Ashley Force fastest on Friday – Route 66 NHRA Nationals
Friday's Qualifying Session results from the NHRA Powerade 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet, IL. Ashley Force had the fastest run of the day with a 4.759 second, 329.1 MPH run.
Qualifying Round 1
1. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.850 293.54
2. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.856 315.93
3. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.857 315.71
4. Melanie Troxel ProCare RX Charger 4.859 326.16
5. Jerry Toliver Rockstar Energy Drinks Charger 4.908 314.53
6. Gary Densham RaceBricks Impala 4.929 302.28
7. Mark Oswald Charger 4.946 293.09
8. Mike Neff Old Spice Mustang 5.267 205.44
9. Scott Kalitta DHL Solara 5.316 239.61
10. Ashley Force Castrol GTX Mustang 5.319 200.20
11. Del Worsham Checker Schuck's Kragen Impala 5.710 212.26
12. Tony Pedregon Herzog Impala 5.813 166.76
--------- Not Qualified ---------
13. Tommy Johnson Jr. Monster Energy Drink Charger 6.275 148.53
14. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 6.402 144.81
15. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 6.642 132.18
16. Gary Scelzi Mopar Oakley Charger 9.019 83.67
17. Cruz Pedregon Advance Auto Parts Solara 9.630 84.61
18. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Monte 12.021 80.65
19. Tony Bartone Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo DQ
20. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Impala DQ
Qualifying Round 2
1. Ashley Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.759 329.10
2. Cruz Pedregon Advance Auto Parts Solara 4.780 324.51
3. Jerry Toliver Rockstar Energy Drinks Charger 4.783 325.77
4. Mark Oswald Charger 4.783 324.67
5. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.783 319.22
6. Tony Pedregon Herzog Impala 4.797 323.43
7. Gary Scelzi Mopar Oakley Charger 4.799 320.89
8. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.820 320.05
9. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Impala 4.843 314.02
10. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 4.844 316.82
11. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.850 293.54
12. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.851 315.19
--------- Not Qualified ---------
13. Gary Densham RaceBricks Impala 4.852 315.86
14. Melanie Troxel ProCare RX Charger 4.859 326.16
15. Scott Kalitta DHL Solara 4.876 290.76
16. Jim Head Head Racing Solara 4.889 313.88
17. Del Worsham Checker Schuck's Kragen Impala 4.900 311.41
18. Tommy Johnson Jr. Monster Energy Drink Charger 4.903 314.61
19. Mike Neff Old Spice Mustang 5.267 205.44
20. Bob Bode Alard Machine Products Monte 6.045 157.65
21. Tony Bartone Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo DQ
Results courtesy of NHRA
Tags: Ashley ForceScience of Racing ‘Steers’ Walter Reed Army Medical Center Appreciation Day at Budd’s Creek
During the weekend of June 14-15 2008, The Science of Racing – in conjunction with BAE Systems – will be hosting a Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) Appreciation Day at the IHRA’s Torco Racing Fuels President’s Cup Nationals. Science of Racing will honor wounded warriors, their caregivers, and WRAMC medical staff at the event.
[snip]
“Bringing kids – our future – together with the courageous spirit of our wounded soldiers makes for a special weekend” says Paul Lee, IHRA Funny Car driver and COO of The Science of Racing....
Visit The Science of Racing
Tags: IHRA, MilitaryForceful winds play havoc with NHRA
Ashley Force and John Force are household names on the NHRA circuit. But it was "Gale Force" who was the biggest of the name players during qualifying rounds Friday at the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 Nationals.
But it was "Gale Force" who was the biggest of the name players during qualifying rounds Friday at the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 Nationals.
That's Gale Force, as in the strength of the winds that spawned tornado watches and warnings across ...
Read the full story and detailed analysis of how the weather effected racing performance by Rob Kremer at The Plainfield Sun
Tags: Ashley ForceReady or not? NHRA POWERade Series Drivers Anticipate Summer Heat as Tour Moves on to Chicago
Air temperature, altitude and dew point all play factors in preparation for NHRA POWERade Series teams. Some feel prepared for the summer stretch, including Funny Car’s Cruz Pedregon, who announced a switch to a Toyota Solara body before Topeka. He’s confident that his Advance Auto Parts team will adapt to the new body and make it not only work, but be successful this year.
“With the way (crew chief Rahn Tobler) runs this car and from what we’ve determined we’ll...
Read the full article at Motorsports Journal
Defying age and death
There were many, including this corner, who thought John Force had reached the end of the line last September when he crashed in Ennis, Tex., and suffered serious injuries.
We were amazed when the 59-year-old Force climbed back into his Castrol Ford Mustang Funny Car at the Winternationals and started competing once again in the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series.
Not only did Force prove me wrong, but the rest of his skeptics as well.
This past Sunday, the 14-time champion took it one step...
Read Louis Brewster's article about John Force's comeback in the San Bernardino Sun
Pepsi Offers Big Savings for President’s Cup Nationals June 13-15
Pepsi has teamed up with IHRA and Maryland International Raceway to offer race fans the chance to save big at the President’s Cup Nationals June 13-15 at MIR. Fans who bring a Pepsi can to the gate will receive a $15.00 discount on a Friday or Sunday general admission ticket....
Read more at IHRA
Tasca pumped by qualifying effort
NHRA Funny Car rookie Bob Tasca III is fired up for today's eliminations in the NHRA Summer Nationals after a career-best No. 2 qualifying effort.
"We had one of the, if not the most consistent, qualifying car of the weekend," Tasca said in a team release. "I'm just thrilled with Chris (Cunningham, crew chief) and the guys that are just working so hard on this team.
"People don't realize how many things they do in between rounds, and everything has to be...
Read the full article by Rick Peterson in The Capital-Journal
Tags: Bob Tasca III, Summer NationalsTroxel looks to ride first Funny Car win to eventual title
"Winning at least takes some pressure off," said Troxel, who took over driving the Gotham City Racing Dodge from owner Mike Ashley. "We've been on track the last three or four races, and it's nice to have some results to show for it."
Her Funny Car victory in Bristol was a reversal of form this year for Troxel, who missed four events and has three first-round exits. She pegs some of her troubles to adjusting from the dragster's rear engine and open cockpit to...
Read the full article by Gary Graves in USA Today