DSR: Jack Beckman NHRA Nationals at Norwalk Race Report: WINNER

Chandler's Infinite Hero team with Beckman in the hot seat at Norwalk gets second win in three straight final rounds

NORWALK, Ohio (June 25, 2017) - Every year, the race at Norwalk, Ohio, showcases a fireworks display on Friday night but on Sunday afternoon, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car team with Jack Beckman set off its own pyrotechnics moments after winning the title in the 11th annual NHRA Nationals at Norwalk, Ohio.

Beckman crossed the finish line in the final round in 4.073 seconds 311.85 mph as the car exploded. He exited safely and got the win over Robert Hight.

"I don't know that we're going to spend a whole lot of time soul searching about why we struggled here, because we left with the trophy," Beckman said who has won three times at Norwalk.

Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car world champ, and his crew chief trio of Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh advanced to their third straight final round in which they've now won two.

The Infinite Hero car may not have ran the quickest of the 16-car field but it was definitely consist. Beckman ran times of 4.06, 4.07, 4.07, 4.07 throughout the day.

"What happens when you start running consistent is the other cars know that they have to step up a little and I think that we just enjoyed a little bit of that for the last couple weekends. We weren't spectacular, but our car went to the finish line pretty consistently and folks knew they had to step up.

"When I say we weren't spectacular, recognize I'm talking about a tenth of a second off of where we'd like to be. Which is not even a blink of an eye, but we need to pick that up and I have every confidence we will pick that up.

"If it doesn't happen tomorrow we're going to keep testing this thing. We want to win some more races and we want to win the championship, which means by Indy we have to have a combination that listens to us. But between now and then they're giving a trophy away every weekend."

This weekend's event in Norwalk closed out the "June Swing," consisting of four races throughout the month. Norwalk was the team's third final round in a row and second win in two weeks.

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T            Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (4.060 sec., 319.82) def. Cruz Pedregon (4.180, 266.11)
Second round: BECKMAN (4.078, 310.84) def. Matt Hagan (4.152, 275.06)
Semifinals: BECKMAN (4.074, 319.45) def. Tommy Johnson Jr. (6.049, 118.22)
Final: BECKMAN (4.074, 319.45) def. Robert Hight (6.673, 98.53 mph)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 9
FRIDAY: 12.165 sec., 81.77 mph, (Session 1); 6.723, 103.40, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.321, 224.88, (Session 3); 3.971, 322.04, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 5, lost in championship round to Ron Capps
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Alexis DeJoria
Career at Norwalk: Wins 3 (2009, 2015, 2017); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS                          
(Official after Norwalk, Ohio; 12th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)

  1. RON CAPPS (5)                 1,095    -----
  2. MATT HAGAN (3)                  946   -149
  3. JACK BECKMAN (2)             860    -230
  4. Robert Hight                          809    -286
  5. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1)   739   -356
  6. Courtney Force                      714   -381
  7. John Force (1)                       683   -412
  8. Tim Wilkerson                        525   -570
  9. J.R. Todd                               508    -587
10. Cruz Pedregon                       431   -664

About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, 2016 world champion the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 310 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988

DSR: Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge with Beckman win again!

Consistent, plodding Beckman with Chandler's Infinite Hero team get last laugh at Norwalk with third straight final, second event title

NORWALK, Ohio (June 25, 2017) - Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Funny Car team doubled-up on Sunday by winning the NHRA Summit Nationals title then added a undesired starring role in the highlight video when their engine let loose in a fireball just passed the finish line.

"We were planning to bring out a new car anyway to test here tomorrow so we'll just go back to the pit and strip whatever's left off this one," said co-crew chief Neal Strausbaugh who collaborated with Dean Antonelli and John Medlen to send Beckman down the track four times Sunday with less than stellar times in the ever-changing weather conditions that included 4.060, 4.078, 4.074 and 4.073 in the championship round.

Meanwhile Robert Hight of John Force Racing was dominating his opponents by consistently running one-tenth of a second quicker.

On paper, Beckman never seemed to have a chance to get around Hight. But in NHRA, you race on pavement and not paper.

The Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Powered by Pennzoil muscled down the track while Hight blew smoke not far off the starting line. It is the third final round for Beckman in three weeks and his team's second win during that run.

"I don't know that we're going to spend a whole lot of time soul searching about why we struggled here, because we left with the trophy," said Beckman, who won for the third time at the track and the 26th of his career. "We should look at that stuff, but I think we're going to dive in with that brand new race car and figure out what it needs.

Watch this exclusive DSR video from Norwalk

"What happens when you start running consistent is the other cars know that they have to step up a little and I think that we just enjoyed a little bit of that for the last few weekends. We weren't spectacular, but our car went to the finish line pretty consistently and folks knew they had to step up.

"When I say we weren't spectacular, recognize I'm talking about a tenth of a second off of where we'd like to be. Which is not even a blink of an eye, but we need to pick that up. I have every confidence we will pick that up. If it doesn't happen tomorrow we're going to keep testing this thing. We want to win some more races and we want to win the championship, which means by Indy we have to have a combination that listens to us. But between now and then they're giving a trophy away every weekend."

The win was the 11th in 12 events for DSR and the 310th for DSR since 1998.
Qualifying left the four DSR Dodge Charger R/Ts in the top half of the 16-car bracket and after each won their opening races the quartet battled in an intrasquad scrimmage in the second round where Beckman eliminated pole winner Matt Hagan (Mopar Express Lane) and Tommy Johnson Jr. (Make-A-Wish) defeated points leader Ron Capps (NAPA AUTO PARTS) to mark only the third time this season that Capps did not advance to the semifinals.

The outcome for DSR in Top Fuel, however, was not as glorious.

Leah Pritchett and the Papa John's Pizza dragster was the only one of the DSR trio to advance to the semifinals where Pritchett lost to event pole winner and runner-up Doug Kalitta of Kalitta Motorsports. Her loss combined with points leader Steve Torrence winning his four title of the year to extent the distance behind him to 50 points.

World champions Antron Brown (Matco Tools) and Tony Schumacher (U.S. Army) lost in the second round.

"Very solid, it's a good way to wrap up the swing," Pritchett said of the conclusion of the June Swing that presented four races in four weeks.

"We're constantly learning with our power. We're confident we make some of the highest amount of power in comparison to our competition, which is a testament to the success in the cooler weather conditions. So our overall fuel setup still needs some proper fine-tuning, fine discovery. They're still discovering how to harness that power in these hot conditions."

