Johnson and Gray Top Mopar Qualifiers at Kansas Nationals
 
·         Mopar qualifies third in Pro Stock and fourth in Funny Car at the 25th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals
·         Johnson is top Mopar Pro Stock entry with a third place qualifying position
·         Gray qualifies fourth as top Mopar entry in Funny Car class
·         Johnson and Coughlin had exact same e.t. and incremental times on their second qualifying runs with just .16 mph difference
·         Coughlin aiming for his 500th round win at Topeka
 

Topeka, Kansas (Saturday, May 18, 2013) – Under grey skies and humid conditions at Heartland Park near Topeka, Mopar drivers wrapped up two days of qualifying in preparation for Sunday’s 25th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals.  Defending Pro Stock winner of the event, Allen Johnson was the top Mopar entry with a third place qualifying spot, while Johnny Gray was fourth quickest to lead the Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car contingency.

Johnson quickest run was made in Friday’s second qualifying session when both he and teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr. not only posted the exact same elapsed time of 6.633 seconds, but matched incremental times as well at 60 ft (0.997 sec), 330 ft (2.784), 660 ft (4.272) and 1,000 ft (5.553) marks.  Only a 0.16 mph difference put the Johnson’s Mopar Express Lane Dodge in third spot ahead of the Jegs.com Mopar with the quicker speed of 208.62 mph.

Johnson wrapped up qualifying on a high note by setting the quickest elapsed time of the final Pro Stock session to add three more bonus points to his total, but remained third to no.1 qualifier Mike Edwards who posted his seventh pole position in eight events.

“We’re making gains and that’s the goal,” said Johnson who has two wins in the last three years at the higher altitude track. “We were third in two sessions and then quickest in that last one and that gives us a bit of a confidence boost heading into eliminations. We knew Jeg (Coughlin Jr.) and I were pretty close but to see the numbers match up like that on Friday was pretty neat and shows just how consistent we can be. Conditions should be just about the same on Sunday and hopefully the rain will hold off so we can do our best to get through as many rounds as we can.”

Johnson will match up with Deric Kramer in the first round of eliminations while Coughlin, who qualified fourth, will face Greg Stanfield.

“I’m happy with the way we’ve started here at Heartland Park,” said Coughlin who could reach a milestone 500 round victories in his Pro Stock career by reaching the semifinals on Sunday. “We were second in the first session and fourth the other three runs. I’m real confident the car is going to continue to perform well, and I feel great behind the wheel. I like the total package we’ve brought to the track this weekend.”

The HEMI-powered entries of V. Gaines and Vincent Nobile qualified eighth and ninth respectively and will face each other in the first round of eliminations.

In Funny Car qualifying, the top eleven cars were all in the 4.0-second range with John Force lowering the e.t. track record to 4.043 (313.22mph) to earn the pole position. Don Schumacher Racing’s Johnny Gray put his Mopar fourth on the scoring sheets with a 4.053-second (313.37 mph) final run and will meet Alexis DeJoria in the first round of eliminations.  

Matt Hagan’s “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar” Dodge Charger R/T was sixth with his e.t. of 4.069 seconds and he’ll face Bob Tasca in first round action.  Don Schumacher Racing teammate and defending winner at Topeka, Jack Beckman made his quickest pass of the weekend on his final run (4.081 sec /312.42 mph) to keep him ninth on the timing charts. He will face Cruz Pedregon as his first match up while Mopar teammate Ron Capps was tenth (4.087 / 309.77) and has Tim Wilkerson for his first round competitor.

ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will provide coverage of this weekend’s 25th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals, the eighth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, with a three hour broadcast of the elimination rounds on Sunday, May 19, starting at 8 p.m. (ET) from Heartland Park near Topeka.

Mopar’s 2012 NHRA Champs Johnson and Beckman Look to Defend National Title Wins at Kansas
 
·         Mopar competes in the 25th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals this weekend, the 8th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Series season
·         Mopar’s 2012 NHRA Champs Johnson and Beckman are also both defending winners at Heartland Park Kansas
·         Coughlin and Hagan running strong in second place in the NHRA Pro Stock and Funny Car points standings
 

Topeka, Kansas (Friday, May 17, 2013) – Not only will Mopar take on the 25th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals as the defending winner in both Pro Stock and Funny Car categories, but last year’s two title victors also went on to earn their first career NHRA Championships, so you’ll have to forgive Allen Johnson and Jack Beckman for hoping that their defense of those victories might have a similar ending this season as well.   

“Every single title the J&J racing team won last year was very important in our chances to become number one at the start of the Countdown and take a run at the championship but Topeka win gave us the confidence that we were headed down the right path,” said Johnson who had a near perfect weekend at the 2012 edition of the Kansas Nationals by securing the top qualifier position, taking almost every bonus point and working his way through the elimination rounds to post his second win of the season on his way to his first world championship title with a total of seven wins and 11 final-round appearances.

“We need a little bit of that right now as our focus has been a bit off in the last three weeks,” admitted Johnson who after posting wins at the Gainesville and Las Vegas, hasn’t made it past the second round of eliminations in the last three events. “We’re shooting to bounce back in Topeka and doing everything we can to get back to fine form. It’s an altitude track at which the HEMI-powered Mopar Dodge Avenger normally does really well at, just like Vegas and Denver. The key to doing well at here is having the tune-up correct at altitude.”

Both he and Mopar teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr. tested at Tulsa Raceway Park in Oklahoma as preparation for this weekend’s event to try and close the gap to rival Mike Edwards in the both the points battle and on the track.

“We’re working on getting more consistent and getting a better combination for our Mopars,” said Johnson who has two ‘Wallys’ at Topeka in the last three years and would like to add another as quickly as possible. “I think we’ve gained a little on Mike (Edwards) in the past few weeks, cutting his advantage a bit at a time. He’s been quickest qualifier every weekend but Atlanta, when Jeg got it. He’s the front runner right now but I think we cut the deficit in half on what he was leading on everybody since the start of the year.”

For his part, Don Schumacher Racing’s Jack Beckman is looking forward to returning to the place where his own drive for the 2012 Funny Car world title began and getting back to winning more elimination rounds to move up from his seventh spot in the points standings.

“We haven’t been horrible; we have six round wins but we expected much bigger things by now,” said Beckman. “This could be a big shot in the arm for us, emotionally going back to the place where our run to the championship kind of officially took off last year.”

Meanwhile two other Mopar drivers have a bit of momentum and good results both finding themselves in second place in their respective classes; Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Matt Hagan.

Hagan has the ‘Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar’ Dodge Charger R/T second in the Funny Car points standings on the strength of a title win at Charlotte, one No. 1 qualifier position, two runner-ups and a semifinal finish in seven events.

Coughlin for his part jumped into second place in the Pro Stock points with a No. 1 qualifier position at Houston and two final round appearances and posting three semifinal finishes in the first seven events of the season. He now has his sights set on taking the Jegs.com Mopar Dodge Avenger to a semifinal appearance in Kansas to help mark his 500th round win in NHRA Pro Stock competition. Only 11 other drivers have achieved that milestone;  Joe Amato, Greg Anderson, Kenny Bernstein, Larry Dixon, John Force, Bob Glidden, Kurt Johnson, Warren Johnson, Cory McClenathan, Tony Schumacher and Tony Pedregon.

Mopar Ready for Rescheduled NHRA SouthernNationals May 10-11 in Atlanta
 
·         Rescheduled due to rain, Mopar ready to get back on track Friday and Saturday at 33rd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta
·         Allen Johnson accepted awards from the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Junior Achievement for his on and off-track accomplishments
·         Mopar is second in NHRA points standings in both Pro Stock and Funny Car categories
·         Capps is defending Funny Car title holder at Atlanta Dragway

Auburn Hills, Mich. (Friday, May 10) –  After inclement weather forced the postponement of last weekend’s 33rd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, the Mopar contingent is back on track at  Atlanta Dragway on May 10–11 for a shortened version featuring two qualifying sessions set for Friday and eliminations scheduled for Saturday.

Mopar drivers and teams are looking to not just only get back on a dry track but also back on a winning track. After earning six titles in the first five events of the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing, the win streak came to an end at the SpringNationals in Houston, marking the only time this year that a Mopar did not make the final elimination round in either Funny Car or Pro Stock. The win streak actually dated back to the September 2012 at Charlotte and spanned 13 win in 11 events.

Since the postponement of national event, Mopar’s Allen Johnson has been kept busy accepting numerous awards and recognition for his accomplishments on and off the drag strip. His Greeneville, Tenn., based team was presented with “Team of the Year” honors by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame at their annual banquet on May 4 for representing their state with excellence in winning a career best seven national titles and the 2012 NHRA pro Stock World Championship. Part of the ceremony celebrated the induction of a great class that included basketball coach Rick Byrd, basketball player Penny Hardaway, and country music’s Vince Gill.

