All posts by ARP Trish

Mopar Racing

Mopar-powered Drivers Pritchett, Johnson Runners-Up at Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, Helms Wins Stock Eliminator

Mopar-powered Drivers Pritchett, Johnson Runners-Up at Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, Helms Wins Stock Eliminator

Leah Pritchett is runner-up in Top Fuel, Tommy Johnson Jr. goes to Funny Car final round during 38th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway
Both HEMI®-powered Top Fuel dragsters reach semifinals
Two Mopar Dodge Funny Cars advance to semis
Mopar maintains four of top five points positions in Funny Car, claims third and fourth spots in Top Fuel
Kevin Helms wins Stock Eliminator in 2013 Dodge Challenger
Helms named Dodge Top Finisher in Stock, Kayla Mozeris wins award in Super Stock ­­
July 23, 2017, Morrison, Colo. – Mopar-powered drivers Leah Pritchett and Tommy Johnson Jr. each went to the final round of their respective categories during the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway this weekend. However, both Pritchett in Top Fuel and Johnson in Funny Car came up just shy of providing birthday presents for Mopar as the brand celebrated its 80th anniversary at the picturesque mountainside track outside of Denver. Continue reading Mopar-powered Drivers Pritchett, Johnson Runners-Up at Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, Helms Wins Stock Eliminator →

John Force Racing

Semifinal finish in Mile-High Nationals a good start to Western Swing for Monster Energy’s Brittany Force

Semifinal finish in Mile-High Nationals a good start to Western Swing for Monster Energy’s Brittany Force

MORRISON, Colo. (July 23) – Brittany Force pushed herself and the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster to the semifinals of the NHRA Mile-High Nationals on Sunday at Bandimere Speedway, marking a solid start to the Western Swing.
The Swing, the three-race stretch that starts with this race, continues next week at Sonoma Raceway and concludes in Seattle. It’s an important part of the 2017 season, as the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis is two races after the Swing ends – and then the Countdown to the Championship begins. Continue reading Semifinal finish in Mile-High Nationals a good start to Western Swing for Monster Energy’s Brittany Force →

John Force Racing

Despite Denver exit, 16-time champ John Force ‘feeling good’ about his PEAK Chevrolet team

Despite Denver exit, 16-time champ John Force
‘feeling good’ about his PEAK Chevrolet team

MORRISON, Colo. (July 23) – PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil driver John Force wouldn’t make any excuses after suffering a close first-round loss at the NHRA Mile-High Nationals on Sunday at Bandimere Speedway.
But Force is encouraged by the progress his John Force Racing team continues to make, and by the camaraderie his team continues to show.
“I’m feeling good about this team because they’re staying together,” Force said. “We’re going to turn the corner.” Continue reading Despite Denver exit, 16-time champ John Force ‘feeling good’ about his PEAK Chevrolet team →

John Force Racing

Courtney Force can’t ‘Advance’ her Chevrolet Camaro SS from Denver’s No. 1 qualifying spot

Courtney Force can’t ‘Advance’ her Chevrolet Camaro SS
from Denver’s No. 1 qualifying spot

MORRISON, Colo. (July 23) – Courtney Force and her Advance Auto Parts team started the Western Swing on the right foot, speeding to the No. 1 qualifier for the Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.
But Force bowed out of the race too early when her Chevrolet Camaro SS struggled off the starting line before shutting off before the finish line.
“JFR being 1-2-3, that’s starting off the Western Swing right,” Force said. “Unfortunately, we had a hole out on the hit of the throttle, so immediately, our car left slow. I brought it back in the center, and it stayed hooked up, but once it got down to the top end our pan pressure was through the roof, and it shut my car off automatically, so we had to coast to the finish line.” Continue reading Courtney Force can’t ‘Advance’ her Chevrolet Camaro SS from Denver’s No. 1 qualifying spot →

Uncategorized

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Bandimere Speedway Post Race

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS
BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY AT MORRISON, COLORADO
POST-RACE DRIVER QUOTES
SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2017

An interview with Funny Car winner ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 3 qualifier; ended winless streak dating to Gainesville 2016; 38th career victory; fourth win at the track; has 29-9 round record at the track; won a race for 13th consecutive year; sixth driver to qualify for Traxxas Nitro Shootout; recorded 249th Funny Car victory for John Force Racing):

Q: HAS ANY OF YOUR WINS BEEN AS FULFILLING AS THIS ONE?

