NHRA Newsmakers
Your inside glimpse at the world’s fastest motorsport
NEWS NUGGETS
· ASHLEY FORCE TO ANNOUNCE DECISION: A press conference has been scheduled tomorrow at John Force’s Yorba Linda, Calif. headquarters, where his daughter Ashley is expected to announce her intentions for the 2007 season. Speculation surrounding the 24-year-old’s move from Top Alcohol dragster to Funny Car has been buzzing since she earned her license last season – and longtime followers of her father’s, as well as her own budding fan base, eagerly await her answer. Media are invited to participate in a teleconference with Ashley at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT). Contact NHRA Public Relations Manager Michael Padian at (626) 250-2217 for the telephone number and passcode.
· SCHUMACHER RECEIVES JERRY TITUS AWARD: Tony Schumacher received his first Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy Saturday at the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) awards ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis. The Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy, named for the late journalist and racer, is given annually to honor the driver who earns the most total votes in balloting for auto racing’s official All-American Team as selected by the membership of AARWBA. Notable drivers who have won the award include: Don Prudhomme (1976); Shirley Muldowney (1982); John Force (1996, ’99, 2000 and ’02); Mario Andretti (1977, ’78, and ’84); Dale Earnhardt (1987) and Jeff Gordon (1995, ’98, and ’01). Schumacher was named first team for the fourth time in his career after earning his fourth NHRA POWERade world championship title. “This award is clearly the result of the hard work and determination that my U.S. Army team put in throughout the season,” Schumacher said. “Without their never-say-die attitude, I would not be in the position I am today. This is as much their award as it is mine.” John Force was named first team for the 14th time of his career, while Doug Kalitta, Jason Line and Frank Manzo were voted second team.
· REPORTER/SOLDIER RECEIVES SPECIAL HOLIDAY GIFT: Ask Brainerd (Minn.) Dispatch sports writer and photographer Clint Wood a trivia question about the history of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals and he’ll likely know the answer – or how to track it down. Wood is a fixture in the media room at Brainerd International Raceway, but the newspaper beat isn’t his only responsibility. Wood, a sergeant assigned to the Public Affairs Team of the Minnesota Army National Guard’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, is stationed in Iraq. This holiday season, representatives from NHRA and teams sent boxes of hero cards, hats, stickers, copies of National Dragster and other quarter-mile themed gifts to Wood and his fellow soldiers. "It was such a morale boost," Wood told NHRA.com "I remember this one soldier holding an autograph card signed by Kenny and Brandon Bernstein and he just couldn't believe his eyes. He was impressed. It was awesome. The response was great. Everyone was very appreciative." To see photos of Wood and soldiers receiving NHRA gear, check out NHRA.com
· CHEVY IMPALA SS FUNNY CAR TO DEBUT AT POMONA: Chevrolet will introduce the 2007 Impala SS to the Funny Car category beginning at the CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in February, after a year of refining the sporty sedan – which includes the latest version of the small-block V-8. “Chevrolet has firmly established itself as one of drag racing’s most successful automotive brands,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “The Chevy red Bowtie competes to win, and like its production counterpart, the new Impala SS Funny Car has been designed and engineered to carry forward that performance heritage.”
· WHAT IS THE COUNTDOWN?: It is NHRA’s new and improved system for determining its four POWERade Series world champions and it officially gets underway a month from now at the season-opening CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals (Feb. 8-11 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona), the first of 17 regular-season events in the 23-event schedule. The top eight drivers from each class after the 17-event regular season will advance to the playoffs and remain in contention for the 2007 POWERade Series world championship. Media will be kept abreast of the Countdown throughout the inaugural season via a Countdown-specific post-event wrap-up, identifying the most significant moves up and down in the POWERade Series standings, who’s in and who’s out, and what to look for as we move through the regular season, playoffs and championship rounds. Look for these updates via email and on the Media Web site, which will be re-launched in February with a page dedicated to educating media about the Countdown and answering any and all questions related to the Countdown.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
· NITRO BLAST OFF, LAS VEGAS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, JAN. 19-21: The elite teams of the NHRA POWERade Series will get their first whiff of the competition for 2007 at this first of three optional showcase pre-season test session. Media are invited. Please contact NHRA Media Relations at (626) 914-4761 for more information.
· NATIONAL TIME TRIALS, PHOENIX, FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, JAN. 26-28: Pre-season action moves from Nevada to Arizona as the professional teams continue to tweak off-season changes at this second of three optional test sessions. Open to media. Please contact NHRA Media Relations at (626) 914-4761 for more information.
· LAST CHANCE TEST SESSION AND PONTIAC PRO STOCK SHOWDOWN, LAS VEGAS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, FEB. 2-4: This aptly named test session is the final of three optional events that allow professional drivers the chance to test their rides before the 2007 NHRA POWERade Series Countdown to the Championship gets underway. The 200 mph NHRA Pro Stock cars also will race for bragging rights in the annual Pontiac Pro Stock Showdown. Open to media. Please contact NHRA Media Relations at (626) 914-4761 for more information.
· CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS, POMONA, CALIF., AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, FEB. 8-11: Get a front seat as Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) begin the march to defend their POWERade Series world championship titles.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
· 3: Days until the first NHRA POWERade Series test session officially begins, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
DRIVERS TELL ALL
· MORGAN LUCAS ON COLTS’ TRIP TO AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: The NFL’s Indianapolis Colts may have plenty of fans, but one in particular, Top Fuel driver Morgan Lucas, has his eyes fixed on the team’s spectacular season. A longtime fan, Lucas, son of Lucas Oil company owners Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, will see his last name on the new stadium of the team in 2008. In the meantime, Lucas will be watching when the Colts take on the New England Patriots on Sunday. “I’ve watched every game,” Lucas said. “They’ve got a great coaching staff, and the players are all awesome. They have probably one of the most premier quarterbacks of all time calling the shots on the field.” Lucas looks forward to the grand opening of the stadium, which will include a motorsports museum complete with a Super Comp and Funny Car on display. The stadium may also host the Super Bowl in the future, Lucas said.
