BAYTOWN, Texas — Cruz Pedregon has had far too much success and has been around the sport far too long to get overly concerned about a slow start to his 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Plus, the two-time Funny Car world champion has a pretty good security blanket at Royal Purple Raceway.
Pedregon has three career victories at the track, including his first professional win. The driver of the 8,000-horsepower Snap-on Tools Toyota Camry also enters this weekend’s 27th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries as the defending event champion, giving Pedregon another reason to believe more success is right around the corner.
“We’re right on the cusp of making consistently fast runs,” said Pedregon, who is currently 12th in points. “I believe cream will rise and I think we are prepared to climb the ladder and get back to where we were most of last year. I think we’re right there and there are no concerns. Houston has been a great track for me. I’ve had success there even going back to the Alcohol Dragster ranks.”
Bob Vandergriff (Top Fuel) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) were also winners of last year’s event at one of the circuit’s quickest and fastest tracks. The event, the sixth of 24 during the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, will once again be televised on ESPN2.
Pedregon knocked off Tim Wilkerson a year ago in the final round at Houston and his three victories at Royal Purple Raceway are third-most in Funny Car, behind only his brother Tony’s four and reigning world champion John Force’s seven.
Despite the track’s unique challenges and ever-shifting climate in the area, Pedregon has seemingly always been in tune with what his car has needed in Houston. He expects another challenge this weekend but it might prove to be just the race he needs to get his season on track.
“It’s a combination of the atmospheric conditions along with a track that has a lot of personality,” Pedregon said. “You can’t just throw everything at it. You have to be good with your set-up and good with the clutch. We’ve been able to bring that to the table (in Houston) and I credit that to our success.”
Pedregon’s 2013 win at Royal Purple Raceway was one of four during a season that saw him grab the points lead for a short stretch. He was in the top five for the majority of the season and finished fourth overall but has been unable to recreate that magic thus far in 2014.
Pedregon has suffered through first-round losses at four of the first five races this season and things won’t get any easier when it comes to competition in Houston. Points leader Robert Hight is red-hot after picking up his second win and fourth final round appearance of the season in Charlotte, while teammate and 16-time Funny Car world champ Force is always a threat in Houston.
Other favorites include Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Del Worsham, Jack Beckman and Tommy Johnson Jr., but Pedregon continues to preach patience and wouldn’t term Houston a must-win event. Of course, past successes immediately puts him in good position to do just that.
“Do we want to see some good, consistent runs? Of course, but you can’t put all of that pressure on one race,” Pedregon said. “It would be nice to do well and I think we’re capable of it, but it’s one many opportunities to perform well. It’s an important race but to say it’s more important than others, that’s not the case.”
In Top Fuel, Vandergriff will face heavy challenges from a loaded Top Fuel field in his quest to repeat. The points leader is Doug Kalitta, who has one win and three final round appearances in 2014, but Antron Brown, the 2012 world champ and 2008 event winner, won in Charlotte and has two wins this season. Other marquee contenders include Tony Schumacher, who has two wins in Houston, reigning champ Shawn Langdon, Steve Torrence, Spencer Massey, 2014 rookie Richie Crampton and Winternationals winner Khalid alBalooshi.
In Pro Stock, defending event winner Line won the season-opening race in Pomona but is currently trying to track down points leader and Houston native Erica Enders-Stevens. Reigning champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. has four wins at Royal Purple Raceway while teammate Allen Johnson is expected to be among the title challengers in Houston along with the likes of two-time event winner Vincent Nobile, Chris McGaha, Dave Connolly, Shane Gray, Jimmy Alund, who picked up his first career victory in Charlotte, and V Gaines.
The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will make its second stop of the 2014 season at Royal Purple Raceway. Mike Castellana stormed to victory at the season-opener in Gainesville, defeating defending champion Rickie Smith in the final round. Defending event winner Clint Satterfield and 2012 champ Troy Coughlin will also be among those gunning for victory in the thrilling 250 mph doorslammer category.
