MADISON, Ill. – It took all of one race for Drew Skillman to learn about the added intensity of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. It also took the Pro Stock rookie and his team one race to learn to stay within themselves.
Coming off a final round appearance at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis to end the regular season, his third of a highly-successful Pro Stock debut season, Skillman and his team decided to get even more aggressive last weekend in Charlotte to kick off the Countdown to the Championship. But that approach backfired, as Skillman struggled all weekend and lost in the first round.
Lesson learned and now properly introduced to the intensity level required for playoff-style NHRA drag racing, Skillman is confident in a different result in his Ray Skillman Chevrolet Camaro at this weekend’s fourth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park.
“We were really aggressive coming out and we fought it right off the bat,” Skillman said. “To go from going to the final round in Indy and qualifying eighth last weekend, it was not a great feeling. We’ll be fine but we just have to head back to how we were running. We know what to do. I really like St. Louis. I won a divisional race there earlier this year and the track is incredible. It’s a great racing surface.”
Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Courtney Force (Funny Car), Dave Connolly (Pro Stock), and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN2. The lucrative event just outside of St. Louis is the second of six playoff races in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship and comes at a pivotal time for any driver chasing a world championship crown.
Skillman’s early exit in Charlotte might make the title a longshot, as he currently sits ninth in points, 180 behind reigning world champion and Elite Motorsports teammate Erica Enders, who won her third straight race last weekend at zMAX Dragway.
But Skillman still has big goals to finish off his first season in Pro Stock and that includes finishing a race in style after already racing to final rounds in Pomona, Indy and Norwalk.
“We’re fighting to get that win,” Skillman said. “We’ve been so close three times and we would really like to get it done in the Countdown. How much bigger could that be, getting your first win in the Countdown? Our goal this season was to win one race and finish in the top 10. I really believe we’re going to meet all of those goals.”
That confidence indicates just how well the 2015 campaign has gone for Skillman and his team, led by crew chief Mark Ingersoll. Moving from sportsman racing to the Pro Stock ranks was certainly an adjustment, but Skillman has picked things up quickly and meshed impressively with his team. He’s also learned a great deal from Enders throughout the season.
“This season has exceeded all my expectations greatly,” Skillman said. “I’ve learned a ton, and learning all the nuances is different. I went from running 8.20s to 6.50s right out of the box. There is a huge learning curve but I love being part of this team. It’s special being around a group of people who are so passionate. We love being around each other and it’s been incredible. Erica is just methodical about how she prepares herself. She’s a gameday player and there’s just unbelievable consistency with her.”
Enders took her performance to another level in Charlotte and opened up an 83-point lead over second-place Greg Anderson in the process. Skillman also noticed an increased focus from everyone in the class at the start of the NHRA’s six-race playoffs.
“The air is definitely different,” Skillman said. “It’s a little more competitive and everyone is a hair more aggressive. We tried to be more aggressive and it didn’t work out for us. Every round matters and there’s more pressure out there this time of year for sure.”
Joining Skillman in the quest to chase down Enders is a talented group that includes four-time world champ Greg Anderson and his teammate Jason Line, two-time event winner in 2015 Chris McGaha, who is currently third, Allen Johnson, Vincent Nobile, who moved to up to sixth with a runner-up performance in Charlotte, Shane Gray, Jonathan Gray and veteran driver Larry Morgan.
Skillman will also be trying to beat his teammate in St. Louis, not only to get that first career Pro Stock victory but also put him a step closer to possibly winning the Auto Club Road to the Future Award, given annually to the NHRA’s top rookie driver.
“Of course I think about it and it would be an honor to win it,” Skillman said. “There’s been a lot of great drivers who have won and it’s great to even have a shot. I think I have a shot and a win would certainly help my case.”
In Top Fuel, all eyes will be on Brown, who won in Charlotte to jump into the points lead. In St. Louis, the 2012 world champ looks to make it four straight wins at Gateway Motorsports Park. The loaded Top Fuel lineup also includes reigning world champion Tony Schumacher, Richie Crampton, who has four wins in 2015, three-time world champion Larry Dixon, who sits in third, J.R. Todd, who moved to fourth with his final round appearance in Charlotte, Doug Kalitta, Steve Torrence, Shawn Langdon, Brittany Force and Dave Connolly.
Del Worsham fired an impressive opening shot in Funny Car, winning in Charlotte, his first victory of 2015, to take over the points lead. Trying to track him down will be Tommy Johnson Jr., who jumped to second with a final round appearance, Jack Beckman, a six-time 2015 winner who was upset in the first-round and dropped to third, reigning world champion Matt Hagan, 16-time world champion John Force, Robert Hight, Ron Capps, Tim Wilkerson, Cruz Pedregon and Alexis DeJoria.
