JENKINS TRIBUTE, INTENSE RACING, MUCH MORE AT AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS

The pressure is building for NHRA Full Throttle Series drivers who are aching to return to scenic Maple Grove Raceway for the 28th annual Auto-Plus® NHRA Nationals, Oct. 4-7, which is also the fourth race in the intense six-race Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship – the NHRA playoffs. The Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals will pay a special tribute to one of NHRA’s most iconic names in Pro Stock, Pennsylvania native Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, who died earlier this year. A Grumpy Car Corral, Grump Parade and a Sunday Track Walk with members of the Jenkins family are planned in commemoration of his life and legacy. All Sunday ticket holders can take advantage of this free tribute Track Walk with the opportunity to walk side-by-side, interact with some of NHRA’s most popular drivers while they remember “Grumpy,” one of drag racing’s greatest pioneers. In celebration of Maple Grove Raceway’s 50th Anniversary, fans will be treated to numerous festivities all weekend long including the “50 Cars for 50 Years” display featuring some of the coolest cars selected from events held at Maple Grove, the display will be near Nitro Alley on Sunday. The top 10 drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will continue their charges during the demanding playoffs that kicked off mid-September in Charlotte, N.C. Defending event champions Spencer Massey (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Jason Line (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are pushing hard to return to the winner’s circle at the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals en route to the NHRA Full Throttle world championship. As always, every ticket is a pit pass giving fans unlimited access to the sport’s biggest stars for autographs and photo opportunities. Combine the remarkable lineup of the sport’s greatest drivers with all of the drama and intense racing that comes with an NHRA playoff race, the ingredients equal a memorable experience. For tickets for the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals please call (610) 856-7200 or log on towww.maplegroveraceway.com. 

COUGHLIN RACES TO FIRST NHRA PRO MOD SERIES VICTORY IN ST. LOUIS

Troy Coughlin raced to the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx victory Sunday at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park.

Coughlin outran Danny Rowe in the final round to score his first career victory in the high-horsepower doorslammer category and move to third in the points standings with only one race remaining in the NHRA Pro Mod season.

Coughlin powered his turbocharged JEGS.com ’68 Camaro to a final round performance of 5.873 seconds at 257.58 mph to take the victory over Rowe, who had problems getting his supercharged Sterling Bridge ’68 Camaro to start for the final. Once Rowe got his machine fired, the car had issues going down the track and finished in 6.732 at 179.42.

“When I let the button go at the starting line in the final, I knew it was over when I didn’t see him, because those blower cars accelerate fast,” Coughlin said. “From then on, I just focused on making a clean run. It was just our time to win.”

Coughlin defeated Rickie Smith, Charlotte winner Leah Pruett and Pete Farber to advance to the final round. Coughlin is a three-time winner in NHRA Pro Stock competition and he claimed a 2005 Pro Mod exhibition victory in Englishtown, N.J., but this is his first Wally in official NHRA Pro Mod competition.

“My guys Steve Petty, Bryan Metzenheim, Mike Rees, Nick Gaylord, all the folks at JEGS.com deserve all the credit in the world,” Coughlin said. “Pro Line, our engine shop, has given us a fantastic race car all year. We beat a five-star team today.”

Coughlin moves to third in the points standings, 42 back of leader Mike Castellana and one point back of second-place Smith.

“Going into the last race out in Vegas with this kind of momentum is important,” Coughlin said. “There are still some spots up for grabs and everything is still pretty tight. Any time you can go to the end of an NHRA season and be in the running for a top three for four spot in your class, that's saying something.”

The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx world champion will be crowned at the season-finale, Oct. 25-28, during the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

* * *

MADISON, Ill. -- Final finish order (1-16) at the Inaugural AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park.  The race is the ninth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx.

PRO MODIFIED:

1.  Troy Coughlin; 2.  Danny Rowe; 3.  Pete Farber; 4.  Don Walsh; 5.  Donald Martin; 6.  Leah Pruett; 7.  Mike Castellana; 8.  Mike Janis; 9.  Raymond Commisso; 10.  Rickie Smith; 11.  Clint Satterfield; 12.  Kenny Lang; 13.  Harold Martin; 14.  Steve Matusek; 15.  Mike Knowles; 16.  Scott Ray.

