CHEVROLET AT SONOMA

What:
30th Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals
When:
Friday, July 28-Sunday, July 30
Where:
Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California
TV:
FOX: Eliminations and finals live – 4 p.m. ET Sunday
FS1: Qualifications taped – 11 p.m. ET Friday and 10 p.m. ET Saturday

Chevrolet Seeks to Uncork More Victories in Sonoma Wine Country
Team Chevy drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock carry momentum into event

DETROIT (July 26, 2017) – Robert Hight recorded two Funny Car runner-up finishes and three semifinal appearances through 13 events on the current National Hot Rod Association Mello Yello Drag Racing Series calendar before visiting the winner’s circle.

His victory last week at Bandimere Speedway in the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS lifted the spirits of John Force Racing teammate Courtney Force, while also challenging the determined driver to register her first win of the season.

Force, driver of the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS, also has two runner-up finishes and a pair of semifinal appearances. She has a Funny Car-high six No. 1 qualifier honors, and has qualified no lower than fourth in the 13 races in which she’s qualified (career-first DNQ at Norwalk). As the veteran Funny Car driver has repeatedly heard throughout the second half of the season, she’s due.

Breaking through in the 30th Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals this weekend at Sonoma Raceway would be welcomed by Force, who was the No. 1 qualifier and defeated her father – eight-time Sonoma winner John Force – in the 2014 final at the track. The event is the second of three on the “western swing.”

“We’ve won in Sonoma before and we’ve done well there, so we’re looking to get some points and continue to go rounds as we get to the middle of the swing,” said Force, who is aiming to secure an automatic bid into the lucrative Traxxas Shootout with a victory in the next three races.

Courtney Force led a 1, 2, 3 John Force Racing sweep of the Funny Car qualifying at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado. Hight, the No. 3 qualifier, settled a 34-race winless streak with an emphatic and emotional elimination round run to the winner’s circle.

“I’m excited about going to Sonoma,” said Hight, who moved to third in Funny Car points. “This is the first race I ever attended as a fan. I’ve won it once (2008) and want to win it again.”

Brittany Force has advanced to the Top Fuel semifinals in four of the past six races, winning at Epping, New Hampshire, in the Monster Energy Chevrolet dragster. She was the No. 1 qualifier at Sonoma Raceway in 2014.

Chevrolet has won all 14 Pro Stock events, already featuring nine different drivers visiting the winner’s circle. Drew Skillman, who has emerged victories in his Ray Skillman Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro SS the past two events, is the only driver to earn back-to-back victories. Bo Butner, with his class-leading third victory of the season at Norwalk in the Butner Auto Sales Chevrolet Camaro SS, is tops in points in the Pro Stock field that includes nine Chevrolet drivers in the top 10 of the standings.

The 2016 western swing featured three different Pro Stock winners, while one driver won two of the three events the previous four years (Chris McGaha – Sonoma and Seattle – 2015; Jason Line – Sonoma and Seattle – 2014; Vincent Nobile – Sonoma and Seattle – 2013). McGaha, who drives the Harlow Sammons of Odessa Chevrolet Camaro SS, set the Pro Stock track elapsed time record in ’15.

Greg Anderson (Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS) defeated KB Racing teammate Butner in the 2016 final at Sonoma Raceway.

“When we go there, we always feel like we have the ability to do really well, and that’s true again this year,” said Anderson, who has amassed five of his 88 career Pro Stock victories at Sonoma Raceway. “I feel great going out there, because we can run well in Sonoma, we can race well, and we have a chance to win again in wine country. Yes, I won there last year – but we have a lot of great memories at that place that go even farther back. I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Dan Fletcher of Churchville, New York, who has earned Wallys in Super Street and Super Stock the past two events, leads the Chevrolet COPO Camaro contingent in Stock Eliminator this weekend. Also among the 49 entries are Ali Afshar of Los Angeles and Justin Lamb of Hendersonville, Nevada.

FS1 will telecast taped qualifications at 11 p.m. ET Friday and 10 p.m. ET Saturday. FOX will telecast eliminations and finals live at 4 p.m. ET Sunday.

