CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Vincent Nobile is with a new team this season and will debut a new Mountain View Tire Pro Stock Chevy Camaro at this weekend’s NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway. The way he figures, he may as well add one more first in Charlotte, that being a victory at one of the biggest events on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series circuit.
Nobile, now part of the ultra-successful KB Racing team that includes world champions Greg Anderson and Jason Line, will race for the fourth time at the unique and intense Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, the site of the only four-lane, all-concrete dragstrip.
It marks the fifth of 24 events during the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and Nobile could think of nothing better than to send his new Camaro to the winner’s circle in its first race and win for the first time as part of KB Racing.
“For a new car and the few runs we’ve made it’s doing really well,” said Nobile, who has eight career victories. “It’s responding well to what we want to do. It’s just a matter of testing and trying some things and hopefully falling on something. We’re happy with it and there’s no reason we can’t do well with it right off the bat. I definitely think we can win the race.”
A year ago Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (PSM) won at the Four-Wide Nationals, which will once again be televised on ESPN2.
With Edwards, a two-time Four-Wide Nationals winner, taking a break from competition and local favorite and two-time winner Anderson still recovering from heart surgery, a first time winner will be crowned in the Pro Stock field this weekend.
Nobile is well aware of that as well as the multiple challenges the races presents, and feels ready to make a strong attempt at his first Four-Wide Nationals victory.
“I’ve been there and experienced all this race has to offer so I feel comfortable racing there,” Nobile said. “It definitely takes a little more concentration, but I tend to just do my own deal anyway. Specifically at this race I may speed up my process a little bit, but as long as you stage and focus on your bulb you should be fine. It’s a good race and whatever the fans like makes me happy. If I happen to come home with a Wally that just sweetens the deal.”
A victory would also been a strong boost to an already solid season for Nobile in his debut campaign with KB Racing. He advanced to the semifinals of the first three events of the season and following a first-round loss at the most recent event in Las Vegas, Nobile currently sits fifth in points.
But in Nobile’s eyes, the class continues to reach new levels in terms of competitiveness. Points leader Erica Enders-Stevens comes to Charlotte on the heels of a memorable weekend in Las Vegas that included winning the K & N Challenge as well as the event. Other top competitors include Allen Johnson, reigning world champion Jeg Coughlin, Line, V Gaines, Shane Gray, Dave Connolly and Jimmy Alund.
“I’ve never seen Pro Stock so competitive,” Nobile said. “The top 10 or so guys are within one or two hundredths. It’s really tight and anyone is capable of winning. The main thing now is making the most of your qualifying runs. You have to make as good of runs as possible in all four sessions. That’s how you win races.”
The championship pedigree at KB Racing, which includes six world championships between Anderson and Line, is also beneficial and Nobile has already noticed the benefits.
“I really like working with these guys,” Nobile said. “They’re down to earth guys and I’ve gotten a little closer with them now that they’re teammates. The KB team has definitely proven a point with the championship and race wins they have.”
In Top Fuel, there’s been nobody better at the NHRA Four-Wide than Massey, who has won two straight years in his Battery Extender powered by Schumacher Electric dragster. He will face tough competition from the likes of points leader Doug Kalitta, who has three final round appearances in four events, teammate Tony Schumacher, who picked up his first victory in 2014 at Las Vegas, defending Top Fuel world champ Shawn Langdon, 2012 champ Antron Brown, Steve Torrence, Khalid alBalooshi and Brittany Force.
In Funny Car, Four-Wide Nationals winner and former world champ Robert Hight takes the points lead into Charlotte and has posted three final round appearances in 2014. His teammate and defending world champion John Force is second and was the first Four-Wide winner in the class. Other top stars in the class include Alexis DeJoria, who won for the second time in 2014 at Las Vegas, Ron Capps, defending event winner Hagan, Courtney Force, Del Worsham, Tommy Johnson Jr. and Jack Beckman.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, the top names in the two-wheeled class will be stacked across all four lanes and Arana Jr. will face tough competition in his quest to repeat at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Everyone is currently chasing points leader Steven Johnson and reigning world champ Matt Smith won the event in 2010. The likes of Eddie Krawiec, Andrew Hines, Michael Ray, John Hall and more of the two-wheel contingent will also try to add their names to the winner’s list.
As always, fans will have the chance to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy cherished face time with their favorite NHRA drivers.
Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.
Mello Yello Series qualifying begins Friday, April 11, with sessions at 1:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, April 12, at 1:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for noon on Sunday, April 13.
Be a part of the action all weekend with a 3-Day Pass to the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals starting at $99. Tickets for children 13 and under are free with any paid adult ticket; to purchase general admission or reserved seats please visit www.zMAXDragway.com or call the box office at (800) 455-FANS (3267). For more information about NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.
