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

NHRA NEWS: MELLO YELLO SERIES RESULTS SUNDAY FROM ENGLISHTOWN, N.J.

TORRENCE, BECKMAN, ANDERSON, SAVOIE NOTCH VICTORIES AT NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Steve Torrence powered his Top Fuel dragster to victory Sunday at the 48th annual NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also winners in their respective categories at the tenth of 24 events on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Torrence secured his third victory of the season with a 3.857-second pass at 320.28 mph in his Capco Contractors dragster to defeat Antron Brown who ran a 3.932 at 306.74 in his Matco Tools dragster in the final round.

He emerged victorious for the first time since winning back-to-back races in Charlotte and Atlanta, and has now reached the final round at five of the past six events. The win was only Torrence’s second victory in 24 matchups against Brown in his career, and was his third career victory in Englishtown.

“All day long I was confident because we have historically done well in Englishtown, since I have won here twice and don’t have that chip on my shoulder,” Torrence said. “Both Antron [Brown] and I have cars that can win and we know we just have to do our jobs to win. I know my record against him isn’t the best, but it’s always fun to go up against one of my best friends in the final round.”

Torrence qualified second and defeated Smax Smith, Clay Millican and Doug Kalitta on the way to victory. Brown qualified first and defeated Blake Alexander and Brittany Force before reaching his fifth final round of the year. Torrence now trails Brown by just seven points in the Top Fuel standings, while previous points leader Leah Pritchett fell to third with a first round exit in Englishtown.

Beckman earned his 25th career victory and first of the season with a 4.100 at 312.42 in the final round to defeat Ron Capps who ran a 4.143 at 299.66. This was Beckman’s first win since St. Louis in 2016, and his first final round appearance of the season.

“There have been quite a few variables for our team already this season, and we needed to get this win today so we knew that we could do this more often,” Beckman said. “Not only is this our team’s first win together, but a win at the Summernationals in Funny Car is about as cool as it gets.”

Beckman qualified fourth and defeated Jim Campbell, Cruz Pedregon and Ron Capps before reaching his first final round of the season. Teammate and defending world champion Capps reached his sixth final round of the year after defeating Del Worsham, Alexis DeJoria and Robert Hight.

With the win, Beckman sits at third in the standings as the fifth different Funny Car winner of the season. Capps maintained his lead atop the Funny Car standings with the runner-up finish in Englishtown.

Anderson secured the victory in Pro Stock after driving to a 6.613 at 210.44 to knock off Vincent Nobile who ran a 6.665 at 210.21. Anderson now has two victories on the year as he notched his first win since Phoenix.

“It certainly was a tough weekend but everything worked out for us, but this Wally is going to my son for getting through high school,” Anderson said. “This track has been magical for me, I have a lot of great memories here. To win eight times here makes it a pretty special place.”

Anderson had the fifth best qualifying time and defeated Kenny Delco, Allen Johnson and Bo Butner en route to his fifth final round appearance of 2017. Nobile earned his first final round appearance of the season by defeating Drew Skillman, John Gaydosh and Jeg Coughlin.

With the victory, Anderson now sits second in the points standings behind Bo Butner, who he defeated in the semifinals. Nobile sits seventh in the Pro Stock standings after his best finish of the year.

Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle Champion Jerry Savoie emerged victorious with a 6.918 at 192.85 to defeat Hector Arana Jr’s pass of 6.862 at 195.62. Savoie notched his seventh career victory and first of the season.

“I’ve had some struggles earlier in the season, but each win is special because you never know which one will be your last,” Savoie said. “This track has been good to me in the past and we were able to take this one home today and I’m extremely thankful for that.”

Savoie has now reached two final rounds in four events, defeating Cory Reed, Scott Pollacheck and Angie Smith on the day. Arana Jr. defeated Melissa Surber, Eddie Krawiec and Karen Stoffer to reach his first final round of 2017.

With his first victory of the season, Savoie now sits third in the Pro Stock Motorcycle standings, becoming the third winner in four events in the category. Arana Jr. is sixth in the standings following his best finish of the season.

The 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues with the 17th NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway June 16-18.