Louisiana alligator farmer Savoie is the defending winner of this event in Pro Stock Motorcycle and will head into St. Louis third in points. Andrew Hines, the reigning world champion, passed teammate Eddie Krawiec to move into first in points after winning in Charlotte, dropping Krawiec to second. Others to watch include Hector Arana Jr., Matt Smith, who jumped to fourth with a final round showing in Charlotte, Jim Underdahl, Hector Arana, Karen Stoffer, Chip Ellis and Scotty Pollacheck.
The race also will showcase the thrilling 250 mph action in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Series.
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 get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 25, with sessions at 2:45 and 5:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, at 1:45 and 4:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday at 2:15 and 4:45 p.m. with one final qualifying session on Saturday at 1 p.m. The first round will begin on Saturday at 3:45 p.m. and continue on Sunday.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Gateway Motorsports Park at (855) RACE-TIK (722-3845) or visit www.gatewaymsp.com. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
* * *
AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: Fourth annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, 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 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: Gateway Motorsports Park, Madison, Ill. – located five minutes from downtown St. Louis at the intersection of Interstates 55/70 and Ill. Route 203 (Exit 4).
COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 445 feet above sea level; Track direction is south to north.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 25-27
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Sept. 25 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 2:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 2:45 and 5:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, Sept. 26 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 1 p.m.; first round of eliminations at 3:45 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.
SUNDAY, Sept. 27 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Sunday, Sept. 27, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 3 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 27, ESPN2 will re-air one hour of qualifying coverage at 2 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 27, ESPN2 will televise three hours and 30 minutes of elimination coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):
Saturday, Sept. 26, 7:30 – 8 p.m. (ET), SES 1/Transponder 10C
Sunday, Sept. 27, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), SES 1/ Transponder 10C
(3900 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.
2014 EVENT WINNERS: Antron Brown, Top Fuel; Courtney Force, Funny Car; Dave Connolly, Pro Stock; Jerry Savoie, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
MOST VICTORIES: Antron Brown, 4, TF; Gary Scelzi, 4, TF and FC; Doug Kalitta, 3, TF; Ron Capps, 3, FC; John Force, 3, FC; Kurt Johnson, 3, PS; Warren Johnson, 3, PS; Angelle Sampey, 3, PSM.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.737 sec. by Antron Brown, Sept. ‘12; 327.74 mph by Tony Schumacher, Sept. ‘13
Funny Car – 4.001 sec. and 320.20 mph by Matt Hagan, Sept. ‘13
Pro Stock – 6.496 sec. and 213.47 mph by Jason Line, Sept. ‘12
PS Motorcycle – 6.769 sec. and 198.58 mph by Hector Arana, Sept. ‘13
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.680 sec. by Antron Brown, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.
Funny Car – 3.901 sec. by Jack Beckman, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.; 329.58 mph by Matt Hagan, Aug. ‘15, Brainerd, Minn.
Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown, N.J.
PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.
TICKETS: For tickets call Gateway Motorsports Park at (855) RACE-TIK (722-3845), or visit www.gatewaymsp.com.
* * *
NHRA MELLO YELLO COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the first of six playoff races in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship and the 19th of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series:
Top Fuel: 1. Antron Brown, 2,199; 2. Tony Schumacher, 2,190; 3. Larry Dixon, 2,117; 4. J.R. Todd, 2,114; 5. Richie Crampton, 2,101; 6. (tie) Brittany Force, 2,082; Doug Kalitta, 2,082; 8. Shawn Langdon, 2,073; 9. Steve Torrence, 2,069; 10. Dave Connolly, 2,035.
Funny Car: 1. Del Worsham, 2,181; 2. Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,175; 3. Jack Beckman, 2,147; 4. Matt Hagan, 2,133; 5. John Force, 2,125; 6. Ron Capps, 2,100; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 2,071; 8. Robert Hight, 2,067; 9. Tim Wilkerson, 2,055; 10. Cruz Pedregon, 2,042.
Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders, 2,231; 2. Greg Anderson, 2,148; 3. Chris McGaha, 2,127; 4. Allen Johnson, 2,122; 5. Larry Morgan, 2,114; 6. Vincent Nobile, 2,103; 7. Jason Line, 2,093; 8. Shane Gray, 2,085; 9. Drew Skillman, 2,053; 10. Jonathan Gray, 2,032.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Andrew Hines, 2,193; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 2,173; 3. Jerry Savoie, 2,141; 4. Matt Smith, 2,136; 5. Hector Arana Jr, 2,112; 6. Karen Stoffer, 2,089; 7. Jim Underdahl, 2,062; 8. Chip Ellis, 2,053; 9. Hector Arana, 2,042; 10. Scotty Pollacheck, 2,010.