CHEVROLET AT HOUSTON
What: Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals
When: Friday, April 12-Sunday, April 14
Where: Houston Raceway powered by Pennzoil
TV: FOX eliminations and finals live, 3 p.m. ET April 14
Chevrolet seeks continued success at Houston event
Brittany Force was Top Fuel winner in ‘18; Robert Hight is Funny Car points leader
DETROIT (April 10, 2019) – Brittany Force enjoys back-to-back race weekends – especially when the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Top Fuel champion has a strong outing on the front end.
Force, driver of the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet dragster, enters the Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil at Houston Raceway Park with a positive vibe. She was the No. 3 qualifier and runner-up April 7 in the four-wide event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and was the No. 1 qualifier the in the preceding event.
Plus, she won in Houston in 2018 as the No. 2 qualifier.
“For me, as a driver, it puts me at ease,” she said of consecutive races weekends. “You haven’t been out of the seat too long and you jump right back into it, back into your routine, We really turned things around and stepped things up in Vegas so we should be looking good if we get some good qualifying passes in. I want to go out there on race day and win.
“Big moves for all of us as a team all around and I’m very happy with how we ended (last) weekend. We’re obviously looking for a win, but we’ll have to chase it down (this) weekend in Houston. Houston is a special place for me.”
Houston is also special to John Force Racing teammate Robert Hight, who claimed his initial Funny Car national event win at the track in 2005.
Hight was the Funny Car low qualifier in the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS and advanced to the final round in Houston the past two years. He’s the class points leader with two wins entering the weekend.
“I was runner-up the last two years and we always do well so I can’t wait to get to Houston especially with how my car has been this year,” said Hight, who earned the No. 1 qualifier honor in the first three races of the season.
Chevrolet Pro Stock drivers, who have visited the winner’s circle in all four NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races, are off until the May 17-19 Virginia NHRA Nationals.
Driving their Chevrolet COPO Camaros in Stock Eliminator will be Jeff Lopez of Fort Worth, Texas; Brian Massingill of Houston; Brett Candies of Thibodaux, Louisiana; Philip Giles of Flatonia, Texas; and Bobby Brannon of Bossier City, Louisiana.
Entered in Super Stock in their COPO Camaros are Brandon Bakies of Alexandria, Louisiana; Arthur Kohn of Richmond, Texas; and Giles.
FOX will telecast eliminations and finals live at 3 p.m. ET April 14.
CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT
TOP FUEL:
BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, ADVANCE AUTO PARTS CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (2017 class champion; runner-up in last race; No. 1 qualifier at Gainesville; won the race in 2018): “We really turned things around and stepped things up in Vegas. I’m very happy with this team and my crew chiefs David Grubnic and Mac Savage. We hit it hard and it showed. We’re going to Houston next and I’m excited to get to the back-to-back races. For me, as a driver, it puts me at ease. You haven’t been out of the seat too long and you jump right back into it, back into your routine, so I’m looking forward to it. Houston is a special place for me. We won there last year so I’m ready to get there and hopefully do it again. We should be looking good if we get some good qualifying passes in. We’re looking for a win, but we’ll have to chase it down. I want to go out there on race day and win this for Advance Auto Parts.”
AUSTIN PROCK, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONTANA BRAND/ROCKY MOUNTAIN TWIST CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (Making fifth start; won maiden elimination round at Pomona opener): ““We didn’t have the weekend we had hoped for in Vegas but we decided to stay and test and get this race car sorted out. We had some success at testing, made planned shut offs and put up some early competitive numbers so heading into Houston we’re hoping for a better weekend. I have all the faith in these guys out here and my crew chiefs Jon Schaffer and Ronnie Thompson. I’ll be on my game and I know they will be too. We’re going to put it all together this weekend.”
FUNNY CAR:
ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (2017 class champion; class points leader; earned first Funny Car national event win at track in 2005): “I was runner-up the last two years and we always do well so I can’t wait to get to Houston especially with how my car has been this year. We’re getting back to more normal conditions because in Vegas they have the elevation, which makes it more challenging. We’re getting back to the way we were in Gainesville and I feel that we’re going to be strong. It’s another Auto Club race so we have a lot of work to do for them. It’s a busy weekend for me with track walks and the Auto Club stage. I’m really glad that after a weekend in Vegas where we didn’t have a good showing, we don’t have to have a weekend off and can go right into Houston and redeem ourselves.”
JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, CHEVROLET ACCESSORIES PEAK CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (has 149 class victories; seven-time winner at the track, including 100th career win): “It’s a great racetrack. I love being in Texas. I didn’t do good there last year and didn’t qualify so I want to come in there with guns blazing. Brian Corradi and Dan Hood have given me a good race car. All I have to do is get my act together in the cockpit and we’ll be OK. I’m riding sixth in the points but I’m excited to get back and prove my stuff. It doesn’t matter how many championships you’ve got, its where you’re going to go next and it starts at Houston for me now.”