Thank you Terry! We always will remember you
All DSR Funny Car final, Brown's trophy run in Top Fuel near Chicago
provide ultimate salute to honor the beloved, the late Terry ChandlerJOLIET, Ill. (July 9, 2017) - Don Schumacher won five NHRA national event titles as a driver and had collected another 3 05 as an owner before his seven-car team arrived near Chicago for this weekend's Route 66 Nationals.
But none would have had the emotional meaning had Tommy Johnson Jr. and the late Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish team with crew chief John Collins and Rip Reynolds crossed the finish line ahead of teammate Ron Capps in Sunday's final round.
Don Schumacher Racing's total is now 311 after Ron Capps and the NAPA Intrepid Fallen Heroes Dodge Charger R/T won its' sixth event title of the season and DSR's 12th in 13 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races by edging Johnson for the title.
It was almost another double-up day for DSR when two-time reigning world champ Antron Brown advanced to the Top Fuel final round before losing to Steve Torrence.
But Sunday was about more than earning points or setting records, winning or losing.
It was about Terry from the start to finish, but as much as she loved drag racing she would have loved the final Funny Car while being a little disappointed her team didn't win. It came down to the best race of the day with Capps' 4.026-second run at 319.67 mph edging Johnson's 4.047 at 319.90.
Terry's teams had won the previous two Route 66 Funny Car titles with Johnson winning last year and Jack Beckman following Johnson last year.
It was a career-best sixth win for Capps this season in which he has dominated the points standings. This win, however, was one he couldn't have accepted losing.
Terry, who funds DSR Funny Cars for Johnson and the Infinite Hero Dodge for Jack Beckman, was laid to rest Saturday in a private ceremony in New Mexico after a valiant three-month battle against brain cancer.
Before racing began, her Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero teams were joined by her brother Johnny Gray's Gray Motorsports Pro Stock team along with the DSR family, NHRA racing community and many of the sport's most iconic drivers behind the starting line to honor Terry with a video montage created by NHRA and a moment of silence to honor her profound impact on hundreds of Make-A-Wish families and military veterans through the Infinite Hero Foundation.
Despite not winning the title for Terry, the day ended as it began with tributes to her.
"You already knew how much she was loved, but people that had never met her before wanted to give their respects," Capps said.
"Before we started the car I saw her standing outside my car because I guess you just get so used to it and I had to shake my head for a second. You 're not used to her not being here. Then I did the burnout and I'm like 'oh my gosh, there's her car next to me' and it just was a strange race. I never did see TJ.
"She loved drag racing so much. But we obviously didn't kno w as much. Don went to the service and the funeral on Saturday and came back and said, this was her life. More than we even thought. How much she looked forward to coming to the drag races and making (Make-A-Wish) kids smile. He could not believe, every one of her friends, how much they talked about that's all she talked about when she was back home in New Mexico.
"A very emotional weekend. Bittersweet but at the same time it's a DSR car and I'm glad we can give Don the trophy to do what he's going to do with her family."
In Top Fuel, Brown's thoughts were more about Terry than missing his third title of the season.
"This race was for Miss Terry," he said after the final round. "We just wanted to race hard and it would have been nice to bring it home. Our hearts go out to the Chandler and Gray families. I wish we could have brought it home for them, but she's up there smiling down on us and I'm going to smile right now."