MADISON, Ill. -- Final round-by-round results from the Inaugural AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park, the ninth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx:

PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE -- Mike Janis, Ford Mustang, 5.883, 245.00 def. Raymond Commisso, Chevy Camaro, 5.964, 248.11; Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 5.910, 257.97 def. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.966, 243.55; Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 6.353, 218.19 def. Mike Knowles, Camaro, 11.229, 77.20; Donald Martin, Camaro, 5.875, 247.16 def. Clint Satterfield, Camaro, 6.006, 241.20; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 6.293, 229.31 def. Steve Matusek, Mustang, 6.358, 183.00; Danny Rowe, Camaro, 5.921, 245.49 def. Kenny Lang, Camaro, 6.039, 243.11; Leah Pruett, Mustang, 5.894, 251.95 def. Harold Martin, Chevy Corvette, 6.147, 211.76; Don Walsh, Mustang, 5.856, 252.57 def. Scott Ray, Corvette, broke;

QUARTERFINALS -- Farber, 10.830, 79.15 def. D. Martin, foul; Rowe, 5.932, 236.75 def. Castellana, 5.955, 242.76; Coughlin, 5.922, 255.97 def. Pruett, 5.912, 251.58; Walsh, 5.860, 253.28 def. Janis, 6.069, 196.96;

SEMIFINALS -- Coughlin, 5.930, 252.99 def. Farber, 6.041, 243.68; Rowe, 5.866, 247.20 def. Walsh, foul;

FINAL -- Coughlin, 5.873, 257.58 def. Rowe, 6.732, 179.42.

LANGDON WINS O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS FOLLOWING RAIN DELAY; CAPPS, LINE, HINES ALSO VICTORIOUS AT ZMAX DRAGWAY

Shawn Langdon raced to his first career Top Fuel victory Sunday at the rain-delayed O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries at zMAX Dragway.

Ron Capps (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also earned victories in their respective classes after the first of six playoff races in the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship.

Langdon defeated Tony Schumacher Sunday with a performance of 3.785 seconds at 326.71 mph in his Al-Anabi Racing dragster, holding off the hard-charging Schumacher, who finished in 3.808 at 322.27 in his U.S. Army dragster. Langdon won from the top qualifying position and beat Chris Karamesines, Bob Vandergriff and Brandon Bernstein to advance to the final round.

"I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason," Langdon said. "87 races into it, I've always kind of wondered, 'Man, what does it feel like? Why haven't I won? Is there something I'm doing wrong?' I had a car capable of winning at times driving for the Lucas family for three years, and I came to this team that Sheikh Khalid [Al Thani, team owner] and Alan Johnson [team manager] that was built around winning. It gets to the point where it's the Countdown and it's crunch time. You couldn't have scripted it any better. It's a surreal feeling.”

Schumacher took over the points lead with the runner-up finish after playoff top seed Antron Brown was eliminated in the first round when his Aaron’s/Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster encountered a mechanical issue midway down the track, sending Al-Anabi driver Khalid alBalooshi into the second round. Langdon moved to third in points with the victory and Brown dropped to fourth overall.

In Funny Car, Capps raced his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger to his fourth victory of the season, defeating Mike Neff’s Castrol GTX Ford Mustang in the final. Capps sped to a winning run of 4.067 at 315.49 and increased his points lead as he heads into the second round of the six-race Countdown.

"We were pretty pumped up," said Capps, who beat Jim Head, Cruz Pedregon, and Matt Hagan in early rounds. "It just happens so fast, but what a race car. The car gives me confidence, but I learned a long time ago not to get overconfident. I was still a nervous wreck before the first round. I don't take anything for granted. Mike Neff is a guy who can throw down at any time. He ran the table and won the race in Indy, and, lo and behold, we were able to gut it out without lane choice in the second round in the semis.”

In Pro Stock, Line claimed his second win of the season in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro with a final round performance of 7.518 at 200.20, outrunning series points leader Allen Johnson in the final round.  Johnson’s Team Mopar Dodge Avenger made quick move toward the center line off the starting line and he shut it off. Line defeated Frank Gugliotta, Larry Morgan and Warren Johnson in the first three rounds.

“Winning this race is a big way for us to start the Countdown but it doesn’t mean a whole lot unless you can keep going,” Line said. “To get any kind of lead at all is a good thing. Right now, the top six cars are all so good that whoever lets the clutch out first is usually going to win. That’s a lot to ask from anybody.”

