Johnson Finishes as Runner-up in Mopar Dodge Funny Car at NHRA Northwest Nationals
Mopar Funny Car driver Tommy Johnson Jr. appears in final round of 30th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington
HEMI®-powered Funny Car teams from Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) have appeared in 14 of 16 final rounds in 2017 Continue reading Johnson Finishes as Runner-up in Mopar Dodge Funny Car at NHRA Northwest Nationals
Erica Enders finishes second in
Seattle after closest race of NHRA season
KENT, Wash. (Aug. 6) — Professional drag racing is the only motorsport in the world with the need to time things to the 10-thousandth of a second, an increment of time put to the test in the final round of Sunday’s 30th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals when two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders was edged by Drew Skillman by .0006 seconds, or an estimated one inch, making it the closest drag race of the entire season. Continue reading Erica Enders finishes second in Seattle after closest race of NHRA season
Five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. remains bullish on Elite race team
KENT, Wash. (Aug. 6) — Five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. didn’t have the most successful Western Swing of his career, but the 58-time national event winner says the progress made in throughout the Elite Motorsports camp will most certainly bear fruit in the coming weeks.
“If you were to say I want to go Pro Stock racing and run for race wins and championships, this is the team you’d want around you,” Coughlin said. “We have all the parts and pieces in place to win. We’ve just maybe been our own worst enemy to a certain extent. Continue reading Five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. remains bullish on Elite race team
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
I LOVE NEW YORK 355
WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES
AUGUST 6, 2017
TOP TEAM CHEVY FINISHERS:
POS. DRIVER
9TH AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 47 KROGER CLICKLIST CHEVY SS
11TH CHRIS BUESCHER, NO. 37 SCOTT PRODUCTS CHEVY SS
12TH MICHAEL MCDOWELL, NO. 95 K-LOVE RADIO CHEVY SS
13TH CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 24 SUNENERGY 1 CHEVY SS
14TH JAMIE MCMURRAY, NO. 1 MCDONALD’S CHEVY SS Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Watkins Glen
Allen Johnson Takes Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart to Quarterfinals at NHRA Northwest Nationals
KENT, Wash. (August 6, 2017) – Allen Johnson powered to the second round of eliminations after defeating Greg Anderson in the first round at the 30th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals.
First round, Johnson’s and Anderson’s qualifying times were only separated by .001-seconds. The duo staged and the battle was on. Johnson clocked in with a stout 6.592-second pass at 209.88 mph and out-powered Anderson’s 6.611, 209.14.
Second round, Johnson lined up the Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart against Tanner Gray. In the hot track conditions, Johnson slowed to a 6.616, 209.17 and was narrowly edged out by Gray’s 6.584, 209.14.
“It felt really good to get a round win,” Johnson said. “We’re happy. We’re gaining on them like I’ve said all year. I think if we keep doing what we’re doing, by Countdown to the Championship time, I think we will be right there with the top four or five cars.”
Allen Johnson’s Northwest Nationals Raceday Stats:
Qualified: No. 8
First Round: Allen Johnson (6.592, 209.88) def. Greg Anderson (6.611, 209.14)
Second Round: Tanner Gray (6.584, 209.14) def. Allen Johnson (6.616, 209.17)
Austin Dillon Finishes 26th After Running Out of Fuel With
Two Laps Remaining
“We just didn’t have the speed we needed in our No. 3 Dow STEM Chevrolet today. Our handling was a little off throughout the day today. I was too loose in essess and had trouble getting through the bus stop. We gambled on our fuel strategy when we pitted under that final caution, knowing we’d have to save to avoid being one lap short. I saved as much as I could by doing things like short-shifting, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough this time and we ran out with just two laps to go. We’ll learn from this though and be better next time.”
– Austin Dillon Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Watkins Glen 355
Paige Coughlin stars in her Sportsman debut; Uncle Mike Coughlin bows out early
HEBRON, Ohio (Aug. 6) — Third-generation drag racer Paige Coughlin had a successful Sportsman debut at this weekend’s Buckeye Fuel Wars, a Division 3 race in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. The third daughter of two-time Pro Mod world champion Troy Coughlin, Paige reached the third round of Super Comp action at National Trail Raceway before fouling out with a -.006 red-light start.