ROBERT HIGHT: Not at all; this is the big one. You have the team behind you and Chevrolet and Auto Club. Everybody kept coming up and saying, You’re due. No, you have to go out and win (the Wally). There’s going to be more coming. You can’t sweep the western swing unless you win Denver. Great job and Chevrolet. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Bandimere Speedway Post Race →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Bandimere Speedway

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS
BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY AT MORRISON, COLORADO
SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2017

Chevrolet Cruises to Mile-High Victories in Funny Car and Pro Stock

• Robert Hight secures the 249th Funny Car win for John Force Racing
• Drew Skillman becomes first back-to-back Pro Stock winner this season
• No. 6 qualifier Brittany Force advances to Top Fuel semifinals
• Courtney Force sets Funny Car track records in earning No. 1 qualifier honor

MORRISON, Colo. (July 23, 2017) – Robert Hight checked two items off his to-do list. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Bandimere Speedway →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Brickyard 400–Dale Earnhardt Jr

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
BRICKYARD 400
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
JULY 23, 2017

DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CHEVROLET SS – Sidelined due to incident on Lap 76
THIS WAS YOUR FINAL START AT THE BRICKYARD AND IS NOT THE WAY YOU WANT TO GO OUT. WHAT HAPPENED?
“I don’t know. There were just a bunch of cars slowing down and stopping and it was a chain reaction and we got into the back of the No. 6 (Trevor Bayne) and I guess they were all kind of running into each other and it just knocked the radiator out of it. We hit the No. 2 car (Brad Keselowski) earlier in the race kind of doing the same thing and it damaged the front end and I think it knocked the bumper bar out of it then, so we really had no protection after that. But, we had a great car and I was having a lot of fun. The car was fast. We had a top 10 car for sure. It’s kind of frustrating because I was really enjoying being out there. Hopefully our luck’s going to turnaround. It’s been pretty tough and this is a difficult one to put up with.”

HOW TOUGH ARE THESE RESTARTS? IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE A STREET FIGHT OUT THERE
“Well, they always are. And, it’s fun. Sometimes you’re in the wrong end of it and sometimes you can make something happen. It was great. We were leaving it in third going down into (Turn) 1 and running third gear through the short shoot and everybody’s grabbing gears and trying to do everything they can to get an advantage. And you’ve got to push hard and that got us in a little bit of trouble there when they all started checking up on the outside. I was just trying real hard to get as much as we could on restart, and we got bit.”

Kalitta Racing

Kalitta Motorsports–Bandimere Speedway

Post-Race Report
Event 14: NHRA Mile High Nationals
Bandimere Speedway
Morrison, Colo.
July 21-23

Kalitta falls in close second round race
Race Recap: Doug Kalitta and the Mac Tools team were focused on starting the annual Western Swing strong.

After a starter issue in the first qualifying session, the Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel dragster was on point through the remainder of qualifying. Kalitta was on the provisional pole after his 3.767 second pass. However, for the second time in the last four events, it was taken from him in the final qualifying session. Still, the Mac Tools team was pleased with the second starting spot and their three clean qualifying passes.

First up for Kalitta was the debuting Greg Carrillo. Kalitta and Carrillo were off of the line together but the Mac Tools machine was ahead by the 60 foot line and never looked back as he took the opening round win.

In the quarterfinals, Kalitta drew defending champion Antron Brown. The Mac Tools dragster had lane choice, and Kalitta was able to get the jump on Brown at the starting line. Kalitta’s holeshot advantage had the Mac Tools Toyota ahead at the 330 foot line but Brown was able to drive around Kalitta soon after and win by mere inches.

Statistics:
Qualified: No. 2 (3.767 sec., 323.97 mph)

E1: Kalitta defeated Carrillo – 3.827 sec., 320.20 mph to 4.344 sec., 281.01 mph

E2: Kalitta defeated by Brown – 3.814 sec., 324.75 mph to 3.796 sec., 315.34 mph

Quotable: “Just lost a close race to another great competitor. Nothing to hang our heads about. We will get this Mac Tools Toyota reloaded and ready for Sonoma.”

Point Standings: Fifth; trails Tony Schumacher by 101 points for fourth; leads Brittany Force by two points for six

John Force Racing

QUICK FACTS: Robert Hight wins Mile-High Nationals

QUICK FACTS: Robert Hight wins Mile-High Nationals

MORRISON, Colo. (July 23) – Quick facts following Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS driver Robert Hight’s victory in the Mile-High Nationals on Sunday at Bandimere Speedway:
This is Hight’s 38th career NHRA Funny Car victory in his 60th final. He has at least one victory in each of his 13 seasons on the circuit.
Hight has one victory in three final-round appearances in 2017.
Prior to Sunday’s race, Hight’s most recent victory came in Gainesville, Fla., in 2016.
Hight defeated Tommy Johnson Jr. in the finals. He is now 16-11 against Johnson and 3-0 in final rounds.
Hight’s last victory against Johnson came in the second round at Englishtown earlier this season.
This marks Hight’s fourth victory at Denver in his fourth final. He is now 29-9 in elimination round races at Denver.
The victory was the 249th Funny Car victory for John Force Racing.
Hight’s victory marks the 253rd overall victory for John Force racing (249 Funny Car, four Top Fuel).
Hight won the race from the No. 3 qualifying position. It marks the ninth victory for Hight in 12 finals after qualifying No. 3.