Hines scored his fifth win of the season and 30th in his career in Pro Stock Motorcycle, beating teammate Eddie Krawiec to the finish line with a time of 6.862 seconds at 194.49 mph on his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson.

“We just tried to stay calm,” said Hines, who had a bye run and then beat Shawn Gann and Hector Arana Sr. to advance to his 51st career final round. “We just had to keep our focus all day long and we were on a mission when we came here, to defend our regular season win streak of 10 in a row and we needed to come out here and see if we could do that. Luckily, everything all in the end panned out for us and it’s just a great feeling to start off the Countdown this way.”   

Krawiec continues to lead the Countdown to the Championship points by 10 over Hines. 

The NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship continues Sept. 20-23 with the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas.

* * *

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Final finish order (1-16) at the Fifth annual O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries at zMax Dragway.  The race is the 18th of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL:

1.  Shawn Langdon; 2.  Tony Schumacher; 3.  Spencer Massey; 4.  Brandon Bernstein; 5.  Doug Kalitta; 6.  Bob Vandergriff; 7.  Morgan Lucas; 8.  Khalid alBalooshi; 9.  Steve Torrence; 10.

Cory McClenathan; 11.  Clay Millican; 12.  Larry Dixon; 13.  Terry McMillen; 14.  Chris Karamesines; 15.  Antron Brown; 16.  David Grubnic.

FUNNY CAR:

1.  Ron Capps; 2.  Mike Neff; 3.  Jack Beckman; 4.  Matt Hagan; 5.  Jeff Arend; 6.  John Force; 7. Cruz Pedregon; 8.  Tim Wilkerson; 9.  Alexis DeJoria; 10.  Todd Lesenko; 11.  Jim Head; 12.  Johnny Gray; 13.  Tony Pedregon; 14.  Robert Hight; 15.  Bob Tasca III; 16.  Courtney Force.

PRO STOCK:

1.  Jason Line; 2.  Allen Johnson; 3.  Vincent Nobile; 4.  Warren Johnson; 5.  Mike Edwards; 6. Larry Morgan; 7.  Dave Connolly; 8.  Shane Gray; 9.  V. Gaines; 10.  Ron Krisher; 11.  Jeg Coughlin; 12.  Ronnie Humphrey; 13.  Frank Gugliotta; 14.  Erica Enders; 15.  Greg Anderson; 16. Lewis Worden.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:

1.  Andrew Hines; 2.  Eddie Krawiec; 3.  Hector Arana Jr; 4.  Hector Arana; 5.  Michael Ray; 6. Scotty Pollacheck; 7.  Matt Smith; 8.  Shawn Gann; 9.  Chip Ellis; 10.  John Hall; 11.  Karen Stoffer; 12.  Jim Underdahl; 13.  Steve Johnson; 14.  Michael Phillips; 15.  LE Tonglet.

* * *

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Sunday's final results from the Fifth annual O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries at zMax Dragway. The race is the 18th of 23 in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Shawn Langdon, 3.785 seconds, 326.71 mph  def. Tony Schumacher, 3.808 seconds, 322.27 mph.

Funny Car -- Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.067, 315.49  def. Mike Neff, Ford Mustang, 10.406, 79.25.

Pro Stock -- Jason Line, Chevy Camaro, 7.518, 200.20  def. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 11.800, 78.71.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.862, 194.49  def. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.858, 195.14.

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Richard Bourke, 5.373, 266.32  def. Ken Perry, foul.

Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Frank Manzo, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.575, 260.01  def. John Anderika, Monte Carlo, 5.829, 250.92.

Super Stock -- Larry Miller, Plymouth Barracuda, 9.951, 128.90  def. Bryan Worner, Chevy Camaro, 9.908, 134.55.

Stock Eliminator -- Dan Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 11.026, 115.15  def. Larry Hill, Plymouth Baracuda, 10.463, 121.41.

Super Comp -- Scot LaMar, Dragster, 8.903, 176.37  def. Sherman Adcock, Dragster, 8.902, 172.47.

Super Gas -- Ray Sawyer, Chevy Camaro, 9.912, 166.31  def. Steven Furr, Camaro, 9.912, 152.47.