TOP FUEL
Event winner: Steve Torrence (CAPCO Contractors)
No. 1 qualifier: Doug Kalitta (Kalitta Motorsports) 3.709 sec., 327.43 mph

LEAH PRITCHETT, Papa John's Pizza Top Fuel dragster                                          
Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: PRITCHETT (3.760 sec., 324.12 mph) def. Ike Maier (8.295, 105.60)
Second round: PRITCHETT (3.848, 322.04) def. Antron Brown (5.187, 142.16)
Semifinals: Doug Kalitta (3.782, 325.85) def. PRITCHETT (3.800, 314.46)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 4
FRIDAY: 3.720 sec., 322.27 mph, (Session 1); 7.173, 85.95, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 10.772, 72.53, (Session 3); 3.808, 323.81, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.658 sec.-world record (2017, Phoenix); 330.23 mph (2017, Topeka)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 3, lost in championship round to Clay Millican
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 13, lost in second round to J.R. Todd
Career at Norwalk: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster                                        
Crew chiefs: Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald; Assistant: Brad Mason
SUNDAY'SCHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BROWN (3.768 sec., 323.35 mph) def. Dom Lagana (3.828, 322.34)
Second round: Leah Pritchett (3.848, 322.04) def. BROWN (5.187, 142.16)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 5
FRIDAY: 5.988 sec., 114.61 mph, (Session 1); 3.736, 332.26, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.786, 327.19, (Session 3); 4.882, 150.82, (Session 4)
Best time, speed: 3.667 (2017, Phoenix); 333.16 mph (2017, Topeka)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 7, lost in second round to Shawn Langdon
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 2, lost in second round to Shawn Langdon
Career at Norwalk: Wins 1 (2014); Runner-ups 2 (2010, 2015); Poles 0

TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster                                                    
Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: SCHUMACHER (3.789 sec., 326.56 mph)  def. Mike Salinas (7.129, 96.03)
Second round: Doug Kalitta (3.782, 325.85) def. SCHUMACHER (4.099, 232.04)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 8
FRIDAY: 3.785 sec., 328.38 mph, (Session 1); 3.766, 325.06, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.874, 296.63, (Session 3); 3.789, 323.74, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.660 sec. (2017, Topeka); 332.51 mph (2016, Brainerd)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 6, lost in first round to Scott Palmer
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 6, lost in second round to Brittany Force
Career at Norwalk: Wins 1 (2007); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

FUNNY CAR
Event winner: Jack Beckman (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Matt Hagan (Don Schumacher Racing) 3.865 sec.-track record, 333.33 mph

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T        
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (4.060 sec., 319.82) def. Cruz Pedregon (4.180, 266.11)
Second round: BECKMAN (4.078, 310.84) def. Matt Hagan (4.152, 275.06)
Semifinals: BECKMAN (4.074, 319.45) def. Tommy Johnson Jr. (6.049, 118.22)
Final: BECKMAN (4.074, 319.45) def. Robert Hight (6.673, 98.53 mph)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 9
FRIDAY: 12.165 sec., 81.77 mph, (Session 1); 6.723, 103.40, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.321, 224.88, (Session 3); 3.971, 322.04, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 5, lost in championship round to Ron Capps
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Alexis DeJoria
Career at Norwalk: Wins 3 (2009, 2015, 2017); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish 2017 Dodge Charger R/T        
Crew chief: John Collins; Assistant: Rip Reynolds
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: JOHNSON (3.942 sec., 322.34 mph) def. J.R. Todd (4.032, 318.69)
Second round: JOHNSON (3.960, 324.44) def. Ron Capps (3.965, 324.83)
Semifinals: Jack Beckman (4.074, 319.45) def. JOHNSON (6.049, 118.22)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 5
FRIDAY: 8.568 sec., 82.47 mph, (Session 1); 3.925, 329.34, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.008, 320.05, (Session 3); 3.990, 316.38, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.837 sec. (Phoenix 2017); 330.80 mph (Seattle, 2016)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 8, lost in semifinals to Jack Beckman
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 8, lost in semifinals to Courtney Force
Career at Norwalk: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS 2017 Dodge Charger R/T                                        
Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: CAPPS (3.993 sec., 310.27 mph) def. Jonnie Lindberg (8.596, 84.51)
Second round: Tommy Johnson Jr. (3.960, 324.44) def. CAPPS (3.965, 324.83)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 13
FRIDAY: 4.420 sec., 196.64 mph, (Session 1); 4.144, 236.13, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.201, 239.53, (Session 3); 4.018, 321.19, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.839 sec. (2017, Phoenix); 333.58 mph (2017, Phoenix)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 10, won in championship round over Jack Beckman
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 3, won in championship round over Courtney Force
Career at Norwalk: Wins 1 (2016); Runner-ups 3 (2011, 2013, 2014); Poles 0

MATT HAGAN, Mopar Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T                                          Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: HAGAN (4.349 sec., 216.62 mph) def. Jeff Diehl (14.165, 61.22)
Second round: Jack Beckman (4.078, 310.84) def. HAGAN (4.152, 275.06)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 1
FRIDAY: 3.881 sec., 332.02 mph, (Session 1); 3.865-track record, 333.33, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.034, 321.88, (Session 3); 3.979, 327.35, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.802 sec.-world record (2017,Topeka); 338.85 mph-world record (2017, Topeka)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. lost in semifinals to eventual event winner Ron Capps
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 6, lost in first round to John Force
Career at Norwalk: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 2 (2015, 2017)

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES TOP FUEL STANDINGS                          
(Official after Norwalk, Ohio.; 12th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)

  1. Steve Torrence (4)             1,071      -----
  2. LEAH PRITCHETT (3)        1,021      -50
  3. ANTRON BROWN (2)           990      -81  
  4. TONY SCHUMACHER (1)    856    -215  
  5. Doug Kalitta                           781    -290
  6. Brittany Force (1)                  734    -337
  7. Clay Millican (1)                     695    -376
  8. Terry McMillen                       477    -594
  9. Troy Coughlin Jr.                   464    -607
  9. Scott Palmer                          464    -607  
                                                                       
2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS                    
(Official after Norwalk, Ohio; 12th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)

  1. RON CAPPS (5)                 1,095    -----
  2. MATT HAGAN (3)                  946   -149
  3. JACK BECKMAN (2)             855    -240
  4. Robert Hight                          809    -286
  5. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1)   739   -356
  6. Courtney Force                      714   -381
  7. John Force (1)                       683   -412
  8. Tim Wilkerson                        525   -570  
  9. J.R. Todd                               508    -587  
10. Cruz Pedregon                       431   -664  




About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown and the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett; and in Funny Car, 2016 world champion Ron Capps in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T; 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 309 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988

DSR: Beckman, Infinite Hero team save best qualifying run for last, move up to No. 9 for Sunday's eliminations in Northern Ohio

NORWALK, Ohio (June 24, 2017) - As Jack Beckman rolled to the starting line in the first session on Saturday in Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, he was not yet qualified for the 16-car field of Sunday's 11th annual NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

After some pedal work, he made a lap of 4.321 seconds at 224.88 mph. But, the team didn't want to settle for the precarious No. 15 spot.

During the final session, Beckman made a lap of 3.971 seconds (322.04) to securely seed him No. 9.

"I'm not sure what happened last night during the killer conditions," Beckman said of Friday night's cool track temperatures. "I felt something and lifted and we lost all the computer data.

"We had a malfunction with the battery and we didn't get anything so we lost the ability to use that as a data acquisition run. That kind of painted us into a corner.

"We went up there Q3, not qualified when we pulled up to the starting line, it spun early and I took it much farther than I normally would on a qualifying run, hoping it would be enough to get us in. It did, but we were still precarious going into Q4.

