Nitro Dogs Racing

Enders returns to full-time racing with Ford Mustang Pro Stock entry

As if Ford fans didn’t have enough to cheer about with the highly anticipated debut of the second-generation Cobra Jet Mustangs in Stock competition at the 49th annual Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals, they’ll have additional excitement with the comeback of Erica Enders, who is slated to run all 24 NHRA national events this year in Jim Cunningham’s Pro Stock Mustang.

For Enders, the only female driver to have reached a final round and qualified No. 1 in Pro Stock, her return will unfold in multiple stages. She said, “We’ll be at

Pomona with Jim’s current Mustang that I drove at last year’s Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Jim has commissioned Don Ness and Jerry Haas to each build a 2010 Mustang with the new body style, which we hope to take delivery on in April. And Jim has also worked out an agreement with Ford to have some research-and-development work done with both the 500-cid Ford wedge engine and the aerodynamic enhancement of the Mustang bodies.”

Said Cunningham, “We are really excited about having Erica join our team as well as the working relationship that we’ve established with Ford. Over the winter, Ford has done some work with our existing parts, such as relocating the lifter bores so that we can obtain a higher rpm level to raise the power band. But the real gains will hopefully materialize later this year when we will have new blocks and cylinder heads from Ford that will incorporate many technological improvements developed by Ford’s engineering department.”

Said North America Motorsports Director of Ford Motor Co. Brian Wolfe, “We are excited about working with Erica and Jim on their efforts in Pro Stock. We are working on a new cylinder block and cylinder head that we hope to get approved by NHRA for competition later this year.”

The engine research-and-development program is being financed by Cunningham, but Ford will be providing the very valuable engine engineering support along with wind-tunnel time while working in conjunction with Don Ness on the development of the ‘10 Mustang Pro Stock body.

“Last year was very tough for me not being able to compete, but I am very glad that I attended as many races as I did last year in order to maintain my contacts with NHRA racing, and it was my trip to Indianapolis that made all this happen,” said Enders.

Cunningham had entered the 2008 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals to compete in Pro Stock but had to withdraw at the beginning of the event because of a family emergency and picked Enders to be his last-minute replacement. Although Enders did not qualify, the effort marked the beginning of what would evolve into their current business relationship and Enders’ return to racing.

“I am obviously very excited about the potential of this new team,” she said. “We are thrilled with every aspect of the operation, ranging from the cooperation that we are getting from Ford to the new paint scheme on the car, which is very different from anything I’ve driven in the past. And it’s going to be great to be back in contact with all of our fans, whom I have missed so much.”

Cunningham, who has owned Capitol Raceway in

Maryland since 1974 and owns a construction business, said, “I have been a Ford fan for virtually all my life. My father bought me a Chevy when I was 16 in 1954, and I didn’t like it. My next car was a Ford, and I’ve stuck with them ever since. Watching such Ford heroes as Bill Lawton, Gas Ronda, Dick Brannan, Don Nicholson, and others not only inspired me to race Fords, but I’ve also used Ford vehicles for my business operations. I’ve had as many as 80 Ford pickups at one time for my construction operation.

“We expect to show some moderate improvement at

Pomona with the reworked engine, but what we are really looking forward to are the performance gains we hope to obtain from the new engine program and the new Mustang body later on this season. It will take some time to refine these new components where they will be at maximum potential. But it will be worth the wait if we can once again establish Ford as a major contender in Pro Stock.”

Enders’ primary sponsor is Dragstar, a company owned by Mark and Gina Whisnant that markets a line of girls’ clothing; other backers are major associate sponsor Mastercam, Ford, Sparco Safety Equipment, Momentum Bio Fuels (owned by Enders’ father, Gregg), Royal Purple, Master Formula, and Lupe Tortilla.

Faria earns Top Fuel license, added to Winternationals field

Steve Faria

Twenty years after he made history as the first Top Alcohol Dragster driver to record a five-second elapsed time and more than eight years since his last competitive lap in any race car, Steve Faria is especially looking forward to this year’s Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals after earning his Top Fuel license at the NAPA National Time Trials in

Phoenix.

Faria, who won the Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma in 2000 driving for Jerry Darien, has been piecing together his Top Fuel dreams for the last five years a part at a time, hoping to finally fulfill a 15-year dream of competing in NHRA’s premier category.

Faria, whose barrier-busting 5.99 occurred at Infineon Raceway in May 1989, made easy runs of 4.37, 4.47, and 4.52 with speeds of 264.91 and 258.22 to easily meet the requirements to cross-grade his alcohol license, and now he’s ready for his shot at the fuel ranks with the first of what will be a six-event get-his-feet-wet campaign in 2009.

“I’ve been working on this car since 2003, but we’ve had to update the car when the chassis rules started changing to keep up with it,” he said. “We ran the car once last year to shake out the bugs and probably could have run a few races, but we decided it was better to wait.”

Faria has gained some experience with nitro while tuning Brad Thompson’s nostalgia Top Fueler, which helped him hit the ground running.

