CHEVROLET AT LAS VEGAS
What:
DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals
When:
Friday, March 31-Sunday, April 2
Where:
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada
TV:
FS1: Eliminations and finals – 6 p.m. ET Sunday (live)
FS1: Qualifications and K&N Horsepower Challenge – 7 p.m. ET Saturday (live)
FS1: Qualifications – 6:30 p.m. ET Friday (taped)
Chevrolet Drivers Seek Winning Combinations at The Strip in Las Vegas
Seven Chevrolet Pro Stock competitors entered in special K&N Horsepower Challenge
DETROIT (March 30, 2017) – There’s inherent pressure in twin significant events on the same National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) weekend, but it’s second nature for four-time Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson.
Anderson, driver of the Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS for KB Racing, will defend his title in the K&N Horsepower Shootout and compete in the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Like the Traxxas Nitro Shootout for Funny Cars in September during the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, the K&N Horsepower Challenge is about prestige, a cool trophy and a $50,000 bonus to the winner. Seven of the eight drivers entered in the knockout races woven into the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event – compete in Chevrolet Camaro SSs.
Anderson has won the special event five times in 13 appearances, and is among eight drivers who have won both the Challenge and regular event in the same year.
“I love that K&N Horsepower Challenge race. It’s the biggest race of the year as far as I’m concerned,” said Anderson, who will face Allen Johnson in the first round Saturday.
Additionally, multiple-time Pro Stock champions Erica Enders (Elite Chevrolet Camaro SS) and Jason Line (Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS) will square off in the opening round, Bo Butner (Butner Auto Sales Chevrolet Camaro SS) will face Drew Skillman (Ray Skillman Chevrolet Camaro SS), and Gatornationals winner Shane Gray (Gray Manufacturing Tech Chevrolet Camaro SS) will meet Vincent Nobile (Mountain View Tire Chevrolet Camaro SS).
Enders, who was voted in by fans, was runner-up in the Challenge in 2013 and won it in 2014 and ’15. Line, the reigning Pro Stock champion, has been runner-up four times in 12 appearances.
“Our fans have proved, once again, to be the best in all of motorsports,” Enders said. “I feel so blessed and I am so thankful for their incredible support. We will do everything we can to show our appreciation by running the wheels of this Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro to try and win this year’s K&N Horsepower Challenge.”
Anderson, who was runner-up to Line in the season opener and recorded his 87th career Pro Stock victory at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park last month, sits atop the Pro Stock standings through three of 24 events. The top 10 spots are occupied by Team Chevy drivers, who have swept into the finals in each race.
“We had some time between now and Gainesville to work and make our Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros happier, and that’s good because Vegas is a big, big race,” Anderson said. “If you look at the landscape, it’s one of the biggest of the year because you have that chance to double up and win twice in one weekend. There’s a lot on the line between the K&N Horsepower Challenge, the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals trophy, and racing in front of (team owner) Ken Black in his home town.
“The competition is tough right now, and anybody can win. If you don’t perform flawlessly, you will not win.”
Added Line, who defeated Anderson in the 2016 Las Vegas spring race: “Going to Vegas, yes, we have two trophies we’re racing for. But the pressure is the same as always. There is an extra level of excitement, no question about it, but the pressure is still the same. You want to win, no matter what.”
John Force wants to visit the winner’s circle at The Strip for the seventh time in his illustrious Funny Car career. Last October, Force defeated his daughter, Courtney, who drives the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS, in the final at The Strip.
The 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion picked up career win No. 148 two weeks ago in Gainesville, Florida, as the No. 1 qualifier.
“I’ve had a lot of big wins there,” said Force, who vaulted to second in the Funny Car standings through three events. “We’re hearing the music, and excited to be back. We won the race last year in the Countdown. All of John Force’s cars are hearing the music. Viva Las Vegas.”
The final round in the PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS marked John Force Racing’s 2,500th round victory. The team’s initial round victory came on June 1, 1979, when Force defeated Tom McEwen at the Cajun Nationals in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and nine drivers have contributed to the total. Force has accounted for 1,269, with six round wins this season.
Brittany Force, who was the runner-up at Wild Horse Pass in the Monster Energy Chevrolet dragster, will be competing in her 100th Top Fuel event.
FOX Sports 1 will telecast eliminations and finals live starting at 6 p.m. ET Sunday. Also, FS1 will telecast taped qualifications at 6:30 p.m. ET Friday and live qualifying and the K&N Horsepower Challenge at 7 p.m. ET Saturday.
Chevy drivers entered in the 65-car Stock Eliminator class are Thomas Fletcher of Churchville, New York, in the PEAK/K&N/ATI Chevrolet COPO Camaro, and Al Corda of Elk Mound, Wisconsin, in the Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center Chevrolet COPO Camaro.
