NHRA GATORNATIONALS - EVENT NOTEBOOK
Fri, 2008-03-14 17:00
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SUNDAY NOTEBOOK - AN INTERESTING DAY FOR THE TUNERS, BATTLE FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS SHAPES UP
TUNER’S NIGHTMARE – Crew chiefs were sent scrambling early on as the humidity decreased early in the first round by nearly 40% between the start of the first round until the completion. 
Even the most seasoned tuners were thrown a curve when the humidity dropped nearly 40% from the start fo firt round until the end.
THROUGH TO THE NEXT ROUND? - Robbie Carrico, one of 12 AMERICAN IDOL male finalists, sang the national anthem Sunday, March 16 prior to the 39th running of the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway.
Carrico, of Melbourne, Fla., emerged as a favorite of NHRA POWERade Series fans when he responded to Idol’s “America would be surprised to know that … ” segment with the fact that he loves to drag race.
“It’s quite a rush getting in that thing, it’s amazing,” he said in the one minute clip that aired on AMERICAN IDOL on Tuesday, Feb. 26, his final appearance before being eliminated.
The video that ran during his interview with Ryan Seacrest showed him behind the wheel of a lime-green AMC Spirit Super Street entry at NHRA member track Orlando Speed World Dragway.
“The best part about drag racing is that rush,” said Carrico, who can also be seen singing the national anthem on ESPN2’s Race Day coverage beginning tonight at 6 p.m. ET. “It pulls the front wheels off the ground and snaps your head back in the seat for about 10 seconds. It’s a heckuva ride.”
Carrico said he’d “love to be racing too” during his visit to Gainesville Raceway March 16, but he had to “settle” for revving up the fans with the National Anthem and then standing trackside as the first pair of Top Fuel dragsters fired their 7,000-horsepower engines to signal the start of the ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals.
TOP FUEL
Tony Schumacher defeated Brandon Bernstein to score his second title of the season.
TRADING UP – No offense to the Gainesville Raceway but three-time NHRA Gatornationals champion Tony Schumacher
Tony Schumacher has won the Gators three times but he'd be happier to capture victory at the elusive tracks.
“This one here, I'll trade one of those that we can't get done,” Schumacher admitted. “I can't win a round in Englishtown. I like those lists. I try not to look at them but when you put out a list where there are only a few people or a handful of people who have won it three times in much longer careers then that's great.”
Schumacher’s on the short list with Joe Amato and Gary Scelzi for winning Gainesville thrice. He’s on an even shorter list of drivers who’ve won 43 times over the course of they’re careers.
“I think if you look at the whole field a lot of people were running real equal to us,” Schumacher explained, speaking on his perceived Sunday Gators domination. “You've almost got to look back on each race over the last couple of years, you get a car out there that's really running good and in the second round you have to run against a car that's the second lowest ET and it's a battle. We got some breaks today. We earned it.”
By the way, the situation was greatly aided when you consider he has a tuner such as Alan Johnson, who knows exactly what to do when the humidity drops 40% between the start and completion of the round.
“Something that was surprising me before the first round, we warmed the car up and I'm not sure if the car was sitting but it was warmed up, velcroed back on and ready to go,” Schumacher said. “I'm sitting in the lounge with my firesuit on and AJ comes running out. That's always what you want to hear right before you go run. You've got to change it.
If you wondered why Schumacher was absent during pre-race activities, he held a good alibi.
“That's why I didn't make it up when they did the champion jacket presentation,” Schumacher said. “Alan said to stay here because we're going to warm it up again to make sure we don't have a leak again. We made a huge change, it got better and we had fixed the problem. All the other ones -- no one took it apart and they all ran quicker. It was just crazy. I saw 4.59's and I'm like, ‘oh man, Alan made a change we're going to run a 4.55 and we ran a 4.61.
“Yeah that's leaving yourself wide open. If we happen to be one of those other cars then you're done. We got a little bit of a break there even though you go on with your race and do all that -- it's still a break.”
The two out of three victory start defies the traditional Schumacher late-season domination and early slump.
“It's a great first half but it was pointed out that we started out better in 2004, I think by 5 points but whatever,” Schumacher said. “This is a different car. I love driving this car. It's completely different. It has steel. I don't feel safer in it by far. I don't feel like the car has wandered off all over the place. It's a nice car to drive. We're getting there -- we're at 90% we're working our way. We have this new car, it's a little heavier -- we're working our way up towards it. If you look at it, not in our runs down the race track we're not at attempt with anyone. We're not at half attempt with anyone.”
FEELING THE LOVE – All of a sudden, the sting of a first round loss doesn’t burn as much for Cory McClenathan. The
Cory McClenathan admits drag racing has been good to him over the years. He's just happy to give back to the sport today.
McClenathan, a 29-time winner in Top Fuel, was asked by a family of race fans to place the ashes of their patriarch inside the parachute. He obliged without hesitation.
“I do this every once in a while,” McClenathan pointed out. “This is twice we’ve done this in 2008. How can you say no to a request like that?”
McClenathan, who declined to mention the family’s name, said the family has been coming to the races and cheering him on for seventeen years. He’s watched the children grow into adulthood. On this particular instance, the father passed away the week before the NHRA Gatornationals.
“One of the sons came and he brought me some ashes from his dad and had me put it in the parachutes -- so this time the whole family got to come back kind of in memory of dad,” said McClenathan. “Both sons were here so I was able to do it again for them.”
“I do this every now and then. We’ve done this twice this year. Once for another family that lost their father right before Pomona. It's one of those deals where you can't say no to something like that where the family comes to drag races and they bring their kids as children and I'm able to see them grow up.”
McClenathan admits the experience enables him to quickly develop a bond with the special fans.
“It means a lot to me to be able to do something for them that aids in the healing process,” McClenathan added. “It's one of those things where it doesn't matter what their names were, when they’re coming out to ask me to do something like that. It's a heart felt experience and it's something you want to do to help them get some closure. You can see by the tears in their eyes how much it means to them.”
The experience hits home for McClenathan.
“Seems like yesterday that I was a 9-year old kid going to Orange County Raceway with my dad,” McClenathan revealed. “That’s why I wanted to do something for these families because I know what it means. I would hope that somebody would do something like that for me.”
For McClenathan, he’s feeling the love from drag racing these days.
“Drag racing has always been very good to me,” McClenathan said. “I think nowadays even though I feel the love from drag racing, I feel like I owe the drag racing fans something, I need to give something back. When I can give back to fans like that I was able to earlier, it means the world.”
THE FIRST 300 – Some experiences just don’t fade away. Such is the case with Kenny Bernstein when he rolls through the
Kenny Bernstein feels a special bond with Gainesville Raceway. On March 20, 1992, he became the first driver to run 300-mph in a Top Fuel dragster.
On March 20, 1992, Bernstein became the first drag racer to drive a piston-driven car to a 300-mile per hour run.
“For many years it was a little emotional when we got back in there but now it's just kind of a sense of pride in the fact that we got it done and it was here,” Bernstein said. “It was a great accomplishment by a team that worked extremely hard to get it done. Dale Armstrong and the boys wanted to be the first to do this. I just got to go along for the ride, it was fun.”
Bernstein added a second memory to the list when he was appointed to introduce his longtime crew chief Dale Armstrong as an inductee into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame on Thursday afternoon in Gainesville, Florida. The speed accolade was an excellent accomplishment, but as Bernstein adds, he’s gained other experiences that could easily rival the 300 mile per hour run.
“I've been real fortunate in my life to fortunately have great teams across the board and crew chiefs and to do a lot of things,” Bernstein reflected. “There have been three occasions that I really enjoyed and one -- I got to introduce Wally Parks into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Number two I got to introduce Don Garlits at the same one and to be able to introduce my crew chief, who really was responsible for helping us get where we are today, Dale Armstrong with the Garlits Museum. That's been three great things that mean more to me than probably all the records.”
A SPECIAL BOND – Bernstein remembers the day he lost a final round to Gary Scelzi. The six-time nitro drag racing champion pointed out the unique bond he shared with Armstrong which helped him to cope with the disappointing loss.
“Believe me I've done everything right and everything wrong with these cars that you can do,” Bernstein said. “That day I was late against Scelzi and the next morning I went in and I was down in the dumps saying, ‘How did that happen in the final round? How can you be late in the final round?”
“He just started laughing and he said you're a human being man. He said you're not perfect.”
Joseph Foley, the 10-year old son of Top Fuel racer Doug Foley, won the NHRA POWERade Fan Nationals this weekend.
THE NEW SHOP – Kenny Bernstein Racing will soon open a new 40,000 square foot shop in Brownsburg, Indiana, according to the team’s general manager Len Imbrogno.
“It's state of the art,” said Imbrogno.“Sheryl, Kenny's wife, obviously did a lot of the design work for us and helped us with a lot of the inside interior work, so it's going to be a beautiful facility.”
KIDS DO THE DARNDEST THINGS – Joseph Foley, the 10-year old son of Top Fuel racer Doug Foley, won the NHRA POWERade Fan Nationals this weekend.
The ecstatic father, who fell out of Top Fuel contention in the first round, added, “Great, my own son showing me up now.”
FUNNY CAR
Tony Pedregon [near lane] battled tooth and nail with Gary Densham for the Gators crown.
NO JINX HERE - Tony Pedregon pointed out on Saturday he didn’t subscribe to the superstition of the No. 1 qualifier jinx. On
Tony Pedregon wanted to use this event to earn his way back into the top ten. Sunday's Gainesville victory made it happen.
“Qualifying number one anytime is an accomplishment in itself but to be able to go into eliminations with that kind of pressure, and we had some pretty tough opponents, this is a good day,” said Pedregon. “The weather hung in there, it got a little warmer than the crew chiefs would've liked, but under these circumstances the teams who can adapt better are going to have an advantage.”