BRAND RACES TO NHRA PRO MOD VICTORY AT MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS FROM NO. 16 QUALIFYING POSITION

Brad Brand raced to the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx victory Sunday from the No. 16 qualifying position at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus, the world’s most prestigious drag race.

Brand defeated top qualifier Don Walsh with a powerful run in his 1953 Corvette in the opening round and never looked back as he took his first career victory at the rain-delayed event at historic Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

After upsetting the No. 1 qualifier, Brand claimed victories over Steve Matusek and Rickie Smith before outrunning Mike Castellana in the final round. Brand raced to a final round performance of 5.914 seconds at 251.63 mph to get the win. Castellana’s Chevy Camaro had problems at the start of the final and he shut it off near mid-track.

With the runner-up finish, Castellana moved four points ahead of Smith in the season points standings.

The NHRA Pro Mod Series continues Sept. 14-16 with the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, N.C.

* * *

BROWNSBURG, Ind. -- Final finish order (1-16) for the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx portion of the 58th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway Park at Indianapolis:

PRO MODIFIED:

1.  Brad Brand; 2.  Mike Castellana; 3.  Rickie Smith; 4.  Troy Coughlin; 5.  Todd Tutterow; 6. Leah Pruett; 7.  Pete Farber; 8.  Steve Matusek; 9.  Shannon Jenkins; 10.  Don Walsh; 11.  Adam Flamholc; 12.  Pat Musi; 13.  Scott Ray; 14.  Clint Satterfield; 15.  Harold Martin; 16.  Donald Martin.

* * *

BROWNSBURG, Ind. -- Final round-by-round results for the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx portion of the 58th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway Park at Indianapolis:

PRO MODIFIED:

ROUND ONE -- Steve Matusek, Ford Mustang, 6.071, 232.15 def. Harold Martin, Chevy Corvette, 7.840, 126.51; Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 6.044, 242.02 def. Pat Musi, Dodge Stratus, 6.041, 235.64; Troy Coughlin, Chevy Camaro, 5.962, 256.06 def. Adam Flamholc, Camaro, 6.007, 239.61; Todd Tutterow, Plymouth Duster, 6.015, 245.00 def. Scott Ray, Corvette, 6.053, 233.76; Rickie Smith, Camaro, 5.952, 242.80 def. Clint Satterfield, Camaro, 6.166, 238.34; Brad Brand, Corvette, 5.889, 251.86 def. Don Walsh, Mustang, 5.947, 252.99; Leah Pruett, Mustang, 5.920, 248.25 def. Donald Martin, Camaro, DQ; Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.894, 242.71 def. Shannon Jenkins, Camaro, 5.938, 239.36;

QUARTERFINALS -- Coughlin, 5.951, 251.67 def. Tutterow, 5.929, 246.17; Castellana, 5.893, 241.15 def. Farber, 6.039, 245.40; Brand, 8.191, 117.56 def. Matusek, broke;

SEMIFINALS -- Brand, 5.994, 248.57 def. Smith, 5.962, 242.19; Castellana, 7.935, 120.94 def. Coughlin, foul;

FINAL -- Brand, 5.914, 251.63 def. Castellana, 12.763, 83.97.

MASSEY WINS INAGURAL NHRA TRAXXAS NITRO SHOOTOUT AND LEADS QUALIFYING AT THE MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS PRESENTED BY AUTO-PLUS AT LUCAS OIL RACEWAY AT INDIANAPOLIS

Top Fuel driver Spencer Massey earned the qualifying lead and won the inaugural $100,000 NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout during Saturday action at the 58th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

Courtney Force (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were qualifying leaders at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event.

Massey set low E.T. of the weekend during the third qualifying session of the weekend, which also happened to be the second round of the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout, a special $100,000 bonus race within a race.

“For Traxxas to come into our sport and put up this much money and add these two bonus races is awesome,” Massey said. “I can’t believe that we won it. We’ve wanted to win it since we qualified when we won the season opener and it’s been a lot of pressure this week but it’s been awesome to be able to say we won the first Traxxas Nitro Shootout.”

Massey’s 3.762-second pass at 324.51 mph wasn’t only good enough to advance to the final round of the Traxxas Nitro Shootout, it also gave him the provisional Top Fuel lead heading into Sunday.  Massey outran fellow Texas-native Steve Torrence in the final round of the Traxxas Nitro Shootout to earn the win.