On Thursday, May 9, Johnson also accepted an award at the Junior Achievement gala, not just for his on-track accomplishments, but also for his contributions to society and specifically young members of his community through his race team and business, Greeneville Oil & Petroleum. Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating young people about work force readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs that in turn help students put these lessons into action and learn the value of contributing to their communities.

Johnson has two wins this year in the Mopar Express Lane Dodge Avenger and remains second in the NHRA Mello Yello series points standing after six events. Mopar teammate Coughlin is right behind him in a third place with two runner-up finishes and a No.1 qualifier honors but hoping to cap off a good season start by putting the Jegs.com Mopar in the winner’s circle as soon as possible.

Matt Hagan, who is second in the Funny Car championship points standings after his own strong start and a win under his belt in the “Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar” Dodge Charger R/T, is ready to hit the track after a first round loss to his Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps at the previous event in Houston. Capps, for his part, is the defending Funny Car title winner at Atlanta, where he won the first of five event titles last year, and is currently fourth in the standings.

ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will provide coverage of the rescheduled 33rd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals with one hour of qualifying highlights on Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m. (ET) and then a three hour telecast of elimination rounds later that evening starting at 8 p.m. (ET) from Atlanta Dragway.

Mopar’s Allen Johnson Recognized as a Champion on and off the Drag Strip

·         Mopar driver Allen Johnson won the 2012 NHRA Pro Stock World Championship
·         Johnson and Mopar team recognized by Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame as ‘Sports Team of the Year’
·         Johnson to received Junior Achievement Award
·         Mopar CEO Gorlier says Johnson epitomizes the core values of the brand and is very deserving of awards
 

Auburn Hills, Mich. (Saturday, May 4) – Winning the 2012 NHRA Pro Stock World Championship was a goal and a dream that Mopar’s Allen Johnson was able to achieve in grand style with years of hard work, dedication and determination. While the defense of his world title is already underway, with two national title wins already posted in the first quarter of the 2013 NHRA season, the impact of the championship combined with both his on and off-track accomplishments have garnered Johnson recognition outside of the world of drag racing and motorsports.

Johnson’s Greeneville, Tenn., based Pro Stock category drag race team will be presented “Team of the Year” honors by the Tennessee Hall of Fame for representing their state with excellence and a distinct Tennessee flavor in winning a career best seven national titles and the NHRA World Championship title. Johnson’s team will be recognized as honorees during the Hall of Fame’s annual banquet on May 4 at the Renaissance Hotel Nashville. Part of an ceremony also will be celebrate the induction of a great class that includes basketball coach Rick Byrd, basketball player Penny Hardaway, and country music’s Vince Gill.

“I’m so honored to accept this award from the Tennessee Hall of Fame on behalf of my team because this is a true team award,” said Johnson as the team owner and driver of the Pro 1 Dodge Avenger. “What can I say about the accomplishments of the Johnson & Johnson racing team in 2012 except that they were certainly perfect or as close to perfect as you could get, especially in the Countdown to the Championship. We worked as a team and built a great game plan during the year to achieve a lofty goal. I am proud to be part of the team as they get this very well deserved recognition from our home state.”

Johnson is due to accept an award from Junior Achievement, not just for his on-track accomplishments, but also for his contributions to society and specifically young members of his community through his race team and business, Greeneville Oil & Petroleum. Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating young people about work force readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs that in turn help students put these lessons into action and learn the value of contributing to their communities.

“The prestigious Junior Achievement award is a personal award that recognizes what you have done for the juniors and others in your area.” Johnson said. “It really is a humbling award because they go back to birth and recognize your life and what you have done. To be able to include my daughters, my parents, my in-laws and certainly my wife to share in this award is really humbling.”

While Johnson and his engine builder and father, Roy Johnson along with his team are being recognized by others for their accomplishments last season, the accolades and recognition are helping to shine the spotlight on what Mopar has always known.

“Allen Johnson has always been a champion, only now it is officially in record books and others are beginning to take notice, ” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “What these awards demonstrate is that the qualities differentiating him, both on the drag strip as a competitor but also away from the race track as a valued member of society, are now rightfully being recognized by other organizations outside our automotive and motorsports world. That recognition is well deserved.

“Allen, his father Roy, as well as his team and family have been loyal friends and amazing representatives for our brand,” Gorlier added. “The qualities that have made them champions on the drag track also epitomize the core values of Mopar. They live the experience as true ‘Mopar motorheads’ just like many of our fans, starting from the heart of the engine build, to the driver, to working as a team.

“Allen and Roy’s loyalty to Mopar is commendable as they have lived the ups and downs along with our brand. It is only fitting that, as we too began to see an upswing, that they were rewarded and recognized for their own perseverance, determination, hard work and dedication with a championship as well as all the accolades and attention that goes with it. Everyone at Mopar is excited to cheer them on as they work to defend that world title through this season.”

Johnson and the Mopar Express Lane Dodge Avenger are currently second in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series championship points standings with two wins in the first six events of the 2013 season.

NHRA SouthernNationals Preview:
Mopar Salutes Don Schumacher, Looks to Defend Atlanta Title
 
·         Mopar ready for the third event in three weeks, 33rd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta
·         Mopar salutes Don Schumacher for his induction to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame
·         Mopar is second in NHRA points standings in both Pro Stock and Funny Car categories
·         Capps is defending Funny Car title holder at Atlanta Dragway

Auburn Hills, Mich. (Thursday, May 2) –  For the last of three consecutive national events in as many weeks, Mopar heads to Atlanta Dragway this weekend to compete in the 33rd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, the seventh of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series

Prior to this weekend’s on track activities, Mopar executives will attend the induction ceremonies at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame gala on Thursday evening in support of Don Schumacher who is being recognized for his many contributions to the NHRA and motorsports.  

Schumacher’s legacy began with the first of many trips to the winner’s circle behind the wheel of a Plymouth Barracuda Funny Car at the 1970 U.S. Nationals, and his loyalty and relationship with Mopar continues to present day. In addition to being part of the 11 NHRA World Championships and the milestone of more than 200 event title wins, Mopar is honored to be associated with Schumacher’s passion, principles and high standard of excellence, both on and off the track.

But while Schumacher’s accomplishments and contributions are a big part of why he was selected for induction into the prestigious International Motorsports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2013, Mopar feels it is his qualities as a person that make his recognition so commendable.

“On behalf of everyone at Mopar, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Don Schumacher who is very deserving of this special induction honor,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Not only has Don, as both a team owner and driver, been a long-time loyal supporter and friend to the Mopar brand, but he represents everything that our brand strives for. There is no doubting his passion, work ethic, commitment and determination have made him a tremendous asset to world of drag racing but it is the combination of his trademark sportsmanship style and his personification of class that differentiates him as a true gentleman in the world of motorsports.”

Schumacher joins NHRA legends including Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney, and Don Prudhomme as members of the Hall of Fame who have also have long relationships with Mopar. Schumacher will be inducted into the class of 2103 along with NASCAR legends Dale Inman, Rick Hendrick, and Rusty Wallace.

Heading to Atlanta’s Dragway, Mopar is hoping to get back on a winning track after its streak of 13 title victories in 11 events, dating back to the Nationals in Charlotte in September 2012, came to an end last weekend in Houston. After earning six title wins in the first five events of the 2013 season, the SpringNationals marked the first time this year a Mopar did not make the final elimination round in either Funny Car or Pro Stock.

Despite the difficult weekend, Pro Stock driver Johnson has two wins this year in the Mopar Express Lane Dodge Avenger and remains second in the NHRA Mello Yello series points standing after six events. Mopar teammate Coughlin is right behind him in a third place with two runner-up finishes and a No.1 qualifier honors but hoping to cap off a good season start by putting the Jegs.com Mopar in the winner’s circle as soon as possible.

Matt Hagan, who is second in the Funny Car championship points standings after his own strong start and a win under his belt in the “Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar” Dodge Charger R/T, is ready to hit the track after a first round loss to his Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps last week. Capps, for his part, is the defending Funny Car title winner at Atlanta, where he won the first of five event titles last year, and is currently fourth in the standings.

Tough Track Conditions Yields Disappointment for Mopar at NHRA SpringNationals

·         Challenging racetrack conditions bring Mopar’s 13 title and 11 event win streak to an end at the NHRA SpringNationals
·         No.1 qualifier Coughlin takes his Mopar to Pro Stock semifinals
·         Don Schumacher Racing driver Capps is top Mopar Funny Car with semifinal appearance
·         ‘Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar’ Funny Car of Hagan remains second in the points standings
·         Johnson’s Mopar Express Lane Dodge Avenger stays in second place in Pro Stock standings
 
Houston, Texas (Sunday, April 28) –  Tricky conditions at Royal Purple Raceway near Houston proved to be a bit more of a challenge for the Mopar contingency than was expected for the 26th annual NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries. The semifinals were as far as Pro Stock’s No. 1 qualifier Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Funny Car driver Ron Capps got for Mopar, bringing a streak of 13 wins in 11 events, dating back to September 2012, to an end.