Sometimes championship prowess doesn’t mean scoring low elapsed time every single round. Even though Pedregon nailed the best run of the first round, he did what was necessary to win from then on.
“We ran slower and it was like one round we were real aggressive and the next round we were maybe a little too conservative but I said Dickie just split the difference. I know that's what he was thinking and he had a very good game plan coming into today's racing so that's a very good difference for us to be able to recover especially from what happened with yesterday’s condition.”
Pedregon really couldn’t believe the fortunes bestowed upon him in Gainesville.
“A little over a month ago I was laid up in a hospital bed with a burnt hand,” Pedregon said. “I was just thinking that those are some tough knocks and if that's what it takes to get to the top then we'll do it. We have a great team and it's really been non-stop for them. Our sponsors have hung in there with us and they deserved this win.”
SHOE ON THE OTHER FOOT – A disturbing trend seems to have fallen on the Pedregon brothers. When one blows up their race car, the other reaches the final round.
“I was trying to watch the race but sometimes it's hard to gauge two cars coming down the track so I peeked over at the television monitor,” Pedregon said. “It's pretty scary being inside the car and having that experience. When I saw his car and I saw the explosion, I was just hoping that it didn't catch on fire like mine.
“Anytime you have a high speed accident anything can happen. You're really at the mercy of so many different variables and once it blew up I saw a really quick flash fire and really at that point it wasn't a whole lot of fire. I know Cruz and I know he's probably as good as anyone out here under those conditions and once I saw him driving the car, the car actually had a bounce.
“The back end of the car probably was 4 or 5 feet off the ground and I thought it was going to flip. I've never seen a car do that. It just goes to show you how violent some of these explosions can be. I saw him driving the heck out of it and I thought, ‘Just hang on -- just get that thing slowed down. I had to find out and make sure he won because I knew that was the first thing he was going to ask me. It's a little disappointing. It costs us a lot of money when something like that happens. If he can walk away from it, then we can buy the parts and make other bodies. I refuse to fall in love with any of those parts on my car.”
RACING ON A TEACHER’S SALARY – Gary Densham earned a reputation for being frugal while racing as an independently
Gary Densham may be racing on limited funds but he's having a lot of fun.
“We probably would have come out healthier financially by losing in the first round than we did in reaching the finals,” Densham said. “This final round appearance was a great morale booster and the crew did a really good job. I have no reservations in saying I have the greatest crew in the world.
“Today gave us the opportunity to showcase their talents and have some fun.”
Is he having fun despite being at such a disadvantage?
“Oh hell yes,” Densham responded. “This sport has the greatest fans in the world and the greatest competitors as well. When it ceases to be fun, I won’t be doing this any more.”
Densham adamantly states one of the secrets to his success has been the talents of crew chief Greg Amaral.
How ironic it was on the same weekend that John Force Racing qualified all four cars that two former drivers reached the final round.
Densham didn’t let the No. 16 qualifying seed deter him from scoring key victories over John Force, Del Worsham and Tim Wilkerson before meeting Tony Pedregon. How ironic was the fact two former John Force Racing drivers met in the finals of the same event JFR qualified all four drivers.
“I’m sure Tony will say the same thing as me – we were happy we got the opportunity to race with an unlimited budget like we did over there,” Densham said. “Knowing what they have at their disposal and what we have made beating John extra special. That’s what makes this sport fun. Anyone can win on any given day.”
ALMOST GOT ‘EM – Pedregon pointed out his team found a happy medium in the final round tune-up. This happy medium almost opened the door for Densham. Pedregon’s .003 in performance advantage could have easily been overtaken had Densham been quicker leaving the starting line.
“We ran exactly what we wanted to run,” Densham conveyed. “We didn’t think they could run as well in the right hand lane after they had struggled all day. You always want to look at it and go back and use a ‘do-over’ but in drag racing there are no mulligans. If we know what we know now we might have pushed a little harder and I think the track would have taken it. We went up there trying to run a 4.90 and did that.
“Tony is the world champion for a reason and he went in extremely deep on that one.”
MAKING A POINT - Densham let his stance be known on the increase in price of nitro the NHRA’s official supplier implemented just days before the NHRA Gatornationals. The veteran independent driver proclaimed over the Gainesville Raceway PA system the move would have affected his attendance this weekend.
“If I would have known the price of nitro was going up like it was this weekend that would have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. We wouldn’t have been there.”
The price increase delivered earlier this week to the drivers came at a time when Densham had already made his plans and began travel to Gainesville.
“We are already a team with limited funds,” Densham said. “We had already debated coming because of the diesel prices. If I would have known the price increase was coming – I might have stayed at home.”
Several teams have met with the NHRA regarding the nitro pricing situation, yet nothing was resolved over the course of the weekend.
“I blame it on NHRA,” Densham said. “Any time someone gets a monopoly or an exclusive on a product, human nature pushes them to make as much money as they can. Do I believe the price increase is necessary? I don’t. But, then again, maybe there are things I just don’t understand.
‘To hit us with that large of an increase when we didn’t know it was coming, is pretty stout.”
This financial hardship when coupled with the competitive nature of the class drives a hard bargain for Densham, only one of nine racers that have qualified for all three races in 2008.
”Last year no one qualified for all the races and I’ll be surprised if someone manages to pull it off this year,” Densham said. “We’ve pruned the number down this small in three races. What do you think?”
ESPN2/Motel6 Vision
SCARY MOMENT – Cruz Pedregon encountered a scary moment reminiscent of the same viciousness brother Tony
There's a disturbing trend amongst the Pedregon brothers. When one suffers a devastating explosion the other reaches the final round. Gainesville marked Cruz Pedregon's turn to get the bad end of the deal.
“I was thinking about my brother Tony and I was driving my rear end off there,” Pedregon said. “I feared for my life a little bit out there. I felt like I lost hearing. I thought I was going to go for a ride. Back to the safety with John Force and everybody, this was where we lost Eric Medlen last year guys and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about Eric, his dad and everybody. I'm just glad we won the round. The experience left me feeling dizzy.”
The cause of the accident was a hung throttle which eventually backfired the supercharger.
FROM THE OTHER LANE – Ron Capps might have lost in the first round of competition, but he did experience a front-row seat
Ron Capps was Cruz Pedregon's opponent on the run he suffered the explosion.
"I really didn't see him," said Capps, who actually moved up one spot in the point standings into 14th. "When I pulled the tires loose he went by me. And at that point he went right through the lights as he pulled the chute and it erupted into a huge fireball. I was coasting through there pretty good, and there was such an amount of dense fog that I felt like I was Cole Trickle in 'Days of Thunder' and I actually got on the radio and I said, Oh, boy, here we go. And for all I knew he was parked sideways on the other side of that smoke. And all I could do was let go of the brake and just grit my teeth and let it go through the smoke hoping he wasn't going to be sitting there and I would T-bone him.
"Ronnie (Thompson, assistant crew chief) was watching the big screen and he was going to get on the radio and tell me that I was OK to go through the smoke. He could see the whole thing unfolding. Once I went through the smoke I could see Cruz was way down there.
"We hated to lose the round, but had we been next to Cruz and run close to what he ran, he would have been in my lane at the exact same time I would have been with the chutes out down there, and it could have been real bad, real bad. He did end up in my lane and did a heck of a job getting the car stopped. But that could have been disastrous, and so, if you look at the big picture, it's not such a bad day after all."
BEATING THE BOSS – Jack Beckman may drive a nitro flopper for Don Schumacher but when he’s not wheeling the 8,000-horsepower beast, he’s taming novice drivers during their Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School experience. On Sunday, for the first time, Beckman met and beat Hawley in the first round of eliminations.
"Well, the interesting thing is I think the perception is that we were staring back and forth at each other and it's kind of like one of those Hollywood-ish deals," said Beckman. "The reality is, when you're strapped in one of these Dodge Chargers, it's like being in the back seat of a station wagon and the side windows are blacked out. You really can't see much next to you.
"It was a great race. We were together from start to finish, and the analogy I give is, I'm a little leaguer, I stepped up to the major leagues and Mickey Mantle came out of retirement and let me pitch to him. It's awesome. I have all the respect in the world for Frank. I thought it was great to go up against him, win, lose or draw. Obviously I'm happy we won, and I think he's going to be giving the rest of us full-time drivers fits the rest of the year.
"I haven't seen him yet. I have to make sure I still have a job."
THE TEACHER’S FIRST DAY ON THE JOB – There’s no definitive decision whether or not a two decade hiatus makes a driver a
Two-time Funny Car champion Frank Hawley qualified for the Funny Car class after a 23-year absence.
With all due respect, Hawley hasn’t been sitting by twiddling his thumbs during the time away. On the contrary, he’s made a name as the sport’s leading drag racing instructor.
Does his status within the sport lend to extra scrutiny?
“I don't know if I'm more scrutinized,” Hawley contends. “I think the fact that I haven't been driving for a long period of time -- it draws a little bit more attention right now because people would look at it as how is he going to do it's been a long lay off. The fact that I've been working with a lot of other drivers certainly I think would get somebody to question well he's got all these recommendations can he actually put it into action?
“That'll all go away. They just need to say what their going to say and move along throughout the season. Hopefully I'll just fit into being one of the guys which is a pretty good place to be.”
Hawley points out the ability to step into a painstakingly prepared hot rod makes all the difference in the world. The crew might just be the teacher’s pets now.
“These guys have done just a great job,” Hawley added. “Aaron and Rod and everybody else on the team - they've prepared the car just about perfectly and every time I've gone up there, they've made the car handle very well. It drives nicely, performs well. It literally almost hasn't done anything wrong and each run that we've made here the car got a little bit faster. I'm really impressed with how well these guys perform together as a group. They're nice guys, they're very respectful to me, everyone's kind. It's just a nice group of people and I think that Mike Ashley and Roger Burgess should be really proud of the group that they've got over here.”