DSR TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS
Event winner: Steve Torrence (CAPCO Contractors)
No. 1 qualifier: Brittany Force (John Force Racing) 3.711 sec., 323.04 mph
ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
Crew chiefs: Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald; Assistant: Brad Mason
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BROWN (3.776 sec., 322.42 mph) def. Doug Kalitta (6.478, 152.78)
Second round: BROWN (3.853, 305.29) def. Leah Pritchett (5.247, 139.10)
Semifinals: BROWN (3.784, 325.53) def. Clay Millican (4.689, 165.64)
Final: Steve Torrence (3.779, 326.08) def. BROWN (3.786, 326.71)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 7
FRIDAY: 3.766 sec., 328.54 mph, (Session 1); 6.008, 112.76, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.187, 209.79, (Session 3); 3.766, 326.32, (Session 4)
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 3 (2017, 2009, 2002*);
Poles 2 (2009, 2015) *Pro Stock Motorcycle
LEAH PRITCHETT, Papa John's Pizza Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: PRITCHETT (3.858 sec., 294.18) def. Troy Coughlin (3.968, 279.50)
Second round: Antron Brown (3.853, 305.29) def. PRITCHETT (5.247, 139.10)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 2
FRIDAY: 3.763 sec., 326.48 mph, (Session 1); 8.668, 82.92, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.817 325.30, (Session 3); 3.723, 326.56, (Session 4)
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
TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: Blake Alexander (3.940 sec., 301.54) def. SCHUMACHER (3.883, 306.26)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 5
FRIDAY: 3.827 sec., 314.24 mph, (Session 1); 3.758, 325.37, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.842, 319.98, (Session 3); 3.821, 321.50 , (Session 4)
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)
DSR FUNNY CARS
Event winner: Ron Capps (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Robert Hight (3.851 sec., 334.73 mph-track records)
RON CAPPS, NAPA INTREPID FALLEN HEROES FUND 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: CAPPS (4.005 sec., 320.89 mph) def. Jonnie Lindberg (4.072, 321.19)
Second round: CAPPS (4.119, 309.98) def. Jim Campbell (4.432, 204.60)
Semifinals: CAPPS (4.038, 318.84) def. Matt Hagan (4.088, 313.58)
Final: CAPPS (4.026, 319.67) def. Tommy Johnson Jr. (4.047, 319.90)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 9
FRIDAY: 3.984 sec., 321.27 mph, (Session 1); 3.942, 292.08, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.948 154,97, (Session 3); 4.074, 253.80, (Session 4)
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 2 (2005, 2017); Runner-ups 2 (2016, 2007, 2002); Poles 1 (2013)
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 (4.026 sec., 319.07 mph) def. John Force (4.982, 157.39)
Second round: JOHNSON (4.026, 317.72) def. J.R. Todd (4.260, 248.75)
Semifinals: JOHNSON (4.015, 317.87) def. Tim Wilkerson (7.734, 117.15)
Final: Ron Capps (4.026, 319.67) def. JOHNSON (4.047, 319.90)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 6
FRIDAY: 4.274 sec., 216.69 mph, (Session 1); 3.913, 326.00, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.214, 226.16, (Session 3); 4.083, 248.43, (Session 4)
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 3 (2017, 2014, 2003); Poles 2 (2014, 2006)
MATT HAGAN, Mopar Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: HAGAN (4.162 sec., 251.95 mph) def. Del Worsham (5.718, 133.68)
Second round: HAGAN (4.006, 319.60) def. Alexis DeJoria (4.399, 210.67)
Semifinals: Ron Capps (4.038, 318.84) def. HAGAN (4.088, 313.58)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 4
FRIDAY: 3.946 sec., 326.40 mph, (Session 1); 3.895, 332.10, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.970, 158.20, (Session 3); 10.009, 74.92, (Session 4)
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)
JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (4.020 sec., 320.2 mph) def. Bob Bode (DQ, centerline)
Second round: Tim Wilkerson (4.107, 314.61) def. BECKMAN (5.061, 172.65)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 2
FRIDAY: 3.966 sec., 324.36 mph, (Session 1); 3.856, 330.23, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 6.872, 100.56, (Session 3); 4.551, 182.38, (Session 4)
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 championsh ip round over Ron Capps
Career at Chicago: Wins 1 (2016); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0
2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES TOP FUEL STANDINGS
(Unofficial after Joliet, Ill.; 13th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
1 Steve Torrence (5) 1,188 -----
2 LEAH PRITCHETT (3) 1,087 -101
3 ANTRON BROWN (2) 1,085 -103
4 TONY SCHUMACHER (1) 894 -294
5 Doug Kalitta 813 -375
6 Brittany Force (1) 795 -393
7 Clay Millican (1) 773 -415
8 Terry McMillen 509 -679
9 Scott Palmer 496 -692
10 Troy Coughlin Jr. 480 -708
2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS
(Unofficial after Joliet, Ill.; 13th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
1 RON CAPPS (6) 1,208 -----
2 MATT HAGAN (3) 1,022 -186
3 JACK BECKMAN (2) 914 -294
4 Robert Hight 853 -355
5 TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 833 -375
6 Courtney Force 749 -459
7 John Force (1) 718 -490
8 Tim Wilkerson 599 -609
9 J.R. Todd 559 -649
10 Cruz Pedregon 463 -745
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, and 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr., both of which are funded by the late Terry Chandler.
DSR has won 311 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