"After Courtney (Force) ran first and didn't end up qualifying for Sunday, we knew we were in but we didn't want to go into race day knowing we were No. 15.

"I'm really proud of the guys for rallying together and making a great call to move us way up in the field and giving us a chance at a trophy tomorrow."

Beckman and the Infinite Hero Foundation team Powered by Pennzoil, won the event two weeks ago in Englishtown and advanced to the final round last weekend at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn.

Beckman has won twice in Norwalk as the Infinite Hero team looks for its second win this season in the final event of the June Swing, which was four races in four weeks.

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T        
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: Cruz Pedregon
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 9
FRIDAY: 12.165 sec., 81.77 mph, (Session 1); 6.723, 103.40, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.321, 224.88, (Session 3); 3.971, 322.04, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 5, lost in championship round to Ron Capps
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Alexis DeJoria
Career at Norwalk: Wins 2 (2009, 2015); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, 2016 world champion the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 309 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988

DSR: Beckman, Chandler's Infinite Hero team hope to remain hot after win, runner-up heading to Norwalk this weekend

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 21, 2017) - After advancing to their second straight final round last weekend, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car is ready for the final race of the four-race June Swing at the 11th annual NHRA Nationals at Norwalk, Ohio.

"I don't think there's anybody in the pro pits that isn't absolutely exhausted by now," said Jack Beckman, driver of the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car.

"We've gone back-to-back-to-back."

June consists of four events in four weeks for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series. Norwalk, Ohio is the final stop of the swing that began in Epping, N.H.

"Epping was just postcard weather and Englishtown and Bristol were pretty brutal. Then we're probably going to have another hot and nasty weekend and I can't wait to get out there and I know our team feels exactly the same way."

The Infinite Hero team took home the event title two weeks ago at Englishtown, N.J.'s Summernationals then advanced to the finals last weekend in Bristol at the Thunder Valley Nationals.

For Englishtown and Bristol, Beckman lined up against his Don Schumacher Racing teammate and NHRA points leader, Ron Capps.
In Englishtown, Beckman bettered Capps then in Bristol, Capps won over Beckman.

"I truly believe that attitude often dictates results. But let me tell you, winning a race is really good for everybody's attitude. Then coming back, seven days later and going right back into another final and losing by four-thousandths of a second against what's been the car of the year so far, we know we're right at the top now."

Englishtown was the team's first final round appearance of the season. Beckman believes the team can continue their momentum from the past two events into Norwalk this weekend.
"We've turned a corner with our car. We have crossed our first win off the list. We've moved away up into third in points. It looks like we're heading in the right direction."


About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, 2016 world champion the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 309 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988

FULL ARTICLE

DSR: Beckman advances to second straight final round with Infinite Hero, but this time falls to DSR teammate Capps at Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 18, 2017) - Sunday was a rematch of last weekend's race in Englishtown, N.J., for the trophy but this week Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car team was not on the winning side of the fence.

"Nobody likes losing a final round but when I got back to the pits and the mood of this whole team, I knew that we're right back in the thick of this thing," said Beckman who scored the team's first win of the season last weekend at the NHRA Summernationals when he beat Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps.

Sunday, it was Capps who was able to go to the winner's circle.

"We're slowly getting our groove on and figuring out what the car wants and everybody's excited," Beckman said.

On Sunday, the Infinite Hero team, led by crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh, entered race day as the No. 5 qualified car with a time of 3.959 seconds at 322.96 mph.

He lined up against former Funny Car champion Cruz Pedregon for the opening session of competition. The car dropped a cylinder but Beckman got the win with a 4.172 (303.43) as Pedregon went into tire smoke.

The Infinite Hero team then matched up against Courtney Force of John Force Racing for the second round. Beckman went into smoke but got the win with a 4.321 (276.75) as Force also smoked to a 4.343.

In the semifinals, Beckman lined up with his Don Schumacher Racing teammate, Tommy Johnson Jr., also sponsored by Terry Chandler.
The two ran a close race and Beckman got the win light. He cruised to a 4.009 (318.99) over Johnson's 4.043.

Finally, Beckman met another DSR teammate in the final round. That teammate was the reigning Funny Car champion, Capps.

Last weekend, Beckman got the win over Capps but this weekend Capps got the win. Beckman ran a 4.040 (317.05) but Capps got to the finish line first with a 4.050.

"We didn't get trounced we lost a fantastic drag race," Beckman said. "We both had good lights. Ron rolled in a little farther than me but if you look, those cars were welded together the whole way down the drag strip.

"They out performed us by five-thousandths of a second. That's the way drag races should look and if we keep going the direction we are, those races will start going our way. I'm disappointed we lost, I can wait to get to Norwalk."

Next weekend, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series heads to the Midwest for the fourth race of June's four-race swing in four weeks for the 11th annual NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

DSR FUNNY CARS                                                                                                              
Event winner: Ron Capps (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Tim Wilkerson (Tim Wilkerson Motorsports) 3.895 sec., 328.22 mph

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T    
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
Qualified: No. 5
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN 4,172 sec., 303.43) def. Cruz Pedregon (4.302275.28
Second round: BECKMAN (4.321, 276.75) def. Courtney Force (4.343, 221.42)
Semifinals: BECKMAN (4.009, 318.79) def. Tommy Johnson Jr. (4.043, 313.29)
Final: Ron Capps (4.054, 317.05) def. BECKMAN (4.040, 319.29)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 4.162 sec., 251.49 mph, (Session 1); 4.000, 322.96, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 6.635, 97.05, (Session 3); 3.959, 318.62, (Session 4)


2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS            
(Unofficial after Bristol, Tenn.; 11th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
  1. RON CAPPS (5)               1,044       -----
  2. MATT HAGAN (3)                881     -163
  3. JACK BECKMAN (1)            768     -276
  4. Robert Hight                         707     -337
  5. Courtney Force                     704     -340
  6. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1)  663     -381
  7. John Force (1)                       641    -403
  9. Tim Wilkerson                       490     -554
  8. J.R. Todd                              476     -578
10. Cruz Pedregon                     397     -647

About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org. 

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, 2016 world champion the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 309 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988

DSR: Beckman, Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T team hope for a long, hot race day in Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 17, 2017) - June 21 marks the first day of summer but the summer heat arrived this weekend at Bristol Dragway for the 17th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and Terry Chandler's Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car with Jack Beckman is ready to race the tricky track.

The Infinite Hero Foundation team will race Cruz Pedregon on Sunday for the opening round of competition.

After a slight rain on Saturday, Beckman posted a time of 3.959 seconds at 318.62 mph to seed them No. 5 and earn them two qualifying bonus points.
"It was worth the wait," Beckman said. "It was a rain delay. The conditions are going to be completely different tomorrow.

"I'm glad we got to make that run. We got two bonus points out of it which means that we were better than every Funny Car but one. We moved up a spot on the ladder. We got some data going into tomorrow. Then it's going to be another day.

"It's a noon start, which is an hour later than normal. It was already going to be hot, which means first round conditions are going to be more typical of a second round at other summer races.

