IN MEMORY OF ERIC MEDLEN AND SCOTT KALITTA, CAPPS AND SCELZI RACE MINI SPRINTS IN VISALIA
(L) Gary Scelzi and Ron Capps
VISALIA, Calif. - It didn't take long before Ron Capps was back on a race track following the completion of the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, in which he finished eighth in the point standings driving the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger Funny Car for Don Schumacher Racing. He buckled himself into the seat of a Super 600 Mini Sprint last Saturday to compete against 45 similar race cars, including one driven by his soon-to-be-former teammate Gary Scelzi, at Park Plaza Raceway in Visalia, Calif.
Capps drove the Wes and Gloria Shaw-owned Eric Medlen Tribute car on the one-fifth-mile clay oval, the site where Scelzi's sons Dominic (11) and Giovanni (6) race regularly in Mini Sprints.
After qualifying 14th, Capps came in 11th in the main event, while Scelzi, who qualified third, saw his day end in his heat race following a spectacular crash in which he rolled four times.
When Friday night's activities were cancelled because of a wet surface, the entire event was condensed into one day on Saturday. "It was my first time in one of those cars," said Capps. "So, we had a couple of hot-lap sessions in the afternoon and then we went right into qualifying. I qualified 14th out of 46 cars, which is pretty good.
"Owners Wes and Gloria Shaw, who also have two kids who race in the lower classes, have different drivers at times drive this car. One of their drivers, Peter Murphy, was coaching me all night. He's driven the car in the past and has won with it. So, it was a very good car.
"I led my heat race until two laps to go, when I got passed and ended up third. The top four transferred to the 30-lap main event, so I was still OK.
"In the same heat Scelzi had a pretty bad crash, which brought out the red flag. It was a little disheartening to come around during the red flag and see Gary's car upside down. But he was OK.
"Finishing 11th was pretty good because the track got pretty bumpy at times. It was a good experience. These guys are inches away and with open-wheel cars like these it takes just a few tires to touch and somebody goes for a ride. It was amazing to me how close and clean everybody raced throughout the night. To be honest with you, in the last four or five laps I was pretty much hanging on to the wheel for dear life. It was so bumpy and I'm just not used to wheeling one of those cars for 30 laps. It definitely gave me a workout."
Scelzi didn't make it into the main event. "My car was fast," he said. "In the heat race, Capps was on the pole and I was on the second row outside. They threw the green and I dropped right in on second place's butt. Yellow flag. Then on the third restart I dropped to the bottom into third place again. The car in front of me started getting sideways and I tagged him and another car ran over the top of me, but we both kept going. After another restart we came around for the green and the car got really tight. I don't know if there was some damage done when it got tangled up on the third restart or not, but into turns 3 and 4 the car seemed to be OK. Then I went back into turn 1 and when I turned the car to get it sideways it caught and put the front end into the berm and then I flipped four times, end over end. That bent the front end, bent the rear end and definitely rang my bell. That was the end of my night."
Capps became connected with the Shaws at the 2007 "Scelzi and Friends" event where a number of NHRA celebrities competed at Plaza Park to benefit DRAW (Drag Racing Association of Women) and the raceway. "We got to talking and Eric Medlen at one time had gone and practiced in one of these cars between races a couple of years ago and they absolutely loved him," said Capps. "In fact, at the next NHRA race after that, Eric had come up to me and said, 'Let's buy a couple of these cars. I'll get a trailer to tow it and we'll just sneak off and race them and have fun.' It seemed only fitting that Eric should be honored in some way in that arena.
"The Shaws went above and beyond that. They put the 'True Hero, True Friend, True Champion' logo with the No. 4 and 'Medlen' on it that the John Force family had made up. They also put a picture of Eric on each side of the car. It was the greatest picture. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw it in the pits for the first time.
"It was an emotional day, but it was a good time. The Shaw family are just wonderful people."
Added Scelzi: "We all had such a good time last year at the 'Scelzi and Friends' event that Capps said he wanted to do it again on an off weekend, and so we did. The Shaws made up hats for us that said 'Team Scelzi, in memory of Scott Kalitta,' and 'Team Capps, in memory of Eric Medlen.' So, it was an emotional tribute to both of these drivers, and that was very heartwarming for all of us."