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NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: Fifth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, the fifth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: zMAX Dragway- Track is located on Hwy 29 off I-85 at exit 49 (Speedway Blvd.) in the Concord, N.C. area.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 11-13
FORMAT: Qualifying sessions and elimination rounds will be conducted using four lanes in all Mello Yello Series classes; Lanes will be identified from left to right facing downtrack as 1-4; The standard Friday qualifying procedure of a top 12 format will not be in use; Two Christmas trees will be in use, one between each two lanes; The Compulink Autostart system will continue to be utilized and it will not activate until all four vehicles are pre-staged and one vehicle has staged; The ladder structure will feature Race A: qualifiers 1, 8, 9, 16, Race B: qualifiers 4, 5, 12, 13, Race C: qualifiers 2, 7, 10, 15, and Race D: qualifiers 3, 6, 11, 14; Race A and Race B will be on one side of the ladder, while Race C and Race D will be on the other; Lane choice for eliminations goes to the driver with the quickest E.T., then the second-quickest, and so on; The first two drivers in each elimination round to cross the finish line advance to the second round and final; In the final round, teams will finish in the order they cross the finish line (barring any red-light starts), with winner, runner-up and two semifinalists in that order.
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, April 11 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, April 12 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m.
SUNDAY, April 13 – Pre-race ceremonies, 11 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at noon
TELEVISION:
Saturday, April 12, ESPN2HD will televise an hour of qualifying coverage at 9 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, April 13, ESPN2HD will televise three hours of eliminations coverage at 8 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):
Friday, April 11, 7 – 7:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 22C
Saturday, April 12, 7:30 – 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 22C
Sunday, April 13, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 22C
(4140 MHz, vertical; Data Rate: 40.46147055 Mbp; Symbol Rate: 29.27 Ms; FEC: ¾; Bandwidth: 36 Mhz)
Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.
2013 EVENT WINNERS: Spencer Massey, Top Fuel; Matt Hagan, Funny Car; Mike Edwards, Pro Stock: Hector Arana Jr., Pro Stock Motorcycle.
MOST VICTORIES: Spencer Massey, 2, TF; Greg Anderson, 2, PS; Mike Edwards, 2, PS.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.749 seconds by Tony Schumacher, Sept. ’12; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12.
Funny Car – 3.980 seconds by Cruz Pedregon, Sept. ’13; 322.27 mph by Matt Hagan, Sept. ’11.
Pro Stock – 6.471 sec. by Mike Edwards, April ’13; 213.91 mph by Jason Line, April ’12.
Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.810 sec. by Eddie Krawiec, Sept. ’11; 196.79 mph by Krawiec, Sept. ’11.
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ‘12, Reading, Pa.; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12, Charlotte, N.C.
Funny Car – 3.965 sec. by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.; 324.12 mph by J. Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock – 6.471 sec. by Mike Edwards, April ‘13, Charlotte, N.C.; 214.69 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, March. ’14, Gainesville, Fla.
PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.26 mph by Eddie Krawiec, March ’11, Gainesville, Fla.
TICKETS: Order tickets by phone at (800) 455-FANS. Tickets also are available online at www.zmaxdragway.com.
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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the fourth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –
Top Fuel: 1. Doug Kalitta, 412; 2. Antron Brown, 339; 3. Steve Torrence, 314; 4. Tony Schumacher, 262; 5. Spencer Massey, 236; 6. Khalid alBalooshi, 229; 7. Shawn Langdon, 223; 8. Brittany Force, 191; 9. Richie Crampton, 157; 10. Bob Vandergriff, 150.
Funny Car: 1. Robert Hight, 367; 2. John Force, 358; 3. Alexis DeJoria, 299; 4. Ron Capps, 241; 5. Del Worsham, 224; 6. Courtney Force, 207; 7. Tommy Johnson Jr., 205; 8. Matt Hagan, 204; 9. Jack Beckman, 202; 10. Bob Tasca III, 194.
Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders-Stevens, 344; 2. Jason Line, 329; 3. Allen Johnson, 317; 4. V. Gaines, 276; 5. (tie) Dave Connolly, 267; Vincent Nobile, 267; 7. Shane Gray, 237; 8. Jeg Coughlin, 214; 9. Chris McGaha, 191; 10. Jimmy Alund, 169.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Steve Johnson, 114; 2. Scotty Pollacheck, 93; 3. Hector Arana Jr, 81; 4. John Hall, 75; 5. Michael Ray, 63; 6. Andrew Hines, 62; 7. Matt Smith, 60; 8. Eddie Krawiec, 56; 9. (tie) Hector Arana, 32; Adam Arana, 32; Shawn Gann, 32; Katie Sullivan, 32.
