All posts by ARP Trish

John Force Racing

Robert Hight takes Auto Club of Southern California Chevy to No. 5 spot in qualifying

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 Racing

Allen Johnson Drives Marathon Petroleum Corporation Dart to No. 13 at Winternationals

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 →

Jeg Coughlin

Quick start the key to Pomona success, says six-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr.

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. →

Erica Enders

History abounds, awaits world champion Erica Enders in Pomona

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 →

John Force Racing

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. Continue reading Courtney Force, Brittany Force each stand No. 2 after first day of qualifying at Winternationals →

John Force Racing

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 →

John Force Racing

Long live John Force: PEAK expands partnership with John Force, JFR

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

Kasey Kahne Racing–2017 Preview

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.

John Force Racing

Robert Hight’s CHP paint scheme celebrates California Highway Patrol, Auto Club of Southern California

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 Racing, NHRA

Chevy Racing–57th Circle K Winternationals

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 →

Jeg Coughlin

Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s quest for seventh NHRA world title begins Friday in Pomona

Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s quest for seventh NHRA world title begins Friday in Pomona
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 7) — Pro Stock ace Jeg Coughlin Jr. already has a bona fide Hall of Fame resume with six world titles and 76 national event victories placing him amongst drag racing’s all-time elite. But his multitude of accomplishments haven’t dampened his desire to compete at the top level and when the 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals begin this weekend in Pomona, Calif., Coughlin will once again be considered a serious threat to contend for the 2017 crown. Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s quest for seventh NHRA world title begins Friday in Pomona →

Kalitta Racing

Kalitta makes plans for second straight Pomona win

Pre-Race Report
Event 01: Circle K Winternationals
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
Pomona, Calif.
Feb. 10-12, 2017

Kalitta makes plans for second straight Pomona win
Pomona Highlights: Two wins (Fall 2016, Spring 2009); Six finals (Spring 2016, Spring 2014, Fall 2013, Spring 2010, Spring 2004, Fall 1999); Six no.1 qualifiers (Spring 2014, Fall 2006, Fall 2004, Spring 2004, Spring 2003, Spring 2001)

2016 Winternationals Event Recap: Qualified second; Finalist (Defeated Scott Palmer in the first round, Antron Brown in the quarter-finals, J.R. Todd in the semi-finals, lost to Steve Torrence in the finals.)
Continue reading Kalitta makes plans for second straight Pomona win →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevrolet Unveils Camaro GT4.R Racer for 2017 Competition

Chevrolet Unveils Camaro GT4.R Racer for 2017 Competition
New GT4 entry to run in Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS, Pirelli World Challenge GTS

DETROIT (Feb. 8, 2017) – Chevrolet today introduced the Camaro GT4.R – a new-for-2017 and fully race-ready variant of the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro.

Built to global GT4 regulations, the Camaro GT4.R is eligible in the Pirelli World Challenge (GTS class) and IMSA’s Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge (GS category), two of North America’s top GT racing championships, as well as additional GT4 series across the world.

Developed with technical partner Pratt & Miller Engineering, the Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R is built off the Camaro ZL1 road car platform. The race-tuned, dry-sump 6.2L LT1 V8 small-block engine – developed and validated by Chevrolet Racing – delivers its power through a race proven, six-speed Xtrac sequential transmission with pneumatic paddle shift and adjustable traction control. Other notable features unique to the GT4.R include:

Xtrac racing limited-slip differential
Two-Way Adjustable Ohlins Racing Coil-Over Dampers
Adjustable ABS featuring Brembo brakes with six-piston aluminum monobloc calipers in the front
Aerodynamic improvements developed in the wind tunnel including a new rear wing, front splitter and front diveplanes.

The racing success of the fifth-generation Camaro gave Chevrolet engineers a head start on creating a turn-key racer in the GT4.R.

From 2010-16, the Camaro GS and Camaro Z/28.R won 55 races, two Manufacturer’s championships and five driving titles in major North American competition. The lessons and experience aided in the design and development of Chevrolet’s latest customer-driven track car.

John Force Racing

Courtney Force seeks initial title as 2017 begins for Advance Auto Parts Funny Car driver

Courtney Force seeks initial title as 2017 begins for
Advance Auto Parts Funny Car driver

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 8) – Courtney Force put her fellow NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car competitors on notice last week that she intends to be a solid contender in this year’s championship fight.
Force heads into this weekend’s season-opener, the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Speedway at Pomona, with a wave of momentum. She posted the top three fastest times during the Nitro Spring Training test last weekend at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix. During the test, she clocked a time of 3.804 seconds in her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS, unofficially the quickest elapsed time in history.
That should serve as a warning to others that Force is prepared to improve on last year’s sixth-place result in the points standings. Much of her team from last year – including crew chief Daniel Hood and co-crew chief Ronnie Thompson – returns intact, which Force said is important to challenging for victories and the title. Continue reading Courtney Force seeks initial title as 2017 begins for Advance Auto Parts Funny Car driver →

John Force Racing

PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil driver John Force seeks 17th title as NHRA season opens at Pomona

PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil driver John Force seeks
17th title as NHRA season opens at Pomona

Editor’s note: Resending with minor edits

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 8) – Sixteen-time NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car champion John Force will mount his assault on an unprecedented 17th title when the series opens up the 2017 campaign this weekend with the Circle K Winternationals at Auto Club Speedway in Pomona.
Driving the PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS, the all-time leader in NHRA Funny Car victories (147) seeks a strong start to 2017 after a busy offseason. Force reunited with longtime crew chief Jimmy Prock in January and also obtained the services of co-crew chief Chris Cunningham. With Prock, Force won the 2013 championship.
The partnership has already proven worthy. Force was fourth-quickest during last week’s Nitro Spring Training at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix. The test should prove to be a springboard to a successful season. Continue reading PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil driver John Force seeks 17th title as NHRA season opens at Pomona →

John Force Racing

Auto Club of Southern California driver Robert Hight ready for resurgence in 2017

Auto Club of Southern California driver Robert Hight
ready for resurgence in 2017

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 8) – Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car driver Robert Hight has had a stellar career, winning the 2009 championship and piling up 37 victories along the way.

But Hight is ready for a fresh start for the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series – which begins with the Circle K NHRA Winternationals this weekend at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona – after a un-Hight-like 2016 that saw him win once race and finish eighth in the points standings. Continue reading Auto Club of Southern California driver Robert Hight ready for resurgence in 2017 →

Allen Johnson Racing

Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson Sets Goals for Pomona, Assured for 2017 Season

Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson Sets Goals for Pomona, Assured for 2017 Season

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (February 7, 2017) – Marathon Petroleum Corporation/J&J Racing Dodge Dart driver Allen Johnson heads to Pomona, California this weekend for the season opening 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals. The 2012 Pro Stock World Champion racer is eager to qualifying at Auto Club Raceway at Pomoma after testing at Wild Horse Motorsports Park.

“We’re excited to be testing and starting the new year out,” Johnson said. “Yesterday’s testing didn’t go as well as planned in our Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart but we’ve got a couple more days of testing before this weekend to get a good setup.”
The feeling surrounding Johnson and the Adam Hornberger-led team is in stark contrast to how they felt pulling into the gates at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona one year ago. Continue reading Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson Sets Goals for Pomona, Assured for 2017 Season →

Chevrolet Racing, KB Racing

KB Racing teammates seek to remain a step ahead of stout Pro Stock competition

KB Racing teammates seek to remain a step ahead of stout Pro Stock competition
Reigning champion Jason Line and 2016 runner-up Greg Anderson primed for start of season

DETROIT (Feb. 7, 2017) – Jason Line is hard-pressed to imagine what he could do for an encore in 2017.

After all, the veteran KB Racing driver culled massive points from eight event victories and six runner-up finishes to keep one step ahead of teammate Greg Anderson and earn his third National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock world championship. Anderson matched Line’s win total to secure second place for the second consecutive season. Continue reading KB Racing teammates seek to remain a step ahead of stout Pro Stock competition →

Richard Childress Racing

Rheem, Menards and Richard Childress Racing Tap Young Driver Ben Kennedy to Run Nine XFINITY Series Races

Rheem, Menards and Richard Childress Racing Tap Young
Driver Ben Kennedy to Run Nine XFINITY Series Races
Kennedy will run select races with RCR’s No. 2 XFINITY Series team

WELCOME, N.C. (February 6, 2017) – Rheem, Menards and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) are committed to championing the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) charge to be the series where “names are made,” and each have long histories of supporting aspiring drivers from local short tracks to NASCAR’s feeder series.

Ben Kennedy will be the latest up-and-coming driver to be given that opportunity when he climbs into the No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro for nine NXS races, the first of which will be at Talladega Superspeedway this spring.
Kennedy has worked his way up through the NASCAR development ladder. In 2016, he competed full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and secured his first NASCAR national touring series win at Bristol Motor Speedway in August. He also finished 10th in his NXS debut last season at Iowa Speedway, driving the No. 2 Ruud Chevrolet for RCR. Continue reading Rheem, Menards and Richard Childress Racing Tap Young Driver Ben Kennedy to Run Nine XFINITY Series Races →

Uncategorized

Troy Coughlin Jr. set to begin pro career in SealMaster Top Fuel dragster

Troy Coughlin Jr. set to begin pro career
in SealMaster Top Fuel dragster
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 6) — Troy Coughlin Jr. is ready for the ultimate test of his drag racing skills with his first national event in a Top Fuel dragster at this weekend’s 57th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona. The third-generation driver has succeeded in every class he’s raced, but even he admits the challenges of piloting the 10,000-horsepower SealMaster rail are daunting.

“I’m completely humbled,” Coughlin said after three days of testing in the Arizona desert. “It’s just so fast. Everything comes at you so quickly in the seat. It’s much more intense than I ever imagined. This is one aggressive racecar, and it never stops accelerating during the run. It’s a beast, and it’s also very, very cool.”
Continue reading Troy Coughlin Jr. set to begin pro career in SealMaster Top Fuel dragster →