“I’ve learned a lot there,” he said. “It’s different than this car, but it helps. I’ve learned a lot about what to do with the clutch, but the way this motor runs is not the same as the nostalgia car.”

Faria is the latest former sand drag racer to transition into the alcohol classes before moving into the nitro ranks, joining Alan and Blaine Johnson, Gary Scelzi, Larry Minor, Rick Henkelman, and many others.

“I’m good friends with both Alan and Gary,” he said. “We all raced sand together; I actually was racing in the sand before Alan and Blaine were. Back then, there were a bunch of cars on the sand and everyone hauled ass, but the whole scene just kind of imploded, and everyone came here.”

Faria earned his first NHRA Wally at the 1995 Sonoma race after a pair of runner-ups, won in

Phoenix in 1998, then added the Sonoma 2000 Wally to his mantel.

Although like every racer he plays to win, he has no illusions of similar success in Top Fuel, but that doesn’t really bother him.

“I just wanted to do this before I got too old,” he admitted. “I’m doing this for fun, and I’m doing it the way I want to. I don’t have the money to buy all of the parts that everyone else has. I have a different idea, and I want to see if it works.”

Faria’s other plan is a tune-up that’s easier on parts than the big cam/high-volume full-time teams, relying on a little bigger bore and a little shorter stroke that will save crankshaft wear.

“We’re just working within our budget,” he said. “We’ve got nice parts, a nice car, a good crew that came over from the nostalgia car. We’re just a bunch of guys trying to have fun.”

After a couple of false starts in Phoenix – the engine broke a main stud on the burnout of his first burnout, sending it exiting through the bottom of the pan and hurting precious little else, and his second run went up immediately in tire smoke after the air bottle was not turned on (”Lack of experience, plain and simple,” he confessed.) – Faria busted off the necessary license runs and, perhaps most impressive to bystanders, performed flawless burnouts without the aid of the de rigueur throttle stop. (”It’s not so much I wanted to do it myself, but I didn’t know where to set the throttle stop,” he admitted.)

“We’re going to take what we learned in Phoenix, regroup, and get ready for

Pomona,” he said. “We plan to run all of the West Coast races [both Pomona races, both Las Vegas events, Phoenix, Sonoma, Seattle, and perhaps

Denver], and I really believe that the more laps I get, the better I’ll get at it. We’ve got five motors ready, and we’re eager to get started in

Pomona.”

Faria, who owns filter manufacturer System 1, is supported by his company, backing from JV Trucking, Milanesio Farms, Pigialiano Farms, Clarkland Farms, BR Motorsports, and Stone Chevy as well as profits from the 1/3-mile dirt track he owns in his Tulare, Calif., hometown.

Brown dazzles with 3.78 blast on final day of preseason testing in Phoenix

Antron Brown, who began his rookie season in Top Fuel last year as the surprise low qualifier at the season-opening Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals, will enter the first event of the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series in a favorite’s role after the former Pro Stock Motorcycle ace steered his Matco Tools dragster to a 3.781, unofficially the second-quickest Top Fuel elapsed time recorded on the 1,000-foot course, to highlight the third and final day of the NAPA Auto Parts National Time Trials at Firebird Int’l Raceway outside of Phoenix.

In Funny Car, Del Worsham’s field-leading 4.04 from Saturday remained the best time for the testing fuel coupes, though 2008 rookie of the year Mike Neff came close with a 4.071 in John Force’s fourth Ford Mustang. Many teams will remain at FIR through the early part of the week to continue fine-tuning their machines or testing new equipment, but for many, there was a sense of mission accomplished as they now turn their attention to the official season opener in Pomona Feb. 5-8.

The fine outing by Brown and his team is vindication for their rocky off-season in which the team was sold twice and 2008 tuner Lee Beard was released. New owner Mike Ashley brought in Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald, who lightly tweaked Beard’s existing tune-up to the fine numbers.

Brown progressed throughout the entire event after losing his first run to a hurt intake valve on the burnout on his sole attempt Friday but ran 3.88, 3.87 Saturday, then 3.99 and a stellar 3.829 early Sunday before closing the event with the 3.781. Only Tony Schumacher’s 3.771, registered last year at the NHRA national event in

Richmond, is officially quicker.

“We’ve just been creeping up on it,” said Brown. “Mark and Brian looked at our earlier numbers and decided they wanted to run a high .70. We knew that the car had some good numbers that we were capable of if we got a little more aggressive. We made it through the shake zone, and it just took off. When I chopped it at the other end and looked at my scoreboard, I couldn’t believe it said 3.78. I was ecstatic.

“This is really good for everyone over here after what happened to our team and what happened to Mark and Brian with their old team [Oswald and Corradi were released when Roger Burgess suspended his racing operations earlier this year]. Mike Ashley stepped in and bought the team and was very motivational and said we’re going to be a good team. My mother and grandmother told me that whenever the good Lord closes one door and you go through some adverse conditions, he opens two more, and I guess they were right.”

Oswald, the former Funny Car world-champion-turned-crew-chief, gave full credit to Beard, whose tune-up they adopted, for his and Corradi’s fast start.