One must remember the last crew chief Hawley drove under – the legendary Austin Coil. Hawley’s confident Brooks will do well in the industry.
“There are so many Austin stories that we need to do a feature story on Austin stories,” Hawley said, cracking a smile. “He's the one and only, there'll never be somebody like Austin. You can't even compare anybody to Austin.
“I love him to death. He's a wonderful guy. Aaron's a good, solid guy. We're getting to know one another. He's a very, very positive sort of person. He's going to do a great job with this team.”
PRO STOCK
Jeg Coughlin, Jr. won the third event of the season defeating Jason Line.
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY – One day after celebrating his father's 70th birthday, Jeg Coughlin Jr. delivered the best gift
Coughlin provided his father with the ultimate 70th birthday present.
It was a huge day for the three-time and reigning NHRA Pro Stock champion as he moved into first place in the POWERade standings in the quarterfinals with a decisive holeshot win over Line's teammate Greg Anderson. By the end of the day, his lead was stretched to 46 points over Line, who moved up to second, and 58 over Anderson, who dropped from first to third.
"It feels great, without question," Coughlin said. "It certainly feels like we earned this one. The entire weekend was a grind, from losing Friday's two qualifying sessions to rain on through to the trials and tribulations of race day. It took a toll on us all. But the reward was worth it.
"All the races are special and they're all wonderful to win but this is the Gatornationals. It has such a history. It's one of our marquee events. I remember coming here as a boy when my pop raced here and now I'm sitting here in the winner's circle with my son. It makes it very special."
Coughlin reached his second final of the year and 62nd of his Pro Stock career with some impressive elimination round wins, the best of which was a hole shot victory over Anderson that was decided by two thousandths of a second, or about eight inches, at the top end. Knowing he needed a big pass, Coughlin dug down and left the starting line with a .010-second reaction time to Anderson's .026-second start. Getting chased all the way down the track, he managed to hold off Anderson's 6.631 with his 6.645.
Ron Krisher and Johnny Gray also fell victim to Coughlin on the day, even though the semifinal race against Gray was almost negated by a broken wheelie bar on the JEGS.com car.
"It shook pretty hard on the burnout and Roy [Simmons, crew chief] got on the radio and told me I had to shut it off," Coughlin said. "I said we should at least stage the thing and see what happens. By that point, I was ready for it to turn left when I dropped the clutch but the track was hot enough that we got some tire spin and it kept it off that broken piece. It turned out it ran so well that we even had lane choice in the final. That was a big pass for us and we certainly got a little race luck as well.
"Overall, I couldn't be happier for Pops on his birthday and for our team owner Victor Cagnazzi, who turned 50 Friday. What a weekend."
WJ AND THE WICKER – One might think the new wicker increase might be working well for Warren Johnson considering he’s
“Truth be known, we’ve burned two holes in the body because of it,” Johnson said. “We did that in Valdosta where the downforce is compressing the rear so much.
“The situation wasn’t so bad in Gainesville but when we get to a facility that is bumpy at the finish line – then we’ll have problems. Someone is going to get in some serious trouble past the finish line. There is too much downforce for these cars.
“The front end is being lifted on these cars and sooner or later one is going to turn into a glider before it’s all said and done.”
TUNNEL TIME - Johnson will be taking the new GXP into the wind tunnel later this week to gain data before the next event.
“We’re going to compare the GTO that we ran to this one to gain some real world numbers,” Johnson said. “We want to find where these two cars stand in relation to one another.”
Lord knows what Johnson will find when he gets the tunnel time.
“Kurt and I will be the only ones who knows what we find, too,” Johnson said, with a chuckle.
LIVE BY THE SWORD – V. Gaines won four rounds of competition in Phoenix by out-reacting the competition. Today, he fell victim to his own sword by losing the battle off of the starting line to Mike Edwards.
Edwards later pulled off a perfect .000 reaction making him the only driver to record perfect reactions in consecutive events.
Johnny Gray won an ugly race on a holeshot.
Gray recovered the quicker of the two and won by a 6.774, 204.79 to 6.773, 206.46 margin.
AT A LOSS - After taking some time to digest his quarterfinal Pro Stock exit from Sunday’s ACDelco Gatornationals at
Justin Humphreys debuted his new GXP with a first round loss.
“It was very disappointing to lose like that,” he said following the setback to Johnny Gray.
Humphreys did all he could to get the win, including getting a big jump off the starting line. But the RaceRedi Motorsports Pontiac GXP sashayed to the left and sashayed to the right, taking away any chance he had of beating Gray to the finish line. Humphreys’ reaction time was .033-second and his elapsed time was 7.953 seconds at 148.23 mph. Gray’s numbers were .062, 6.972 at 203.03 mph.
“But the good news is we moved up to ninth in points (137) and our brand new Pontiac got us our second round win of the season,” he continued. “That helped us reverse our standing a little bit after our (first-round) loss at Phoenix.
Track conditions weren’t good, he noted, “but we didn’t do the job. You have to be able to win on the good tracks and the bad tracks. We’ll just get everything ready and go to Houston (for the O’Reilly Spring Nationals, March 28-31).”
Fortunately for the RaceRedi Motorsports Pro Stock team, they had three busy days of testing at Bradenton, Fla., before the event because Friday’s opening rounds were wiped out by rain. Humphreys put the car in 10th place with a best of 6.6728 seconds at 204.85 mph in the first of two Saturday attempts.
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
Matt Guidera defeated Andrew Hines to score his second career national event crown.
JUST OUR DAY – Matt Guidera has won before but not like he did during the NHRA Gatornationals. The Loomis, California-based rider scored his second NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Motorcycle championship title in as many years by stopping Andrew Hines in the final round.
“We ran great all weekend. The event started off slow for us. We ran a little faster than everyone else and I think we came around faster than the other teams. We had everyone covered but not by a whole lot. The field was close and showed parity today.”
Guidera nailed the top seeding by running the strongest in abbreviated qualifying. Friday’s sessions were washed out by rain.
“Today we showed our strengths today and to be honest, I don’t think these other teams did their homework during the off-season. There wasn’t a day that went by during the off-season that we didn’t work on our program. That effort showed today.”
Guidera defeated Hector Arana, Chris Rivas and Chip Ellis en route to the final round. The one opponent he’s happiest didn’t cross his path was himself.
“I’m so happy I didn’t beat myself,” Guidera said. “That would have been bad to cover the field the way we did and do something like red-light in the first round or something. I knew I was going to have to ride hard because the final eight bikes were all tough.”
Consider the competition for Guidera. He had two Screamin’ Eagle Harleys, the defending national champion and a quick Suzuki.
Guidera had more than two people in the grandstands in Gainesville unlike his rain-delayed reading victory.
Don’t think the competition wasn’t hoping for a sneak peek at Guidera’s bike.
“They would have loved to,” Guidera said. “But that wouldn’t have been fair. They don’t let me come over and look at their bikes. We kept them out all day.”
The week prior to the NHRA Gatornationals featured testing in Valdosta, Georgia. During this event, the Vance & Hines team reeled off the quickest run in the history of the class. Did this shot leave Guidera concerned?
“Heck yeah I was,” Guidera said. “I know what we have. I work with my team every day. We turned a corner last year. We couldn’t keep the tune-up for more than two runs. I saw their runs and questions whether I could compete with that. You didn’t know if they were showing all they had. Maybe we did, maybe we didn’t.
“After Saturday I knew we would be competitive. These weren’t stellar conditions.”
Guidera made a clean sweep off the weekend. He pointed out the competition will be fighting for scraps this season.
“There’s a lot more pressure when you’re racing in front of 20,000 people,” Guidera said. “I have to keep myself pumped up. The bike was just flawless all day long.”
THOSE “PISSED OFF BIRDS” – In this politically-driven world of drag racing, Guidera knew his victory angered his final round opponent.
The most impressive part of his triumph, Guidera said, he hasn’t been on his bike since January 15.
“Today couldn’t have gone any better,” Guidera said.
The competition had better beware, Guidera is gunning for everyone.
“They are going to be picking up scraps,” Guidera said. “Those guys are going to come on strong and swinging hard. Those are gonna be some pissed off birds. They are pissed off. I can tell you that right now.”
PRO MODIFIED
Joe Baker was a last minute addition to the Jegs Pro Modified field and worked his way to the winner's circle.
ALTERNATE ENDING - Joe Baker entered the first event of the 10-race JEGS ProMod Challenge as a last-minute alternate after another competitor crashed in testing earlier in the week. He barely made the 16-car field with the slowest elapsed time in the group. He even had to race the quickest and fastest car of the meet in the final round of the 39th annual ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals.
In the end, none of that mattered as the local hero from Milton, Fla., pulled off one of the most improbable victories in the seven-year history of the series, winning with a coasting 12.687-second pass at 63.03 mph after final-round foe Raymond Commisso hit the retaining wall just before the finish line to disqualify himself from contention.
"I had the luck when I needed it, that's for sure," Baker said. "What a great day. This was my first win in NHRA competition and to do it at the Gatornationals in my home state makes it all the better. I can't thank Jeg Sr. and Troy Coughlin enough for this. We had to scramble just to get here but it all seems worth it now. What a blast!"
Driving a '41 Willy's once owned by two-time champion Mike Ashley, Baker shook his tires hard right off the launch pad in the final round. He sat and watched Commisso zoom away to an apparent easy win. But Commisso's '68 Camaro started drifting towards the centerline and when he tried to guide it back into the groove it went a little too far right and impacted the wall, negating a 6.352 at 173.58 mph that would have given him the win.