CHEVROLET RACING ENGINEERING PREVIEW
ROGER ALLEN, CHEVROLET RACING NHRA PROGRAM MANAGER: “The ‘western swing’ started exceptionally well for Chevrolet teams and drivers – from the 1, 2, 3 Funny Car qualifying sweep by John Force Racing’s Courtney Force, John Force and Robert Hight to victories by Hight and Drew Skillman in Pro Stock. Hight’s first victory of the season, which was the 38th of his career and the 249th for John Force Racing in Funny Car competition, was especially gratifying. Chevrolet Racing salutes the drivers and crews for a productive start to a strenuous stretch of racing. Next up is Sonoma Raceway, which is another racetrack that has been the site of numerous victories and memories for Chevrolet teams over the years.”
CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT

TOP FUEL:
BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY CHEVROLET TOP FUEL DRAGSTER (winner at New Hampshire and runner-up at Phoenix; has advanced to semifinals in four of past six events; two points out of fifth place in standings; No. 1 qualifier at track in 2014): “I feel like we’re all in a really good place, so we just keep moving forward, keep pushing and we’ll be in the winner’s circle before we know it. To win there would be outstanding. Love the track, so hopefully we can get everything figured out so we can win there.”

FUNNY CAR:
COURTNEY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, ADVANCE AUTO PARTS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 1 or 2 qualifier in nine of the 14 races; two-time runner-up and two-time semifinalist; won at track in 2014 from No. 1 qualifier spot; sixth in points): “It’s the middle of the western swing, and it’ll be great to be back in Sonoma. We’ve done well at this track in the past, and I grew up watching my dad race at this event, so I’m really looking forward to getting back there. For our Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro team, knowing that we have a fast hot rod when the conditions are right is great. It’s a great feeling, but we definitely have to get this thing running well in the heat.”

ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (earned first victory of season and 38th of career at Bandimere Speedway; two-time runner-up; No. 1, 2 or 3 qualifier in past six races; fourth in points; won at track in 2008): “We’re pretty happy with where we’re at, especially where we’ve been qualifying every week. We have a good combination, a fast car … it’s pretty stout with what we’ve done in qualifying. It shows we have good performance. Once we get consistency on race day – I think we’re there, (crew chief) Jimmy’s (Prock) already made a lot of changes last week to prevent dropping cylinders – we’re gonna win some races.”

JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK COOLANT & MOTOR OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (won at Gainesville and two-time semifinalist; eight-time winner at the track, including 2016 as part of winning two of three races on western swing. Has reach final round in three of past four years; seventh in points; swept the western swing in 1994): “It’s a great racetrack. It’s a Bruton Smith track, and they promote it well. They’ll pack in the grandstands like we did in Denver. I’m ready to keep fighting this fight. That’s what we’re going to do. We made some changes, and we’re heading in the right direction.”

PRO STOCK:
BO BUTNER, JIM BUTNER AUTO, BUTNER AUTO SALES CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (three-time winner and three-time runner-up, including last week at Bandimere Speedway; three-time No. 1 qualifier; sits atop point standings; runner-up at track in 2016; competing in 56th Pro Stock event): “I was runner-up last year there to the monster, Greg Anderson. After last weekend in Denver, bringing out the new car and getting to the final round, I’m very, very pleased. I’m happy because we know the potential of this new Chevrolet Camaro now. We got better and faster every run, and the guys I’m with are the best and the smartest. It makes you excited to get to the next race.”

GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (won at Englishtown for second victory of season and 88th of career; four-time runner-up; second in points; five-time winner at the track, including 2016): “We’ve been learning a lot lately, and being in the middle of this three-race western swing is another chance for us to continue to learn, to continue to get better, and to set ourselves up for an even better future. We were challenged in Denver last weekend, but we learned. We didn’t win the race, so we lost the opportunity to sweep the swing, but you’ve got to keep getting better if you want to be among the best when the Countdown gets here. It’s going to be here before you know it, so we have to keep working hard to be the best we can be, every run down the racetrack.”