***


ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Final finish order (1-16) at the 48th NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.  The race is the tenth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

TOP FUEL:
1.  Steve Torrence; 2.  Antron Brown; 3.  Doug Kalitta; 4.  Brittany Force; 5.  Tony Schumacher; 6.  Scott Palmer; 7.  Clay Millican; 8.  Troy Coughlin Jr.; 9.  Dom Lagana; 10.  Terry McMillen; 11.  Leah Pritchett; 12.  Blake Alexander; 13.  Shawn Langdon; 14.  Smax Smith.

FUNNY CAR:
1.  Jack Beckman; 2.  Ron Capps; 3.  Courtney Force; 4.  Robert Hight; 5.  Cruz Pedregon; 6.  Matt Hagan; 7.  Tommy Johnson Jr.; 8.  Alexis DeJoria; 9.  Jonnie Lindberg; 10.  Tim Wilkerson; 11.  Del Worsham; 12.  John Force; 13.  Bob Tasca III; 14.  Jeff Diehl; 15.  J.R. Todd; 16.  Jim Campbell.

PRO STOCK:
1.  Greg Anderson; 2.  Vincent Nobile; 3.  Bo Butner; 4.  Jeg Coughlin; 5.  Allen Johnson; 6.  Alan Prusiensky; 7.  John Gaydosh Jr; 8.  Erica Enders; 9.  Kenny Delco; 10.  Matt Hartford; 11.  Val Smeland; 12.  Tanner Gray; 13.  Jason Line; 14.  Drew Skillman.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
1.  Jerry Savoie; 2.  Hector Arana Jr; 3.  Karen Stoffer; 4.  Angie Smith; 5.  Hector Arana; 6.  Eddie Krawiec; 7.  Scotty Pollacheck; 8.  LE Tonglet; 9.  Angelle Sampey; 10.  Chip Ellis; 11.  Melissa Surber; 12.  Joey Gladstone; 13.  Andrew Hines; 14.  Kelly Clontz; 15.  Steve Johnson; 16.  Cory Reed.


ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Sunday's final results from the 48th NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. The race is the tenth of 24 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel -- Steve Torrence, 3.857 seconds, 320.28 mph  def. Antron Brown, 3.932 seconds, 306.74 mph.

Funny Car -- Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 4.100, 312.42  def. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.143, 299.66.
Pro Stock -- Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.613, 210.44  def. Vincent Nobile, Camaro, 6.665, 210.21.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.918, 192.85  def. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.862, 195.62.

Pro Modified -- Rickie Smith, Chevy Camaro, 5.884, 247.93  def. Troy Coughlin, Chevy Corvette, 5.882, 255.29.

Competition Eliminator -- Frank Aragona, Dragster, 8.282, 112.93  def. Pete Hanratty, Dragster, Foul - Red Light.

Super Stock -- Timothy Fletcher, Chevy Camaro, 10.165, 122.14  def. Herbie Null, Camaro, 9.997, 131.01.

Stock Eliminator -- Peter Biondo, Chevy Camaro, 10.372, 126.83  def. Russell Linke, Camaro, 10.703, 123.93.

Super Comp -- Kevin Robb, Dragster, 8.920, 173.03  def. Shawn Fricke, Dragster, 8.911, 169.17.

Super Gas -- Dan Northrop, Chevy Vega, 9.921, 140.71  def. John Labbous Jr, chevy Corvette, 9.927, 160.96.

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com -- Jeff Brooks, Henry J, 6.840, 199.70  def. Ronald Riegel, Chevy Camaro, 7.236, 193.40.


ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Final round-by-round results from the 48th NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, the tenth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

TOP FUEL:

 ROUND ONE -- Clay Millican, 3.806, 314.31 def. Terry McMillen, 3.926, 307.02; Brittany Force, 3.809, 321.96 def. Troy Coughlin Jr., 3.852, 309.91; Steve Torrence, 3.832, 322.04 def. Smax Smith, 4.837, 177.46; Antron Brown, 3.783, 323.12 def. Blake Alexander, 3.992, 289.32; Doug Kalitta, 3.762, 326.79 def. Dom Lagana, 3.865, 319.37; Tony Schumacher, 3.839, 318.69 def. Leah Pritchett, 3.928, 300.26; Scott Palmer, 3.888, 319.67 def. Shawn Langdon, 4.270, 196.82;

QUARTERFINALS -- Torrence, 3.827, 323.27 def. Millican, 7.241, 84.20; Force, 3.838, 316.67 def. Palmer, 3.901, 314.90; Brown, 6.622, 103.10 was unopposed; Kalitta, 3.805, 325.37 def. Schumacher, 3.900, 299.00;

SEMIFINALS -- Brown, 3.789, 324.98 def. Force, 3.932, 279.09; Torrence, 3.827, 322.42 def. Kalitta, 3.854, 319.37;

FINAL -- Torrence, 3.857, 320.28 def. Brown, 3.932, 306.74.

