EARLY SUCCESSES HAVE FUNNY CAR ROOKIE JOHN HALE EAGER FOR NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS CHALLENGES

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The experience of racing in this weekend’s NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway will be a new one for rookie Funny Car driver John Hale.

To get ready for one of the most thrilling events in motorsports, Hale has his own plan to get accustomed to all of the nuances of a race unlike any other on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series circuit.

“I’m going to go on YouTube and see if I can pull up last year’s race,” Hale said. “I’ll see what I can decipher and hopefully get a little head start in my mind.”

Whatever Hale is doing has worked in 2015. With just three races to his credit before this season, Hale has looked impressive through three events this year, posting his first career final round appearance at the most recent race in Gainesville.

Next up is trying to conquer one of the most unique races of the season at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jimmy Alund (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (PSM) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN and ESPN2. ESPN will provide live eliminations coverage on Sunday starting at 2 p.m., and Mello Yello Series racing will begin at 1 p.m. (ET) at the track.

It marks the first time Hale will line up his 10,000-horsepower ALO Drink/Jim Dunn Racing Dodge Charger against three other 10,000-horsepower machines on the starting line, a fact that brings an equal mix of excitement and nerves.

He’s leaned on the experience of Jim Dunn and Jeff Arend, gathering as much advice as possible entering the event. But Hale also knows that he must be even more locked in during an event that will undoubtedly have his adrenaline flowing.

“I’m a little apprehensive with the starting line procedure at the Four-Wide event because I’ve had a little trouble with the starting line game this year,” Hale said. “But I’ve already started to improve on that and it’s just going to take a lot of concentration on the tree. It’s really going to make you focus even more on your own lane. I talked to Jeff Arend about it and he said it’s good to go watch it a little before I race to try and understand it a little better.”

Since being named the full-time driver for Jim Dunn Racing for all 24 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events in January, Hale has made rapid improvements. A veteran and two-time champion in the Nostalgia Funny Car ranks, the Texas native has made the most of his golden opportunity thus far in 2015.

He won a first-round matchup to kick off the season in Pomona and was tremendous in Gainesville, knocking off the likes of John Force and Alexis DeJoria before falling to Ron Capps in the final round.

“It was really exciting just to be considered for the driving job,” Hale said. “To get qualified and get that first round win in Pomona was remarkable, and it’s been great to go to the finals in just the third race. But this car has been really consistent and there’s a great, experienced team around me. The Dunn family is just really jazzed right now. It seems almost surreal, like ‘Did I just do that?’ It’s a pretty infectious feeling.”

That has Hale, who is currently fifth in points, thinking big, even against a rugged Funny Car field that is led by reigning world champion and current points leader Matt Hagan, who won the first two events of the season. Hight scored a victory at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in 2014, while other stars include Courtney Force, Del Worsham, Cruz Pedregon, Jack Beckman and Tommy Johnson Jr.

But the success in Gainesville has Hale believing he can hold his own against the Funny Car elite this weekend at zMAX Dragway and beyond, perhaps even into the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship.

“With the success of the past race, I’m really looking forward to getting back in the seat so we can hopefully continue it,” Hale said. “I’m ready to get after it and hopefully we can get the car to run in the 4.00s. The more runs I make the more comfortable I get. This team is capable of winning races and we can compete with anyone out there. We had a successful weekend in Gainesville and that just lets you know you can do it.”

In Top Fuel, Brown won at the Four-Wide Nationals for the first time last season and claimed six victories in 2014. Spencer Massey, who was victorious at the most recent event in Gainesville, won in 2012 and 2013, while reigning world champ Tony Schumacher, who won the most recent event in Phoenix, has two victories at zMAX Dragway, but is looking for his first in the unique four-lane format. Doug Kalitta, J.R. Todd, three-time world champ Larry Dixon, reigning rookie of the year Richie Crampton, Brittany Force, Steve Torrence and 2013 world champ Shawn Langdon will all be major contenders as well.

Substituting for four-time Pro Stock world champ Greg Anderson, who had off-season heart surgery, Alund ran the first five races and struck gold at zMAX Dragway. Anderson, a two-time winner of the event, is looking to build momentum after his 75th career victory at Gainesville, while teammate Jason Line won the season-opening race. Others to watch include reigning world champ Erica Enders-Stevens, 2012 world champ Allen Johnson, Phoenix winner and current points leader Rodger Brogdon, rookie sensation Drew Skillman, Shane Gray and Jonathan Gray.

Hines and Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson teammate Eddie Krawiec dominated the Pro Stock Motorcycle season in 2014, combining to win 11 of the 16 events. Hines claimed his first win of the year in Charlotte and claimed five more titles en route to his fourth career world championship. Krawiec, 2009 world champ Hector Arana Sr., 2013 event winner Hector Arana Jr.; two-time world champ Matt Smith, Angie Smith, Gainesville winner and points leader Karen Stoffer, and former zMAX Dragway winner Steve Johnson are all expected to be competitive in the two-wheeled 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 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, March 27, with sessions at 1:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, March 28, also at 1:15 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 29.

The NHRA Four-Wide Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

Be a part of the action all weekend with a Three-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: Sixth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, the fourth 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 2015 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, March 27-29

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, March 27 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, March 28 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m.

SUNDAY, March 29 – Pre-race ceremonies, 11 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 1 p.m.

TELEVISION:

Saturday, March 28, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 8 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, March 29, ESPN will televise three hours of eliminations coverage at 2 p.m. (ET).

2014 EVENT WINNERS: Antron Brown, Top Fuel; Robert Hight, Funny Car; Jimmy Alund, Pro Stock; Andrew Hines, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

MOST VICTORIES: Spencer Massey, 2, TF; Robert Hight, 2, FC; 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; 198.3 mph by Matt Smith, April. ’14.

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: 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 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS

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

Top Fuel: 1. Shawn Langdon, 281; 2. Tony Schumacher, 268; 3. Spencer Massey, 250; 4. Antron Brown, 241; 5. Doug Kalitta, 184; 6. Richie Crampton, 159; 7. (tie) Larry Dixon, 140; Brittany Force, 140; 9. J.R. Todd, 139; 10. Steve Torrence, 121.

Funny Car: 1. Matt Hagan, 267; 2. Ron Capps, 241; 3. Del Worsham, 213; 4. Robert Hight, 177; 5. John Hale, 173; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., 172; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 162; 8. (tie) Courtney Force, 157; Cruz Pedregon, 157; 10. Tim Wilkerson, 145.

Pro Stock: 1. Rodger Brogdon, 284; 2. Jason Line, 277; 3. Drew Skillman, 229; 4. Chris McGaha, 220; 5. Erica Enders-Stevens, 217; 6. Greg Anderson, 203; 7. Shane Gray, 166; 8. Allen Johnson, 142; 9. Larry Morgan, 121; 10. Vincent Nobile, 119.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Karen Stoffer, 115; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 98; 3. (tie) Shawn Gann, 72; LE Tonglet, 72; 5. Angelle Sampey, 66; 6. Andrew Hines, 59; 7. Hector Arana, 54; 8. Angie Smith, 51; 9. Matt Smith, 43; 10. (tie) Steve Johnson, 34. Jim Underdahl, 34.