CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS
BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY AT MORRISON, COLORADO
SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016
Chevrolet drivers make historic runs at Mile-High NHRA Nationals
John Force, daughter Courtney reset track record in new Chevrolet Camaro SS
MORRISON, Colo. (July 23, 2016) – The new Chevrolet Camaro SS was a flash under the trackside lights at Bandimere Speedway during Funny Car qualifications for the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals.
All three John Force Racing drivers recorded unprecedented sub-4-second runs at the high-altitude racetrack, with John Force posting a milestone pass of 3.959 seconds in the 2016 Realtree PEAK Antifreeze Chevrolet Camaro SS during the first of four sessions. He entered the event with the track elapsed time record of 4.015 seconds set in July 2015.
His record didn’t stand for long as daughter Courtney Force, driving the Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS, cruised to finish line in 3.917 seconds (318.39 mph) in the second qualifying session to earn her first No. 1 qualifier position of the season and 10th of her career. Still, John Force was the No. 2 qualifier with a pass of 3.935 seconds in the second session, and Robert Hight (Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS) qualified fifth with a 3.975-second run in the third session.
“I think we are on the right track with this Camaro,” said John Force, a six-time winner at Bandimere Speedway who participated in extensive on-track testing last week. “The new Chevrolet has good aero. It makes us feel good.”
The 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion introduced the 2016 Funny Car body, which is based on the sixth-generation Camaro SS, at the NHRA Kansas Nationals in May. Hight was on track with the new car two weeks later, and Courtney Force made her debut in the 2016 model two weeks ago at Joliet, Illinois.
“We are running with the quickest cars in the category and we are getting quicker almost every race,” added Hight. “It is exciting to drive this Camaro and I know it is exciting for the fans.”
The qualifying results nearly matched the trio’s season best of Nos. 2 (Courtney Force), 3 (John Force), and 4 (Hight) at Phoenix.
“Obviously the conditions are excellent out here, but it’s a totally different set-up this weekend so I wasn’t sure what to expect being at high altitude in the thin air,” said Courtney Force, who was runner-up at Bandimere Speedway in her 2012 rookie season. “Everything changes; the crew chiefs, the car, the motor, everything. I’m really excited and proud of my team. Proud of my guys for giving me a fast race car.”
Chevrolet’s hold of the No. 1 Pro Stock qualifier spot was extended to 14 races as Alex Laughlin earned his first No. 1 qualifier position with a run of 6.926 seconds in the Gas Monkey Garage Chevrolet Camaro SS.
“I can’t believe it. I owe it all to Gray Motorsports and the rest of my Gas Monkey team,” the second-year Pro Stock driver said. “Words don’t even describe how proud I am of everyone. I’m probably going to be tired tomorrow because I won’t sleep tonight.”
Chevrolet drivers secured seven of the top 10 qualifying spots. Shane Gray, the No. 1 qualifier in the last NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event, qualified third at 6.937 seconds in the Valvoline/Nova Services Chevrolet Camaro SS. Pro Stock points leader Jason Line was the No. 4 qualifier in the Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS, followed by KB Racing teammates Bo Butner (Butner Auto Sales Chevrolet Camaro SS) and Greg Anderson (Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS).
Drew Skillman (Ray Skillman Auto Chevrolet Camaro SS) qualified seventh, while Vincent Nobile, driving the Mountain View Tire Chevrolet Camaro SS, was ninth.
The Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster driven by Brittany Force was the No. 3 qualifier with a pass of 3.813 seconds to extend her streak of qualifying in the top four to seven events.