“Torrence’s car has been running on a string all year long and I know he wanted to win this thing just as much as I did,” Massey said. “When I hit the throttle the car started moving and I knew I was on a good ride. Then I crossed the finish line and saw the win light and I couldn’t believe it. I’m so proud of my Prestone guys, they deserve this win.”

The Funny Car NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout is scheduled for Sunday with first round set for 12:30 p.m.

If Massey holds onto the No. 1 position through Sunday’s qualifying action it will be his fourth of the season and seventh of his career.

Force ran a career-best ET of 4.049-second pass at 317.27 mph to earn her first provisional qualifying lead of her career during the final qualifying session of the day.

“I have all the faith in the world in my guys,” Force said. “They’ve been working hard all season, and to get a career best at Indy, it’s huge. This is the one track that you want to say it at, and it’s pretty cool that it’s the Big Go and it’s my career best, an awesome time, so we’re excited.”

If Force holds onto the top spot through Sunday’s qualifying efforts, it will be the first No. 1 qualifying position of her career.

Pro Stock qualifying was called early due to weather so Enders held onto the qualifying lead thanks to her 6.624-second pass at 208.84 mph from Friday evening qualifying.

“It has been a really long day,” Enders said. “We had been changing our setup back and forth. We thought we were going to run once, and then it started with the rain. And every time the weather comes in and things change, we have to re-assess our setup and go back and change everything. It’s a tough time with a day like today, but we went out and made a pretty good run early in the day and were able to keep the number one spot, and that’s exciting, so I’m proud of my guys.”

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying was also cut short and Hines held onto the top spot with his Friday pass of 6.928 seconds at 194.21 mph.

“Given the weather, I don’t think we could have run any quicker but it would have been nice to get the data,” Hines said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow but I think we can keep the top spot. If it’s slow, we’re safe and if the conditions get better, we should be able to pick up. Our last run could have been better so we know there’s more left.”

Qualifying for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event continues Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Eliminations are scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m.

***

BROWNSBURG, Ind. -- Saturday's results after the first three of five rounds of qualifying for the 58th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, 17th of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.  Qualifying will continue Sunday for Monday's final eliminations.

DON WALSH RACES TO QUALIFYING LEAD IN NHRA PRO MOD SERIES PRESENTED BY PRO CARE RX AT MAC TOOLS US NATIONALS PRESENTED BY AUTO PLUS AT LUCAS OIL RACEWAY AT INDIANAPOLIS

Don Walsh powered his '11 Ford Mustang to the qualifying lead in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx portion of the Mac Tools US Nationals presented by Auto Plus at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis during Friday qualifying action.

Walsh's first qualifying attempt earned him the provisional pole with a 5.9869 second pass at 252.52 mph. Walsh is coming off his first career win at the most recent Pro Mod event in Norwalk, Ohio and if his time stands through Saturday and Sunday's qualifying sessions it would be the first No. 1 qualifying position of his career.

Donald Martin powered his ’68 Camaro to the No. 2 spot with his 5.961 second pass at 243.85 mph. Danny Rowe sits third and Mike Castellana is fourth.

Qualifying continues Saturday at 2 p.m. ET and 5 p.m and Sunday at 2 p.m. Pro Mod eliminations start Sunday at approximately 5 p.m. and continue Monday starting at approximately noon ET.

***

BROWNSBURG, Ind. -- Friday's results after the first one of four rounds of qualifying for the 58^th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, seventh of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Monday's final eliminations.

Pro Modified -- 1. Donald Walsh, Ford Mustang, 5.869, 252.52; 2. Donald Martin, Chevy Camaro, 5.961, 243.85; 3. Danny Rowe, Camaro, 5.983, 243.41; 4. Mike Castellana, Camaro, 5.992, 241.67; 5. Pat Musi, Dodge Stratus, 6.004, 230.10; 6. Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 6.016, 254.57; 7. Todd Tutterow, Plymouth Duster, 6.031, 247.57; 8. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 6.040, 242.89; 9. Harold Martin, Chevy Corvette, 6.057, 236.75; 10. Scott Ray, Corvette, 6.113, 233.52; 11. Mike Knowles, Camaro, 6.140, 233.88; 12. Steve Matusek, Mustang, 6.169, 245.49; 13. Pete Farber, Dodge Daytona, 6.254, 240.77; 14. Clint Satterfield, Camaro, 6.270, 241.11; 15. Roger Burgess, Corvette, 6.337, 230.41; 16. Chris Juliano, Mustang, 6.541, 215.44.  Not Qualified: 17. Adam Flamholc, 7.520, 120.05; 18. Leah Pruett, 8.726, 135.88; 19. Shannon Jenkins, 14.181, 73.78; 20. Kenny Lang, 17.967, 46.98; 21. Mike Janis, broke.

