TOP FUEL DRIVER BRITTANY FORCE BRINGS ADDED EXPERIENCE, SUCCESS INTO AUTO-PLUS NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS AT NEW ENGLAND DRAGWAY

EPPING, N.H. – Making her second trip to New England Dragway, Top Fuel driver Brittany Force will have an entirely different look and mindset heading into the 2014 Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals, which takes place this weekend at the historic track located just north of the Boston metro area.

Gone are any rookie jitters and any tentativeness, replaced with confidence, aggressiveness and a growing amount of success. Force already has made her first final round appearance of her NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series career this season and she has been the No. 1 qualifier at two of the past three events, including the most recent race in Bristol. Next up is earning her first victory and that could happen this weekend in Epping for Force, the 2013 Auto Club of Southern California Road the Future Award winner.

“I’m definitely getting used to this Castrol Edge dragster,” Force said. “I know if the car hasn’t done anything to act up on the run, I’ll stay in it. I learn something new on every pass and each run is always different. This team is so much stronger than it was last year. Todd Smith (crew chief), Dean Antonelli (assistant crew chief) and the rest of my guys have been doing awesome this season. We’ve been qualifying great, going rounds and looking strong.”

Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and John Hall (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were inaugural winners of an event that exceeded all expectations and will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2.

The second trip to New England Dragway marks the 11th of 24 events during the 2014 NHRA season and Force will look to build on her eighth position in the points standings. Finishing in the top 10 and qualifying for the Countdown to the Championship for the first time is a definite goal, but Force also wants more consistency and, ultimately, her first career victory.

She has qualified fifth or better at four races this season in her 10,000-horsepower Castrol Edge dragster, including No. 1 at Topeka, joining sister and Funny Car standout Courtney Force to become the first pair of sisters to qualify No. 1 at the same event, and Bristol. Brittany Force advanced to the semifinals in Topeka, but lost in a disappointing first-round affair over the weekend at Bristol. With the Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals marking the second of four straight race weekends, Force is eager to make amends as soon as possible.

“It’s definitely disappointing to come out as the number one qualifier and go out in the first round,” Force said. “It almost seems like a curse. It seems like the number one qualifier just doesn’t make it to the final round. Courtney broke that curse a few weekends back, but it’s tough to go rounds and make it all the way to the winner’s circle when you’re the number one qualifier, and I don’t know why that is.”

Force has her sights set on getting that figured out in a hurry and she will have to do so against a loaded Top Fuel field that includes points leader Doug Kalitta, who advanced to his sixth final of the year in Bristol. Massey is after a repeat victory at New England Dragway and his third victory overall in 2014, while other contenders include 2012 world champion Antron Brown, seven-time world champ Tony Schumacher, Steve Torrence, defending world champion and Bristol winner Shawn Langdon, and new Kalitta Motorsports driver J.R. Todd.

Force lost in the first-round to Schumacher a year ago in Epping, but she is a far different driver than she was last June. That should be important as Force heads back to New England Dragway, as will a motivated mindset to put Bristol’s first-round loss behind her.

“The one thing I will tell my guys is that we’re going to jump right back into it, so don’t beat yourselves up over our first round loss,” Force said. “We’ll use the momentum and really go after it next weekend (in Epping). I know our day (in Bristol) ended short for us, but it doesn’t mean we can’t be in the winner’s circle next weekend.”

Courtney Force, who beat her father and 16-time Funny Car world champion John Force in the final a year ago, recently earned the 100th professional win for female NHRA drivers in Topeka and is after her second win of the season. She is chasing points leader Robert Hight while other championship-caliber drivers include Alexis DeJoria, Jack Beckman, Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Del Worsham, Tommy Johnson Jr., who won the most recent event in Bristol, Jack Beckman and local favorite and Rhode Island native Bob Tasca III.

