NEWS NUGGETS
POINTS LEADERS BROWN AND JOHNSON COULD MAKE WESTERN SWING HISTORY IN SEATTLE: Antron
Brown (Top Fuel) and Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) sit atop their classes
as the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Pacific
Raceways—the third stop of the Western Swing, and they also are riding
winning streaks. The two drivers won at the first two stops on the
Swing—Denver and Sonoma, California—which gives them a chance to make
history and sweep the Swing. If Brown wins his third title in three
weeks, he will become the first driver to sweep the Swing twice, and if
Johnson wins in Seattle, he will be the eighth driver in NHRA history to
accomplish the feat and only the second Pro Stock driver to do it. For
tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.
NEWS NUGGETS
CAPPS READY TO DEFEND BACK-TO-BACK TITLES IN SONOMA: Ron Capps, the driver of the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, is one of the most recognizable faces on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series tour thanks to his NAPA TV commercials and his social media following, but when the NHRA heads to Sonoma for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, he’ll be even more recognizable because Sonoma is home to him.
CAPPS READY TO DEFEND BACK-TO-BACK TITLES IN SONOMA: Ron Capps, the driver of the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, is one of the most recognizable faces on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series tour thanks to his NAPA TV commercials and his social media following, but when the NHRA heads to Sonoma for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, he’ll be even more recognizable because Sonoma is home to him.
NEWS NUGGETS
MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS SET TO KICK OFF THE SWING: The traditional three-week NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Western Swing kicks off at Bandimere Speedway with the 33rd annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, July 20–22. The 13th of 23 events in the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series marks the middle of the season and the deal breaker to qualify for the Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA’s playoffs. Drivers in all four categories—Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle—will race to the top of the mountain. The Full Throttle teams travel high and deep into the Rocky Mountains to more than 5,800 ft., where the altitude affects everything from engine tune-ups to aerodynamics, to begin the Western Swing. Crews must make changes to established power-making combinations and battle lack of downforce to tackle the environs. The event is a testament to the skill and adaptability of the racers.
MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS SET TO KICK OFF THE SWING: The traditional three-week NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Western Swing kicks off at Bandimere Speedway with the 33rd annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, July 20–22. The 13th of 23 events in the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series marks the middle of the season and the deal breaker to qualify for the Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA’s playoffs. Drivers in all four categories—Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle—will race to the top of the mountain. The Full Throttle teams travel high and deep into the Rocky Mountains to more than 5,800 ft., where the altitude affects everything from engine tune-ups to aerodynamics, to begin the Western Swing. Crews must make changes to established power-making combinations and battle lack of downforce to tackle the environs. The event is a testament to the skill and adaptability of the racers.
NEWS NUGGETS
NHRA DRIVERS ARE PRIMED AND READY FOR GRUELING THREE-RACE WESTERN SWING: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads west for the Western Swing—back-to-back-to-back races that start in Denver, head to Sonoma, California, then finish in Seattle. The 33rd annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals kicks off the Western Swing at Bandimere Speedway, followed by the 25th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals and the 25th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries. Without breaks between these three races, teams have to work hard to make sure they are ready and have enough parts and willpower. Ron Capps sits second in the Funny Car championship points battle, and he is ready to battle.
NEWS NUGGETS
NHRA TO CELEBRATE AMERICANA AT SUMMIT RACING NHRA NATIONALS IN NORWALK: The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals returns to Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park July 5–8. On track, all four NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series categories will be in competition as well as the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series for Sportsman racers. In addition, NHRA fans will be treated to the K&N Horsepower Challenge—a specialty race featuring top Pro Stock drivers. Off the track, visitors can take part in numerous events to celebrate America’s 236th birthday that are free with their race ticket. To purchase tickets for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, call Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, 419-668-5555, or log on to www.summitmotorsportspark.tix.com.
NHRA TO CELEBRATE AMERICANA AT SUMMIT RACING NHRA NATIONALS IN NORWALK: The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals returns to Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park July 5–8. On track, all four NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series categories will be in competition as well as the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series for Sportsman racers. In addition, NHRA fans will be treated to the K&N Horsepower Challenge—a specialty race featuring top Pro Stock drivers. Off the track, visitors can take part in numerous events to celebrate America’s 236th birthday that are free with their race ticket. To purchase tickets for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, call Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, 419-668-5555, or log on to www.summitmotorsportspark.tix.com.
NEWS NUGGETS
ILLINOIS NATIVE WILKERSON SEEKING STRONG OUTING THIS WEEKEND AT ROUTE 66 RACEWAY: The expected warm temperatures at Route 66 Raceway during this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries could play into the hands of noted warm-weather Funny Car specialist Tim Wilkerson. The Springfield, Illinois, driver needs a solid performance at the event to improve his chances of qualifying for the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship. He is in 12th place in the standings and needs to move into the top 10 to make the playoffs. Wilkerson’s lone victory at Route 66 Raceway came in a 1999 tire-smoking final-round affair against legendary John Force.
ILLINOIS NATIVE WILKERSON SEEKING STRONG OUTING THIS WEEKEND AT ROUTE 66 RACEWAY: The expected warm temperatures at Route 66 Raceway during this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries could play into the hands of noted warm-weather Funny Car specialist Tim Wilkerson. The Springfield, Illinois, driver needs a solid performance at the event to improve his chances of qualifying for the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship. He is in 12th place in the standings and needs to move into the top 10 to make the playoffs. Wilkerson’s lone victory at Route 66 Raceway came in a 1999 tire-smoking final-round affair against legendary John Force.
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.
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.
NEWS NUGGETS
NHRA HEADS TO BRISTOL DRAGWAY OVER 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.
NHRA HEADS TO BRISTOL DRAGWAY OVER 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.
NEWS NUGGETS
NEW ENGLAND DRAGWAY ADDED TO 2013 FULL THROTTLE SERIES SCHEDULE: During a press conference in Boston this week, NHRA President Tom Compton and officials from New England Dragway announced that the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will make its first appearance in the New England region in 2013. The addition of the NHRA New England Nationals will increase the series schedule to 24 races. The event will be held at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire, June 20–23, 2013.
After a break in their 16-race schedule, riders in the two-wheel NHRA
Full Throttle Drag Racing Series class, Pro Stock Motorcycle will return
at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park for the 43rd annual Toyota NHRA
SuperNationals, May 31-June 3, the ninth of 23 events in the 2012
season.