All posts by ARP Trish

Kalitta Racing

Post-Race Report Event 05: NHRA SpringNationals Royal Purple Raceway Houston April 21-23

DeJoria continues run of opening round success
Race Recap: After picking up her first round win of the season in Las Vegas, DeJoria was looking for more in Texas, her adopted home state.

DeJoria started out qualifying strong with a solid pass that earned her two bonus points. The Tequila Patrón team closed with an even better run that earned her the ninth starting spot.

DeJoria and her foe, Tim Wilkerson, were the last nitro pair to see the track. The Tequila Patrón Camry was straight and true down the track giving DeJoria her second straight opening round win after Wilkerson encountered immediate issues. In the quarter-finals, DeJoria was able to get the jump on her opponent, Courtney Force, but was unable to make a clean pass yielding the round win to Force. Continue reading Post-Race Report Event 05: NHRA SpringNationals Royal Purple Raceway Houston April 21-23 →

Erica Enders

Erica Enders suffers red-light disqualification in opening round race versus husband

Erica Enders suffers red-light disqualification in opening round race versus husband
HOUSTON (April 23) — Two-time world champion Erica Enders threw away what was the quickest and fastest pass of the 30th annual NHRA Spring Nationals by leaving the starting line nine-thousandths of a second early in a Round 1 loss to her husband Richie Stevens.

The automatic disqualification negated a stellar 6.523-second blast at 213.37 mph that would have delivered an easy win over Stevens’ 6.589 at 210.64 mph. It left the Cypress, Texas native more than a little perturbed.

“There was no showing off there,” Enders said, quelling talk she was trying too hard to best her husband. “That was just a simple A to B run. I was set up to be conservative on the tree so we weren’t showing our hand against someone we can easily outrun by six or seven hundredths of a second. Continue reading Erica Enders suffers red-light disqualification in opening round race versus husband →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol Postponed

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
FOOD CITY 500
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
APRIL 23, 2017

BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY RACE POSTPONED TO MONDAY
Persistent Rain Results in Rescheduling of Food City 500

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Persistent rain in ‘Thunder Valley’ throughout the day on Sunday has forced the postponement of the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race.

Chevrolet SS driver, Kyle Larson, No. 42 Credit One Bank Chevy will lead the field to green as the pole sitter. Larson was awarded the top starting spot by virtue of being the leader in the Owner’s Point standings when qualifying at Bristol Motor Speedway was also canceled due to rain on Friday.

Chase Elliott, No. 24 Mountain Dew/Little Casers Chevrolet SS, will make it an all-Chevy front row by starting second when the Food City 500 commences on Monday, April 24th at 1 p.m.

Live coverage will be available on FOX, PRN, Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and NASCAR.com.

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 CREDIT ONE BANK CHEVROLET SS:

HOW MUCH DOES IT STINK WE WON’T BE RACING AT THE SCHEDULED TIME TODAY? HOW MUCH DOES THAT AFFECT YOU?
“It doesn’t matter. We are close to home so it will be fine. Our car was good in practice and I don’t think the track will be too different. We should be alright.”

HOW WILL YOUR STRATEGY CHANGE ON A GREEN TRACK TOMORROW AND WITH THE MOST LIKELY ADDITION OF A COMPETITION CAUTION?
“I don’t know with the stages and all that. I’m sure we will all pit probably because it has shown a lot of tire wear on the left side so I’m sure everybody will pit. We will see if people take two or four or whatever, but it kind of just depends on what position you are in at that point if you are going to take two or four (tires).”

John Force Racing

Sixteen-time Funny Car champion John Force: ‘I feel right’

Sixteen-time Funny Car champion John Force: ‘I feel right’

Photo credit: Gary Nastase / Auto Imagery
BAYTOWN, Texas (April 22) – After 16 championships and 148 victories in a glorious career, PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Funny Car driver John Force knows when things are right.

After Saturday’s two qualifying sessions for the NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway, things are right.