“This is so much like our Funny Car combination that it made it easy,” said Oswald. “This is everything Lee was running last year, and we just did a couple of little things to it. Everyone knows Lee has a great car, so that wasn’t an issue. It was very well-prepared, and having all of the same personnel here helped make this a good transition.”

Schumacher and new crew chief Mike Green, who had Saturday’s best number at 3.831, got a crack at unseating Brown but fell just short on their final try with a 3.795 that was the fourth quickest in history at a speed of 318.39, which ties Rod Fuller for second fastest ever and is second only behind the Army car’s own 318.54, also recorded last year in Richmond.

The crew chief who tuned Schumacher to those numbers last year, Alan Johnson, showed he hasn’t forgotten a thing as he wrenched his new driver, Larry Dixon, and the new Al-Anabi Racing dragster to a 3.817 at 315.86 Sunday for the meet’s third-best numbers.

During the three days, eight of the 12 Top Fuel teams reached the three-second zone.

Former Top Alcohol Dragster racer Steve Faria completed his licensing passes with a 4.53, 258.822 to go with his aggregate Saturday bests of 4.37 and 264.91. Shawn Langdon, who also is trying to upgrade his TAD license, still needs a new more full runs to earn his nitro ticket, but the John Stewart-tuned Lucas dragster did impress with an .829 60-foot time, which was quicker than the best registered by the top three cars.

While Johnson spent the day experimenting with new parts on Worsham’s maroon and gold

Toyota Funny Car and did not complete a full lap under power, they nonetheless registered passes of 4.11 and 4.14.

Neff’s 4.07, on his second to last pass, was a bright spot for John Force Racing, whose three other Mustangs battled the t

ricky track conditions throughout most of the event. After struggling the first two days, the other JFR Mustangs finally broke into the 4-teens with the 4.14s of Ashley Force Hood and John Force and Robert Hight’s 4.15.

Rookie Matt Hagan was impressive with the BrakeSafe Rear-End Collision Avoidance System Dodge, blasting out a 4.09 in the Tommy DeLago-tuned DSR entry to complement Saturday passes of 4.13 and 4.15. Bob Tasca III, who perhaps had the steadiest car throughout the trials, ran two 4.15s and a 4.16 and was joined at 4.15 by Jack Beckman.

Best overall times for the weekend:

TOP FUEL
Antron Brown	3.781, 316.45
Tony Schumacher	3.795, 318.39
Larry Dixon	3.817, 315.86
Morgan Lucas	3.869, 303.50
Spencer Massey	3.899, 306.60
Brandon Bernstein	3.912, 300.20
David Baca	3.914, 302.62
Joe Hartley	3.927, 306.67
Shawn Langdon	4.029, 250.88
Cory McClenathan	4.067, 227.31
Troy Buff	4.097, 224.36
Steve Faria	4.382, 239.87
FUNNY CAR
Del Worsham	4.049, 306.88
Mike Neff	4.071, 306.81
Matt Hagan	4.091, 305.56
Ashley Force Hood	4.141, 287.90
John Force	4.143, 303.50
Robert Hight	4.151, 292.39
Bob Tasca III	4.152, 296.63
Jack Beckman	4.156, 280.43
Jim Head	4.251, 231.91
Ron Capps	4.854, 157.96
Jeff Arend	6.728, 95.35

Schumacher, Dixon resume TF battle; Worsham takes over Funny Car lead

Tony Schumacher and Larry Dixon, who finished the 2008 season numbers one and two in the points, completed the second day of testing at the NAPA National Time Trials at Firebird Int’l Raceway in

Phoenix the same way, with reigning world champ Schumacher barely ahead of his fellow former world champ by just one thousandth of second.

Alan Johnson, who last year wrenched Schumacher to his sixth world title and now tunes for

Dixon had double reason to smile as his Al-Anabi Funny Car, driven by Del Worsham, has the meet’s quickest Funny Car time with a stout 4.04. Most teams took their full allotment of four runs Saturday and will return Sunday for four more.

Dixon was the leader of Friday’s short schedule with a 3.84, but Schumacher who sat out Friday, climbed to the top of the pack with his opening lap in the U.S. Army car, a 3.830 at 315.86 (also top speed of the meet); Dixon followed not long after with a 3.831.

“It’s going to be fantastic rivalry,” predicted Schumacher, who also had finished testing in south Florida last weekend a scant thousandths ahead of

Dixon and Johnson. “It’s going to be great year, and the ultimate battle between us and Alan. The fans are in for a real treat. They’re going to see a battle all year.”

A number of other Top Fuel drivers also raced their way into the three-second range, led by Morgan Lucas (3.86) and followed by Antron Brown (3.87), Spencer Massey (3.89), Brandon Bernstein (3.91), and David Baca (3.98.)

Twelve Top Fuelers have made testing passes, among them nitro-licensee hopefuls Shawn Langdon and Steve Faria. Both former Alcohol Dragster racers need to make two runs quicker than 4.50 and faster than 240 mph on the 1,000-foot course.