As for Dominic and Giovanni Scelzi, who competed in two of the less-powerful classes: "Dominic was on the outside front row of his Restricted 600 Mini Sprint heat race and got put into the wall," said the elder Scelzi. "It bent his front end and rear end, so he was out for the night. Giovanni started fourth in his Mini Sprint heat race and ran third. He started in the fourth row in the main event and ran third. So Giovanni was the only one who had a good weekend in the Scelzi family."
***
Cory Mac, Wilkerson end droughts in Vegas; Line scores for event sponsor
by Kevin McKenna, NHRA.com
Cory McClenathan claimed his first Top Fuel win in more than a year, and Tim Wilkerson ended a winless drought that extends back to the 2004 Sonoma event during the final rounds of the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. McClenathan, in his first full season as a member of Schumacher Racing, won his 30th career title when he defeated recent Houston winner Antron Brown in the final, 4.65 to 4.70. Wilkerson, the top qualifier at two of the season’s first five events, relegated Ashley Force to a runner-up for the second-straight event following a close 4.96 to 4.99 final.
McClenathan and Wilkerson were joined in the winner’s circle by former POWERade world champion and Summit-backed racer Jason Line, who claimed his first win of the season over Greg Stanfield, who was seeking to win his first Pro Stock event.
Cory McClenathan
Despite track temperatures that exceeded 130 degrees, McClenathan never ran slower than 4.78 on race day as he drove his Fram dragster to wins against Top Fuel “brat pack” members J.R. Todd, Morgan Lucas, and Brandon Bernstein, good friends who often socialize away from the track. A regular on the NHRA tour since 1991, McClenathan was appearing in his 51st career final and scored his first win in Las Vegas. He has now claimed wins at 15 different NHRA venues.
“To say the least, it’s about time,” said McClenathan. “It’s been a couple of years since we even had a competitive car. To win my 30th race exactly 30 races after my last win is incredible. Thanks to [crew chief] Mike Green and all the guys that work on my team and the crew at Don Schumacher Racing. It’s great to be a part of that team. Hopefully, I will be able to finish my career there.
“I kept lane choice all day, and we worked it. We also had a lot of help from all of the other teams. There was a sea of different colored uniforms over there, and that happens at the shop too. There were 30 guys working on our race car. I just stayed back and did my job when it was time to race.
“Antron Brown is a great driver who is learning really fast, and Lee [Beard] is a great crew chief, so I was taking nothing for granted. We made some good runs, and it was good enough to get the job done.”
Two weeks after winning his first Top Fuel event, former Pro Stock Motorcycle ace Brown nearly claimed his second title with a solid performance from his Matco Tools dragster. Brown was solid in the opening round with a 4.68 win against Bob Vandergriff’s UPS dragster, but he later had to pedal the car in his tire-smoking wins against Kalitta Racing teammates Hillary Will and Doug Kalitta.
Following the win, McClenathan is now ranked fourth in the POWERade standings, behind reigning champ Tony Schumacher, Larry Dixon, and Brown.
Tim Wilkerson
Only eight four-second runs were recorded on race day in Funny Car, and Wilkerson and Force were responsible for six of them. Wilkerson powered past Jim Head in the opening round with a 4.94 and later stopped Tony Pedregon’s special-edition Palms entry with a 4.96. In the semifinals, Wilkerson managed to out-pedal Ron Capps, who won his first two rounds of the season in his NAPA Dodge.
“This is kind of cool to see the single-car teams right in this deal, don’t you think?” said Wilkerson. “Del [Worsham] won in Houston, and I won here. This is good for the little guys. NHRA has done a good job of leveling the playing field. The weight deal kind of played into our hands. I’m fortunate that I’m fat and happy. Last year, we were 100 pounds overweight, and then they added 100 pounds to the minimum weight, and that played right into our hands.
"This was a hard weekend. The track was treacherous from time to time, but NHRA did a good job, and the Goodyear tires worked well today. The U.S. Smokeless guys helped us change motors after I hurt one against Ron Capps.
"My daughter, Rachael, is 16, and she’s a big Ashley [Force] fan; I’m a big fan too. Every time I’m around her, I’m impressed. I want to see Ashley get her first win, but I don’t want to be the guy in that stat. As for Rachael, she’ll be alright. She wants to see me win too."