Force is qualified in the No. 3 spot for Sunday’s final eliminations after a solid pass of 3.890 seconds at 325.53 mph in the second session – an elapsed time that broke the track record (but was topped by daughter and teammate Courtney Force on her next pass). Continue reading Sixteen-time Funny Car champion John Force: ‘I feel right’ →

John Force Racing

2017 begins anew in Houston for AAA Texas Funny Car driver Robert Hight

2017 begins anew in Houston for AAA Texas
Funny Car driver Robert Hight

Photo credit: Ron Lewis Photography

BAYTOWN, Texas (April 22) – Even though the NHRA SpringNationals is the fifth race of the 2017 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, AAA Texas Funny Car driver Robert Hight feels like the season started Saturday at Royal Purple Raceway.

Hight made two terrific runs during the final two qualifying sessions, snaring the No. 4 for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Hight hasn’t started the season like he wanted, and John Force Racing swapped his and John Force’s Funny Car teams three races ago. Crew chief Jimmy Prock and co-crew chief Chris Cunningham continue to work on development of Hight’s Chevrolet Camaro SS, and Saturday’s runs were proof the team is moving in the right direction. Continue reading 2017 begins anew in Houston for AAA Texas Funny Car driver Robert Hight →

John Force Racing

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force happy with No. 5 qualifying effort for NHRA SpringNationals

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force happy with No. 5 qualifying effort for NHRA SpringNationals

Photo Credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
BAYTOWN, Texas (April 22) – Brittany Force heads into Sunday’s NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway – the fifth stop on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule – the No. 5 qualifier in the Top Fuel category.

Force turned in a time of 3.743 seconds at 327.27 mph – both best-career runs at the track – in her Monster Energy dragster, in one of two complete qualifying runs she made. She also made a pass of 3.808 at 323.27 mph in her final run, though she was relegated from fourth to fifth by Steve Torrence.
Continue reading Monster Energy driver Brittany Force happy with No. 5 qualifying effort for NHRA SpringNationals →

Jegs Racing

Two-time series champ Troy Coughlin logs impressive first-round victory in Pro Mod

Two-time series champ Troy Coughlin logs
impressive first-round victory in Pro Mod
HOUSTON (April 22) — JEGS.com Pro Mod racer Troy Coughlin used his best pass of the weekend to rack-up an impressive first-round victory Saturday evening at the 30th annual NHRA Spring Nationals. Racing in the J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, Coughlin screamed to a 5.789 at 251.77 mph to erase Khalid alBalooshi’s shutoff 10.699 at 82.60 mph. Continue reading Two-time series champ Troy Coughlin logs impressive first-round victory in Pro Mod →

John Force Racing

Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force holds on to No. 1 spot for NHRA SpringNationals in Houston

Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force holds on to
No. 1 spot for NHRA SpringNationals in Houston

Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
BAYTOWN, Texas (April 22) – First mission complete.

Courtney Force kept her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS at the top of the Funny Car time charts, earning the coveted No. 1 qualifying spot for Sunday’s NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway – the fifth stop on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Force stood on a time of 3.851 seconds (tying her third quickest time of her career) at 330.23 mph she set Friday evening to earn the No. 1 spot. Saturday’s two sessions were run under significantly different track and weather conditions she expects to face Sunday. Continue reading Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force holds on to No. 1 spot for NHRA SpringNationals in Houston →

Richard Childress Racing

Fitgerald Glider Kits 300

Austin Dillon Battles Through Late Race Cautions to Finish 13th-Place at Bristol Motor Speedway

“We lost track position after the second stage and weren’t able to make it up. Then we got collected in a wreck near the end. There just wasn’t enough laps for us to get where we needed to be. I think there was a difference between stickers and scuffs for our car. We made an adjustment during the first run of the race and probably didn’t have to. Our No. 2 Rheem Chevy was pretty good. The rain washed rubber off the track, so we weren’t sure what the track was going to be like when we went back green. The top groove did come in before the rain, so it was good to be able to jump up there and be able to gain some spots. We lost track position after the second stage and then got in a couple of wrecks and struggled to make up the difference. It’s a pretty fun track, really. I think the way we’ve got it with the grip on the bottom and being able to cut to the top makes it interesting. I’m pretty excited to get back tomorrow for the Cup Series race.” Continue reading Fitgerald Glider Kits 300 →

Allen Johnson Racing

Allen Johnson Focused on SpringNationals For Season Turn-Around

Allen Johnson Focused on SpringNationals For Season Turn-Around

HOUSTON, Tex. (April 22, 2017) – Allen Johnson and the Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart team qualified No. 13 this weekend at the 30th annual NHRA SpringNationals.