Baker's lucky day began with a huge upset win over No. 1 qualifier Mike Ashley, who lost traction early in his run. He then got a gift from a red-lighting Scott Ray, before watching Kirk Kuhns get way out of shape and shut off early. His best pass of the day was a 6.167 at 232.19 mph.
Commisso, meanwhile, was driving like a man possessed, rattling off a pair of five-second runs, including a 5.935 in the semifinals, to set low elapsed time of the meet. Earlier in the day he had topped out at 247.34 mph to set the event's top speed mark. He clearly had the car to beat, but ended up beating himself.
The early points lead belongs to Baker, followed by Commisso, Kuhns, and Jay Payne. Reigning series champion Josh Hernandez ended the day in fifth place.
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WHOAAH NELLIE!
ESPN2/Motel6 Vision
Tony Bartone pulled a monster wheelstand down track then made contact with the retaining wall prematurely ending his weekend of competition.
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SATURDAY NOTEBOOK – THE UNHERALDED ALAN BRADSHAW; T-PED ON TOP, GRUMPY “SEASONED” MEN WITH NEW CARS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Jeg Coughlin Sr. celebrated his 70th birthday Saturday at Gainesville Raceway by helping two of his four sons make the cut at the 39th annual ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals. The modest former Top Fuel driver, who started JEGS Mail Order in 1960 in a tiny speed shop in Columbus, Ohio, is still actively involved in his son's racing endeavors, offering advice and inspiration at races on the NHRA professional and sportsman schedules.
This weekend, Jeg Sr. is guiding Troy through the first event of the 10-race JEGS Pro Mod Challenge. JEGS Mail Order took over sponsorship of the popular series less than a month ago.
Over in Pro Stock, reigning POWERade champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. is always happy to have "Pops" around.
"It's great to have Pops with us this weekend so we can celebrate his birthday," Jeg Jr. remarked. "He's my best friend and a great sounding board for anything I need to talk about. Even when he doesn't attend the races we're on the phone and computer with each other after each run talking about what we can do to make it better. He's a big part of what we do."
Jeg Sr. also helps out sons Mike and John Coughlin, who compete in Top Sportsman, Super Stock and Top Dragster in Division 3.
TOP FUEL
THAT’LL SHOW ‘EM – Alan Bradshaw thumbed through the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Media Guide looking for his
Alan Bradshaw went to the top of the Top Fuel qualifier ladder.
Bradshaw wasn’t listed; so during the final qualifying session at the NHRA Gatornationals, he made his name impossible to forget.
Bradshaw drove his Vis-A-Vista-sponsored dragster to the top qualifying position with a 4.547 elapsed time at 306.95 miles per hour.
His qualifying success comes one event after a DNQ in Phoenix.
“This is another way to earn a few stripes,” Bradshaw said. “We left Phoenix with our heads hung low. Our team made a pact and we tested the day after the event. We were determined not to race again until this car would run.”
The top position came at a cost. Bradshaw exploded an engine as he went through the lights.
“We’re chasing some fuel system issues, but we’re getting closer to making the wick longer,” Bradshaw admitted. “We hope we can get it to the finish line under power the next few runs without blowing it up. We’re number one and that’s all that matters tonight.”
Hey, if you can’t be quick – then be spectacular. He was both on Saturday.
“I’m from Texas, if we want something, we go for it all,” Bradshaw said. “We’re taking no prisoners and doing what we have to do. This team has busted their butts to make this car run fast.”
The team actually wounded another engine in the first session.
“We came back and put another bullet in there,” Bradshaw said. “We came back after blowing it up the second time and we were giving high-fives. They said, ‘Just keep feeding it parts.”
GREAT TRAINING – Bradshaw worked his way into the Top Fuel division following years of success in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks. Today’s mechanical misadventure was the difference, he pointed out, between panicking and driving to the pole position.
“I believe I’ve gained a ton of experience from bracket racing and especially in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks,” Bradshaw said. “Okay, so the car went from ‘A’ to ‘B’ and it blew up. You still have to keep your game face on.
“I blew the engine and felt the car wobble around and vibrate. The flames came forward over my head and you can’t tell me the experience from racing Top Alcohol Dragster didn’t help me prepare for that situation. You’re gonna need that experience when you fall into a ‘rut-ro!’ situation.”
KEEPING IN STRIDE – Clay Millican was prepared to gun for a testing world championship in 2008. Tomorrow, he’ll be racing
Clay Millican didn't find out he was running the NHRA Gatornationals until the Monday before the event. He made the 16-car field as the tenth quickest.
The six-time IHRA champion turned NHRA contender turned a successful test session at South Georgia Motorsports Park into a berth for the third national event on the NHRA tour.
“I’m just proud of everybody on this team,” Millican said. “They came out here and our first run was a little tough. We were the very first car [out] in that first session and was the first one out for the second session. We were able to go right down through there. I’m proud of everybody.”
Millican found out on Monday of this week about the plans to run the car in Gainesville. He knew the challenge would press the team into overtime but he was more than willing to make it happen for his team owner Evan Knoll.
“Anytime I get the opportunity to drive Evan Knoll’s car, I’m all for it,” Millican said. “I’m just happy he said come on, lets go and here we are. This is one of the most attended events the NHRA has all year. To come here for our first race is just fantastic.”
SPINES ARE FINE – Team Kalitta has developed a marketing partnership uncommon to drag racing. The newest addition to
The newest addition to Team Kalitta’s supporters, K2M, a world-renowned spinal technology company, is on hand at Gainesville this weekend to hold a training session with some of their surgeon customers.
Word has it K2M will take on a more prominent role in the future with the team.
HAIL MARY – Let the record reflect the Hail Mary is not limited to being a viable option in football only. Top Fuel driver Doug Foley has made exactly two runs down the quarter-mile in 2008, yet the lack of seat time didn't stop him from earning a spot in final eliminations.
Doug Foley's two qualifying runs were his first two of the 2008 season.
The performance was an impressive '08 debut for a team that had zero time to test, just three full-time crew members, and no plans to race until one week ago.
"We would normally never consider racing under the circumstances were currently facing but this deal with FX Caprara Kia came together very quickly and the guys wanted to come so here we are," said Foley, who runs a drag racing school during the week. "It would be impossible for me to be more impressed with this team. To come out here with no testing information, especially with the new 90-percent nitro rule, and then to see our qualifying sessions cut in half with yesterday's rain, and yet still out-qualify some of the big dogs, well, we're pretty darned happy over here."
Foley hoped to start the weekend with a conservative tune-up. Crew chief Doug Kuch basically wanted to use Friday's two sessions to test theories on what it would take to run the car under new NHRA rules increasing the percentage of nitromethane in their fuel mixture.
However, after Friday's action was completely lost to rain, the game plan quickly changed.
"We had to just start with a Hail Mary," Foley said. "The first run we shook the tires like crazy because we had too much power and ended up with practically no data. Doug made some great adjustments and, even though it shook a little bit at the hit in Round 2, it cleared up by itself and then just smoothed out and went right down the track.
"I'm buzzing right now. It had been far too long since I'd been down the track and it felt great. I guess I get a little grumpy when I'm not racing because even my wife was happy to see me leave this week. The truth is we never expected to lose our primary sponsor three weeks before the season started but FX Caprara Kia jumped in for this race and possibly Houston so were able to come back out and have some fun. I'm happy we were able to give them a thrill today. Now we'll try to be giant killers again tomorrow."
FREEBIRD - Seen in the Doug Herbert pit area were musician Jimmie Van Zant and several of his friends and family.
Van Zant presented Herbert with an autographed guitar to auction off to raise money for BRAKES, the organization Herbert founded, after losing his sons James and Jon in an automobile accident, to help educate teens on responsible driving.
“I just can’t thank Jimmie enough,” said Herbert. “He is really anxious to help with BRAKES, and we are excited about all he wants to do. His group is going to be with us tomorrow, and it would be really cool to have them with us in winner’s circle.
FUNNY CAR
AWFUL FAST, LESS SPECTACULAR – Tony Pedregon will readily admit the Pomona explosion affected him more than he let
Tony Pedregon was all smiles following Saturday's final qualifying session.
“This is the best medicine for me,” Pedregon said, in a press conference following his 32nd career pole position. “I think we put the Pomona incident past us and we’ve worked awful hard to do that. A lot has transpired since that.”
Pedregon’s 4.780 elapsed time at 326.40 miles per hour propelled him to his second career Gainesville No. 1 start and marked the first time he’s been in the position since the 2005 NHRA FRAM Autolite Nationals.
Though he qualified in the top ten in 19 of 23 events on the 2007 NHRA POWERade tour, he just couldn’t seal the deal like he did today in Gainesville.
“We were surprised that we didn’t have any last season,” Pedregon said.
Don’t try to convince Pedregon he’ll encounter the No. 1 qualifier jinx either. He’s determined to break the streak that has befallen Tim Wilkerson, the top qualifier at both events previous then year only to lose in the first round both times.
Pedregon is ready for whatever rolls his way because he points out the car is running better than ever.
Pedregon admitted this weekend's success effectively enabled him to put the Pomona mishap behind him.
“We just need to stick to what got us to the championship last year – consistency. The crew made the right call on the car and when they do this – this is the end result.”
This weekend’s objective is to win enough rounds to pull into the top ten of points. He’s currently ranked 16th in the point standings.
“Coming into this event, what is the goal here?” Pedregon asked. “The goal was first to get in the top end and everything else will fall into place. We are focused on doing our own thing. Right now we are working hard to get into the top ten.”
Pedregon is convinced the recent resurgence of his brother Cruz Pedregon will affect his performance. Cruz is currently ranked third in the championship standings. The familiarity between the brothers’ tuners could be the key.