As always, fans will have the opportunity 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 unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time and get autographs from 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 25, with sessions at 4 and 6:30 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, April 26, at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 28. Pro Mod qualifying is set for Friday, April 25 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 26 at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Pro Mod eliminations are scheduled for Sunday at 9:45 a.m.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, log on to www.royalpurpleraceway.com or call Royal Purple Raceway at (281) 383-RACE (7223). Tickets for children 13 and younger are free in reserved sections on spectator side with paid adult tickets. For more information about NHRA, log on to www.NHRA.com.
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O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS presented by Super Start Batteries FACT SHEET
WHAT: 27th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries, the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock – earn points leading to 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, Texas. From Interstate 10 take the State Hwy. 99 (Grand Parkway) exit, which is exit 799. Take a right on State Hwy. 99 and go to the first exit (2 miles) which is FM 565. Take a right on FM 565 and Royal Purple Raceway will be on your right. For additional information about directions please visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 25-27
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, April 25 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 6 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4 and 6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, April 26 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 2 and 4:30 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:30 and 3 p.m.
SUNDAY, April 27 – PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES eliminations at 9:45 a.m.
Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, April 26, ESPN2HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 6 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, April 27, ESPN2HD will televise three hours of eliminations coverage at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE: (Digital HD feed)
Friday, April 25, 10 – 10:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 22C
Saturday, April 26, 8:30 – 9 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 22C
Sunday, April 27, 7:30 – 8 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: Bob Vandergriff, Top Fuel; Cruz Pedregon, Funny Car; Jason Line, Pro Stock
MOST VICTORIES: John Force, 7, FC; Warren Johnson, 6, PS; Tony Pedregon, 4, FC; Jeg Coughlin, 4, PS; Kenny Bernstein, 3, TF; Larry Dixon, 3, TF; Cruz Pedregon, 3, FC; Mike Edwards, 3, PS; Bob Glidden, 3, PS.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.772 seconds by Larry Dixon, April ’10; 327.74 mph by Morgan Lucas, April ’12.
Funny Car – 4.021 seconds by John Force, April ’10; 316.08 mph by Force, April ’10.
Pro Stock – 6.539 seconds by Mike Edwards, April ’10; 212.66 mph by Edwards, April ’13.
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.
TICKETS: For tickets call Royal Purple Raceway at (281) 383-RACE (7223) or visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.
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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the fifth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –
Top Fuel: 1. Doug Kalitta, 485; 2. Antron Brown, 460; 3. Steve Torrence, 347; 4. Shawn Langdon, 330; 5. Tony Schumacher, 316; 6. Khalid alBalooshi, 290; 7. Spencer Massey, 288; 8. Brittany Force, 246; 9. Richie Crampton, 189; 10. J.R. Todd, 183.
Funny Car: 1. Robert Hight, 488; 2. John Force, 453; 3. Alexis DeJoria, 375; 4. Ron Capps, 282; 5. Del Worsham, 277; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., 264; 7. Matt Hagan, 257; 8. (tie) Courtney Force, 244; Tim Wilkerson, 244; 10. Jack Beckman, 234.
Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders-Stevens, 426; 2. Jason Line, 384; 3. Allen Johnson, 370; 4. Vincent Nobile, 339; 5. Shane Gray, 334; 6. (tie) Dave Connolly, 308; V. Gaines, 308; 8. Jimmy Alund, 282; 9. Jeg Coughlin, 270; 10. Chris McGaha, 258.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Andrew Hines, 180; 2. Scotty Pollacheck, 169; 3. John Hall, 152; 4. Eddie Krawiec, 151; 5. Hector Arana Jr, 145; 6. Steve Johnson, 124; 7. Michael Ray, 107; 8. Matt Smith, 97; 9. (tie) Hector Arana, 83; Chaz Kennedy, 83.
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