The rain that fell and washed out most of qualifying on Saturday continued through the night and proceeded to wash away much of the rubber that had been laid on the racetrack. That made track conditions for eliminations an unknown entity with lack of traction becoming a concern for all sending teams scrambling to make adjustments to their car set-ups in order to compensate.

Coughlin was looking fast and strong as the top Pro Stock qualifier with consistent runs through the first two rounds but saw his JEGS.com Mopar get squirrely at the 200 feet mark in a semifinal loss to eventual title winner Jason Line.

“Two more win lights would have made this weekend extra special but anytime you can get multiple round wins on race day, it’s pretty hard to be upset,” Coughlin said. “The JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Avenger is running great and earning that No. 1 qualifier was a nice feather in our caps. It proves just how much horsepower Roy (Johnson, engine builder) is making. We’re still very pleased with how we’re running and I don’t expect any letdown next weekend in Atlanta.”

After having a motor expire during a burnout in Saturday qualifying, Allen Johnson had his Mopar Express Lane Dodge Avenger back it top shape for his first round elimination matchup, running his quickest pass of the event with a 6.566-second (211.99 mph) elapsed time run. Things didn’t go quite as well in the second round when Johnson was out of the gate first, but ended up turning the car off after strong tire shake brought his efforts to a end.

“I didn’t back it down far enough and the track got hot and we didn’t adjust enough to it,” Johnson said. “I couldn’t get it back in gear after it shook or it would have been a good drag race because it looked like he (Shane Gray) did the same thing on the other side, but he just got his back in gear and I didn’t. Overall it was a decent weekend for the Mopar contingent. We’re normally a bit better than this on big-power hot-weather tracks but we lost a run there yesterday with a broken motor and that got us behind and in a bad qualifying spot. We just didn’t overcome it this weekend but we’ll be ready to make another run at a title in Atlanta next weekend.”

Two-time defending winner at the SpringNationals, Vincent Nobile faced his own premature exit after a second elimination round loss. Fellow HEMI-powered Dodge, V. Gaines also fell out of the running early with tire shake in the first round.

Despite the difficult weekend, Johnson remains second in the NHRA Mello Yello series points standing with two wins in the first six events. Mopar teammate Coughlin is right behind him in a third place tie with Erica Enders-Stevens while Nobile drops out of the top-5 into sixth spot, dislodged by the SpringNationals title winner Jason Line. Gaines also falls one position into eighth place.

Track conditions were just as difficult in Funny Car eliminations as only two machines were able to make clean passes on the Royal Purple Raceway without hazing the tires or having to pedal. One of those runs was made by Don Schumacher Racing’s Ron Capps in his first round Mopar match-up against teammate Matt Hagan in the ‘Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar’ machine.

Capps took his Dodge Charger R/T to the semifinals as the last Mopar standing against Tim Wilkerson, the only other driver with a complete run without traction issues in prior rounds. Capps had a good start for the lead before his run also went up in tire smoke. The good news is that the semifinal appearance moved Capps up into fourth spot in the points standings while Hagan remains in second place.

Mopar teammates Jack Beckman and Johnny Gray both had traction issues that led to second round losses and are now seventh and fifth respectively in the standings.

The Mopar teams and drivers will now regroup and prepare for the next event on the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule; the 33rd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals from May 3-5 near Atlanta, Georgia.

Mopar’s Coughlin No.1 in Rain Shortened Qualifying at NHRA SpringNationals

·         Rain cuts qualifying short at the NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries
·         Coughlin keeps No.1 qualifier position after rain shortened Pro Stock session
·         Johnson lucks out and loses motor before rain cancels qualifying
·         Beckman is top Mopar Funny Car qualifier in fourth spot
·         Hagan and the Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar Dodge will have a first round match up against Mopar teammate Capps
·         NHRA SpringNationals eliminations will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN2 on Sunday at 2 p.m. (ET)
 
Houston, Texas (Saturday, April 27) –  Mopar’s Jeg Coughlin Jr. earned his first No.1 qualifier position since 2010 after qualifying was cut short by intermittent rain delays at the 26th annual NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries. Coughlin remained on top of the scoring sheets based on his efforts in Friday’s second session with an elapsed time run of 6.569 seconds (211.20 mph) and without getting a chance to make another pass at the Royal Purple Raceway near Houston.

“To get our first pole in a couple of years is fantastic, and we’d like to perform well tomorrow,” said Coughlin who has four title wins at the Houston SpringNationals. “It speaks volumes to where our team has come this year. We owe a lot of credit to Allen and Roy Johnson. We put a two-car team together, literally with one team (crew), and we communicate extremely well.  Between him (Allen) and I and the addition of Vincent (Nobile) we’ve become a great threat thus far.”

While Coughlin never got a chance to improve his time, there had been enough of a break in the weather to allow a handful of Pro Stock runs, including the HEMI-powered Dodges of V. Gaines (6.590 sec/ 210.87mph) and Vincent Nobile (6.606 sec/ 210.01 mph). Both made slight improvements on their passes and will start eighth and 11th respectively.

Allen Johnson was set to make his third qualifying pass in the Mopar Express Lane Dodge Avenger when, following his burnout, he lost power and team headed back to the pits to replace the motor. Rain began to fall just moments later and washed out the rest of the day’s schedule.

“It was a stroke of luck really because had rain come just a few minutes earlier we would never have known we had a problem then would’ve probably lost the motor in our first round of eliminations, so we’re kind of happy with how it all worked out,” said Johnson who ended up seventh in qualifying and will face off against Rodger Brogden in a first round match-up. “We thought maybe something was up at the end of our second run yesterday but we looked everything over didn’t find anything. I’m happy things happened the way they did and now we know the Mopar Express Lane machine is all good for going rounds on Sunday.”

With the cancellation of the rest of qualifying, the Funny Car field was set for Sunday’s elimination rounds based on Friday results.

Jack Beckman was Mopar’s highest qualifier after two sessions after clocking a 4.117-second pass for a fourth place position behind No.1 qualifier Cruz Pedregon. Beckman first round opponent will be Tony Pedregon.

Matt Hagan, who qualified sixth in the Rocky Boots/Magneti Marelli Dodge Charger R/T qualified sixth and will face his Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps, who ended up 11th, for an all-Mopar first round showdown. Fellow Mopar driver Johnny Gray will start from the bottom half of the eliminations ladder with his 14th place qualifying spot and will see Robert Hight as his first round match-up.

Coughlin Leads Mopar in Qualifying at NHRA SpringNationals in Houston

·         Mopar competing this weekend at the NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries
·         Top Mopar on Friday ‘HEMI® Day’ is Coughlin as provisional No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock
·         Defending winner in Pro Stock category is HEMI-powered Vincent Nobile
·         Hagan coming off title win in Charlotte with “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar” Dodge and leads Funny Car points standing
·         NHRA SpringNationals qualifying and eliminations will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN2
 
Houston, Texas (Friday, April 26) – Mopar spent the day, widely known to enthusiasts as ‘HEMI® Day’, a day to celebrate the 426 HEMI engine (as it falls on April 26th or 4/26), on track for two rounds of qualifying with their Pro Stock and Funny Car HEMI-powered Dodge entries preparing for the 26th annual NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries, the 6th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

Jeg Coughlin Jr. took full advantage of his HEMI power and went straight to the top of the timing charts on his second qualifying pass with a low elapsed time of 6.569 seconds (211.20 mph. But as great as his run was, he quickly had a bit of peddling to do after the finish line when his parachutes didn’t deploy.

“You’ve got to be ready for anything and to be quite honest with you, I wasn’t ready for that,” said Coughlin who is currently fourth in the Pro Stock points with two final round appearances so far this year.  “Our parachutes always work and work well. We made a fantastic run, but my attention was quickly called away by just trying to get stopped.”

Once Coughlin got his car stopped just before the runoff area without any damage, he was able to reflect on finally dislodging competitor Mike Edwards from the top spot for the first time this year.

“It’s our first time at the top with the JEGS/Mopar Dodge Avenger with J&J horsepower and let me tell you, it feels pretty nice. We’re going to do our best to peck away at this thing and see if we can have a better racecar tomorrow.”

Of all the Mopar drivers, Pro Stock driver Vincent Nobile is likely the one most looking forward to this weekend’s event as the two-time defending winner at Royal Purple Raceway, and the site of his first career victory. Nobile and his Mountain View Tire Dodge Avenger team have had a good start to 2013 with a win in the season opener and a fifth place spot in the standings after five events. Working with the Mopars of J & J Racing’s Allen Johnson and Coughlin as teammates has helped keep his confidence up.

“I have a hard working team who doesn’t give up and we’re hoping to get back on track this weekend,” said Nobile who was 11th in qualifying with an e.t. of 6.614 seconds (209.98 mph). “We’ve never qualified in the top-3 here but for whatever reason Royal Purple Raceway treats my team well. We are currently not running up to our par, but I feel confident we can make a run at the Championship by the time it really counts, the Countdown to the Championship.”