Force, a finalist at the recent O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston, took over the points lead in Funny Car following her round two win over Gary Densham and then extended it by stopping surprise semifinalist Bob Bode, who had earlier upset low qualifier Robert Hight’s Auto Club Mustang. Force currently holds a slim five-point lead over Wilkerson in the POWERade standings. Cruz Pedregon, who entered the event atop the standings, is now third, 32 points behind.
Jason Line
Line scored a huge win for Las Vegas-based team owner Ken Black and event sponsor Summit Racing Equipment with his 14th career Pro Stock victory. Line, who also has a Stock Eliminator title to his credit, also pulled into a tie for the POWERade points lead with reigning champ Jeg Coughlin following his final round win against Stanfield. In qualifying, Line’s Pontiac GXP was second quickest car behind Ken Koretsky’s Nitro Fish Pontiac. Line then waded through a tough field on race day, rolling past Johnny Gray, Coughlin, and former Las Vegas winner Kurt Johnson to reach the final. Against K.J., Line, who has occasionally been criticized for his driving, got off the starting line first by a hundredth of a second, and then extended the advantage for a close 6.79 to 6.80 victory.
“I get beat on for my driving or lack thereof so many times; it’s redeeming to finally win again,” said Line. “I know it was probably deserved. I mean the numbers don’t lie. I have struggled at times, but to win at the Summit race is a huge deal for us.
“Today, I had the best car that I’ve had for a year and a half. It was the car that got it done today. The engine didn’t perform as well as I would have liked it to, but the car worked great, especially in the right lane. Everybody struggled in that lane, but when I ran that [6.79] in the semifinals, it was an impressive run by anybody’s standards.
“This is three finals in five races, and that’s by far best start to a season that I’ve ever had,” said Line. “It also feels really good to be tied for the points lead. I’d like to think this is the start of a lot of good things to come for Greg and myself.”
Stanfield, behind the wheel of his Attitude Apparel GXP, also put together a solid run that began with an upset win over Line’s Summit teammate, heavily favored Greg Anderson, who shook the tires and slowed. Stanfield got past low qualifier Koretsky on a holeshot in round two and then advanced to his fifth career Pro Stock final with a 6.82 to 6.87 win over two-time POWERade champion Jim Yates.
The Lucas Oil Sportsman champions crowned at the event were Jeff Isbell (Top Alcohol Dragster), Jay Payne (Top Alcohol Funny Car), Lou Ficco Jr. (Comp), Gregg Luneack (Super Stock), John Shaul (Stock), and Randy Balough (Super Gas).
CORY MAC WINS VEGAS!
LAS VEGAS (April 13, 2008) - Driving the FRAM Top Fuel dragster, Cory McClenathan collected his first Top Fuel win of the season, his first TF win at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, his 30th career in 52 final rounds, his first in 30 events (Richmond 2006), and his first for Don Schumacher Racing.
After qualifying No. 5 for the NHRA Nationals this weekend, McClenathan enjoyed lane choice throughout the day, first defeating J.R. Todd with a solid 4.639-second elapsed time at 324.05 mph, then Morgan Lucas with a 4.780/304.25 and finally former DSR Pro Stock Motorcycle driver Antron Brown in the final round of eliminations. McClenathan used another stout pass, a 4.654/315.86, to defeat Brown's 4.703/315.93. Brown was one of the few, if not only, drivers to get down the less-desirable right lane during eliminations. Margin of victory: 19 feet.
"To say the least, it's about time. That's all I can say," said McClenathan. "It's been a couple of years since we've even had a competitive car and to win Richmond a couple of years ago was great. That was my 29th victory, but to come here exactly 30 races later and win my 30th Top Fuel event is incredible.
"Thanks to (crew chief) Mike Green and all the guys who work on the FRAM team and DSR. Don Schumacher has put together quite an empire over there at DSR, and I'm glad to be a part of it. I'm hoping to spend the rest of my days there and retire at DSR. Maybe I can wipe some tires for them or wax some cars when I'm done.