"So, get ready. As a driver, you still have to do your burn out, stage fine, leave on time. Then get ready, there's going to be some crazy stuff going on tomorrow. They're giving a trophy away so we're doing our best that it goes to the Infinite Hero pit."

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T    
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
Qualified: No. 5
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: Cruz Pedregon
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 4.162 sec., 251.49 mph, (Session 1); 4.000, 322.96, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 6.635, 97.05, (Session 3); 3.959, 318.62, (Session 4)
BY THE NUMBERS
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
Last event (June 11), Englishtown, N.J.: Qualified No. 4, won in championship round over Ron Capps
A year ago at Bristol: Qualified No. 9, lost in second round to Ron Capps
Career at Bristol: Wins 0; Runner-ups 1 (2011); Poles 0

About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 308 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988

DSR: Englishtown victory moves Chandler's Infinite Hero team to 3rd as Beckman heads to Bristol looking for first Thunder Valley title

 

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 13, 2017) - After Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car team with driver Jack Beckman won its first title of the season Sunday at Englishtown, N.J., they jumped third in championship points.

And look to earn their first title at the 17th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals title on Sunday at Bristol, Tenn.

"Bristol is just one of those bucket-list racetracks from a fan's perspective," said Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car world champion.

"It's just so unique, the way it's carved through the valley and enhances the sounds, the views of the hills are breathtaking. It's also great from a racer's perspective. Bristol has so much history. It was on the NHRA tour back in the '60s. It fell off for a few years and we're very fortunate to have it back on as a permanent race right now."

The Bristol event marks the 11th of 24 on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and the third of a four-race, four-week stretch called the "Eastern Swing."

"It's where you really start recognizing things are going rapidly. We're approaching the halfway point of the season. Then the next month and a half, it's just rapid fire. This is the time that the teams that are going to contend for the championship start to get their stride and I think we'll be right in the thick of that."

And in the thick of the points standings they are.

After their win last weekend, due to the tuning of crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh, the Infinite Hero team moved up to No. 3 in the NHRA points.

"We needed to get (the win in Englishtown) so they know that we can do this. The first one is always the toughest one. It's 25 Funny Car wins for me, plus two more in Super Comp, but it's one for this iteration of the Infinite Hero team."

In 2016 at Bristol, Beckman entered race day as the No. 9 qualifier and raced John Force in the opening round. Beckman posted a 3.974-second lap at 322.3 mph to give him the win.

He moved onto the second round to face his Don Schumacher Racing teammate, Ron Capps. Beckman ran a 4.007 (317.19) but Capps made it to the finish line first with a time of 3.990 (315.05).

This weekend Beckman looks for his first career win at Bristol and the Infinite Hero Dodge looks for their second wins as a team.


JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T - won last event
                    Pts      Events       Wins      Rup      Semi      Qtr     1st rd      Poles      DNQ      W/L
2017          3rd             10             1           1             2          4            2              0            0         14-9
CAREER                   262           25         26           47        77          80            21         7      346-230           
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 11), Englishtown, N.J.: Qualified No. 4, won in championship round over Ron Capps
A year ago at Bristol: Qualified No. 9, lost in second round to Ron Capps
Career at Bristol: Wins 0; Runner-ups 1 (2011); Poles 0

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS                            
(Official after Englishtown, N.J.; 10th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
  1. RON CAPPS (4)                  931       -----
  2. MATT HAGAN (3)                802      -129
  3. JACK BECKMAN (1)            652     -279
  4. Courtney Force                    648      -283
  5. Robert Hight                         645      -286
  6t. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 587    -344
  6t. John Force (1)                     587      -344
  8. J.R. Todd                             444        -444
  9. Tim Wilkerson                      427      -504
10. Del Worsham                       372      -559



About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 308 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.

   

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988

MOPAR: Beckman Continues Mopar Funny Car Hot Streak with Win in Dodge Charger R/T at NHRA Summernationals

Jack Beckman wins 48th annual NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey

• Victory is first of the season for Beckman and 25th Funny Car win of his career
• Don Schumacher Racing teammates Beckman and Ron Capps advance Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Cars to final round
• A Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car has won nine of 10 final rounds in 2017; Mopar holds top three Funny Car points positions
• Mopar HEMI® power has won at least one Nitro category in 11 straight events dating back to 2016
• Tony Schumacher takes Mopar-powered U.S. Army dragster to second round in Top Fuel
• Steve Comella goes to Super Stock semifinal in 1968 Dodge Dart
• Comella wins Dodge Top Finisher award in Super Stock, Stephen Smyth claims honor in Stock Eliminator

June 11, 2017, Englishtown, N.J. -  Jack Beckman got on the board in 2017 during the NHRA Summernationals at historic Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, becoming the sixth Mopar HEMI®-powered Nitro driver from Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) to win an event this year. The 2012 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car champion put his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T in the winner's circle for the first time this season and the 25th time in his Funny Car career.

The win also extended a winning streak for Nitro cars featuring Mopar HEMI power to a staggering 11 in a row, stretching back to the season-ending NHRA Finals at Pomona more than six months ago. With Beckman's win, Mopar DSR teams now claim the top three spots in the Funny Car point standings, and at least one Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car has appeared in every final round but one to date in 2017.

"Fast" Jack Beckman defeated his teammate Ron Capps' Dodge Charger R/T with a pass of 4.100 seconds at 312.42 mph from the left lane in the final round to just better Capps' lap of 4.143 at 299.66. Beckman's reaction time was .081 to Capps' .088 off the line.

Beckman, whose team underwent a number of personnel changes in the offseason, used a little bit of luck and a whole lot of HEMI power on a very hot day on the way to his first prestigious NHRA Summernationals win. He first took down fellow Dodge competitor Jim Campbell in round one as Campbell struggled to get down track. Beckman then beat Cruz Pedregon by .001 as both cars labored and lost cylinders on their way to the finish line in the second round. Beckman next caught a lucky break in the semifinals as his car went up in smoke and he was forced to coast to the line, but his opponent Courtney Force turned on the red light, giving the win to and a place in the final round to Beckman, albeit without lane choice.

Capps' day meanwhile kicked off with both he and opponent Del Worsham smoking the tires and shaking at half-track, but Capps masterfully pedaled his Dodge Charger R/T to turn on the win light. He again struggled in round two, but Alexis Dejoria was disqualified for crossing the center line, allowing Capps to advance to the semifinals. There he lost a cylinder, but opponent Robert Hight had mechanical issues and smoked, giving Capps yet another win and a final-round appearance for the sixth time this season.

Also in Funny Car, Matt Hagan drove his Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T past Jonnie Lindberg in round one to set up a pairing with Courtney Force in a re-match of last week's final round at New England Dragway. Force got the best of Hagan this time though as he lost a cylinder and the car got loose, ending the Mopar Express Lane team's day.

Finally, Tommy Johnson Jr. won round one in his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car by beating Bob Tasca, despite being significantly late off the line. He caught up when Tasca smoked the tires to get a lucky win light, but Johnson bowed out to Hight in round two.