Winner of titles at both the GatorNationals and Las Vegas, Johnson is working to get back to the winners circle. While he posted the second best run of the first session with a 6.680 second e.t. (211.49 mph), Johnson’s Pro 1 Dodge Avenger did not improve on his second pass, putting him seventh on the qualifying charts. HEMI-powered V.Gaines (6.602 sec / 210.57 mph) is in 10th spot.

Matt Hagan, who is coming off a big Funny Car class title win at the 4-Wide Nationals last weekend in the Don Schumacher Racing “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar” Dodge Charger R/T, is hoping to add another title to his current count of six career wins as soon as possible.

“It’s phenomenal to have our guys and our racecar come together,” Hagan said. “It builds confidence and effects how I drive the car. I can focus on what I have to do. I haven’t felt this good in a while about racing.”

Hagan was sixth after two qualifying runs with a best elapsed time of 4.127 seconds (309.13 mph) while the top Dodge was that of teammate Jack Beckman in fourth spot with a 4.117 (304.39 mph). Fellow Mopar teammates Ron Capps finished his two passes 11th with an e.t of 4.201 (293.79 mph) and Johnny Gray was 14th with a 4.544 second (227.65 mph) run.

Qualifying for the pro classes resumes on Saturday at 12 noon.

This weekend, Mopar fans will be treated to direct television coverage of the NHRA SpringNationals on ESPN2 from Royal Purple Raceway near Houston with a live show on Saturday, April 27, from 3-5 p.m. (ET), showcasing the final round of qualifying. ESPN2’s race day telecast begins on Sunday, April 28, at 2 p.m. (ET) with a three-hour live coverage telecast of both semifinal and final rounds of eliminations at the SpringNationals.

Hagan Drives ‘Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar’ to 4-Wide NHRA National Win

·         Don Schumacher Racing’s Hagan takes ‘Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar’ to winner’s circle at Four-Wide Nationals
·         Win by Hagan extends Mopar’s win streak to six titles in five NHRA events in 2013
·         Hagan back on track with first win since his 2011 NHRA Funny Car Championship season
·         Hagan takes the Funny Car Championship points lead by 50 points
·         Mopar Express Lane driver Johnson drops to second place in Pro Stock points standings after red light in round two quad elimination

Concord, N.C. (Sunday, April 21) –  Matt Hagan drove his ‘Magneti Marelli Quality Autoparts Offered by Mopar’ Dodge Charger R/T straight to victory lane at the fourth annual Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals for his first title win of the season and his sixth career Funny Car victory with Don Schumacher Racing.

“This was a big win for us,” Hagan said of his first title since the 2011 season finale to earn the NHRA Funny Car World Championship for Mopar. “It’s been a year since we won, or longer. It’s been too long, and that feeling is just great to have back. Obviously we don’t want this to go away.”

“Congratulations to Matt Hagan from all of us at Mopar on his win today at the Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Matt has had a strong start to the season and it’s great to see the ‘Magneti Marelli Quality Auto Parts Offered by Mopar’ branded Dodge Charger in the winner’s circle. We look forward to watching Matt, as well as his Don Schumacher Racing teammates contend for wins in defense of the Funny Car Championship title for a third consecutive year.”

Hagan had three consecutive 4.0-second passes during Sunday’s unique four-wide eliminations on his way to earning the “Wally”. He emerged the winner in the first round with an elapsed time run of 4.057 seconds (314.09 mph) and moved on to the next quad match up along with Mopar teammate Jack Beckman who had qualified third. They did so by defeating their other DSR teammate Ron Capps and Dale Creasy.

In the next round, Hagan was once again quickest with an e.t. of 4.075 seconds (313.29 mph) while Beckman hazed the tires and did not advance to the championship round.

For the four-wide final, the ‘Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar’ machine served up a 4.071 seconds (315.34 mph) run to beat Blake Alexander, while Tim Wilkerson and No.1 qualifier Chad Head both lost traction early in their runs. With the win, Hagan jumps from fourth place into the lead in the category by 50 points, marking the first time he has led the standings since winning the 2011 Championship.

The event’s purposely built four lane zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway, provided a bit more of a challenge to Mopar’s Pro Stock contingency.  All four HEMI-powered Dodge entries had their elimination rounds end in disappointment as none made it past the second quad.

The first to fall was No.2 qualifier Jeg Coughlin Jr. who had great 0.005-second reaction time to take the lead off the start in the JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Avenger until it suddenly got loose and he lost his chance to advance. Teammate Vincent Nobile had a similar fate after also coming out the gate first, but was beaten to the line by both Mike Edwards and fellow Mopar driver V. Gaines.

Coming off wins at the previous two National events, Allen Johnson drove his Mopar Express Lane Dodge to the finish in second place to make it through the first round.

Johnson and Gaines second round quad eliminations appearance didn’t go quite as planned as both saw their red lights come on, disqualifying their run at making the final four.

“It’s disappointing not to make it to the final and it hasn’t been our best weekend but the four wide is fun for the fans and mixes things up a bit,” said Johnson. “It’s kind of unusual for me to foul out and for both me and V. (Gaines) to both do it at the same time is really odd. It’s just not something we normally do.  The good news is the Mopar Express Lane Dodge isn’t too far back in the points in second spot.”

The Pro Stock Four-Wide National title was won by Mike Edwards who takes over the points lead. Runner-up finisher Erica Enders-Stevens slips into third sport behind Johnson. The final-four semi-finalists were Shane Gray and Greg Anderson.

Shortened Qualifying Provides Mixed Results for Mopar at Four-Wide Nationals

·         Field is set for eliminations at fourth edition of the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Fueled by Full Throttle
·         Mopar Pro Stock driver Jeg Coughlin Jr. qualifies No.2 in Pro Stock competition at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.
·         Jack Beckman qualifies his Dodge Charger R/T in third spot as the top Mopar Funny Car

Concord, N.C. (Saturday, April 20) –   Mopar drivers in both Pro Stock and Funny Car classes had just two runs to make their mark in qualifying for this weekend’s fourth annual Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, after rain washed out Friday’s sessions at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s zMAX Dragway. Those two passes left little room for error and had mixed results for Mopar entries in both classes as they prepared for Sunday’s contest.

The unique Four-Wide Nationals format for Sunday’s eliminations will see the field of 16 qualifiers in each class split into four waves of drag racing (instead of the usual eight) for the opening round.  With competitors facing-off simultaneously in four lanes, the top two finishers of each round will advance. As a result, only three eliminations rounds will be necessary, with the final run determining the winner, runner-up and two semi-finalists.

In Pro Stock qualifying, Mopar’s Jeg Coughlin Jr. run of 6.496 seconds (212.93 mph) came closest to stealing top spot from Mike Edwards (6.471sec / 213.64 mph), who posted a National elapsed time record and his fifth consecutive No.1 qualifier position of the season.

“We’ve had some great runs this year and we’ve been qualifying extremely well as evidenced by today’s No. 2 effort, but it’s game day where we want to perform to help mark this fantastic turn-around season for us in grand style,” said Coughlin who has two runner-up performance and a semi-final finish thus far in the first four events of the year. “There are some extra challenges when going four-wide but this race is Bruton (Smith’s) baby and it’s a lot of fun for us and the fans, as you can see by the packed grandstands. We have a fast racecar and I like our chances, but really the top eight cars here are separated by only a few hundredths of a second, give or take, so I know it’s going be a dog fight.”

Winner of the last two National title events, Allen Johnson qualified the Mopar Express Lane Dodge in fourth spot with his best pass of 6.500 sec /213.30 mph despite the limited track time.

“We didn’t have great qualifying runs but we’re still in the top half of the field and we’ll take that,” said Johnson. “Having a new car here and losing two sessions kind of hurt us. That might be true at any track but on this track especially since the start line’s uphill qualities make it a bit more of a challenge. But we have a confident and experienced Mopar Express Lane Crew and we’ll bounce back when it counts.”

Fellow HEMI® powered teammate Vincent Nobile didn’t improve on his first run of 6.534 sec (211.83) and ended up eighth, while the Dodge of V. Gaines claimed ninth place with a 6.545 sec (212.13 mph) effort. Both will be part of the first foursome running against Edwards and Frank Gugliotta. Meanwhile, Johnson and Coughlin will be the sole Mopars to battle in their respective first round quads with the hopes of advancing through two more in order to battle for the coveted Four-Wide National title.

The top qualified Mopar Funny Car was that of Don Schumacher Racing’s Jack Beckman who recorded an elapsed time of 4.071 seconds (311.09 mph) in his Dodge Charger R/T which was good enough to earn the third spot on the qualifying charts. Teammate Matt Hagan qualified his “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar” entry sixth overall on the strength of a 4.137-second (303.09 mph) run in the final session. Fellow DSR driver Ron Capps had a best run of 4.137 seconds (303.09 mph) after smoking the tires of his Mopar in the final qualifying pass to put him in the 11th spot.

