ENNIS, Texas — Robert Hight enjoyed a tremendous 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series regular season, winning five times and leading the points for an impressive 13-race stretch, the most in his career.
But as noteworthy as that is, Hight knows his Funny Car season will ultimately be determined on how he performs in his 10,000-horsepower Auto Club Ford Mustang during the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship.
Hight, currently second in points behind teammate and reigning world champion John Force, can make a big step towards his second Funny Car world championship by racing well at this weekend’s 29th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex. The stakes are certainly raised during the Countdown, but that has often brought out the best in Hight.
“We had a great regular season but the key is to be leading the points after the last race of the season,” Hight said. “It is a whole new ballgame now. The first 18 races are in the past. If you want a championship you better be on top of your game. Winning in the Countdown is what it is all about.”
Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2. It marks the second of six races in the Countdown to the Championship. The continuation of eliminations for the Countdown opener, the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals, will also be completed during qualifying rounds at the Texas Motorplex. In Top Fuel and Funny Car three rounds of racing remain, while Pro Stock still has all four to be completed. Four pairs of Pro Stock cars also need to complete their first round runs.
Hight won his first-round matchup in Charlotte and will face Jeff Arend in the quarterfinals. It sets up what could be a huge weekend for Hight, who knows how crucial it is to start well during the Countdown. With two races now being completed at the Texas Motorplex the spotlight will be even bigger in Dallas.
“With four races in a row getting a good start is important,” Hight said. “You want to build momentum and not fall behind. You better not waste any round wins. Also that all-concrete track (in Dallas) is key for qualifying bonus points. It might be hot but we have a good hot weather tune up so I am excited.”
Following a victory in Denver, Hight, who has 34 career victories, ran into a rough spot, dropping first-round matchups in three of the four races heading into the Countdown.
But Hight has always performed well during the Countdown, as his six victories are second only to Pedregon’s eight for most in Funny Car history. Plus Hight’s standout crew chief Mike Neff is aiming to win a Funny Car championship with a third different driver, something no Funny Car crew chief has done.
Standing in Hight’s way is an abundance of championship contenders that features Countdown participants John Force, Pedregon, Del Worsham, Courtney Force, Matt Hagan, Alexis DeJoria, Ron Capps, Tim Wilkerson and Tommy Johnson Jr.
“There are so many tough Funny Cars and I have some of the toughest competition coming from my own teammates,” said Hight, who has two career wins in Dallas. “In the Countdown anything can happen. This is a tough, tough category and if you slip up just a little you aren’t going to get any freebies. Neff and I have been talking and we have a great game plan for the Countdown. I have so much confidence in Neff and my Auto Club crew guys.”
The Auto Club involvement also makes it a special event for Hight but that extra attention simply means the reward is that much better if he is able to come through with a memorable performance at the Texas Motorplex.
“I love racing for AAA Texas,” Hight said. “We will see a lot of AAA Texas people at the race and you do feel some pressure but I wouldn’t call it extra pressure. You want to do well for your sponsor at every race. With the championship on the line it is pretty cool to have your sponsors around at the Countdown races. We are lucky because we have sponsors involved in three of the six Countdown races with Dallas, St. Louis and Pomona.”
In Top Fuel, Kalitta has advanced to nine final rounds in 2014 and will be after a second straight Dallas Top Fuel win, while the ultra-talented field also features Countdown qualifiers Tony Schumacher, who has five Dallas wins, Antron Brown, reigning world champion Shawn Langdon, Spencer Massey, Brittany Force, Khalid alBalooshi, Richie Crampton, Steve Torrence and J.R. Todd.
Line, last season’s Dallas winner in Pro Stock took over the points lead after winning in Brainerd and is after his third career championship. Line will try to thwart off challenges from a strong field that includes reigning world champion Jeg Coughlin, Allen Johnson, four-time 2014 winner Erica Enders-Stevens, Dave Connolly, V Gaines, Shane Gray, rookie Jonathan Gray, Vincent Nobile and Texas resident Chris McGaha.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Krawiec and his Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team has been the most consistent this season. Teammate Andrew Hines is the current points leader and Krawiec enters the Countdown off his first Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals win. Reigning world champ Matt Smith, Michael Ray, Angie Smith, Steve Johnson, Hector Arana, Hector Arana Jr. and Scotty Pollacheck are a few of the Pro Stock Motorcycle riders who will attempt to take home a Dallas victory.
The race will also mark the return to competition for three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champ Angelle Sampey-Drago. After sitting out the last five seasons to start a family, she is returning to action at this event riding the Star Racing Buell owned by George Bryce. It is a fitting return for the Louisiana native during a season where women have made a huge impact with a record number of wins on the track. She is the winningest female NHRA racer in history with 41 career victories.