“I think a lot of insiders realize the relationship through the years between Rahn Tobler and Dickie Venables,” Pedregon said. “I think it’s evident that whatever Cruz does only serves to compliment us and what we do. The teams really work well together and there’s a great balance.
“They’re a great balance because of this relationship and it’s only going to get better.”
THE SURE THING – Let the record reflect recent Phoenix winner Jack Beckman prefers the sure thing. He earned his way into
Jack Beckman prefers the sure things when it comes to racing.
"Let me tell you something," said Beckman, an instructor at Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School. "I would much rather be in the situation we were in today, sitting in the back of the Funny Car pairings in the last qualifying session, 95 percent sure you're going to be in the field, and be able to hop the car up and take a home-run shot for No. 1, than where we were in Phoenix coming up for the last session and not qualified, praying that whatever happens that the car gets into the show." For the second straight 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series race, Friday's two qualifying sessions were rained out. In Phoenix, Beckman qualified in his final attempt, then went on to win the event.
"So, we actually had the luxury of being able to take a free shot at the race track and we had too much horsepower that last run," said Beckman, who failed to qualify here last year. "But, I tell you, this is awesome. We qualified, we qualified top half and I've got Frank Hawley first round tomorrow. I would've never imagined 10 years ago when I went to work for him we'd get him out of retirement, get him back in a Funny Car, and I'd be in the other lane first round."
JINX, WHAT JINX? – Two races, two pole positions, two first round losses – think Funny Car race Tim Wilkerson might be
Tim Wilkerson led qualifying briefly and while he's aware of the fate of the No. 1 qualifier, he's not a superstitious person.
“I'm going to get that jinx off my back,” Wilkerson said. “I'm going to keep trying to qualify number 1 and win some dang rounds. We just had some mechanical errors both races and we're going to get them fixed.”
Credit Wilkerson’s chance encounter with premiere nitro Alan Johnson’s sibling Pam Johnson. They were in the St. Louis airport close to midnight traveling from Phoenix.
“She had some good words of encouragement,” Wilkerson said. “She said you remember last year that Army car couldn't win a round of racing to save it's soul until halfway through the year, so don't give up.
“They were number 1 qualifier a bunch and smoked the tires. I don't believe in the No. 1 qualifier jinx. You make your own destiny and the better your car runs, the better it's going to keep running. You're going to see us do better. We're going to keep trying to be number one.”
The renewed enthusiasm won't completely cause the pain and frustration of the previous missed opportunity to subside. Still, Wilkerson admits, losing first round beats the heck out of not qualifying.
“Not qualifying leaves an empty hole inside of you that you can't fill up until you get to the next race and start your car again,” Wilkerson said. “Financially you're better off getting beat first round but not for your sponsor that's for sure. You want to win the race for your sponsor and your team. The guys work so hard, that's the best part about this racing.
“An underdog like us, got a bunch of young guys here and a couple of good veterans and their all working hard to make the car run good and it shows really. The car runs well. It's disheartening getting beat first round but it's a hell of a lot worse not qualifying, believe me. That stinks more than you could ever imagine.”
THE NITRO SITUATION – Wilkerson has long been regarded as one of the nitro racers who can coax the most out of the least. The $300 increase per barrel of nitro implemented this weekend will adversely affect his and every team competing with lesser finances.
”For a smaller budget team, it's definitely going to affect the bottom line at the end of the year,” said Wilkerson. “If you look at the cost per race and we're only at the 2nd race of the year that we've went through and we've got to do 22 more races -- it's probably going to be a $20,000 hit by the end of the year. To not have that budgeted at the beginning of the year there's no doubt that we're going to have to try to find that money somewhere. That coupled with the price of diesel fuel it's like all the criminals have gotten together with the people that sell fuel.
“I do understand it a little bit I guess, I used to sell gasoline so I know a little bit about that. The way the chain flows through and the way it's built and how it costs and all that but some of it at least in the nitro in their defense they have a justification in their price increase with security issues and stuff like that. We all need to be very aware of it, for lack of better terms. It's going to hurt a little bit but we'll figure out a way to get through it like we always do.”
Incurring the cost of fuel stands as one part of the financial puzzle, the prospect of increase chassis costs brings forth another concern.
“I'm sure the new chassis are going to cost more because their nicer and newer,” Wilkerson said. “I'm going to get a car like John Force's -- a new 3 rail car -- so that will probably be a little bit more expensive than the last one. Unfortunately with this sport everything you do, you try to figure out a way to get by after everything goes up. You just get through it somehow and that's what we'll do with this.”
The unexpected operating costs shouldn’t affect the way Wilkerson competes but there are some segments he will adjust in the name of the bottom line.
“I would say that you'll see us warm up differently probably because I warm up on nitro more than I used to when my budget got a little better,” Wilkerson said. “Now I'll go back to warming up on more alcohol and just run the thing on nitro for a split second. I have to make sure the nozzles are what I want out of nozzles and all so that's a good thought process.
“You'll probably see something like that go on. I don't know initially if you will because there's a transition there in the way the motor sees that stuff. I'll have to try to figure out if I like to do it that way or not.”
PRO STOCK
SEASONED DRIVERS AND NEW CAR – Here’s a suggestion to the GM engineers. Want to get Warren Johnson on top of the
WJ tends to perform better during the debut weekend of a newcar.
For the second time in as many cars, Johnson claimed the top qualifying position in his debut of the new Pontiac GXP. He also qualified on the pole the first time out with the GTO in Brainerd back in 2005.
Johnson, the proclaimed NHRA's Professor of Pro Stock and 2007 inductee into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, captured his first No. 1 qualifying award in nearly two and a half years today at the 39th annual ACDelco Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
Johnson drove to a 6.665 second elapsed time at 208.36 mph - a full mile-per-hour faster than his closest competitor.
"It's a good way to start out with the GXP," Johnson said. "The last time we qualified No. 1 was at Brainerd (2005) with what was then a new GTO, and things are really starting out well with this new Pontiac.
"Early on in the season we were making good power - I believe we had the fastest GTO at the first two races so that was kind of an indication that we had at least adequate power to qualify in the upper half of the field. This car seems to be a little quicker in the backhalf so that's where the mph is coming from. We ran 211-flat at Valdosta (Ga.) a few days ago. The scales weren't working at the time so we guessed the weight at the shop and we were 25 pounds too heavy. We thought, 'this could be pretty exciting, here!"'
Johnson was the quickest in both qualifying sessions on Saturday, and following round one, he held the No. 1 qualifying spot with a 6.682 second e.t. at 207.53 mph. But in the second session of Saturday time trials, Jeg Coughlin Jr. moved ahead of Johnson on the qualifying ladder when the Jegs yellow and black Chevy Cobalt ran a 6.680 e.t. at 206.51 mph.
Johnson recaptured the No. 1 qualifying spot running 6.665 seconds. It was an identical time as that of son Kurt's, but the senior Johnson took the top rung of the qualifying ladder with the faster speed.
"You take a new car and you get it figured out," Johnson said. "This new car is a little bit different - we've never built two identical cars in our life. Kurt's Cobalt, we made some changes from the old Cobalt and GTO that worked really well. We basically had the same chassis but a little different envelope to work from, and that's allowed the two teams to work back and forth a lot closer.
"The guys on both teams," added Johnson, "Kurt's guys concentrating on his ACDelco Cobalt, and my guys concentrating on the GXP, have been working back and forth on both cars just kind of getting them used to what real team work is about. I think we're off to a good season."
Today’s success marked Johnson's 137th career race day pole, his ninth at the Gatornationals, and his first No. 1 qualifying award at this event since 2000. In addition to his low elapsed time, Johnson's GM Performance Parts Pontiac GXP ran the top speed in qualifying at 208.36 mph. Johnson is a nine-time winner of the Gatornationals (1984-85, 1991-94, 1998-2000), the most by any professional driver at Gainesville Raceway.
SECRETS REVEALED – V. Gaines can forget sneaking up on the competition following his thrashing of the champions last
Steve Spiess continues to transition from IHRA mountain motor Pro Stock over the 500-inch arena.
What was the common denominator for all the triumphs? Gaines left on each former champion.
“I don’t think they’ll be expecting the V. Gaines of old,” Gaines said. “There’s a very good chance they’ll be gunning for us from now on.”
Getting drivers like Jeg Coughlin, Jr. and Greg Anderson fired up for you is not always a positive thing.
“Those guys are really good drivers and to get them fired up to race you is not necessarily a good thing,” Gaines pointed out.
Pro Stock drivers beware. Gaines said the car has proven just as quick off of the line in testing as it did during the second stop on the NHRA POWERade tour.
“Ever since we pulled this thing out in December, it’s been an incredibly quick car,” Gaines said. “The car has been incredible on the tree. Clyde and Roger have put together a potent clutch linkage. The car has been incredible.”
In case you were wondering, Gaines has experienced the full email in-box.
“The emails and phone calls were incredible, I really didn’t know I had that many well-wishers,” Gaines said. “They all called and it was fantastic.
COMING BACK? – Something is in the works and that’s all Pro Stock superstar Dave Connolly would say when asked if he will be back driving this year for Victor Cagnazzi.
“I hope so,” said Connolly, a 17-time professional winner.
If the package comes together, last year’s third place points finisher will be ready to go at a moment’s notice.
“We’ve continued to work on the car,” Connolly said. “We have a brand new car ready to hit the floor soon and once that’s finished, we’ll get back out there testing. We’re just waiting for everything to go through. There are a lot of things that need to happen first.”
Connolly was one of the Torco race Fuels-sponsored drivers displaced when team owner Evan Knoll took a medical leave of absence at the beginning of the season and thus suspending his racing operations. He’s kept busy bracket racing to fill the void.