In the Top Fuel category, Mopar drivers Tony Schumacher and Leah Pritchett found themselves matched up in round one. Although Schumacher had qualified sixth and Pritchett ninth, a 14-car field meant the two DSR teammates would battle early in the day. Pritchett got a slight jump in her Dodge Challenger SRT Demon dragster, but had a cylinder out at the step, allowing Schumacher and the U.S. Army team to narrowly defeat the points leader entering the day. The first-round defeat was the first of the year for Pritchett, while Schumacher was defeated by Doug Kalitta in the second round.

The NHRA Summernationals lived up to the event name, with temperatures in the 90-degree rang and an extremely hot racetrack during race day playing havoc with drivers and teams alike. The race was the second of a grueling four-race stretch throughout the month of June.

Mopar/Dodge Notes & Quotes

Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar) FCA - Global
"Congratulations to Jack Beckman on the NHRA Summernationals victory in his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T. Mopar power has now captured at least one NHRA Nitro class win at 11 consecutive events, which is a testament to the performance of all associated with the Mopar motorsports program."

Jack Beckman, Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car
(No. 4 Qualifier - 3.907 seconds at 328.30 mph)

Rd. 1: (.107-second reaction time, 4.082 seconds at 306.60 mph) defeated No. 13 Jim Campbell (.121/23.920/130.73)
Rd. 2:  (.094/4.285/290.94) defeated No. 5 Cruz Pedregon (.103/4.286/291.76)
Semis: (.076/9.145/72.26) defeated No. 1 Courtney Force (no show - red light)
Final: (.081/4.100/312.42) defeated No. 3 Ron Capps (.088/4.143/312.42)

"It was an odd race weekend. It was a very, very hot racetrack. It became a crapshoot in a lot of races down there in a pedal fest. We dodged a huge bullet when Courtney redlit against us in the semis, but we're the ones holding the trophy. When I go down there and stand next to that Infinite Hero Charger with our seven crew guys and three crew chiefs, they're going to realize they were the best today. We needed to get that one so they know that we can do this. The first one is always the toughest one. It's 25 Funny Car wins for me, plus two more in Super Comp, but it's one for this iteration of the Infinite Hero team.

"Not only did we win our first race as this team, not only did I just get another trophy, we won Englishtown. That's a big one. This is the Summernationals and a Summernationals win in a Funny Car is about as cool as they get."

Matt Hagan, Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car
(No. 9 Qualifier - 3.952 seconds at 317.72 mph)

Rd. 1: (.083-second reaction time, 4.013 seconds at 317.94 mph) defeated No. 8 Jonnie Lindberg (.075/4.044/314.39)
Rd. 2: (.077/4.374/268.60) lost to No. 1 Courtney Force (.094/4.094/312.28)

"We know how to run really good in the cool. We're just learning still a little bit how to play with this super-hot condition, but we haven't seen conditions like this since Denver of last year. It's just hard to take anything from Denver and apply it anywhere. But all in all, we went down the racetrack a few times out here and I feel like we're building some confidence in these hot weather conditions.

"It's just brutal out there. You're sitting in the race car and you can't keep the sweat out of your eyes and you're trying to focus, and (crew chief) Dickie (Venables)'s up there trying to make the right calls on the racetrack. You're trying to apply as much power to the racetrack as you can and it's just hard to do, especially with a fast race car. I think we have one of the fastest race cars out here. We'll roll into Bristol, it will probably be similar conditions, Bristol is usually hot and muggy. Hopefully we can just keep on rolling."

Leah Pritchett, Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Top Fuel Dragster
(No. 9 Qualifier - 3.788 seconds at 321.42 mph)

Rd. 1: (.046-second reaction time, 3.928 seconds at 300.26 mph) lost to No. 6 Tony Schumacher (.084/3.839/318.69)

"We thought the track would be pretty suspect, but it's suspect for everybody. We tuned her (the car) down a little bit to make sure we would get through on the hottest surface that we have been on all year, so it calls for a different tune-up. But a hole (cylinder) dropped right at the hit. For us this is a learning curve. We know what went wrong, we know what the fix is, and all we can do is we look forward to Bristol.
"We're keeping it interesting. Antron (Brown) has climbed to number one above us and we're pretty good at underdog status. You look around here, there's nothing at all to be disappointed about. We're making a little too much power for the track and it comes down to a fuel issue. We've got to get our fuel right, we know our power is right, and this is just a small bump."

Ron Capps, NAPA Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car
(No. 3 Qualifier - 3.883 seconds at 329.67 mph)

Rd. 1: (.089-second reaction time, 4.664 seconds at 260.36 mph) defeated No. 14 Del Worsham (.113/4.689/254.95)
Rd. 2: (.079/4.231/271.19) defeated No. 11 Alexis Dejoria (DQ - crossed center line)
Semis: (.096/4.195/260.31) defeated No. 2 Robert Hight (.082/6.302/107.84)
Final: (.088/4.143/299.66) lost to No. 4 Jack Beckman (.081/4.143/299.66)

"We needed some luck. Most of my career I haven't had a whole lot of times where we've had great luck, and I always wondered how it must be nice to have those lucky breaks once in a while. You put enough credit into the luck bank and it's nice to take some out.

"It's got to be exciting for the fans because this is something that shows you hard this is."

Tommy Johnson Jr., Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car
(No. 7 Qualifier - 3.945 seconds at 326.71 mph)

Rd.1: (.200-second reaction time, 4.010 seconds at 319.67 mph) defeated No. 10 Bob Tasca III (.067/4.949/182.85)
Rd. 2: (.101/4.515/195.05) lost to No. 2 Robert Hight (.097/4.048/314.75)

"I'm happy we ran so well, disappointed in a second-round loss but (there were) just really tough conditions and a really tough track. We had low E.T. of the round in the first round and came back and felt confident going into the second round but missed it just a little bit. The good news is it's going to be summer for a while, my car is running well in the heat and we're learning more each run with this combination. I think that's going to pay off as the summer goes on."

Tony Schumacher, U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster
(No. 6 Qualifier - 3.763 seconds at 323.19 mph)

Rd. 1: (.084-second reaction time, 3.839 seconds at 318.69 mph) defeated No. 9 Leah Pritchett (.046/3.928/300.26)
Rd. 2: (.096/3.900/299.00) lost to No. 3 Doug Kalitta (.087/3.805/325.37)

We've got a raceable U.S. Army car, now, after what we've been able to accomplish here this weekend. Now, we've got to nudge what the car is doing closer and closer to the starting line, to get the car to move a little quicker, sooner, where we're a lot quicker early in the run. For two races, we didn't have a raceable car. It typically happens a couple of times a year when you make the kind of changes we've been making to the car since the beginning of the season. The last few races, we had a strange deal going on - not exactly sure what it was - but they made changes to fix it, and this weekend it was fixed."
             
Mopar/Dodge NHRA Sportsman Spotlight
More than 75 Stock Eliminator and 60 Super Stock cars competed for supremacy in the Sportsman ranks at the prestigious Englishtown event.