“It was a really cool experience, way better than I thought it would be,” Coughlin said. “It was a little nerve-wracking at first knowing I was going to be racing all these great drivers from Division 3, because we have some of the best in the country, but I stayed focused on what I needed to do and ended up having a great time. It was very exciting to be a part of it all.” Continue reading Paige Coughlin stars in her Sportsman debut; Uncle Mike Coughlin bows out early
QUICK FACTS: Robert Hight wins Northwest Nationals
SEATTLE (Aug. 6) – Quick facts following Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS driver Robert Hight’s victory in the NHRA Northwest Nationals on Sunday at Pacific Raceways:
This is Hight’s 39th career NHRA Funny Car victory in his 61st final. He has at least one victory in each of his 13 seasons on the circuit and at least two victories in 12 of 13 seasons.
Hight has two victories in four final-round appearances in 2017.
Prior to Sunday’s race, Hight’s most recent victory came last month in Denver.
Hight defeated Tommy Johnson Jr. in the finals. He is now 17-11 against Johnson and 4-0 in final rounds.
Hight’s last victory against Johnson came in the finals in Denver earlier this season.
This marks Hight’s first victory at Seattle in his second final. He is now 15-12 in 27 elimination round races at Seattle.
The victory was the 250th Funny Car victory for John Force Racing.
Hight’s victory marks the 254th overall victory for John Force racing (250 Funny Car, four Top Fuel).
Hight won the race from the No. 1 qualifying position. It marks the eighth victory for Hight in 14 finals after qualifying No. 1, and first since winning the Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte in 2012.
CORVETTE RACING AT ROAD AMERICA: No. 3 Corvette Retains Points Lead
Fourth for Garcia/Magnussen, fifth for Gavin/Milner in another wild finish
ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin (Aug. 6, 2017) – Corvette Racing’s Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen extended their GT Le Mans (GTLM) Driver’s Championship lead Sunday with a fourth-place finish at Road America in the Continental Tire Road Race Showcase.
An early strategic call and some late-race luck propelled the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R from eighth at the start to just off the podium in the seventh GTLM round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT ROAD AMERICA: No. 3 Corvette Retains Points Lead Fourth for Garcia/Magnussen, fifth for Gavin/Milner in another wild finish
CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS
PACIFIC RACEWAYS AT KENT, WASHINGTON
POST-RACE DRIVER QUOTES
SUNDAY, AUG. 6, 2017
An interview with Funny Car winner ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 1 qualifier; second victory on western swing and of the season; recorded 250th victory for John Force Racing and his 39th):
Q: NO ONE COULD TOUCH YOUR CAR TODAY.
ROBERT HIGHT: ”This is one of those weekends that you dream about. We rolled off the trailer and were No. 2 right behind John (Force), and then every round after that – seven straight – we were low ET of every single round in qualifying and on race day. That just goes to the Auto Club team. These guys are amazing. We’re hitting our stride at the right time. All I have to do is stand on the gas, guide this car down there and the win light turns on. It’s awesome. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Northwest Nationals
Late-Race Gamble At The Glen Comes A Couple of Laps Short For Blaney, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team
August 6, 2017
With their win earlier this season at Pocono Raceway assuring them of a playoff berth, Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team took a gamble on winning at Watkins Glen but came a couple of laps short on fuel.
Blaney was leading with three laps to go when the engine in his No. 21 Fusion began sputtering, so he ducked on to pit road for a splash of fuel. Nonetheless, he was able to score an eighth place finish, his best-ever result on a road course in NASCAR’s elite series. Continue reading Late-Race Gamble At The Glen Comes A Couple of Laps Short For Blaney, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team
Tough day for Acura, Michael Shank Racing at Road America
• Early contact, late-race crash spoil efforts of Katherine Legge and Andy Lally
• Tire issues eliminate Jeff Segal and Ozz Negri while running second
• Acura remains in contention for Manufacturers’ Championship with three races remaining
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (August 6, 2017) – Hard work throughout a difficult weekend at Road America netted the Michael Shank Racing team and Acura little reward, as both cars were forced to retire from Sunday’s Continental Tire Road Race Showcase. Continue reading Tough day for Acura, Michael Shank Racing at Road America
CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS
PACIFIC RACEWAYS AT KENT, WASHINGTON
SUNDAY, AUG. 6, 2017
Chevrolet Secures Two Victories on Final Leg of Western Swing
• Robert Hight earns second win in the past three Funny Car races
• Veteran driver presents John Force Racing its 250th Funny Car victory
• Drew Skillman wins front and back ends of the Pro Stock swing
• Justin Lamb is Stock Eliminator runner-up in Chevrolet COPO Camaro Continue reading Chevrolet Secures Two Victories on Final Leg of Western Swing
Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force claims No. 4 qualifying position for Sunday’s Northwest Nationals
SEATTLE (Aug. 5) – Courtney Force saved her best qualifying effort for last, taking the No. 4 qualifying position in NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car competition for the Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways.
