger) will be free with the purchase of an adult admission ticket. The promotion is limited to two free kid tickets per adult ticket. Junior-weekend-combo ticket prices have been lowered to reflect the free Sunday admission. To take advantage of the offer, adult tickets for the event must be purchased by Thursday, June 14, at 5:00 p.m. For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

NITRO HARLEYS TO BE FEATURED IN BRISTOL: The NHRA Screamin’ Eagle Nitro Harley-Davidson exhibitions will make their second and final scheduled appearance of the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season at the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, June 15–17. The NHRA Screamin’ Eagle Nitro Harley-Davidson exhibitions feature eight-bike fields and will be showcased Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The high-powered, nitromethane-fueled Nitro Harleys can reach speeds of more than 200 mph and are always a huge hit with fans. For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THE O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS: The 15th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries, June 28–July 1 at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, will mark the 11th stop of 23 races in the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season. As always, ticket holders are granted exclusive pit access and treated to spectacular sights, including jet cars on Friday, Saturday’s JEGS Allstars bonus race for Sportsman competitors and Sunday’s Nitro Generation track walk. Also, Chicago’s Chi Town Hustler and Stardust Funny Cars will be taking fans back in time on Saturday night as they race down Route 66 Raceway. For tickets, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or log on to Route66Raceway.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

FORD NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS PRESENTED BY TRI-CITIES AREA FORD DEALERS, BRISTOL DRAGWAY, June 15–17: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 10th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS PRESENTED BY SUPER START BATTERIES, ROUTE 66 RACEWAY, June 28–July 1: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 11th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season in Chicago, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or log on to Route66Raceway.com.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT MOTORSPORTS PARK, July 5–8: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 12th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season in Norwalk, Ohio, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 419-668-5555 or log on to SummitMotorsportsPark.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

BRISTOL IS A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR THE GRAY FAMILY: The Gray family is the perfect example of Nitro Generation. Dad Johnny is coming off his first win of the season at the Toyota NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey; son Shane is debuting a new Chevy Camaro at the 15th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway this weekend; and youngest son Jonathan will compete in Comp in Bristol—his fourth national event this year. Johnny is ecstatic to spend Father’s Day racing with his boys: “Of course, we’d like to turn around and double up with a win in Bristol in our NTB/Service Central Dodge, and I’d sure like to see Shane and Jonathan do well, but what’s really special is having the family all together. Jonathan and his family weren’t able to make it to Englishtown, but we’ll all be reunited in Bristol, and I’m really looking forward to that. Not every guy is as fortunate as I am to have their kids all together doing what we love to do.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

10: JEGS ALLSTARS LINEUPS SET IN 10 SPORTSMAN CLASSES: The annual JEGS Allstars race is set to run during the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, June 28–July 1. The fields have been set with one representative from each of the seven NHRA divisions plus one blocker to round out each eight-car field. The race is one of the biggest of the year for the NHRA Sportsman classes and is a huge honor for all those who get to participate.

DID YOU KNOW…

TORRENCE TO FLY SPECIAL PAINT SCHEME TO HONOR THE LATE JOHN MITCHELL IN BRISTOL: John Mitchell, driver turned team owner, lost his life June 2. He was involved in the sport for decades and was responsible for helping many of today’s NHRA stars get their starts in NHRA Drag Racing, including Ron Capps, Larry Dixon, Tony Pedregon and David Grubnic. Richard Hogan, crew chief on Steve Torrence’s Top Fuel team, also got his start thanks to Mitchell, and to honor Mitchell, Torrence will be running a special Montana Express paint scheme in Bristol.

NEWS NUGGETS

HIGHT LOOKING TO DEFEND FUNNY CAR TITLE IN BRISTOL AS FUNNY CAR COMPETITION HEATS UP: It is good to be on top. Robert Hight knows this firsthand, and he finds himself on top of the mountain as the NHRA heads to Bristol Dragway for the June 15–17 Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers. The 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car champion heads to Thunder Valley as the defending event champion and the points leader. After a stellar start to the season, Hight looks to add another Bristol win to his already-impressive resume. He always considered Bristol one of the NHRA’s premier facilities, and his win at the historic track in 2011 only added to his love of Thunder Valley. One person who will look to stop Hight’s attempt to defend his title is 2011 Funny Car world champ Matt Hagan. Hagan is having an uncharacteristic season, struggling outside the top 10 in points. However, his performance at the NHRA’s last event in Englishtown has him optimistic about his return to Bristol.