Stephen Smyth of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, turned in the best performance in Stock, taking his FS/D 2009 Dodge Challenger to the quarterfinal round where he ran heads up against Victor Cagnazzi and his 2015 Camaro. Smyth turned in pass of 9.553 seconds at 137.23 mph, making him the quicker of the two cars. However, he was just bested at the finish line after his opponent got the jump on the start. The Smyth family still had a weekend to remember though. During his march through the field, 26-year-old Stephen defeated his older sister Allison's '98 Firebird in round three.

In Super Stock, Webster, New York's Steve Comella drove his SS/AH '68 Dodge Dart all the way to Sunday's semifinals. There he made a pass of 9.231 seconds at 147.70 mph on an 8.67 dial-in after a .030-second reaction time. He just missed out on advancing to the final round after spinning the tires at the launch.

For their efforts, Smyth and Comella each won the Dodge Top Finisher award at the Summernationals. The award provides $500 to the Dodge or Plymouth driver advancing the farthest in Stock and Super Stock at all 24 NHRA national events.
Stock Eliminator competitors also took part in class eliminations at the venerable Englishtown track, with several Mopar drivers taking home Wally trophies from the event. Smith claimed the FS/D win in his '09 Challenger, Todd Hoven of Milltown, New Jersey, won AA/SA in his '65 Dodge Coronet, Jonathan Allegrucci of Scott Township, Pennsylvania, claimed the FS/B win in his '15 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, and Lubec, Maine's Jerry Hatch took home the Combo-Auto victory in a '71 Plymouth Duster.

Next Event
The NHRA national event calendar heads south next weekend for the 17th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tennessee.

Mopar driver Tommy Johnson Jr. defeated teammate Matt Hagan in the 2016 Funny Car final, while another Mopar driver, Ron Capps, set the track elapsed-time record last June with a pass of 3.884 seconds. Current Mopar Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher holds the E.T. record in that category, making a lap at 3.754 seconds in 2015. The track, located in the motorsports hotbed near the Tennessee/Virginia border, has played host to five Top Fuel wins by Schumacher, while Capps has won at the track three times in Funny Car. Hagan also has one Funny Car victory there.

The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals are scheduled for June 16 - 18. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast the weekend's events, with elimination coverage airing at 6:30 p.m., ET on Sunday, June 18.

For more information on Mopar and Dodge in NHRA, check out the Mopar brand's official blog, http://blog.mopar.com.

2017 NHRA Championship - Point Standings After Round 10 of 24
(Season Wins in Parentheses)

NHRA Funny Car
1. Ron Capps, Dodge Charger R/T (4) - 931
2. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger R/T (3) - 802
3. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger R/T (1) - 652
4. Courtney Force - 648
5. Robert Hight - 645
6t. Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger R/T (1) - 587
6t. John Force (1) - 587
8. J.R. Todd - 444
9. Tim Wilkerson - 427
10. Del Worsham - 372

NHRA Top Fuel
1. Antron Brown (2) - 878
2. Steve Torrence (3) - 871
3. Leah Pritchett, Mopar HEMI (3) - 842
4. Tony Schumacher, Mopar HEMI (1) - 766
5. Doug Kalitta - 648
6. Brittany Force (1) - 609 
7. Clay Millican - 520
8. Troy Coughlin Jr. - 412         
9. Terry McMillen -  392         
10. Scott Palmer - 380
About Mopar Motorsports
The Mopar brand's commitment to professional motorsports competition was established in the 1950s when a partnership ignited with drag racing pioneer Don Garlits, resulting in the breaking of numerous speed and performance barriers in HEMI-powered vehicles over the next several decades. In 2016, thanks to Don Schumacher Racing driver Ron Capps, Mopar captured its fourth NHRA Funny Car World Championship in the last six years. As Mopar celebrates 80 years as a brand in 2017, it will focus its NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series efforts on NHRA Funny Car and, with rising star Leah Pritchett, NHRA Top Fuel Dragster. Mopar will also bolster its commitment to NHRA Sportsman racing with new contingency rewards, factory support and at-track technical advice and guidance.

Mopar-First Features
During the brand's 80 years, Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features including:

• Vehicle-information apps: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with consumers
• wiADVISOR: first to incorporate a tablet-based service lane tool
• Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS): first to market with a new interactive vehicle tracking device that sends owner a text when vehicle is driven too fast or too far based on pre-set parameters
• Wi-Fi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot
• Electronic owner manuals: first to introduce traditional owner manuals on a smartphone app

80 Years of Mopar
Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was born on August 1, 1937, as the name of a line of antifreeze products. Mopar has since evolved over 80 years to serve as the total service, parts and customer-care brand of all FCA vehicles around the globe.

Mopar made its mark in the 1960s during the muscle-car era, with Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use, and expanded to include technical service and customer support. Today, the Mopar brand's global reach distributes more than 500,000 parts and accessories in over 150 markets around the world. With more than 50 parts distribution centers and 25 customer contact centers globally, Mopar integrates service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance customer and dealer support worldwide.

For 80 years, Mopar has been the source for genuine parts and accessories for all FCA brands. Mopar parts are engineered together with the same teams that create factory-authorized specifications for FCA vehicles, offering a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. Complete information on the Mopar brand is available at www.mopar.com.

###

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DSR: Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge, Beckman earn first win of 2017 season at Englishtown

 

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 11, 2017) - Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car advanced to its first final round of the season at this weekend's 48th annual NHRA Summernationals and brought home the NHRA trophy when driver Jack Beckman defeated his Don Schumacher Racing teammate, Ron Capps.

It was a very hot racetrack at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J. but crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Straughsbaugh tuned the Infinite Hero Dodge to four win lights on Sunday, giving them their first win as a team.

"We had a whole team change in the offseason, we've had three crew members change during the season," Beckman said of the team.

"So, it's been a lot of variables there. And let me tell you, we're not where we want to be. We're where we like to be today, we still have to work on this car."

In round one of eliminations, No. 5 qualified, Beckman faced No. 13 of Jim Campbell. Beckman drove to a 4.082-second lap at 306.60 mph as Campbell went into smoke.

During the second round, Beckman had to pedal and ran a 4.285 at (290.94) to give him the win over Cruz Pedregron's smoking 4.286.

It was an odd round in the semifinals when Beckman lined up against Courtney Force. Force run the lowest run of the day but fouled out when she red lit - giving Beckman the win who smoked the tires and coasted to a 9.145 (72.26).

"I didn't see Courtney's red light," Beckman said. "I was coming up to congratulate her and our body guy Jessie beats on the car twice, which he always does when we win and I thought, 'boy, he didn't see it,' she was about 38 bus lengths ahead of us. And wow, some days it's your day.

Finally, Beckman lined up against the NHRA points leader and his DSR teammate Capps.

Beckman got off the starting line first and made it to the finish line first with his time of 4.100 (312.42) over Capps' 4.143.

The win in Englishtown marked the Infinite Hero team's first win as a group and Beckman's 25 career victory.

"It was an odd race weekend. It was a very, very hot racetrack. It became a crapshoot in a lot of races down there in a pedal fest.

"We dodged a huge bullet when Courtney red lit against us in the semis, but we're the ones holding the trophy. When I go down there and stand next to that Infinite Hero Charger with our seven crew guys and three crew chiefs, they're going to realize they were the best today. And we needed to get that one so they know that we can do this.