Funny Car qualifying came to a conclusion with a few surprises as rookie driver Chad Head drove to his first career No. 1 qualifying position, while Mopar’s Johnny Gray, second in the Championship point standings, will not be part of Sunday’s elimination rounds. After smoking the tires on his first run (7.56 second) putting him provisionally 12th, he had more trouble on his second pass, resulting in an e.t. of 5.363 seconds, which was not enough to make the field.

It will be quite the battle in the opening round of Funny Car eliminations as the DSR Mopar teammates Hagan, Capps and Beckman will battle each other and Dale Creasy for the two spots that will advance out of each foursome.

Mopar Ready to Run Four-Wide at Charlotte

·         Mopar ready to compete in this weekend’s fourth edition of the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Fueled by Full Throttle
·         Rain disrupts Friday qualifying at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.
·         Mopar has a streak of 12 wins that spans 10 consecutive NHRA events beginning in Charlotte in Sept. 2012
·         Johnson on a roll heading into Charlotte after claiming Pro Stock National titles at the Gatornationals and Las Vegas, as well as a win in the K&N Horsepower Challenge
·         Mopar Express Lane driver Johnson leads NHRA Pro Stock Championship points
·         ‘Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar’ driver Matt Hagan holds Charlotte track record at 3.995 seconds (322.27 mph) set in Fall 2011

Concord, N.C. (Friday, April 19) –   While Mopar drivers and teams were ready to run the first two qualifying sessions of this weekend’s fourth annual Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Mother Nature had other plans as rain and inclement weather forced the cancellation of Friday’s activities at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s zMAX Dragway. The event features an unusual format that has entries in each pro class compete against each other using four lanes instead of the usual two. This will be the fifth event on the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series schedule.

Weather permitting, qualifying should resume on Saturday with two sessions to set the field for Sunday’s Four-Wide elimination rounds where Mopar is hoping to continue a win streak that spans 10 events.  It began here in Charlotte in Sept. 2012 and is currently at 12 title wins (Pro Stock and Funny Car) which includes the five victories in the first four races of this season. Contributing to that total are five Pro Stock wins by Allen Johnson, three Funny Car titles by Ron Capps, and individual victories by Jack Beckman (FC), V. Gaines (PS), Vincent Nobile (PS), and Johnny Gray (FC).

Friday’s action did see the first ten Pro Stock entries post times before rain began to fall just prior to runs by the Dodge Avengers of Johnson, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Nobile and Gaines. Shane Gray holds the provisional No. 1 qualifier position following the cancellation of the rest of qualifying for Pro Stock, as well as Funny Car and Top Fuel classes.

Mopar Express Lane driver Johnson (354 points) heads into this weekend’s event as the points leader following two consecutive National title victories at the Gatornationals and Las Vegas, as well as the K&N Horsepower Challenge. His teammate Coughlin Jr. (330 points) is third in class after taking JEGS.com Mopar to the semifinals in three of the last four events while Nobile (276), who also runs Johnson & Johnson supplied HEMI engines, rounds out the top-five with a win in the season opening race.  The fourth full-time HEMI®-powered Dodge driver, Gaines (232 points) is in seventh place.

Don Schumacher Racing’s Matt Hagan comes back to Charlotte still holding the track record he set at 3.995 seconds (322.27 mph) in 2011 at the fall event. He’s hoping to improve on his performances so far this year that have the ‘Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar’ Dodge Charger R/T fourth in the points, splitting his teammates Johnny Gray (second) and Ron Capps (fifth) in the standings. Defending Funny Car Champion Jack Beckman is currently eighth.

Johnson Earns Second Consecutive NHRA National Title and Third Win at Las Vegas;
Fifth Victory of the 2013 Season for Mopar

·         Johnson defends previous two Las Vegas National titles with a third and posts his 18th career victory to follow-up on his Gatornationals title.
·         National title victory also gives Johnson the “Sweep Bonus” for following up on his K&N Horsepower Challenge win on Saturday
·         Fourth consecutive national event with a Mopar in the final round of eliminations and fifth win of 2013
·         Johnson takes over as leader in the NHRA Pro Stock Championship points
·         Hagan is top Mopar finisher with semi-final appearance to end Mopar’s Funny Car event win streak at two

Las Vegas (Sunday, April 7) – Mopar driver Allen Johnson will be leaving Las Vegas a big winner. Not only did he defend his two previous NHRA National titles at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but by earning his 18th career Pro Stock victory in the new look Mopar Express Lane Dodge, he claimed the jackpot of a $25,000 “Sweep Bonus” to go with his $50,000 win in Saturday’s annual K&N Horsepower Challenge.

It is the fourth consecutive national event in which a Mopar has advanced to the final round of eliminations in either Pro Stock or Funny Car categories. The SummitRacing.com Nationals win also brings Mopar’s title victories total to five in just the first four races of the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Series season.

Johnson’s weekend success comes on the heels of his victory at the Gatornationals, and propels him to the top of the leaderboard in the Pro Stock Championship points standings.

In a repeat of Saturday’s final match up in the annual K&N Horsepower Challenge, Johnson faced Erica Enders-Stevens as his final round elimination opponent with the same result and an elapsed time of 6.713 seconds (206.76 mph).  In previous rounds, Johnson had to defeat his own Mopar teammates, Vincent Nobile and Jeg Coughlin Jr., in order to earn his second win of the year and his third consecutive at the Las Vegas dragstrip.

“It seems like our car really likes altitude tracks, and hats off to my Mopar Express Lane guys for pulling off the sweep today,” said Johnson whose two wins this weekend made it the second year in a row that a HEMI-powered Dodge won both the K&N Horsepower Challenge and the National title after Nobiles’ sweep at Norwalk in 2012. “It’s awesome to win both races. I was asked if this just became my favorite track and I still have to answer that another high altitude track, Denver, is still tops in my books. Not just because it’s Mopar’s title race but probably because I’ve won there four times. But Las Vegas is quickly becoming a favorite after winning it three times now, along with our sweeping the K&N Challenge.”

“All of us at Mopar are thrilled to see Allen (Johnson) return to the winner’s circle for the second consecutive event and defend his titles at Las Vegas,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Allen and the Mopar Express Lane team haven’t stopped working and building on the successes of last year and have set the bar even higher this season. It’s great to watch him continue to contend and take the Championship lead amid some tough Pro Stock competition.”

Coughlin Jr. took the JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Avenger to the semifinals for the third time in four races and stands third in the championship points race. Nobile rounds out the top-five on the strength of his win in the season opening race while the HEMI-powered Dodge of V. Gaines is in seventh place.

Don Schumacher Racing winning streak for Mopar Funny Cars ended at two after a good effort by Matt Hagan to drive his ‘Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar’ Dodge Charger R/T past first round opponent Bob Tasca and then his teammate Jack Beckman, only to lose his semi-final match-up against Courtney Force. While Force went on to face eventual title winner Cruz Pedregon, she did take over the lead in the NHRA Funny Car Championship standings.

Hagan maintains his fourth place on the leaderboard splitting the team’s previous two event winners; Johnny Gray is second in the points while Ron Capps who drops to fifth place. Defending Funny Car Champion Jack Beckman has his Dodge Charger eighth in the standings.

Next on the agenda for Mopar teams and drivers is the spectacular Dollar General Four-Wide NHRA Nationals at zMax Dragway in Charlotte on April 19-21, for the fifth of 24 events on the 2013 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
 

Johnson Takes Mopar Express Lane to Victory in K&N Horsepower Challenge Win; Qualifies Second for Sunday Eliminations

•                    Johnson drives Mopar Express Lane to K&N Horsepower Challenge win
•                    Defending winner of Nationals at Las Vegas, Johnson is No.2 qualifier with Mopar teammate Coughlin third seed for Sunday’s elimination rounds
•                    Beckman highest Mopar qualifier in Funny Car with third place spot on score sheets

Las Vegas (Saturday, April 6) – The new look Mopar Express Lane Dodge Avenger made its debut this weekend in grand style as Allen Johnson drove it straight to victory lane in Saturday’s K&N Horsepower Challenge. The Mopar driver’s efforts also put him second in final qualifying for Sunday’s elimination rounds at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The K&N Horsepower Challenge is an annual race-within-a-race bonus event at Las Vegas, in which all four Mopar drivers were among the eight Pro Stock entries for this year’s edition. As the top seed, Johnson faced off against his teammate and fan vote favorite, Jeg Coughlin Jr. in the first round to treat fans to an incredibly close race. Although the Jegs.com driver had the starting line advantage with a 0.019 second reaction time versus a 0.039, Johnson’s Dodge Avenger ran him down and beat him to the stripe by just 0.0031 seconds, also giving the Mopar Express Lane car the quickest pass in the third round of qualifying.

