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New Jersey State Police Release Findings on Scott Kalitta Crash

The New Jersey State Police concluded its investigation into the crash that claimed the life of NHRA Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta June 21, 2008. Some of the highlights of the report include disclosing the contributing factors that could have played a role in the crash included insufficient braking, insufficient auxiliary parachute braking, fixed object impacts, engine failure and fuel flow interruption. One of the more surprising findings is that Scott Kalitta’s toxicology report revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.02, 25% of the legal limit for intoxication in the State of New Jersey and a clear violation of the NHRA’s rules. Read more

Going faster in the Middle East

I’m intrigued by the growing Middle Eastern connections in drag racing.

At the NHRA Carolinas Nationals, Top Fuel driver Hillary Will drove a dragster emblazoned with the national colors of the US and the kingdom of Bahrain, a small island nation in the Persian Gulf that is a major financial center and the future home of a state-of-the-art $200 million auto-parts manufacturing facility.

Bahrain is home to the Bahraini GP in Formula 1 racing and welcomes Western visitors — not too surprising, since it was a British protectorate until 1971 and is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters.  I lived there for a few years as a preteen and have fond memories, so my ears perk up about anything Bahrain-related.

Over in Qatar, the new Alan Johnson Al-Anabi Racing Team will field a Funny Car and a Top Fuel rail next season (plus Al-Anabi is working some Pro Mod action.)  The team announced today that Del Worsham will drive the team Funny Car and Aaron Brooks will be the crew chief.

Top Fuel driver and crew chief aren’t set yet.

Worsham loses his Checker Schuck’s Kragen (CSK) sponsorship after this season; the company was bought out by O’Reilly Auto Parts.  Brooks is leaving the Roger Burgess R2B2 Racing Funny Car driven by Frank Hawley.

Alan Johnson Al-Anabi Racing is a partnership between Alan Johnson and His Highness Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani. The Sheikh wants to promote motorsports awareness in Qatar. Johnson is a seven-time NHRA Top Fuel Championship crew chief and is currently tuning the Tony Schumacher Army dragster.

The team hasn’t yet established a shop location or Web site.  I’ll be interested to see if they have a satellite garage/offices in Qatar; knowing that region’s propensity for incredible buildings, any Middle Eastern race shop is going to be the Burj Al Arab of automotive facilities.

Schedule Makers Get It Right (For Once)

Making an NHRA schedule well in advance of a year is an arduous task. I get that. Trying to predict weather patterns while not conflicting with other local events that could draw fans away from the track or their television sets is nearly impossible. Include trying to inject a little orchestrated drama and pressure by way of the Countdown to the Championship and I feel sorry for those in Glendora, Calif. who are given this task. In 2008, for once, the schedule makers should be given a pat on the back for a job well done. Read more

Charlotte Drag Results

CONCORD, N.C. – The Inaugural Carolinas Nationals at zMAX Dragway at Concord ended a few hours ago, with a thundering pass by “Sarge” Tony Schumacher to surpass Joe Amato as the Top Fuel driver with more wins than anyone. Read more

Field is set in inaugural Concord race

Just think….all during this weekend, track records are being set, “firsts” are being inscribed in record books and drag racing history is being written at the sold-out inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals.

In Top Fuel, Larry Dixon held onto the provisional pole from Friday’s run.

“We came here to get qualified and then try and win the event,” said Dixon. “If we can win this race, we’ll make up ground in the points, but we’ve got a long way to go for that to happen.

“Today we were able to run at the back of pack, and that helped us because we could watch the cars that ran before us. We worked on race day set up. [Crew chiefs] Donnie Bender and Todd Smith changed our chassis around before Indy, and the car seems to be working a little better during the daytime. Of course, this track is so nice; it’s all concrete, so it is more forgiving for crew chiefs to be able to stand on the gas. It should make for great racing tomorrow.”

There was plenty of drama in Funny Car as John Force failed to qualify for the second race in a row (first time since 1982.)  Drag racing school owner and teacher Frank Hawley sits at the top of the field. Read more

NHRA Comes to Charlotte-History in the Making

WOW!

For those out there who have never been to a drag race, this is the one you’ve been waiting for. If you’re within driving distance of the new zMax Dragway @ Concord and can get away from whatever other sports you follow, this is the one for you! Some estimates had the Standing Room-Only crowd on Saturday at 50,000 with Sunday’s crowd expected to enjoy even more exciting racing. This is a rare opportunity to experience history in the making. Read more

First impressions of the Carolina drag racing palace

Here are some initial impressions out on the Web about the NHRA’s incursion into the heart of NASCAR country  –  the zMAX Dragway at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

• zMAX fever hits Concord, according to the Cabarrus County visitor’s bureau blog (which ironically is named “Welcome to NASCAR Country.”)
• Local residents said they didn’t notice that much noise, since special sound barriers were included during construction.
• Owner Bruton Smith “wishes he’d built more seats.”
• John Force was so thrilled, he said he’d lay a big smooch on Smith after admiring the biggest facility on the POWERade circuit. Read more

  Written by Sheila Scarborough · Filed Under Featured, NHRA | Leave a Comment 

  NHRA Carolinas Nationals and the city of Charlotte

  September 12, 2008

  

  The first event in this season’s Countdown to 1 is a brand-new race this weekend near Charlotte, North Carolina — the NHRA Carolinas Nationals at the Bruton Smith-owned zMAX Dragway @ Concord.

  If you’re in Charlotte and Concord for the races, make time to check out these local sights:

  • The US National Whitewater Center is just outside of town; the US Canoe and Kayak teams train there. It’s the largest and only man-made recirculating whitewater venue of its kind in the world; 12 million gallons of water flow through it. They offer guided rides in everything from two hours of flat river paddling (all ages, on the Catawba River) to rock climbing (age 4+) to whitewater rafting (ages 12+) to mountain biking on 11 miles of trails (no age specified, “technically challenging.”) You can rent everything you need or bring your own gear. Read more

    Written by Sheila Scarborough · Filed Under NHRA | Leave a Comment 

    News from Indianapolis

    September 1, 2008

    I’m pretty tied up getting ready for a conference this week, but wanted to give a quick update on the Mac Tools US Nationals…

    • Winner of the Funny Car US Smokeless Showdown was Cruz Pedregon.
    • Winner of the Ringers Pro Bike Battle was Eddie Krawiec.

    Read more

    Written by Sheila Scarborough · Filed Under Featured, NHRA | 1 Comment 

    Ever been whupped by a pink race car?

    August 29, 2008

    

    This is the car that Funny Car driver Ashley Force will pilot at this weekend’s Mac Tools US Nationals in Indianapolis.Quite reminiscent of Top Fuel pioneer Shirley Muldowney’s pink dragster, isn’t it? Read more

    Written by Sheila Scarborough · Filed Under Featured, NHRA | 2 Comments 

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