TANNER GRAY, GRAY MOTORSPORTS, VALVOLINE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (won at Las Vegas to become youngest winner in NHRA history; also won at Topeka and runner-up at New Hampshire; third in points; leading candidate for rookie of year): “Each race is just as critical as last. We are in pursuit of every point that we can get. My team has coached me throughout the season on how to become a better driver and I have also learned from my mistakes. The pressure to perform is increasing as we head closer to the Countdown. My Papa Johnny (Gray) and Dad (Shane Gray) are great teachers of how to deal with this pressure because of the combined years of experience racing toward a spot in the Countdown. I feel more comfortable in the car. I have a lot more seat time and have learned from not only competition but from testing of how to become better at doing my job and listening to what the car is doing during each pass. As a rookie, the only focus I have is to win the championship and add to the historical season we are having this far.”

JEG COUGHLIN JR., ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JEGS.COM ELITE PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (two-time runner-up and three-time semifinalist; three-time No. 1 qualifier; two-time winner and two-time runner-up at track; one of 10 NHRA drivers with 600 round wins; fifth in points): “Sunday afternoon in Denver the team really had a good huddle session. The guys took the car apart piece by piece and studied some things we thought may have been holding us back. There was nothing really glaring, per se, but there were some adjustments made. Let’s just say we’re really looking forward to getting back to sea level in Sonoma and unleashing this beast. I’ll be the first to admit that I get excited about most of the places we go but Sonoma really is one of the most picturesque racetracks in country. I said that last week about Bandimere and I’m saying it again this weekend for Sonoma. We are really looking forward to being back at sea level with these 500 cubic inch Chevys breathing some fresh air. I’m so ready to make some competitive runs again.”

JASON LINE, KB RACING, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (reigning Pro Stock champion; won season opener at Pomona; five-time semifinalist; four-time No. 1 qualifier; closing in on 550 round wins; three-time winner at the track, including 2015 as part of winning two of the three events on western swing): “We haven’t been able to piece it all together lately with my car, but it’s going to happen at some point, and I have a lot of confidence in our KB Racing team and this Summit Racing Chevy Camaro. It’s hard not to have a certain amount of confidence when you look back at what we’ve been able to accomplish, but that isn’t something we do very often because looking back isn’t going to move you forward. The same is true when it comes to thinking about points. That’s not something we’re thinking about until after Indy, and right now, we’re just trying to do the best job we can each week. Sometimes, that’s not good enough – but all you can do is your best.”

DREW SKILLMAN, RAY SKILLMAN MOTORSPORTS, RAY SKILLMAN AUTO CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (has won the past two events, the only Pro Stock driver to record consecutive victories this season; runner-up at Phoenix; earned first No. 1 qualifier honor of season at Bandimere Speedway; competing in 61th Pro Stock event): “Our car kept running the same numbers (at Bandimere Speedway), which is the sign of a good car and a great team. We have finally figured out a way to put it all together, and as long as we stay aggressive as a team we know we can win.”

VINCENT NOBILE, MOUNTAIN VIEW RACING, MOUNTAIN VIEW TIRE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (runner-up at Englishtown; semifinalist at Topeka; closing in on 200 round wins; won at track in 2013 as part of winning two of the three events on western swing): “We had a fast, consistent car in Denver, we just came up short to Bo Butner. We’ve tested and tested and it’s safe to say we are on the right path. I’m looking forward to running my Chevrolet Camaro in Sonoma. It’s one of my favorite tracks, plus I have a win there, too.”

ERICA ENDERS, MELLING PERFORMANCE/ ELITE MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (two-time Pro Stock champion; won at New Hampshire; runner-up at Chicago and Atlanta; closing in on 250 round wins; No. 2 qualifier in last race): “Bottom line, the Melling Performance/Elite Chevy is running great and we’re going to keep our chins up and move on to the second race of the western swing in Sonoma.”

CHRIS MCGAHA, HARLOW SAMMONS RACING, HARLOW SAMMONS OF ODESSA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (won at Charlotte and semifinalist at Gainesville; won at track in 2015 as part of winning two of the three races on the western swing; set Pro Stock track elapsed time record in 2015)

MATTHEW HARTFORD, HARTFORD RACING, TOTAL SEAL-CIP1-NITROFISH CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (competing in eighth race of season; qualified season-high No. 5 at Topeka; seeking first elimination round victory of season)