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Ron Capps, Dodge Charger, 4.664, 260.36 def. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 4.689, 254.95; Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.019, 294.18 def. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 11.687, 77.47; Robert Hight, Camaro, 4.880, 189.10 def. J.R. Todd, Camry, 13.961, 64.63; Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.082, 306.60 def. Jim Campbell, Charger, 23.920, 130.73; Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 4.722, 243.59 def. John Force, Camaro, 4.829, 206.13; Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.048, 316.82 def. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 4.242, 228.58; Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 4.010, 319.67 def. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.949, 182.85; Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.013, 317.94 def. Jonnie Lindberg, Camry, 4.044, 314.39;

QUARTERFINALS -- Hight, 4.048, 314.75 def. Johnson Jr., 4.515, 195.05; Beckman, 4.285, 290.94 def. Pedregon, 4.286, 291.76; Capps,  def. DeJoria, Foul - Centerline; C. Force, 4.094, 312.28 def. Hagan, 4.374, 268.60;

SEMIFINALS -- Beckman, 9.145, 72.26 def. C. Force, Foul - Red Light; Capps, 4.195, 260.31 def. Hight, 6.302, 107.84;

FINAL -- Beckman, 4.100, 312.42 def. Capps, 4.143, 299.66.

PRO STOCK:

ROUND ONE -- Vincent Nobile, Chevy Camaro, 6.752, 208.68 def. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 18.629, 43.74; Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.611, 209.82 def. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.635, 210.67; Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.647, 210.21 def. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.636, 208.78; Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.637, 209.59 def. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.645, 209.79; Alan Prusiensky, Dart, 6.806, 182.92 def. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.941, 207.69; John Gaydosh Jr, Chevrolet Camaro, 6.801, 199.70 def. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.799, 176.12; Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.612, 210.28 def. Val Smeland, Camaro, 6.743, 198.50;

QUARTERFINALS -- Nobile, 6.640, 210.37 def. Gaydosh Jr, Broke - No Show; Anderson, 6.611, 210.14 def. Johnson, 6.622, 209.56; Butner, 6.616, 210.14 was unopposed; Coughlin, 6.643, 209.49 def. Prusiensky, 6.715, 207.40;

SEMIFINALS -- Nobile, 6.644, 209.56 def. Coughlin, 6.654, 208.62; Anderson, 6.632, 210.28 def. Butner, 6.648, 209.69;

FINAL -- Anderson, 6.613, 210.44 def. Nobile, 6.665, 210.21.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:

ROUND ONE -- Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.854, 194.35 def. Cory Reed, 7.169, 182.65; Angie Smith, Buell, 6.942, 191.02 def. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.960, 195.51; LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.817, 196.27 def. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.978, 192.74; Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.870, 196.70 def. Chip Ellis, Buell, 6.859, 193.27; Scotty Pollacheck, Suzuki, 6.845, 194.30 def. Angelle Sampey, 6.858, 194.38; Hector Arana, Buell, 6.946, 195.56 def. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.014, 193.79; Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.902, 191.51 def. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.947, 193.79; Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.816, 196.79 def. Melissa Surber, Buell, 6.894, 192.66;

QUARTERFINALS -- Stoffer, 6.894, 192.77 def. Arana, 6.874, 195.73; Savoie, 6.852, 195.45 def. Pollacheck, 6.938, 193.93; A. Smith, 6.942, 192.44 def. Tonglet, 7.257, 194.46; Arana Jr, 6.828, 196.02 def. Krawiec, 6.937, 194.38;

SEMIFINALS -- Savoie, 6.878, 195.14 def. A. Smith, Foul - Red Light; Arana Jr, 6.854, 195.56 def. Stoffer, 6.899, 192.91;

FINAL -- Savoie, 6.918, 192.85 def. Arana Jr, 6.862, 195.62.