"It was a very tricky track, but our Goodyears did the job today. We kept that left-hand lane as lane choice and we worked it. Mike Green and the guys did a great job. We had a lot of help from Alan Johnson (U.S. Army TF crew chief), all the guys on the Army crew, all the guys on the Rockstar team, all the Valvoline/MTS guys from Jack Beckman's team, and Gary Scelzi's Mopar crew. We really appreciate everything that goes on. There were 30 guys working on that race car.
"Lane choice was very important today," added McClenathan, who also had a runner-up finish this year at the season-opening event in Pomona, Calif. "It was very tricky out there. It was one of those deals where not only do you have to keep it right in the groove, you just had to do your burnout in the exact right spot. We had some early wheel speed that we had to be careful of, and Mike Green did a great job at basically attacking that area and just being a little bit careful early and then letting it spin the tires down course. We got down to the other end and only had like six or seven teeth left on the blower belt.
"So, it was going to be a very close race and it was. Antron is a great driver. He's learned very quickly. Lee Beard is a good crew chief. So, we beat some good teams today, but I would say lane choice really meant a lot.
"I would say this points battle is shaping up to be an incredible season," added McClenathan, who is No. 4 in the points, just 87 markers behind leader Tony Schumacher. "I'm looking forward to being a part of it. And it's good to have a top-five car back again and have a shot at the championship. My teammate Tony Schumacher is up there, (Larry) Dixon's up there (No. 2). [And] we just went around Brandon (Bernstein), barely.
"It's one of those deals where it is going to be dog-eat-dog all year. But I think we're up for the fight at DSR. Mike Green and I are very proud to be part of this deal. Were not looking too much farther ahead. We'll just look at one race at a time, one round at a time."
Said team owner Don Schumacher: "It's fantastic. It thrills me for Cory to come out with my team, a brand-new team, and get his first win for him, for FRAM and for the whole FRAM family. It's just a wonderful victory and that thrills me as much as anything."
Crew chief Mike Green had a huge smile on his face. "It's just great," he said. "It's great to be with Schumacher Racing and to be back with Cory driving the car I get to tune. It's hopefully one of many more victories. Maybe we can get things going and get up towards the top of the points and make a run for the championship."
To what did he attribute the team's success? "It's attributed mostly to all the brain trust that DSR has, starting with Alan Johnson," said Green. "He's just been a great help from the start with us running this dragster, and DSR crew chiefs Phil Shuler, Todd Okuhara and Tommy DeLago and all the guys have been a big help. It's a great group to work it and there's a lot of support. We just work together and everybody helps each other and we should have one of our cars in the winner's circle every race."
Next up is the NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga., April 25-27.
NHRA TOP FUEL POINT STANDINGS: 1. Tony Schumacher, 415 2. Larry Dixon, 380 3. Antron Brown, 373 (runner-up today) 4. Cory McClenathan, 328 (winner today) 5. Brandon Bernstein, 288 6. Hillary Will, 251 7. Rod Fuller, 244 8. Dave Grubnic, 232 9. Doug Herbert, 226 10. Doug Kalitta, 221
AUTO CLUB DRAGWAY ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE CHANGE
So-Cal Shootout NHRA Heritage Series Event to Run in September; and the Sportsman Divisions of the Heritage Series Will Now Run in April at the Spring Sportsman Shootout
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA – Due to a scheduling conflict it was announced today that the two NHRA Heritage Racing Series Nostalgia Drag Races scheduled for 2008 will switch places on the Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway calendar.
Previously scheduled for April 18-20, the So-Cal Shootout NHRA Heritage Series Nostalgia Drags Event which includes the Nostalgia Top Fuel & Funny Car classes will now take place over the weekend of September 11-14, while the Sportsman Shootout NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series Event (for all Group 1 & 2 classes) will move up to April 18-20.
The NHRA recently formed the Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series to preserve its rich history and tradition while also capitalizing on the success of nostalgia drag racing competition. The So-Cal Shootout in September will feature competition in four groups including Nostalgia Top Fuel Dragster, Nostalgia Funny Car, Group 1 (A/Fuel, Junior Fuel A, Junior Fuel B and AA/Gas Supercharged) and Group 2 (Nostalgia Eliminator 1, Nostalgia Eliminator 2, Nostalgia Eliminator 3, A Gas, B Gas, C Gas, D Gas and Hot Rod).