BRISTOL DRAGWAY A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR NHRA’S FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND: Fans of all ages love the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, but kids now have one more reason to head to Bristol Dragway to share Father’s Day with their dads: free admission. In celebration of Father’s Day, Sunday’s Junior tickets (ages 12 and younger) will be free with the purchase of an adult admission ticket. The promotion is limited to two free kid tickets per adult ticket. Junior-weekend-combo ticket prices have been lowered to reflect the free Sunday admission. To take advantage of the offer, adult tickets for the event must be purchased by Thursday, June 14, at 5:00 p.m. For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

NITRO HARLEYS TO BE FEATURED IN BRISTOL: The NHRA Screamin’ Eagle Nitro Harley-Davidson exhibitions will make their second and final scheduled appearance of the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season at the Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers, June 15–17. The NHRA Screamin’ Eagle Nitro Harley-Davidson exhibitions feature eight-bike fields and will be showcased Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The high-powered, nitromethane-fueled Nitro Harleys can reach speeds of more than 200 mph and are always a huge hit with fans. For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THE O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS: The 15th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries, June 28–July 1 at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, will mark the 11th stop of 23 races in the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season. As always, ticket holders are granted exclusive pit access and treated to spectacular sights, including jet cars on Friday, Saturday’s JEGS Allstars bonus race for Sportsman competitors and Sunday’s Nitro Generation track walk. Also, Chicago’s Chi Town Hustler and Stardust Funny Cars will be taking fans back in time on Saturday night as they race down Route 66 Raceway. For tickets, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or log on to Route66Raceway.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

FORD NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS PRESENTED BY TRI-CITIES AREA FORD DEALERS, BRISTOL DRAGWAY, June 15–17: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 10th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). For tickets, call 423-989-6900 or log on to BristolDragway.com.

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS PRESENTED BY SUPER START BATTERIES, ROUTE 66 RACEWAY, June 28–July 1: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 11th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season in Chicago, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 888-629-RACE (7223) or log on to Route66Raceway.com.

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT MOTORSPORTS PARK, July 5–8: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 12th stop of 23 events in the 2012 season in Norwalk, Ohio, and drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points in the battles for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners are Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 419-668-5555 or log on to SummitMotorsportsPark.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

BRISTOL IS A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR THE GRAY FAMILY: The Gray family is the perfect example of Nitro Generation. Dad Johnny is coming off his first win of the season at the Toyota NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey; son Shane is debuting a new Chevy Camaro at the 15th annual Ford NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals presented by Tri-Cities Area Ford Dealers at Bristol Dragway this weekend; and youngest son Jonathan will compete in Comp in Bristol—his fourth national event this year. Johnny is ecstatic to spend Father’s Day racing with his boys: “Of course, we’d like to turn around and double up with a win in Bristol in our NTB/Service Central Dodge, and I’d sure like to see Shane and Jonathan do well, but what’s really special is having the family all together. Jonathan and his family weren’t able to make it to Englishtown, but we’ll all be reunited in Bristol, and I’m really looking forward to that. Not every guy is as fortunate as I am to have their kids all together doing what we love to do.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

10: JEGS ALLSTARS LINEUPS SET IN 10 SPORTSMAN CLASSES: The annual JEGS Allstars race is set to run during the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, June 28–July 1. The fields have been set with one representative from each of the seven NHRA divisions plus one blocker to round out each eight-car field. The race is one of the biggest of the year for the NHRA Sportsman classes and is a huge honor for all those who get to participate.

DID YOU KNOW…

TORRENCE TO FLY SPECIAL PAINT SCHEME TO HONOR THE LATE JOHN MITCHELL IN BRISTOL: John Mitchell, driver turned team owner, lost his life June 2. He was involved in the sport for decades and was responsible for helping many of today’s NHRA stars get their starts in NHRA Drag Racing, including Ron Capps, Larry Dixon, Tony Pedregon and David Grubnic. Richard Hogan, crew chief on Steve Torrence’s Top Fuel team, also got his start thanks to Mitchell, and to honor Mitchell, Torrence will be running a special Montana Express paint scheme in Bristol.