In the first session on Friday, Johnson clocked in with a 6.656-second pass at 208.84 mph. The Adam Hornberger-led team returned for Friday’s session and crossed the finish line at Royal Purple Raceway with an almost identical 6.656, 208.46.

On Saturday, Johnson improved his qualifying position with a 6.645, 207.94. In the final qualifying session of the weekend, he had trouble at the launch and coasted to the finish line with a 13.028, 82.44. Continue reading Allen Johnson Focused on SpringNationals For Season Turn-Around →

Jegs Racing

JEGS.com pro Jeg Coughlin Jr. secures first No. 1 qualifier award in three years

JEGS.com pro Jeg Coughlin Jr. secures
first No. 1 qualifier award in three years
HOUSTON (April 22) — For the first time this year, someone other than Jason Line is the No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock, as Jeg Coughlin Jr. secure his first pole since the spring Las Vegas race in 2014 with an impressive 6.557-second pass at 210.70 mph in his JEGS.com/Elite Performance
Chevrolet Camaro.

This is the 21st time Coughlin will lead the field into race day and the third time he’s done so in Houston. He was also the top qualifier here in 2007 and 2013. Continue reading JEGS.com pro Jeg Coughlin Jr. secures first No. 1 qualifier award in three years →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Barber–Will Power on Pole

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA
BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
POST QUALIFYING RECAP
APRIL 22, 2017

Will Power Puts Chevy on Pole at Barber Motorsports Park; Team Penske Sweeps Top-Three Starting Positions

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Will Power scored his second Verizon P1 award of the 2017 season with a lap around the 2.38-mile Barber Motorsports Park of one minute, 06.9614 seconds at 123.653 mph. Today’s pole for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama marks the 46th of the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series champion’s career and his fourth at Barber. He opened the season with the number one starting spot on the Streets of St. Petersburg in his familiar silver No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Barber–Will Power on Pole →

Erica Enders

Hometown girl Erica Enders primed for big race day, starting against her husband

Hometown girl Erica Enders primed for big race day, starting against her husband
HOUSTON (April 22) — Two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders loves racing at home and her hometown fans love her for bringing so much glory to the Bayou City. It’s a relationship the Cypress, Texas native wants to expand Sunday when she races from the No. 4 qualifying spot for the trophy of the 30th annual NHRA Spring Nationals.

“So happy to be back in Texas,” Enders said. “It’s no secret I love this state and being at the track where I started racing as an 8-year-old kid is perfect for me. We won Pro Stock in back-to-back years in 2014-2015 and those were the same years we won it all so Royal Purple Raceway is obviously good luck for me.” Continue reading Hometown girl Erica Enders primed for big race day, starting against her husband →

Honda Racing

Dixon Leads Honda Qualifying Effort at Barber Motorsports Park

Dixon Leads Honda Qualifying Effort at Barber Motorsports Park
• Scott Dixon qualifies 4th, third consecutive top-four qualifying performance of 2017
• Ryan Hunter-Reay, James Hinchcliffe also advance to “Fast Six” final qualifying
• Honda drivers claim eight of the top 11 starting positions

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 22, 2017) – Scott Dixon led the way for Honda in Verizon IndyCar Series qualifying at Barber Motorsports Park, and will start on the outside of the second row, fourth, in Sunday’s Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. It is Dixon’s third consecutive top-four qualifying run of the 2017 season, after the Chip Ganassi Racing driver started second at the first two races of the season, in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Long Beach, California. Continue reading Dixon Leads Honda Qualifying Effort at Barber Motorsports Park →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Juan Pablo Montoya