“I’m just keeping my edge out here racing,” Connolly said. “I’m racing just as much if not more than I would if I was still in Pro Stock. I’m enjoying it and having fun. Drag racers don’t care what they are driving. It’s all fun to them.”
If this proposed deal comes to fruition, Connolly commented the program would be for the duration of the 2008 season.
“Unfortunately, I can’t go into details,” Connolly said. “For now, we’re just wishing Evan Knoll a speedy recovery. I know he’s missing it a lot but drag racing will be around for a while, so our main concern right now is to get him better. We’ll get back out there when the time is right.”
CHAMPION BEFORE, ROOKIE ALL OVER AGAIN – Steve Spiess knows what being a Pro Stock winner is about. In the interest
There's no sneaking up on the competition for V. Gaines any more.
In this world of corporate downsizing, Spiess has downsized in his own kind of way – under the hood. He’s replaced the 800-plus cubic inch engine that aided him in winning the 2005 IHRA world championship with a standard issue 500-inch powerplant.
“Everybody said it wasn't going to be easy and it's not,” Spiess said. “We're gaining on it pretty fast and learning quickly. Everything you've looked at in the mountain motor stuff you just do the same way in this just not in as big of moves. There's no room for error.”
Spiess put in his practice laps in the week prior to the NHRA Gatornationals during the major ESTN test session in Valdosta. He’s quickly discovered his strengths and weaknesses involving this new challenge.
”We're still having a little problem with the starting line and getting the weight transferred at the back of the car,” Spiess pointed out. “As soon as we figure that out I think we're going to be okay.”
The Pontiac GTO Spiess commandeers has seen action as a competitive mountain motor entry. He does say the day is coming soon when he’s going to need a purpose-built 500-inch car. What he’s got now, he adds, should be fine for now.
”We sent it back to Rick Jones [chassis builder] over the winter and he converted it over,” Spiess said. “He swears up and down that his chassis are the same in either car. This car was new last year and he has made very few changes for this year’s cars.”
REMEMBER ME? – Longtime drag racing fans will remember the large ownership contingent who owned a portion of the Route 66 Dragway. Spiess was part of the group.
“We were more or less forced out,” Spiess said. “We had a buy/sell agreement a year ago last January the NASCAR people took out Tony George and his crew, the Indy people, and the original owners.”
Spiess said that buyout actually turned into blessing because the capital gained funded his 500-inch Pro Stock pursuit. He didn’t originally see the situation this way.
“I really didn't want to get rid of it,” Spiess said. “It was kind of an ego thing being able to say that I owned a part of it. I was very proud of all the work and effort that my construction company and I put into it. I wish we were there but the money with the way the economy's going down and work at home was slow, it might have all played out the right way.”
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
THE FIRST OF THE MOHEGANS – Matt Guidera finally pulled off his first top qualifying position. He also scored a personal best
Matt Guidera scored his first career national event victory in 2007 and this weekend added his first pole position.
“This feels really good because my team works really hard,” Guidera said “They’ve focused on our engine program during the off-season because we were so behind the eight ball last year. We were almost a tenth behind and today all of that hard work paid off.”
The Loomis, California-based rider of the Mohegan Sun-sponsored Buell added the pole position to his resume alongside of last season’s inaugural national event victory.
“There was a couple of hundredths just in being perfect,” Guidera said. “That run was completely perfect for us.”
Guidera admitted he knew headed into the final session what an imperfect run was.
“The first one was pretty tough,” Guidera said. “The bike tried to go left and I had to yank it back. Then it tried to go back again and I had to yank it back again. That run was a true battle. I spent half of the run trying to bring it back in.
“Once I got it in the center it drove hard. The first run should have been a 6.95.”
BACK AGAIN – Chris Rivas qualified for his first event of 2008 in the same position he ended the 2007 season, ninth. That’s
Chris Rivas has a channge of scenery driving for the G2 Motorsports team.
Last year, Rivas was dismissed in mid-race during the NHRA AAA Finals in Pomona, California following a dispute with his team owner. He was ninth. A 7.041, 190.27 was enough to send him into the first round of the Gatornationals as the ninth seeded entry.
A lot has transpired since 2007 for Rivas. The talented Rivas was named rider for George Smith and George Bryce’s G2 Motorsports. For the first time in his career, he’s got a budget to compete alongside the upper echelon teams.
“Big George and I kind of talked about it a little bit, coming up to a team on this level,” Rivas said. “To be honest it's more like coming home because in 2005 these are the people that taught me how to ride a Pro Stock motorcycle. Big George Smith from S&S and George Brice were both there the very first time I ever made a lap on a Pro Stock motorcycle. It's kind of like coming home. I feel real good coming home -- very comfortable -- really relaxed -- I feel like it's going to be a very good season.”
Rivas can afford to utilize his aggressive driving skills with his new situation.
“I think if I just did the same things that I did last year and they did the same things that they did last year, I think we've got a combination between the two things that we could win a championship without doing anything different,” Rivas said. “I really don't want us to change anything. I'm not going to over-think anything. If I do the same thing I did last year, leaving on 70% of my opponents and just make a lap in my lane like I'm supposed to, then I think it's all going to work out really well.”
PRO MODIFIED
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT – Mike Ashley retired a two-time NHRA Pro Modified championship-winning driver in order to pursue
Mike Ashley made a seamless transitional return to Pro Modified with a top qualifying effort.
Ashley proclaimed his return to the popular fast doorslammer division with a top qualifying 5.945 elapsed time at 239.61 miles per hour. So much for the competition thinking the mortgage banker had lost his momentum by focusing his attention on the nitro divisions for the last two seasons.
“I don't think I lost any momentum,” Ashley said. “The bottom line is that driving a Funny Car helped me to become a better driver all around because you've got to be really aware with those cars. The truth of the matter is that racing is racing. Going four seconds or going six seconds is still fast.
“We won back to back world championships when I feel Pro Modified was the toughest series ever with eight-car fields and thirty cars trying to qualify. It was real rough and we won it through the roughest time. We came back and we kind of dominated the season before that. I don't think it messed up my momentum at all because you know why because I had momentum towards a different goal.”
Ashley’s objective was to become a successful team owner and he was convinced the driving upgrade would follow naturally. Forty-six NHRA national events and a ten-event schedule running the Pro Modified tour suits his role as family man and successful executive better.
“At some point you have to stop to think about your priorities are in life,” said Ashley. “As much as I enjoy driving and all that, I love my family and it's hard for me to be away from them all that time. For them it's hard for me to be away from my business all that time.”
Ashley’s still adjusting to a different driving regimen than that of season’s past with the suspended chassis and left-hand drive.
“Let's face it, these cars handle totally different,” Ashley explained. “The starting line procedure is totally different. It's no question that it's something I'm going to have to get used to but I'm going to try to be on top of my game as best as I can. I think it's going to take me a couple of races to get back in the groove and get my system together. I'm looking forward to having a fun season.”
Ashley can thank the sponsorship of Jegs of the Pro Modified series for the fun. As recent as a month ago, the series was dead in the water with lack of sponsorship. Sponsorship had come from Dave Wood’s AMS Staff Leasing for the last five seasons.
“I think the series is in the right hands,” Ashley conveyed. “I think Dave Wood deserves a lot of credit for taking it as far as he did. We've got a bunch of guys who kind of chipped in to help out in the series. Some of them, myself included, are chipping in to help it out. I think having Jegs at the helm was an important decision for the future of the class because they've got the proper contacts, they've got the proper know how and management team in place to really take the entire series to the next level.
“I appreciate Troy [Coughlin] stepping in and doing that. I'm excited to race the series.”
Ashley races Joe Baker in the first round of eliminations on Sunday.
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FRIDAY NOTEBOOK – Rain, rain and more rain makes a swampy Gatornationals …
BANNER MOMENTS - The history of the NHRA Gatornationals is being celebrated this year with the unveiling of five three-story-tall banners saluting memorable moments from past Gatornationals events.
Commemorative banners adorn the Gainesville Raceway grandstands.
The banners, which hang behind the main grandstand and are visible to pit-area visitors, measure 15 feet wide by 30 feet tall and note each historical feat, accompanied by a historical photograph.
The 1970 Funny Car final between Leonard Hughes and Larry Reyes marked the first all-team Funny Car final in NHRA history; team owner Hughes, half of the famed Candies & Hughes team, secured the win.
In 1986, Florida's most famous facer, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, shattered the 270-mph mark with his groundbreaking Swamp Rat XXX Top Fueler, a machine that now resides in the Smithsonian Institution.
Florida's other favorite son, Darrell Gwynn, captured his first and, tragically, only Gatornationals win in March 1990, less than a month before his racing career ended in an accident in England.
Two years later, Kenny Bernstein made drag racing history when he piloted his Budweiser King Top Fuel dragster to the sport's first 300-mph clocking, 301.70.
And finally, another barrier fell in 2005 when three-time NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Andrew Hines became the first rider to complete a quarter-mile pass in less than seven seconds aboard his Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson entry.
Persistent rain showers washed out Day One of qualifying.
GOODWILL GESTURE - A contingent of drivers from the NHRA and GM Racing made their annual stop at the Shands Pediatric Specialty Clinic on the campus of the University of Florida on Thursday, the fifth consecutive year that a group of drivers have kicked off their Gatornationals weekend with a visit with the children and staff at Shands. The six drivers who made the Thursday visit included Top Fuel drivers Morgan Lucas and J.R. Todd, Funny Car driver Tony Bartone and Pro Stock drivers Jim Yates, Kurt Johnson and Tom Hammonds.
members of Team GM visit the Shands Hospital.
"It was just a huge day all the way around," Kurt Johnson said. "I think we made a big impact at Shands today, putting smiles on the children's faces and pumping them up, which is the perfect way to lead into the ACDelco Gatornationals."
