Remembering Scott Kalitta
June 24, 2008
By now you have probably heard of the unfortunate and tragic passing of NHRA champion driver Scott Kalitta. Kalitta not only was blessed with one of the most famous last names in all of drag racing, he was also a superb driver and proved it on the track again and again. A two time champion in the Top Fuel category, Scott Kalitta walked away from full-time racing to do what many of wish we all could do. Kalitta stepped away from racing to spend more time with those that he loved more than racing; his wife and children. As I have tried before with Darrell Russell, Eric Medlen and most recently Al Hofmann, I will do my best to remember a racer whom I knew briefly. Now that he is gone I am regretful I did not know him better.
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Breaking news: Scott Kalitta killed at Englishtown
June 21, 2008
Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta (son of Connie “The Bounty Hunter” Kalitta and cousin of Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta) was killed today in a driving accident during qualifying at Supernationals in Englishtown, New Jersey. Read more
Winners break through at Route 66 Nats
June 9, 2008
The Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet, IL (a bit south of Chicago) are held halfway through the regular NHRA racing season, and the who’s in/who’s out of the top drivers is starting to coalesce.
Tony Schumacher grabbed the provisional pole on Friday with a 4.513 at 331.69 mph and didn’t let go of the Top Fuel lead position, holding it all the way to win the Wally today in his second final round of the season against “Hot Rod” Fuller. Read more
Yes, Hillary Will….Win in Topeka
June 2, 2008
It was an emotional day for a lot of teams and fans at the O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals presented by Castrol GTX at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas.
At long last, it was Hillary Will’s turn to hoist a Wally for her first win in Top Fuel, after beating a tire-hazing Larry Dixon (the low qualifier) in the final with a 4.744 at 304.53. Her last final round was in 2006 at Memphis; thanks to her consistent record in qualifying for almost every race, she is now 4th in the points standings. Read more
How the NHRA’s Missing the Boat
May 27, 2008
What’s the one biggest difference between NASCAR and the NHRA? Well coming from my perspective, as a person of reasonable marketing knowledge, I would say that it’s the perceived lack of sex appeal that our sport has in the eye of the public and potential marketing partners. And no I don’t mean sex appeal as it normally relates to women. What I’m referring to is the lack of brash, passionate, young, talented, natural, photogenic, well-spoken drivers in our sport. As I watched the National Hot Rod Association coverage of the O’Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, TN, something hit me. Albeit, it didn’t hit me right then but almost a week later to the day a bell went off saying “That’s It!” Read more
Rain delays at Bristol
May 18, 2008
Updates below, following the rain delay….
Well, I can tell you the Top Fuel results — Tony Schumacher goes from the low qualifier position to his third win this season, beating Larry Dixon with a 4.555 at 306.81 mph at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee.
In Funny Car, we’ll have a first-time winner; either Mike Neff or Melanie Troxel.
In Pro Stock, it’s Dave Connolly vs. Greg Stanfield (looking for his first win.)
Unfortunately, there’s a rain delay, so we’ll just have to hang out until the skies clear and the track is dry. Read more
Thunder in the Valley
May 17, 2008
The weather is cooperating at one of drag racing’s most picturesque facilities; the Bristol Dragway that zooms between mountains in eastern Tennessee.
Top Fuel’s Tony Schumacher held onto his Friday night 4.502 run at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, and grabbed his second pole of the season; good thing, since Saturday was mostly tire-smoking.
“The first thing Alan [Johnson, crew chief] had to say this morning was, ‘We didn’t have to run a .50-flat or a .43, we just need to find out where the limit is and we found it,” said Schumacher. “I can’t enjoy racing on Sunday when we haven’t already found that limit, because you’re going to find it eventually, and I’d hate to find it Sunday.
“I’m as comfortable as I’ve ever been; the car is driving fantastic, the racetrack is outstanding, and it’s going to be great. There’s still a little something strange going on because yesterday we thought we could run 4.40s but only ran 4.50 and everyone else was behind us, so there’s still something out there giving us a curveball, but I would rather drive A.J.’s car any day of the week when all is wrong than drive anyone else’s car.”
Connie Kalitta’s crew had an excellent showing, with Dave Grubnic, Doug Kalitta and Hillary Will all in the top five. Antron Brown continued his consistent performance since switching to Top Fuel, with a 4th place qualifying position. Read more
John Force’s 1,000 Victories Not Unbreakable
May 6, 2008
The incomparable John Force notched his 1,000th round win en route to beating Ron Capps in the opening round of eliminations Sunday. Many would say that winning 1,000 rounds of competition in NHRA drag racing is just about unbreakable in today’s climate. I would disagree. Not because the task is easy but because the way today’s drag racing has evolved. Read more
Only Dad stood in her way
April 28, 2008
Appearing in her third straight final round and holding the Funny Car POWERade points lead, Ashley Force seemed destined for that first win sooner rather than later.
Since we’re talking about the Force family here, there also had to be drama attached — today in Atlanta, Ashley had to get past her father John Force to win her first Funny Car Wally.
Check that block.
Ashley Force is the first woman to win a Funny Car title. She did it by beating her tire-striking father with a 4.837 at 320.36 mph; the grandstands roared. Read more
Hot Passes in Atlanta
April 26, 2008
No surprise to anyone who’s spent time in this part of Georgia; track temperatures hit 120 degrees F as Cory McClenathan, Tim Wilkerson, Ron Krisher and Andrew Hines all held onto their low qualifier positions from Friday night.
In Top Fuel, Las Vegas Wally winner Cory Mac reveled in his team’s consistency, with a 4.562 seconds at 327.03 mph and his third pole at Atlanta Dragway.
“When things are going good, you kind of roll with it and it’s a snowball effect,” said McClenathan. “It makes all the difference in the world as far as the teams go and how they work. My guys are on a natural high right now and it’s incredible. When we put the FRAM Top Fuel dragster in the winner’s circle in Vegas we beat the odds there and once again we come in here with 16 good cars and we’ve been able to stay very consistent throughout the weekend.” Read more