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Point standings (top 10) following the 48th NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, the tenth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel
1.  Antron Brown, 878; 2.  Steve Torrence, 871; 3.  Leah Pritchett, 842; 4.  Tony Schumacher, 766; 5.  Doug Kalitta, 648; 6.  Brittany Force, 609; 7.  Clay Millican, 520; 8.  Troy Coughlin Jr., 412; 9.  Terry McMillen, 392; 10.  Scott Palmer, 380.

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

Pro Stock
1.  Bo Butner, 837; 2.  Greg Anderson, 797; 3.  Tanner Gray, 758; 4.  Jeg Coughlin, 701; 5.  Jason Line, 668; 6.  Erica Enders, 579; 7.  Vincent Nobile, 562; 8.  Drew Skillman, 504; 9.  Chris McGaha, 421; 10.  Shane Gray, 382.

Pro Stock Motorcycle
1.  Eddie Krawiec, 358; 2.  LE Tonglet, 356; 3.  Jerry Savoie, 322; 4.  Andrew Hines, 263; 5.  Scotty Pollacheck, 250; 6.  Hector Arana Jr, 234; 7.  Joey Gladstone, 223; 8.  Karen Stoffer, 186; 9.  (tie) Steve Johnson, 167; Angie Smith, 167.



-30-

DSR: Turnaround from engine explosion in third qualifying session adds to Beckman's confidence with Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge team after qualifying No. 4

 

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 10, 2017) - Nitro Funny Cars turn a lot of heads at NHRA events and on Saturday, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T turned a lot of heads at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at the 48th annual NHRA Summernationals.

Unfortunately, it wasn't for a killer run. It was for a big boomer during the third qualifying session that destroyed the carbon fiber 2017 Dodge Charger R/T today.

"It was the most interesting Saturday I've had in quite some time," said driver Jack Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car World Champion.

"There's no such thing as a small explosion in a Nitro Funny Car. They do a lot of damage and they tear up a lot of parts and pieces."

During the third session, Beckman's car had an engine explosion but the team led by crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh hustled between sessions to get the back-up car to the starting line for the final session.

"Because of the live TV, we had a very quick turnaround time before Q4. I was so thoroughly impressed with our crew, getting everything back together.

"They put a new body on the Infinite Hero car, got the warm-up done without any issues, got up to the lanes and actually had time to wait. We weren't even rushed because everybody did such a great job and worked together. That's really what the whole program is about with Infinite Hero.

"Our last run, we knew if anything didn't sound right, we'd click it (off) early and it dropped a cylinder but it was actually on a pretty good run. I'm very confident going into Sunday. We qualified well at No. 4. That should, in theory, give us a favorable first-round matchup and hopefully this is the time when we stack the deck in our favor."

Beckman will enter race day on Sunday as the No. 4 qualifier with a time of 3.907 seconds at 328.30 mph and will race Jim Campbell of Jim Dunn Racing in the opening round of competition.

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: Jim Campbell
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

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

NHRA releases 24-race Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule for 2018 season

NHRA officials have announced the 24-race 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, which will again feature intense racing action at tracks across the country.

NHRA announced its 24-race 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, featuring intense racing action at tracks across the country.  Millions of fans will witness sensory-overloading side-by-side racing action where winners and losers can be separated by mere inches at speeds exceeding 330 mph.

All 24 events during the busy season will be aired exclusively on FOX Sports and for selected events on the FOX broadcast network, with live and near-live coverage of most of the events.  Over 575 hours of programming will feature action from Friday and Saturday qualifying rounds and Sunday finals.

The lineup for the four-race back-to-back stretch that starts the slate of busy racing action in the summer months will change in 2018. The Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway moves earlier to May 31- June 3. The NHRA New England Nationals at scenic New England Dragway outside of Boston moves later to July 6-8.

The 2018 season will begin at the venerable Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California with the NHRA Winternationals, Feb. 8-11, and closes at the renowned dragstrip with the final race of the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs, the Auto Club NHRA Finals, Nov. 8-11.

Following the season-opener, the series returns to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix for the NHRA Arizona Nationals, Feb. 23-25.

