Auto Club Funny Car driver Robert Hight ready
to bounce back after Pomona troubles
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 12) – Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS driver Robert Hight is determined to bounce back from a difficult first race of 2017 after a first-round exit in the Circle K NHRA Winternationals this weekend at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Continue reading Auto Club Funny Car driver Robert Hight ready to bounce back after Pomona troubles
Erica Enders fires plenty of warning shots during season-opening Winternationals
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 12) — Back in the comfy confines of her Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, two-time world champion Erica Enders didn’t walk away with the trophy of this weekend’s 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals, but she certainly reminded everyone of why she dominated the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
A year with a different manufacturer made the category’s most prolific female racer an afterthought to many, but as soon as she got back in her Chevy, she quickly re-established herself as a top contender. Continue reading Erica Enders fires plenty of warning shots during season-opening Winternationals
Pro Stock veteran Jeg Coughlin Jr. and rookie Top Fuel pilot Troy Coughlin Jr. both reach quarterfinals of season-opening Winternationals
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 12) — Five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. lost a close second-round battle with four-time Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson Sunday at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, which put an end to Coughlin’s time at the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals.
Anderson managed to get a slight edge at the starting line and was able to hold off Coughlin’s JEGS.com Chevrolet Camaro at every timing cone, winning with a 6.567 at 210.93 mph to Coughlin’s 6.585 at 209.85 mph. At the time, Anderson’s run was the quickest of the session. Continue reading Pro Stock veteran Jeg Coughlin Jr. and rookie Top Fuel pilot Troy Coughlin Jr. both reach quarterfinals of season-opening Winternationals
CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
CIRCLE K NHRA WINTERNATIONALS
AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, CALIFORNIA
POST-RACE DRIVER QUOTES
FEB. 12, 2017
An interview with Pro Stock winner JASON LINE, KB RACING, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS:
Q: HOW DOES THIS FEEL TO WIN THE OPENER?
JASON LINE: “The Chevy Camaro is bad to the bone right now and I feel honored to be able to drive it and honored to have the No. 1 on it. Happy to be here and I thank all the California fans for coming out.”
Q: HOW DID YOU PULL OFF A .005 (OF A SECOND REACTION TIME)?
JASON LINE: “My foot slipped again. This win is for Melissa Davis. My friend and her husband Tommy passed away today and it was just a shock. My heart goes out to them. I know this doesn’t replace anything, but I just want her to know I’m thinking about her. Thanks to Summit, KB Racing, Chevy and everyone who contributed to this win.”
Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Pomona
Allen Johnson Looking to Phoenix for Rebound Performance
POMONA, Calif. (February 12, 2017) – Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson will be putting the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals in the rear-view mirror after a first round loss in eliminations. Although the early exit comes as a frustration, Johnson admits that there are things to be learned from this weekend at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
Johnson began eliminations from the No. 13 seed and had a first round matchup against Shane Gray. Johnson staged his Marathon Petroleum/J&J racing Dodge Dart and matted the throttle. At the launch, Johnson’s red, white, and blue Pro Stocker made a hard left turn towards the centerline. Johnson dipped into his two decades worth of experience to try to recover and defeat Gray but when he car got out of shape a second time, Johnson knew it was time to push in the clutch. Johnson clocked in with an 8.845-second pass at 101.72 mph.
“It can only go up from here,” Johnson smirked. “We just went up there today really aggressive with our tune-up hoping something might happen and it just took a hard left. We’ve learned a lot this weekend on what doesn’t work and we’re looking to rebound in Phoenix.”