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Brickyard 400–Chase Elliott

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
BRICKYARD 400
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
JULY 23, 2017

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 24 NAPA CHEVROLET SS – Sidelined on Lap 43 with engine failure
YOU ARE BACK IN THE GARAGE NOW, WHAT MORE DO YOU KNOW?
“We don’t know but it was some type of motor issue. We went down a cylinder and then started blowing smoke out the pipes. I don’t know what it was. We’ll dig into it and see. But, I’ve been racing Hendrick engines since 2013 and this is the first engine problem I’ve ever had. So, I’ll take those odds all day long. We still have the best engine shop in the business and stuff’s going to happen. We’re pushing it as everyone is. So, we’ll move on to next week and see what we’ve got there.”

WHEN DID YOU KNOW THINGS WERE NOT GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?
“Whenever I pulled out of line to let everybody pass me. I don’t know what happened or what broke, but I’ve been running Hendrick Engines since 2013 and this is the first one I’ve had ever give me a problem so I will take those odds all day long. Still proud of our engine shop. They do incredible work over there and still think they are the best in the business, but stuff is going to happen. We are all pushing it pretty hard with engines and tape and temperatures and it’s not cool out here today. A lot of variables obviously that we don’t really know what broke, but we will move on to next week and try to go get ‘em there.”

Jegs Racing

Battle of Pro Stock champions doesn’t fall Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s way in Denver

Battle of Pro Stock champions doesn’t
fall Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s way in Denver
DENVER (July 23) — What could have been a marque first-round elimination race between five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. and four-time titlist Greg Anderson instead ended in disappointment Sunday morning when Coughlin’s JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro fizzled in the mile-high climes of Bandimere Speedway.

Just after dropping the clutch on his high-horsepower machine, Coughlin’s rear tires began to violently shake, forcing him to abort his run just a few hundred feet down the track. Anderson had no issues and cruised to a winning 6.979 at 197.31 mph. Coughlin eventually drifted through the timers in 10.316 seconds at 116.95 mph. Continue reading Battle of Pro Stock champions doesn’t fall Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s way in Denver →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Brickyard 400–Jeff Gordon

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
BRICKYARD 400
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPTS
JULY 23, 2017

JEFF GORDON, CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 PACE CAR DRIVER, met with members of the media today at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and discussed driving the pace car, his thoughts on the future of NASCAR and many other topics. Partial transcript: Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Brickyard 400–Jeff Gordon →

Uncategorized

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Brickyard 400–Rick Hendrick

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
BRICKYARD 400
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPTS
JULY 23, 2017
RICK HENDRICK, OWNER-HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS, DALE EARNHARDT, JR-DRIVER NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CHEVROLET SS, ALEX BOWMAN-ANNOUNCED 2018 PLUS DRIVER OF NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CHEVROLET SS AND JIM MCCOY-DIRECTOR MOTORSPORTS MARKETING NATIONWIDE met with members of the media at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and discussed the naming of Alex Bowman as the new driver of the No. 88 Nationwide Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet SS after Dale Earnhardt, Jr. retirement. Full transcript: Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Brickyard 400–Rick Hendrick →

Uncategorized

Joe Swanson Tops SOD Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash at Butler Motor Speedway

ERIE, MI (July 23, 2017) – Joe Swanson won a hard fought battle with Jay Steinebach to win Saturday’s Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP Driven Racing Oil Battlegrounds Bash at Butler Motor Speedway.
Swanson (Etna Green, Indiana) started from the pole, but a lap one red for a Shebly Bilton and Andy Chehowski crash on the back straightaway, and a quick caution for Tyler Bearden’s spin halted action quickly. Once back under green, Swanson took the lead over Tim Evilsizer. Boston Mead took 2nd on lap 7, then Steinebach took the spot on the next lap. Steinebach was getting faster as Swanson battled traffic and on lap 16 he shot by the leader and opened up a small lead. On lap 18 the caution flew for Tyler Rankin’s spin. Steinebach held the lead in spite of heavy pressure from Swanson through lap 22 when the caution came out for Doug Zimmerman’s spin. Swanson charged into 1st on lap 23 and led the final 2 laps to win the epic battle.

COMP Cams heat race winner Boston Mead suffered a broken rocker arm at the end of his heat race and SOD point leader suffered the same fate while leading the Engler Machine & Tool heat. While it looked like both drivers were done for the night, they borrowed the parts needed to run the feature and their perseverance paid off. Mead started 3rd and finished 4th. Irwin started 22nd and charged to a 6th place finish, easily winning the KSE Hard Charger Award.