"The first one is always the toughest one. It's 25 Funny Car wins for me, plus two more in Super Comp, but it's one for this iteration of the Infinite Hero team."

Next weekend, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series travels to Bristol, Tenn. for the 17th annual Thunder Valley Nationals; the 11th event of the season and the third of the four-race Eastern Swing.

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T    
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
Qualified: No. 4
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (4.082 sec., 306.60) def. Jim Campbell (23.920, 130.73)
Second round:  BECKMAN (4.285, 290.94) def. Cruz Pedregon (4.286, 291.76)
Semifinals: BECKMAN (9.145, 72.26) def. Courtney Force (3.993, 317.49-RED LIGHT DQ)
Final: BECKMAN (4.100, 312.42) def. Ron Capps (4.143, 299.66)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 3.895 sec., 323.04 mph, (Session 1); 3.907, 328.30, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.442, 174.82, (Session 3); 4.589, 184.37, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
Last event (June 2-4, Epping, NH): Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Del Worsham
A year ago at Englishtown: Qualified No. 10, lost in championship round to Ron Capps
Career at Englishtown: Wins 0, Runner-ups 2 (2013, 2016), Poles 0

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS                                                
(Official after Englishtown, N.J.; 10th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
1. RON CAPPS (4)                  931       -----
2. MATT HAGAN (3)                802      -129
3. JACK BECKMAN (1)            652     -279   
4. Courtney Force                    648      -283
5. Robert Hight                         645      -286
6t. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 587      -344
6t. John Force (1)                     587      -344
8. J.R. Todd                             444      -444
9. Tim Wilkerson                      427      -504  
10. Del Worsham                       372      -559



About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 307 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.

   

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988

DSR: Beckman gets first trophy of year for Chandler's Infinite Hero team in wild, hot Summernationals with teammate Brown going to final

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 11, 2017)  - Jack Beckman thought the heat had gotten to one of his Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car crewman after he finished his run in Sunday's semifinals of the 48th annual NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at Englishtown, N.J.

Beckman could only watch from the cockpit of Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero 2017 Dodge Charger R/T as opponent Courtney Force faded into the distance after Beckman quickly smoked the tires and could see her run record a time of 3.993 seconds at 317.49 mph.

He had plenty of time to ponder how much longer it would be until he won an NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series title. It took him 9.145 seconds to cross the finish line and another several seconds to coast to a stop and meet his crew.

"I was coming up to congratulate her and our guy Jesse (Freeman) beats on the car twice, which he always does when we win and I thought, 'boy, he didn't see it,' she was about 38 bus lengths ahead of us."

Beckman didn't know Force had been disqualified for a leaving the starting line too early and turned on the redlight.

Beckman went on to face Don Schumacher Racing teammate and points leader Ron Capps' NAPA AUTO PARTS team in the final round and beat Capps, the reigning world champion, with a time of 4.100 to Capps' 4.143.

"Wow, some days it's your day," said Beckman, whose last win was last July near Chicago.

"If you didn't notice, it's a fairly hot day. Put a helmet and firesuit on and it's even warmer, but I'm willing to do it. I didn't see Courtney's red light. We got our act together and raced the NAPA car when we turned on the win light the good old fashioned way."

Beckman's team led by crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh, jump three spots to third in the Mello Yello championship points heading to next weekend's race at Bristol, Tenn., which will be the third of four races in four weeks on the June Swing.

The Summernationals victory also earned a spot in the $100,000 Traxxas Nitro Shootout in which Beckman's six other teammates had qualified for the special events held during the U.S. Nationals over Labor Day Weekend near Indianapolis.

"Honest to goodness, not only we had a whole team change in the off-season, we've had three crew members change during the season.

"It was an odd race weekend. It was a very, very hot racetrack. It became a crapshoot in a lot of races down there in a pedalfest. We dodged a huge bullet when Courtney redlit against us in the semis, but we're the ones holding the trophy.

"The first one is always the toughest one. It's 25 Funny Car wins for me, plus two more in Super Comp, but it's one for this iteration of the Infinite Hero team."

It was perhaps more surprising that Capps advanced into his sixth final round in which he has won four times.

For the third straight event, Capps lost traction early but was able to recover each time to advance the second round where he faced Alexis DeJoria. Once again, Capps lost traction while DeJoria move out a lead of several hundred feet. Capps knew he couldn't catch her and was stunned as he watched her cross the centerline near the finish line and get disqualified. In the semifinals, he had another subpar run but it was enough to beat Robert Hight who smoked his tires.

"We needed some luck," said Capps, who extended his points lead to 129 over teammate Matt Hagan (Mopar Express Lane/Pennzoil).

"Most of my career I haven't had a whole lot of times where we've had great luck and I always wondered it must be nice to have those lucky breaks once in a while. You put enough credit into the luck bank and it's nice to take some out."

In the Top Fuel final, three-time and reigning world champion would have like to share some of that luck but he lost a close race in the final round to Steve Torrence.

It was Brown's third straight final round during which he has posted a record of 10-2 with one of his two event titles this year.

Antron Brown started from the No. 1 position with a track record qualifying time of 3.713 seconds then earned a second round bye due to a short 14-car field when he won in the first round at the facility about 30 miles from his hometown of Chesterfield, N.J., and 45 miles south of New York City.

The winner of the last two world championships was able to take the points lead from teammate Leah Pritchett (Dodge Demon/Pennzoil), who lost in the opening round for the first time in 10 races.

"We had a great weekend coming home to Englishtown," said Brown. "We qualified No. 1 and then we had a great E.T. in the first lap and then we ran low E.T. of the semifinals. Going into the finals, we just put it in 'rinse and repeat.'  We knew we had a great car and it was a bummer. We dropped a hole at the step of the throttle. That's what happens when you're running these types of conditions. We learned a lot that we can apply for future races in the heat.

"We're heading in the right direction and we're improving every weekend. So we'll just keep doing what we're doing and let the results speak for themselves."
Through 10 races, Brown has advanced to half of the final rounds and has four more rounds wins than through 10 races last season.