Aleshin Leads the Way for Honda in Final Indy Car Pre-Season Practice
• Mikhail Aleshin leads Honda contingent in “The Test in the West”
• 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series opens March 12 in St. Petersburg, Florida
PHOENIX, Ariz. (February 11, 2017) – Schmidt Peterson Motorsports’ Mikhail Aleshin led the Honda contingent at the two-day “Test in the West” at Phoenix International Raceway, posting the sixth fastest speed during the Saturday afternoon session as the Verizon IndyCar Series field completed preparations for the 2017 season. Continue reading Aleshin Leads the Way for Honda in Final Indy Car Pre-Season Practice
Mopar and Dodge Drivers Hagan and Pritchett Start Season with Dual No. 1 Qualifying Efforts at NHRA Winternationals
Matt Hagan claims pole in Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T, ties own time and national speed record
Papa John’s Pizza/Mopar Pennzoil driver and Southern California native Leah Pritchett takes second career pole at hometown track
Seven Dodge Charger R/T machines qualify for Funny Car eliminations
February 11, 2017 (Pomona, California) – The first qualifying rounds of the 2017 NHRA schedule are in the books, and Mopar is two-for-two in Nitro qualifying on the young season. Don Schumacher Racing’s Matt Hagan led the contingent of seven Mopar-powered Funny Cars in a field of 18 to win the pole during the 57th NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, tying two of his own records along the way. Mopar-powered Top Fuel driver Leah Pritchett also collected her second career top qualifying spot to give Mopar the first two Nitro No. 1 qualifying positions of 2017. Continue reading Mopar and Dodge Drivers Hagan and Pritchett Start Season with Dual No. 1 Qualifying Efforts at NHRA Winternationals
PEAK’s John Force reels off second-fastest Funny Car speed, qualifies No. 2 for Winternationals at Pomona
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 11) – A day after securing a lifetime sponsorship with PEAK/Old World Industries, John Force’s career-best speed peaked during Funny Car qualifying.
And with that solid run during Saturday’s third-round qualifying session, Force grabbed the No. 2 starting spot for Sunday’s 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, the opening round of the 2017 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Continue reading PEAK’s John Force reels off second-fastest Funny Car speed, qualifies No. 2 for Winternationals at Pomona
Courtney Force to start No. 3 with Advance Auto Parts Chevy for Winternationals at Pomona
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 11) – Courtney Force will stand on her second-round qualifying time of 3.849 seconds and start No. 3 in the Funny Car class for Sunday’s Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway, the opening round of the 2017 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
Force – driving the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS – set the 3.849-second time Friday, with a speed of 330.23 mph. While she was second after Friday’s qualifications, her father and team owner, John Force, matched her time Saturday, and set a speed of 335.15, the second-fastest speed in Funny Car history. That dropped Force to No. 3. Continue reading Courtney Force to start No. 3 with Advance Auto Parts Chevy for Winternationals at Pomona
CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
OPEN TEST
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY (ARIZONA)
FEBRUARY 11, 2017
AVONDALE, (ARIZ) – Chevrolet drivers in the Verizon IndyCar Series (VICS) got down to business at an open test at Phoenix International Raceway. The April 29, 2017 race at the one-mile track just west of Phoenix, Arizona is the first oval race of the 2017 17-race season.
Making his debut as the full-time driver of the No. 21 Fuzzy’s Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet, JR Hildebrand set an unofficial track record of 19.0401seconds/193.234 mph to sit atop the leaderboard following two days of testing that included two night sessions that gave teams and drivers the opportunity to work in near-race conditions. Continue reading Chevy Racing–IndyCar–Phoenix Test
Robert Hight takes Auto Club of Southern California Chevy to No. 5 spot in qualifying
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 11) – Robert Hight and his Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car team saved their best for last during qualifying for the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
And their best was good enough for the No. 5 qualifying spot in the season-opening race of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
“Great job by my team,” Hight said. “We had struggled the last two runs in testing (in Phoenix last weekend), and then the first three runs here, the same thing. But to see the teamwork – (John Force crew chief) Jimmy Prock coming over with (Hight crew chief) Mike Neff and going over things – that’s the kind of stuff you hope for. They all worked well together and tried to help each other. Continue reading Robert Hight takes Auto Club of Southern California Chevy to No. 5 spot in qualifying
Allen Johnson Drives Marathon Petroleum Corporation Dart to No. 13 at Winternationals
POMONA, Calif. (February 11, 2017) – Allen Johnson drove his Marathon Petroleum Corporation/J&J Racing Dodge Dart to the No. 13 spot after qualifying action at the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals.
In Friday’s first session, Johnson began the season with a solid 6.636-second pass at 207.94 mph. As rain clouds lingered overhead, the Greeneville, Tennessee-native returned for the Friday afternoon session and outran Mother Nature when he crossed the finish line with a 6.663, 207.66. Continue reading Allen Johnson Drives Marathon Petroleum Corporation Dart to No. 13 at Winternationals
Quick start the key to Pomona success,
says six-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr.
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 11) — Jeg Coughlin Jr. successfully qualified his JEGS.com Chevrolet Camaro in the No. 7 slot at this weekend’s season-opening 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals and he heads into race day knowing a quick start to Sunday’s eliminations will get the new year off on the right foot.
“I’m real pleased with the progression this week and through the first four runs of qualifying here at Pomona,” Coughlin said. “We came out and fired a pretty good shot in Q1 with a .57 and just kinda maintained that for a couple rounds where some of our teammates and others were picking up around us. Continue reading Quick start the key to Pomona success, says six-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr.