Langdon has the best marks of the two so far with a 4.04 but at just 231 mph. He’ll need to make one more run quicker than 4.50 and two faster than 240. Faria has been as quick as 4.38 and as fast as 264.91 and needs just one run in excess of 240 to complete his licensing runs in his Dave Uyehara-built racer.

Worsham’s 4.04 is quicker than 4.05 he used to lead the Florida tests, and shows that Johnson has found a quick handle on the new Toyota. Overall, the nine-time champion crew chief is happy with the progress of both cars, despite smoking the tires on passes later in the day as he tested new components.

“It’s pretty much what I expected, and we’re certainly pleased,” said Johnson. “Once we got some good passes down with both cars we started testing new parts. On the Funny Car, for example, we have a new supercharger, injector, and barrel valve on it, but we’re having a few problem with it. Tomorrow we’re going to put both cars back to where they were and go down the racetrack a few more times to race the car under those type of conditions. Overall, I’m very happy.”

After struggling on his first three runs, rookie of the year Mike Neff, in an unlettered body used last season by teammate Robert Hight, got his John Medlen tuned Mustang down the sometimes t

ricky course with a 4.12, 269.78 to have the second quickest Funny car pass of the first two days.

Matt Hagan, who’ll be battling for this season’s rookie crown, is third with a 4.139 in his BrakeSafe Dodge, just ahead of the 4.15 registered by second-year fuel coupe pilot Bob Tasca III.

Neff’s John Force racing teammates have struggled in their initial outing of the season with team patriarch John Force, whose car has a new injector on it, banging two blowers en route to a 5.57 best. His daughter Ashley Force Hood, has just a 6.89 best while Robert Hight, despite some of the class’ best 60-foot times, has been held to a 7.33 best.

Eleven Funny Car entries have made runs so far during the course of the event, which officially completes tomorrow, although many teams are expected to stay into early next week.

Best runs over two days:

TOP FUEL
Tony Schumacher	3.830, 315.86
Larry Dixon	3.831, 313.15
Morgan Lucas	3.869, 303.50
Antron Brown	3.870, 310.63
Spencer Massey	3.899, 306.60
Brandon Bernstein	3.912, 300.20
David Baca	3.988, 272.17
Joe Hartley	4.029, 235.72
Shawn Langdon	4.041, 231.64
Cory McClenathan	.067, 227.31
Troy Buff	4.248, 203.19
Steve Faria	4.382, 239.87
FUNNY CAR
Del Worsham	4.049, 306.88
Mike Neff	4.127, 269.78
Matt Hagan	4.139, 299.46
Bob Tasca III	4.152, 296.63
Jack Beckman	4.156, 280.43
Jim Head	4.251, 231.91
Ron Capps	5.030, 149.55
John Force	5.570, 126.14
Jeff Arend	6.873, 93.80
Ashley Force Hood	6.892, 93.19
Robert Hight	7.338, 91.06

Veteran NHRA drag racer David Baca announced the renewed support of international freight forwarder Mach 1 Global Services, Inc., as primary sponsor of his Top Fuel dragster on the elite NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing series.

After more than a year away from the sport, Baca recently announced his return to straight-line racing. He bannered Mach 1 Global Services on his racecar in the past so the relationship is one that’s comfortable for both parties.

“Mach 1 Global Services and I have always had a great relationship and it’s great to make our reentry into NHRA competition together,” Baca said. “I’m very happy to be able to bring such a great sponsor back to the sport and can’t wait to see the success we will generate together in 2009.”

Mach 1 Global Services, which sponsored Baca in 2006, agreed the time was right to rekindle the relationship with Baca.

“There isn’t another sport that we’ve been involved with that has been more warmly received or generated more enthusiasm among our clients and employees than NHRA drag racing and David Baca’s race team,” said Mach 1 Global Service’s newly-named CEO Jamie Entzminger. “He’s known for his talent, speed, precision, style and his magnetic personality — all traits that tie-in well with our own branding.

Baca also ran under the Mach 1 colors during the 2006 NHRA season.

“It works out well for us because many of the tracks the NHRA tour visits are in close proximity to our domestic offices or are in the major markets of clients we serve, which allows us to maximize the return on our investment by enjoying the races with clients and staff throughout the country, not just in our home state.”Aside from Baca’s race team, Mach 1 Global Services also sponsored John Force’s fleet of Funny Cars in the past.

“We took a year off from our sponsorship involvement with the NHRA to make significant investments in our technology platforms to provide total visibility to our customer’s supply chain, but now we are excited to get back to the track,” Entzminger said. “We transport freight from Point A to Point B expeditiously and we are confident Baca will do exactly that on the track in 2009 — start to finish line.”

Because Baca owns his own business and the race shop is located on his property in

Brentwood, Calif., he’s been able to maintain his entire racing operation. Together with his dedicated, all-volunteer crew, Baca expects big things right away, starting at this weekend’s National Time Trials test session at Firebird International Raceway in

Phoenix.