DSR TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS                                                                                             
Event winner: Steve Torrence CAPCO Contractors
No. 1 qualifier: Antron Brown (Don Schumacher Racing), 3.713 sec.-track record, 329.42 mph

ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster                         
Crew chiefs: Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald; Assistant: Brad Mason
QUALIFIED: No. 1
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: Blake Alexander
First round: BROWN (3.783 sec., 323.12) def. Blake Alexander (3.992, 289.32)
Second round: BROWN (6.622, 103.10), bye run
Semifinals: BROWN (3.789, 324.98) def. Brittany Force (3.932, 279.09)
Final: Steve Torrence (3.857, 320.28) def. BROWN (3.932, 306.74)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 3.709 sec., 324.67 mph, (Session 1); 3.713, 329.42, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.535, 170.26, (Session 3); 3.783, 322.88, (Session 4)
Best time, speed: 3.667 (2017, Phoenix); 333.16 mph (2017, Topeka)
Last event (June 2-4, Epping, N.H.): Qualified No. 4, lost in championship round to Brittany Force
A year ago at Englishtown: Qualified No. 2, lost in second round to Tony Schumacher
Career at Englishtown: Wins 3 (TF-2015/PSM-2002, 2005), Runner-ups 2 (2009, 2010),
Poles 4 (TF-2008, 2015/PSM-2001, 2005)

TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster                                                      
Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler
QUALIFIED: No. 6
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: SCHUMACHER (3.839 sec., 318.69) def. Leah Pritchett 3.928, 300.26)
Second round:  Doug Kalitta (3.805 sec., 325.37 mph) def. SCHUMACHER (3.900, 299.00)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 5.770 sec., 116.44 mph, (Session 1); 3.763, 323.19, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.853, 320.81, (Session 3); 6.298, 95.35, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.660 sec. (2017, Topeka); 332.51 mph (2016, Brainerd)
Last event (June 2-4, Epping, NH): Qualified No. 3, lost in first round to Smax Smith
A year ago at Englishtown: Qualified No. 10, lost in championship round to Steve Torrence
Career at Englishtown: Wins 1 (2008), Runner-ups 1 (2016), Poles 2 (2007, 2009)

LEAH PRITCHETT, Dodge Demon/Pennzoil/Mopar Top Fuel dragster           
Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam
QUALIFIED: No. 9
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: Tony Schumacher (3.839 sec., 318.69) def. PRITCHETT (3.928, 30.26)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 3.785 sec., 321.42 mph, (Session 1); 4.953, 139.83, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.845, 306.12, (Session 3); 6.298, 95.35, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.658 sec.-world record (2017, Phoenix); 330.23 mph (2017, Topeka)
Last event (June 2-4, Epping, NH): Qualified No. 1, lost in semifinals to Antron Brown
A year ago at Englishtown: Qualified No. 12, lost in first round to Doug Kalitta
Career at Englishtown: Wins 0, Runner-ups 0, Poles 0

DSR FUNNY CARS                                                                                                
Event winner: Jack Beckman (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Courtney Force (John Force Racing), 3.862 sec.-track record, 331.12 mph

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
Qualified: No. 4
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (4.082 sec., 306.60) def. Jim Campbell (23.920, 130.73)
Second round:  BECKMAN (4.285, 290.94) def. Cruz Pedregon (4.286, 291.76)
Semifinals: BECKMAN (9.145, 72.26) def. Courtney Force (3.993, 317.49-RED LIGHT DQ)
Final: BECKMAN (4.100, 312.42) def. Ron Capps (4.143, 299.66)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 3.895 sec., 323.04 mph, (Session 1); 3.907, 328.30, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.442, 174.82, (Session 3); 4.589, 184.37, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
Last event (June 2-4, Epping, NH): Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Del Worsham
A year ago at Englishtown: Qualified No. 10, lost in championship round to Ron Capps
Career at Englishtown: Wins 0, Runner-ups 2 (2013, 2016), Poles 0

RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS 2017 Dodge Charger R/T                           
Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane
Qualified: No. 3
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: CAPPS (4.664 sec., 260.36 mph) def. Del Worsham (4.689, 254.95)
Second round: CAPPS (no time) def. Alexis DeJoria (disqualified for crossing the centerline)
Semifinals: CAPPS (4.195. 260.31) def. Robert Hight (6.302, 107.84)
Final: Jack Beckman (4.100, 312.42) def. CAPPS (4.143, 299.66)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 3.895 sec., 323.04 mph, (Session 1); 3.883, 329.67, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.963, 313.51, (Session 3); 3.951, 320.05, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.839 sec. (2017, Phoenix); 333.58 mph (2017, Phoenix)
Last event (June 2-4, Epping, NH): Qualified No. 3, lost in semifinals to Courtney Force
A year ago at Englishtown: Qualified No. 1, won in championship round over Jack Beckman
Career at Englishtown: Wins 2 (2006, 2016), Runner-ups 3 (2003, 2005, 2012), Poles 2 (2012, 2016)

TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Chandler's Make-A-Wish 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: John Collins; Assistant: Rip Reynolds
Qualified: No, 7
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: JOHNSON (4.010 sec., 319.67) def. Bob Tasca III 4.949, 182.85)
Second round:  Robert Hight (4.048, 314.75) def. JOHNSON (4.515, 195.05)
QUALIFYING RESULTS 
FRIDAY: 4.312 sec., 217.60 mph, (Session 1); 3.945, 326.71, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.034, 316.67, (Session 3); 3.954, 322.96, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.837 sec. (Phoenix 2017); 330.80 mph (Seattle, 2016)
Last event (June 2-4, Epping, NH): Qualified No. 9, lost in semifinals to Matt Hagan
A year ago at Englishtown: Qualified No. 5, lost in second round to Del Worsham
Career at Englishtown: Wins 1 (2007), Runner-ups 0, Poles 1 (2007)

MATT HAGAN, Mopar Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T                        Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen
Qualified: No. 9
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: HAGAN (4.013 sec., 317.44) def. Jonnie Lindberg (4.044, 314.39
Second round:  Courtney Force (4.094, 312.28) def. HAGAN (4.374, 268.60)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 3.957 sec., 324.44 mph, (Session 1); 4.661, 174.71, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.313, 220.80, (Session 3); 3.952, 317.72, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.802 sec. (world record, (2017,Topeka); 338.85 mph (world record, 2017, Topeka)
Last event (June 2-4, Epping, NH): Qualified No. 4, won in championship round over Courtney Force
A year ago at Englishtown: Qualified No. 2, lost in second round to Jack Beckman
Career at Englishtown: Wins 2 (2013, 2015), Runner-ups 0, Poles 1 (2013)

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES TOP FUEL STANDINGS                   
(Official after Englishtown, N.J.; 10th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
  1. ANTRON BROWN   (2)       878     -----
  2. Steve Torrence (3)              871        -7   
  3. LEAH PRITCHETT (3)        842      -36
  4. TONY SCHUMACHER (1)  766    -102
  5. Doug Kalitta                         648    -230
  6. Brittany Force (1)                 609    -269
  7. Clay Millican                        520     -358
  8. Troy Coughlin Jr.                 412     -466
  9. Terry McMillen                     392     -486
10. Scott Palmer                        380     -498

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS               
(Official after Englishtown, N.J.; 10th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
  1. RON CAPPS (4)                  931       -----
  2. MATT HAGAN (3)                802      -129
  3. JACK BECKMAN (1)            652     -279
  4. Courtney Force                    648      -283
  5. Robert Hight                         645      -286
  6t. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 587      -344
  6t. John Force (1)                     587      -344
  8. J.R. Todd                             444      -444
  9. Tim Wilkerson                      427      -504
10. Del Worsham                       372      -559

ABOUT DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered near Indianapolis in Brownsburg, Ind., fields seven professional teams in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher, the three-time and reigning world champion Matco Tools dragster driven by Antron Brown and Leah Pritchett in the Dodge Demon/Pennzoil dragster.

In 2017 Dodge Chargers R/T Funny Cars, two-time world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge driven by 2016 world champion Ron Capps, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 308 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing

#WeAreDSR


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988