The 2012 Pro Stock world champion Johnson is currently third in points with a class-best three wins but is chasing teammate and reigning world champion Jeg Coughlin, as well as points leader Erica Enders-Stevens, who has won three times including this past weekend in Bristol. Other factory hot rod class hopefuls seeking a first win at Epping include Vincent Nobile, Greg Anderson, Jason Line, V Gaines, Dave Connolly, Shane Gray and Chris McGaha.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Hall claimed his first career win on his Buell last season at the inaugural event and is currently third in the points standings. The Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team of Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec sit first and second, respectively, in the points standings and will face strong competition from the likes of reigning world champion Matt Smith, John Hall, Hector Arana Jr., Michael Ray and Scotty Pollacheck.

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.

Families who are planning to attend the event will want to take advantage of the free tickets for kids ages 12 and under. Fans will also 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 Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, June 20, with sessions at 4:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, June 21, at 12:15 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 22.

To experience the roaring excitement of the NHRA New England Nationals get your tickets by calling (603) 679-8001 or visiting www.newenglanddragway.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.

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AUTO-PLUS NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: Second annual Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals, the 11th 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: New England Dragway, The track is on Route 101 off Exit 8, an hour north of Boston and just 20 minutes from Manchester and the New Hampshire sea coast. From I-95, take Exit 2 in New Hampshire. Travel west on Route 101 to Exit 8, then turn right. From I-93, take Exit 7 in New Hampshire. Travel east on Route 101 to Exit 8, then turn left, and the track is straight ahead. From I-495, take Exit 51-B to Route 125 north. Travel east on Route 101 to Exit 8, then turn left, and the track is straight ahead.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 19-22

SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, June 19 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

FRIDAY, June 20 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:15 and 6:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, June 21 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:15 and 2:45 p.m.

SUNDAY, June 22 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11a.m.

TELEVISION:

Saturday, June 21, ESPN2HD will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 7 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, June 22, ESPN2HD will televise three hours of elimination coverage starting at 2 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):

Friday, June 20, 9:30 – 10 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 01C

Saturday, June 21, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 01C

Sunday, June 22, 7 – 7:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 1 / Transponder 01C

(3720 MHz, horizontal; 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; Courtney Force, Funny Car; Allen Johnson, Pro Stock; John Hall, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

TRACK RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.795 seconds by Doug Kalitta, June ’13; 324.67 mph by Shawn Langdon, June ’13.

Funny Car – 4.051 seconds by John Force, June ’13; 317.49 mph by Matt Hagan, June ’13.

Pro Stock – 6.533 seconds by Jeg Coughlin, June ’13; 212.79 mph by Mike Edwards, June ’13.

Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.832 seconds by Michael Ray, June ’13; 197.05 mph by Ray, June ’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 – 6.4 sec. by Erica Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown, N.J.; 215.55 mph by Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.

PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.26 mph by Eddie Krawiec, March ’11, Gainesville, Fla.

TICKETS: For tickets call (603) 679-8001. Tickets also available online at www.newenglanddragway.com.

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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the 10th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:

Top Fuel: 1. Doug Kalitta, 902; 2. Antron Brown, 782; 3. Shawn Langdon, 751; 4. Spencer Massey, 652; 5. Steve Torrence, 617; 6. Tony Schumacher, 557; 7. Khalid alBalooshi, 535; 8. Brittany Force, 502; 9. Richie Crampton, 464; 10. J.R. Todd, 429.

Funny Car: 1. Robert Hight, 905; 2. John Force, 640; 3. Tommy Johnson Jr., 627; 4. Alexis DeJoria, 619; 5. Del Worsham, 593; 6. Courtney Force, 581; 7. Ron Capps, 571; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 538; 9. Tim Wilkerson, 533; 10. Matt Hagan, 527.

Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders-Stevens, 908; 2. Jeg Coughlin, 753; 3. Allen Johnson, 704; 4. Jason Line, 698; 5. Shane Gray, 651; 6. Vincent Nobile, 617; 7. Dave Connolly, 587; 8. V. Gaines, 487; 9. Chris McGaha, 459; 10. Rodger Brogdon, 390.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Andrew Hines, 406; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 382; 3. John Hall, 285; 4. Hector Arana Jr, 263; 5. Scotty Pollacheck, 252; 6. Michael Ray, 235; 7. Matt Smith, 206; 8. Steve Johnson, 187; 9. (tie) Hector Arana, 168; Chaz Kennedy, 168.