Last year’s winner of the All-Star event, HEMI-powered Vincent Nobile, lost his match-up against Erica Enders-Stevens, while Mopar driver V. Gaines fell to Jason Line. In semi-final action, Enders-Stevens disposed of Line to set up the K&N Horsepower Challenge final showdown against Johnson’s Mopar following his defeat of Greg Anderson.

Facing off on a slick track following a Top Fuel session, Johnson and Enders-Stevens found themselves in a near Funny Car style pedalfest that saw the Mopar reach the finish first with e.t. of 7.188 seconds (200.62 mph) over its rival’s 9.602 / 110.96. It is the fourth time a Dodge has won the K&N Horsepower Challenge since it was first held in 1985.

“Any time you can stack up against the eight drivers that were in that thing, just to be there is an honor, and to beat them is an even bigger honor,” said Johnson who last won the K&N Challenge in 2008. “The new Mopar Express Lane Dodge Avenger got it done today. We did everything at the track as fast as the guys working the Mopar Express Lane do changing your oil. It was a lot of fun. I appreciate K&N. Man, what an awesome company to sponsor this thing. We’ve been out here with them for many years now, and they’re quality people and a quality company.”

As the winner of the Challenge, Johnson and his Mopar Express Lane crew earned the $50,000 purse but are now eligible for the “Sweep Bonus” of $25,000 if they also make it to victory lane in the SummitRacing.com Nationals on Sunday.

After four rounds of Pro Stock qualifying, those Vegas odds look a bit better for the Johnson as the defending winner and the top Mopar seed with a second place e.t. of 6.652 seconds (207.53 mph) putting him just behind No.1 qualifier Mike Edwards with a low e.t of 6.642 seconds (208.26 mph). Coughlin was third on the score sheets on the strength of his best effort of 6.655 seconds (207.34 mph).

“Qualifying No. 3 is nice, and it took the sting out of getting nipped there in the first round of the K&N Challenge,” said Coughlin who has claimed five titles at the National in Las Vegas. “We made four good qualifying runs and got some bonus points to boot. That’s extremely exciting because it means we were one of the top three cars every session. That consistency gives myself and the rest of the team a lot of confidence going into Sunday.”

The HEMI-powered entries of Gaines and Nobile are sixth and tenth respectively heading into Sunday’s elimination rounds.

In Funny Car action, Mopar’s top qualifier was Don Schumacher Racing’s Jack Beckman who posted his best run of 4.095 seconds (306.05 mph), the second best pass of the fourth and final session, to end up third on the final qualifying sheets. Teammate Johnny Gray, who is coming off a win at the GatorNationals, qualified his Dodge Charger fourth. Matt Hagan’s Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar entry qualified well in Friday’s second session with a 4.115 sec  / 306.53 mph run that was strong enough for a sixth place seed in eliminations. Tied for the lead with Gray in the Funny Car championship standings, Ron Capps put his Dodge Charger seventh.

Mopar Ready to Bet on Fast Runs at NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas

Mopar takes on the Summit.com NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas after earning four title wins in first three events of the season
Mopar’s ‘Express Lane’ makes debut on Johnson’s Dodge Avenger at NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas
Allen Johnson is the defending Pro Stock winner at Las Vegas
All four Mopar entries among eight Pro Stock drivers qualified for K&N Horsepower Challenge race within a race
Mopar leads Funny Car standings with a tie between Ron Capps and Johnny Gray each with a win
Mopar is 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in Pro Stock Championship standings with Coughlin, Johnson & Nobile
 
Las Vegas (Friday, April 5) – Plenty of action on the docket for Mopar teams and drivers at this weekend’s SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the fourth of 24 events in the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Mopar is riding high and fast after earning four title wins, two in Pro Stock as well as Funny Car, in first three events of the year, all of which had a Mopar versus Mopar final elimination (2 PS and 2 FC).

Defending Pro Stock winner of the fall event, Allen Johnson not only brings a new car to the track after testing it this past week at Rockingham, N.C. but is also sporting a fresh new look with Mopar’s “Express Lane Fast Oil Changes & More” message. Currently more than 800 Chrysler Group dealerships provide a dedicated Express Lane to provide fast service and convenient light maintenance without the need of an appointment.

Heading into this event, Mopar drivers Jeg Coughlin Jr., Johnson & Vincent Nobile are second, third, and forth in Pro Stock Championship standings. Coughlin is hoping to press his Dodge Avenger and his luck in Las Vegas  in order to join his teammates in earning a Wally after he finished runner-up to each one in Pomona (Nobile) and Gainesville (Johnson).

So far so good in Friday’s qualifying rounds as Coughlin posted an elapsed time of 6.655 second (207.34 mph) to place second to the low e.t of 6.651 set by rival Mike Edwards (207.98mph). Johnson put his Dodge Avenger third with a run of 6.672 (207.21 mph) with teammate Nobile is in ninth spot (6.697 / 206.54) while HEMI-power had V.Gaines (6.702/206.64) rounding out the top-10.

All four Mopar drivers are among the eight Pro Stock entries that will also be racing for a lucrative payday in the K&N Horsepower Challenge, race-within-a-race bonus event, on Saturday. The eight-racer field features the seven drivers who have accumulated the most points in qualifying since this same event in 2012, along with a final spot for the driver who collects the most fan votes.

For the first time in his career, Johnson will lead the K&N Horsepower Challenge field as No.1 seed while HEMI-powered Vincent Nobile, seeded sixth, is the defending winner of last year’s race. V. Gaines qualifying points gave him the seventh place entry while Jeg Coughlin Jr is the eighth driver thanks to being voted in by NHRA fans. The winner of the event will earn $50,000, and the runner-up will take home $10,000. As the top seed of the event, Johnson will face off against Coughlin in the opening round.

In Funny Car qualifying action, Johnny Gray was the best of the Don Schumacher Racing Mopar entries with a third place effort of 4.107 seconds (309.42 mph) while teammate Matt Hagan put his ‘Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar’ Dodge Charger R/T in fourth spot with a pass of 4.115 sec / 306.53 mph. Fellow DSR driver Ron Capps is currently qualified in fifth place (4.133 /302.55) just ahead of teammate Jack Beckman (4.158 /297.16). Competitor Robert Height paced the field with a low e.t. of 4.053 seconds at 315.19 mph.

Mopar leads the Funny Car Championship standings with a tie between Capps and Gray, who each have a win. Hagan has been off to a strong start with a final-round appearance at Gatornationals and currently sits fourth in standings while 2012 NHRA Champ Beckman is in ninth place.

Television coverage of the NHRA Nationals from Las Vegas will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD with two hours of qualifying highlights airing Saturday, April 6, at 8 p.m. (ET) while on Sunday, April 7, three hours of eliminations action will be featured starting at 11 p.m. (ET).

Pro Stock Driver Johnson to Sport Mopar’s ‘Express Lane’ for 2013 NHRA Season

·         Mopar’s ‘Express Lane’ to debut on Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson’s Dodge Avenger this weekend at NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas
·         More than 800 Chrysler Group dealerships provide Mopar Express Lane service for light maintenance and world-class inspection for all make and model vehicles
·         Express Lane provides fast and convenient service with no appointment necessary

Auburn Hills, Mich. (Friday, April 5, 2013) – Defending 2012 Pro Stock Champion Allen Johnson will race his Dodge Avenger through the rest of the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season sporting a fresh new look with Mopar’s “Express Lane Fast Oil Changes & More” message.

It’s only fitting to have the new Mopar Express Lane paint scheme unveiled at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas this first weekend of April as it is designated National Car Care month and a way to remind drivers to get their vehicles inspected and properly maintained.

Currently more than 800 Chrysler Group dealerships provide dedicated Express Lane service for light maintenance like fast oil changes for all make and model cars, along with a world-class inspection, provided by highly trained Chrysler Group dealership technicians. Express Lane provides fast and convenient service without the need for making an appointment.

“I’m really excited to debut our new car with the Mopar Express Lane scheme at Las Vegas where I’m looking to defend our win there,” said Johnson whose decisive win at Las Vegas last fall during the Countdown helped secure his 2012 championship title. “I took part in Mopar’s promotion of Express Lane in 2010 and it’s great to be able to tell people about what a great service they offer. Just like my team, they have highly trained technicians ready to get to work and get you back on the road in no time. That’s the kind of service that gets you into the winner’s circle and that’s what I’m hoping to do quite often this year.”

“Allen Johnson and his team have been great ambassadors for the Mopar brand and we’re excited to now have him help increase awareness of our world-class Express Lane service,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Allen and his dedicated Mopar team personify the kind of fast, professional service that our Express Lane provides everyday drivers to maintain their own Chrysler Group vehicles in top shape. It’s important to note that thanks to our relationship with Magneti Marelli and Shell Lubricants, Express Lane also permits our dealerships to service all makes and model vehicles.”