“There is no reason we can’t compete with the big dogs out there,” said Baca, who plans to enter at least 10 national events this year. “We have the equipment, the sponsor, the crew, and most importantly, the heart, to get this car into the winner’s circle. We wouldn’t be able to make this happen without Mach 1, and I hope they get everything they need and then some out of this relationship and continue to grow with us.”

Super Comp champ Langdon to turn Pro in second Lucas Top Fuel entry

Shawn Langdon

Two-time and reigning Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season champion Shawn Langdon will trade in his Super Comp dragster for a Top Fuel ride in 2009 and beyond. Pending the successful completion of the crossover licensing requirements, Langdon plans to run the entire 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series in a John Stewart-tuned Lucas Oil/Dixie Choppers dragster as a teammate to established Top Fuel pro Morgan Lucas.

“We think it’s time for Shawn to make the move to the top level of the sport, and we’re pleased to have him join our son, Morgan, in Top Fuel,” said Forrest Lucas, founder of Lucas Oil and who oversees his son’s operation. “He’s proven to be a winner in a race car, and it will be fun to watch him grow into his new role with our team.

“It’s also important for us to have another positive role model for our company and the sport of NHRA Drag Racing. Shawn’s a great young man that’s like family to

Charlotte and me, and we wish nothing but the best for him in the days and months ahead.”

Langdon’s racing pedigree should position him nicely for a strong rookie season. Aside from his two Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Super Comp titles in 2007 and 2008, he won the Jr. Dragster national title for 14-year-olds in 1997. Langdon has also claimed three divisional titles, two in Super Comp (Divisision 7 in 2007 and Division 3 in 2008) and one in Jr. Dragster (Division 7 in 1999).

Langdon will need to make two full passes in the preseason to crossgrade his Top Alcohol license to be able to compete in Pomona.

A native of Riverside, Calif., who now resides in

Avon, Ind., the 26-year-old Langdon has collected five national event trophies in seven final-round showings as well as four divisional-level wins in 11 final-round appearances. Additionally, he won the Super Comp trophy at the Jegs Allstars event in 2005 and 2006. In the last two years, Langdon has moonlighted in Top Alcohol Dragster at five national events, earning two No. 1 qualifying awards. During his career, he has competed in Top Alcohol Dragster, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Jr. Dragster.“This is definitely an exciting time,” Langdon said. “I’ve got lots of nervous energy right now. I know it’s going to be a big step up, and I’m really lucky to have Morgan as my teammate because he’ll be there to bounce things off of as I learn to drive these things.

“I can’t thank the Lucas family enough for this opportunity. Their commitment to drag racing at all levels is second to none. I feel very lucky to have this chance.”

Both drivers will test this weekend at Firebird Int’l Raceway in

Phoenix. Langdon must make one half-track pass and two 1,000-foot passes of at least 4.50 seconds and 240 mph to upgrade his license.

“I know exactly what Shawn is going through right now because it wasn’t that long ago that I was making the same move,” said Morgan, who turned professional with eight races left in the 2004 season. “He’ll do a great job. He just needs to make some passes and get used to the speeds.

“If we can put a good car under him, I know Shawn has the ability and skill level to win some races and make a run at the Auto Club [Road to the Future] Award [for Professional rookies]. We’ve sponsored his Super Comp dragster for seven years, and he’s been outstanding every season. He also helps my mom out quite a bit with her Super Comp car. He’s basically already a big part of the team. We’re just giving him a quicker hot rod.”

The team plans to have Langdon prepared to race at the season-opening 49th annual Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals Feb. 5-8 at Auto Club Raceway at

Pomona.

Open letter to the community from NHRA President Tom Compton

Few would argue that the economic times we currently face are of epic proportion. For many, it is by far the most challenging time we have faced professionally or personally. This is a global challenge that has impacted every business and every family. This includes our race teams and their sponsors, our member tracks, our fans and NHRA. Every day we read in the paper how the current economic crisis is affecting the world around us. The sports entertainment industry is no exception. NHRA is no exception.

We enter the 2009 season with several unsponsored national events for the first time in recent memory, a number of unsponsored teams, and everyone in the sport facing unprecedented struggles. We understand the financial hardships being placed on our race teams, our sponsors, our tracks and our fans given the uncertainties that face us.

With that said we must first look at the recent past to truly appreciate where we are today and why we strongly believe that we will be able to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.

In 2007, NHRA had yet another record setting year and the start of 2008 continued to show similar growth. Our much valued partnership with The Coca-Cola Company and Coca Cola Enterprises was extended through 2013 and Full Throttle was named as our series sponsor with a strong and exciting activation plan in the works. We announced a new relationship with IMG, a global sports marketing company, to help secure league and team sponsorship and introduce NHRA Drag Racing to a blue chip list of Fortune 500 companies eager to find out more about our unique sport and incredible value. Television ratings on ESPN2 were up 9% on race day in a time when ratings increases are difficult to achieve in a fragmented television marketplace with ever-growing choices. We were welcomed with open arms by the Charlotte community and the finest drag racing facility in the world, zMAX Dragway in

Concord, N.C. The year was such that Sports Business Journal stated, in its November 3-9 issue, that “there’s considerable evidence that 10 years from now, the NHRA could look back to 2008 and say it was the sport’s pivotal year.”