In November of 2005, the Automobile Club of Southern California signed a multi-year entitlement agreement for the quarter-mile strip, home to a very competitive Division 7 NHRA Junior Drag League Racing program and NHRA Street Legal Drag Racing program, both sponsored by the Auto Club. In addition to these events, the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA SportsNationals, NHRA's Summit Series, the Pacific Street Car Association and Super Categories utilize the drag strip. The Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway is a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) sanctioned track. For additional information, please call Auto Club Dragway at 909-429-5060 or (909) 429-5061 or log on to www.californiaspeedway.com/dragway.
California Speedway is owned by International Speedway Corporation, a leading promoter of motorsports activities in the United States, currently promoting more than 100 events annually. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.iscmotorsports.com.
May 3-4 Las Vegas Speed Spectacular at The Strip features nostalgia drag racing, car show, live music, pin-up girl contest Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will present a new daytime event - the Las Vegas Speed Spectacular - on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4.
The inaugural Las Vegas Speed Spectacular will include nostalgia drag racing featuring the NHRA's Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series. The traveling NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series was created to preserve the rich history and tradition of drag racing and will contest nostalgia drag racing classes, including: nostalgia nitro-burning Funny Cars, A/Gas, B/Gas, C/Gas, D/Gas, Hot Rod and three Nostalgia Eliminator classes. A pair of Fuel Altereds also will battle in heads-up, first-man-to-the-finish-line-wins match racing.
A car show, hosted by the Las Vegas Cruisin' Association, will exhibit nostalgia machines: hot rods, street rods, custom cars, competition cars and classics.
Live music will include Danny Dean & The Homewreckers, Mad Max & The Wild Ones and Mama Hagglin. DJ "Flattop Tom" Jacob will spin classic rock ‘n' roll and rockabilly tunes while Master of Ceremonies Nathan Hirschi handles the announcing chores on the main stage.
A huge midway will showcase the wares of hot rod and automotive vendors, next to the auto swap meet.
On Saturday, May 3, The Strip will host its annual $500-to-win pin-up girl contest.
More than 200 Quarter Midgets will be in competition as the Las Vegas Quarter Midget Association presents races on the midway.
Racer and car show gates will open at 7 a.m. each day. Spectator gates will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Racing will take place on the quarter-mile drag strip from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with feature cars scheduled for runs at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
On Saturday night, the action switches to the Bullring - LVMS' 3/8-mile asphalt oval - for nostalgia Midget and Sprint Car races, in addition to the regular program of NASCAR-sanctioned stock cars. Las Vegas Speed Spectacular attendees may present their ticket stub at the Bullring to receive a $5 discount on adult admission (regularly $10). A number of Las Vegas Speed Spectacular car show entries will be invited to participate in the hot rod nostalgia parade prior to the National Anthem at the Bullring.
Car show entries: Art Kam, Las Vegas Cruisin' Association, Inc. 7450 Ullom Drive Las Vegas, NV 89139 (702) 643-0000 (702) 683-2248 LasVegasCruisin@yahoo.com
Pre-entry fee: $40 per vehicle (if received by April 25). Gate or late-entry fee: $50 per vehicle (if received after April 26 or at the gate).
The first 300 pre-entrants will receive a t-shirt, dash plaque, lapel pin and one free ticket to the Bullring on May 3 for vintage Sprint Car and Midget racing.
Vendor and swap meet information and reservations, pin-up girl contest entries: Mysti Haynes, The Strip at LVMS (702) 632-8213 mhaynes@lvms.com
CAPPS TOPS CHARTS AT NATIONAL TIME TRIALS
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Jan. 27, 2008) - The third day of the NHRA National Time Trials at Firebird Raceway was cancelled today due to rain.
Ron Capps, driving the new NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car for Don Schumacher Racing, ended the second day of testing on Saturday and the weekend on top of the charts, with a solid pass of 4.785 seconds at 322.34 mph. In the two days of time trials held in advance of the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season-opener at Pomona, Calif., Feb. 7-10, Capps also posted runs of 11.918/75.03, 12.691/73.24, 13.167/71.38 and 5.924/159.38.
Capps and the other DSR teams will continue to test at Firebird Raceway until Wednesday, if necessary.
