Scali Clinches Championship; Kalitta Takes Budweiser Shootout On Saturday
November 9, 2003
POMONA, Calif. - Doug Kalitta pocketed $100,000 for winning the Budweiser Shootout for Top Fuel competitors Saturday at Pomona Raceway during the Auto Club NHRA Finals.
In other racing action, Geno Scali was crowned the Pro Stock Bike champion for the first time in his career while Tony Schumacher, Tony Pedregon, Greg Anderson and Craig Treble qualified in the No. 1 positions in their respective categories at the $1.7 million race. This is the final of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
NHRA.com: Saturday Recap
DragRaceCentral.com Ladders:
Top Fuel
Funny Car
Pro Stock
Pro Stock Bike
Panoz “Batmobile” on Row Four at Le Mans
November 9, 2003
Panoz Press Release:
Saturday, November 8, 2003
Media Release - Le Mans, France
The Panoz “Batmobile” On Fourth Row For Le Mans 1000KM
The Panoz “Batmobile” GTP car made strong improvement in qualifying today, recording a time that will place it on the fourth row of the grid for tomorrow’s inaugural Le Mans 1000km. Panoz drivers David Saelens and Olivier Beretta shared the Panoz Coupe in the two qualifying sessions - Saelens driving the first session and Beretta taking over in the afternoon.
Toyota Unveils NASCAR V8 at SEMA Show
November 8, 2003
This week’s SEMA Show had Toyota unveil their new “NASCAR V8″ engine destined for competition in the Craftsman Truck Series. And, probably, the Busch Grand National and Nextel Cup Series eventually. Here’s the Toyota Press Release:
The SEMA Show unveiling of the Tundra Racing V8 for the Toyota Tundra race truck represents one of the most critical steps in Toyota’s journey to NASCAR’s victory lane. It follows a historic press conference at the 2003 Chicago Auto Show where Toyota first rolled out a race-prepared Tundra pickup to formally announce its plans to begin participation in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Winston Breakfast Club With Benny Parsons and Bobby Labonte
November 8, 2003
GM RACING NOTES
POP SECRET MICROWAVE 400 AT NORTH CAROLINA SPEEDWAY
November 8, 2003
Today’s Winston Breakfast Club featured Benny Parsons, who captured the 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup championship in the No. 72 DeWitt Racing Chevrolet and Bobby Labonte, winner of the 2000 Winston Cup title in the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Pontiac.
Tony Stewart Foundation Donates $1 Million to Victory Junction Gang Camp
November 8, 2003
Reigning NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Tony Stewart today announced his foundation’s donation of $1 million to the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
Schumacher, Force Stay On Top
November 8, 2003
Racing under nearly identical conditions to Thursday’s opening round, most of the assembled NHRA pros managed to step up their performance during Friday’s lone qualifying session at the 39th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals. Leading the second quickest Top Fuel field of all-time, Tony Schumacher stormed close to a Pomona Raceway record with an improved 4.484 at 331.20 mph. John Force stayed in control of Funny Car with his opening pass of 4.771.
NHRA.com: Friday Recap
American Teams, Drivers Competing at Le Mans This Weekend
November 8, 2003
BRASELTON, Ga. (November 7, 2003) — The 2003 season for the American Le Mans Series ended a few weeks ago, but two American-based teams from the series and five American drivers are in France this weekend to compete in a special event at the famous home of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Manufacturer Qualifying Notes - Pop Secret 400
November 7, 2003
Nov. 7, 2003 - Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 Qualifying
Dodge, GM and Ford manufacturer notes after qualifying for the Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400.
Dodge Qualifying Notes-Rockingham
November 7, 2003
Nov. 7, 2003 - Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 Qualifying
Ryan Newman (No. 12 ALLTEL Dodge Intrepid) - Wins 11th pole of the season, 18th career pole in 79 starts.
“This is a good racecar. It’s done a lot of great things for us this year, and the guys have done a great job. I’m just the guy who gets to sit behind the wheel and steer it. To me winning 11 poles in a season means a lot from a driver’s standpoint. It ties second for all-time most poles in a season. To me, that’s a great feat. There’s definitely a lot of great drivers in that category.
Last Fall Pole at Rockingham to Newman
November 7, 2003
Rockingham, NC - Ryan Newman, driving a Dodge painted like the old Penske Matadors wheeled by Mark Donohue, won the pole today for the final Fall NASCAR race at North Carolina Speedway. Today’s run was Newman’s third consecutive pole and his eleventh of the season.