And then, the world sunk into an economic crisis the likes of which most of us haven’t seen in our lifetimes. The economic crisis isn’t about the sport of drag racing, the tremendous value proposition NHRA has to offer to team or league sponsors, or the incredible ticket value afforded to our loyal fans who attend NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing events. It’s much bigger than that and unfortunately not something anyone can control.

However, as we embark on the journey that lies ahead, it is imperative that we work together. NHRA, for its part, will continue to work with teams to provide support and do what we can to try and enhance value to their sponsors. In addition, we will:

• Continue to enforce testing restrictions during the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season.
• Remain at 1,000 feet in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories for the entire 2009 season. Although not implemented as a cost-saving measure, a by-product of the change was cost savings for both nitromethane categories.
• Keep rule changes with an economic impact to a minimum in 2009.
• Continue to work with the teams to control costs through 2009 and beyond.
• Implement the new purse increase of more than $1.3 million.

For fans, we will develop and implement new and creative promotional programs with our sponsors and advertisers to bring fans out to an NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing event. In addition, at NHRA owned facilities in Pomona, Gainesville, Atlanta and

Indianapolis, as well as other participating national event tracks, we will:

• Set aside a portion of general admission, each day, at a discounted rate for adults.
• Offer free general admission to children 12 and under when accompanied by an adult.
• Implement a military appreciation program offering one (1) free Friday reserved ticket to active military personnel with ID at the box office.

We will continue to work with our sponsors to enhance their return-on-investment. Together with IMG, NHRA will continue to reach out to prospective sponsors. Now is the time to make known our value proposition to companies nationwide that want to remain in motorsports and engage our very passionate and loyal fan base.

Finally, now more than ever, NHRA will focus on one goal: to help the racing community, our sponsors, our member tracks, and, most importantly, our fans.

We are well aware of the tough environment facing everyone today. This is a global problem that we must face head-on, together. We are bullish on the sport and strongly believe we have a great product and the most passionate fans in all of sports. Now is the time to work harder than ever before. And that is just what everyone at NHRA intends to do.

We are excited about the upcoming inaugural NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season and are pleased to announce that we currently have full fields entered in all three Professional categories and a strong showing in each of our NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series sportsman categories for the Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in

Pomona. We want to conclude by saying to our race teams, our sponsors, our member tracks, and our fans, “Thank you.” Working together, we will get through this economic crisis.

If you have any questions or comments, please send them to nhra@nhra.com. We promise to read them and will try to respond in the future on Nhra.com and on the pages of National DRAGSTER.

Tom Compton
President, NHRA

Mike Ashley

Mike Ashley Racing has acquired the racing assets of the Matco Tools Top Fuel team from 3B Racing it was announced today. Antron Brown will continue to drive the Matco-backed rail. Also, Matco Tools has extended its partnership with MAR through the 2010 NHRA season.

“Our entire organization will provide Matco and our marketing partners with a first-class hospitality and activation program, coupled with a winning on-track performance,” Ashley said. “Our immediate goal is for an easy transition as we are right around the corner from the start of the season. I will make changes to be announced that I believe give our team the best chances at long-term success. Our goal is to compete for the NHRA Full Throttle championship in 2009. Antron will remain as our driver, and I am proud to have him represent Mike Ashley Racing. He has been an overall winner for Matco Tools.” 

Brown, an 18-time NHRA winner, including two Top Fuel wins last season, returns to pilot the bright blue Matco Tools dragster that will now be tuned by co-crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald, the 1984 NHRA Funny Car world champion. Among the assets changing hands include the entire Top Fuel operation, support trailer, Iron Eagle Club hospitality unit, and the team’s striking

Brownsburg, Ind., race shop. The team will begin its preparation for the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Jan. 23 during the National Time Trials at Firebird Int’l Raceway near

Phoenix. Brown will continue to make Votech school appearances or participate in tool-truck rides with Matco distributors prior to each race.  

“We are committed to Mike Ashley Racing and excited to extend our sponsorship with Antron Brown and the Matco Tools Top Fuel team through 2010,” said Matco Tools President Tom Willis. “Matco Tools is fully committed to NHRA Drag Racing. It remains a fantastic base for our 1,500 Matco Tools distributors. We speak directly to our loyal customers through this NHRA program, and we couldn’t ask for a better driver and person than Antron Brown.”

Last season, Brown became the first driver in NHRA history to earn wins in both Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Following 10 successful seasons on his Suzuki, which included 16 wins and 11 low-qualifying positions, Brown qualified No. 1 at the season-opening Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals. He won in just his fourth start (

Houston) and won two races in five final-round appearances; he also earned three low-qualifying positions and ranked second in the Top Fuel standings for much of the 2008 NHRA season.

“To hear that we’re going to be with Matco Tools for another two years is awesome news for not only our new team here at Mike Ashley Racing but also NHRA Drag Racing,” said Brown. “We’re very excited about the 2009 season. We’re just a week away from firing up this Matco Tools dragster and can’t wait to hit the throttle to start testing. We’re retaining our core group of technicians, and I’m excited to work alongside Brian and Mark and start winning races.”