"Every year we come to this test session with everybody pretty much skipping Las Vegas (an open test session held the weekend before) because of the cold weather," said Capps, of Carlsbad, Calif. "We kind of rely on coming here and getting as many runs as we can.
"This year is kind of unique because of the 100 pounds that was added to the Funny Car minimum. NHRA added 50 pounds to us last year and then there was another 100 pounds added on. The cars are very different to drive and definitely harder to slow down with the extra weight on them.
"It's learning what these cars need. If you can imagine bolting 100 pounds onto something and trying to get it going from zero to over 300 mph in four seconds, you'll realize how this poses quite a dilemma for all the crews chiefs.
"Not a lot of cars got down the track and it took some adaptation for a lot of these guys just to get the cars to go down. We were ecstatic with the 4.78 (-second elapsed time) we ran Saturday night."
Saturday's schedule ran late because of a number of oildowns. "The lighting is not very good here in Phoenix and it was not our first choice to go to the finish line in the dark. Thank goodness the track owner brought (track surface consultant) Chad Head in again to work with the track. Chad did a great job, but, unfortunately, now we have the rain. It's really cutting everybody's test sessions short. Pomona is going to be very, very interesting. We're trying to get as many runs in here as we can.
"If you were to write one story about this test, the No. 1 story line would be getting used to the added weight.
"I think this year there's going to be a lot more teams going to Pomona that didn't have as many runs as they would like to have had going into Pomona. Usually we have plenty of opportunity to run, but with the rain forecast here, it's going to be tough."
This is the second straight year Capps led the charts after the "official" three-day test session. "I joked with (editor) Phil Burgess of National Dragster again about trying to make the cover being the quickest car in the test session," he said.
"To be one of the quickest cars here is definitely a confidence builder, there no doubt about it, but we're not naïve enough to think that a couple of good runs here and being the quickest translates to an automatic win in Pomona. Pomona is going to be interesting, let's put it that way.
"There's another chance of rain on Monday, then clearing up hopefully. We'll run Tuesday for sure, and possibly Wednesday, if we have to."
SCELZI'S PHOENIX TEST SESSIONS SHORTENED DUE TO RAIN
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Jan. 27, 2008) - Four-time NHRA world champion Gary Scelzi was anticipating a productive three-day Funny Car test session at the National Time Trials at Firebird Raceway this weekend, in preparation for the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season-opener in Pomona, Calif., Feb. 7-10. But a washout of today's session and new-car glitches in the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car he drives for Don Schumacher Racing earlier in the weekend disrupted the team's plans.
In the two days that were completed, Scelzi's quickest lap produced a 7.584-second result at 114.07 mph, placing him ninth for the weekend. Scelzi and the Mopar/Oakley Dodge team, led by tuner Todd Okuhara, will remain at Firebird Raceway to continue testing through Wednesday, if necessary. His other passes included a 12.183/71.99, an 11.783/72.53 and an 11.435/76.41.
"There's nothing to tell you," said Scelzi, of Fresno, Calif. "It's pouring down rain today, so they've already cancelled today. We made one run on Friday and it was a tire-shaker; the slide-valve didn't open. Then we had a couple of other glitches yesterday and then last night it shook the tires again. It was better, but it still shook the tires. I don't want to be negative, but, realistically, I don't think it's been a very productive test session.
"I'm hoping that we get some good weather and we can start going back to our normal combination, because basically we're running out of time now. We've got to test what we're going to race in Pomona, so hopefully we can do that on Monday through Wednesday. Our plan is to test through Wednesday.
"(DSR teammate) Ron Capps made the one good pass last night," added Scelzi. "I don't think anybody has made any good runs back to back. We haven't had the opportunity yet. We're trying a lot of different and new things, and hopefully by Wednesday night I can tell you it's been productive."
RAIN SHORTENS BECKMAN'S TEST RUNS IN VALVOLINE/MTS DODGE
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Jan. 27, 2008) - Rain shortened the three-day NHRA National Time Trials at Firebird Raceway, the first shakedown tests before the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series opens in Pomona, Calif., Feb. 7-10.
Driving the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car as he begins his second full season with Don Schumacher Racing, Jack Beckman posted only three runs on Saturday before Sunday's sessions were cancelled because of rain. His best pass of the day was a 9.316-second run at 76.26 mph, good for No. 12 for the weekend. His other two laps produced a 12.711/57.33 and an 11.807/71.83.