OFFICIAL RELEASE: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY EXTENDS ITS SPONSORSHIP OF NHRA’S PROFESSIONAL SERIES; NAMES MELLO YELLO AS SERIES FLAGSHIP BRAND

NHRA announced today that The Coca-Cola Company has extended its relationship with the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning body and will continue its longstanding association as title sponsor of NHRA’s premier series through the year 2018.   In addition, it was announced that beginning in 2013, Mello Yello®, The Coca-Cola Company’s popular citrus-flavored soft drink brand will be the new series title sponsor:  The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

Sharon Byers, Senior Vice President Sports and Entertainment Marketing Partnerships at The Coca-Cola Company, and NHRA President Tom Compton jointly made the announcement in downtown Indianapolis at Monument Circle on the eve of the start of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Auto-Plus, the world’s largest and most prestigious drag racing event.

               

“The Coca-Cola Company and our bottlers have enjoyed a long and productive relationship with the NHRA,” said Byers.  “Together, we have created a successful formula for many Coca-Cola brands to connect with the NHRA’s passionate and dedicated community.  We know this trend will continue with the addition of Mello Yello—which boasts its own faithful following—to the equation.”

               

Throughout the decade-long partnership, the NHRA has helped Coca-Cola deliver growth for multiple brands in the portfolio.  For the past four seasons, Full Throttle® Energy Drink has been the lead brand on the NHRA’s signature series.  Full Throttle will continue to play a key role in Coca-Cola’s 2013 NHRA activation.

“The Coca-Cola Company has been a cornerstone of the sport since 2002 and this extension ensures our partnership will continue through at least 2018,” said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. “Over the past 11 years working with The Coca-Cola Company and the bottlers we have developed a deep professional and personal relationship. Transitioning to a brand as powerful as Mello Yello is exciting on a number of fronts and the vision the brand team and the bottlers have shared with us regarding their plans to leverage this sponsorship will provide an extended reach nationwide for the sport of NHRA Drag Racing.”

Coca-Cola North America announced preliminary plans that will deliver the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series with much broader outreach.  As the cornerstone of the sparkling beverage reintroduction into the world of motorsports, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will receive unprecedented activation and increased visibility nationwide.

Mello Yello has a storied history as an active sponsor in the world of auto racing and 2013 will mark the popular brand’s return to motorsports.  Mello Yello enjoyed a successful relationship with Kyle Petty in stock car racing from 1991 to 1994.

               

“During our brief run in motorsports, Mello Yello was at the top of its game.  The anticipation of returning the brand to its roots has created a palpable enthusiasm across the entire Coca-Cola system to begin activating against the NHRA, the most powerful motor sport on the planet,” said Michael Mathews, vice president, Non-Colas Sparkling Marketing, Coca-Cola.  “Fans of Mello Yello are all about good times with friends, and that is certainly delivered by the NHRA’s high octane excitement and thrilling race days.”

               

The 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule also was announced.

WALSH CLAIMS FIRST EVENT WIN AT SUMMIT NHRA NATIONALS IN NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES PRESENTED BY PROCARE RX

Don Walsh raced to his first career victory in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx Sunday at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park.  

 

Walsh held off event No. 1 qualifier and Ohio native Troy Coughlin in the final round after defeating David Roemer, Mike Janis, and Kevin McCurdy in earlier rounds. In the final round at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, Walsh powered his 2011 Ford Mustang past Coughlin with a performance of 5.893 seconds at 251.95 mph. Walsh posted the second-quickest and fastest pass of the event to take the win.

 

Coughlin had the starting line advantage, but slowed near midtrack when his Chevy Camaro with lost traction and finished with a performance of11.771 at 92.65. 

 

With the victory, Walsh moves to fourth in the series points standing.

 

The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx continues Aug. 29 – Sept. 3 at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis with the 58th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.