Ashley competed professionally in 50 NHRA races from 2005-07, earning three Funny Car wins in five final-round appearances, including at the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in 2007. He also earned three low-qualifying positions and finished sixth in the season-long rankings in 2007. His first win was at Heartland Park Topeka in June 2007. Ashley also is a former Pro Mod standout.

“When I originally sold my team, I was clear that my time away from the sport would be temporary,” Ashley said. “Navigating the current economic crises has not been easy, but like anything else in life, with determination and unconditional belief, success is possible, and I am thrilled to return to the NHRA tour with a minimum two-year partnership with the Matco organization.

“I want to commend David Powers and Tim Buckley on the terrific organization they assembled. Along with Matco, they have built a solid foundation for a long-term successful campaign on the NHRA Full Throttle tour.”

Headquartered in

Brownsburg, Mike Ashley Racing also represents racing partners Lend America, Valvoline, Toyota, DataDot

USA, Ringers Gloves, Go Fast Sports, Goodyear, Fram, Autolite, Connexions Sports and Entertainment, and Forward Sports Marketing.

Millican/Pickens Top Fuel team to run all 24 NHRA Full Throttle Series races

Driver Clay Millican, left, and team owner Mark Pickens will compete in Top Fuel at all 24 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events in 2009.

Clay Millican, a fan favorite Top Fuel driver from Drummonds,

Tenn., and team owner Mark and Lauren Pickens will compete in all 24 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events.

It’s comforting assurance for Millican, because 12 months ago, he had no insight on what 2008 held. Expecting to challenge for his first NHRA race victory and, ultimately, win the world championship was foremost in the minds of Millican, crew chief Lance Larsen, and the Top Fuel crew last January. But an unexpected sponsor problem blew up those plans like a supercharger explosion at the finish line. The good news was there were enough strong pieces remaining for Pickens to purchase the team assets and get Millican to seven races with more in store for 2009.

“We are excited this year because Mark and Lauren Pickens said we would be running all of the races,” said a happy Millican. “That certainly was very comforting to know going into this new year. All we had last year was craziness … like being told we weren’t going to run.

“It is very comforting to know we are going to be racing,” added Millican, a six-time IHRA Top Fuel champion. “We are all working real hard to try to win that first NHRA race and go for that first NHRA championship. It is going to be a good year for the MPE Motorsports team. We are very close to being ready right now.”

Pickens, too, is excited about beginning the season with the rest of the Top Fuel contenders. “We’ll see what it holds … we’ll be on a level playing field with everyone else. We’ve made a lot of changes, and now we’re ready to go down the track,” he commented. “We need some runs under our belt so we can find that secret something and move from a challenger to a contender. We are close but not there yet.

Tennessee native Millican is a crowd favorite in the Top Fuel ranks.

“Our goal is to win races and a championship,” Pickens continued. “We want to run consistently among the top four cars, and I think we are capable of that.”The seven races Millican ran in 2008 provided perfect test conditions for Larsen, and he squeezed everything he could from them.

“I thought we were very successful with all the changes we made to the chassis as well as the new Goodyear tire,” Millican said. “The hard part for us was there was no testing allowed on national event tracks, so we had to basically learn how the car was going to react to those changes while we tried to qualify for the races.”

The team’s performance in

Reading in its first race in five months was downright stunning. Millican qualified 13th and upset No. 4 starter J.R. Todd in the opening round, then slapped a .039-second reaction time on Morgan Lucas, leading to a 3.994-second triumph over his rival’s 3.963.

Millican showed he wasn’t a bit rusty in the semifinals, too, despite losing to eventual race winner and eventual world champion Tony Schumacher. Out of the gate first with a .055 reaction time to Schumacher’s .063, Millican held the advantage until the final nine-thousandths of a second – Schumacher’s winning margin.

“To do that on our first race back was a huge success,” Millican said. “We were fixing to go to the final round in our first race. Cinderella was just about to put her shoe on – and it was going to fit – when Schumacher stepped in. But that performance built our confidence, and we qualified for the rest of the races and went a few rounds here and there.

“Lance has done a wonderful job taking care of the parts, which, in turn, makes the car run better and makes it safer for the driver,” Millican continued. “We are fortunate because the core team members who were here in 2007 came back. They are the ones who have always been here.”

Two Brad Hadman-built Hope4Sudan/Motorvation dragsters are ready to do battle, and the crew is completing work on the trailers before the trek to

Phoenix begins in a few short weeks.

Meanwhile, Pickens and Millican continue searching for a marketing partner.

“We are going to continue to work as hard as we can, and hopefully we can put together the right business plan for somebody. And then we can put the name of a company on our race car,” noted Millican. “We have a nice lineup of associate sponsors who have been with us over the years, and we appreciate everything they do.

“We want to do our best to make it a successful year for Mark and Lauren Pickens.”