After the Phoenix race, NHRA teams will traverse the country to the traditional East Coast opener at Florida’s Gainesville Raceway for the fan-favorite Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, March 15-18.

Teams will then travel back to the West Coast for the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas, April 6-8.

An early season three-race swing featuring events in the southern states will follow: the NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway near Houston (April 20-22); the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, N.C. (April 27-29); and the NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in Georgia (May 4-6).

Heartland Park Topeka, which has featured record-breaking racing and is one of the fastest tracks on the tour, will host the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties, May 18-20.

Following the Route 66 NHRA Nationals (May 31 – June 3) the teams will move east for the NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J., June 7-10. The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, June 15-17 returns to Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway on Father’s Day weekend and the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals will be hosted June 21-24 at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

The tour will power to New England Dragway (July 6-8) before traversing the country to start a three-race stretch on the west coast.

The historic NHRA Western Swing kicks off with the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at scenic Bandimere Speedway in Denver, July 20-22. The teams will then head to Northern California for the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals (July 27-29) at Sonoma Raceway, then finish the Western Swing near Seattle at Pacific Raceways with the NHRA Northwest Nationals, Aug. 3-5.

NHRA Mello Yello Series teams will then head to Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway, for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Aug. 16-19, meeting some of the most dedicated fans in the country.

Final positions for the sport’s playoffs, the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, will be secured at the world’s most prestigious drag race, the 64th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29-Sept. 3, the last race of the regular season.

The six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship gets underway in mid-September with three consecutive weeks of racing: the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, N.C. (Sept. 14-16); the Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. (Sept. 20-23); and the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park near St. Louis (Sept. 28-30).

The playoffs then head west at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas (Oct. 11-14); the NHRA Toyota Nationals in Las Vegas (Oct. 25-28); and the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, where world champions will be crowned in Southern California Nov. 8-11.

NHRA ARTICLE LINK

DSR: Beckman looks for first win at Englishtown, first of Mello Yello season for Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T team

 

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 6, 2017) - After an early exit at last weekend's NHRA New England Nationals, Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car team are ready to get back on the racetrack for some redemption.

They won't have to wait long as the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series travels this weekend to Englishtown, N.J., for the 48th annual NHRA Summernationals.

"We had a poor showing in Epping and we only have five days to ruminate in it and we're right back out there, more motivated than ever for Englishtown," Beckman said.

The restructured Infinite Hero 2017 Dodge Charger R/T team with new crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh continue to improve but are still looking for their first NHRA event title this year. They are ranked sixth in NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series points but only 27 outside of third place.

"I truly want our first win as a team this weekend and first at Englishtown, especially after being close and getting runner-up last year," said Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car world champion.

Last year, Beckman advanced to the final round but came up short to Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps.

"I don't think there's any way I can be more motivated, and I know John, Dean and Neal can't be more motivated.

"We made wholesale changes to our car right up until the warm-up for first round on Sunday. I was proud of the guys and how brave they were. I think we learned some stuff from it and when we warm that car up on Friday of Englishtown, it's with the mindset that we're there to win."

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T                 
                      Pts      Events       Wins      Rup      Semi      Qtr     1st rd      Poles      DNQ             W/L
2017              5th               9             0           1             2          4            2              0            0            10-9
CAREER                       261           24         26           47        77          80            21            7      342-230         

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 FUNNNY CAR STANDINGS           
(Official after Epping; 9th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
6. JACK BECKMAN    537      -290

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: Frustrating New England Nationals gives Beckman, Chandler's Infinite Hero team motivation for next three events of Eastern Swing

 

EPPING N.H. (June 4, 2017) - After a tough weekend in New Hampshire, Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car team is ready to move on from the fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals and onto the next race in Englishtown, N.J.

"It's frustrating," said Beckman who lost in the first round to Del Worsham.

The Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T entered race day as the No. 5 qualified team with a time of 3.878 seconds at 330.23 mph that was their only full pass of the weekend.

On Sunday, Beckman went into tire smoke and Worsham got the win as Beckman coasted to a 4.761 (169.04).

"We lost in the final at Charlotte at the Four-Wide but we did a great job making adjustments to get to that point. We left there with our heads held high even though we didn't win the race.