History abounds, awaits world
champion Erica Enders in Pomona
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 11) — The first Junior Dragster Erica Enders ever drove to the winner’s circle is housed just across the compound from Auto Club Raceway in Wally Parks’ Drag Racing Museum. She also started her Sportsman career here and collected one of her record 21 Pro Stock race trophies at Pomona. Additionally, she clinched the first of her two world titles at this track in 2014.
Now the spunky Texan is back, hoping to add a few more memories to her So-Cal resume when this weekend’s season-opening 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals turn to Sunday’s eliminations. Continue reading History abounds, awaits world champion Erica Enders in Pomona
Courtney Force, Brittany Force each stand No. 2
after first day of qualifying at Winternationals
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 10) – John Force Racing drivers Courtney Force and Brittany Force were second in their respective NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series classes during qualifying Friday for the season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Continue reading Courtney Force, Brittany Force each stand No. 2 after first day of qualifying at Winternationals
Courtney Force, Brittany Force each stand No. 2
after first day of qualifying at Winternationals
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 10) – John Force Racing drivers Courtney Force and Brittany Force were second in their respective NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series classes during qualifying Friday for the season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
Courtney Force, in her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, turned in the second-quickest time in the first round of qualifying with a time of 3.849 seconds at 330.23 mph. Brittany Force, in the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster, was second in Top Fuel with a time of 3.706 seconds at 322.42 mph. Continue reading Courtney Force, Brittany Force each stand No. 2 after first day of qualifying at Winternationals
Long live John Force: PEAK expands
partnership with John Force, JFR
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 10) – John Force Racing is pleased to announce an expanded partnership between the 18-time championship-winning team and PEAK/BlueDEF, the leaders in the development and distribution of high-quality automotive and heavy-duty products for over four decades.
PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil has renewed it partnership to back 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force for the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and beyond. PEAK and Force will remain partners for the long term, with the goal of racing with Force for the remainder of his career, no matter how long that might be. Continue reading Long live John Force: PEAK expands partnership with John Force, JFR
Kasey Kahne Racing
New season, new partners, new people and 1,000,000 views
We’re less than a week away from the 2017 World of Outlaws season, as the KKR teams prepare to head out to Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida early next week. We will run with the All-Star Circuit of Champions on Wednesday and Thursday night, and The World of Outlaws season will officially kick off Friday night with three straight nights of racing through Sunday.
We’d like to welcome NAPA AUTO PARTS to the KKR family! They will split the season with Ollie’s Bargain Outlet on Brad Sweet’s No. 49 team, and Great Clips returns to the No. 9 with 2013 champion Daryn Pittman behind the wheel.
Championship winning crew chief Kale Kahne will move from the No. 9 to the No. 49 car this season, while Pennsylvania crew chief Eric Prutzman joins the family and will oversee the No. 9 team.
Fans are thirsty for the season to get started, as illustrated by some fun posts we’ve had on social media the past week. A video posted to KKR’s Facebook page of the No. 49 idling behind the shop got over 1.2 million views, and a video of the No. 9 on track during our Volusia test last week hit over 700,000 screens.
Robert Hight’s CHP paint scheme celebrates California Highway Patrol, Auto Club of Southern California
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 8) – Past Funny Car champion Robert Hight, the Auto Club of Southern California and the California Highway Patrol introduced a special CHP paint scheme Wednesday that will adorn Hight’s Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car at the season-opening NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series race.
The CHP scheme will run in the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona this weekend, as well as the Auto Club NHRA Finals here in November. The unveiling was made at the NHRA press conference.
The CHP scheme celebrates Auto Club of Southern California’s long relationship with the California Highway Patrol and also helps kick off the new NHRA Salutes First Responders program. Continue reading Robert Hight’s CHP paint scheme celebrates California Highway Patrol, Auto Club of Southern California
CHEVROLET AT POMONA
What:
57th Circle K NHRA Winternationals
When:
Friday, Feb. 10-Sunday, Feb. 12
Where:
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California
TV:
FS1: Qualifying – 1 p.m. ET Saturday (live)
FOX: Eliminations and finals – 4 p.m. ET Sunday (live)
Chevrolet Drivers Seek to Continue 2016 Momentum Into ’17 Season Opener
Optimism and expectations are high for title runs in three professional NHRA categories Continue reading Chevy Racing–57th Circle K Winternationals