Beckman will join his DSR teammates to continue testing at Firebird Raceway through Wednesday.
"We've got an all-new crew, new paint scheme, and we're running the chassis we ran the mid part of last season, so basically everything is changed," Beckman explained.
"The reason we're staying in Phoenix for six days is just for the purpose of getting everything working well together. NHRA has upped the nitromethane percentage, they upped the minimum weight, so, fortunately, we're not the only ones who have to adjust. Every team has to contend with the rules changes.
"Our DSR teammate Ron Capps (No. 1 for the weekend) definitely laid down the run of the day yesterday in Funny Car, so we know there's hope. But right now we're dealing with a really finicky race track that hasn't given up many good E.T.s. In addition to that, the teams are chasing these new combos around.
"That's exactly why we need to be here for six days. We're going to learn to jell as a team, and the crew is learning to work together. The new Valvoline/MTS Dodge looks awesome. The colors are outstanding. We've already gotten so many positive comments on it. And it's exciting.
"It's frustrating, though, not to unload the car, set low E.T. and then kind of just sit back with your arms crossed. But everybody is having trouble getting down the race track. It's clearly not that we're off on the tune-up, it's just that all these new variables need to be attended to before we can get down the race track. And I think this track is going to be totally different when we come here next month for the national event.
"Once the rain clears, we've got Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to get after it. And not only will the car be getting faster, but all the guys on the team once they've worked together for a while will be getting faster. We're not where we need to be, but we've got the time to get there."
NAPA AUTO PARTS TO BE PRIMARY SPONSOR IN 2008 OF DSR FUNNY CAR DRIVEN BY RON CAPPS
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 27, 2007) - Don Schumacher today announced at a press conference during the NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that NAPA AUTO PARTS will expand its motorsports presence in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series by becoming a primary sponsor of the Don Schumacher Racing Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driven by Ron Capps in the 2008 season and beyond.
NAPA AUTO PARTS, which joined DSR in 2007 as an associate sponsor, will remain an associate sponsor on most of the DSR teams competing in 2008. Brut, which had joined DSR as a primary sponsor in 2005, will continue to play a role at DSR as a major associate sponsor on all DSR teams.
"This is a great day for Don Schumacher Racing and for NHRA drag racing," said DSR president Schumacher. "To have a company like NAPA AUTO PARTS, with its deep-rooted racing history, join our team as a primary sponsor is a true honor.
"Through a business relationship with Schumacher Electric Corporation (of Mt. Prospect, Ill.), NAPA AUTO PARTS came on board with us earlier this year as an associate sponsor to test the NHRA drag-racing waters. I believe they liked what they saw as they have signed a multi-year, primary sponsorship agreement with our team.
"We are also proud to have Brut continue its unparalleled support of Ron Capps and the rest of the DSR team," Schumacher continued. "Our relationship with Brut since 2005 has been extremely rewarding and beneficial to everyone involved. Brut's plan to continue to support DSR and the NHRA through sponsorship, national advertising and promotional efforts emphasizes the value Brut puts on the many NHRA fans and competitors."
Capps is in the midst of the Countdown to One playoffs this season in his quest for his first Funny Car championship and he, too, is looking forward to a long relationship with NAPA AUTO PARTS. "NAPA AUTO PARTS is such an important part of auto racing in every series and I'm honored to be flying its colors in the NHRA Funny Car class in 2008," said Capps. "I am also grateful to Brut for its longtime support and I look forward to a continuing relationship with them."
Larry Samuelson, President of Automotive Parts Group - NAPA, added: "We are pleased to partner up with Don Schumacher Racing and Ron Capps as the primary sponsor of the NAPA Funny Car in the ever growing NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Motorsports is a key component of our marketing plan and we are excited to add the sport of drag racing and its loyal fans to our marketing strategy."
The 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series includes 24 national events in venues throughout the United States, beginning in early February and ending in November.
NAPA was founded in 1925 to meet America's growing need for an auto parts distribution system. NAPA has grown to over 6,000 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores, 64 distribution centers with over 310,000 part numbers in inventory and more than 13,000 NAPA AutoCare and AutoCare Collision Centers nationwide.