In Super Stock, Ray Martin of Anchorage, Alaska, in the Sage Management Chevrolet COPO Camaro, and Roy Cracraft of Mesa, Arizona, in the Indicom Electric Company Chevrolet COPO Camaro will compete in the 65-car field.
Chevrolet will welcome fans to its Chevrolet Performance Display during the weekend. It will include numerous award-winning Chevrolet production vehicles, examples of Chevrolet engines, and a selection of performance parts and accessories that are available for fans to purchase from their local Chevrolet dealer.
CHEVROLET RACING ENGINEERING PREVIEW
ROGER ALLEN, CHEVROLET RACING NHRA PROGRAM MANAGER: “It was an exciting race day at the Gatornationals with John Force winning in Funny Car, Shane Gray prevailing in Pro Stock, David Barton earning the victory in the first SAM Tech Factory Challenge in his Chevrolet COPO Camaro, and Robert Hight blazing to Funny Car track records in the Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS. Now it’s on to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for what is sure to be another exhilarating weekend of racing for Chevrolet fans. Plus, there is the K&N Horsepower Challenge for seven Chevrolet Pro Stock drivers to compete for a sizable bonus prize. Chevrolet has been formidable in all three professional categories through the three events this season, and teams and drivers continue to develop their race cars. We look forward to congratulating more Chevy drivers in the winner’s circle.”
CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT
TOP FUEL:
BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY CHEVROLET TOP FUEL DRAGSTER (competing in her 100th career Top Fuel event; is fifth in Top Fuel standings; was No. 4 qualifier in 2016 Las Vegas spring event): “The Monster Energy team’s plan is to make four solid runs to get us set up for race day. After a weekend off I’m ready to get back in my seat and I’m looking for another win, and there’s no better place than to do that in Sin City.”
FUNNY CAR:
COURTNEY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, ADVANCE AUTO PARTS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (advanced to final in season opener; has been Las Vegas runner-up three times – twice in fall race – since 2013; fifth in Funny Car standings): “Obviously, we’ve struggled the last couple races and had a rough start, heading out on in the first round of eliminations. I know our team is better than that, and I know we have a car that can out-run these other guys. We’re looking at it, wondering what kind of changes we need to make going in to Vegas. Something needs to change, but I’ve got the right team that knows how to do it. With Dan Hood and Ronnie Thompson and all my guys, we know what this car is capable of doing. We saw it in the off-season. We’ve just got to get it back there.”
JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK COOLANT & MOTOR OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (six-time Las Vegas winner, including fall 2016 event; holds track Funny Car speed record of 331.94 mph, set in October 2016; won Gatornationals two weeks ago for 148th career Funny Car victory; second in Funny Car standings): “We’ve got a lot of work cut out for us this weekend. One, you got to qualify. Two, you got to race. Three, got a test on Monday. And we look forward to all those things. But it will be great. We look forward to the fans there; they’re great. And who doesn’t love Las Vegas?”
ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (three-time winner of Las Vegas spring event and twice in fall; No. 1 qualifier in spring event four times; set career bests for elapsed time (3.828 seconds) and speed (334.82 mph) at Gainesville event): “I’m looking forward to Las Vegas, based on how we ran at Gainesville. (Crew chief) Jimmy (Prock) and I have won Las Vegas quite a few times, and I’m the winningest Funny Car drivers in this race at Las Vegas. We’ve gotten it done before, and we know how to do it. Vegas is challenging because you’re halfway to Denver. You’re at 2,000 feet elevation, so it’s challenging to make power there. But we’re up for it.”
PRO STOCK:
JASON LINE, KB RACING, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (reigning Pro Stock champion; won Las Vegas spring event in 2016 as No. 1 qualifier; has been No. 1 qualifier in all three 2017 events; runner-up four times in K&N Horsepower Challenge): “One of the cool things about racing our Summit Racing Chevy Camaros is that we also get to compete in the K&N Horsepower Challenge. It has lived up to its name for me – it’s been a challenge, but it’s one I look forward to. One of these years, I’m going to win that thing – and I’m doing my best to try to make that happen this year. The only thing that’s held me back is just typical Jason, really. A lot of years, I’ve had a good car and just couldn’t make it happen, and there have been times I’ve driven bad or had some bad luck, but that’s just racing. For whatever reason, it hasn’t worked out for me. I’ve had some really good races in the final and come out on the short end of it, but it’s just not easy. It’s not supposed to be, though, and that’s what makes it special when you do win the K&N Horsepower Challenge.”
GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (first in Pro Stock standings; won K&N Horsepower Challenge for fifth time in 2016; earned 87th career Pro Stock win at Wild Horse Pass last month): “I love that K&N Horsepower Challenge race. It’s all about prestige and that fantastic trophy. I look forward to it all year long, and I missed it for two years and it killed me. Now that I’m back and qualified, I have a chance to win it again. I love it, and I can’t wait. It’s the biggest race of the year as far as I’m concerned.”
TANNER GRAY, GRAY MOTORSPORTS, VALVOLINE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (competing in fourth Pro Stock event; No. 3 qualifier and advanced to semifinals at Wild Horse Pass; turns 18 on April 15): “Coming off of a Gray Motorsports win at the Gatornationals means a lot and obviously provides our team with momentum leading into this weekend. We stayed an extra day in Gainesville to fine tune the Valvoline Chevy Camaros in preparation. Our team has shown we have a good handle on the track and on the car. This weekend we are looking to achieve consistency. I think we definitely have a good package for Vegas. I like our odds and think we can come out with a win.”
SHANE GRAY, GRAY MOTORSPORTS, VALVOLINE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (won fall 2016 Las Vegas event; won last event at Gainesville, Florida, for sixth career Pro Stock victory; competing in limited schedule this season): “I feel very comfortable racing in Vegas. It is where I have experienced most of my wins. In addition to coming off a win in Gainesville, we also spent a day testing, which has only provided us with additional data for our Gray Motorsports team to learn from and be successful. Racing in the K&N Challenge is special. K&N has been a longtime support of the Pro Stock class. To be one of the top eight racers, with the opportunity to win the largest purse of the year, is a privilege that I thank K&N for.”
BO BUTNER, JIM BUTNER AUTO, BUTNER AUTO SALES CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (runner-up at Las Vegas spring event in 2016 and runner-up in Las Vegas fall event in 2015; won Stock Eliminator and Comp events at Las Vegas in fall 2012): “It’s really cool to be qualified for the K&N Horsepower Challenge and race for that trophy. I didn’t get the fan vote last year, but they said it was close. To be in it this year is exciting, and I know it’ll be fun. I feel very confident in our Chevrolet Camaro because we did find an issue at the last race in Gainesville, and now I know we’re good. Vegas has been a great racetrack for me – I’ve won a few there as a Sportsman racer, and I’ve been runner-up there twice in Pro Stock. I think a win is going to happen for us eventually, and it’s getting fun because you couldn’t pick out of the top eight cars who is going to win any race. It’s really a cool time to be racing Pro Stock.”
JEG COUGHLIN JR., ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JEGS.COM ELITE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (has three Pro Stock wins and six overall at The Strip; will be competing in 385th race): “Probably for the first time in this young season I think we have a race car capable of not only qualifying No. 1 but of winning the race on Sunday. We’ve had a really good season so far, in my estimation. I guess people could look at what we’ve accomplished and say we’ve done ‘OK’ but behind the scenes I can tell you we’ve made so much progress with our entire program and our engines are making great horsepower. It’s been very encouraging. To that end, the entire team stayed behind in Gainesville and made 20-something test passes. We made some incredible strides in the right direction.”
ERICA ENDERS, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, ELITE MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (holds track elapsed time and speed records, set in 2015; season-high No. 3 qualifier at Gainesville): “We had a great run between 2013-2015 in the Challenge. We were runner-up in 2013 and then won back-to-back races the following two years. We also won the national event the same weekend as the two years we won the K&N Challenge so, obviously, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a lucky place for our team.”
DREW SKILLMAN, RAY SKILLMAN MOTORSPORTS, RAY SKILLMAN AUTO CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (runner-up at Wild Horse Pass as No. 9 qualifier; competing in 50th career Pro Stock event in Camaro prepared by Gray Motorsports; No. 2 qualifier and runner-up in Las Vegas fall 2016 event): “We had a great car at The Strip last fall and we are looking to reach the finals again. I’ll also be competing in the K&N Challenge, which is cool but adds some more pressure to the weekend as it’s a race within a race. We’re looking forward to the weekend and seeing what the Ray Skillman Chevy Camaro can do.”
VINCENT NOBILE, MOUNTAIN VIEW RACING, MOUNTAIN VIEW TIRE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (Nos. 3 and 4 qualifier in first two events; Elite Motorsports teammate to Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Erica Enders; competing in 149th Pro Stock event)
CHRIS MCGAHA, HARLOW SAMMONS RACING, HARLOW SAMMONS OF ODESSA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (making 102nd Pro Stock start; advanced to semifinals at Gainesville as No. 7 qualifier)
MATTHEW HARTFORD, HARTFORD RACING, TOTAL SEAL-CIP1-NITRO FISH CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (making fourth consecutive start of the season and 68th of Pro Stock career; Scottsdale, Arizona, resident seeking first national victory)