Available Express Lane services include oil and filter changes, multipoint vehicle checkup, tire rotation with brake inspection, air and cabin filter replacement, wiper blade replacement, headlight and light bulb replacement and battery testing. Mopar Express Lane Service isn’t limited to Chrysler Group vehicles — with the Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar program, fast service also is available for all other makes and models.

Mopar Earns Two Notable Title Wins at NHRA Gatornationals;
Johnson Back in Pro Stock Winner’s Circle While Gray Helps Don Schumacher Racing Reach 200-Win Milestone

·         Johnson wins Mopar versus Mopar showdown against Coughlin in Pro Stock final elimination at Gatornationals
·         Gray earns victory for Mopar in Funny Car and helps Don Schumacher Racing reach prestigious 200- win milestone
·         Mopar has total of four wins, two Pro Stock and two Funny Car, after three National events in 2013
·         Two DSR Dodge Chargers tied for lead in Funny Car points standings
·         Mopar teammates 2nd, 3rd and 4th in Pro Stock championship battle
 
Gainesville, Fla. (Sunday, March 17) –Mopar drove its way to the winners circle for a third consecutive NHRA national event, this time posting notable wins in both Pro Stock and Funny Car classes at the 44th Annual Gatornationals. Allen Johnson earned his first victory since the Mopar team’s Pro Stock Championship and title win in the 2012 season finale, and he did it on a holeshot over his teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr. in an all Mopar final. Meanwhile, Funny Car driver Johnny Gray helped Don Schumacher Racing reach the 200-win milestone by posting his fourth career title in his Dodge Charger. Both wins were firsts for each driver at the historic Gainesville Raceway.

“All of us at Mopar are very proud of Allen Johnson and Johnny Gray on doubling up today with wins at the NHRA Gatornationals to continue the strong start to the season,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “After winning both Pro Stock and Funny Car Championships in 2012, these two wins send a clear message that Mopar HEMI®-powered teams and drivers are once again going to be a force to reckon with in both classes as they work to earn more wins and defend the world titles.”

After both Johnson and Coughlin put up career numbers in their Dodge Avengers with their qualifying runs, improving each of their marks for both quickest elapsed time and top speeds, they battled their way through eliminations only to set up a Mopar versus Mopar final showdown. Johnson’s quicker reaction time helped defeat his teammate with a 6.535-second elapsed time (212.59 mph) ahead of the Coughlin’s quicker 6.514 E.T. (212.25 mph). It was Johnson’s first Gatornationals title win and the 17th of his career after 37 final round appearances, and Coughlin’s second runner-up finish of the year.

“I think we’re one of the premier teams in Pro Stock now, and I think anyone would tell you that,” said Johnson after earning Mopar’s second Pro Stock title in three races this year after fellow teammate Vincent Nobile’s season-opening win over Coughlin. “We’ve got a crew that makes great decisions based on scientific methods and data, and we keep improving those decision-making tools. We’ll be right there again (for the championship).”

The three HEMI®-powered teammates are now second (Coughlin), third (Johnson) and fourth (Nobile) in the championship points standing behind Mike Edwards who took the lead on the merits of bonus points earned during the weekend as No.1 qualifier, setting the national event low E.T. and a new top speed track record.

“I’ve said all along, everybody asks me why I hired my two assassins, two of the best drivers in the class,” said Johnson about battling his own teammates. “I said that they make me better. Last year in the last six races, I ran Vincent (Nobile) every race, and beat him in all six. I beat him because he challenges me and makes me better. That makes me better as a driver overall. Same thing with Jeggy (Coughlin)as I knew that I would have to do my ultimate best to beat him. I hope we can go head-to-head a bunch.”

In Funny Car action, after qualifying second, Gray helped garner the 199th win for his team in his Dodge Charger by beating Del Worsham at the finish with a 4.053 second (315.49 mph) elapsed time run to his competitor’s 4.100 sec (303.50 mph) pass.  Teammate Antron Brown added the 200th win for Don Schumacher moments later in the Top Fuel class final.

“It’s incredible,” Don Schumacher said. “It started in 1970 in Indianapolis when I won the U.S. Nationals. I am not someone who ever counts things like that. I never thought it would happen or even considered it. Thanks to all of my drivers. They do an incredible job day in and day out.”

Gorlier conveyed Mopar’s pride at having being part of that journey.  “On behalf of everyone at Mopar, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Don Schumacher and his team for reaching the 200 win milestone with victories by Johnny Gray in Funny Car and in Top Fuel with Antron Brown. Don has been a long-time loyal supporter and friend of the Mopar brand, as both a team owner and driver, making his first of many trips to the winner’s circle in 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Funny Car at the U.S. Nationals. We applaud his drive and determination that led him to this remarkable milestone and wish him many more wins in the years to come.”

Mopar driver Matt Hagan, a contributor to 200-win milestone with five titles of his own, qualified third for the Gatornationals and looked strong in his new blue and gold “Magneti Marelli Quality Auto Parts Offered by Mopar” Dodge Charger but was ultimately defeated in the second round by his other DSR teammate, and defending 2012 champ, Jack Beckman. Hagan is fourth in the Funny Car championship standings behind teammates Ron Capps and Gray who are tied with the lead with a win each.

Strong Qualifying Effort and Career Numbers for Mopar at Gatornationals

Career best elapsed time and top speed numbers for Mopar Pro Stock drivers Johnson and Coughlin in qualifying at Gatornationals
Johnson qualifies second for final eliminations; Coughlin fourth
DSR Mopars of Gray and Hagan qualify second and third in Funny Car action
Fresh new look for DSR driver Hagan and his Dodge Charger with new primary sponsorship from “Magneti Marelli Quality Auto Parts Offered by Mopar”
Mopar launches ‘Tom Hoover Sportsman Challenge’ and enhances contingency program to support NHRA Sportsman Class racing
Mopar still leads the NHRA points standings in both Funny Car and Pro Stock classes with Capps and Nobile
 
Gainesville, Fla. (Saturday, March 16) – It’s been a solid start to the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season for Mopar who is looking strong after posting career numbers in qualifying at the 44th Annual Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. to follow-up on two title wins in the first two events of the year.

Good clean air helped the Pro Stock class put up some record numbers at the season’s traditional east coast opening event, but it proved difficult to dislodge no.1 qualifier Mike Edwards from the top spot after he set national record time of 6.473-seconds and a track record speed 214.31 mph in the first qualifying session of the weekend.

Defending Pro Stock World Champ Allen Johnson qualified second in his Team Mopar Dodge Avenger, posting the quickest elapsed time of his 17 year career with a 6.481-second pass in the first session on Friday. He then improved his fastest career pass for a second time this weekend with a 213.70 mph top speed, setting the fifth fastest pass in the history of Pro Stock. Johnson was no.1 qualifier last year at Gainesville where he set the previous mark for his career-best E.T.

“It’s good, but we can do better,” said Johnson even after posting the fastest passes of his career. “It’s our best start of the season thus far, but we always want to be No. 1 in our Mopar Dodge Avenger. We gained a few bonus qualifying points, maybe four or five, and that’s always important. All three of the Johnson & Johnson Racing team cars made solid runs with a good chance to win it all, and that’s what we want to do every Sunday.”

“The Gatornationals is one of the most prestigious events on our schedule, and every driver wants to take home the trophy from this race,” added Johnson whose best finish at this national event was runner-up in 2009. “It would be huge to get a win tomorrow, not only to check it off my career to-do list but also to gain some early momentum as we work to defend our Pro Stock title.”

Jeg Coughlin Jr. also improved steadily throughout qualifying, posting his own career numbers in three of four passes, ending up fourth with a career best 6.487-second E.T and 213.40 mph top speed.

“It would be nice to get another win here,” said Coughlin who has two Pro Stock title wins in Gainesville (2001, 2008) and finished runner-up three times (2002, 2003, 2004). “It’s what every team yearns for and I know the guys in this pit have earned it. We’ll get up on the wheel tomorrow, take them one at a time, try to limit our mistakes and we’ll see how it turns out. Hopefully one of our three Dodges ends up in the winner’s circle.”

The third member of the J&J HEMI®-powered team and title winner at the season opening event in Pomona, Vincent Nobile, qualified eighth with a 6.513 sec / 212.86 mph effort. Fellow Dodge Avenger entry Vieri Gaines was sixth with a pass of 6.504 sec (213.47 mph).

With the addition of qualifying bonus points, Nobile still leads the Pro Stock Standings with 204 points, while Coughlin (187 points) is fourth, Gaines (178 points) is fifth and Johnson (151) is in seventh place.

In Funny Car action, the Don Schumacher Racing Dodge Charger entry of Johnny Gray qualified second with a 4.071-sec. E.T. (313.22 mph) and Matt Hagan was third with a quick pass of 4.084-sec (308.99 mph) in his new blue and gold “Magneti Marelli Quality Auto Parts Offered by Mopar”.

