Force returns to action at Phoenix test and immediately runs low
John Force is back! He will continue testing at Firebird Raceway through Wednesday.
From NHRA's Rob Geiger:
Climbing into a Funny Car for the first time since his devastating accident Sept. 23 in Dallas, 14-time champion John Force needed just one warm-up pass before blasting his way to the forefront of the National Time Trials with the quickest and fastest pass of the four-day test session. Force's 4.782 at 327.51 mph was so good he ended up out in the Arizona desert past the final turn-off, but the most prolific Funny Car driver of all time was still smiling when he emerged unscathed from his dusty Castrol GTX Ford Mustang.
[...]
New Funny Car champion Tony Pedregon was the closest to Force but he was almost a tenth of a second back with a best of 4.869 at 278.98 mph in his Q Racing Monte Carlo R/T. Gary Scelzi was next with a 4.879 at 318.02 mph in his Mopar/Oakley Charger R/T, while Cruz Pedregon (4.959) and Jerry Toliver (4.992) also dipped below five seconds on the day.
Melanie Troxel Phoenix test 2008-01-25
CHANDLER, Ariz. (January 25, 2008) - Nitro Funny Car rookie Melanie Troxel took two short blasts Friday behind the wheel of the ProCare Rx Dodge Charger at the NHRA National Time Trials at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz. On her first pass, she struggled with visibility and hit the 330-foot timing cone before coasting across the line; her second pass netted a solid launch into ...
Tags: Dodge, Funny Car, Melanie Troxel, NHRA, Nitro, race, TestingPlease send your condolences to Doug Herbert
January 26, 2008 by Robert
Filed under NHRA, Racing News
Comments Off
Our condolences to Doug Herbert and his family for the loss of their two young sons, Jon and James Herbert. Our prayers are with you as you endure this harsh tragedy, as there is nothing that can be said to make his loss more tolerable.
From Doug Herbert’s website:
Condolences can be sent to Raymer Funeral Home, 16901 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville, N.C. 28078, or via email, condolences@dougherbert.com
In lieu of flowers, Herbert asks that people make a donation to the Speedway Children's Charities in Jon and James Herbert's name.
A white board posted on Doug Herbert’s trailer at the National Time Trials in Phoenix on Saturday afternoon, signed by fans, racers, and race crews.
Please send your condolences to Doug Herbert and his family during this difficult time.
Top Fuel drag racer Doug Herbert’s sons killed in wreck
January 26, 2008 - 10:37PM
CORNELIUS — Two sons of Top Fuel drag racer Doug Herbert died Saturday as a result of a two-vehicle wreck near Herbert’s home in Cornelius.
Jon Herbert, who would’ve turned 18 next month, and James Herbert, 12, died when their Mazda3 collided with a second vehicle in the Lake Norman area wreck, said Lisa Powers, a spokeswoman for Doug Herbert Snap-on Racing.
Doug Herbert heard the news while in the Phoenix area testing in preparation for the start of the National Hot Rod Association season next month.
He was en route home Saturday to be with his family, Powers said.
“He is devastated,” Powers said.
Herbert’s Snap-on Tools Racing team was based in Cherryville for years before he moved the team and his performance auto parts business to Lincolnton several years ago.
His sons lived in Cornelius and attended Southlake Christian Academy in Huntersville.
The wreck occurred around 10:10 a.m. on Jetton Road, according to Cornelius Police investigators...
Read more in the Shelby Star
NHRA ready to test repaved Firebird
NHRA drivers - including John Force - will begin to test the limits of a new 700-foot concrete launch pad during the National Time Trials today through Sunday at Firebird International Raceway.
Force, a 14-time Funny Car champion, plans to be back in his Castrol Ford Mustang for the first time since suffering multiple foot, knee, hand and wrist injuries in a September accident. Force first must show NHRA officials that he can get out of his car quickly in the event of another incident.
Five-time Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher calls the fresh starting line surface "a gift."
"A Top Fuel car leaves with so much power early on that the clutch system will try to lock up around 600...
Read Michael Knight's full story in the Arizona Republic
NHRA makes moves on NASCAR
January 26, 2008 by Robert
Filed under NHRA, Racing News
Comments Off
Drag racing took an economic hit last week with the announced departure of Evan Knoll and Torco Racing Fuel as a major sponsor for several teams on the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series.
On Thursday, in the heart of NASCAR country, the sport received a big boost - once again - from O. Bruton Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Speedway Motorsports Inc...
Tags: drag racing, motorsports, NHRA, Powerade, racing, TorcoHedman Husler Hedders Back as Contingency Sponsors in 2008
All IHRA competitors should be thrilled to know that Hedman Husler Hedders has returned to IHRA’s contingency program. This announcement came from Chris Vandergriff of Hedman Husler last...
Tags: IHRA, NitroJamIHRA Gears Up for Most Heavily-Sponsored Nitro Jam National Event in History
As an 1/8th mile national event the length of the race may be shorter than usual, but the list of sponsors for the season-opener in San Antonio is anything but short. It also shows the strength of...
Tags: IHRA, Nitro, race