Consumers may call 1-800-Let-NAPA or visit www.napaonline.com for the store or service center nearest them.
Don Schumacher Racing became a multi-team operation in 2001 after two seasons campaigning a Top Fuel dragster for Tony Schumacher. Schumacher, team owner Don Schumacher's son, is a four-time NHRA Top Fuel champion. In '01 Schumacher added one Funny Car to his stable. In ensuing years, the team has grown and in 2007 includes one Top Fuel dragster, three Funny Cars, two Pro Stock Motorcycles and one Pro Stock car. In addition to Schumacher's four crowns, Gary Scelzi also claimed the 2005 Funny Car championship for DSR.
(L-R)Ed McCullogh, Ron Capps and Don Schumacher
TOLIVER MAKES FIRST PASSES IN ALL-NEW ROCKSTAR DODGE CHARGER FUNNY CAR
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Jan. 27, 2008) - Jerry Toliver made his first runs in the all-new Rockstar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car as a member of Don Schumacher Racing this weekend at the NHRA National Time Trials at Firebird Raceway. The 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series begins in Pomona, Calif., Feb. 7-10.
The three-day weekend event was shortened to two days because of rain today, but all DSR teams plan to continue testing here through Wednesday.
Toliver powered down the quarter-mile five times, with his quickest pass a 5.512-second run at 163.65 mph, which placed him in No. 8 for the weekend. His other laps produced an 11.392/76.38, a 6.262/144.55, a 12.066/70.75 and an 11.052/74.83, as every team struggled to adjust to new rules changes, including the raising of the nitromethane percentage as well as the minimum weight for the 2008 season.
Toliver was upbeat following the premature end to the rain-shortened session. "The weekend went well. Unfortunately we were rained out today," he said, with a touch of enthusiasm in his voice. "The good thing is, new crew, new driver, all of us trying to bond together.
"I've got a really great group of guys on this team. (Crew chief) Phil Shuler is going to be phenomenal, and we will all benefit from the input of the other DSR crew chiefs. I love working with these guys, so I'm very excited.
"The Rockstar Dodge is a new car with new vision for me," added Toliver. "The line of vision with the new Dodge Charger R/T body is different from the car I ran last season. It had me nervous to begin with, but once I got in the car and whacked the throttle, everything was fine. It's just a matter of getting used to how the car reacts."
Toliver is confident about the 2008 season. "I think everything is going to be good and I'm extremely excited about it. We made five squirts, three planned early shut-offs and last night it shook the tires twice. The Rockstar Dodge handles well. I'm just getting used to everything inside."
Best runs of the event, listed in order of elapsed time, in Funny Car at the National Time Trials (courtesy of Fast News and Compulink):
Psn---Num-Driver, Home Town, Car Type-----------------TT-ET----TT-Spd-Top Spd
1 28 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '07 Charger 4.785 322.34 322.34 2 388 Jim Head, Columbus OH, '07 Solara 4.841 313.95 313.95 3 347 Tim Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '07 Impala 4.969 249.67 249.67 4 750 Del Worsham, Chino Hills CA, '07 Impala 5.216 216.62 216.62 5 33 Tommy Johnson Jr., Avon IN, '08 Charger R/T 5.228 216.31 216.31 6 1 Tony Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '07 Impala 5.329 204.35 204.35 7 319 Scott Kalitta, Ypsilanti MI, '07 Solara 5.432 195.11 195.11 8 ROCKS Jerry Toliver, Temecula CA, '08 Charger R/T 5.512 163.65 163.65 9 3 Gary Scelzi, Fresno CA, '07 Charger 7.584 114.07 114.07 10 999 Melanie Troxel, Indianapolis IN, '08 Charger 8.646 84.44 84.44 11 TASCA Bob Tasca III, Cranston RI, Mustang 8.976 93.01 93.01 12 5 Jack Beckman, North Hills CA, '07 Charger 9.316 76.26 76.26 13 782 Gary Densham, Bellflower CA, '07 Impala 9.521 97.12 97.12 14 71 Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '07 Impala 11.016 80.81 80.81 15 999 Melanie Troxel, Indianapolis IN, '08 Charger 11.580 73.08 76.21
