Schumacher wins Top Fuel at Mile-High Nationals
July 13, 2008 by admin0
Filed under Drag Racing, Dragster, Funny Car
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MORRISON - The trimming of the track did nothing to neutralize the nitro cars.
Racing on a 1,000-foot strip for the first time in NHRA history, Top Fuel dragster Tony Schumacher and Funny Car driver Tim Wilkerson won their respective classes Sunday during the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.
Schumacher didn't need the extra 320 feet of track to...
Read the full article in the Rocky Mountain News
NHRA shortens track for Top Fuel and Funny Car
The NHRA is going short-track racing this weekend at Bandimere Speedway outside Denver. For the first time in series history, races in its two premier classes -- Top Fuel and Funny Car -- will be contested at less than a quarter-mile.
In response to the crash three weeks ago that killed Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, the fourth major incident...
Read the full article in The Indianapolis Star
Somber champs Schumacher, Wilk, Anderson, Ellis crowned in E-Town
June 22, 2008 by admin0
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The mood was understandably somber and the winner’s circle celebration subdued as champions were crowned at the 39th annual Lucas Oil SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, a day after the qualifying accident that claimed the life of popular Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta. Following a day of tears and tributes, Tony Schumacher, Tim Wilkerson, Greg Anderson, and Chip Ellis emerged as the professional champions in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle respectively.
The most poignant tribute of the day came during the opening round of...
Read Kevin McKenna's full article at NHRA.com for full results and commentary about Scott Kalitta.
Visit NHRA's tribute page to Scott Kalitta.
IHRA's condolence statement about the loss of Scott Kalitta.
Hillary Will and K2M to promote spinal awareness in Englishtown
Spinal Technology company K2M, Inc., and NHRA Top Fuel star Hillary Will, the fastest female in NHRA history, announced today that they will be partners to promote spinal awareness and encourage contributions to charitable healthcare hospitals at the upcoming NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event in Englishtown, N.J., June 19-22, at legendary Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
K2M, along with FOCOS (Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine) and CURE International will share signage on a special paint scheme on Will’s 8,000-horsepower, nitro-fueled KB Racing, LLC Top Fuel dragster for all of the 330-plus mph drag racing action on the famed quarter-mile track in Englishtown.
K2M became an associate sponsor on all four Kalitta Motorsports race cars at the beginning of the 2008 season to become marketing partners with Will, Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, Scott Kalitta, driver of the DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car, and Dave Grubnic, driver of the DHL Top Fuel dragster.
“I have always had a special interest in learning about and supporting the people in developing countries,” Will, a 28-year old native of Fortuna, Calif., said. “I am impressed by the work that K2M, FOCOS, and CURE have done and plan to do in countries like West Africa. I wholeheartedly support them and will do whatever I can to help promote their cause and raise awareness.
[snip]
Will is currently in 4th place in POWERade Top Fuel championship points, the highest points placement of her three-year Top Fuel career.
Read the full article at KalittaRacing.com
With six straight trips to final round, Dixon hopes E-town spell stays strong
Larry Dixon has had an amazing run at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in the last six seasons.
During that time, Dixon has been to every Top Fuel final round. That, by the way, is an NHRA Top Fuel record for most consecutive final rounds at a single event.
Dixon will try to add his seventh straight final appearance when the NHRA POWERade Series goes to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park for the 39th annual Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals June 19-22. It's the 11th of 24 races in the NHRA's Countdown to the Championship...
SFI Quality Assurance Specification 15.3 Revision (TF NFC)
Effective May 1, 2008, in accordance with a decision of the SFI Wheel Committee at its most recent meeting, SFI Quality Assurance Specification 15.3 covering Top Fuel and Funny Car Drive Wheels was amended.
This amendment involves the addition of a new requirement for the periodic inspection and recertification of wheels certified to the 15.3 Spec. Within the specification, under article 2.0 DEFINITIONS, a new paragraph 2.2 reads:...
Troxel, Shoe outwait the weather for big milestones; Jeg, Rivas are No. 1
June 8, 2008 by admin0
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A torrential downpour and a tornado warning pushed backed the final round of Top Fuel qualifying by more than three hours, but racers, fans, and staff persevered to complete Saturday's activities at the 11th annual Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Chicago. Those who waited were awarded with milestone No. 1 finishes by Melanie Troxel in Funny Car and Tony Schumacher in Top Fuel.
Troxel became the first woman to qualify No. 1 in Funny Car history during an incredible final qualifying session, and Schumacher took the pole position for the 50th time in his career. Prior to the rain, qualifying was completed in the gasoline-powered Professional classes with Jeg Coughlin taking the top seed in Pro Stock and Chris Rivas earning his first No. 1 spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle...
Read Brad Littlefield's full Saturday Recap at NHRA
2008 Championship Races Heating Up as IHRA Heads to Budds Creek June 13-15
Spencer Massey (Fort Worth, Tex.) took the Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel class by storm this season, winning the first two national events to take the early-season points lead. Defending world champion Bruce Litton (Indianapolis, Ind.) lost to Massey at the first two events, but got his redemption at the Motor City Nationals in Milan, Mich. Litton topped Massey in the semifinals at Milan Dragway en route to his first national event victory of the season and moved to within 19 points of the points lead.
Litton knows Massey will not be his only tough competition in Maryland....
Dixon leads top fuel qualifying at NHRA Summer Nationals
Dixon was invited to the interview room after posting the fastest time in top-fuel qualifying for Sunday’s NHRA Summer Nationals.
He can still be knocked from that spot today, but Dixon, who has not won at Heartland Park since 2003, was enjoying the moment Friday night.
“I think we were kind of shooting for a 4.55 or 4.58,” said Dixon, who ran a time of 4.527 seconds. “As a driver, it’s nice to be on the low end of it.”...
Read the full article by Jim Pedley in The Kansas City Star
Calling Out Spencer Massey; TJ Zizzo Wants to See how Good Top Fuel Rookie is at Motor City
T.J. Zizzo will make his Torco Pro Nitro Top Fuel season debut at the Motor City Nationals in Milan, but his opinions and aspirations are already in mid-season form.
Zizzo has yet to compete this season after finishing second in IHRA Top Fuel points standings last year. He fell 41 points shy of Bruce Litton, who won the title, but his bank account was much further behind than his season points total. Zizzo is a case study in how a sponsorship can go very, very wrong.
He headed into the 2007 season as one of...