JUAN PABLO MONTOYA, NO. 22 FITZGERALD GLIDER KITS TEAM PENSKE CHEVORLET, met with media at Bristol Motor Speedway following announcement he will compete in 2017 Indianapolis 500 for Team Penske. Full transcript:

HOW ARE THINGS?
“Good. Really good to be honest. In a way, it was kind of weird, but it was really good. The opportunity with Penske came to do this and I thought it would be… for long-term would be the best thing for me and it’s good. I’m really happy. If you are going to go race you might as well come do it with best people you can and be able to get a relationship with the guys at Fitzgerald it’s amazing. They do an amazing job and hopefully we can make them really proud.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Juan Pablo Montoya →

John Force Racing

Courtney Force breaks Houston track record, takes Advance Auto Parts Chevy to provisional No. 1 spot

Courtney Force breaks Houston track record, takes
Advance Auto Parts Chevy to provisional No. 1 spot

BAYTOWN, Texas (April 21) – Courtney Force sat in the Royal Purple Raceway media center Friday night after securing the provisional No. 1 spot with her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, waiting to watch her older sister Brittany make another qualifying pass.

All Brittany Force did was rocket to the top of the Top Fuel chart with her Monster Energy dragster. Continue reading Courtney Force breaks Houston track record, takes Advance Auto Parts Chevy to provisional No. 1 spot →

Jegs Racing

Jeg Coughlin Jr. shoots to the top of Pro Stock ladder with stout 6.557-second pass

Jeg Coughlin Jr. shoots to the top of
Pro Stock ladder with stout 6.557-second pass
HOUSTON (April 21) — Jeg Coughlin Jr. may have raced to six world titles but he’s never really been known for collecting a lot of top qualifier honors through the years. That trend could be changing after Coughlin rocketed to the top of Pro Stock Friday at the 30th annual NHRA Spring Nationals with a stout 6.557-second pass at 210.70 mph. Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. shoots to the top of Pro Stock ladder with stout 6.557-second pass →

John Force Racing

Courtney Force breaks Houston track record, takes Advance Auto Parts Chevy to provisional No. 1 spot

Courtney Force breaks Houston track record, takes
Advance Auto Parts Chevy to provisional No. 1 spot

Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery (above), John Force Racing (below)

BAYTOWN, Texas (April 21) – Courtney Force sat in the Royal Purple Raceway media center Friday night after securing the provisional No. 1 spot with her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, waiting to watch her older sister Brittany make another qualifying pass. Continue reading Courtney Force breaks Houston track record, takes Advance Auto Parts Chevy to provisional No. 1 spot →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Barber–Will Power, Simon Pagenaud and Josef Newgarden

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA
BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
Team Penske Media Conference
Friday April 21, 2017

WILL POWER, NO. 12 VERIZON TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET, SIMON PAGENAUD, NO. 1 MENARDS TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET AND JOSEF NEWGARDEN, NO. 2 FITZGERALD GLIDER KITS TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET met with media at Barber Motorsports Park. Full transcript:

THE MODERATOR: We’ll go ahead and begin our Verizon IndyCar Series available with three members of Team Penske who swept the opening practice. Simon Pagenaud led the first practice and is also the defending champion of the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. Simon, how good does it feel to be back at Barber Motorsports Park? Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Barber–Will Power, Simon Pagenaud and Josef Newgarden →

Honda Racing

Andretti, Honda Head the Field Friday at Barber Motorsports Park

Andretti, Honda Head the Field Friday at Barber Motorsports Park
• Marco Andretti posts quickest lap in the second practice session
• Honda drivers claim six of the top-10 positions in Friday practice
• Less than a half-second covers the top eight in tight field

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 21, 2017) – Marco Andretti led the way for Honda in opening Verizon IndyCar Series practice for Sunday’s Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, posting the fastest lap of the day in his Andretti Autosport Honda during the second of two practice sessions Friday at Barber Motorsports Park. Continue reading Andretti, Honda Head the Field Friday at Barber Motorsports Park →