Driving the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS, Force, who had struggled to make a full pass in the first three qualifying sessions, posted a solid run Saturday afternoon of 3.943 seconds at 325.14 mph. That was second-quickest of the session and moved her up from the No. 14 position. In the 15 races in which she has qualified this season, Force has yet to start outside the top four. Continue reading Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force claims No. 4 qualifying position for Sunday’s Northwest Nationals
Brittany Force ready to take consistent Monster Energy
Top Fuel dragster to Seattle winner’s circle
SEATTLE (Aug. 5) – The key to success in NHRA drag racing is often consistency. The team that can make four good runs on Sunday usually ends up in the winner’s circle.
Brittany Force and her Monster Energy team hope that’s the case in the Northwest Nationals on Sunday at Pacific Raceways. Force has been remarkably consistent through qualifying, making three solid passes and snaring the No. 5 qualifying spot for final eliminations. Continue reading Brittany Force ready to take consistent Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster to Seattle winner’s circle
Auto Club driver Robert Hight ready
to boot Funny Car field in Seattle
SEATTLE (Aug. 5) – Fans of the Seattle Seahawks know the importance of a good kicker, as three points for a field goal is often the difference between winning and losing.
The Seahawks can only hope their kicker is as consistent as Auto Club of Southern California driver Robert Hight has been in qualifying for the NHRA Northwest Nationals this weekend at Pacific Raceways. Continue reading Auto Club driver Robert Hight ready to boot Funny Car field in Seattle
PEAK Chevrolet Funny Car driver John Force
earns No. 8 qualifying position at Seattle
SEATTLE (Aug. 5) – John Force’s quest for a ninth NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car victory in the Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways will begin Sunday from the No. 8 qualifying position.
Force, driver of the PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS and team owner of John Force Racing, made his best of four qualifying passes Friday – a run of 3.973 seconds at 307.23 mph. That set the 16-time champion atop the charts after the first qualifying session. Continue reading PEAK Chevrolet Funny Car driver John Force earns No. 8 qualifying position at Seattle
Two-time champ and No. 4 qualifier Erica Enders looking for more Seattle success
KENT, Wash. (Aug. 5) — Erica Enders was fighting for her playoff life the last time the NHRA tour passed through Pacific Raceways. This time around, she easily secured her spot in the 2017 Countdown to the Championship by simply qualifying for the elimination field of the 30th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals. Continue reading Two-time champ and No. 4 qualifier Erica Enders looking for more Seattle success
Allen Johnson Makes On-Track Strides During Qualifying at NHRA Northwest Nationals
KENT, Wash. (August 5, 2017) – Allen Johnson and the Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing team made some of their biggest on-track performance strides of the season during qualifying at the 30th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals.
On Friday, Johnson began qualifying with a 6.646-second pass at 207.53 mph. With a good starting point to work off of, the Adam Hornberger-led team came back and made a massive improvement when Johnson blazed down the 1,320-foot race surface with a 6.617, 209.52.
Saturday, Johnson bettered his qualifying effort once again with a 6.601, 209.49 in the Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart and was third quickest to the 60-foot timing blocks in that session. Johnson closed out qualifying at Pacific Raceways with a troubled 7.262, 143.00 after drifting out of the groove and coasting to the finish. Notably, Johnson was first to the 60-foot mark in the Pro Stock class in the final session and was set to run his best of the weekend before Johnson decided to abort the run to avoid potentially an unfortunate situation.
Johnson ended up in the No. 8 spot and will have a first round matchup against Greg Anderson on Sunday, August 5th.
Jeg Coughlin Jr. continues return to form
in Seattle, preps for big race day ahead
KENT, Wash. (Aug. 5) — Five-time Pro Stock world champion successfully qualified his JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro in the top half of the elimination field of this weekend’s 30th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals, marking the 14th time in 16 races this year he’ll start race day on the good side of the ladder.
As with most things in the Pro Stock class, a return to the form that had him racing to final rounds and qualifying on top of the class multiple times earlier this year must be done in small steps, something a veteran racer like Coughlin knows very well. Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. continues return to form in Seattle, preps for big race day ahead