JOLIET, Ill. (July 7, 2017) - It nearly was a storybook start to an emotional weekend for Don Schumacher Racing on Friday night during the 20th annual Route 66 Nationals near Chicago.
Jack Beckman and Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T came within five-thousandths of a second of earning the provisional pole for the team funded by the late Terry Chandler, who died from brain cancer on the Fourth of July after a valiant battle. She was 65.
Beckman with crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh produced a time of 3.856 seconds with what was at the moment a track record. But in the next pair of cars, Robert Hight of John Force Racing was a little quicker with a 3.851 at 334.73, also a track record.
"That one was for Terry," Beckman proclaimed. "Everyone on her team here is elated with our effort today and it was for Terry."
The Dodge Powered by Pennzoil was fourth quickest in the first session in the early evening and then were second best on the night run.
"You'd love to be the quickest of the night and have a chance to flex your muscles under the great conditions. We're extremely happy with the way our Dodge ran. We're OK with someone only beating us by a few thousands. We did everything we needed to do."
Beckman and the Infinite Hero squad won the last race two weeks ago for its second in three events and made the final round in the other. He said Don Schumacher Racing planned to retire the car after closing June at Norwalk, Ohio, and that decision was solidified when the engine blew up into a fireball as it crossed the finish line for the 26th title in the 2012 Funny Car world champion's career.
Although Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge came up a whisker short heading to Saturday's last two qualifying sessions, Chandler's great-nephew Tanner Gray holds the professional pole in Pro Stock for the team owned by Chandler's brother, Johnny Gray.
Tommy Johnson Jr., Beckman's teammate and driver of Chandler's Make-A-Wish Dodge, turned in an inspiring effort in the second session when crew chief John Collins and assistant Rip Reynolds moved from 13th to sixth with a run of 3.913 (326.00)
DSR's Matt Hagan (Mopar Express Lane) is ranked fourth and reigning world champion Ron Capps and the NAPA Intrepid Fallen Heroes Dodge is eighth.
In Top Fuel, Chicago native Tony Schumacher returned to his home track with the U.S. Army dragster led by crew chief Mike Green and assistant Phil Shuler and nearly improved its record five poles at the track in Joliet, Ill., with a time of 3.758 (325.37) but is ranked second going into the last two sessions.
"It was nice to come see family and friends and be at an incredible racetrack," said Schumacher. "The atmosphere here is great and that's a testament to (track president) Scott Paddock and his staff. It's a big weekend here in Chicago for the U.S. Army team. We've been working really hard and made a couple of good runs today."
Leah Pritchett and the Papa John's Pizza Top Fuel dragster team were quickest in the first session but fell to fourth at the end of the night. Three-time world champion Antron Brown is No. 4.
Pritchett also will be competing Saturday in the third round of the Charity Challenge when she races her supercharged Gen III HEMI in a 2017 Dodge Challenger configured for drag racingagainst "Papa" John Schnatter's coveted 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 that he bought for $1,600 at 15 years old and sold to keep his dad out of bankruptcy and then started the very first Papa John's pizzeria. In 2009, he was reunited with his cherished Camaro and modified it for racing.
Schnatter and DSR owner Don Schumacher each contribute $10,000 to the Infinite Hero Foundation during each round of which Pritchett has won both times. Side bets have been wagered at the first two Challenges between the "driver" and the "pizza maker" like the loser waxing the other's racecar.
DSR TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Brittany Force (John Force Racing) 3.711 sec., 323.04 mph
TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 2
FRIDAY: 3.827 sec., 314.24 mph, (Session 1); 3.758, 325.37, (Session 2)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 8, lost in second round to Doug Kalitta
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 6, lost in semifinals to J.R. Todd
Career at Chicago: : Wins 5 (2003, 2005, 2008, 2013, 2015); Runner-ups 2 (2010. 2004);
Poles 5 (2012, 2008, 2005/1-2005/2, 2003)
LEAH PRITCHETT, Papa John's Pizza Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 4
FRIDAY: 3.763 sec., 326.48 mph, (Session 1); 8.668, 82.92, (Session 2)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 4, lost in semifinals to Doug Kalitta
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 9, lost in semifinals to Antron Brown
Career at Chicago: 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
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 5
FRIDAY: 3.766 sec., 328.54 mph, (Session 1); 6.008, 112.76, (Session 2)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 5, lost in second round to Leah Pritchett
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 4, won in championship round over J.R. Todd
Career at Chicago: Wins 5 (2016, 2014, 2012, 2001*, 2000*); Runner-ups 2 (2009, 2002*);
Poles 2 (2009, 2015) *Pro Stock Motorcycle
DSR FUNNY CARS
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Robert Hight (3.851 sec., 323.73 mph)
JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 2
FRIDAY: 3.966 sec., 324.36 mph, (Session 1); 3.856, 330.23, (Session 2)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 9, won in championship round over Robert Hight
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 2, won in championship round over Ron Capps
Career at Chicago: Wins 1 (2016); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0
MATT HAGAN, Mopar Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 4
FRIDAY: 3.946 sec., 326.40 mph, (Session 1); 3.895, 332.10, (Session 2)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 1, lost in second round to Jack Beckman
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 1, lost in semifinals to Ron Capps
Career at Chicago: Wins 3 (2014, 2013, 2010); Runner-ups1 (2015); Poles 1 (2016)
TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: John Collins; Assistant: Rip Reynolds
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 6
FRIDAY: 4.274 sec., 216.69 mph, (Session 1); 3.913, 326.00, (Session 2)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 5, lost in semifinals to Jack Beckman
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 8, lost in second round to Matt Hagan
Career at Chicago: Wins 1 (2015); Runner-ups 2 (2014, 2003); Poles 2 (2014, 2006)
RON CAPPS, NAPA INTREPID FALLEN HEROES FUND 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 8
FRIDAY: 3.984 sec., 321.27 mph, (Session 1); 3.942, 292.08, (Session 2)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 13, lost in second round to Tommy Johnson Jr.
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 4, lost in championship round to Jack Beckman
Career at Chicago: Wins 1 (2005); Runner-ups 2 (2016, 2007, 2002); Poles 1 (2013)
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