"Here, it's a little different story. We unloaded with a nice run and got qualifying bonus points and then never made it to the finish line under power after that. It's very uncharacteristic of us and there's no smoking gun. There's not one thing that caused our issues. That's what's frustrating to us, is we were chasing so many little gremlins.

The New England Nationals was the start of a four-race, four-week Eastern Swing. Next weekend the NHRA circuit travels to Old Bridge Township Raceway for the NHRA Summernationals.

"Aside from the Countdown (playoff at the end of the season), there couldn't be a worse time of year for us to be in this position because you're doing multiple races, back to back to back to back and you don't want to let events keep passing you by before you get a handle on your racecar. I'm frustrated and I'm optimistic.

"We will fix this car, we just have to get a handle on it early at Englishtown. You've got to have a car on Saturday that you can race with on Sunday. We were scrambling all the way up to the warmup today to try to figure out what we can do to give us a better chance."

DSR FUNNY CARS                                                                                    
Event winner: Matt Hagan (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Robert Hight (John Force Racing), 3.822 seconds, 336.74 mph (track records)

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero 2017 Dodge Charger R/T 
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
Qualified: No. 5
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: Del Worsham (4.060 sec., 321.04 mph) def. BECKMAN (4.761, 169.04)
FRIDAY: 3.878 sec., 330.23 mph, (Session 1); 7.204, 94.24, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 10.532, 58.27, (Session 3); 10.934, 62.13, (Session 4)

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNNY CAR STANDINGS
(Unofficial after Epping; 9 of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
6. JACK BECKMAN                    537     -290

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: Jack Beckman, Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge qualifying No. 5 at New England Nationals to start four-race Eastern Swing

 

EPPING N.H. (June 3, 2017) - Despite only one complete pass down the race track, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, driven by Jack Beckman, kicks off a four-race swing with a No. 5 qualifying position at this weekend's fifth annual New England Nationals at New England Dragway.

"It wasn't quite our M.O. in qualifying," Beckman said. "We unloaded with a solid run and got some qualifying points and then struggled the next three runs. It's not that we were testing anything in particular on those runs and that raises a little bit of a question in our heads going into race day."

The Infinite Hero team, opened qualifying on Friday with a pass of 3.878 seconds at 330.23 mph. Unfortunately, none of its three other qualifying efforts resulted in a run over 100 mph.

Their time from Friday seeds the team, led by crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, Neal Strausbaugh and John Medlen in the No. 5 spot. Beckman will line up against former Funny Car and Top Fuel world champion Del Worsham on Sunday.

"We'll still have lane choice and I still think we have a car that can win tomorrow. It's a matter of Dean, Neal and John dipping into the data and making an educated decision on why we're spinning the tires and then making the right adjustments to the car tomorrow. I think we just have to show up tomorrow with a lot of optimism and power forward."

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T 
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: Del Worsham
Qualified: No. 5
FRIDAY: 3.878 sec., 330.23 mph, (Session 1); 7.204, 94.24, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 10.532, 58.27, (Session 3); 10.934, 62.13, (Session 4)



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 306 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: Pritchett No. 2, Beckman No. 3 to lead DSR in New England Nationals; Funny Car leader Capps mired in 12th, looks for 5th straight title

EPPING, N.H. (June 2, 2017) - Ron Capps and the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T has a steep hill to climb if it is to sweep the No. 1 qualifying spot and win the New England Nationals title like he did a year ago.

Capps, the reigning Funny Car world champion, also has won the last four NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series titles but was unable to complete a qualifying run in Friday's two sessions at New England Dragway at Epping, N.H.

Capps arrived at Epping with a 119-point lead over DSR teammate Matt Hagan and the Mopar Express Lane Dodge and Hagan also didn't cross the finish line under power on either of his attempts.

The Funny Car leader for DSR is Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation is No. 3  with a 3.878-second run at 330.23 mph.

The New England Nationals was contested under beautifully sunny skies until a brief shower around 8 p.m. (EDT) delayed the last three pairs of Top Fuel dragsters from running. Included in the group was Don Schumacher Racing's Dodge Demon/Pennzoil dragster driven by points leader Leah Pritchett.