Shands Children's Hospital is North Central Florida's only comprehensive pediatric facility which treats patients throughout Florida and the United States. UF physicians offer some of the most specialized pediatric programs for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of complex medical conditions.
During Thursday's visit, the drivers passed out diecast racecars, signed posters, posed for Polaroid photos with the kids and signed autograph cards. They also presented the hospital staff with an autographed racing helmet signed by 47 NHRA competitors including 10 former champions and three champions from 2007. The helmet will be auctioned during an April fundraiser for "STOP! Children's Cancer," a Gainesville-based non-profit organization founded in 1981 and dedicated to the prevention, control and cure of cancer in children.
"Jenna and Rafael (Leon) and the entire staff do such a wonderful job putting this visit together for us, and for the kids and patients who come through the pediatric clinic at Shands," Jim Yates said. "I feel fortunate to be a part of this annual visit - I wouldn't miss it."
"Being able to spread cheer at Shands Hospital means a great deal to me," said Tom Hammonds. "I'm a Floridian so I know all about the good work they do at Shands, and for me to be able to come in for one day and bring a little cheer and light to these kids' lives is just great."
"It's something I always look forward to every year at the Gatornationals," smiled Morgan Lucas. "The Shands Pediatric Center has some very special children and to see their faces light up when we come into their room just makes your day."
"This is a pretty neat deal," said Todd. "It was so much fun spending time with the children and I'm glad we got the chance to sit down and visit with them. I know they brightened up my day with just their smile."
"The kids kept us busy today," said Tony Bartone. "And I know that all the drivers enjoyed the opportunity to come over and spend an afternoon with the children and staff at Shands."
A special ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Friday in the new Gainesville Raceway tower.
TOP FUEL
A FAVORITE TRACK – Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher has been to victory lane 42 times in his career, but he’s quick to note that only a handful of those wins carry special meaning.
“There’s no question that my two wins at the ACDelco Gatornationals (in 2004 and 2007) are among a small group that stands out from all the rest,” said the defending NHRA POWERade world champion. “We have some prestigious races that dot the schedule every year, but clearly the Gatornationals is one of those big-time events that you want to capture at some point or another.”
When Schumacher takes to Gainesville Raceway this weekend for round three of the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, he will be attempting to become only the fourth Top Fuel pilot to claim three victories in the Sunshine State. Joe Amato pocketed four Gatornationals trophies between 1984 and 1997.
“History aside, we just want to go down to Gainesville and run well,” added the Chicago native. “We’re off to a nice start this season, so we’d like to keep moving in the right direction.”
Following a win in the season opener at Pomona, Calif. and then a semifinal round advancement at Phoenix three weeks ago, Schumacher holds a slight one point advantage over Larry Dixon in the Top Fuel standings.
“Having the point lead right now is fine, but it’s way too early to be thinking about the prospect of winning another title,” he said. “You can’t state it enough that consistency is critical if you want to achieve success in this sport. It’s imperative that we go rounds this Sunday.”
Thus far, Schumacher has been able to avoid the dreaded first round loss bug that managed to bite him 12 times last year.
“We were pretty fortunate to win our fourth straight championship given all of those early round exits,” he offered. “You definitely want to stay away from first round losses if at all possible. They can come back to haunt you later on for sure.
“We know it’s going to take a huge effort for us to return to victory lane this weekend in Gainesville. But, just like our Army Strong soldiers, this team has the strength to get the job done.”
In addition to being a two-time Gatornationals winner, Schumacher holds the Gainesville Raceway record for speed – 333.95 mph – set in 2005.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF GATORS - This weekend promises to be a different kind of race for Morgan Lucas.
The driver of the Forrest Lucas-owned Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster will be returning to the ACDelco Gatornationals, the site of the Gainesville Raceway, where the 24-year old Lucas last saw his great friend, Eric Medlen. Medlin died in a testing accident last year here last year.
“Words just can’t describe how I feel about going back,” said Lucas, reminiscing of his fellow Brat Pack member. “It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since he’s been gone. His spirit dwells in us all and we’re all better off for it. He’s left such a powerful legacy for us to follow and it’s up to us to continue his good work. We all miss him and it’s such a terrible loss that we’ve all been grieving for a year now. I know J.R., Brandon and I are going to hoist a glass to his honor Wednesday night.”
Afterwards, it will be back to business for the young Lucas and he will be doing exactly what his buddy would have wanted him to do and that is getting ready to race. Lucas, in his previous two events this season, has a semi-finals appearance and an unfortunate first round loss which has him in the No. 7 position in the NHRA POWERade points standings and trails leader, Schumacher by 84 points.
“We’re seventh in points and it’s only been two races into the season, so we have a lot of ground to make up the distance. We had our problems in Phoenix on race day, but in qualifying we were one of the more consistent cars. We’re looking forward to getting to the Gatornationals and getting a chance to prove we’re a top running car like we had in the season-opener in Pomona. Everyone is very competitive in the Top Fuel class and that’s why you have to be on top of your game. Nothing would make me any happier than to win my first race at the Gatornationals and dedicating it to the honor of Eric.”
FINALLY, GATOR TIME – Alan Bradshaw knew sooner or later he’d get the opportunity to race at the NHRA Gatornationals. The former Lucas Oil Sportsman World Champion from Odessa Texas has waited a long time to try his hand at the quarter-mile that has played such a huge part of drag racing history.
"Finally getting to race at the Gatornationals is a milestone for me personally," Bradshaw said. "To compete at the track where one of my all time racing heroes, 'Big Daddy' Don Garlits, ran the first 270 mph Top Fuel pass is incredible. Not to mention the place where Kenny Bernstein broke the 300-mph barrier for the first time.
"Now I'm ready to start building some history of my own there, and hopefully it will be one of those tracks that I have good fortune at," Bradshaw continued. "I also hear that the fans are some of the best we see all year and that the size of the crowd is amazing, I can't wait to take it all in.
Bradshaw's primary sponsor, Vis Viva, is also based in North Palm Beach, Fla., making this event even bigger for Bradshaw and the entire Tuttle Motorsports crew.
"Several executives and employees from the company will be here this weekend," Bradshaw said. "So we have to put on a good show for all of them. I've met a few of the folks before, but there will be a lot of new faces too. I'm really looking forward to sharing the excitement of NHRA Drag Racing with all the 'first-timers' in the group."
PRIMED FOR RETURN - Doug Foley returns to the drag racing world this weekend with every intention of resurrecting his status as the POWERade tour's "Giant Killer."
After finding much success on the IHRA tour, Foley made the move to the top level of the sport in 2007 and immediately became a thorn in the side of many of the top racers in the NHRA's premier category. His reign of terror was so noticeable that after beating the likes of five-time champion Tony Schumacher, Brandon Bernstein, "Hot Rod" Fuller, Cory McClenathan, and J.R. Todd, among others, in five impressive semifinal finishes last year, the media covering the series dubbed him "Giant Killer."
"We had confidence coming over to NHRA that we could run with anyone," Foley said. "Of course, you don't expect to come out and have the kind of success we had against those big-time teams, but that's the way it worked out for us. The 'Giant Killer' deal really took off, and the fans seemed to enjoy it so we just had some fun with it."
After losing his primary sponsor less than a month before the start of the 2008 season, Foley was forced to change his plans from figuring out the best way to continue his streak to how to keep his team intact. The answer was simple: All of the crewmen on his team dropped their wrenches and started dialing up potential sponsors, refusing to give up without a fight. It was the same tenacity they showed on the racetrack.
Foley, who runs Doug Foley's Drag Racing School at Atco Dragway near Philadelphia, soon inked a deal with FX Caprara Kia of Watertown, N.Y., for this weekend's race in Florida and possibly the upcoming 21st annual O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston.
"We need to use this time as wisely as possible," said Foley, who co-owns his team with retired publishing executive Tim Lewis. "I need to work the room, per se, at this race, trust that the guys can get things done in the pit, and make myself a lot more visible. I have such a talented crew chief in Doug Kuch. He's the reason for our success last season, and he'll be the one making it all happen on the racetrack this year as well.
FUNNY CAR
Jim Head points out the rising cost of nitromethane by the official supplier. He's losing three races due to the rising costs.
Jim Head pointed out this decision will cost him three races he’d planned to attend.
“I wasn’t planning to run 24 races, so I am not going to tell you that nitro caused it,” Head said. “There are a few races less I can run now.”
For Head, the associated cost relating to a near $20 increase per gallon to $31.25 hits hard.
“I’m a contractor so everything is math,” Head added. “I’m looking at spend an additional $51,000. How does that affect me? You figure it out.”
The numbers just don’t jibe for Head when he points out a qualifying berth nets him only $10,000. He’ll alter the way he races now.
“One of my close friends had a good idea and while I might have not looked at the feasibility of it years ago, I’m looking now,” Head said. “He suggested we stop doing water burnouts and to be honest, that’s not a bad idea now.”
A water burnout, Head revealed, burns an extra four gallons of nitro.
“That would be real good for the sport if we cut out the water burnout,” Head asks. “Back in the old days when I was developing my air clutch, we could make it leave the starting line real good. The thing was really confused in the water.”
The competition should beware. Head has 25 runs to the finish line without a water burnout.
”The real problem is how to get around the water,” Head pondered. “I don’t expect my competition to stop doing burnouts. I won’t do dry hops but I’ll blip the throttle quickly.
“That ought to be good for the fans considering how much they love the burnout. They ought to love that.”
A match race produces a different scenario for Head.
“Now when I’m getting paid for it, I’ll go all the way to the eighth-mile mark,” Head said. “When I go up to Bader’s place, I’ll show you a burnout. So you tell me, who is hurting in this instance?”