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.
The event will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying sessions are scheduled for Friday, Sept. 19, with sessions at 2:15 and 5:15 p.m. (also Charlotte PS and PSM eliminations). The final two qualifying sessions, which will both include Charlotte eliminations, will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. The Charlotte final rounds will be held Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Final eliminations for the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Texas Motorplex at (800) MOTORPLEX (668-6775) or visit www.texasmotorplex.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
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AAA TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: 29th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, the 20th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the second of six races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. 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. The race also will feature the continuation of eliminations from the rain-delayed Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals from Sept. 14 at Charlotte, N.C.
WHERE: Texas Motorplex- Track is located at 7500 W. Highway 287 in Ennis, Texas.
WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 18-21
SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, Sept. 18- LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
FRIDAY, Sept. 19 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying and eliminations
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 2:15 and 5:15 p.m.
*The continuation of first-round eliminations for Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle from the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals will be completed during the 5:15 p.m. qualifying session.
SATURDAY, Sept. 20 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
*Eliminations for all pro categories from the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals will be completed during scheduled qualifying rounds; Quarterfinals at 11:15 a.m., semifinals at 2:15 p.m. and finals at 4:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, Sept. 21 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Sunday, Sept. 21, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying highlights at 3:30 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 21, ESPN2 will re-air 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 4 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 21, ESPN2 will televise three hours of coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):
Friday, Sept. 19, 9:30 – 10 p.m. (ET), AMC 9 / Transponder 03C
Saturday, Sept. 20, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), AMC 9 / Transponder 03C
Sunday, Sept. 21, 7:30 – 8 p.m. (ET), AMC 9 / Transponder 03C
(3760 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: Doug Kalitta, Top Fuel; Cruz Pedregon, Funny Car; Jason Line, Pro Stock; Eddie Krawiec, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
MOST VICTORIES: John Force, FC, 7; Tony Schumacher, TF, 5; Warren Johnson, PS, 5; Cruz Pedregon, FC, 4; Greg Anderson, PS, 4.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.767 sec. and 325.53 mph by Shawn Langdon, Sept. ’13
Funny Car – 4.052 sec. and 313.37 mph by Robert Hight, Sept. ’13
Pro Stock – 6.550 sec. and 211.99 mph by Allen Johnson, Sept. ’12
Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.828 sec. by Hector Arana Jr., Sept. ’11; 197.22 mph by Michael Phillips, 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. and 324.12 mph by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock – 6.464 sec. and 215.55 mph by Erica 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 (800) MOTORPLEX (668-6775). Tickets also are available at www.texasmotorplex.com.
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NHRA MELLO YELLO COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. – Unofficial point standings (top 10) for Mello Yello Drag Racing Series teams as eliminations are on hold for the rain-delayed Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals and prior to the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex. Points totals for Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals are not official until the completion of that event on Saturday at Texas Motorplex.
Top Fuel: 1. Doug Kalitta, 2,149; 2. Tony Schumacher, 2,116; 3. Steve Torrence, 2,113; 4. Antron Brown, 2,112; 5. Shawn Langdon, 2,106; 6. Spencer Massey, 2,094; 7. Khalid alBalooshi, 2,082; 8. J.R. Todd, 2,064; 9. Richie Crampton, 2,051; 10. Brittany Force, 2,043.
Funny Car: 1. John Force, 2,162; 2. Robert Hight, 2,141; 3. Ron Capps, 2,126; 4. Alexis DeJoria, 2,104; 5. Matt Hagan, 2,090; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,084; 7. Courtney Force, 2,076; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 2,057; 9. Tim Wilkerson, 2,052; 10. Del Worsham, 2,043.
Pro Stock: 1. Jason Line, 2,166; 2. Erica Enders-Stevens, 2,130; 3. Jeg Coughlin, 2,117; 4. Allen Johnson, 2,104; 5. Shane Gray, 2,093; 6. Dave Connolly, 2,090; 7. V. Gaines, 2,072; 8. Vincent Nobile, 2,069; 9. Chris McGaha, 2,042; 10. Jonathan Gray, 2,035.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Andrew Hines, 2,145; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 2,128; 3. Hector Arana Jr, 2,114; 4. Hector Arana, 2,091; 5. John Hall, 2,084; 6. Matt Smith, 2,076; 7. Michael Ray, 2,061; 8. Scotty Pollacheck, 2,052; 9. Angie Smith, 2,042; 10. Steve Johnson, 2,038.