Pritchett, who has won three of eight event titles this year, was quickest after the first session with a time of 3.747 seconds at 324.59 mph, but that track record time was short-lived when it was shattered in the evening session by Brittany Force's 3.868 (331.360). Pritchett dropped to No. 5 before moving up to the second spot with a 3.696 (328.78) on her last run.

Three-time and reigning Top Fuel world champ Antron Brown and the Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster might have been the best car in the last session. He completed the run in 3.744 seconds, good for No. 5, but slowed to 309.98 after both parachutes deployed near halftrack.

"The car was on a run in the ballpark of 3.67 seconds, but we had a little glitch that threw the parachutes out, said Brown, who won the pole and title a year ago at New England. "Tomorrow is going to be a new day. The cool part about tonight, is that we got to see how good the car ran. It's a new car, and it's working great. That was a great run and we're looking forward to two runs to get after it."

DSR TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS                                                                                             
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Brittany Force (John Force Racing), 3.686 sec.-track record, 331.36 mph

LEAH PRITCHETT, Dodge Demon/Pennzoil/Mopar Top Fuel dragster                        
QUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 2
FRIDAY: 3.747 sec., 324.59 mph, (Session 1); 3.696, 328.92, (Session 2)
Best Time, Speed: 3.658 sec.-world record (2017, Phoenix); 330.23 mph (2017, Topeka)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 2, lost in semifinals to DSR teammate and event winner Antron Brown
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 10 (with Lagana Racing), lost to Tony Schumacher in second round
Career at Epping: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster                           
QUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 5
FRIDAY: 6.995 sec., 96.30 mph, (Session 1); 3.744, 309.98, (Session 2)
Best time, speed: 3.667 (2017, Phoenix); 333.16 mph (2017, Topeka)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 3, won in championship round over Steve Torrence
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 1, won in championship round over Steve Torrence
Career at Epping: Wins 1 (2016); Runner-ups 0; Poles 2 (2014, 2016)

TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster                                          
QAUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 11
FRIDAY: 4.956 sec., 142.70 mph, (Session 1); 7.434, 83.93, (Session 2)
Best Time, Speed: 3.660 sec. (2017, Topeka); 332.51 mph (2016, Brainerd)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 1, lost in second round to Clay Millican
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 4, lost in semifinals to DSR teammate and event winner Antron Brown
Career at Epping: Wins 2 (2014-15); Runner-ups 0; Poles 1 (2015)

DSR FUNNY CARS                                                                                                            
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Courtney Force (John Force Racing), 3.842 sec.-track record, 331.53 mph

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero 2017 Dodge Charger R/T 
QUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 3
FRIDAY: 3.878 sec., 330.23 mph, (Session 1); 7.204, 94.24, (Session 2)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 4, lost in semifinals to DSR teammate Matt Hagan
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 6, lost to DSR teammate Tommy Schumacher in second round
Career at Epping: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
QUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 6
FRIDAY: 3.922 sec., 325.77 mph, (Session 1); 9.059, 77.43, (Session 2)
Best Time, Speed: 3.837 sec. (Phoenix 2017); 330.80 mph (Seattle, 2016)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Del Worsham
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 3, lost in championship round to DSR teammate Ron Capps
Career at Epping: Wins 0; Runner-ups 2 (2015, 2016); Poles 1 (2015)

RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS 2017 Dodge Charger R/T                               
QUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 12
FRIDAY: 4.323 sec., 198.70 mph, (Session 1); 8.701, 79.24, (Session 2)
Best Time, Speed: 3.839 sec. (2017, Phoenix); 333.58 mph (2017, Phoenix)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 7, won in championship round over DSR teammate Matt Hagan
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 1, won in championship round over DSR teammate Tommy Johnson Jr.
Career at Epping: Wins 2 (2014, 2016); Runner-ups 0; Poles 1 (2016)

 MATT HAGAN, Mopar Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T                              
QUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 13
FRIDAY: 4.789 sec., 162.78 mph, (Session 1); 11.371, 57.45, (Session 2)
Best Time, Speed: 3.802 sec. (world record, (2017,Topeka); 338.85 mph (world record, 2017, Topeka)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 1, lost in championship round to DSR teammate Ron Capps
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 2, lost in second round to Del Worsham
Career at Epping: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

 
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 304 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