Schumacher wins Jerry Titus award for second time as auto racing’s top gun

NHRA President Tom Compton, left, congratulated NHRA Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher, who won his second Jerry Titus award.

Veteran television personality and announcer Dave McClelland was honored as a pioneer in racing by AARWBA’s Susan Wade.

Judy Stropus, who handles public relations for many of Don Schumacher Racing’s cars, received the Jim Chapman award for excellence in PR.

NHRA Funny Car star Jack Beckman was among the many racing personalities on hand for the awards ceremony.

Tony Schumacher, whose record-setting NHRA drag racing season was capped with a fifth consecutive Top Fuel championship, was announced as winner of the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy at Saturday night’s 39^th annual American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association All-America Team ceremony, presented by A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. In the closest margin in over a quarter-century, Schumacher edged NASCAR Sprint Cup titlist Jimmie Johnson by one vote. Shirley Muldowney received one vote more than Bobby Allison in 1982.

The Titus Trophy is awarded to the driver who receives the most All-America Team votes. It is named in memory of the late journalist and racer, who was an AARWBA member.  It is the highest honor offered by AARWBA, the country’s oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals.

AARWBA members annually elect drivers to the Team from seven categories: Stock car, open-wheel, drag racing, road racing, short track, touring series and at-large.

Schumacher dominated the Top Fuel class. He finished with 15 wins out of 18 final-round appearances in 24 events, had seven consecutive victories, made 11 straight final rounds and had 31 consecutive round wins. All are records. His 76 round wins tied Greg Anderson’s single-season mark. Along the way, Schumacher surpassed Joe Amato’s all-time Top Fuel wins record and ended the 2008 season with a career total of 56 victories.

“It’s a thrill to be named the Jerry Titus Trophy winner,” said Schumacher, who also won the award in 2006. “Given the history-making season the U.S. Army team had in 2008, I wish this trophy could be split up in a lot of different ways so every crew guy can have a piece for themselves. When I look back on this past season, I can safely say I was part of the greatest Top Fuel team that’s ever been assembled in NHRA history.

“I’m also happy that I could bring home another Titus award to the NHRA world. With so many talented drivers from so many different series eligible, to be singled out as the top vote-getter is really special. It clearly means drag racing is getting its fair share of attention.”

Other Team drivers to earn Horsepower Trophies were: Cruz Pedregon (drag racing); Johnson and Carl Edwards (stock car); Scott Dixon and Helio Castroneves (open wheel); Scott Pruett/Memo Rojas and David Brabham/Scott Sharp (road racing); Johnny Benson and Justin Allgaier (touring series); Jerry Coons Jr. and Donny Schatz (short track); Jorg Bergmeister/Wolf Henzler and Raphael Matos (at-large).

A1GP Chief Commercial Officer Scott Hollingsworth greeted guests on behalf of the ceremony’s presenting sponsor. The international, 10-race, A1GP open-wheel series’ unique format matches country vs. country. A1GP brings together more than 20 nations to compete on an equal basis. Andretti Green Racing represents Team

USA with Marco Andretti leading the driver roster. 

Several special awards were presented:

Pioneer In Racing Award:  Dave McClelland, the legendary NHRA announcer and broadcaster, was honored for longtime dedication and achievement that has made a difference in the sport. The Pioneer is one of AARWBA’s oldest and most prestigious awards and this was the first time it was presented to someone in the media. McClelland was the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. Co-Chairperson Susan Wade made the introduction and presentation. 

Jim Chapman Award:  Judy Stropus received the honor for excellence in motorsports public relations. It is named in memory of Chapman, the late legendary PR executive, who was Babe Ruth’s PR rep and director of racing for CART series sponsor PPG Industries. Stropus, representing Don Schumacher Racing, was chosen by a blue-ribbon committee of journalists, all of whom knew Chapman. The plaque was presented by ceremony Co-Chairman Michael Knight and AARWBA Southern Vice President Mike Harris, both close friends of Chapman.

Appreciation Awards:  Ford, Honda,

Toyota, Mazda and Porsche were recognized by President Dusty Brandel for their longtime support of the organization. All were represented at the ceremony.

Gorsline Scholarship:  The 16th annual scholarship, given by John Gorsline of The Gorsline

Co., went to Star Mazda series runner-up Joel Miller. The prize is awarded to an up-and-coming driver who displays the attributes of a future champion. Four-time SCCA Trans-Am champion and 1997 Titus winner Tommy Kendall made the presentation.

The ceremony was staged in the Hilton Hotel ballroom. Audio-visual tributes were offered in memory of Paul Newman, Phil Hill, Scott Kalitta, Porsche publicist and Chapman Award winner Bob Carlson and longtime AARWBA vice president and online racing journalism pioneer Michael F. Hollander. Several speakers participated in the Shav Glick Newsmakers Forum. The pre-dinner reception was co-hosted by ESPN, MAZDASPEED and Valvoline. Guests enjoyed complimentary Budweiser products.

Earlier in the day, AARWBA members toured the shop of 14-time Funny Car champion John Force and participated in media drag racing on the legendary

Pomona quarter-mile.