“To have partners like Magneti Marelli step up and run multiple races as primary sponsor with us and just be a part of DSR is huge,” said Hagan, who is hoping to take his Mopar to his first final elimination round at the Gatornationals. “I think it speaks volumes for DSR and the program that we’re putting together. We just have a great program and I think we can continue to show success and keep Magneti Marelli, Mopar and Rocky Boots up front.”

“Just to be able to carry the banner for that brand is phenomenal,” added Hagan. “Mopar is one of the top brands out here and my fan base has grown just from being associated with Mopar. The brand speaks for itself and hopefully we can represent it well enough to put it and their partners Magneti Marelli in the Winner’s Circle.”

Coming off a title win at the previous NHRA event in Phoenix, DSR teammate Ron Capps earned a sixth place seeding with a 4.115-second, 304.94 mph best qualifying run. Mopar’s 2012 World Champion Jeff Beckman is eleventh on the scoring sheets with an E.T. of 4.122-sec (302.55 mph).

In addition to the sponsorship announcement this week by Mopar and its Magneti Marelli partnership on the DSR entry, the brand also enhanced its continued support of Sportsman racing within the NHRA with the establishment of the ‘Tom Hoover Sportsman Challenge’ beginning this season, along with enhancements to its contingency program. The winner of Mopar’s Tom Hoover Sportsman Challenge will be determined by selecting the Sportsman Class racer that amasses the most points earned in a season during NHRA sanctioned races at the wheel of a Chrysler Group vehicle, competing in either Stock or Super Stock classes nationwide. A special commemorative Mopar trophy will be presented to the winner along with a $4,260 purse, as a nod to the 426 race HEMI® which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its introduction next year.

Mopar Versus Mopar Funny Car Final at Phoenix

Mopar vs Mopar in Funny Car final elimination round at Arizona Nationals
Capps beats Mopar teammate Hagan to earn Phoenix title win a week after a runner-up performance at the season opener
All four Pro Stock Mopars win first elimination round; falter in quarterfinals
Mopar leads the NHRA points standings in both Funny Car and Pro Stock classes with Capps and Nobile
 
Phoenix, Ariz. (Sunday, Feb. 24) – It was an all Mopar final in Funny Car competition, as Don Schumacher Racing teammates Matt Hagan and Ron Capps faced-off at the Arizona Nationals, the second event on the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series calendar. Capps followed up his runner-up finish in last weekend’s season opener at Pomona with a dominating title win by posting a 4.064 second run, his fourth straight 4.0 in his Dodge Charger R/T, to beat his Mopar teammate Hagan’s 4.15 second pass.  It was Capps’ 38th career Funny Car victory and his third at Firebird International Raceway.

“All of us at Mopar would like to offer congratulations to Ron Capps for his two consecutive final round appearances and a big win in Phoenix,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “The Mopar-powered Funny Car package looks strong again this year, and we look forward to Ron and his Don Schumacher Racing teammates contending for more wins in defense of the Championship title throughout what is sure to be an exciting and competitive season.”

“We are starting to feel like we are getting into the same rhythm that we were last year when we went to six finals in a row,” said Capps, who finished runner-up in the 2012 Funny Car Championship by just two points. “I think that both (crew chief) Rahn (Tobler) and I built up some confidence in each other at Pomona, and now here.”

For Hagan, his runner-up finish was a sign of good things to come for what is essentially a brand new Mopar team with the pre-season addition of crew chief Dickie Venables, assistant Mike Knudsen and a number of new crew members.

“I am extremely, extremely, extremely proud of this new, young, race team,” Hagan said. “For our second race together to come out here and go to the final, that’s huge. We have a lot still to learn but I think it’s just a taste of what you’re going to see this year out of this team. We take what we learned here and we move toward Gainesville.”

With the result, Capps takes over the lead in the Funny Car standings with 210 points while Hagan moves into the third spot with 151 points.

Fellow DSR teammates didn’t fair quite as well with losses in the first round of eliminations. Johnny Gray, who was No.1 qualifier for the event, didn’t have the run he was hoping for when, following a pedalfest, his pass was disqualified after making contact with the wall at the 1000 foot mark.  He is currently fifth in points with 122. Jack Beckman’s efforts were hampered with traction issues right at the start of his run, and with two first-round losses in as many events, the defending Funny Car World Champion temporarily drops out of the top-10 in the standings into 11th place.

In Pro Stock competition, all four full-time HEMI-powered Mopars advanced from their first elimination match-ups with Jeg Coughlin Jr. setting the lowest elapsed time for the round with a 6.537 sec and 212.49 mph pass. The quarterfinals, however, were a different story as all four saw their race day cut short.

Defending NHRA World Champion, Allen Johnson’s quarterfinal run elapsed time of 6.549 seconds was beaten on a holeshot by Greg Anderson’s 6.551 pass. Coughlin had an identical .022 second reaction time to his competitor Jason Line but lost the round with a 6.538 to 6.581 difference.

V. Gaines was defeated by Erica Enders who won with a .033 to .074 holeshot after both cars posted identical runs of 6.553 seconds. Vincent Nobile’s .025 second reaction time was beaten by No. 1 qualifier Mike Edwards’ .013 and then at the line by a 6.505 to 6.582 second difference.

Enders went on to earn her fifth career Pro Stock title by defeating Edwards with a holeshot win in the final round to move into second place in the standings.

Nobile still leads the Pro Stock Standings with 171 points, while Coughlin (149 points) is fourth, Gaines (142 points) is fifth and Johnson (107) is tied for seventh place.  

It has been a solid start to the 2013 NHRA season for Mopar with wins in the first two races with Capps’ Funny Car victory this weekend in Phoenix and Pro Stock HEMI-powered Nobile’s title win at Pomona. Mopar will work to make it three in a row as teams and drivers prepare for the 44th Annual NHRA Gatornationals, the traditional east coast opening event and the third of 24 events on the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule slated to take place in Gainesville, Fla. on March 14-17.

Solid Qualifying Performances for Mopar at Phoenix

Two Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Cars atop qualifying sheet with Gray claiming No.1 qualifier honors and Hagan second
Gaines is top HEMI®-powered Dodge as No. 2 qualifier and among four Mopars in top half of 16-car Pro Stock field
Mopar is 1-2-3 in Pro Stock point standings and 2-3 in Funny Car heading into eliminations on Sunday
Total of seven Dodge Avengers in Pro Stock field and six Dodge Charger R/Ts in Funny Car at Phoenix
 
Phoenix, Ariz. (Saturday, Feb 23) – Mopar drivers and teams rolled out solid qualifying performances for the Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway, the second event on the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. Don Schumacher Racing’s Johnny Gray drove his Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car to the top of the scoring sheets in a dominant manner with the two best runs of qualifying, posting a pass of 4.034 seconds at 313.80 mph to earn the top qualifier honors. It is the second consecutive year Gray has earned the pole position at Phoenix and the fourth time of his career.

DSR teammate Matt Hagan put his Mopar into the No. 2 spot with a best run in Friday qualifying of 4.062 sec / 311.20 mph. Fellow DSR driver Ron Capps, currently second in the Funny Car standings on the basis of his runner-up finish in the season opener last weekend, posted the fifth quickest pass, while another Mopar teammate, Jack Beckman, has qualified tenth. Jeff Arend (13th) and Todd Lesenko (14th) bring the total to six Dodge Charger R/T entries in the sixteen qualified positions for the elimination rounds.

In Pro Stock qualifying, all four full-time Mopar entries earned spots in top half of 16-car field for final eliminations with a total of seven Dodge Avengers moving on to compete on Sunday.

V. Gaines led the HEMI®-powered contingency in both Friday qualifying sessions by posting the second quickest elapsed time run of 6.529 sec / 212.63 mph which was good enough to keep him in the No. 2 qualifier position. The No.1 qualifier moniker went to Mike Edwards who set a track record low e.t and top speed of 6.498 sec /213.13 mph.

Mopar’s Allen Johnson posted the best run of the third qualifying session with a 6.542 second, 212.03 mph pass to earn a three point bonus and secure a fifth place spot. Jeg Coughlin Jr., runner-up in the season opener, qualified right behind his teammate in sixth spot.

“We’re steadily making ground with both Mopar cars and the things we tried on mine in the third round, we put on Jeggy’s (Coughlin) car in the fourth round so he picked up a little there,” says Johnson. “We have very raceable cars for tomorrow. We’re not quite as fast as we want to be but we’re close and still leaving a little on the table. Having lane choice is going to be really critical for tomorrow’s racing as the right lane is much better than the left, so we want to maintain lane choice at all costs.”

Last week’s winner at Pomona and Pro Stock points leader Vincent Nobile claimed the eighth quickest qualifying run of the weekend, which means all four Mopar drivers will be given the all-important lane choice for first round of final eliminations. Nobile, Coughlin and Gaines currently hold the top three positions in the points standing while Johnson is in sixth place.

Three additional Dodge Avengers have made the field with Chris McGaha, Matt Hartford and Deric Kramer securing the 12th, 13th and 14th spots respectively.