Schumacher Blasts Record Run & Victory (Finally)
October 5, 2003
Tony Schumacher backed up his fastest pass in history three weeks ago by blasting a 4.44 run on his way to winning Top Fuel in a bizarre Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. Cruz Pedregon smoked the tires to give Tim Wilkerson the win in Funny car. Troy Coughlin red-lighted to give Warren Johnson his 92nd career win in Pro Stock while Michael Phillips nabbed his first win since 1995 over Angelle Savoie in Pro Stock Bike. Power outages in the Maple Grove area caused the event to be concluded using back up power in an event that many though would never end due to persistent rain delays…and then the power outage…
NHRA.com: Schumacher sets 4.44 record en route to win at oft-delayed event
RPM.ESPN: Schumacher’s 4.441 run a bright spot
DragRaceCentral.com: Schumacher Sets National E.T. Record En Route to Victory
Maple Grove Delayed Again, This Time By Power
October 5, 2003
It looks like this event will never end. Maple Grove Raceway and the surrounding area are experiencing massive power outages…hence the event was on hold again. However, they have gotten underway again. Here are the ladders as they stand now…
DragRaceCentral.com:
Top Fuel
Funny Car
Pro Stock
Pro Stock Bike
Newman AGAIN In Kansas
October 5, 2003
I’m picking my championship favorite for next year right now…Ryan Newman has never been hotter. He held of the legendary Bill Elliot to win a caution filled Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway. A 36th place finish by points leader Matt Kenseth leaves second place Kevin Harvick 259 points behind with 6 races to go…
NASCAR.com: Race Results
NASCAR.com: Newman stays out, holds off Elliott for win
ThatsRacin.com: Ryan Newman pulls away for the win at Kansas Speedway
Sportsline.com: Newman stays out of pits, takes checkered in Kansas
Racing Resumes in PA - Titles On The Line
October 5, 2003
Racing has resumed again at Maple Grove. The spotlight is on Tony Schumacher and his ability to make a record run, as well as the Top Fuel, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Bike title races where Larry Dixon, Greg Anderson and Geno Scali are in position to clinch…
USAToday.com: Three NHRA titles close to being settled
It’s Official - Villeneuve dropped by BAR
October 5, 2003
Well, we’ve known it was coming for the entire season, but Craig Pollock has mentioned that it is now official…Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve has been dropped by the BAR-Honda team…
BBC: Villeneuve dropped by BAR
Jackie Stewart’s Musings
October 5, 2003
In the BBC article linked below, former F1 champ and racing legend Jackie Steward states that Juan Montoya should stay with Williams next year and that McLaren should stay with their current driver lineup. Jackie just doesn’t want to see Scot David Coulthard out of a ride and probably at the end of his F1 career. As for his comments about Schumacher’s “spark” not being there anymore, well I am a Montoya fan, but Schumacher has tons of spark left, and he proved it for sure at Indy. The Schumacher camp has stated that Schumi will not retire if this world championship is done, but will most likey hang up the helmet when his Ferrari contract ends in 2006…
BBC: Stewart rues Montoya demise
Hornish Texas Favorite
October 4, 2003
If we forget the points situation for a moment and simply look at the Panther racing record at Texas, I would say that a race win at the final IRL race of the 2003 plays into Sam Hornish’s favor. Crash.Net accurately refers to the Panther organization as “Texas Experts” with 4 victories there, two with Scott Goodyear and two with Sam Hornish, accounting for 1/3 of all IRL victories at the track. The questions are 1) can Sam stay out of trouble to get to the win, and 2) will the other championship contenders finish far enough back to allow Sam the championship…
Crash.Net: Texas experts Panther looking for double victory
NHRA Cursed, Rain Again In Reading
October 4, 2003
Why should this weekend by any different. The NHRA has been plagued with rain this season. Currently the previously rained-out Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals are again on hold due to steady rain…
DragRaceCentral.com: It Is Raining Again
Johnson Wrecks Pole Car
October 4, 2003
Similar to Mike Skinner at Richmond this year, Jimmie Johnson wrecked his pole car today in Winston Cup Practice. Johnson will have to switch to his back up car for the race. Jimmie joins Matt Kenseth, who also wrecked his primary car on Friday…
NASCAR.com: Johnson to backup after wreck in second practice
SFGate.com: Johnson must drop to back of field after crash
ThatsRacin.com: Johnson earns pole, then wrecks in Saturday’s early practice
Jeff Ward On The IRL & Returning To Motorcycles
October 3, 2003
Former IRL driver Jeff Ward, unable to find a ride in IRL, has returned to his roots…motorcycle racing. Jeff has some great quotes in an article in SignOnSanDiego.com where he paints a picture of the IRL that is very different from what Tony George may want to hear. Key quotes:
“It wasn’t supposed to be political and that’s what it is,” said Ward of the IRL. “It’s money and sponsorship and links to engine deals. I didn’t even get a call for Indy this year, where I’ve run strong and almost won.
“(Arie) Luyendyk wanted me when he got hurt, but the engine people wanted Alex (Barron). The Honda people put an inexperienced Japanese driver in an available car. Billy Boat is in the same situation.
“The drivers who helped put the IRL where it is all got the boot.”
Wasn’t part of the point of the IRL to help young American drivers get opportunities in “big time” oval racing? Sam Hornish is great…but there is only one of him.