Doug Zimmerman led the 27-car field in qualifying with a 13.272 lap.

The SOD program was completed with typical SOD efficiency through the combined efforts of SOD competitors and Butler Motor Speedway officials.

John Force Racing

Sixth No. 1 of 2017 has Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force pumped for Denver eliminations

Sixth No. 1 of 2017 has Advance Auto Parts driver
Courtney Force pumped for Denver eliminations

DENVER (July 22) – Courtney Force continues to pile up impressive numbers in qualifying on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour.

And after grabbing her sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season, she’s more than ready to take the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS to the winner’s circle in the Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.

Force qualified No. 1 in Denver for the second consecutive season, this time making a top pass of 3.889 seconds at 328.30 mph – setting both Bandimere track records in the process. Continue reading Sixth No. 1 of 2017 has Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force pumped for Denver eliminations →

John Force Racing

Brittany Force takes Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster to No. 6 for Mile-High Nationals

Brittany Force takes Monster Energy Top Fuel
dragster to No. 6 for Mile-High Nationals

DENVER (July 22) – Brittany Force took the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster to the No. 6 qualifying position for Sunday’s Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.

And she’s hoping changes to her car and a new approach to the race weekend will put her in good position to win in the mountainous air in central Colorado. Continue reading Brittany Force takes Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster to No. 6 for Mile-High Nationals →

John Force Racing

Defending Denver winner John Force brings fast PEAK Chevrolet to final eliminations

Defending Denver winner John Force brings
fast PEAK Chevrolet to final eliminations

DENVER (July 22) – Defending Mile-High Nationals winner John Force knows he has a fast PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Funny Car heading into Sunday’s final eliminations at Bandimere Speedway.
Force, who will start from the No. 2 spot, was in the midst of two good runs in qualifying Saturday, especially in the final session. And though his Chevrolet Camaro SS didn’t make full pulls, at least one was spectacular.
Force’s Camaro pulled a pretty substantial wheelstand at half-track during the fourth and final session, much to the delight of the Bandimere crowd – and to Force himself. Continue reading Defending Denver winner John Force brings fast PEAK Chevrolet to final eliminations →

John Force Racing

Auto Club of Southern California driver Robert Hight earns No. 3 qualifying spot for Sunday’s Mile-High Nationals

Auto Club of Southern California driver Robert Hight earns No. 3 qualifying spot for Sunday’s Mile-High Nationals

DENVER (July 22) – Robert Hight is ready to “get the monkey off my back.”
And if his final qualifying performance for this weekend’s Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway carries over to race day, he stands a good chance to take the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS to the winner’s circle for the first time this season.
Hight’s best qualifying effort came in Saturday’s final round, when he took the car to down the track at 3.905 seconds at 318.17 mph. That netted him three bonus points, and put him back at No. 3, which he had earned Friday and maintained for much of Saturday before the final session. His previous best effort was Friday, with an opening-round pass of 3.973 seconds at 313.56 mph. Continue reading Auto Club of Southern California driver Robert Hight earns No. 3 qualifying spot for Sunday’s Mile-High Nationals →

Mopar Racing

Mopar Driver Pritchett Sets Track Record, Claims No. 1 Qualifying Position for Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals

Mopar Driver Pritchett Sets Track Record, Claims No. 1 Qualifying Position for
Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals

Mopar Top Fuel driver Leah Pritchett sets track record with pass of 3.733 seconds at 326.24 mph during qualifying for 38th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway
HEMI®-powered Top Fuel dragsters from Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) have qualified No. 1 seven times this season
DSR Mopar Nitro teams have been No. 1 qualifiers 11 times in 2017
No. 1 qualifying position is fourth of season for Pritchett and fifth of her career
Ron Capps is best Mopar Funny Car driver with fifth-place qualifying effort
Six Mopar Dodge Funny Cars qualify for 16-car field Continue reading Mopar Driver Pritchett Sets Track Record, Claims No. 1 Qualifying Position for Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals →

Allen Johnson Racing

Allen Johnson Ready to Defend King of the Mountain Legacy on Raceday at Mopar Mile High Nationals

Allen Johnson Ready to Defend King of the Mountain Legacy on Raceday at Mopar Mile High Nationals

DENVER, Co. (July 22, 2017) – Defending Mopar Mile High Nationals Pro Stock winner and reigning King of the Mountain Allen Johnson knows he has a target on his back going into raceday at Bandimere Speedway in his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

On Friday, Johnson came into the weekend with a solid 6.959-second pass at 197.48 mph. After persistent rain showers, NHRA made the executive decision to eliminate the second session of the night due to the unfriendly racing weather conditions. Continue reading Allen Johnson Ready to Defend King of the Mountain Legacy on Raceday at Mopar Mile High Nationals →