THE TALENT HUNT – Head contends he’s ready to step aside and put another driver behind the wheel – for a fee, of course.
“They still keep calling,” Head explained. “The word has gotten out and there are possibilities. Not only has the check not cleared, it hasn’t arrived yet. If the check arrives before the Friday of a national event – they are in here driving.
“But I don’t know how much I want a driver so much as I want a driver/partner. That will work out just fine.”
SAVING FOR A RAINY DAY – Bob Tasca III didn’t make a run in his Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang on Friday but he didn’t sit idle watching the rain. Instead, he faced some competition off the track as the rain delay allowed him to spend time with fans and compete in the new Motorcraft/Quick Lane interactive display.
“We weren’t able to get out and have some fun on the track today, but we were able to have a lot of fun with the fans at the new display,” said Tasca. “In NHRA racing, being with the fans and interacting with them is just as important as doing well out on the racetrack. “
Tasca competed against fans and the clock in the Motorcraft Holeshot Challenge and the Quick Lane Crew Challenge, setting the quickest time in the crew challenge at one minute flat.
“To get out there and to do that pit crew contest and change oil filters and tires and air filters, and to get in the drag simulators, really gives the fans a lot to do and gives us a chance to connect with them. That’s what racing is all about. It’s about winning out on the track and winning with the fans, and I think we’ve got the formula right now to do both.”
This weekend is the first of 10 events where the 4,800 square foot interactive display will be available for fans out in the midway.
“There’s a lot of fun stuff in the display and the fans are gonna love it. I think that it will just build and build and build as the season goes on.”
PRO STOCK
FILMING ABROAD - Top European Pro Stock driver Adam Flamholc recently became the first European Pro Stock driver to ever break into the 6.60s with a time of 6.699 while testing at Valdosta, Ga. With a budget only a fraction of the size of many of the American teams, Flamholc and crew plans to use every ounce of engineering know-how to keep them in the running
Flamholc’s challenge is being captured by internationally award-winning film maker David Flamholc (who hit the headlines in 2005 when he was taken hostage in Afghanistan during the filming of his infamous documentary Afgan Gold) for a documentary due for release later in the year that will chart the team’s 4,700-mile journey from Sweden to Gainesville and the trials and tribulations the team has suffered to make it this far.
Flamholc is a top European Pro Stock driver who in 2007 moved from Competition Eliminator to Pro Stock. He has been racing since he was 19, has scored five cup victories, and holds a number of Swedish and European records.
TURNAROUND WELCOMED - Tom Hammonds spent many years in the NBA running up and down various basketball courts. During his lengthy career, the veteran power forward learned the value of momentum. Winning this weekend would give Hammonds plenty of momentum.
"The ACDelco Gatornationals are a huge deal for me," Hammonds said. "Other than the U.S. Nationals, it's one of our biggest races. It's the first race on the East Coast, and just looking at the entry list for Pro Stock, there are 34 cars already pre-registered, which gives you an indication of just how big this event is. Not only in that aspect, but it's pretty close to my hometown.
"To have a 'Wally' from the Gatornationals, an event that's practically in my backyard, would be tremendous. There's so much prestige and history at Gainesville and it's always one of the fastest races of the year. As a racer, that's what we want to do, we want to go fast, and next week in Gainesville, you'd better hold on."
Hammonds announced in 2006 a return to competition and has since added an engine program to his list of accomplishments.
"Having the new shop and getting everything moved in has been a huge improvement for us," Hammonds said. "Especially when you look at where we started. It's unbelievable. I just have to thank God to be able to get up in the morning, and go to work, and be able to do something that I love to do. The facility that we have, the race shop, the dyno room, the ability to make the parts we need, or test on the dyno, having that at our disposal is an unbelievable feeling and I'm so excited about this race team's future in this sport.
THE PROGRAM - Hammonds announced the formation of the Tom Hammonds Race for Achievement program prior to the start of the season. This program will enable Hammonds to interact and mentor with middle-school and high-school students all across the country in conjunction with the NHRA POWERade schedule. Hammonds' goal is to encourage students to pursue their dreams through education, achievement and hard work.
"We set up the racecar and tractor and trailer, give the kids a chance to tour our setup and see an NHRA Pro Stock Chevy Cobalt up close," Hammonds said. "But most importantly, this program gives me a chance to mentor to the kids on the importance of an education, which has to be stressed. I want them to know that you can be successful in anything you want to do in life as long as you have faith and work hard toward you goals. You have to have an education and you have to believe in yourself - that's the main message I want to give to these kids. Everybody has a talent and you have to find out what that is. Everybody can't be a pro basketball player, everybody can't be an NHRA driver, but you can be a doctor or a teacher, and if you want to do those things, you have to believe in yourself and work hard. That's what I want these kids to know.
"Ever since we announced the Race for Achievement program, we've been getting calls from all over the country. O'Reilly Auto Parts, Mac Tools, Goodyear, Chevrolet, all of our sponsors have stepped up to help us with this program and that makes me feel extremely good about what we're doing."
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE
THE CHAMP'S GOAL - Matt Smith ended the 2007 season in dramatic fashion at Pomona, Calif. where he won his first NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Championship.
Heading into Gainesville this weekend, Smith has literally worked non-stop for the last few months in trying to prepare for his first race as the Champion; some days not even coming in from the race shop till 2am. He has tested the last few days in Valdosta, Ga. and thinks he is more than ready to get things underway on Friday afternoon at the Gatornationals.
“I am very excited about this season,” said Smith. “We have worked real hard to get things up to par throughout the last few months and we feel like we are ready to defend this title. I’ve had my ups and downs in the off-season, but I’m ready now. I am ready to get back to racing and focus on winning. I think that this season is going to be one of the most competitive seasons yet.”
Smith was runner-up at last year’s season opener in Gainesville, Fl. The North Carolina native has never won a race at Gainesville, but hopes to change all that after this weekend.
“Our first goal this weekend is to qualify well,” said Smith. “Then we will focus on racing. Last year I learned how to not worry about who was in the other lane and just race myself. It seemed to work out pretty well, so that will once again be my stance come raceday this year.”
Nothing says bling like rinestones on Angelle's leathers.
ANGELLE’S BLING – Angelle is a changed lady aside from her conversion from a Suzuki to running a Buell V-twin motorcycle.
Let the record reflect, the three-time NHRA world champion has no problem letting the world know her gender. She’ll quickly testify her preference was to be known as a good motorcycle racer who just happened to be a female.
“That’s the way it was in the beginning of my career because I didn’t want anyone looking at me differently,” Sampey said. “I just wanted to be one of the guys because I didn't want any special favoritism. I didn't want the comments or the things that were happening like, ‘Oh the girl, the girl- I just wanted to be one of the guys.”
Sampey admitted her mindset was such in the early part of her career but over time this mentality has subsided.
“After a while I've kind of wanted be a girl even when I was racing and have more feminine apparel to wear -- more feminine uniforms -- maybe do something pink or something on my letters,” Sampey admitted. “I never had a sponsor that we were really able to do that with. The Army -- you can't really get more masculine than to support your troops. It was kind of hard to put anything pink or anything shiny on an army uniform.”
Sampey has the opportunity this season to explore an avenue she’s never traveled before. The likable rider from Houma, Louisiana brims with excitement at the prospect of expressing her feminine side. She can thank her sponsor, Rush Racing Products, for delivering on this freedom of expression.
“They've really been more open to letting me be more of a girl,” Sampey pointed out. “They told me they didn't care what I did -- bling it up, and have fun with it. I added rhinestones all over my letters and I'm going to go with the rhinestone theme all year. I have rhinestones on my jacket. I have rhinestones on my uniform. It's just showing that you can be tough chick and go out there and race but still have a feminine side.”
Sampey further justifies her decision to bring out her femininity after reading a comment attached to a video on YouTube.com.
“Someone had put their own personal video on there of me going down the race track,” Sampey explained. “A guy had commented on the video and said, ‘Yeah but is she a butch?
“It said something about she's probably a 6-foot manly man woman with tattoos.”
This experience changed Sampey’s thought-process.
“I really thought that concept of how people looked at girls on motorcycles had changed but I guess it hasn't,” Sampey admitted. “I just want to show that you can be a petite feminine person and still be able to ride a Pro Stock Motorcycle.”
Even crew chief George Bryce experienced a bit of what Sampey described during the recent test session in Valdosta, Georgia.
“I had a couple of guys come walking up that I haven't seen before. And they weren't familiar with our organization or the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle tour,” Bryce said. “They commented on how bad the bike is and asked who the driver is.”
“Who's the driver?” Bryce countered, adding. “Why?”
“He said, ‘Because I want to shake his hand.”
“I said I'll go get him so I said Angelle come out here a minute. So she comes walking up to the door and I said here he is. She walked out the door and he said, ‘damn.'”
“I guess they were expecting to see some big masculine, buffed dude come out and I walked out,” Bryce said. “It's just even funnier when people think that and then this girl comes out with rhinestones all over her leather.”
Sampey conveys the showmanship aspect means much to the sport – especially in a media-starved division such as Pro Stock Motorcycle.
“We're actually going to try to come up with this rhinestone at 190 mph or do some kind of girly theme along with the thrill of racing,” Sampey said. “I think it's good -- it's good for the sport. Anything that anybody in this sport can bring to make it is all bigger and better. Whether it’s a girl or Antron Brown for example because he came along with Troy Vincent -- the NFL football player so and that brought football fans to the sport.
“I don't care who they are -- what color they are -- what gender they are -- if someone comes along and can bring something that's going to grab one or two more fans then that just makes the pot bigger for all of us. That's all I'm trying to do I'm just trying to make it better for all of us.
“I'm not trying to make myself stand out above anyone else I'm just trying to make the sport more interesting.”
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