Drag racing circuit takes steps toward mainstream
June 18, 2008 by Robert
Filed under NHRA, Racing News
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Great news for drag racing! Checkout this article from Cox News Service:
Anticipating NASCAR-like growth spurt, sport markets itself to broader audience
The National Hot Rod Association appears to be positioning itself for a growth period similar to the one NASCAR enjoyed in recent years as that sport broadened its fan base from mostly automotive enthusiasts to mainstream America.
The NHRA itself has taken several key steps recently — the hiring of the giant sports-marketing firm IMG and adding the powerhouse ad agency Edelman to help steer its public-relations campaign. And a new track is ...
Read the full article by Rick Minter at Ohio.com
Raceway Park hosting NHRA SuperNationals
As one of the National Hot Rod Association's (NHRA) original seven national events, Raceway Park is a major player in drag racing history.
Since the Old Bridge track first hosted an NHRAevent in 1968, the best racers in the sport have left their mark on the quarter mile drag strip. This weekend, when Raceway Park hosts the 39th annual Lucas Oil SuperNationals, racers will be looking to add to Raceway Park tradition.
There will be many...
Read the full story at the Examiner
Tags: Englishtown, SupernationalsCrew chief Walsh resigns from Bernstein Funny Car team
Kenny Bernstein, owner of the Monster Energy Funny Car, has confirmed that crew chief Jimmy Walsh has resigned from the team. Rick Cassel will take over the tuning responsibilities, working with Danny DeGennaro, beginning at this weekend's Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown...
Read Phil Burgess' article at NHRA.com
Tags: Kenny Bernstein, Tommy Johnson JrAshley ready to go out in style
Englishtown, pre-race: On the heels of announcing his departure from the cockpit for the season, Mike Ashley is preparing for his final scheduled race of 2008 in the Lend America Dodge Charger R/T this weekend at the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. Ashley, from Long Island, New York, considers the venerable quarter-mile his hometown track and plans to celebrate the weekend with family, sponsors, and employees and guests from his company, Lend America, where he is chief business strategist.
"The decision to...
Read the full story about Mike Ashley's departure at NHRA.com
Special ESPN2 repeat airing of Chicago final eliminations Wednesday
ESPN will provide a special 20-minute repeat airing of final eliminations from Sunday's weather-plagued Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago.
The special rebroadcast will air Wednesday, June 11, at 6:40 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. The 20-minute program, which will follow ESPN2's NASCAR Now, will provide highlights of final eliminations in all four Professional categories...
The full eliminations program will be re-aired later that evening, go to NHRA.com to read the story and get the schedule.
Tags: NHRA, TVPedregon rewards crew with Funny Car victory
JOLIET — Maybe Tony Pedregon should smash up his car more often.
He put his crew to work on an all-nighter that resulted in an unlikely run to the Funny Car crown on Sunday at the Torco Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals.
Pedregon beat Scott Kalitta to the finish line in the final after surviving a qualifying crash on Saturday night. Pedregon banged into...
Read Ron Kremer's full article and interview with Tony Pedregon in The Herald News
Melanie Troxel Top Qualifier at Route 66 NHRA Nationals
Melanie Troxel qualified fastest at the 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago (Joliet). The teams battled the weather, endured rain , wind, and tornado warnings while trying to qualify. Qualifying results and first round pairings:
(R.T.) E.T.- MPH
1 Melanie Troxel (.090) 5.050-259.41
16 Gary Densham (.108) 4.928-309.98
2 Mark Oswald (.087) 4.822-319.52
15 Jack Beckman (.076) 4.895-316.82
3 Ashley Force (.141) 4.817-318.02
14 Robert Hight (.098) 6.344-142.51
4 Ron Capps (.099) 6.135-153.68
13 Scott Kalitta (.105) 4.918-305.29
5 Cruz Pedregon (.099) 4.992-297.09
12 Bob Tasca III (.030) 5.276-251.11
6 Gary Scelzi (.125) 4.897-312.21
11 Mike Neff (.140) 4.966-307.44
7 Jerry Toliver (.096) 9.084-89.07
10 Tony Pedregon (.062) 4.884-311.49
8 John Force (.081) 4.904-313.07
9 Tim Wilkerson (.064) 4.919-280.89
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 Force